7 glorious virtues to help achieve a good, low error, written style.
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Berni Wall |
In this edition of IELTS News:
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How quickly can I get a band 7 at IELTS
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Why the hurry? Slow and Steady is the name of the game |
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Learning a language takes time – 7 years for your own mother tongue – this cannot be rushed!
Of course I’m not suggesting that you take 7 years but I speak to lots of people who are in a real hurry and the truth is that the kind of language you need for bands 7 and 8 cannot be learned overnight.
Sorry if this answer isn’t what you wanted to hear but getting a high band depends not on how many tests you do, or on how many books you buy or even on how much work you do. In truth it depends on how good your English is and how well you can apply your English to the tasks. I can’t say this enough!
Today I read this really good post from a native English (UK) speaker who had to sit for the IELTS – I think you should read it.
It is a wonderful story full of trepidation but with a happy ending. Look at the results 8.5 in reading and listening which I know some of you have achieved also BUT 9 in speaking and writing which is what you would expect from a native speaker – so this candidate has had years and years of practice – a few weeks isn’t going to do it if you don’t have a really high level of English – it’s time to get realistic.
The truth is that you can keep on practising reading and listening from tests (I wouldn’t ever recommend this as an effective way of preparation except just before the exam) and you will see some improvements but with speaking and listening it will take a lot longer and you do have to make sure that what you are doing makes sense and is correct (especially with writing).
Mistakes get fossilised – this means that if you include the same mistakes over and over again in your writing and/or speaking it will be very difficult to stop making them. They will become part of your English and you will lose marks because of this.
I’m not trying to be a scaremonger – remember I used to be an examiner so I know that this is true. The only way to stop this from happening is to get someone who knows what they are doing to check what you are doing and tell you when something is not correct. You can use a friend or a native speaker to do this but if they are not an IELTS teacher they may not be able to tell you how to correct these things but at least you will know where you are making mistakes.
OK, so the moral of this is that slow and steady gets the job done well. Don’t be in too much of a hurry. Pace yourself and really concentrate on improving your English skills (using Gapfillers will do this well) and then you’ll be amazed at how easier the IELTS will seem. Not taking test after test is good for your pocket too.
IELTS Step by Step
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Our brand new Gapfillers 12 week lesson-a-day IELTS programme |
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We’re now into week 3 and have got off to a good start. We’ve covered a review of all papers (general and academic) and we are now looking in detail at the reading and all the types of exercise for this.
It’s a really thorough programme delving into all the nooks and crannies of the IELTS exam with tips, advice, practise exercises and a forum for discussion.
Want to join this programme? I’ll be telling you very soon how you can do this so look out for the emails from Gapfillers.
If you want to know NOW – contact me here.
In our last newsletter we spoke about things to avoid in writing – now we want to share things that you SHOULD be doing in your writing
7 Deadly sins to avoid in your writing
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A piece of English language writing whether for an exam, an assignment or work should demonstrate your ability and flexibility with the language. Getting your message across clearly and expressing yourself with good style will gain you more marks and/or make a good impression.
Another thing you must do to make sure you minimise errors is to create your own personal checklist of the mistakes you make – you’ll know them – they are the things that make you say ‘doh!’ when you get your writing back from your teacher. You KNOW these mistakes but you STILL MAKE THEM!!
Have this list in your head and when you write this word or sentence type make sure that a small bell rings in your head to make you check it!
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Here are my 7 deadly sins that are easy to avoid and will certainly help you to add a little more sophistication to your work.
- nice, get – useful words but they really don’t mean much. Write down a list of synonyms that you can use instead.
- translating – this rarely works, if you can’t express your idea well in English then think of another idea that you can! (see my post on thinking in English)
- phrasal verbs/idioms – these are not appropriate for formal pieces of writing(great for speaking) – make a list of alternatives. (see my post on Register)
- wandering apostrophes – its/it’s, your /you’re – PLEASE make sure you understand the difference and know where and when not to use these!
- adding new ideas in the final paragraph – this is usually the result of not planning and it not only destroys your piece it also shows a lack of joined up thinking. Even if it’s an earth shattering idea if it ruins your essay or report it’s not worth it!
- not planning – if you don’t plan you won’t know where you are going and you’ll end up with a very fragmented piece and the danger of Number 5 above!
- not sticking to your plan – I have known students who constructed their plan after the essay just because I had asked for a plan! This shows a fundamental lack of understanding, in my view, of the writing process. It causes Nos. 5 and 6 and if you have a good plan then stay with it – remember the ideas will not come across if your language is poor and it doesn’t flow. This, again in my view, can only be achieved by careful planning. (see my last post on planning and checking your writing)
For a general overview of writing and the process of producing exam essays see the section How to Write on the Gapfillers site.
In this the 3rd and final piece on writing and error analysis I will look at things to do rather than things not to do. I talk a lot about planning and I feel very strongly that this is key to good writing. Checking comes next, you don’t want to throw away marks, or make yourself look stupid with silly errors. Of course practice is the key and the more you practise the better you will become.
Here are my 7 glorious virtues to help achieve a good, low error, written style.
