Effective IELTS Writing self-study route and method at home

How to self-study Writing IELTS ? This is a question many of you still wonder because Writing is the most difficult of the 4 skills of the IELTS test. Don't worry, in the article below, DOL will guide you on the specific route and how to learn Writing IELTS effectively ! 

1. Set clear goals when self-studying IELTS Writing

Before doing anything, we should set a clear goal. This will help you:

• Clearly define what you need to do.
• Avoid getting lost or disoriented during the review process, especially when studying for IELTS.

=>> So the first step to enter the self-study IELTS Writing path is to set yourself a clear and specific goal. 

Set clear goals when self-studying for IELTS

For example: You need IELTS 6.5 to achieve your goal of studying abroad, your Writing score must be 6.0 or higher. In addition, you also need to determine the time that you can spend to review and the time you need to take the exam to get the degree. 

After identifying the above factors, of course your self-study IELTS Writing path will become a lot easier. And you will feel that self-study writing is no longer a problem. 

2. Rules to follow when studying IELTS Writing

Self-study is an extremely arduous process and requires a lot of our efforts. So to be effective in the process of self-study, we need to set basic principles that we need to follow.  

Rules to follow when self-studying for IELTS

However, this will depend on each individual because each person has his or her own rules. Here is one of the popular rules that DOL suggests, you can try to apply in your IELTS Writing self-study process !

• Spend as much time studying as possible
• Do not use social networks during the study period
• Set a fixed class schedule, avoid frequent changes
• Have a clear and specific study plan
• Always review what you have learned
• If possible, you can find a companion to study together

3. Prepare before learning IELTS Writing

Do you wonder what you need to prepare to be able to start the IELTS Writing self-study route at home ? Let's find out with Dol!

You need to be fully prepared before you start studying

3.1. Self-study materials

Self-study Writing is an arduous process that requires a lot of effort. So from the beginning you should prepare yourself with the necessary materials to best serve the learning process! 

Below DOL will suggest you some reputable and quality resources that you can refer to:

• Write Right
• Improve your IELTS Writing Skills
• IELTS Writing Mat Clark
• Barron’s Writing for IELTS
• Academic Writing for IELTS by Sam McCarter
• High-scoring IELTS Writing
• IELTS Ryan - How to write at a band 9.0 level
• IELTS Advantage Writing skills
• Get IELTS Band 9
• Lessons for IELTS Writing

Because on the market today, there are a lot of books to practice writing skills and the remaining skills in IELTS. Therefore, it is inevitable that there are books of poor quality or illegally published.

Therefore, you should consider carefully before choosing to buy, you should order IELTS Writing test preparation books from reputable publishers, books recommended by teachers and instructors.

See more ways to learn Writing:

3.2. Website 

Here are some IELTS Writing self-study websites you can refer to:

• DOL English
• ielts-simon
• ielstsliz
• ieltsadvantage
• howtodoielts
• ielts answers

3.3. School supplies

Self-studying for IELTS will be much easier if you prepare yourself with all the necessary learning tools for learning. 

• Notebook: You should choose for yourself the necessary notebooks during the study. You can categorize them individually into a vocabulary book, a grammar book or an idea book, so you can easily organize your knowledge and help yourself review more effectively.
• Highlighting pen: Highlighting is an indispensable element in IELTS writing. Therefore, the school supplies you should prepare next are highlighters. This will help you in the process of taking notes of important information or knowledge. 
• Using online tools: If you do not use manual methods, you can apply online tools such as docs, notions or apps or websites for note-taking purposes. This not only helps you store information and knowledge, but it also motivates you in the learning process.

In the process of self-studying Writing IELTS, taking notes and knowledge system plays an extremely important role. You can system your knowledge using word or pdf files on your computer or use notebooks to take notes.  

Documents and tools needed to prepare for IELTS

4. How to allocate time for self-study

As said earlier, self-study requires a lot of effort and time; So from the beginning you need to know how to allocate time for self-study appropriately. However, DOL clearly understands that not everyone has enough time to focus on studying at 100% capacity every day.

