IELTS Writing Task 2: Linking Words for the Conclusion

Summary

In this lesson, the instructor advises students on the appropriate linkers for the conclusion of their IELTS Task 2 essays. The video script emphasizes avoiding certain linkers like 'finally' and 'in a nutshell' due to their informality or incorrect context. Instead, the instructor recommends using 'in conclusion' or 'to conclude' to clearly signal the end of the essay, which is crucial for maintaining an academic tone and improving the band score.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lesson focuses on the best linkers to use for starting the conclusion in IELTS Task 2 academic writing.
• 🚫 Some commonly used linkers are inappropriate for the conclusion of an academic essay, such as 'finally', which should be used in the last body paragraph.
• 💡 'In a nutshell' is informal and not suitable for academic writing, despite its correct meaning to summarize main points briefly.
• ❌ Avoid using 'in a nutshell' in IELTS academic essays as it can negatively impact the band score due to its informality.
• 🤔 The phrase 'in general' does not effectively indicate a conclusion and is not recommended for starting a conclusion paragraph.
• 👍 'In conclusion' and 'to conclude' are the recommended linkers to start the conclusion of an IELTS Task 2 essay.
• 🔑 The purpose of a linker at the beginning of a conclusion paragraph is to help the reader understand the order of information and to indicate the nature of the information.
• 📝 When using 'in conclusion' or 'to conclude', it signals to the reader that the essay is concluding, which is appropriate for academic writing.
• 📉 Some linkers like 'to sum up' are acceptable but not the best choice for starting a conclusion.
• 🔍 The instructor emphasizes the importance of choosing the right linker for the conclusion to enhance the clarity and formality of the essay.
• 👋 The lesson concludes with the instructor looking forward to the next IELTS lesson.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lesson discussed in the transcript?

The main focus of the lesson is to discuss the best linkers to use at the beginning of the conclusion for an IELTS Task 2 essay.

Why should 'finally' not be used to start a conclusion in an IELTS Task 2 essay?

'Finally' should not be used because it is meant to indicate the final main point in the last body paragraph, not the conclusion.

What is the issue with using 'in a nutshell' in an academic essay?

Using 'in a nutshell' is informal and not suitable for academic essays, as it can negatively affect the band score.

What does the phrase 'in a nutshell' mean and why is its use informal?

'In a nutshell' means to summarize all the main points briefly, and it is informal because it is commonly used in speaking and informal writing.

Why is 'in general' not an appropriate linker to indicate a conclusion?

'In general' does not specifically indicate a conclusion and therefore is not the best choice to start the concluding paragraph of an academic essay.

What are the recommended linkers to start a conclusion in an IELTS Task 2 essay according to the lesson?

The recommended linkers to start a conclusion are 'in conclusion' and 'to conclude'.

What is the purpose of using a linker at the beginning of a paragraph in an academic essay?

A linker at the beginning of a paragraph helps the reader understand the order of information and indicates what the information is about.

How does the use of 'to sum up' compare with 'in conclusion' and 'to conclude'?

While 'to sum up' is acceptable, it is not recommended as highly as 'in conclusion' or 'to conclude' for starting a conclusion in an academic essay.

What does the instructor imply about the importance of using appropriate linkers in an IELTS Task 2 essay?

The instructor implies that using appropriate linkers is crucial for clarity and can impact the band score in an IELTS exam.

What is the conclusion of the lesson regarding the use of linkers in IELTS Task 2 essays?

The conclusion is to choose 'in conclusion' or 'to conclude' to start the conclusion of an IELTS Task 2 essay for the best results.

What does the instructor suggest for future lessons?

The instructor suggests that there will be more lessons in the future, as indicated by 'I'll see you again in another IELTS lesson.'