How to Brainstorm Effective Content for IELTS Writing Task 2

The IELTS writing task can be daunting, especially when it comes to articulating a coherent and well-reasoned response within the given time and word limit. The correct method of brainstorming can significantly enhance your performance. This article provides a step-by-step guide to help you generate and refine ideas for your IELTS Writing Task 2, particularly for problem-solution questions.

Step 1: Understanding the Question Type

To start, it is crucial to recognize the type of question being asked. In the IELTS exam, you might encounter five main question types:

Opinion Discussion Problem Advantage/Disadvantage Agree/Disagree

Classifying the question into one of these categories will help you ensure that your response is targeted and relevant. For example, consider the following IELTS Task 2 question:

Many large cities around the world lack affordable housing. What problems does a lack of affordable housing cause? How can these problems be overcome?

This is a Problem-Solution question, which requires you to identify and explain the problems caused by a lack of affordable housing, followed by possible solutions. This classification allows you to focus your brainstorming efforts accordingly.

Step 2: Brainstorming Ideas

Once you understand the question type, the next step is to brainstorm ideas. This involves allowing your mind to wander for 30 to 60 seconds, generating as many ideas as possible. Do not worry about organization or writing them down. Mental exploration is key at this stage. Your ideas could range from negative effects or solutions to the problem. Here are some initial thoughts:

High property taxes leading to higher living costs, making it difficult to attract workers to large cities, resulting in homelessness. Utilizing unoccupied housing for alternative purposes, limiting rent prices, and providing government support for the poor, encouraging workers to telecommute or live outside the city.

Step 3: Choosing the Idea

After brainstorming, you will likely have several ideas. Select the ones that are most relevant and feasible to address. When making your choice, consider the following:

Does the idea directly relate to the question? Can you explain this idea with reasons and examples? Is the idea simple enough to be fully developed within the limited time and word count?

It is better to choose an idea that you can explain comprehensively rather than opting for a potentially better but overly complex one. Clarity and submission of full ideas are key here.

Step 4: Writing Down Short Notes

After selecting your ideas, jot down short notes to outline your approach. For a Problem-Solution question, you will typically need to address two main points. Here's an example for the previously mentioned question:

Q1: Expensive housing causes homelessness. Reason: Higher living costs hurting the budget. Example: High-store-rent leading to higher prices of goods, forcing landlords to charge more.

Q2: Limiting rent prices and providing government support for the poor. Reason: Rent control and aid for the poor increase affordability. Example: Food subsidy allows more money for housing.

Step 5: Starting to Write

With your ideas and notes in place, you are now well-prepared to start writing your essay. Organize your notes into coherent body paragraphs, ensuring that each paragraph addresses one of the main points. For example, your essay structure could look like this:

Introduction Brief explanation of the problem of affordable housing First idea and reasoning, with an example Second idea and reasoning, with an example Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively brainstorm ideas, categorize them, and structure your IELTS Writing Task 2 response. Structured thinking and organisation will help you deliver a clear, relevant, and well-supported answer.

Additional Resources

For more information on IELTS writing tips, visit:

IELTS Universe