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.

Master the present continuous tense in IELTS general writing by forming with to be and -ing, noting when not to use it, and describing things happening now or temporary situations.

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.

Learn how to use the past continuous tense for long past actions, interruptions by the past simple, and two actions occurring at the same time, with practical examples.

Explore the present perfect tense, focusing on finished actions with a present connection. Show unfinished actions with yet and changes over time, using clear examples.

Learn the present perfect continuous tense, formed as have/has been + verb-ing, to show actions started in the past and still continuing, typically with for or since.

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.

Explore the IELTS general writing task 1 vocabulary section, learning language functions such as giving information, giving advice, and making a complaint, with high level phrases to impress examiners.

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.

Learn to write complaint letters for common scenarios, such as faulty products, misleading items, or poor service, using phrases such as I am writing to complain about issues.

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 give information in formal and informal writing using phrases such as 'I am writing to advise you that' and 'I would like to'.

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.

Build a full IELTS general writing task 1 informal letter: explain a change of travel plans due to a wedding, apologize, and propose new dates with polite language and contractions.

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.

Learn how to tackle IELTS general writing task 2 with a formal 250-word essay within about 40 minutes, including planning, writing, and review, and master common question types and structure.

Learn to craft a thesis statement that states your position and previews the body paragraphs, focusing on the question and outlining two body paragraphs on economic impact and cross-cultural communication.

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

Explore how to craft body paragraph conclusions in IELTS writing task 2, including linking sentence structure, reasons, evidence, and the final conclusion sentence about quality of teaching and educational success.

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.

Plan before you write by spending three to five minutes outlining, then read the question, identify key words, brainstorm ideas, decide your stance, and structure your essay.

Brainstorm and decide your IELTS writing task 2 opinion, then plan a two-paragraph comparison of poorer children's self-discipline and money management with richer children's education and ambition.

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.

Explore IELTS task 2 essay vocabulary for background statements, using phrases like many believe that, while others believe that, it's often said that, and an increasing number of people.

Explore IELTS writing task 2 vocabulary for ending the introduction, including thesis statement types and opinion phrases, with examples on studying abroad and gender workforce topics.

Discover five flexible phrases to start your conclusion in IELTS writing task 2 and learn to paraphrase the main points for a concise final paragraph.

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.