Writing
How to Structure an IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay
A clear four-paragraph plan, with an annotated example, that helps you answer the question fully and on time.
In IELTS Writing Task 2 you write an essay of at least 250 words in response to a question about an issue or opinion. It is the same task in both Academic and General Training. It's worth more than Task 1, so it deserves about 40 of your 60 minutes.
A clear structure won't write the essay for you, but it frees your mind to focus on ideas and language. Here is a simple, flexible approach.
Step 1: Understand the question (2–3 minutes)
Most Task 2 questions ask you to do one of these:
- Give your opinion: "To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
- Discuss both views: "Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
- Problems and solutions, or causes and effects.
- Advantages and disadvantages: sometimes "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"
Underline every part of the question. A common reason for lower scores is answering only part of what was asked.
Step 2: Plan (5 minutes)
Decide your position, then note one main idea for each body paragraph, with a reason and an example. Five minutes of planning saves far more time later.
Step 3: Write in four paragraphs
| Paragraph | Purpose | Approx. length |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the topic and state your position clearly. | 2–3 sentences |
| Body 1 | Main idea → explanation → example. | 4–6 sentences |
| Body 2 | Second main idea, or the other view, developed the same way. | 4–6 sentences |
| Conclusion | Summarise your position. No new ideas. | 2 sentences |
An annotated example
Question: Some people believe that university students should study whatever they like. Others think they should only study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Step 4: Check (3–5 minutes)
Leave a few minutes to read your essay. Look for your personal common mistakes: articles, verb tenses, plurals or spelling. Check that every part of the question is answered and that your opinion is consistent from the introduction to the conclusion.
Task 2 timing checklist
- 2–3 minutes: understand the question
- 5 minutes: plan your position and main ideas
- About 30 minutes: write four paragraphs
- 3–5 minutes: check and correct
- Aim for around 260–300 words. Quality matters more than length.
For feedback on your own essays, explore our IELTS preparation pathway or get in touch.