11. IELTS Task 2 : "Using a brainstorm to write a plan"

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Last time we looked at how to brainstorm ideas for the body paragraphs of a task 2. In today’s podcast, we will see how to progress to the next step, which is to turn the brainstorm into a plan.

The body plan is what we will use to write our 180-word body section. The plan could be for three 60-word paragraphs, or two 90-word paragraphs. At Gold Coast IELTS we prefer the 2x90 model because it gives us more room to flesh out our ideas. It should never take more than 2 minutes to complete the brainstorm and accompanying plan as most of the work is done inside our head. The result should be a very basic plan containing a few key words on a piece of paper.

Let’s keep using the same essay question that we used in podcasts 8 and 9. Here it is again for those that have forgotten:

(1) Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. (2) Others argue that it is better to try and improve such situations. (3) Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

If you remember the podcast from last time, we came up with the following brainstorm points based on the IDEAS acronym. Let’s review them below.

1. Industry leaders might say that it is always better to improve a bad situation because if we don’t the economy will never improve.

2. Doctors might say that if we don’t strive to improve a bad situation like a disease, people will suffer.

3. Engineers might say that it is only because of the constant need to improve that we have such incredible buildings and places to live today.

4. Artists might say that there is no need to improve a bad situation because beauty can be found in suffering, which leads to better inspiration.

5. Social workers might say that it is often impossible to improve the situation of economically disadvantaged people, so it could be better not to even try.

Now, we need to choose four of the above brainstorm points to make a plan, to which we will add some examples. And guys don’t forget that this is going to be a very basic plan, aiming for about a 6.0 band-score. Because this is a discussion/opinion style essay, we can choose two “for” points, and two “against” points. Here is the plan:

Body paragraph 1:

Topic sentence: “It is better to accept a bad situation”

Point 1 (brainstorm point 4): Beauty can be found in suffering

Example 1: A lot of the best literature is based on overcoming human suffering.

Point 2 (brainstorm point 5): It is impossible to improve, so why even try?

Example 2: Disadvantaged circumstances often continue from one generation to the next.

Body paragraph 2:

Topic sentence: “We should always try and improve bad situations”

Point 1 (brainstorm point 1): We should always strive to improve things for the sake of the economy.

Example 1: After the Corona Virus we will need to work hard to return to good times.

Point 2 (brainstorm point 2): We should always improve so we can eradicate disease.

Example 2: Once cancer has been cured, many people’s lives will be saved.

Now we have a nice little plan that only took a minute or two to create, we can start writing these ideas into our body section using beautiful English.

See you next time!