5 Things To Avoid When Writing IELTS Essays
Writing an IELTS essay is like writing any other type of essay, and there are a few steps to follow that can help you write a better essay. Check out this list of the five most common mistakes people make when writing IELTS essays, as well as a few tips for how to avoid them.
- Avoid repeating words
One of the main things to avoid when writing IELTS essays is repeating words. This can make your essay sound repetitive and boring.
Instead, try to use different words to express the same idea. For example, if you are writing about the benefits of exercise, you could use words such as ‘helpful’, ‘useful’, or ‘good for you’.
Another thing to avoid is using too many generalizations in your essay. This can make your essay sound unfocused and not well-developed.
To avoid this, try to be specific when you are talking about a particular idea. For example, instead of saying ‘Exercise is good for you’, you could say ‘Exercise can help improve your mental health’.
Finally, avoid using fillers in your essay. Fillers are words or phrases that don’t really add anything to your essay. They can make your writing sound choppy and can also make it difficult for the reader to follow your argument.
Some common filler words include ‘the fact that’, ‘in order to’, and ‘however’. Instead of
- Avoid writing sentences that are too long and complicated
When writing your IELTS essay, try to avoid writing sentences that are too long and complicated.
Sentences that are too long and complicated can be difficult for the reader to understand. They can also make your essay sound choppy and difficult to follow.
Instead, focus on writing shorter, simpler sentences that are easy to read and understand. This will make your essay flow better and will be more likely to score higher on the IELTS exam.
Here are some tips for writing shorter, simpler sentences:
- Use simple words and phrases instead of long, complicated ones.
- Use active voice instead of passive voice.
- Make sure your sentence structure is simple and easy to follow.
- Break up long sentences into shorter ones using commas or semicolons.
following these tips will help you write clearer, easier-to-read sentences that are more likely to score well on the IELTS exam.
- Don’t use small words when you can use a more complicated word
One of the worst things you can do when writing IELTS essays is to use small, simple words when you could use a more complicated word. This makes your essay sound juvenile and lacking in sophistication.
Instead of using small words, try to use words that are more specific and descriptive. This will make your essay sound more intelligent and well-written.
Some examples of small words that you should avoid include: good, bad, happy, sad, big, small, love, hate.
Here are some examples of more specific and descriptive words that you can use instead: excellent, terrible, joyous, dismal, huge, tiny, adoration, loathing.
- Avoid using the same sentence structure throughout your essay
One of the most common mistakes students make when writing IELTS essays is to use the same sentence structure throughout their essay. This can make your essay sound repetitive and boring.
Instead, try to vary your sentence structure by using a mix of short, medium, and long sentences. This will make your essay sound more interesting and engaging.
Another thing to avoid is using too many filler words such as “um”, “uh”, or “like”. These words can make you sound unprepared and nervous. If you find yourself using them too often, take a break and practice speaking without them.
Finally, make sure to proofread your essay before you submit it. There is nothing worse than losing points because of simple grammatical errors. Take the time to revise and edit your work so that it is error-free.
- Don’t use phrases like “I believe” or “in my opinion” in essays because it sounds like you aren’t sure of what you are saying
When writing your IELTS essays, there are certain phrases that you should avoid using. These phrases can weaken your argument and make you sound less confident.
Some of the phrases you should avoid include “I believe”, “in my opinion”, “I think”, and “I feel”. These phrases suggest that you are unsure of your opinion or that you are not sure of the facts.
Instead of using these phrases, try to be direct and assertive in your language. Use phrases like “it is clear that” or “the evidence shows that”. This will make your argument sound more convincing and confident.
Remember, the IELTS essay is not a personal opinion piece. It is an academic essay, so you should use language that is appropriate for an academic setting.
Conclusion
Now that you know what things to avoid when writing your IELTS essay, it's time to start putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Remember to focus on developing your ideas and supporting them with evidence, rather than worrying about making mistakes. With practice, you'll be able to write clear, effective essays that will help you achieve the score you need.
