IELTS Writing Tips and Tricks: Do’s and Don’ts

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing

Writing Too Many Words:

• Why it’s bad: Exceeding the word limit can lead to repetition and unnecessary information.
• How to avoid: Practice writing concisely and stick to the word count. For example, instead of writing “In conclusion, it can be said that…”, simply write “In conclusion…”.

Overusing Contractions:

• Why it’s bad: Contractions can make your writing sound informal.
• How to avoid: Use full forms in formal writing. For example, use “do not” instead of “don’t.”

Overusing Connecting Words:

• Why it’s bad: Excessive use of connecting words can disrupt the flow of your writing.
• How to avoid: Use a variety of connecting words and phrases, and only use them when necessary. For example, instead of starting every sentence with “Moreover,” use a variety of transition words like “However,” “Furthermore,” and “Additionally.”

Jumping from One Idea to the Next:

• Why it’s bad: Lack of coherence can make your writing difficult to follow.
• How to avoid: Use transition words and phrases to link your ideas together. For example, use “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “Finally” to sequence your arguments.

Mixing Arguments in One Paragraph:

• Why it’s bad: This can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.
• How to avoid: Dedicate separate paragraphs to different arguments. For example, in a discussion essay, have one paragraph for the advantages of technology and another for the disadvantages.

Using the Wrong Tone:

• Why it’s bad: Formal writing requires a serious and academic tone.
• How to avoid: Avoid using slang, colloquialisms, and emotive language. For example, instead of saying “Technology is awesome,” write “Technology has had a significant impact on society.”

Using Abbreviations:

• Why it’s bad: Abbreviations can make your writing unclear.
• How to avoid: Write out full words, especially in formal writing. For example, use “United Kingdom” instead of “UK.”

Repeating Words and Overusing Primitive Verbs:

• Why it’s bad: This can make your writing monotonous and less impactful.
• How to avoid: Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for overused words. For example, instead of repeatedly using “said,” use verbs like “stated,” “claimed,” or “argued.”

Poor Handwriting:

• Why it’s bad: Illegible handwriting can make it difficult for the examiner to understand your writing.
• How to avoid: Practice writing neatly and clearly. Use a pen that writes smoothly and avoid pressing too hard on the paper.

Overusing Idioms:

• Why it’s bad: Overusing idioms can make your writing sound unnatural and can confuse the examiner.
• How to avoid: Use idioms sparingly and only when you are confident that you are using them correctly.

Writing in a Babyish Manner:

• Why it’s bad: Poor grammar and underdeveloped ideas can lower your score.
• How to avoid: Practice writing complex sentences and use a variety of sentence structures. For example, instead of writing “I think that technology is good,” write “Technology has numerous benefits for society.”

Becoming a Clock Victim:

• Why it’s bad: Constantly checking the time can disrupt your thought process.
• How to avoid: Allocate time for each section of the writing task and stick to the schedule. Use a timer to help you manage your time effectively.

Starting Without a Plan:

• Why it’s bad: Writing without a plan can lead to a disorganized and incoherent essay.
• How to avoid: Spend a few minutes brainstorming ideas and creating a brief outline.

Forgetting to Leave a Blank Line Between Paragraphs:

• Why it’s bad: This can make your essay difficult to read.
• How to avoid: Remember to leave a blank line between each paragraph.

Using Generalizations:

• Why it’s bad: Generalizations can make your writing sound simplistic and immature.
• How to avoid: Use specific examples to support your claims. For example, instead of saying “All people love technology,” write “Many people enjoy using smartphones.”

Using Simple Sentences:

• Why it’s bad: Simple sentences can limit your ability to express complex ideas.
• How to avoid: Practice writing compound and complex sentences. For example, instead of writing “I like to read books. I also like to watch movies,” write “I enjoy both reading books and watching movies.”

Using Clichés:

• Why it’s bad: Clichés can make your writing sound unoriginal and informal.
• How to avoid: Use fresh and original language. For example, instead of saying “at the end of the day,” you could say “ultimately” or “in conclusion.”

Using Lazy Expressions:

• Why it’s bad: Lazy expressions can weaken your writing.
• How to avoid: Use more specific and descriptive language. For example, instead of saying “and so on,” you could provide more specific examples.

Copying Part of the Task Question:

• Why it’s bad: This can be considered plagiarism.
• How to avoid: Paraphrase the task question in your own words. For example, if the question asks “Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online learning,” you could rephrase it as “Examine the benefits and drawbacks of remote education.”

Agreeing with Both Sides:

• Why it’s bad: This can confuse the examiner and weaken your argument.
• How to avoid: Choose one side and stick to it. For example, if the question asks “Is technology good or bad for society?,” you should choose one side and provide evidence to support your opinion.

Letting Adrenaline Make You Arrogant:

• Why it’s bad: Arrogance can alienate the reader and damage your credibility.
• How to avoid: Stay calm and focused. Remember that the examiner is looking for clear, well-supported arguments, not a boastful tone.

Going Off Topic:

• Why it’s bad: This can lead to a lower score.
• How to avoid: Stick to the topic and avoid irrelevant information. For example, if the question is about the impact of climate change, don’t discuss unrelated topics like politics or economics.