Introduction
Introduction
Hi, I’m Sarah Thompson, IELTS Writing tutor and examiner.
A key difference between Band 6.5 and Band 8 essays is not just grammar or vocabulary — it’s tone and style.
In this lesson, we’ll explore how to maintain a formal tone and academic style throughout your IELTS Task 2 essay so that your writing sounds professional, objective, and examiner-ready.
Why Formal Tone Matters
IELTS Writing Task 2 is an academic essay, even when the topic is social or personal.
Examiners assess tone under Lexical Resource and Coherence & Cohesion.
A formal tone shows:
- Objectivity (no emotional or personal bias)
- Precision (accurate, topic-specific vocabulary)
- Academic control (varied sentence structures, logical flow)
✅ Band 8 Example:
It is widely recognised that early childhood education plays a crucial role in cognitive development.
❌ Band 6 Example:
I think small kids learn a lot when they go to school early.
The first sounds formal and academic; the second sounds conversational and imprecise
Features of Formal Academic Writing
Feature | Description | Example |
Objective language | Avoid personal opinions (“I think”) | ✅ It is believed that… ❌ I believe… |
Full forms (no contractions) | Write cannot, do not not can’t, don’t | ✅ It cannot be denied that… |
Precise vocabulary | Choose formal synonyms for simple words | ✅ increase → rise / growth ❌ get bigger |
Third-person focus | Avoid “you”, “we”, “us” unless quoting policy context | ✅ Individuals should… ❌ You should… |
No slang or idioms | Keep language neutral and academic | ✅ The trend has accelerated. ❌ It’s taken off big time. |
Common Informal Words and Formal Alternatives
Informal / Casual | Formal Alternative |
a lot of | a large number of / many |
kids | children / young people |
really / very | extremely / highly / significantly |
good / bad | beneficial / detrimental |
big / small | major / minor |
so / such as a result | therefore / consequently |
nowadays | in the modern era / in recent times |
stuff / things | factors / aspects / issues |
Band 8 Tip: Formal does not mean complex — use simple but precise words.
Avoiding Personal and Emotional Language
IELTS essays require an impersonal academic style.
Avoid phrases like I think, I believe, in my opinion, especially when you can rephrase objectively.
Informal Sentence | Formal Rewrite |
I believe technology is changing education. | Technology is widely regarded as a transformative force in education. |
I think the government should help poor people more. | Governments are expected to provide greater support for disadvantaged citizens. |
✅ Band 8 Tip: Even opinion essays can be formal — use impersonal phrasing (It is argued that …) rather than “I agree.”
Using Nominalisation for Academic Style
Nominalisation means turning verbs or adjectives into nouns — a common academic technique.
Informal | Formal (Nominalised) |
People pollute the air. | Air pollution is a major concern. |
The government decided to ban smoking. | The government’s decision to ban smoking was controversial. |
✅ Band 8 Tip: Use nominalisation sparingly — too much can make writing heavy.
Tone in Different Essay Types
Essay Type | Tone Focus | Example Sentence |
Opinion | Assertive yet measured | It is reasonable to assert that public transport should be subsidised. |
Discussion | Balanced and neutral | While some argue for economic growth, others prioritise environmental protection. |
Problem–Solution | Practical and objective | A feasible measure to address this issue is to increase public awareness campaigns. |
Adv/Disadv | Analytical and comparative | Although remote work offers flexibility, it may reduce team collaboration. |
Grammar and Sentence Control
1️⃣ Avoid short, choppy sentences → link ideas logically.
2️⃣ Use complex sentences correctly → Although crime rates have fallen, public concern remains high.
3️⃣ Vary sentence beginnings → Avoid starting every sentence with “there is/are.”
4️⃣ Maintain tense consistency → Present tense for general facts, past for historical data.
✅ Band 8 Tip: Control is more important than complexity. One error-free compound sentence scores higher than three incorrect ones.
Avoiding Colloquial and Overused Expressions
Colloquial phrases sound natural in speaking but informal in writing.
❌ In a nutshell, we should save the planet.
✅ In conclusion, environmental protection must be treated as a global priority.
❌ Loads of people travel these days.
✅ A growing number of people travel internationally in the modern era.
Register and Formality Spectrum
Register | Example of Language Use |
Informal | You know, people just don’t care about rules. |
Neutral | Many people ignore public regulations. |
Formal (Recommended) | A significant proportion of the population fails to adhere to public regulations. |
IELTS Writing Task 2 always requires the formal register.
Mini Practice
Convert these informal sentences into formal academic ones:
1️⃣ Kids don’t eat healthy food these days.
✅ Answer: Children today often fail to maintain a nutritious diet.
2️⃣ The Internet is super useful for students.
✅ Answer: The Internet is an extremely valuable educational resource for students.
3️⃣ People should do more to save the planet.
✅ Answer: Greater efforts should be made to protect the environment.
Quick Self-Check
Before you submit your essay, ask:
- Did I avoid slang and idioms?
- Did I use formal synonyms for basic words?
- Are there no contractions (“don’t,” “can’t”)?
- Is my tone objective and academic throughout?
If yes, your essay already reflects the polish of Band 7 + writing.
Summary & Next Steps
Maintaining a Formal Tone & Style is essential for high-band IELTS writing. A controlled, objective voice shows command of academic English and boosts both Lexical and Grammatical scores.
Next, move on to Complex Sentences & Linking Devices to combine clarity and cohesion in your writing.
You can also revisit the IELTS Writing Overview: Format, Scoring & Key Skills page for a complete foundation or read official samples on IELTS.org.
