Best IELTS writing tips for high-scoring essays

Chủ đề được đề cập

Published: 29 August 2025

Vậy là bạn đã hoàn thành bậc cử nhân và đang chuẩn bị cho chương trình sau đại học ở nước ngoài. Đây là một cột mốc lớn trong hành trình học tập của bạn – nơi bạn sẽ khám phá sâu hơn lĩnh vực chuyên môn, xây dựng nền tảng vững chắc cho sự nghiệp cũng như danh tiếng học thuật của riêng mình. Tuy nhiên, việc theo đuổi chương trình sau đại học ở nước ngoài mang đến không ít thách thức, đặc biệt là khi bạn phải sống và học tập trong một nền văn hóa hoàn toàn mới, xa gia đình và bạn bè.

Dành cho những bạn đang ấp ủ ước mơ du học sau đại học, bài viết này sẽ gợi ý những bí quyết giúp bạn vượt qua những rào cản văn hóa và bứt phá trong môi trường học thuật mới. Đừng để nỗi lo sốc văn hóa làm bạn chùn bước. Với những bí quyết được chia sẻ trong bài viết này, bạn hoàn toàn có thể chinh phục mọi thử thách, từ đó thích nghi và tận dụng tối đa trải nghiệm du học của mình

1. Analyse the question: Deconstructing the prompt

Before you even start brainstorming ideas or outlining your essay, take the time to carefully analyse the prompt. This crucial step sets the foundation for a well-structured and relevant response that addresses all aspects of the task. By understanding the question's nuances and identifying key instructions, you can ensure your essay stays focused and effectively answers the prompt. This analysis will help you craft a compelling and coherent response that showcases your writing skills and meets the IELTS assessment criteria.

Here's a detailed breakdown of how to approach the analysis of IELTS Writing prompts:

Breaking down complex prompts and understanding the task requirements

IELTS Writing prompts can sometimes be complex, containing multiple parts or requiring you to address specific viewpoints. It's essential to carefully analyse these prompts to ensure you understand exactly what is being asked of you. By doing so, you can ensure that your response is relevant, well-developed, and addresses all aspects of the task, ultimately maximising your chances of achieving a high score.

To tackle these effectively:

Identify the question type: Determine whether it's an opinion essay, a discussion essay, a problem-solution essay, or a combination of types.
Highlight key instructions: Pay close attention to keywords that indicate the specific tasks required, such as "discuss both views," "give your opinion," or "analyse the causes."
Break down the prompt: If the prompt is lengthy or complex, break it down into smaller parts to ensure you address each component effectively.

Identify keywords

Keywords are the building blocks of your essay, providing the focus and direction for your arguments. They are the terms that directly relate to the topic and highlight the key issues or concepts you need to address. By incorporating these keywords naturally into your writing, you can ensure your response stays on topic and effectively addresses the question, ultimately contributing to a higher score.

To effectively identify and utilise keywords:

Highlight key terms: Mark out the most important phrases in the prompt, such as the topic, the specific issues to address, and any instructions related to the task.
Use keywords throughout your essay: Integrate the keywords naturally throughout your writing to maintain focus and demonstrate a clear understanding of the prompt.
Avoid repetition: While using keywords is important, repeating keywords often can make your writing come off bland and monotonous. During practice, you can brainstorm synonyms for some of the keywords used in a Writing question prompt. Instead of repeating ‘elderly’, you might substitute it with ‘senior citizens’ or ‘retirees’ for instance. Would be helpful to suggest brainstorming synonyms for some of the key words in a question prompt to avoid repetition e.g. for 'elderly people' - 'senior citizens', 'retirees'

Tham gia cộng đồng sinh viên IDP

Kết nối với các bạn cùng trang lứa và các đại sứ sinh viên để lắng nghe những trải nghiệm thực tế, mẹo hữu ích và lời khuyên về hành trình du học.

2. Find opportunities to brainstorm and generate ideas

3. Structure for success: Mastering essay organisation

A well-structured essay is crucial for achieving a high score in IELTS Writing. A clear and logical structure not only makes your writing easier to read and understand but also demonstrates your ability to organise your thoughts and present your arguments coherently.

Introduction:

Start with a hook that grabs the reader's attention
Provide background information on the topic
Clearly state your thesis statement or main argument

Body Paragraphs:

Develop each main point in a separate paragraph
Provide supporting details, examples, and evidence for each point
Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph

Conclusion:

Summarise your main points
Restate your thesis statement in a new and insightful way
Offer a final thought or reflection on the topic

To ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs and sentences, use cohesive devices, such as transition words (e.g., however, therefore, furthermore) and linking phrases (e.g., in addition, on the other hand, as a result). These devices help connect your ideas, create a logical progression, and enhance the overall coherence of your writing.