Key Insight:
Students who plan quickly and clearly always outperform those who dive in without thinking.
IELTS writing isn’t about writing fast — it’s about writing right.
And good writing always starts with good thinking.
Why Most Students Lose Marks
- They misread the question
- They only half-answer the task
- They try to “just start writing” without knowing their argument
- Their paragraphs drift, repeat, or go off-topic
Band 7+ essays are engineered, not guessed. That’s why this 4-step plan works.
The 4-Step Planning System
Use this method every time — especially for Task Response control.
Step 1: Break Down the Question
Ask:
- What’s the general topic?
- What’s the specific angle or issue?
- What is the instruction? (e.g., discuss, agree, explain, etc.)
This prevents you from answering only part of the question.
Step 2: Decide Your Stance
Ask:
- Do I agree or disagree?
- What is my overall opinion?
- Can I give a balanced view?
Warning: 100% one-sided answers often feel forced or extreme.
A balanced opinion is often easier to support with real ideas.
Step 3: Choose 2 Main Ideas
- What are the two strongest reasons that support your stance?
- Can you explain each one clearly in one paragraph?
- Do they answer different aspects of the question?
One idea = one paragraph. No more, no less.
Step 4: Make Quick Paragraph Notes
For each paragraph, jot down:
- The main reason
- A short explanation
- A real or realistic example
This keeps your writing focused, logical, and on-task.
Planning Template (The “One-Minute Map”)
| Question Breakdown | Stance | Paragraph 1 | Paragraph 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topic: | Main Idea: | Main Idea: | |
| Angle: | Reason: | Reason: | |
| Instruction: | Example: | Example: |
Example
Question:
Some people believe governments should spend money on public services rather than the arts. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Step 1: Breakdown
- Topic: Government spending
- Angle: Public services vs. the arts
- Instruction: To what extent do you agree?
Step 2: Stance
- Mostly agree (public services should be the priority)
Step 3: 2 Ideas
- Public health and safety are urgent needs
- Arts can be funded privately in many cases
Step 4: Paragraph Notes
Paragraph 1:
- Main idea: Health and education impact daily life
- Example: Hospitals, schools, infrastructure save lives and build future
Paragraph 2:
- Main idea: Arts are important but can be supported by private donors
- Example: Crowdfunding, sponsorships, museum tickets
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing before thinking
- Agreeing 100% with something you can’t explain
- Picking ideas that don’t match the question
- Forgetting examples or logical flow
Exercise 1: Try the 4-Step Plan
Plan answers to the following questions using the One-Minute Map.
Question 1:
Some people think parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others believe this should be taught at school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Question 2:
Nowadays many people choose to work from home. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Question 3:
Some believe more action should be taken to prevent crime, while others feel crime is being tackled effectively. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Exercise 2: Peer Review or Self-Compare
Download and review 3 Band 7+ completed One-Minute Maps. Compare them with your own and ask:
- Did I fully address the question?
- Are my ideas clear and distinct?
- Did I pick reasons I can explain?
- Do my examples feel realistic?
Reflection Message
Planning doesn’t slow you down — it saves you from writing yourself into a corner. One minute of thinking = one band higher on test day.
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