Hi, I’m Jonathan Mitchell, an IELTS Writing examiner with two decades of experience training candidates to write clear, logical essays under exam pressure.
In this lesson, we’ll explore one of the most powerful skills for achieving Band 7 and above, Essay Planning & Organisation. Many test-takers jump straight into writing without a plan, only to lose marks for poor coherence. In IELTS, organisation is not optional, it’s a key scoring factor.
IELTS essays are judged on how well ideas are structured and developed. Without planning, you risk:
A simple five-minute plan can make your essay focused and fluent. It helps you:
Always begin by reading carefully. Underline keywords and identify the question type.
|
Question Type |
Instruction Words |
What to Do |
|
Opinion |
“Do you agree or disagree?” |
Present a clear position throughout |
|
Discussion |
“Discuss both views and give your opinion” |
Outline both sides, then state your view |
|
Advantages / Disadvantages |
“What are the advantages and disadvantages?” |
Present both + balanced conclusion |
|
Problem / Solution |
“What problems and solutions?” |
Identify causes + suggest logical fixes |
Band 8 Tip: Before writing, restate the question in your own words – this shows comprehension and avoids repetition.
Spend 2–3 minutes brainstorming. Aim for two main points per side — not ten half-developed ideas.
Example (Opinion Essay):
Topic – Some people think governments should spend money on public services rather than the arts.
Possible plan:
This ensures paragraphs are clear, balanced, and purposeful.
IELTS Task 2 essays follow a four-paragraph model that examiners recognise instantly:
|
Section |
Purpose |
Typical Length |
|
Introduction |
Rephrase the question + state your opinion |
40–50 words |
|
Body Paragraph 1 |
First main idea + support + example |
90–110 words |
|
Body Paragraph 2 |
Second main idea + support + example |
90–110 words |
|
Conclusion |
Summarise main points + final position |
40–50 words |
Band 8 Tip: Keep one idea per paragraph. When you start mixing ideas, coherence drops quickly
Each paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that signals the idea.
Then add:
Example:
One significant advantage of investing in public services is the long-term improvement in citizens’ well-being.
For instance, countries with strong health systems experience higher productivity and lower poverty rates.
That’s a perfect Band 8 combination of topic + development + illustration.
Organisation doesn’t stop with paragraph order — it also depends on how you link ideas smoothly.
Band 8 Tip: Write like you’re guiding the reader through a logical tour — each sentence should connect naturally to the next.
With only 40 minutes for Task 2, use this time split:
|
Stage |
Minutes |
Purpose |
|
Analyse & Plan |
5 |
Understand the task + outline ideas |
|
Write |
30 |
Produce and connect paragraphs |
|
Review |
5 |
Check grammar + word count |
Five minutes of planning can save you from structural errors that cost a whole band point.
|
Mistake |
Impact |
Correction |
|
No paragraph breaks |
Low coherence |
Leave a clear line between each section |
|
Missing thesis statement |
Weak Task Response |
Add your main view in the intro |
|
New ideas in conclusion |
Confuses reader |
Only summarise previous points |
|
Overusing examples |
Disrupts flow |
Limit to one strong example per idea |
Band 8 Tip: Before the exam, practise writing short plans on 10 different essay questions until you can outline a structure in under five minutes.
Question: Some people believe online education is as effective as classroom learning. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Try this 5-minute outline:
That’s a clear, examiner-friendly plan ready to expand into a Band 8 essay.
Essay planning and organisation are the backbone of IELTS Writing Task 2.
Plan before you write, follow a clear structure, and link ideas logically, these steps alone can boost your score significantly.
Next, explore Linking Words & Cohesive Devices to learn how to connect your paragraphs naturally.
Or return to the IELTS Writing Overview: Format, Scoring & Key Skills mother page for the full curriculum.
For official marking guidelines, visit the IELTS.org public band descriptor section.
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