IELTS VIP Podcast: How to Write IELTS Essays Like a Native English Speaker

Summary

In this Isles VIP podcast, Chris discusses the unique characteristics of Western essay writing, which often challenge non-native English speakers preparing for the IELTS exam. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to Western writing styles, such as getting to the main point early, using a clear and logical structure, and expressing individualistic viewpoints. Chris also highlights the need for precise, functional language and the purpose of essays in Western culture, which is to communicate clearly and argue a point with evidence. He encourages students to embrace these differences to succeed in the IELTS and in academic writing in Western universities.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The VIP podcast by Isles Vantage delves into the nuances of Western essay writing, which is crucial for IELTS preparation.
• 🌐 Cultural differences can significantly impact essay writing styles, and understanding these is key for non-native English speakers.
• 📝 Western essays typically start with a clear main point, which contrasts with other cultures that may save the thesis for later.
• 📈 The structure of Western essays follows a logical order: introduction, main body with detailed points, and a summarizing conclusion.
• 🔄 Repeating main points in both the introduction and conclusion is common in Western writing to reinforce the essay's argument.
• 🧠 A linear, logical progression of ideas is valued in Western essays, which differs from more meandering styles in some other cultures.
• 💭 Individualistic perspectives are common in Western writing, where authors often express a clear, personal opinion on the topic.
• 📚 The language used in Western academic writing is precise and functional, with a focus on clarity rather than poetic flourish.
• 📝 The purpose of an essay in Western culture is to communicate clearly and argue a point with evidence, rather than merely stating opinions.
• 🌟 Adapting to Western essay writing styles is essential not just for IELTS success but also for academic and professional writing in English-speaking countries.

Q & A

What is the Isles VIP podcast?

The Isles VIP podcast is a weekly podcast where Chris from Isles Vantage works with a small number of students from their VIP course. Each week, students suggest topics, and Chris creates a 10-20 minute podcast delving deeply into a specific area of the IELTS test.

Why do many students struggle with IELTS writing according to the podcast?

Students often struggle with IELTS writing not because of poor language skills, but because they are unfamiliar with the Western style of essay writing, which is different from what they might be accustomed to in their own culture.

How does Chris's wife's experience moving to Northern Ireland relate to the concept of cultural differences in writing?

Chris's wife found certain cultural practices in Northern Ireland, like making appointments to visit family, strange because they differ from Vietnamese customs. This illustrates how cultural differences can lead to unfamiliarity and challenges when adapting to new ways of doing things, similar to the challenges students face when learning Western essay writing.

What is the typical structure of an essay in an English-speaking country?

The typical structure of an essay in an English-speaking country involves an introduction where the main point is stated, a main body where the points are developed with details and examples, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points.

Why do some students find the Western essay structure challenging?

Some students find the Western essay structure challenging because they are used to a different writing style in their culture, where the main point is revealed towards the end of the essay, not at the beginning.

How does the Western style of essay writing differ in terms of language use?

In Western essay writing, language is used precisely and functionally to communicate ideas clearly. It avoids overly flowery or poetic language, focusing instead on clear and to-the-point expression.

What is the importance of having a clear opinion in Western essay writing?

In Western essay writing, it is important to have a clear opinion and to state it upfront. This individualistic approach contrasts with more collectivist cultures where essays might present multiple viewpoints without a clear personal stance.

Why is the logical order of points important in Western essays?

The logical order of points in Western essays helps to create a clear and structured argument. It allows readers to follow the writer's thought process easily, enhancing the essay's clarity and persuasiveness.

How does the purpose of essay writing in Western culture differ from other cultures?

In Western culture, the purpose of essay writing is to clearly communicate with the reader and present a clear argument with justifications and evidence. This contrasts with cultures where the essay might serve different purposes, such as showcasing vocabulary or exploring ideas from multiple perspectives.

What advice does Chris give to students who are frustrated with the differences in essay writing styles?

Chris advises students not to be frustrated by the differences in essay writing styles but to learn and adapt to the Western way of writing, as it is necessary for success in the IELTS test and for academic writing in Western universities.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Western Essay Writing in IELTS

Chris from Isles Vantage introduces the VIP podcast, which delves into specific IELTS topics suggested by students. This week, the focus is on the unique characteristics of Western academic writing, which often challenges non-native English speakers. Chris explains that the difficulty arises not from poor language skills but from unfamiliarity with Western writing conventions. He uses cultural differences, like his wife's experience moving from Vietnam to Northern Ireland, to illustrate the concept of culture shock in writing. The podcast aims to help students adapt to these writing styles, which are essential for success in IELTS and future studies in English-speaking countries.

