04 January 2016

如前所述,就我的经验而言,充分理解评分标准对于提高雅思写作成绩至关重要。例如 “task response”的分数其实就很好拿。如果因为对评分标准不理解而丢分就太可惜了。本 文内容主要摘抄、整理自 Simon 的博客 (http://www.ielts-simon.com),部分来源于其它 参考资料,也包含我自己的理解。为便于理解,请先参看官方评分标准再来读本文。

Task response

这个貌似最复杂,但实际是最容易掌握,提高最快,最应该拿分的部分。

Question types

Do the following questions ask for your opinion or not?

  1. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
  3. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  4. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
  5. Is this a positive or negative development?
  6. What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Answers:

  • Numbers 2 and 6 are discussion questions. Discuss both sides of the issue, but don't give an opinion about which side you agree with.
  • Numbers 1 and 5 are opinion questions. Give your opinion and support it. If you have a strong opinion, you don't need to mention the other side of the argument.
  • Numbers 3 and 4 can be called discussion + opinion questions. Discuss both sides and make your opinion clear too.

Argument or discussion?

Many people ask me about the difference between an 'argument' (opinion) essay and a 'discussion' essay. Here's an easy way to think about the difference:

  • When you argue, you are trying to persuade the other person to agree with your point of view. You might even get angry!
  • When you discuss, you consider different points of view, and nobody gets angry.

The question should make it very clear what it wants you to do.

If it asks you to "discuss", you should write about both sides or two views.

If the question asks whether you "agree or disagree", it's asking for your view. For this type of question, give your opinion in the introduction and support it in the rest of the essay. Develop an argument that persuades the reader to agree with you. Note: you can have a strong view or a balanced view - it's your choice.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion

Task 2 questions often ask you to Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Here's how I structure a 4-paragraph essay for this kind of question:

  1. Introduction (2 sentences):

    First introduce the topic. I often begin with the phrase "People have different views about…".

    In the second sentence, mention both views and your own opinion. I often use the word "although" in this sentence e.g. Although there are good arguments in favour of…, I personally believe that…

  2. The first view
  3. The second view (I make it clear that I agree with this view)
  4. Conclusion: summarise both views and your own opinion

Discus without opinion

Most discussion essays also ask for your opinion. Sometimes, however, the question doesn't ask for your opinion. It might just ask you to discuss two different views, or compare the advantages and disadvantages.

Remember: if the question doesn't ask for your opinion, don't give it.

Compare the 2 essays attached below. They are almost the same, but in the first essay I give my opinion clearly in several places, while in the second essay I've removed my opinions completely.

With opinion:

Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.

The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their chosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.

On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many professions. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a company. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college will not be able to compete.

For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school level.

Without opinion:

Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views.

When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are benefits to getting a job straight after school, there are also good reasons why it might be beneficial to go to college or university.

The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their chosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.

On the other hand, it is also understandable that many students choose to continue their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many professions. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a company. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college may not be able to compete.

In conclusion, there are convincing arguments for starting work straight after school, but higher education can also lead to a successful career.

Agree, disagree or partly agree?

When the question asks whether you agree or disagree, you can either express a strong opinion (completely agree or disagree) or you can express a balanced opinion (partly agree, or agree to a certain extent).

Let's look at two ways to answer the following question:

After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career that they love, rather than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

  • Introduction for a strong opinion

    Some people make their career choices according to what they enjoy doing, whereas others place more importance on earning a high salary. Personally, I support the view that job satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment are much more important than money.

  • Introduction for a balanced opinion

    Some people make their career choices according to what they enjoy doing, whereas others place more importance on earning a high salary. Personally, I believe that both criteria should be given equal consideration.

If you completely agree or completely disagree:

  • Make your opinion clear in the introduction and conclusion.
  • Explain one reason for your opinion in paragraph 2 and another in paragraph 3. Imagine that you are persuading the examiner that your opinion is right.
  • Don't write a paragraph about what 'other people' think. If you do that, you are in danger of writing a "discuss both views" essay. If you mention the opposite argument, make sure that you refute it (explain why you think it's wrong), like I did in paragraph 2 of *foreign tourists.
  • Sometimes it's possible to have a strong opinion but still write about both sides of the argument. Take this question for example:

    'Teleworking', or the use of telecommunications to allow people to work from home, should be adopted by all employers in order to improve the quality of life of their staff. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

    Here's my introduction:

    The current trend towards teleworking is a positive one in many respects. However, I strongly disagree with the idea that it should be introduced in all work contexts.

    Can you see how this introduction allows me to write about both the positives and negatives of teleworking, even though I expressed a strong opinion? Which word in the question allowed me to do this?

    The word that I was thinking of is "all". I disagree with the idea of teleworking in ALL work contexts. This means that I can write one paragraph about the benefits of teleworking in some work situations, then another paragraph about the contexts in which I think teleworking would be a bad idea.

