Real Thinking Wins Real Scores
Meta Description:
Tired of writing fake IELTS essays? Learn how to generate real, logical ideas and examples that impress examiners. No templates. No memorised fluff. Just high-score thinking.
Key Insight
Band 6 students use template phrases and generic ideas.
Band 7+ students use real arguments, real logic, and real-world thinking.
Examiners can smell fake examples.
But real reasoning — even if simple — gets rewarded.
Teaching Points
1. How to Generate Real Ideas Quickly
Use what you already know. Strong ideas often come from:
- Simple societal logic
(e.g., government policy → public behavior → long-term outcome) - Personal context
(e.g., workplace, school, family, daily life) - Cause and effect
(e.g., If X happens → Y increases → Z becomes a problem)
2. The “W-H-Y” Method (Idea Builder)
Use this to expand any basic point into a full Band 7 paragraph:
- What is the point?
→ “Online education is flexible.” - How does it work?
→ “Students can watch lessons at any time and repeat if needed.” - Why does it matter?
→ “This helps working adults or parents manage study around busy schedules, which increases access to education.”
3. Three Real-World Example Zones That Almost Always Work
Use these 3 zones for believable, relevant examples:
| Zone | Examples You Can Use |
|---|---|
| Workplace | Productivity, communication, remote work, burnout, teamwork |
| School | Exams, online learning, bullying, curriculum pressure |
| Home/Society | Family roles, cost of living, media influence, transport |
These are safe, familiar, believable — and they give you structure.
Bad vs. Good Idea Examples
Band 6 “Template Thinking”:
“In today’s era of globalization, many people are facing good and bad consequences of technology.”
✔ Sounds memorised
✘ No real logic or support
Band 7+ Real Thinking:
“One reason technology creates stress is the constant expectation to respond instantly to messages, even outside working hours. This blurs the line between work and personal life, leading to burnout.”
✔ Specific
✔ Logical
✔ Connects clearly to real-world impact
Exercise 1: Brainstorm Real Ideas
Task: Take these 3 IELTS questions. For each, brainstorm 2 specific ideas using real-world logic (no fluff).
Question 1:
Some people think public transport should be free. Do you agree or disagree?
- Idea 1:
- Idea 2:
Question 2:
Many people work from home. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
- Idea 1:
- Idea 2:
Question 3:
Some students take a gap year before university. What are the pros and cons of this?
- Idea 1:
- Idea 2:
Exercise 2: Build a Full Argument with W-H-Y
Choose one idea from above and expand it using this pattern:
What is your idea?
→
How does it work in real life?
→
Why is it important for the topic/question?
→
Now put it all together:
One reason [insert idea] is that [how it works]. This matters because [why it’s important].
Example Using W-H-Y
Topic: Online learning
What: It gives students flexibility.
How: They can access lessons anytime and rewatch hard parts.
Why: This helps people with jobs or family responsibilities succeed in education.
Full paragraph sentence:
One major benefit of online education is flexibility. Students can choose when to study, allowing them to work around job or family responsibilities. This is especially useful for working adults or parents, as it gives them access to education they might otherwise miss.
Final Reminder
You don’t need to be “clever.” You need to be clear and believable.
Real arguments. Real logic. Real results.
Next Step: Download the Real Ideas Builder Pack
Includes:
- 10 example questions + brainstorming worksheet
- W-H-Y paragraph builder template
- 3 “safe zone” example banks: home, school, work
- Sample Band 7+ paragraph breakdowns
Download Now → TotallyFreeIELTS.com/free-lessons
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