Brief Summary
This video provides guidance on how to effectively use IELTS writing samples to improve your writing score. It emphasizes avoiding common mistakes such as using fake essays or passively reading samples. Instead, it introduces ten strategies for active learning, including improving idea generation, development, structure, coherence, grammar, and vocabulary. The video also guides viewers on how to access 100 real band 7, 8, and 9 essays on the IELTS Advantage website.
- Avoid fake sample essays and passive reading.
- Focus on active learning strategies to improve specific writing skills.
- Access real band 7-9 essays on the IELTS Advantage website for effective practice.
Introduction
The video introduces 100 real band 7, 8, and 9 IELTS essays marked by ex-IELTS examiners. The goal is to improve viewers' writing scores by demonstrating what not to do with sample essays and sharing ten effective strategies for using them. Access to these essays is provided within the video, encouraging viewers to watch the entire content.
5 Things NOT To Do With Samples
The video outlines five common mistakes to avoid when using IELTS sample essays. First, avoid using fake sample essays, as most online essays are not at the claimed band level. Second, don't expect to improve simply by passively reading essays; active engagement is necessary. Third, refrain from trying to judge the essays' quality, as students often misjudge band levels. Fourth, avoid copying phrases or chunks of essays, as the IELTS is not a memorization test. Finally, do not copy entire essays into your test response, as this will not result in a higher score.
10 Strategies for Using IELTS Writing Samples
The video presents ten strategies for effectively using IELTS writing samples. Idea Generation: Cover the essay and look only at the question, brainstorm simple and obvious ideas, and then compare them with the ideas in the sample essay. Idea Development: Identify the main ideas in the essay, develop your own explanations and examples, and compare them with the student's work in the sample essay. Structure: Analyze the structure of different essay types (e.g., discuss both views, causes and solutions) to understand how ideas are organized and presented. Coherence and Cohesion: Identify linking words and cohesive devices used in the essays, analyze their usage, and avoid overuse, which can lower the score. Grammar Mistakes: Identify and correct grammar mistakes in the sample essays to improve your own grammar knowledge and application. Grammatical Structures: Analyze the grammatical structures and tenses used in the essays and understand why they were chosen to enhance your grammatical toolbox. Vocabulary Range: Identify unknown vocabulary, collocations, or phrases, guess their meanings from the context, and add them to your vocabulary book for review and use. Vocabulary Errors: Identify vocabulary errors or repetition in the essays and find synonyms to improve vocabulary accuracy and range. Essay Comparison: After practicing the other nine techniques, write a complete essay and compare it with the sample essays, focusing on the relevance of ideas, structure, and development. To access the 100 sample essays, viewers are instructed to search "IELTS writing task 2" on Google, find the IELTS Advantage website, scroll down to the "Sample Essays" section, and click on "how to use task 2 sample essays".