05:01

🔍 Understanding Western Essay Structure and Language

Chris discusses the typical structure of Western essays, emphasizing the importance of introducing the main point early, often in the introduction. This contrasts with other cultures where the main point is revealed towards the end. He also touches on the repetition of main points in both the introduction and conclusion, which is common in Western academic writing to reinforce the argument. Chris points out the logical and ordered progression of ideas in Western essays, which differs from more meandering styles in other cultures. Additionally, he highlights the individualistic nature of Western writing, where clear opinions and arguments are expected, as opposed to a collectivist approach that presents multiple viewpoints without a definitive stance.

10:02

💬 The Purpose and Style of Western Academic Writing

In the final paragraph, Chris addresses the language used in Western essays, advocating for precise and functional language over flowery or poetic expressions. He stresses the importance of clarity in communication and the need for a clear argument, supported by evidence and justification. Chris encourages students to understand these differences not as superior but as a necessary adaptation for success in IELTS and academic writing in Western cultures. He concludes by inviting feedback from students and directing them to resources on the Isles Vantage website and social media channels for further assistance.

Keywords

💡IELTS

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System, which is a standardized test designed to assess the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. In the context of the video, IELTS is central to understanding the challenges faced by students from different cultural backgrounds when adapting to Western essay writing styles. The script discusses how IELTS writing differs from other cultures' writing styles and why it's crucial for students to adapt to these differences.

💡Western essay writing

Western essay writing refers to the conventions and styles commonly used in academic writing within Western, particularly English-speaking, countries. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding these conventions for students preparing for the IELTS, as it includes directness, a clear structure, and a logical progression of ideas. The script contrasts this with other cultural approaches to essay writing, highlighting the need for students to adapt their writing style.

💡Academic writing

Academic writing is a formal style of expression used in scholarly work, characterized by its precision, objectivity, and adherence to a clear structure. The video discusses the characteristics of academic writing in Western contexts, which often includes a thesis statement, supporting arguments, and a conclusion. It is a key aspect of the IELTS test, and the script explains how it differs from other forms of writing that students may be accustomed to.

💡Cultural shock

Cultural shock is the feeling of disorientation experienced by individuals when they are exposed to an unfamiliar culture. The video uses the analogy of cultural shock to describe the initial confusion students might feel when encountering Western essay writing conventions for the first time. It suggests that, just as with adapting to a new culture, students must learn and adapt to the writing styles expected in IELTS and Western academia.

💡Introduction

In the context of essay writing, an introduction is the initial section of a text where the main ideas are presented. The video script explains that in Western essays, the introduction often states the main point or thesis statement right at the beginning, which can be a surprising concept for students from cultures where the main point is revealed towards the end of the essay.

💡Conclusion

A conclusion in essay writing is the final part where the main points are summarized and the argument is wrapped up. The video emphasizes that in Western academic writing, conclusions often restate the main points, which contrasts with some cultural practices where repetition is avoided. This repetition serves to reinforce the writer's argument and ensure clarity for the reader.

💡Structure

Structure in essay writing refers to the organization of ideas and content in a logical and coherent manner. The video script highlights the structured nature of Western essays, with a clear progression from introduction to main body to conclusion. This structure is essential for IELTS writing and helps to ensure that the reader follows the writer's argument.

💡Individualistic

Individualistic cultures emphasize personal freedoms, independence, and individual rights. The video contrasts individualistic Western cultures with collectivist cultures, noting that Western essays often reflect this individualism by presenting clear, personal opinions and arguments. This is in contrast to some cultures where essays might present multiple viewpoints without a strong personal stance.

💡Collectivist

Collectivist cultures prioritize group goals and interdependence over individual interests. The video script uses this concept to explain why students from collectivist backgrounds might find it challenging to write essays with a strong personal opinion, as is often expected in Western academic writing.

💡Functional language

Functional language is language that is used for a specific purpose, such as conveying information or making an argument. The video discusses how Western academic writing tends to use functional language, focusing on clarity and precision rather than ornamental or poetic expressions. This is important for IELTS writing, where the ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively is valued.

💡Argument

An argument in academic writing is a reasoned set of statements intended to establish a position or prove a proposition. The video script stresses the importance of having a clear argument in Western essays, with supporting evidence and justifications. This is a key aspect of IELTS writing, where students are expected to not only state their opinion but also provide reasons and examples to back it up.

Highlights

Introduction to the Isles VIP podcast and its focus on in-depth discussions on specific IELTS topics.

Explanation of the cultural differences in essay writing and their impact on IELTS performance.

