Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How is Academic Writing different from General Training Writing?
Is Academic Writing Task 1 always a bar chart?
Do my students need to write a separate introduction and conclusion for Academic Writing Task 1?
What genre is Academic Writing Task 2?
Is the marking equally weighted for the two tasks?
How is Academic Writing assessed?
What criteria are used to assess the answers?
When my students do practice tests, how can I give them an IELTS type score?
Are marks deducted for untidy handwriting?
How is Academic Writing different from General Training Writing?
The table shows that the first tasks in General
Training Writing and Academic Writing are different. The differences
in these tasks mean that candidates are required to produce different
kinds of writing. The second tasks are quite similar in that they
are both discursive and candidates may need to present a solution
to a problem, present and justify an opinion, or evaluate and challenge
ideas, evidence or arguments. However, the topics in General
Training Writing are topics of general interest which tend to be
more concrete and personal than those in Academic Writing. The
topics and instructions in General Training Writing require
candidates to provide general factual information and usually do
not require the same degree of comparison and contrast of evidence,
opinion or implication as Academic Writing does. The second
task in Academic Writing also assumes an academic context and
should therefore be formal in style.
|
General Training Writing tasks |
Academic Writing tasks |
Task 1 |
Writing an informal, semi-formal or formal personal letter |
Presenting information from a chart, table, graph or diagram in
the candidate’s own words |
Task 2 |
Writing a discursive piece of writing |
Writing a discursive piece of writing that involves consideration of more abstract issues |
Is Academic Writing Task 1 always a bar chart?
No, the information students are given to interpret
and describe may be in the form of one or more diagrams, charts,
graphs or tables on a related theme.
Do my students need to write a separate introduction and conclusion for Academic Writing Task 1?
In Task 1 candidates are asked to describe the
visual information and are expected to present this information
in an organised, coherent way. This necessarily requires an introductory
statement, however brief. Similarly,
a statement summarising the main trends or features would be an
appropriate ending. Speculation about the information or attempt to explain it are not required by the task.
What genre is Academic Writing Task 2?
Writing Task 2 has no specific genre although
it always requires a discursive response and you should advise your
students to read each question carefully and respond appropriately
to the individual task they are given. For Writing Task 2 students
may be asked to: present a solution to a problem; present and justify
an opinion; compare and contrast opinions and evidence; evaluate
and challenge an idea, argument or opinion. Their answer should
always be in the form of a short formal essay for a tutor or examiner.
Will my students lose marks if they do not write a formal introduction and conclusion for Academic Writing Task 2?
There are no separate marks given for introductions
and conclusions. However, one of the assessment criteria for Writing
Task 2 is 'Task Response' (IELTS
Handbook available here).
If ideas are presented without an appropriate introduction and conclusion
they may not be effectively argued or organised and so marks may
be lost in this area.
Is the marking equally weighted for the two tasks?
Task 2 carries more marks than Task 1.
How is Academic Writing assessed?
The IELTS writing scripts are assessed by IELTS
examiners. All IELTS examiners are fully trained in how to assess
IELTS writing and speaking performances. Examiners’ training
is kept up to date by regular standardisation sessions and by a process called ‘certification’.
This requires the examiners to demonstrate that throughout their
examining they continue to adhere to the required assessment procedures
and standards.
What criteria are
used to assess the answers?
These are the assessment criteria used:
Task 1: Task Achievement; Coherence and Cohesion; Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Task 2: Task Response; Coherence and Cohesion; Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy
When my students do practice
tests, how can I give them an IELTS type score?
You can give your students valuable feedback on their progress by
using the following:
1) Writing
Band Descriptors (Public Version) (PDF)
2) Sample
Scripts (PDF)
All of this information will help you to assess whether your students are performing well in their writing tasks as well as the areas they need to continue to work on.
Are marks deducted
for untidy handwriting?
No, marks are not deducted for handwriting specifically
but, obviously, an illegible script cannot be marked. However, clear
handwriting by candidates allows their message to be more easily
understood by the examiner. Clear handwriting also helps students
to communicate their ideas more effectively, so you should encourage
your students to write as clearly as possible.
If you have any other questions about IELTS Academic
Writing, please contact us and we'll
answer the most frequently asked questions here.
