How to Use Examples Correctly in IELTS Writing Task 2

Summary

This video provides essential tips for achieving higher scores in IELTS Writing Task 2 by using effective examples. It explains common methods of presenting examples and highlights ways to enhance them for better clarity and sophistication. The video cautions against using empty phrases and repeating ideas and emphasizes extending ideas with well-chosen examples. It offers practical advice on using personal and global examples, along with advanced techniques like listing to strengthen arguments. Viewers are encouraged to practice these strategies and seek feedback to boost their IELTS scores.

Takeaways

• 📚 Including relevant examples can boost your score in IELTS Writing Task 2.
• 📝 Avoid using empty phrases before examples like 'According to a recent survey' as they don't add value.
• 🔍 Use examples from your personal knowledge or experience, as instructed in the prompt.
• 🔄 Don't simply repeat ideas with your examples—extend your points to achieve a higher score.
• 💡 Present examples in various ways, such as starting with 'For example' or integrating them within the sentence.
• 🌍 Global examples tend to be more academic and less personal, which can improve the quality of your writing.
• 📈 Listing short examples, like 'timeouts, grounding, or extra chores,' can illustrate ideas effectively without overwhelming your paragraph.
• ⛔ Avoid overcomplicating your writing with unnecessary references to articles or surveys if they don’t add value.
• 👥 Personal examples like 'When I was young' can be used, but academic examples tend to be more appropriate for higher scores.
• 🎯 Examples should be concise, directly related to the topic, and help extend your argument rather than just repeating it.

Q & A

What is one of the best strategies to boost your IELTS Writing Task 2 score?

One of the best strategies is to include a relevant example that supports your argument.

What should you keep in mind when presenting an example in IELTS Writing Task 2?

It’s important to present an example that extends your idea rather than repeating it, ensuring it supports your point effectively.

Why is it not recommended to use references like 'A recent article in the Wall Street Journal' in your examples?

Such references add unnecessary words and make it appear as though you are not focusing on the question or making a good effort to extend your ideas.

What is the difference between using a personal example and a more general example?

Personal examples use pronouns like 'I' or 'we' and are more informal, whereas general examples are less personal and more academic, which can be better for a higher score.

What’s the problem with simply repeating an idea in your example?

Repeating an idea in your example doesn’t add value to your writing. Instead, you should extend the idea to develop it further and improve your score.

How can you use short examples to illustrate your ideas effectively?

You can use listing techniques, such as mentioning several examples in one sentence, to efficiently support your point without making the example the centerpiece of the paragraph.

What’s a better way to extend an idea rather than just repeating it with an example?

A better way to extend an idea is to show the effect or consequence of the example, taking the idea further and providing a deeper level of explanation.

Why is it not recommended to rely on invented information in your examples?

Invented information can feel disingenuous, and it's better to use real or plausible examples from your knowledge or experience that naturally support your argument.

What should you focus on when choosing words for your examples?

You should focus on choosing words that are content-specific and directly support your idea, avoiding empty words that don't add value.

How does using content-specific vocabulary help in presenting examples?

Using content-specific vocabulary, such as 'timeouts', 'grounding', and 'extra chores', helps make your writing more precise and demonstrates your understanding of the topic.

Outlines

00:00

🔎 Introduction to Using Examples in IELTS Writing

This paragraph introduces the importance of using relevant examples in IELTS Writing Task 2 to boost scores. It covers common challenges students face, such as choosing and presenting examples, and emphasizes the necessity of thinking carefully about the question. The speaker briefly discusses different approaches to including examples and sets the stage for more in-depth strategies.

05:03

💡 Common Methods of Presenting Examples

This paragraph explores common ways of presenting examples in IELTS essays. The speaker illustrates the basic approach—starting with 'for example'—and suggests variations such as placing 'for example' deeper in the sentence or replacing it with 'for instance.' While these methods are helpful for students aiming for a 5 or 6, the speaker emphasizes that aiming for higher scores requires more sophisticated techniques.

10:04

❌ What Not to Do When Giving Examples

The speaker highlights ineffective ways of giving examples, such as using unnecessary citations or adding irrelevant information. Examples like referencing academic sources or statistics without directly relating them to the essay topic are discouraged. These methods are described as adding empty words that don't extend or support ideas, which can hinder achieving a higher IELTS score.

📚 Personal vs. Global Examples

This paragraph discusses the use of personal versus global examples in IELTS essays. Personal examples, like 'When I was young,' are acceptable but can be improved by making the examples more general and academic. Global examples, which avoid personal pronouns, are favored for their higher academic tone and can help improve overall scores. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of using examples from one's knowledge or experience, as directed by the question prompt.