The importance of understanding Western essay writing characteristics for IELTS success.

Anecdote about cultural shock and adapting to new ways of doing things, such as in Vietnam and Northern Ireland.

The Western essay writing approach of stating the main point at the beginning of the essay.

The structure of an English-speaking essay: introduction, main body, and conclusion.

The purpose of each section in an essay: introduction to state the topic, main body for detail, and conclusion for summary.

The challenge for students from different cultures to adapt to the Western essay structure.

The concept of logical order and clear progression in Western essays.

Cultural differences in expressing opinions in essays: individualistic vs. collectivist approaches.

The expectation in Western essays to have a clear and personal opinion on the topic.

The role of language in Western essays: precision and functionality over poetic or flowery language.

The purpose of writing an essay in Western culture: clear communication and argumentation.

Advice for students to learn and adapt to the Western essay writing style for IELTS success.

Encouragement for students to embrace the differences and apply them to improve their IELTS writing.

Offer of help and resources for students on the Isles Vantage website and social media channels.

Transcripts

everyone Chris here from Isles Vantage

with the Isles VIP podcast so let me

explain what the VIP podcast is so we

work with a very small number of

students in our VIP course and once a

week we ask them for an idea for a

podcast so this is their chance for me

to go really really deep on one specific

topic and do like a 10 20 minute podcast

on one very very particular area of the

IELTS test and we are a really good

suggestion this week which is the the

particular characteristics of western

essay writing or academic writing and

this is a really really good topic

because it's one of the main reasons why

many of you struggle with IELTS writing

and it's not because you're bad at

writing or even that your language is

bad per se it's because you are

unfamiliar with how people in the

Western world or the english-speaking

world whatever where you want to talk

about it is the way that they write

essays and this is much like like

culture shock if you move to a country

that is completely different to your

country then they might do things a

little bit differently to you now that

doesn't mean one is better than the

other or even that everybody does it

that way but it will just be unusual to

you so my wife is from Vietnam and when

she first moved here to Northern Ireland

there were a few things that she found

really strange for example whenever we

were going to call Ryan - a member of my

family we would call ahead and I kind of

make an appointment where she find that

really really strange because in Vietnam

you just go around and hang out with

your family you don't need to make a big

deal of it and the same thing is when I

moved to Vietnam one of the strange

things for me was at dinner time

everybody kind of eats from the from the

food in the middle of the table no one

really has their own meals and again

this is not one is better than the other

it's just through thousands of years of

culture that's the way people do things

and the same is is it it's exactly the

same when it comes to writing so I'm not

going to go into

the way that every single culture writes

or writes an essay what I'm going to

talk about are the distinguishing

characteristics of Western essay writing

especially the ones that my students say

are quite strange or they find it

difficult to grasp and that will help

you compare that to how you write in

your culture and and because at the end

of the day the IELTS test is designed

for people who want to move to the UK

Ireland Canada Australia so the wrong

thing to do is be like I don't like that

way and I write my way and in my country

I write that way if you have that

attitude you're never going to get the

score that you need you have to learn

and you have to adapt just in the same

way as if you do get the IELTS score you

need you're going to have to adapt to

the country that you're moving to so one

of the things that many many students

find difficult to grasp is the fact that

in in Western essays or English speaking

essays people generally get to the main

point at the very very beginning of the

essay so this could be a thesis

statement or this could be you the main

ideas right in your introduction and

many students find this very very

strange it's like why are you basically

answering the question in the first

sentence or the first paragraph because

they have been taught that you only

really reveal the answer or the thesis

or the main point towards the end of the

essay so that can be quite strange for

many people and I've even had students

argue with me that you shouldn't do that

you should never do that and and this

comes from just their their teachers and

their their high school or the primary

school teaching that and it's kind of

ingrained in them so that is the first

point and that is a bit strange so it is

getting used to how an introduction is

its formed and what are the purpose of

an introduction and improving that and

improving your ability to write that and

then also the overall structure of an

essay in an english-speaking country

will generally be you introduce it then

the main body will be

you develop it or you go into detail on

your main points and then the conclusion

will be a summary of your main points so

the best way to think about it is the

introduction is telling the reader the

this is what I'm going to talk about

this is really me answering the question

and then the main body is this is the

detail or this is the evidence here's my

explanations and my examples my main

points and then the conclusion is here's

a summary of what what just happened

above and for many people they find that

that difficult to understand because a

they just don't use that structure they

use a different a different way of

writing an essay but many people think

that that's unusual because they think

you're repeating yourself

and in some cultures you were taught to

not repeat the same points and to

meander through the essay and just talk

about different things at different

times so especially when it comes to the

