IELTS Writing Task 2 Self-Edit Check List

(TESOL Worksheets--IELTS Writings Task 2)

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This is the first in a series of worksheets that attempt to turn IELTS Writing Task 2 into process writing.  (Similar to my process writing for IELTS Writing Task 1).  The first sheet is a self-edit Checklist.

IELTS Task 2 Self-Edit Checklist

Paragraphing:

Your essay should consist of an introduction, a conclusion, and either 2 or 3 body paragraphs, for a total of either 4 or 5 paragraphs.

	Yes	No
Is your essay divided into clear paragraphs (with line breaks in between the paragraphs)?
Do you have an introduction?
Do you have a conclusion?
Do you have between two or three body paragraphs?

Introduction Paragraph Structure:

Your introduction should start with a general statement about the topic.  Then the next couple sentences should transition from the general to focus on the specific question.  (The exact number of transition sentences is flexible.  In most essays, it will be somewhere between 1 and 2).  The final sentence of the introduction should include the main idea of the essay.

	Yes	No
Is the first sentence a general statement about the topic?
Following the general statement, do you transition to the specific question?
Does the final sentence of your introduction contain the main idea of your essay?

Body Paragraph Structure:

Each body paragraph should start with a clear topic sentence, which gives the main idea of the paragraph.  Every other sentence in the paragraph should support the topic sentence.  Any sentences in your paragraph that are not on the same subject as your topic sentence should either be deleted, or moved to a separate paragraph.

Typically an IELTS paragraph will follow this structure:

Topic sentence

1st supporting idea

Example of 1st supporting idea

2nd supporting idea

Example of 2nd supporting idea

	Yes	No
Does each body paragraph start with a clear topic sentence, which give the main idea of the paragraph?
Does every other sentence in the paragraph relate to the main idea in the topic sentence?
Is the topic sentence supported by supporting ideas and examples?

Conclusion:

In an “agree or disagree” essay, the conclusion will contain your final opinion.  If you are writing an essay in which you balance both sides, the conclusion may be the first time you introduce your own opinion.  

If you are writing a “completely agree” or “completely disagree” essay, you will have already stated your opinion in the introduction, but you will restate it in the conclusion (using different words.)

For other types of essays (e.g. “problem and solution”) you should simply restate your main points from the previous paragraphs

For all types of essays, the conclusion should contain no new information.  (ie no new facts or figures).

Which type of essay did you write: Choose only one.		Yes	No
Agree and Disagree: Both sides	Did you introduce your own opinion in the conclusion?
Agree and Disagree: One Sided	Did you introduce your own opinion in the introduction, and then restate it in the conclusion using different words?
Other types of essays	Did you restate your opinions from the previous paragraphs in the conclusion using different words?
For all essay types:
Did you remember not to include any new information in your conclusion?

Active/Passive

If the subject of the sentence is performing the action, the verb needs to be in the active.  If the subject of the verb is receiving the action, the verb needs to be in the passive.  If the verb is not in the passive or continuous tense, you do not need to use a "be" verb.  If the verb is in the passive tense, make sure you use a "be" verb with a past-participle (V3).

	Yes	No
Did you correctly choose the active or passive verb for each sentence?
In passive verbs, did you remember to use the “be +V3” form?
If the verb is not in the passive or continuous tense, you do not need to use a "be" verb.  Check to make sure there are no extra “be” verbs in your essay.

Parts of speech

Be careful that all the words are the correct part of speech.  Don't confuse nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.

	Yes	No
Go through the paper and make sure all the words are being correctly used as the appropriate part of speech.