If you partly agree:

  • It's important to make it clear in the introduction and conclusion that you have a balanced view i.e. that you accept both sides of the argument to some extent.

    In the last century, the first man to walk on the moon said it was "a giant leap for mankind”. However, some people think it has made little difference to our daily lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

    It is often argued that the act of sending a man to the moon has been of no benefit to normal people. While I agree that this is true in practical terms, I believe that the psychological impact of this great achievement should not be underestimated.

    Note: Can you see how I create a balanced answer by using a 'while' sentence to contrast the 'practical' and 'psychological' impacts of the moon landing?

    Nowadays celebrities are more famous for their glamour and wealth than for their achievements, and this sets a bad example to young people.

    To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

    It is true that some celebrities are known for their glamorous lifestyles rather than for the work they do. While I agree that these celebrities set a bad example for children, I believe that other famous people act as positive role models.

    Notice that I use a "while" sentence to express my balanced opinion.

  • Write one paragraph about each side of the argument. But do this from your point of view e.g. On the one hand, I accept that… / On the other hand, I also believe that…
  • Don't write a discussion essay e.g. some people believe / other people argue…

Problem and solution

  1. Introduction: what the problem is and its effects
  2. Causes of the problem.
  3. Possible solutions to the problem.
  4. Possible results of solutions.

Which part to answer

The role of prisons should be to punish criminals who have committed serious crimes. Training courses and education offered to prisoners are a waste of taxpayer's money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Note that it contains two sub-topics:

  • Should the role of prisons be to punish serious criminals, not petty criminals (less serious criminals)?
  • Are training courses and education a waste of money?

The question below contains 2 ideas or statements, highlighted in blue and green.

Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, so protecting them is a waste of resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

A student, Raymond, asked which part of this question we should answer. Should we agree or disagree with just the blue part, just the green part, or both parts?

Here's another example:

International travel is cheaper than ever before, and more countries have opened their doors to tourists. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

For this question, Raymond asks whether we need to discuss the pros and cons of travel being cheaper, or whether we should just focus on the green part. What do you think?

The marking criteria states that 'all parts of the question should be fully addressed'. The challenge sometimes is to actually identify the question (opinion/proposition) from a 'background statement'. IELTS sometimes gives a background statement to provide some context for the proposition. Even examiners occasionally find it hard to do this!

In the first question, the blue part is NOT a background statement because it clearly provides a 'proposition' - to say that something has 'no place' is expressing an opinion because there is an implied 'should'. Therefore you would have to address both parts because they are two parts of an opinion.

For the second question, both parts refer to changes, so 'the trend' in the question conceivably refers back to both of them, especially as they are logically linked. My advice is that if you are not sure, address both of them and do it equally.

论证

  • 论证方法:因果(阐述)、反证(对比)、举例、引用(统计数据)、扩展。
  • 不要在开头段论证(例如举例),不要在结尾段引入新观点,必须是且仅仅是总结之前 论证过的观点。
  • Do not divert

    Stay focused. Discard "good" stuff if it does not help to support your opinion.

  • Do not under-develop

    论点不等于论据所以论点多不等于论证充分。Just enumerate a number of viewpoints is under-develop, which is no better than just a single point with several supporting sentences.

  • Do not overdevelop(?), do not repeat.

    Otherwise it may look like not an argumentative essay. You may end up with a narrative or descriptive essay.

Coherence and cohesion

  • Paragraphing

    Keep introduction and conclusion concise. So that main paragraphs are relatively long.

    The "idea, explain, example" format is a good way to organise your main paragraphs. Start with the main idea of the paragraph, explain it in more detail, then give an example. A variation on this format is "idea, example, explain".

    Here are some examples for main paragraphs:

    On the one hand, criminals do need to be punished in some way. A person who commits a crime must learn that unlawful actions have consequences. Prison sentences punish offenders because they lose their freedom, and are separated from family and friends. In this way, prison acts as a deterrent to make people think carefully before breaking the law. Last year in the UK, many people were given a prison sentence for rioting, and hopefully this punishment will deter them from similar behaviour in future.

    Analysis:

    • The paragraph contains 5 sentences, with a total of 85 words. This is the kind of length I suggest aiming for.
    • The first sentence is short and simple. We often call this type of sentence a 'topic sentence' because it introduces the topic of the paragraph.
    • Sentences 2, 3 and 4 develop the main idea in a logical, step-by-step way: crime has consequences - loss of freedom is the punishment - this stops people from breaking the law.
    • Sentence 5 contains a real example.
    • Remember that good vocabulary is the key to a high score. I've underlined the best words and phrases in the paragraph.