📈 Extending Ideas with Examples

Here, the speaker explains the difference between repeating and extending ideas when using examples. Instead of simply restating the same idea, a strong example should take the thought further. The speaker provides an improved version of a previous example to demonstrate how extending ideas leads to higher scores. They also advise avoiding redundant or repetitive examples.

🔗 Listing as a Method for Short Examples

The speaker introduces the concept of listing as a method for giving short examples. By listing items, such as different methods of punishment (e.g., timeouts, grounding), the writer can provide detailed support for their ideas without overwhelming the paragraph. This approach also allows for more complex grammar and content-specific vocabulary, making the essay more academic.

📊 Comparing Good and Weak Examples

This paragraph compares the effectiveness of good examples versus weak examples. A strong example uses specific, content-rich vocabulary and carefully chosen words to extend the idea, while a weaker example adds empty words that don't contribute to the argument. The speaker emphasizes the importance of maximizing the impact of every word in IELTS Writing Task 2.

✨ Elegant Example Presentation Techniques

Finally, the speaker discusses more elegant ways of presenting examples, such as using commas or colons to introduce short examples. They demonstrate how examples can be presented in a subtle manner, without making them the centerpiece of the paragraph, while still extending the idea. This helps in crafting more sophisticated responses that can lead to higher scores.

🎯 Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Using Examples

The speaker wraps up the discussion by reiterating the importance of using examples effectively to extend ideas. They note that some students find it challenging to come up with real examples and may resort to inventing them, which can be tricky. The speaker encourages viewers to practice using both examples and effects to strengthen their essays and reminds them to subscribe for more content.

Keywords

💡Example

An 'example' in the context of IELTS Writing Task 2 is a specific instance or illustration used to support or clarify a point. The video emphasizes that providing relevant and well-presented examples can boost scores, such as when explaining the effectiveness of punishment for children. The video also discusses the difference between weak examples that merely repeat ideas and stronger ones that extend or enhance the argument.

💡Punishment

In the video, 'punishment' is discussed as a method to teach children right from wrong. The question prompt used as an example in the video asks whether punishment is the most effective way to teach children. The video explains how examples related to punishment, such as spanking or detention, can be used to support arguments in the IELTS essay. Different ways of presenting this example are explored, showing how they affect the overall quality of the writing.

💡Extend Ideas

'Extend ideas' refers to the practice of going beyond the initial point made, adding depth and further reasoning to support it. The video encourages IELTS test-takers to not just repeat ideas with examples but to extend them to achieve higher scores. For instance, instead of simply saying that a child learns not to repeat bad behavior after being punished, the video suggests extending this idea by explaining how the punishment leads to long-term behavioral change.

💡Personal Example

A 'personal example' is an illustration drawn from the writer's own experiences. The video contrasts personal examples, like 'When I was young, spankings were very common,' with more global or academic examples. Personal examples can work in IELTS essays, but the video suggests that less personal, more formal examples are often better suited for higher scores.

💡Academic Example

An 'academic example' is less personal and more generalized, often presented in a formal tone. The video demonstrates how academic examples, like 'In Canada, detention is one of the most common forms of punishment for bad behavior,' are more suitable for achieving higher scores in IELTS essays because they sound more objective and well-reasoned compared to personal anecdotes.

💡Common Ways

'Common ways' refers to the frequently used methods for introducing examples in IELTS essays, such as using phrases like 'for example' or 'for instance.' The video critiques these common methods, suggesting that while they are acceptable for mid-range scores, more sophisticated ways of presenting examples are necessary for higher scores.

💡Relevant Example

A 'relevant example' is an illustration directly related to the topic of discussion. The video stresses the importance of choosing examples that are not only clear but also directly support the essay's argument. For instance, in a discussion about punishment, examples like spanking or grounding should be chosen instead of irrelevant or generic examples.

💡Listing

'Listing' is a method of presenting multiple examples in a concise way to support a point. The video highlights listing as a sophisticated way to present examples, such as in the sentence 'Softer methods of punishment, including timeouts, grounding, or extra chores, will help children.' Listing helps convey multiple ideas in a clear and organized manner, enhancing the essay's argument.

💡Effect

'Effect' in the video refers to the outcome or result that follows an action. In the context of IELTS essays, the video suggests that instead of just giving examples, candidates can extend ideas by showing the effects of certain actions, such as how punishment leads to long-term changes in a child's behavior. This approach helps in providing deeper reasoning and improving the essay's overall quality.

