@WISECATCLUB

IELTS
ESSAY

Effective schemes for success

Do’s and Don’ts in IELTS Essay LEXIS TIPS @WISECATCLUB

Do’s Don’ts
• Less common lexis • Overused lexis
(interesting, important, get, make)
• Formal idioms and quotes • Informal idioms /phrasal
verbs/slang (kids)
• Adjectives with negative • “Not” with adjectives
prefixes (not expensive inexpensive)
• Full form • Contractions (It’s it is)

• Composite conjunctions • Simple conjunctions

(and in addition)
P.S. Try to find balance between simple and uncommon lexical
items. This will lead to your essay sounding and reading in a more
academic tone, but natural.
 LEXIS TIPS @WISECATCLUB

• in the long run

• the key to success
• a golden opportunity

METAPHOR N1: "maintain a united front on the issue of"

"Parents and teachers need to maintain a united front on the

issue of cell phone addiction among schoolchildren."

METAPHOR N2: "be bombarded with"

"In the last ten years or so, children have been bombarded
with increasing amounts of violence in the media."

METAPHOR N3: "the battle against ... will be lost without…"

METAPHORS & IDIOMS "The battle against obesity among youngsters will be lost
without nutrition control."
Do’s and Don’ts in IELTS Essay GRAMMAR TIPS @WISECATCLUB

1. Rarely do people realize the importance /consequences/causes…

2. On no account should the importance/ consequences/causes/impact
of….be ignored.
3. Not only is it important now, but it also has consequences…
4. Not only does school uniform improve academic performance, but it also
maintains discipline.
5. For example, having carried out research among school children,
scientists have revealed that …
6. If it were not for school uniform, students would pay more attention to
social disparities…
7. School uniform is often believed to improve academic performance
8. Rich as our country is, our standard of living is still not high.
9. By investing money in education, our society ensures social prosperity.
 5 Essay Types
IELTS ESSAY TYPES

1. Opinion (agree/disagree)
2. Discuss both views (+give your opinion)
3. Advantages and disadvantages
4. Problems and solutions (cause and effect)
5. Two-part question essay
 Opinion Essay @WISECATCLUB

Typical Question Words:

What is your opinion?
Do you agree or disagree?
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Express your own opinion.
Direct question (Is it positive or negative?)
Introduction

Sentence 1 - Paraphrase the statement.

Sentence 2 - Thesis Statement: I strongly agree/disagree that paraphrased view.
Sentence 3 - Outline Sentence: Firstly, this essay will discuss (first argument), and secondly, it will
analyze (second argument).
Main Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1 - Topic sentence (extended first argument): The primary reason why restate the
opinion is that first argument (extended).
Sentence 2nd &3rd - Support/explain the idea stated in the topic sentence:
• This is because… The reason for this is that … (giving reasons)
• As a result…. / As a consequence…. / Therefore…./ Thus …(describing result)
Sentence 4 - Specific and relevant example to support your view: A prime example is …
 Opinion Essay @WISECATCLUB

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1 - Topic sentence (extended second argument): Another point to consider is that
second argument (extended).
Sentence 2&3 - Support/explain the idea stated in the topic sentence:
• The reason for this is that … (giving reasons)
• As a consequence…. / Therefore…./ Thus …(describing result)
Sentence 4 - Specific and relevant example to support your view: For instance,….

Conclusion (read the essay task question again)

Sentence 1 - Summary: “In conclusion, I am firmly convinced that…(restate the opinion directly)”
Sentence 2 - Summarize 2 arguments: “This is due to the fact that (paraphrased 1st argument)
and (paraphrased 2st argument)”.
 Discuss Both Views @WISECATCLUB

Typical Question Words:

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.
Introduction

Sentence 1 - Paraphrase both views: “It is sometimes argued that … However, there are those
who believe that…” OR “The argument that …… is both supported and refuted by many.”
Sentence 2 - Thesis Statement: In my opinion, ...
Sentence 3 - Outline Sentence: Firstly, this essay will discuss first side argument, and secondly, it
will analyze second side argument.

