IELTS writing and body paragraphs

We receive questions about writing a body paragraph in IELTS and sometime we see candidates try to squeeze too much in them. A body paragraph is like a carriage on a train. This is a common question we get.

“How many ideas should I include in a body paragraph in Task 2? Some say one is enough others say you should include 2 or 3 even if the question is in singular? Also please describe in details what a developed idea is according to IELTS criteria?”

An IELTS examiner at upmyielts.com answers this one.

One. Don’t write more than that. This comes up time and again in recertification for IELTS examiners.

You only need to present one idea in each body paragraph.

But why only one?

Good question!

You have 40 minutes and limited time to write. If you read the Task Achievement criteria, at Band 9.0 it says that you need to present “fully extended and well supported ideas”

To get into the high Bands, you need to present detailed ideas. Every Task 2 question says

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

So, let’s put this puzzle together. In each body paragraph, you need to

present one idea that supports your position

extend it by explaining it in more detail

use a real-life and detailed (or invented) example to support it.

Now if you do this correctly, you will have a beautiful-looking body paragraph and a fully developed idea. Now do the same in your next body paragraph; and that’s it! Write your conclusion and relax.

So many candidates try to add in lots of ideas in a paragraph but only develop one of them (it is impossible to develop them all in the time given) and this means they will be looking at Band 6 as the criteria says

“presents relevant main ideas but some may be inadequately developed/unclear”

Others start listing points and this is even worse; don’t do this!!!

One is enough.

If you want your writing evaluated by an IELTS examiner who can show you how to get higher marks, you can order one here.