If you are still studying or working, you can refer to the timetable below to arrange a reasonable time for self-studying IELTS Writing :

• Second: learn vocabulary and grammar
• Third: read sample articles for ideas
• Wednesday: practice writing IELTS Writing Task 1
• Thursday: practice writing IELTS Writing Task 2
• Sixth: refer to the most commonly given topics in recent times
• Saturday: Review what you have learned
• Sunday: rest

Need a specific IELTS Writing study plan

You can check out more tips to improve your writing skills:

5. Detailed instructions on how to self-study IELTS Writing

IELTS Writing is divided into 2 tasks:

• Task 1: Chart analysis
• Task 2: Write essay

Detailed instructions on how to study IELTS Writing

5.1. Self-study IELTS Writing Task 1

For Task 1, you can divide it into 3 review periods as follows:

Stage 1: Adding vocabulary and grammar

Vocabulary is a very important element in IELTS Writing . For IELTS Writing task 1 , you need to focus on learning vocabulary more because this part requires using vocabulary to describe and analyze charts accurately and logically.

So in the process of self-studying IELTS Writing task 1 , you not only need to add new vocabulary, but you also have to learn vocabulary specialized in describing graphs to be able to use them correctly in your work. 

One of the ways to supplement vocabulary and grammar for IELTS Writing task 1 effectively is that you can:

• Read the reference samples to see how the author used vocabulary and grammar in describing the chart.
• Reading sample papers will help you better understand the format of an IELTS Writing task 1 test.
• Determine what kind of chart you need to focus more on to avoid being skewed during the review process.

At dol.vn, you can refer to

IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample, at the end of each sample lesson, DOL also has a collection of good words that have been used with the exercise for you to remember longer. Reading the sample lesson or learning new vocabulary at the same time, it's too convenient, isn't it? 

Vocabulary plays a very important role in IELTS Writing Task

Stage 2: Learning by lesson format 

IELTS Writing Task 1 includes 7 main types of questions and each type of question has a different chart description. Therefore, you should not wander, but focus on each form at a specific time. 

• Line graph
• Bar chart
• Table
• Pie chart
• Mixed chart
• Process
• Map

For example , you can schedule yourself to review all Line graphs in 3 weeks, then you will optimize the amount of time to focus on learning only this one form.

Try to add vocabulary for yourself to apply the Line graph description , read as many sample articles as possible to understand how to think when writing and especially practice writing as many articles as possible to know that you often make mistakes. What is the mistake and how to correct it.

Practice to familiarize yourself with the chart types in Task 1

Stage 3: Practice questions

This can be considered the final stage in the self-study process of IELTS Writing task 1 .

You should know that learning theories or reading samples will not help you during the test, but in fact, only writing practice can improve your writing skills.

The reason is because in the process of writing you will realize where you are struggling, what kind of chart you find the most difficult to write, and where the grammar mistakes you make most often.

It is only when we practice writing that we have more chances of discovering areas where we need to improve.

=>> So it can be said that practice is the last and most important step in the process of self-studying IELTS writing .  

The process of doing IELTS Writing Task 1

Besides, if possible, find yourself a partner for the following reasons:

• This person will help you correct or recognize mistakes in the article: because inherently if we are the ones who directly write the IELTS writing, it is very likely that we do not recognize our own mistakes.
• This person can spot areas for improvement in writing or in writing ideas: help correct mistakes in vocabulary, grammar and general ideas for your IELTS Writing Task 1. , from which you can draw your own experiences to improve your writing skills

Practice is a useful way to self-study IELTS Writing Task 1

5.2. Self-study IELTS Writing Task 2

Like self-studying IELTS Writing Task 1 , self-studying Writing IELTS Task 2 also includes 3 stages:

• Learn vocabulary and collocation by topic
• Practice writing in the form of articles
• Practice with different topics

Stage 1: Learn vocabulary by topic 

Unlike task 1, IELTS Writing task 2 requires candidates to write a social essay. Therefore, the vocabulary you need for this test will be different from the vocabulary for IELTS Writing task 1.

