IELTS Writing task 2: agree or disagree essay

Summary

In this IELTS Writing Task 2 tutorial, Alps shares a step-by-step guide for writing a Band 9 essay on the topic 'Big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.' The video explains how to approach an agree/disagree question, how to structure your essay, and offers useful tips for paraphrasing, generating supporting points, and writing effective body paragraphs. Alps provides a clear Band 9 template for writing the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, while also emphasizing the importance of clear, extended opinions and relevant examples. The tutorial offers a comprehensive and practical method to excel in IELTS Writing Task 2.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understand the IELTS Writing Task 2: Focus on agree/disagree essay structure.
• 😀 The question asks if big salary is more important than job satisfaction; choose a clear stance: agree or disagree.
• 😀 It's important to paraphrase the question statement in the introduction and clearly present your opinion.
• 😀 Generate at least 2-3 supporting points to back up your stance, whether you agree or disagree.
• 😀 Agree/disagree essays require a firm opinion, so avoid neutral or partial responses.
• 😀 Use clear structure: introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• 😀 For body paragraphs, introduce the reason first, explain it, give an example, and then summarize it.
• 😀 Examples strengthen your argument; use real-life, historical, or fictional examples to support points.
• 😀 Ensure your conclusion summarizes your opinion and reinforces the key points of the essay.
• 😀 Aim for a word count of 260-290 words to avoid penalties for writing too little or too much.
• 😀 Practice paraphrasing and presenting supporting points effectively to achieve a Band 9 score.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this tutorial?

The tutorial focuses on how to write a Band 9 essay for an IELTS Writing Task 2 'disagree' question, providing a step-by-step guide on essay structure and argument development.

How do you determine whether you agree or disagree with an IELTS Writing Task 2 statement?

To decide whether you agree or disagree with the statement, you need to evaluate which stance allows you to generate more supporting points. Your opinion should be clear and consistent throughout the essay.

What are the two key parts of an IELTS Writing Task 2 'agree/disagree' question?

The two key parts of an 'agree/disagree' question are the statement, which presents the issue, and the instruction asking whether you agree or disagree with the statement.

What is the importance of paraphrasing the statement in the introduction?

Paraphrasing the statement is important because it demonstrates your understanding of the question and helps avoid repeating the exact words from the prompt, which is necessary to score well in IELTS Writing Task 2.

How do you present your opinion in the introduction of the essay?

In the introduction, you present your opinion clearly by stating whether you agree or disagree with the statement and elaborating slightly on your reasoning to give the examiner a preview of your argument.

What is the structure of the body paragraphs in a Band 9 IELTS essay?

Each body paragraph should follow a clear structure: start with a topic sentence stating the reason for your opinion, followed by an explanation, an example, and a concluding sentence summarizing your point.

Can you provide an example of a supporting point for the opinion that job satisfaction is more important than salary?

One supporting point is that job satisfaction provides a sense of fulfillment that money cannot guarantee. Even with a high salary, if a person feels unfulfilled in their job, they are less likely to enjoy their life.

How should you handle examples in your IELTS essay?

Examples should be used to support your arguments, and you can draw from real-life scenarios, history, literature, or even make up your own example if needed. Make sure the example is relevant and logical.

What should you avoid in the conclusion of your essay?

In the conclusion, avoid introducing new ideas. The conclusion should summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs and restate your opinion in a concise manner.

What is the recommended word count for an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay?

The recommended word count for an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is between 260 and 290 words. Writing fewer than 250 words will result in a penalty, while writing too many words might affect your time management.