💡Support Ideas

'Support ideas' refers to the role of examples in strengthening the main arguments of an essay. The video explains that examples should be used strategically to provide evidence or clarification for the points made. Good examples support ideas by extending them rather than just repeating what has already been stated. The video demonstrates how examples of punishment can support broader ideas about discipline and behavior modification.

Highlights

Including relevant examples in IELTS Writing Task 2 can significantly boost your score.

Common example presentation methods involve phrases like 'For example' or 'For instance', but there are better ways to extend ideas.

To aim for higher scores, avoid overusing phrases such as 'According to a recent study' or 'A survey showed'. These often contain empty words.

Examples from personal knowledge or experience, such as childhood memories or cultural norms, are encouraged in IELTS Writing.

Presenting examples in a global, less personal manner is often more academic and yields better scores.

Using personal examples, such as ‘When I was young, spankings were common,’ is acceptable, but global examples, like ‘In Canada, detention is common,’ are more effective.

To achieve a higher score, avoid repeating ideas in examples. Instead, focus on extending and elaborating the ideas.

Listing methods of punishment like ‘timeouts, grounding, or extra chores’ is a simple and effective way to extend examples.

Short examples can be used to support ideas, but they shouldn't be the main focus of a paragraph.

Carefully choosing vocabulary and using relevant, specific words helps strengthen the argument in IELTS Writing.

Using colons and commas properly, such as 'extra chores, restricting video games, or withholding allowance,' is essential for clear example presentation.

Avoid long, wordy phrases that don't contribute much to the idea, like 'A recent statistical analysis at MIT showed...'

Providing examples that illustrate effects can be more powerful than simply using examples to repeat ideas.

Extending ideas with examples can lead to a higher score, but you can also achieve this by explaining the effects of an action.

Feedback from expert teachers can help improve IELTS Writing scores by identifying areas that need improvement.

Practice using examples in writing and ensure they are concise, relevant, and extend your ideas to maximize your IELTS score.

Transcripts

In IELTS Writing Task 2, one of the best things you can do to boost your score is include

a great relevant example.

But how do you do this?

Let's take a look.

Before we get into the ins and outs of writing examples, don't forget to hit that subscribe

button so you can catch our new videos every week.

Okay, examples.

What example do we write?

How do we think of the best example?

And when we have that idea, how do we present it in a way that maximises our IELTS score?

Let's start by taking a look at the question prompt.

Imagine you get this question on test day.

Children need to learn right from wrong at an early age and punishment is the most effective

way to teach the difference.

To what extent do you agree?

What punishment should be given?

And notice that the instructions below the question prompt say: Give reasons for your

answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

So imagine, you've made a plan, you've written a perfect introduction, and you're now onto

your body paragraph, you want to use a great relevant example to support your ideas.

So let's take a look at some common ways, though, not always the best ways to present

your example.

Common ways of giving an example.

So we start with our main point: Punishment guides children to be more disciplined.

We explain our point: Learning that actions have consequences helps them develop the ability

to reflect on their behaviour after a transgression in order to make a better decision in the

future.

Then we introduce our example: For example, if a child behaves badly and is spanked, he

or she will not repeat that behaviour.

Okay, so the idea is there, you've extended a little bit, and this is probably the most

common style of example presentation that we see.

And it's okay.

Let's take a look at a few other ways we can do this.

So here you can see we begin our sentence with 'For example', but we could move 'for

example'.

Here we've moved, 'for example', deeper into the sentence.

Notice how we have a comma on either side, and it's no longer capitalised.

This is a slight improvement on the way that we can do it.

Or we can also do this, instead of 'for example', we can say 'for instance', and finally, we

can move 'for instance', back to the beginning.

These are the most common ways we see examples presented in IELTS Writing Task 2, and there

okay, we could also just leave it out like this: If a child behaves badly and is spanked,

he or she will not repeat that behaviour.

If you're aiming for a five or a six, then these methods of presenting your examples

will help the reader follow your idea, especially if you're not totally confident in your grammar

or vocabulary.

But if you're aiming for a seven or an eight, there are other ways you can present your

examples.

But first, let's take a look at one more thing.

Don't do this.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal revealed that if a child behaves badly and

is spanked, he or she will not repeat that behaviour.

And don't do this.

According to a recent survey by Harvard University, If a child behaves badly and is spanked, he

or she will not repeat that behaviour.

