IELTS Writing

IELTS Writing Task 2: a clear four-paragraph structure (with model answer)

Most students who are stuck below their target in Writing don't have a vocabulary problem. They have a planning problem. Here is the structure I teach, why it works, and a full model answer you can study.

What you are actually being marked on

Task 2 asks for an essay of at least 250 words, and you should spend about 40 minutes on it. It counts for twice as much as Task 1, so it deserves the larger share of your time. Examiners score it against four equally weighted criteria:

Task Response – Did you answer every part of the question, with a clear position that runs through the whole essay?
Coherence and Cohesion – Is it logically organised, with one central idea per paragraph and linking that feels natural rather than mechanical?
Lexical Resource – Are your word choices precise and varied, with accurate collocations?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – Do you use a mix of complex structures, and are most sentences error-free?

Notice that two of the four criteria are about organisation and argument, not language. That is why structure matters so much.

The four-paragraph structure

Introduction (2–3 sentences). Paraphrase the question in your own words, then state your position clearly. Don't start with a vague general statement like “Nowadays, technology is very important.”
Body paragraph 1. Topic sentence with your first main reason → explanation → a specific example → a sentence linking back to the question.
Body paragraph 2. The same pattern for your second reason, or the opposing view followed by why you still hold your position.
Conclusion (2 sentences). Restate your position and summarise your two reasons. No new ideas.

Two well-developed body paragraphs almost always score better than three or four thin ones. Examiners reward depth: an idea that is explained and supported with an example.

Plan for five minutes – really

It feels risky to spend five of your forty minutes not writing, but it is the single habit that most improves my students' scores. Before writing, jot down:

Question type (opinion? discuss both views? advantages and disadvantages? problem and solution?) and every part you must answer.
Your position in one sentence.
Two main ideas, each with one concrete example.

Five mistakes I see every week

Answering only half the question. “Discuss both views and give your opinion” has three parts, not two.
A position that changes. Saying you “completely agree” in the introduction and “partly agree” in the conclusion hurts Task Response.
Memorised phrases. Templates like “This is a highly controversial issue in today's society” are easy for examiners to spot and are not credited as your own language.
Over-linking. Starting every sentence with Furthermore, Moreover or In addition reads as mechanical. Vary it, and let some sentences connect through meaning alone.
Going under 250 words. Short essays are penalised. Aim for 260–290 so you have a safe margin without wasting time.

Model answer

Question: Some people believe that technology has made learning easier and more effective, while others argue that it has made students more easily distracted and less able to concentrate. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Digital technology is now present in almost every classroom, and opinion is divided over whether it has improved learning or undermined students' ability to focus. While I accept that devices can be a source of distraction, I believe that, used with clear guidance, technology has made learning considerably more effective.

Those who are critical of classroom technology point to the constant interruptions that smartphones and laptops bring. A student researching a history assignment online is only ever one click away from social media, and notifications can break concentration repeatedly within a single lesson. Over time, critics argue, this trains young people to skim rather than read deeply, which weakens precisely the sustained attention that serious study requires.

However, this argument identifies a problem of management rather than of technology itself. When devices are used purposefully, the benefits are substantial. Learners can access high-quality explanations at any time, revisit difficult material at their own pace, and receive instant feedback through interactive exercises. A language student, for instance, can hear authentic pronunciation, practise with adaptive quizzes, and have their written work checked in minutes rather than waiting a week for a teacher's comments. These are advantages that a textbook alone simply cannot offer.

In conclusion, although the risk of distraction is real, it can be reduced through sensible rules and good teaching. On balance, I am convinced that technology has made learning easier and more effective, provided that students are taught to use it with discipline.

279 words

Why this answer works

Every part of the question is answered: the first view, the second view, and a clear opinion that stays the same from the first paragraph to the last.
Each body paragraph has one central idea, supported by a specific example (the history assignment; the language student).
The turn in paragraph three (“this argument identifies a problem of management rather than of technology itself”) is a natural way to move from the opposing view to your own.
Precise collocations: sustained attention, break concentration, used purposefully, instant feedback, on balance.
Grammatical range without showing off: a conditional (“provided that”), a concessive clause (“although the risk is real”), and relative clauses, all used accurately.

Your turn

Try this question using the five-minute plan above, then compare your structure with the model:

Some people think that working from home benefits both employees and employers. Others believe it creates more problems than it solves. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.