3 5+5+2 - The Perfect Formula for IELTS Writing Band 7+

Achieving a high score in the Writing section, especially IELTS Writing Band 7+ is not easy at all. Achieving the desired score takes more than just a day or two; it is a continuous effort and journey for many candidates. Therefore, below is the perfect formula for IELTS Writing Band 7+, shared by PREP. Refer to the article below to make your writing test journey easier.

I. What is 3 5+ 5+ 2?

3 5+ 5+ 2 is:

• 3 opening sentences
• 5+ sentences for body paragraph 1
• 5+ sentences for body paragraph 2
• 2 concluding sentences

The simple 2-5-5-1 writing structure is no longer truly suitable for higher bands (although the 2-5-5-1 formula is still okay for a score of 6). Let's not compare ourselves to experts like Xi Mông, who spread the 2-5-5-1 formula worldwide. Their sentences are extremely concise. What we need is a convenient writing approach to conquer IELTS Writing Band 7+. This formula is not only suitable for candidates at the IELTS Writing Band 7+ level but also applicable to candidates at Band 6+.

II. Implementing the 3 5+ 5+ 2 formula - a formula for IELTS Writing Band 7+

1. Introduction (3 sentences)

• Sentence 1: General statement - quickly generalize the topic of the prompt and introduce it. Broaden a narrow topic into a broader one. For example, common broad topics that IELTS often asks about are environmental protection, energy consumption, etc.
• Sentence 2: Paraphrase the prompt - if the prompt contains any keywords, paraphrase them to help transition from a "General" to a "Specific" approach closely related to the prompt.
• Sentence 3: Thesis statement - answer the prompt's question. It's best to briefly mention the main ideas you will address in the body paragraphs.

2. Body paragraph 1 (5+ sentences)

• Sentence 1: Topic sentence - present the central idea of the paragraph, usually by paraphrasing a part of the thesis statement. Avoid jumping straight into specific details; start with a clear topic sentence.
• Sentences 2-3: Supporting idea 1 + development of the idea
• Sentences 4-5: Supporting idea 2 + development of the idea

Is it five sentences or more? Indeed, it's more than five. Typically, each supporting idea necessitates two sentences, though occasionally three, particularly for complex concepts. It's essential to progress systematically when developing ideas to prevent confusion and ensure reader comprehension. For each supporting idea, allocate three sentences, thus totaling seven sentences for one paragraph. Therefore, select straightforward ideas that can be succinctly explained, aligning with the length requirements of the IELTS writing test.

• Finally, COHERENCE/CLARITY is the most important aspect - the reader should feel that your ideas are clear and well-connected, rather than focusing on the number of sentences you write.

Notes:

• In this section, typically, each paragraph needs about two supporting ideas. Writing only one would be insufficient, and writing three would result in an essay that is quite lengthy, exceeding 350 words. Hence, presenting two ideas is appropriate for achieving a Band 7 or higher in the IELTS Writing test.
•  The ideas within the paragraph must be closely connected, ensuring no sentence appears disconnected. Familiarizing oneself with a range of conjunctions, from simple to complex, is recommended for achieving coherence and cohesion in writing.

3. Body paragraph 2 (5+ sentences)

This section follows a similar structure to Body Paragraph 1. However, pay attention to the following additional points to conquer IELTS Writing Band 7+:

• Ensure that the two body paragraphs together fully answer the prompt's question.
• The two body parts should be connected, both in terms of meaning (through logical flow) and language (through conjunctions).
• The length of the two paragraphs should not differ too much. If it is an Opinion Essay, the paragraph that represents your main viewpoint should be slightly longer.

4. Conclusion (2 sentences)

• Sentence 1: Restate the answer - restate the answer to the prompt, paraphrasing all the necessary ideas and vocabulary.
• Sentence 2: If the restate part takes up 2 sentences, that would be great. If not, use the second sentence to make a prediction or give a recommendation.

Achieving success in passing the test poses a considerable challenge. IELTS Writing Band 7+ stands distinct from Band 6+, rendering pre-made formulas largely ineffective. While the above formula may seem convenient, mastering it is no easy task. Throughout its application, one must develop various other skills to craft a comprehensive writing piece at the Band 7+ level in the IELTS Writing test. These essential skills include:

• Generalization
• Nominalization
• Paraphrasing
• Effective use of conjunctions
• Development of ideas

This article has provided Formula for IELTS Writing Band 7+. Hopefully, with enough practice, you will gradually piece together each fragment to create a complete picture. It feels great in the end, and sometimes you can even write an IELTS Writing Band 7+ essay with your eyes closed because you have mastered all the necessary skills.