IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay Structure & Templates

This guide gives you the exact essay structures and templates that lead to higher band scores in IELTS writing task 2. By the end, you’ll know how examiners score your essay, which template to use for each question type, and how to avoid the mistakes that keep candidates stuck at Band 6.

The academic essay component of the IELTS exam carries significant weight. IELTS writing task 2 accounts for two-thirds of your total writing score, making it the section where preparation pays off most. Whether you’re aiming for university admission or professional registration, understanding your English level helps you choose the right preparation strategy.

What Is IELTS Writing Task 2 and How Is It Scored?

IELTS writing task 2 requires you to write a minimum 250-word essay in 40 minutes. You’ll respond to an argument, problem, or point of view on a general topic. The official IELTS website confirms that examiners assess your response across four equally weighted criteria:

• Task Response (25%): Did you fully address all parts of the question?
• Coherence and Cohesion (25%): Is your essay logically organised with clear progression?
• Lexical Resource (25%): Do you use vocabulary accurately and with variety?
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%): Can you use complex structures without frequent errors?

Each criterion contributes equally to your final band score. A candidate with excellent vocabulary but poor paragraph organisation won’t score above Band 6. The scoring system rewards balanced competence across all four areas.

The Ideal Essay Structure for IELTS Writing Task 2

The four-paragraph structure works best for most IELTS writing task 2 questions. According to British Council IELTS preparation materials, this structure demonstrates clear organisation while giving you enough space to develop your arguments:

Paragraph 1: Introduction (2-3 sentences)
Paraphrase the question and state your position or outline.

Paragraph 2: Body Paragraph 1 (4-6 sentences)
Your main argument with full development.

Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph 2 (4-6 sentences)
Your second argument or counterargument analysis.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion (2-3 sentences)
Restate your position and summarise main points.

Some candidates write five paragraphs, separating their two body arguments and adding a counterargument. This works well if you write quickly, but four paragraphs remain the safer choice for time management.

How Long Should Your Essay Be? Time Management Strategy

The minimum requirement is 250 words, but candidates scoring Band 7+ typically write 270-300 words. Writing significantly more than 300 words often leads to time pressure and increased errors.

Here’s how to split your 40 minutes for IELTS writing task 2:

• Planning (5 minutes): Analyse question, brainstorm ideas, outline structure
• Writing (30 minutes): Draft complete essay following your outline
• Checking (5 minutes): Review for grammar errors and task response

Skipping the planning stage is tempting. Don’t. Candidates who spend five minutes planning consistently produce better-organised essays than those who start writing immediately. Your introduction flows more easily when you’ve already decided your main arguments.

The Five Essay Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

Each question type in IELTS writing task 2 requires a slightly different approach. Cambridge English and IDP IELTS resources confirm these five main types:

Opinion Essays (Agree/Disagree)

The question asks: “To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

Your introduction must state a clear position. No fence-sitting. Examiners penalise vague responses like “there are advantages and disadvantages to both sides.”

Discussion Essays

The question presents two viewpoints and asks you to “discuss both views and give your opinion.”

Unlike opinion essays, you must genuinely engage with both perspectives before stating your position. Balance matters here.

Advantage/Disadvantage Essays

The question asks you to analyse the benefits and drawbacks of a trend or decision.

You can either remain neutral or state which side outweighs the other. Both approaches work.

Problem/Solution Essays

The question describes an issue and asks for causes, effects, or solutions.

Focus on explaining clear cause-and-effect relationships. Generic solutions score lower than specific, actionable ones.

Two-Part Questions

The question contains two distinct elements, both requiring a response.

Many candidates lose marks by thoroughly answering one part while neglecting the other. Check that your essay addresses both explicitly.

How to Write a Strong Introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2

The paraphrase-plus-thesis approach consistently produces high-scoring introductions. You accomplish two things in 2-3 sentences:

First, restate the essay question using different vocabulary and sentence structure. This shows comprehension and demonstrates lexical range. Second, state your position or outline what the essay will discuss.

Here’s an example. If the question asks whether governments should invest more in public transport, a weak introduction simply copies the question. A strong introduction paraphrases it:

“Significant debate exists over whether state funding for public transportation systems should increase. This essay argues that greater government investment would reduce urban congestion and carbon emissions, outweighing the short-term fiscal concerns.”

Notice the thesis sentence takes a clear position. Examiners can immediately see where your argument is heading.

Body Paragraph Development: The PEEL Structure

Your body paragraphs determine whether you achieve Band 6 or Band 7+ in IELTS writing task 2. The PEEL structure ensures each paragraph fully develops a single idea:

Point: State your main argument in one clear sentence.

Explanation: Expand on why this point matters or how it works.

Example: Provide specific evidence, a scenario, or data that supports your argument.

Link: Connect back to the essay question, reinforcing relevance.

Weak body paragraphs list multiple undeveloped points. Strong body paragraphs explore one point thoroughly. Depth beats breadth in IELTS writing task 2 scoring.

Here’s the difference:

Weak: “Public transport reduces pollution. It also saves money. Additionally, it decreases traffic.”