1. Less is more – this maxim can refer to several areas of writing
don’t make your sentences too long, long sentences give more room for mistakes if they are going on to 3 lines check them carefully!!
word limits are a guide – if you have 220 and the guide is 250 don’t add 30 words for the sake of it. If you have concluded your argument and feel satisfied with the piece you have written leave it. 30 extra words will not gain you marks if they are not relevant in fact they could destroy your essay altogether!
don’t write more than 1 essay at a time – if you produce 3 essays at the same time it is likely that they will all have the same mistakes. Have your piece of writing marked or looked at before you begin a second.
2. Analyse your mistakes – make sure you understand how to improve on any errors and add them to your mental check list for next time
this may seem like common sense but I was horrified once to find that an IELTS class of mine were putting marked essays in their folders and not looking at my comments or suggestions! As a consequence their scores were not improving and they produced the same type of writing each week.
understanding where you went wrong is key – unless you do this you will simply repeat the same mistakes over and over
3. Make synonym lists – look at words you use a lot in your writing – find synonyms – rich vocabulary demonstrates your language ability and gives your writing sophistication
opening phrases (Some people, On the one hand, Although etc.)
closing phrases (Finally, In conclusion, In my opinion etc..)
linking words (in spite of, moreover, nevertheless etc.. See my post on Linking words)
Find more of these on Gapfillers How to Write.
4. have a list of knock-out words and phrases – pick out a few words that will enhance your writing and use them – once – sometimes a beautiful sentence or word is used in an essay and it has an amazing effect! Then it is used again and sometimes a third time and that initial effect is destroyed.
some examples might be –
starting sentences with present participles (…ing) – Having weighed up all the pros and cons, it is vital that …. etc (make sure you don’t lose sight of your subject in these sentences)
using the passive –
cleft sentences (see my post on this)
inversion
Of course it depends on the type of writing you are producing as to which of these is appropriate but you need one or two in your armoury. Use them deliberately for effect (making sure, of course, that you can use them correctly!!)
5. look at models – unless you are planning to break the mould with your writing (which would be dangerous in an exam or with a job-related report!) use models as examples. You can find these easily on the internet. If you are an IELTS student look at newspaper versions of data reports (the business sections have lots of these). Type in your essay title and see what comes up. DO NOT COPY THESE, use them to analyse how things are expressed and what words are appropriate for the topic. Make notes and then use these phrases and words in your own writing.
6. be bold – (this may seem to contradict 5 above, but I am talking in microcosm here – not the entire piece) try new things (this is best done before the exam or final draft) some new phrases or grammar items -it can only help to give your writing more variety. Even if it doesn’t go completely right you’ll get some credit for trying.
7. read more and widely – your reading also acts as a model for your writing. By reading widely you are exposing yourself to different styles and models. You will become familiar with a wider range of phrases and vocabulary as well as good grammatical usage.
You can find more advice here.
So, as with many things, writing is 80% preparation and 20% execution!!
Getting your writing checked
Don’t forget that you can have your writing marked to check that you are on the right track!A Task 1 and Task 2 cost just £15 and you will get detailed corrections, a band score and also advice on how to improve.
Find out more in IELTS Corner or go to Member Home/Account/Credits
(You should send your essays as Word documents to get the very best feedback).
Showcasing your IELTS Writing on Gapfillers
You can set up a blog in Member home and then add posts documenting your practice or writing Tasks and allow others to comments and give feedback. This is great way of getting your writing out and scrutinised!!
You can even post your Tasks 1 and 2 and ask for comments and advice from Gapfillers Members and teachers.
Here are the instructions from the blog challenge we held a little while ago to get you started. Let me know if you need any help with this.
http://www.gapfillers.co.uk/default.aspx?atk=7448&vrk=7432
IELTS Speaking practice via Gapfillers
Finding speaking buddies on Gapfillers is great way to improve your fluency and give you extra opportunities to practice your speaking.
I see that some of you are doing this – well done!
This is a great way to get regular practice so don’t be shy!! You can also use the calls to help with other parts of the exam. I know people who have discussed and helped each other with reading and listening too! If you have questions then you can post them on the site or send them to me and I will answer them.
To find speaking ‘buddies’ here for your own practice. Simply send a message from Member Home to the IELTS group network (a network message) asking for people to share Skype names with you and then you can meet on Skype and practise your English!
If you want to practice your speaking then contact those members who have already left messages or post your own message and connect with others.
You don’t have to struggle along alone with your IELTS?
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We are here to help and advise you – just contact us or post your questions
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Keep an eye out for workshops and webinars offered via Gapfillers
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Give me YOUR suggestions for how I can help YOU
If you want individual help that will show you exactly what YOU need to do to make sure you get the band you want – join our "How to get IELTS Band 7 our Higher" programme and MAKE SURE that you are ON TRACK.
http://www.gapfillers.co.uk/default.aspx?atk=7476&vrk=7455
or check out other programmes on:
IELTS Corner
http://www.gapfillers.co.uk/?atk=7233
Latest results
Two Gapfillers Members achieved Band 8 in their Speaking this month – Fantastic!!
Well done and congratulations!
We love to hear your successes so please let us know so we can all celebrate with you!!
Don’t forget to check The World of IELTS for any new updates!
That’s all for this week. I hope you will find this little digest of information useful.
If you need any help with anything just send a message via Contact Us in the Gapfillers site or directly in Member Home or the IELTS Network – I check all the messages every day!
Happy practice 🙂
Until next time!
Berni