How to approach IELTS Writing Task 2

Để đạt được điểm cao cho kỳ thi Viết, bạn cần chú ý những điều sau:

I - Nắm được các dạng và cách giải quyết CHUNG và RIÊNG cho từng dạng. Vì sao mình bảo là CHUNG và RIÊNG?

CHUNG là vì nhiều dạng hỏi khác nhau nhưng cách tiếp cận lại giống nhau đến >90%. Ví du: Dạng balanced essay (vừa đồng ý vừa không đồng ý) bản chất nó giống dạng Discussion essay về cách tiếp cận và triển khai ý. Rồi các dạng câu hỏi khác nhau lại có 2 cách tiếp cận CHUNG chính kiểu:
1- POINTN EXPLAIN, EXPLAIN FURTHER, EXAMPLE.

2- FIRST POINT + EXPLANATION, EXAMPLE (có thể nằm sau second point hoặc third point tùy), SECOND POINT + EXPLANATION, THIRTH POINT + EXPLANATION (optional)
 

Kiểu tiếp cận 1: thường dùng cho dạng STRONG OPINION ESSAY (totally agree/disagree), two-part question (sometimes)
Kiểu tiếp cận 2: cho dạng BALANCED ESSAY, DISCUSSION ESSAY, PROBLEMS + SOLUTIONS hoặc two-part question (sometimes)


RIÊNG là vì khi trả lời câu hỏi ở INTRODUCTION và CONLCUSION + Topic sentences của 2 body sẽ hơi khác nhau chút. 

Ví dụ:

Dạng OPINION ESSAY:

In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

In recent years it has become far more normal for people to live alone, particularly in large cities in the developed world. In my opinion, this trend could have both positive and negative consequences in equal measure.

Câu hỏi nó là "DO YOU THINK THIS IS A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT?" thì câu trả lời ở INTRODUCTION cũng phải liên quan đến nó. "In my opinion, this trend could have both positive and negative consequences in equal measure."

DẠNG DISCUSSION ESSAY:

Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about how much choice students should have with regard to what they can study at university. While some argue that it would be better for students to be forced into certain key subject areas, I believe that everyone should be able to study the course of their choice.

 

Các bạn nhìn FULL hai bài mẫu do Mr. Simon ielts viết (band 9):

In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

In recent years it has become far more normal for people to live alone, particularly in large cities in the developed world. In my opinion, this trend could have both positive and negative consequences in equal measure.

The rise in one-person households can be seen as positive for both personal and broader economic reasons. On an individual level, people who choose to live alone may become more independent and self-reliant than those who live with family members. A young adult who lives alone, for example, will need to learn to cook, clean, pay bills and manage his or her budget, all of which are valuable life skills; an increase in the number of such individuals can certainly be seen as a positive development. From an economic perspective, the trend towards living alone will result in greater demand for housing. This is likely to benefit the construction industry, estate agents and a whole host of other companies that rely on homeowners to buy their products or services.

However, the personal and economic arguments given above can be considered from the opposite angle. Firstly, rather than the positive feeling of increased independence, people who live alone may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and worry. They miss out on the emotional support and daily conversation that family or flatmates can provide, and they must bear the weight of all household bills and responsibilities; in this sense, perhaps the trend towards living alone is a negative one. Secondly, from the financial point of view, a rise in demand for housing is likely to push up property prices and rents. While this may benefit some businesses, the general population, including those who live alone, will be faced with rising living costs.

In conclusion, the increase in one-person households will have both beneficial and detrimental effects on individuals and on the economy.

(band 9) (source: ielts-simon.com)

Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about how much choice students should have with regard to what they can study at university. While some argue that it would be better for students to be forced into certain key subject areas, I believe that everyone should be able to study the course of their choice.

There are various reasons why people believe that universities should only offer subjects that will be useful in the future. They may assert that university courses like medicine, engineering and information technology are more likely to be beneficial than certain art degrees. From a personal perspective, it can be argued that these courses provide more job opportunities, career progression, better salaries, and therefore an improved quality of life for students who take them. On the societal level, by forcing people to choose particular university subjects, governments can ensure that any knowledge and skill gaps in the economy are covered. Finally, a focus on technology in higher education could lead to new inventions, economic growth, and greater future prosperity.

In spite of these arguments, I believe that university students should be free to choose their preferred areas of study. In my opinion, society will benefit more if our students are passionate about what they are learning. Besides, nobody can really predict which areas of knowledge will be most useful to society in the future, and it may be that employers begin to value creative thinking skills above practical or technical skills. If this were the case, perhaps we would need more students of art, history and philosophy than of science or technology.

In conclusion, although it might seem sensible for universities to focus only on the most useful subjects, I personally prefer the current system in which people have the right to study whatever they like.

(297 words, band 9)

 

II- PLANNING YOUR IDEAS: 

SAU KHI HIỂU CÁC DẠNG + CÁCH TIẾP CẬN CHO CÁC DẠNG THÌ CÁC BẠN NÊN HỌC CÁCH LẬP DÀN Ý CHO TỪNG BÀI CỤ THỂ. 
Brainstorming ý và sắp xếp các ý sao cho logic rồi mới bắt tay vào viết.
Trích lời anh Simon (mình đỡ phải viết lại mất công. Các bạn đọc là hiểu :) )


If you don't spend some time planning your ideas, it's likely that you'll run out of things to write, or you'll go off-topic. When planning, keep checking the question to make sure that your ideas are relevant.

Read the question below, and then look at my example plan.

The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

4-paragraph plan:

  1. Introduce the topic of 'traditional ideas and modern life', then partly agree: some ideas are outdated, but others are still helpful
  2. Paragraph about ideas which are not so helpful nowadays:
    Work - having a career for life is no longer normal
    Relationships - 'rules' about who and when to marry are changing
    Gender roles - traditional fixed roles of men and women have changed
  3. Paragraph about traditional ideas which we shouldn't forget:
    Work - work hard, do your best, take pride in your work
    Behaviour - politeness, good manners, respect for others
    Community - help others, be a good neighbour, look after local area
  4. Conclusion: repeat / summarise the answer

 

Sau khi có dàn ý như trên rồi viết sẽ rất nhanh và đảm bảo là điểm của bạn sẽ cao hơn nhiều đấy. Bài sau mình sẽ hướng dẫn tiếp cách chuyển từ dàn ý sang bài văn hoàn chỉnh nhé!