Step 1, Analysing the question.

If you don’t answer the question fully, you can’t score higher than a Band 5.

You must read the question carefully and ask yourself:

1. What is the topic?
2. What is your task?

In order to do this, Identify the question type and Identify the keywords in the question.

Step 2, Planning the essay.

• It helps organize your ideas and save your time.
• Before writing your actual essay. Think about your response. **Plan for up to 10 minutes.**
• You should brainstorm your ideas and make some notes.

Step 3, Writing the introduction

• Tell the examiner what the rest of the essay is about tell the examiner you know what you are doing.
• Keep it simple and sweet. Give the introduction no more than 6 minutes.

Step 4, Writing the Body Paragraphs

• Give the examiner more detail about your opinions/positions
• State your main points.
• Supporting these with explanations and relevant examples.

Step 5, Writing the conclusion

• Provide a summary
• Remember to check for mistakes in grammar and spelling