IELTS Strategies: How to Refine your Compositions

When taking the IELTS Writing exam, it is important to balance your answer with an error-free composition. No matter how well-developed or compelling your message is, it may not be enough to get your IELTS test score goal if it is ridden with grammatical mistakes and problematic sentence structures. 

Enrolling in a review center or online IELTS test training class can help you hone your English communication skills. Online IELTS test instructors provide comprehensive lessons that cover all the exam's essentials - including effective strategies on how to tackle the Writing exam.  One of the things that they would teach you is to develop good revising skills. 

It is imperative that you revise - or at least proofread - your essays for the IELTS test. After all, a composition that has zero to minimal mistakes significantly increases your chances of reaching your desired band score. Here are some tips that you can use to refine your essays. 

Delete unnecessary words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs.

Keep in mind that you do not have to include everything about the topic in your answer. Read through your essay and find out if you were able to narrow down your focus on the important parts of your reply.




Check if your essay answered the question adequately.

One of the most common mistakes that test takers commit when taking the IELTS test is rambling. In an effort to reach the ideal word count, many exam takers would talk about everything they know about the topic. Do not make the same mistake. Make sure that you were able to include all the key points of your argument and back them sufficiently with on-point supporting details.  




Evaluate your content.

Every paragraph should contribute something to the entirety of your composition. 




Consider the instructions and writing guidelines.

Did your work satisfy all the tasks assigned by your IELTS test? Did your composition reach the required word count?  Proofread your work. Grammatical range and accuracy make up 25 percent of the IELTS Writing exam criteria. Thus, it is imperative that you keep your work as error-free as possible. If you had to mention a name, place, time, and any other kind of figure, make sure that the information you included is accurate. Check out your capitalization, spellings, punctuation, and grammar.




Examine your format and style.

It is important that your writing tone aligns well with the task. If you were tasked to write a response letter to an authority figure, for instance, compose your correspondence using formal language. Do not beat around the bush and avoid using fancy expressions - especially if you are unsure. 

Assess your essay's transitions and coherence. Did your essay unexpectedly jump from one idea to another without warning? For the sake of coherence and cohesion, make sure that you were able to chance from one thought to another seamlessly.  Having exceptional revision practices can significantly increase your chances of reaching your IELTS test score goals. Hone your editing skills by enrolling in an excellent online IELTS test training course - like the once offered at JRooz International - and take a step closer toward your band score goal.