However, vocabulary in this section will be easier because you can study by topic so you can easily systematize knowledge and remember vocabulary for longer.

Besides, learning vocabulary IELTS writing Task 2 can be integrated into learning ideas to help you save more time. 

Some common topics in IELTS Writing that you should supplement your vocabulary with are:

• Education
• Environment
• Science
• Health
• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Work
• Crime
• Family
• Animals
• Globalization

Some common vocabulary in IELTS Writing Task 2

Similar to IELTS Writing task 1, Task 2 at dol.vn also has a sample with a pre-listed word source, helping you systematize knowledge faster and easier. You can refer to

You can refer to more ways to improve writing skills in IELTS Writing:

Vocabulary part of a self-study student IELTS Writing Task 2:

Students take notes on Writing Task 2 vocabulary during the learning process

Stage 2: Learning by lesson format

The types of papers in IELTS Writing task 2 are:

• Argumentative/Opinion/Agree or Disagree Essay (Opinion essay)
• Discussion Essay Advantages and Disadvantages Essay.
• Causes and Effects/Causes and Solutions/Problems and Solutions Essay.
• Two-Part Question Essay.

Each format also has its own presentation and format. So, before you start practicing, you need to understand how to write each type of essay. Besides, learning how to develop ideas for each type of article is also very important, you should pay attention to this part!

There are 5 common types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 2

Stage 3: Practice questions

Effective practice method

Of course, the IELTS Writing task 2 practice stage is not much different from this stage of IELTS Writing task 1. There are two things you need to keep in mind: practice writing as much as possible and ask someone to help you with your writing. myself. 

Perhaps the best way to improve your score in IELTS Writing is to see sample essays. Take a close look at the examples and sample papers to learn how to prepare for the IELTS Writing test for different tasks.

Please take only about 40 minutes to draft! For each topic, choose about 10 lessons, if you have more time, you can do more.

6. Frequently asked questions

Suggestions for IELTS writing answer sheet - Free download available

DOL would like to send you the free Download IELTS writing answer sheet at https://www.dolenglish.vn/blog/ielts-writing-answer-shee

Vocabulary suggestions by topics to practice IELTS Writing

- Topic Travel & Holidays: accommodation; all holiday; all-inclusive; half-board; full-board; self-catering; to book (something); breathtaking view; busman's holiday; charter flight; check-in desk; far-off destination; getting away from it all; go off the beaten track; guided tour; head for; holiday brochure 

- Topic Technology: computer age; computer buff; computer fatigue; cutting-edge; desktop PC; digital editing; download (podcasts); essential; gadget; geek; hold the line; large screen; light years ahead; on the cutting edge; operating system; out of steam 

- Topic Sport: active rest; athletics track (running track); barbell; blow the competition away; brisk walk (brisk walking); to build muscle; fitness program; football fan; football pitch; football season; jogging; keep-fit exercises; personal best 

- Topic Weather: boiling hot; degrees Celsius; to go below zero; gloomy; clear; to clear up; to be drenched (to the skin); gentle rain; drizzle; downpour; to pour down; humid; snow-covered 

- Topic Health: addict; a check-up; a runny nose; chronic disease; impediment; epidemic; painkillers; rehab; to diagnose; to stutter; alive and kicking; to break a habit; to black out; white as a sheet;

How to write compare and contrast essay in IELTS Writing?

DOL would like to suggest you how to write compare and contrast essay in IELTS Writing in detail at https://www.dolenglish.vn/blog/compare-and-contrast-essay-sample-ielts

How to get 8 in IELTS Writing

DOL would like to send you IELTS Writing Band 8 sample & Tips to get 8.0 IELTS Writing at: https://www.dolenglish.vn/blog/ielts-writing-band-8

Through the above article, DOL has given a detailed roadmap as well as guided you to self-study Writing IELTS for beginners. Don't forget that at doenglish.vn, there's a huge stock of 8.0 IELTS Writing standard samples for your reference! Good luck with your study