Strong: “Expanded public transport networks directly reduce urban pollution levels. When commuters switch from private vehicles to buses or trains, emissions per passenger kilometre decrease by up to 75% according to European transport studies. Singapore’s investment in its MRT system, for instance, coincided with measurable air quality improvements in the city centre. This environmental benefit directly addresses the question of where governments should prioritise spending.”

The second version scores higher despite making essentially the same argument.

Writing Conclusions That Maximise Your Score

Your conclusion should accomplish two tasks in 2-3 sentences: paraphrase your thesis and summarise your main arguments. Never introduce new ideas.

Why does this matter for your score? The conclusion demonstrates coherence and task completion. Examiners check whether you’ve maintained a consistent position throughout.

A candidate who argues for increased public transport investment throughout the essay but suddenly mentions private sector solutions in the conclusion creates coherence problems. The conclusion should feel like a natural endpoint, not a pivot.

Keep conclusions brief. Two or three sentences suffice. Candidates who write lengthy conclusions often run out of time for proper editing.

Templates vs Free Writing: Which Scores Higher in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Templates provide scaffolding, not scripts. This distinction matters.

Using a template means having a reliable structure: you know your introduction will paraphrase and state a thesis, your body paragraphs will follow PEEL, your conclusion will summarise. This structural consistency helps you score well on Coherence and Cohesion.

But memorising entire phrases to insert regardless of the question backfires. Examiners recognise recycled language. More importantly, pre-learned content rarely addresses the specific question, hurting your Task Response score.

The balanced approach works: internalise structures, generate content fresh each time. Candidates who use templates as scaffolding while producing original, question-specific arguments consistently achieve Band 7+ scores.

Common IELTS Writing Task 2 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Candidates lose marks repeatedly for the same errors. Recognising these patterns helps you avoid them.

Not answering all parts of the question: Two-part questions and discussion essays require addressing multiple elements. Read the question twice. Underline each component.

Underdeveloped paragraphs: Three sentences rarely constitute adequate paragraph development. Aim for 4-6 sentences per body paragraph.

Ignoring word count: Writing under 250 words automatically limits your maximum band score. Writing over 300 words increases error probability.

Weak examples: “For example, many countries” is not a real example. Name specific places, cite approximate figures, describe concrete scenarios.

Off-topic tangents: Every sentence should connect to answering the question. Interesting-but-irrelevant observations waste your word count.

Practising under timed conditions reveals which mistakes you’re prone to. Awareness enables correction.

Advanced Techniques for Band 7+ in IELTS Writing Task 2

Candidates targeting Band 7+ need more than solid structure. These techniques separate good essays from excellent ones.

Acknowledge counterarguments: Addressing the opposing view before refuting it demonstrates sophisticated thinking. “While some argue that X, the evidence suggests Y” shows you understand the full debate.

Use a range of cohesive devices: Beyond “firstly, secondly, finally,” employ phrases like “this implies that,” “a consequence of this is,” and “the underlying reason.” Variety in linking expressions directly affects your Coherence score.

Demonstrate grammatical range: Include at least one conditional sentence, one passive construction, and one complex relative clause. Mix simple and compound-complex sentences rather than relying on one type.

Use topic-specific vocabulary: Generic words like “good” and “bad” limit your Lexical Resource score. Replace them with precise alternatives: “beneficial,” “detrimental,” “advantageous,” “counterproductive.”

The same skills that boost your IELTS writing task 2 score apply across the exam. Structural precision and tactical delivery matter equally in the Speaking section. Organisation and clear progression aren’t just writing skills; they’re communication skills that examiners assess throughout the test.

Quick Reference: Template Structures by Essay Type

Essay type	Introduction	Body Structure	Conclusion Focus
Opinion	Paraphrase + clear position	Two arguments supporting your view	Restate position
Discussion	Paraphrase + preview both views	One paragraph per view, then your opinion	State final position
Advantage/Disadvantage	Paraphrase + state approach	One paragraph each for benefits and drawbacks	Summarise or state which outweighs
Problem/Solution	Paraphrase + outline scope	One paragraph for problems, one for solutions	Summarise key solution
Two-Part	Paraphrase + address both parts	One paragraph per question element	Answer both parts again briefly

Having these structures internalised means less thinking time during the exam. You can focus your cognitive energy on generating quality content rather than deciding how to organise it.

Putting It All Together

Success in IELTS writing task 2 comes from combining structure with content quality. The template gives you a framework; your ideas and language fill it.

Practise with official past papers from the IDP or Cambridge English or directly from test co-owners. Time yourself strictly. Review your practice essays against the four scoring criteria.

Most candidates need 8-12 full practice essays before IELTS writing task 2 feels comfortable. That’s roughly three weeks of consistent practice, writing one essay every other day.

Want to improve your overall IELTS results? Start with Writing Task 2. It carries the most weight in the Writing section and responds best to structured preparation. The templates and techniques in this guide work. Use them, practise consistently, and your band score will reflect the effort.