IELTS General Writing - The Complete Guide

Follow the rule of thumb: write to friends or family informally, all other letters formally; formal writing uses passive voice, informal uses active voice and contractions.

Explore formal versus informal writing in IELTS general writing task 1, comparing emotion, contractions, and tone with practical examples to convert formal phrases to informal equivalents.

Identify formal and informal letter types in IELTS general writing task 1 and distinguish which to use across job application, leave, complaint, giving instructions, apologizing, and making a request.

Master planning for IELTS general writing task 1 using a fixed four-paragraph letter structure. Write an informal letter to a friend about house and pet care with 150–200 words.

Explore the present simple tense in IELTS General Writing Task 1, using habits, facts, and instructions, and learn when multiple tenses appear in a single letter.

Learn how to use the present simple tense in IELTS general writing task 1 for instructions, fixed plans, and now-time usage, with examples like trains, holidays, and possessions.

Explore the present continuous tense to express future plans and new or existing habits, using examples like moving to China next month, exercising more, and always forgetting meetings.

Master the past simple tense for finished actions with specific times, form questions and negatives with did/didn't, and describe past habits and sequences.

Master the future simple tense by forming subject plus will plus verb; use it for promises, requests, future plans, and predictions in IELTS general writing task 1.

Explore key English tenses—past simple, past perfect, past continuous, and going to for future plans—through job offers, refunds, holidays, and complaints.

Master the formalities of IELTS general writing task 1 letter writing. Identify formal vs informal tone, recipient knowledge, and openings with dear sir or madam and closings with yours faithfully.

Master formal and informal letter writing with correct greetings and sign-offs, deciding when to use Dear Mr./Ms. or Dear John, and choosing yours sincerely or best regards.

Learn how to write informal greetings in IELTS general writing task 1, including warm openings after dear and phrases for reconnecting, responding, and thanking to keep a friendly tone.

Master the 'I am writing to' pattern to state your reason for writing in IELTS general writing task 1. Distinguish formal and informal letters with examples like complaint or request.

Learn to craft general writing task 1 letters with formal and informal openings and clear reasons for writing. Practice apologies, instructions, invitations, and internship applications to boost coherence and cohesion.

Explore how to express feelings in IELTS general writing task 1, Part 1, distinguishing formal and informal letter language for gratitude and happiness, with practical sentence examples.

Express negative emotions in IELTS general writing task 1 using phrases such as I was shocked to discover that and I am deeply disappointed with, noting formal versus informal tone.

Master making requests in IELTS general writing task 1 by using formal or informal language and phrases like would you mind, with practice follow-ups.

Master complaint writing for IELTS general writing task 1 part 2, learning phrases to describe faults and worse treatment, assert loyalty, and demand immediate action, refunds, replacements, or apologies.

Learn to give instructions in formal and informal writing using cohesive devices like first, second, next, finally, and the imperative voice.

Master giving advice in IELTS general writing task 1 using phrases such as should, consider, if I were you, and I would suggest. Practice crafting three varied advice sentences.

Explore formal and informal invitation phrases for various situations, from inviting a physicist to speak to inviting friends to dinner, using would you like and would you be interested in.

Learn to craft an IELTS general writing task 1 informal letter by planning four paragraphs, explaining a home event, apologizing, and proposing a new arrangement with appropriate tense and formality.

Learn to craft a formal complaint letter for IELTS general writing task 1 by outlining the cracked-screen TV incident, introducing yourself, and requesting a replacement and apology with paragraph structure.

Learn to craft a full IELTS general writing task 1 letter, using past simple to describe a damaged product, request a replacement and apology, and end with yours faithfully.

Explore how to write IELTS writing task 2 body paragraphs using the auric framework—opinion, reason, evidence, conclusion—focusing on attitude and teaching quality.

Craft the conclusion paragraph by paraphrasing the introduction and body, avoid introducing new points, and summarize how student attitudes and teaching quality influence educational goals.

Explore the five task 2 question types—opinion, problem and solution, discussion, advantages and disadvantages, and two-part questions—by analyzing the topic and instruction parts to tailor essay structure.

Master discussion essays in IELTS writing task 2 using a five-paragraph structure with three body paragraphs, including neutral first two and an opinion paragraph, plus an introduction and conclusion.

Revisit band descriptors for task achievement and coherence and cohesion, and learn to address all parts of the task with a clear position. Use essay structures and cohesive devices.

Explore essential vocabulary strategies for IELTS writing task 2 by building topic-specific wordlists, translating concepts from your language to English, and mastering flexible phrases for introductions, opinions, links, and conclusions.

Learn four ways to express opinions in IELTS writing task 2, from neutral to strong, using phrases like in my opinion, from my perspective, and it's clear to me.

Learn to use logical links like consequently, therefore, and thus to connect data and arguments in IELTS Task 2 essays, with clear examples and practice prompts.

Learn to plan and write a full IELTS writing task 2 essay on social media, weighing advantages against disadvantages with a thesis, background statement, and a clear structure.

Learn to craft a body paragraph on how social media makes communication easy and expands social networks. Use concrete examples and clear conclusions to show learning and opportunities across borders.