IELTS Writing guide
Plan a clear answer before polishing sentences
A focused IELTS Writing guide for Academic visuals, General Training letters and Task 2 essays, with a practical revision routine.
Start with the exact task
Underline what you have to do, who your reader is and every part of the question. Academic Task 1 asks you to describe visual information; General Training Task 1 is a letter. Both modules include a Task 2 essay. A well-written response to a different question is still a poor response to the task you were given.
Academic Task 1: organize the picture
Look for the main pattern before listing figures. In a chart, that might be the highest category, a broad increase or an exception. In a process, it may be the overall sequence and the beginning and end. Select comparisons that help the reader understand the visual, and use the given units accurately. Do not invent causes that the visual does not supply.
General Training Task 1: write for the reader
Decide whether the letter is personal, semi-formal or formal. Make its purpose clear and cover every requested point with enough detail. A letter to a friend and a complaint to a manager need different openings and levels of formality. Keep the relationship consistent throughout; impressive vocabulary cannot compensate for a confusing request.
Task 2: make the position easy to follow
Before writing, state your answer to the question in one plain sentence. Choose a small number of relevant reasons and explain how each supports that answer. For example, if you argue that libraries should remain free, explain a specific access benefit rather than merely repeating that reading is important. Use examples to develop reasoning, not to replace it.
Give both tasks time
The Writing section lasts 60 minutes. Task 1 requires at least 150 words and Task 2 at least 250; Task 2 carries twice the weight. A useful starting plan is about 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 for Task 2, including planning and checking. Practice adjusting that split while completing both responses, rather than perfecting one and leaving the other unfinished.
Use feedback in a second draft
Ask whether the response addresses the task, develops ideas coherently and uses language clearly. Gym AI feedback points to features of your submitted response; it is practice guidance, not an official IELTS score. Choose one or two improvements, revise the relevant paragraph, and compare the versions. Our original topic pages remain available for finding Task 2 ideas and sample answers.