And don't do this.

A recent statistical analysis at MIT showed that 85% of people believe that if a child

behaves badly and is spanked, he or she will not repeat that behaviour.

These extra words before the example are empty.

It's not wrong according to any criteria, but it shows me that you're not really thinking

carefully about the question, and that you're not making a good effort to extend and support

your ideas.

If you're aiming for a higher score, this is going to slow you down.

Now, let's take a look back at the question prompt.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

So let's think about that a little more.

You want to provide examples from your knowledge or experience.

And one way we can do that is this.

When I was young, spankings were very common.

As a result, we were well behaved.

This is fine, we've given a very personal example, notice the use of the personal pronouns,

'I' and 'we', or we can do it like this.

When children receive a spanking, they quickly learn that they have made a serious mistake.

Notice how this is less personal, more global, and it's slightly better, and it's more academic.

Here's another example.

In Canada, we would receive detention if we misbehaved or did not do our homework.

This is another personal example, which is fine, or we can improve it slightly.

In Canada, detention is one of the most common forms of punishment for bad behaviour.

Again, this is less personal, slightly more academic, and slightly better.

Now, you will absolutely need to practice this and then you'll want to get feedback

from an expert teacher.

At E2, we give you thorough feedback based on the IELTS Writing criteria.

All of our markers are either ex-writing examiners or highly trained experts.

From the feedback, you'll be able to identify exactly what you need to improve to get the

score you want.

We correct your writing, mark the writing against the criteria and link you to content

that will rapidly improve your writing.

This will help improve your scores enormously.

Writing feedback is available at E2 Test Prep in a range of packages, the links are down

below.

Now, before we move on to see some more great examples, I need to mention one important

thing.

Don't use examples to repeat ideas.

Use examples to extend ideas.

Let's take a look at our original paragraph.

For example, if a child behaves badly, a spanking will teach him or her to not repeat that same

behaviour.

So this example is not wrong but it just kind of repeats the idea from before.

To get that higher score, you want to extend the idea, take it further, not just repeat

what you've already said with different words.

Here is a good example, a child who has faced physical punishments or a restriction of privileges

will want to avoid pain or missing out.

This will lead to, and then I can continue extending the idea.

So this example extends the idea and takes it further and you'll get the higher score.

Don't forget if you're trying to get that high score, you will also want practice and

of course feedback.

And feedback is available at E2 in a range of packages.

Alright, let's take a look at a more elegant way we can present some examples.

Short examples to illustrate ideas.

One way you can do this is called listing.

Look at this example.

Softer methods of punishment, comma, including timeouts, comma, grounding comma, or extra

chores, comma, will help children to be more diligent in their education and personal lives.

Listing is a great way to support your idea.

So here you've used a short, simple but still complex grammar structure to support your

idea, and not to be the centrepiece of your paragraph.

It also really lets your vocabulary shine, grounding, timeouts, extra chores, it's very,

very content specific vocabulary.

Let's take a closer look at this grammar structure.

There are a number of softer methods of punishment, which can guide young people to better behaviour,

comma, including extra chores, restricting video games, or withholding allowance.

Or we can change this to: comma, which include or which includes extra chores, restricting

video games, or withholding allowance.

Now let's just take a minute here, I want to compare one of these good examples with

one of the weaker examples we saw earlier.

Notice here in the first example, we've got eight important words that help extend and

exemplify the idea.

But in the second example, we just have 12 empty words that don't really add any important

content to our answer.

You want to try to have all of your words be carefully chosen to support your idea.

So here instead of 10 empty words, I've got eight great relevant content words.

Are you liking this?

Don't forget to hit that like button, and definitely don't forget to hit that subscribe

button.

Let's keep going.

Here's another example.

Comma, such as extra chores, restricting video games or withholding allowance.

Or we can use a colon.

Colon, extra chores, restricting video games or withholding allowance.

Finally, we can write, comma, 'for example', comma, extra chores, restricting video games

or withholding allowance.

So there you go.

You can use examples to add small details to your writing.

You don't have to use it as the centrepiece of your writing.

And in fact, I do recommend extending ideas often by showing effect.

Be sure to check out this video here.

This video is using effect to extend your ideas.

To be honest, I sometimes find it difficult to use examples to support my ideas.

I find effect works very nicely as well.

To be honest, with examples, a lot of times people just lie or they invent information.

And personally, I find that a little bit difficult to do.

Anyway, thank you very much, everybody.

That's all for today.

Please don't forget to like and subscribe and we'll see you next time.