BODY (2 paragraphs in the order given in the task)

Main Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1 - Topic sentence (extended first side argument): On the one hand,
proponents/opponents of….. believe that …..
Sentence 2nd &3rd - Support/explain the idea stated in the topic sentence:
This is because… The reason for this is that … (giving reasons)
As a result…. / As a consequence…. / Therefore…./ Thus …(describing result)
Sentence 4 - Example to support your view: A prime example is …
 Discuss Both Views @WISECATCLUB

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1 - Topic sentence (extended 2nd side argument): On the other hand,
opponents/proponents of….. base their opinion on the assumption that …
Sentence 2nd &3rd - Support/explain the idea stated in the topic sentence:
This is because… The reason for this is that … (giving reasons)
As a result…. / As a consequence…. / Therefore…./ Thus …(describing result)
Sentence 4 - Example: For example, according to a recent research …

NB! IMPORTANT:
In the paragraph that you support add “… and I agree” in the topic sentence, e.g.: On the one
hand, proponents/opponents of….. believe that ….. and I agree.
In the paragraph that you DO NOT support add a reason why you disagree with the viewpoint in
the last (4th) sentence: “However, this argument is flawed mainly because of ….” OR “Despite this,
it is possible that…..” (explain the weak side)

Conclusion
Sentence 1 - Summary: “In conclusion, though people may vary in their opinions, I am firmly
convinced that…(your own opinion)”
Sentence 2 - Support/Explain your opinion: “This is due to the fact that … , despite …., ….(extend
the argument)”
 Advantages and @WISECATCLUB

disadvantages (+opinion)
Typical Question Words:
What are advantages and disadvantages of … ?

Introduction

Sentence 1 - Paraphrase the statement.

Sentence 2 - Thesis Statement: I believe that the merits of …. far overweigh its demerits
because the reason. (or vice versa)
Sentence 3 - Outline Sentence: This essay will first discuss… and … as the main benefits
of….This will be followed by the analysis of major drawbacks which are… and …

To weaken the point that you do not support use such words as “assumed/probable”,
e.g. “assumed health risks”
 Advantages and @WISECATCLUB

disadvantages (+opinion)
NO OPINION
MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 1 (ADVANTAGES FIRST)

Sentence 1 - Topic sentence: On the one hand, there are some benefits of …
Sentence 2 - state the 1st advantage: The major benefit associated with … is
Sentence 3 - explain the 1st advantage: The reason for this is that …
Sentence 4 - state the 2nd advantage: Another positive aspect of … is …
Sentence 5 - support the 2nd advantage: For example,..

MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 2 (DISADVANTAGES)

Sentence 1 - Topic sentence: Nevertheless, despite the advantages above, there are also
drawbacks of ….
Sentence 2 - the 1st disadvantage: A major problem closely tied to … is …
Sentence 3 - explain the 1st disadvantage: This is because … / Thus, …
Sentence 4 - state the 2nd disadvantage: Another issue to consider is …
Sentence 5 - support the 2nd disadvantage: For instance, …
 Advantages and @WISECATCLUB

disadvantages (+opinion)
OPINION:
If you are asked your opinion,
to weaken the point that you do not support, use:
• Admittedly, …
• …, more often than not,…
• might
• in some cases
• be likely to
• possible

To make your argument stronger, use:

• Nevertheless, despite the advantages
above, I believe there are serious
drawbacks …
• It is obvious/crystal clear that ….
• undeniable/impossible/only
 Advantages and @WISECATCLUB

disadvantages (+opinion)
CONCLUSION

!READ THE ESSAY TASK QUESTION AGAIN!

• no opinion. “In conclusion, the benefits of …, such as …, must be weighed against the
drawbacks, such as ….”
• if your opinion is asked. “In conclusion, in my opinion, the benefits of…. greatly outweigh
the disadvantages because…”

PROOFREADING
 Problems and solutions @WISECATCLUB

Typical Question Words:

Solutions (2)
Every day traffic seems to get worse on our roads. How can we reduce the number
of cars on our roads today?

Problem and solution.

Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems. Identify one or two
serious ones and ways how governments and individuals can tackle these problems.

Cause + effect and solution.