    (1) On the other hand, school teachers may contribute almost as much as parents to the development of a child. (2) Teachers educate large groups of children together, which means that they must train pupils to work with their peers and respect other members of the class. (3) Pupils also learn to behave sensibly in lessons, regardless of the distractions around them, and to follow instructions given to them by teaching staff. (4) These behavioural skills will be crucial in later life. (5) In the workplace, for example, adults are expected to work in teams, listen to each other, and follow the instructions of a manager or company director.

    Notice how I "build" the paragraph using 5 sentences:

    • Topic sentence introducing the main idea - the role of teachers in children's development.
    • One aspect of this role - training children to work with others.
    • Another aspect of this role - children learn to behave and follow instructions.
    • Why the two points above are important - for later life.
    • Examples - work in teams, follow a manager's instructions.

    Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

    There are good reasons why some people feel the need to make significant changes to their lives from time to time. Firstly, any new situation that a person encounters can be an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. A new job, for instance, might present challenges that push the person to adapt, acquire new knowledge, or add to their skill set. Secondly, a change can represent a break with the past and an old routine which has become boring and predictable. Finally, as well as making life more fun and interesting, new experiences can be good for our physical and mental health.

    Task: Analyze this paragraph carefully. What can you learn from it in terms of structure, ideas, vocabulary and grammar?

  • Logic
    • Do not have to be profound dose not necessarily mean no logic at all. In my humble opinion, the primary goal of examiners is exactly looking for your ability and skill to present logic.
    • For example, develop an idea from 'general' to 'specific'.
  • Position

    要有明确的立场. 议论文里可以两方面观点都讨论,但是自己的观点必须是非常明确的。 讨论时一定要让读者明确的感知到你是支持还是反对当前的观点。前段时间读奥巴马的 “The Audacity of Hope”,里面有一段话生动的展示了怎样做到这一点。可惜当时没有 记下。那一整段是奥巴马引述对手的若干观点。虽然奥巴马没有说“I disagree”之类的 话,但引述每一个观点的同时都让人立刻感知到他是反对这个观点的。

  • Cohesive devices
    • Repetition of a Key Term or Phrase

      Repeat a key word throughout the paragraph. This helps to focus your ideas and to keep your reader on track.

    • Synonyms

      Repeat a key idea in different ways. Synonyms are words that have essentially the same meaning, and they provide some variety in your word choices, helping the reader to stay focused on the idea being discussed.

    • Pronouns

      This, that, these, those, he, she, it, they, and we are useful pronouns for referring back to something previously mentioned. Be sure, however, that what you are referring to is clear.

    • Transitional Words

      There are many words in English that cue our readers to relationships between sentences, joining sentences together.

    • Sentence Patterns

      Sometimes, repeated or parallel sentence patterns can help the reader follow along and keep ideas tied together. For example,

      And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.

    • A good example

      Some art projects definitely require help from the state. In the UK, there are many works of art in public spaces, such as streets or squares in city centres. In Liverpool, for example, there are several new statues and sculptures in the docks area of the city, which has been redeveloped recently. These artworks represent culture, heritage and history. They serve to educate people about the city, and act as landmarks or talking points for visitors and tourists. Governments and local councils should pay creative artists to produce this kind of art, because without their funding our cities would be much less interesting and attractive.

      these/this
      refer back to a previous idea
      which/they
      pronouns refer back to a noun or noun phrase (e.g. they = artworks)
      art
      key word repeated because it is the main theme of the paragraph
      art projects
      key idea that is repeated in different ways, showing variety of vocabulary
      the state, the UK
      general to specific: general idea which is developed in greater detail
    • Band 9 linking

      If you look at the official band descriptors for writing task 2, you'll find this phrase in the band 9 description for 'coherence and cohesion':

      uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention

      So how do you connect your ideas (cohesion) without attracting too much attention? I think there are 2 possible ways:

      • Explain your ideas in a logical order so that you don't need many linking words. This is probably what you do when writing in your own language.
      • Use easy linking words like and, but, also, firstly, secondly, finally, for example. These are so common that they attract almost no attention.

      If you read the *wild animal essay, you'll notice that I don't "show off" with long linking phrases. The linking is subtle, and the focus is on answering the question with good ideas.

Grammar

  • 避免基础语法错误

    日常就注意单复数、时态的准确性

  • 不仅仅是用多种句型,还有时态的多样化。
  • 保持语言简洁,不要为了用复杂句型而用。
  • All long sentences is NOT good.

    You need a mixture of complex sentences and simple sentences to make the essay more delightful to read.

  • Be cautious with sentence problems
    1. Sentence Fragments :: Incomplete sentences or parts of sentences.
    2. Choppy Sentences :: Sentences are too short.
    3. Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices :: A run-on sentence is a sentence in which two or more independent clauses are written one after another with no punctuation. A similar error happens when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. This kind of error is called comma splice.
    4. Stringy Sentences :: Sentences with too many clauses, usually connected with and, but, so and sometimes because. It often resulted from writing the way you speak.

Lexical Resource

Collocation and idiomatic usage are more important than "big" words.



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