Exam Prep · 3 MIN READ
IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay Structure and How to Get Useful Feedback
How Task 2 is marked, a paragraph plan for each essay type, and how to review your own practice essays against the four band criteria.
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Task 2 is marked on four criteria: task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Write at least 250 words with a clear position, an introduction, two or three developed body paragraphs and a conclusion. Review practice essays against each criterion in turn.
Task 2 carries more weight than Task 1 in the Writing score, so it repays practice. The good news is that the marking is predictable. The four criteria are published, and an essay can be reviewed against them.
The four marking criteria
| Criterion | What examiners look for |
|---|---|
| Task response | Answer every part of the question with a clear, developed position |
| Coherence and cohesion | Logical paragraphs, clear progression and well-used linking |
| Lexical resource | Accurate, varied vocabulary and natural collocations |
| Grammatical range and accuracy | A mix of sentence structures with few errors |
A paragraph plan
- 01
Introduction
Paraphrase the question and state your position or outline in one or two sentences.
- 02
Body paragraph 1
One main idea, an explanation and an example or consequence.
- 03
Body paragraph 2
A second idea, developed the same way. For a two-sided question, give the other view here.
- 04
Conclusion
Restate your position and summarise the reasoning without adding new points.
Read the question type
Opinion, discussion, problem-solution and two-part questions each need a slightly different plan. Answer exactly what is asked.
Review your own essays
- Check that every part of the question is answered, not only the first.
- Underline the linking words and look for repeats such as "moreover" three times.
- Count your errors by type: articles, tenses, agreement, spelling.
- Replace one vague word per paragraph with a more precise one.
CastIQ's AI Writer includes a feedback tool: paste your essay, choose IELTS as the exam type and optionally add a rubric to get comments. Use it as a second reader, and compare it with comments from a teacher where you can.
Example: a sentence-level improvement
Take a typical Band 6 sentence: "Technology is good for education because students can learn many things." It is correct but vague. A stronger version states what, how and why: "Online platforms let students access lessons at their own pace, which helps those who need more time to understand a concept." The change is not harder vocabulary, it is a more specific claim with a reason. That kind of upgrade, made throughout an essay, is what moves a score on task response and lexical resource.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Answering only part of the question | Underline every instruction word and tick each off in your plan |
| Ideas without examples | Add one specific example or consequence to each body paragraph |
| Repeating the same linking words | Vary them, and sometimes link by repeating a key idea instead |
| Overlong introduction | Keep it to two sentences: paraphrase and position |
| No time to proofread | Reserve the last three minutes to check articles and agreement |
A routine for improving in four weeks
- Write two timed essays a week, on different question types.
- After each, review it against the four criteria and note one thing to fix.
- Rewrite one paragraph from the weakest essay each week.
- Keep a list of your own recurring errors and read it before each new essay.
The same approach of planning, writing to time and reviewing against a rubric works for other exams. See how to approach a UPSC essay, and for responsible use of AI feedback, using AI for studying honestly.
Plan for each Task 2 question type
| Type | Paragraph plan |
|---|---|
| Opinion (agree or disagree) | Position in the introduction, two reasons in the body, restate the position |
| Discussion (both views) | View A, view B, then your own opinion if asked |
| Problem and solution | Causes or problems, then solutions that match each problem |
| Advantages and disadvantages | Advantages, disadvantages, and your judgement if asked |
| Two-part question | One body paragraph for each question, answered directly |
Check the exact wording of the question. If it asks for your opinion, give it. If it asks for both views, do not argue only one.
Practice essay ready for a second opinion?
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Try CastIQ Free →Frequently asked questions
At least 250 words, and a little over is common. Going far beyond it spends time you need for checking.
Around 40 minutes of the 60-minute Writing test, including planning and a quick check.
It is a useful extra reader, especially for structure and clarity. A teacher or experienced marker is better at judging band-level nuance.
Pick one recurring weakness, such as vague examples or repeated linking words, and fix only that in the next essay. Targeted changes show up faster than trying to improve everything at once.