Childhood obesity is becoming a serious problem in many countries. Explain the main
causes and effects of this problem, and suggest some possible solutions.

Cause and solution.

Influence of human beings on the world's ecosystem is leading to the extinction of
species and loss of bio-diversity. What are the primary causes of loss of bio-
diversity? What solutions can you suggest?
 Problems and solutions @WISECATCLUB

Introduction
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase the statement.

Sentence 2 - Outline Sentence: This essay will discuss the most effective measures to improve
the situation which are….. and …. (2 solutions)
OR
This essay will first discuss the main issue connected with (subject) which is (problem)
Secondly, it will be followed by an analysis of the (main solution) as the most effective measure
to improve the situation.
OR
This essay will first discuss the root cause why this issue arises which is (main cause) which
results in (main effect). Secondly, it will be followed by an analysis of the (main solution) as the
most effective measure to improve the situation.
OR
This essay will first discuss the root cause why this issue arises which is (the main cause),
followed by an analysis of the (main solution) as the most effective measure to improve the
situation.
 Problems and solutions @WISECATCLUB

BODY (2 paragraphs)
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1 - Topic sentence (state the problem OR effect/cause if needed): The principal cause of…
is … (and this leads to …) OR The most critical concern is that … OR It is quite evident that the best
approach to tackle the problem of …. is to….
Sentence 2&3 - Support/explain the idea stated in the topic sentence:
This is because… The reason for this is that … (giving reasons)
As a result…. / As a consequence…. / Therefore…./ Thus …(describing result)
Sentence 4 - Specific and relevant example to support your view: A prime example is …

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1 - Topic sentence (state the solution): A possible solution to this worrying problem would
be … / To tackle this issue the government should take steps to …
Sentence 2&3 - Support/explain the idea stated in the topic sentence:
This is because… The reason for this is that … (giving reasons)
As a result…. / As a consequence…. / Therefore…./ Thus …(describing result)
Sentence 4 - Specific and relevant example to support your view: For example, …
 Problems and solutions @WISECATCLUB

2 ideas = 1 paragraph

Sentence 1: One of possible solutions/causes/effects of this worrying problem would be

…
Sentence 2: The reason for this is that …
Sentence 3: As a consequence….
Sentence 4: Another solution/cause/effect appears to be …
Sentence 5: This is because …
Sentence 6: For example, …

Conclusion
Sentence 1 - Summary: “In conclusion, one of main problems with … is … and this can be
solved through…” or “In conclusion, the most effective ways to tackle the issue of … are
…”
Sentence 2 - Recommendation or Prediction: “It is predicted/recommended that…”
(optional)
 Two-part question @WISECATCLUB

Typical Question Words:

• Do you agree or disagree with this statement? What can be done to …?
• Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Would a single currency cause
any problems?
Introduction
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase the statement.
Sentence 2 - Thesis Statement: I strongly agree/disagree that paraphrased view.
Sentence 3 - Outline Sentence: Firstly, this essay will discuss first argument (why you agree), and
secondly, it will analyze second argument (solution/problem etc.).

BODY (2 paragraphs) Main Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1 - Topic sentence (extended first argument): The main reason why restate the opinion
is that first argument (extended).
Sentence 2nd &3rd - Support/explain the idea stated in the topic sentence:
This is because… (giving reasons)
As a result… (describing result)
Sentence 4 - Specific and relevant example to support your view: A prime example is …
 Two-part question @WISECATCLUB

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1 - Topic sentence (extended second argument): The most effective

measure to deal with this problem is... OR The root cause of this trend is …. OR A
possible problem closely associated with …. is ….
Sentence 2&3 - Support/explain the idea stated in the topic sentence:
The reason for this is that … (giving reasons)
As a consequence…. / Therefore…./ Thus …(describing result)
Sentence 4 - Specific and relevant example to support your view: For example, …

Conclusion (read the essay task question again)

Sentence 1 - Summary: “In conclusion, I am firmly convinced that…(restate the opinion

directly)”
Sentence 2 - Summarize 2 arguments: “This is due to the fact that (paraphrased 1st
argument) and (paraphrased 2nd argument) ”.