Expressing your opinion for IELTS writing task 2 is often confusing. Students are not sure when to give their opinion or how to give their opinion. This video lesson answers the following questions:

1. Do I need to give my opinion?
2. Can I use “I” or “my” in my essay?
3. How can I express my opinion?

Giving your Opinion: Video Tutorial

Other Useful Lessons for Writing Task 2

• When to give your opinion in IELTS Writing Task 2
• Penalty for being under the word count
• Opinion Essay Model Answer
• All Video Lessons for IELTS Writing Task 2

How long should your IELTS writing task 1 &  task 2 be? Learn how the examiner counts your words and the recommended length of your IELTS essay. This page contains information about:

• IELTS Writing Word Count Rules
• Recommended Essay Length
• Word Count Warning
• Will you get a higher score for a longer essay?

IELTS Writing: Word Count Rules

1. IELTS have set a task of writing OVER 150 words for IELTS writing task 1 and OVER 250 for writing task 2.
2. However, there is no upper word limit. But that doesn’t mean a long essay is a good idea.
3. While the under word count penalty has been removed, writing an essay that is too short will lower your score. Click here: penalty removal and short essays

Recommended Length of an IELTS Essay

1. The instructions given by IELTS state write at least 150 words (task 1) / at least 250 words (task 2).
2. The words “at least” mean you should not go below 150 words for task 1 and not write under 250 words for task 2.
3. Always write over the least recommended word count.
4. For writing task 1, aim for between 170 words and 190 words. Try not to go over 200 words (max 210 for complicated charts).
5. For writing task 2, aim for between 270 words and 290 words. Try not to go over 300 words. IELTS essays are designed to be written in 40 mins and to be highly focused with each sentence crucial to the essay.
6. Writing under 150 words for task 1 and under 250 words for task 2 will not allow you to develop your points enough for a high score.
7. Aim for quality rather than quantity. This means focus on writing excellent English and organising your information rather than writing a long essay in task 2. The also applies to your report in task 1 academic or your letter in task 1 GT.

How Long Should Your Essay Be? 

Note: This video was made years ago but is still 100% relevant today. Scroll down below the video to keep reading about word count in IELTS writing.

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Will you get a higher score for a longer essay in IELTS?

The answer is very simple = no. IELTS is look for a highly relevant, focused essay. If you try to add information that is not 100% relevant to your task, you will get a lower score.

IELTS writing task 2 essays are designed to be written within 40 mins and to be highly focused. This means each sentence is 100% relevant and critical to the essay. There is no sentence which contains padding (extra, unnecessary information). For writing task 1, if your report gets too long, you will be marked down for getting lost in detail and not focusing on key features.

You do not get a higher score for a longer essay.

Warning for IELTS Writing Word Count

1. If you copy the information given by IELTS for your introduction, the examiner will not count those words. This means you might be under the word count. So, always paraphrase your introductions. This lesson shows you how to write an introduction for IELTS writing task 2 by paraphrasing.
2. How to check how many words you have written – you don’t have time to count each word you have written, so you should count the lines instead. Knowing the length of your handwriting on the official writing answer sheet will help. Watch this video lesson to learn about practicing with the official writing answer sheet.
3. All words are counted. This means each individual word, just the same as word count in a Word Document. For example, “The most important part of a test is understanding the marking system and the requirements” = 15 words.

More IELTS Writing Tips & Lessons

10 Sentences to Avoid in IELTS Writing Task 2

How many Paragraphs for an IELTS Essay

How to use the Official Answer Sheet for IELTS Writing

All IELTS Writing Task 2 Lessons, Model Answers, Tips & Free Videos

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“Under the word count” penalty update for IELTS Writing Task 2 

As you see on the page below, previously you would have a fixed penalty of band score 5 for Task Response in IELTS writing task 2 if you wrote under the word count which is 250 words. This rule has now been removed.

Does this mean you can now write under the word count?

The answer to this is yes and no. Let me explain. It is possible to write under the word count and you will get no fixed penalty. But will it impact your score?

Writing a short essay which is under 250 words will definitely impact your score and not in a good way. The requirements of good band score are that you develop your ideas sufficiently. This means you must have enough words to develop your main points. A short essay doesn’t do this. Take a look below at the requirements of Task Response regarding this:

• Band 5 = ideas are limited and not sufficiently developed
• Band 6 = ideas might be inadequately developed
• Band 7 = extends main ideas
• Band 8 = presents well-developed response with extended ideas
• Band 9 = fully extended ideas

As you see, developing and extending your main points is crucial to increase your score. You cannot develop your ideas properly if your body paragraphs are too short. Certainly, a long paragraph is no guarantee of a well-developed idea, but a short paragraph will ensure it is not developed enough. So, you need two things: 1) body paragraphs that are long enough to be considered developed.  2) body paragraphs containing sentences that are focused and relevant. Basically, the right length and focused.

What word limits do you recommend for paragraphs?

• Your introduction is a functional paragraph of just two statements usually about 40-50 words.
• Each body paragraph MUST be sufficiently developed for a high score. If you have two body paragraphs, it’ll be about 95 words per paragraph and about 65 words for three body paragraphs. Having less might put you at risk of not having sufficiently developed main points.
• The conclusion is also a functional paragraph of about 30-40 words.

In total, your essay should be around 270 – 290 words in length. If you write less, your ideas might not be developed enough for a high score. If you write more, your ideas might lack focus and sentences might lack relevancy. See my model essays on this page: IELTS Writing Task 2 Lessons & Tips

Word count Rules Previously Used by IELTS Before

There used to be a fixed penalty in IELTS writing if you wrote under the word count which is 150 words for writing task 1 and 250 words for writing task 2.  You would automatically get only band 5 in Task Response which counts for 25% of your marks.

Other things affecting your score

1. Your handwriting – if the examiner has problems reading your handwriting, your band score can be seriously affected.
2. Memorised answer – if your essay answer is memorised, it will not be accepted and could result in a 0 band score.
3. Limited answer – if you fail to answer the whole question and only answer half of it, you will not get above band score 5 in task response.

Is there a penalty for writing too much?

No, there is no upper limit. However, writing too many words does not mean you will get a better mark. In fact, it might cause problems.  It might include sentences that are less relevant and less focused. People often like to add “padding” to their essays but this only lowers your score. See this page: How Many Words is Recommended for Writing Task 2

Recommended

For more answers to questions about IELTS writing task 2, follow the link.