same points being in the introduction

and the conclusion many people have a

problem with that and they say well why

did you talk about both and if you go

and look at you know any Journal article

like an academic article that you'll

find in any if you study in university

you'll look at the beginning it'll be a

summary of the of the main points on the

at the end it'll be a summary of the

main points so they are repeating

themselves and it's really just it to

help the reader understand what is going

on and that's why most essays are are

ordered and that brings me on to the

next point that there generally will be

a very logical order to what is going on

and as I've just mentioned introduction

introducing the points and then in order

this is point number one this is you

deal with that this is point number two

you deal with that this is point number

three you deal with that so there it's

very ordered and very structured and

there's a logical progression to the

essays where in some cultures that isn't

really valued it isn't about having a

logical order or logical structure and

other things are valued and such as you

know showing off your vocabulary which

we'll come to in a second or just

discussing things from many many many

different angles in many different

to view again I'm not going to talk

about every single way of writing an

essay from every single part of the

world and how it would be impossible but

that is one of the hallmarks of a

western-style essay which is a clear

linear progression the other thing that

you'll find in Western countries is

they're more individualistic compared to

some countries in the East which will be

more collectivist and because of that

people in the West will in their essays

will tend to have very very clear-cut

opinions on things whereas if you come

from a more collectivist society you

might talk about things from many many

different angles and not really have a

very very clear opinion a personal

opinion on something so you might talk

about some people like this some people

think this some people think that and

not really say what you think whereas

you know a Western essay might do that

as well you know this side thinks this

side thinks that but they will also have

a very clear-cut

opinion and it will be very clear what

their position is on the question and

this used to drive me crazy when I was

teaching students like why didn't you

answer the question why did you not tell

me what you think about the question and

it took many years to realize that they

had just been taught from a very young

age not to do that not to have that

clear opinion again not this not every

single student is like that and not

every culture is like that but it is it

is a problem that I recognized in in

some cultures the second-last difference

will be the difference in the type of

language that you use in some cultures

you AC essays is a chance to be poetic

or use very flowery language and to show

off their their their nice poetic prose

whereas if you're at university for

example in the West and if your

university in London or Toronto or

whatever that's not really valued you

are using very precise functional

language you're not showing off your

vocabulary

my that doesn't mean that you know

Western essays don't have very

high-level vocabulary in them but that

it's only used when it has to be used

most of the time it will be very

functional and very to-the-point type

language whereas if you a lot of the

students who start working with me one

of the very first things we do is just

like stop showing off stop using very

flowery poetic language understand that

vocabulary and grammar is used in the

West just as a tool to to clearly

communicate what you're thinking about

and/or what your argument is and that

brings me on to the last point which is

in Western culture the purpose of

writing an essay is basically twofold

one to clearly communicate with the

reader so that the reader understands

what you you think about this and a lot

of the time it's also to have a very

clear argument this is what I think not

argue as in you know punching people are

shouting at people but thinking think

about yourself as more more like how a

lawyer would argue their case in court

this is exactly what I think here are

the reasons and then therefore you have

to justify your positions you don't just

say I think this without explaining why

you think this and providing evidence so

that's why a lot of people have

difficulty with explanations and

examples they'll say I think this I

think this I think this but there won't

be any explanation or any evidence to

support that which is something that you

must put into a task 2 essay so

hopefully that makes sense it would be

great to hear from you guys to

understand the differences in your

culture and how you have maybe have been

taught to write an essay that's very

very very different to that and again I

think it's worth reiterating the point

that don't get frustrated and just think

oh it's so different why do they do it

that way that they're not you're not

going to change thousands of years of

culture and I alter not gonna change

their test because you have been taught

a different way it would be impossible

to have like a universal global way

writing because everyone is so different

you know that that's a valuable thing

but if you want to be doing the IELTS

test you have to learn the IELTS way of

doing it and it's not really the IELTS

way of doing it it's you know how

writing is supposed to be generally

supposed to be in western

english-speaking cultures and it's very

very useful to know that as well because

especially if you're moving and do to a

western country I'm attending a

university for example or doing

postgraduate studies or something like

that you will be expected to write that

way and and you will improve your your

university grade by doing it that way so

hopefully that was interesting as always

will be interesting to see your comments

and thank you very much guys if you need

any help feel free to go to our website

altitude Vantage com where you'll find

all the free help that you need and

check out our Facebook page or YouTube

channel and if you need extra help feel

free to get in touch via email chris at

IELTS advantage com

thank you very much boy