How proofreading can enhance your IELTS writing scores
Many IELTS test takers don’t bother to do proofreading in writing tasks as they think that it is merely wastage of time or some time they are overconfident of what they have written. In this article we will discuss either IELTS Essay Proofreading is blessing or curse.
What is Proofreading?
Proofreading means checking the text carefully to find any errors before submitting it. It is the last stage of the writing process, in which you find and fix minor spelling and punctuation or other mistakes.
What is Task 2?
In IELTS writing both in General Training and Academic the task 2 is an essay, which should be written in at least 250 words. To complete this task 40 minutes are given and you should complete it in time. This task carry more bands so it should be done properly you should get some tips to improve it.
Why to do Proofreading?
As the time is short and you have to write more so the chances of committing mistakes enhances and “The more mistakes you commit, the lower will be your IELTS band score.” So to avoid this impact proofreading is must and it works as a blessing.
How to do Proofreading?
From the given 40 minutes spare at least 5 minutes to recheck you content as in this time you can not only read your text but can also identify and rectify the mistakes. First there are two things that should be keep in mind to avoid mistakes –
– Read the question carefully and answer it correctly
– Identify the demand of the question and write accordingly so that the demand can get satisfied. For example – if you are asked to write an essay with your opinion, than you should write only this type not any other.
Follow the below given checklist to do the proofreading affectively –
– Start from the top i.e. introduction check if the Introduction paragraph makes sense means it is written in a relevant way.
– Examine the essay to see whether the content is properly structured and is in a proper format, your ideas should be presented logically and the paragraphs are linked with each other with appropriate cohesive devices i.e. connectors like ‘firstly’, ‘secondly’ and more.
– Look in provided examples and check does it clearly support your ideas and views written in your essay? If yes, check for the demonstrating words like ‘for example’, ‘for instance’ has been properly written.
– Check if any new points or words are to be written in your essay. Make sure that you don’t write under or over the word count.
– Have you added any alternative point of view in your essay? If yes, ensure that you have provided appropriate examples to support your views.
– Check if your essay is relevant to topic. Writing irrelevant will lower your score.
– Check the spellings, grammar and sentence structure properly. As these things can lower your scores.
– Look either the articles (a, an, the) and prepositions are used at appropriate place.
– Ensure that you have capitalized the correct words.
– At last see if your essay ends with a proper Conclusion make sure that the conclusion includes the summary of your entire essay and don’t put any new point in it.
It can be difficult for some of the candidates to complete the task in 35 minutes and give 5 minutes to proofreading but believe me this process will not take more than 5 minutes and if you devote this minutes to conclude your whole task definitely it will boost your sores at least by 1 band.
Hope after reading this article you will definitely do proofreading and your scores ill improve.
Thanks for reading.
