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Get show notes on this episode here: http://allearsenglish.com/ie-8-how-can-you-correct-your-own-writing-for-the-ielts-writing-section/
 
Can’t find anyone to correct your IELTS writing practice?
A lot of people have this problem but it doesn’t mean that you can’t do some great preparation for the test by yourself!
 
Today you’ll find out exactly how to create a checklist for your writing to grade it yourself.
When you create your checklist you should organize it based on the descriptors. Descriptors are what the examiner looks at in order to give you a grade.
 
What to look for when you correct your own writing practice tests:

Task achievement/task response: Do you complete the required task? Do you actually answer the question? For Task 1, you need to include all the key points. You need a summary or overall trend. You need to say what happens to the numbers in general. For Task 2, did you stick to the topic and fully answer every part of the question. For example, if it’s an argument essay, did you talk about every part of the question?
Organization: Does every sentence connect to the topic? Are you repeating anything? Are you being direct and concise?


Coherence and Cohesion: Do you have good paragraphs? Do you use linking words between every sentence? Examiners look for the linking words! Don’t forget them. They are important! Don’t let your writing be choppy. It needs to flow with linking words.
Do your ideas make sense?


Vocabulary: Look for repeated words and circle them. Try to think of different ways to say words when you have repeated them.


Grammar: Look for a variety of sentence structures. Underline the complex sentences. Make sure you included them in your writing. A complex sentence is where you use a dependent clause with a simple sentence. Here is an example: “I like writing which has a lot of linking words.”


Mistakes: Make a list of the most common errors. Look at verb tenses, circle the different tenses. Make sure you are using them correctly.

It’s better to have a real person correct your IELTS writing but if you can’t do that, try using this checklist above.
Set up a very specific study schedule. Work on it every single day. Leave yourself plenty of time ahead of the test to prepare and you can do it!
 
Leave us a comment below!
Have you tried correcting your own IELTS writing?
How did it go?