Top 10 IELTS Writing Tips for Band 7+

Achieving a Band 7+ in IELTS Writing requires strategic preparation and understanding of the assessment criteria. Our expert instructors have compiled these proven tips to help you excel in both Task 1 and Task 2.

1. Understand the Assessment Criteria

IELTS Writing is assessed on four key criteria:

• Task Achievement/Response: How well you answer the question
• Coherence and Cohesion: How well your ideas flow and connect
• Lexical Resource: Your vocabulary range and accuracy
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Your grammar complexity and correctness

2. Plan Before You Write

Spend 5-10 minutes planning your response. This investment will save you time and improve your coherence. For Task 2, outline your main arguments and supporting points. For Task 1, identify the key features and trends you'll describe.

3. Master Task 1 Structure

For Academic Task 1, follow this structure:

• Introduction: Paraphrase the question
• Overview: Summarize the main trends/features
• Body paragraphs: Describe specific details with data

4. Perfect Your Task 2 Essay Structure

Use this proven structure for Task 2:

• Introduction: Paraphrase the question and state your thesis
• Body paragraph 1: First main argument with examples
• Body paragraph 2: Second main argument with examples
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points

5. Develop Your Vocabulary

Build a repertoire of topic-specific vocabulary and practice using synonyms to avoid repetition. Focus on:

• Academic vocabulary for formal writing
• Linking words and phrases for coherence
• Precise adjectives and adverbs
• Collocations and idiomatic expressions

6. Use Complex Grammar Structures

Demonstrate grammatical range by using:

• Conditional sentences
• Passive voice
• Relative clauses
• Inversion for emphasis
• Participle clauses

7. Practice Time Management

Allocate your 60 minutes wisely:

• Task 1: 20 minutes total (5 minutes planning, 15 minutes writing)
• Task 2: 40 minutes total (10 minutes planning, 30 minutes writing)

8. Use Specific Examples

Support your arguments with specific examples from your knowledge or experience. This shows depth of understanding and helps achieve higher band scores in Task Achievement.

9. Check Your Work

Reserve 5 minutes at the end to review your writing for:

• Grammar and spelling errors
• Word count requirements
• Coherence and flow
• Task completion

10. Practice Regularly

Consistent practice is key to improvement. Write essays regularly, get feedback from qualified instructors, and analyze high-scoring sample answers to understand what makes them effective.