About this lesson
A good essay starts before the first sentence. The teachers here agree on this. First, read the question and find its parts. Find the topic and the number of sides. Check if they want your opinion. Missing one part is an easy way to lose marks.
Next, make a short plan. Most teachers want notes, not full sentences. Write your side, then one word or phrase for each body paragraph. Planning time depends on the teacher. One says about one minute. Another says three minutes in a twenty-minute task. The IELTS teachers give no number.
Ideas do not need to be clever. Simple ideas that you can explain are fine. Choose the ones you know best. Then take one idea and finish it: the idea, the reason, and an example. Some teachers use two ideas per paragraph. Others say one is enough. Always stay on the question. Teachers warn that an off-topic answer can lose most marks. Good grammar does not save it.
Examples from the clips
- IELTS Understood takes a school-uniform question apart: two views, then your opinion.
- NEO English with Pam plans an essay with a side, two reasons and one counter-argument.
- SKILLS PTE ACADEMIC lists ideas for both sides. He keeps the ones he can prove from his own life.
- PTE Sure Way English thinks in his first language first. Then he turns key words into sentences.
Questions this lesson answers
How long should I plan an English essay?
Teachers differ. One suggests about one minute. Another suggests three minutes in a twenty-minute task. The IELTS teachers here give no number. Keep it short.
How many ideas do I need in each paragraph?
Most of these teachers say one idea, well developed. One IELTS teacher writes two main ideas per paragraph. A finished idea matters more than a long list.
What should I do if I cannot think of any ideas?
Ask yourself why the topic matters. Try thinking about it in your first language. Pick key words from the question and list words linked to them. Then keep the ideas you can explain.
Do I need clever ideas to score well?
No. Several teachers say simple ideas, clearly explained, are enough. Examiners do not expect expert knowledge. Choose ideas you can explain.
What happens if I write off topic?
Teachers say you can lose most of the marks, even with good grammar. Some PTE teachers say zero. These are teachers' views, not official rules.