Tackle IELTS Writing Task 2: How Many Body Paragraphs Should You Write?
Are you confused about the structure of your IELTS essay?
One of the most common questions students ask is: “Is it better to write 4 paragraphs or 5?”
Whether you are taking the IELTS Academic or General Training test, the structure of your essay accounts for 25% of your score under the criterion Coherence and Cohesion. Get the structure wrong, and your score suffers—no matter how good your vocabulary is.
This is the definitive guide on the optimal number of body paragraphs for a high-scoring Task 2 essay.
The Short Answer: The 4-Paragraph vs. 5-Paragraph Rule
For a Band 7+ score, your essay should generally contain 4 or 5 paragraphs in total.
This means you should write 2 or 3 Body Paragraphs.
The Standard Formula:
- Introduction
- Body Paragraph 1
- Body Paragraph 2
- (Optional: Body Paragraph 3)
- Conclusion
Why “One Giant Paragraph” is a Disaster
Never write your essay as one single block of text.
If you submit an essay with only one body paragraph, you will lose significant marks. Why?
- The Examiner’s View: Paragraphs are visible signposts that tell the examiner, “I am moving to a new idea now.”
- The Scoring Criteria: To score well in Coherence and Cohesion, you must present a clear central topic within each paragraph.
- Lack of Development: Lumping all your ideas together usually results in a list of points without proper explanation or examples.
The Danger of Writing Too Many Paragraphs
On the flip side, do not write 4 or 5 body paragraphs (making your essay 6 or 7 paragraphs long).
Why is this a mistake?
- Word Count Limits: You only have 250 words (approx. 40 minutes). If you write 5 body paragraphs, each one will be very short.
- Underdeveloped Arguments: A body paragraph needs a Topic Sentence, an Explanation, and an Example. You cannot do this in 2 sentences.
- The Result: Your ideas will look “thin” and persuasive, leading to a lower score in Task Response.
Rule of Thumb: It is better to have 2 fully developed arguments than 5 weak ones.
When to Use 2 Body Paragraphs vs. 3 Body Paragraphs
Don’t memorize a single number. The number of paragraphs depends on the Question Type and your specific ideas.
Scenario A: Use 2 Body Paragraphs (Most Common)
This is usually the safest and most effective structure for 90% of students. It allows you plenty of time to explain your points deeply.
- Opinion Essays: Paragraph 1: Reason A. Paragraph 2: Reason B.
- Advantages & Disadvantages: Paragraph 1: Advantages. Paragraph 2: Disadvantages.
- Problem & Solution: Paragraph 1: Problems. Paragraph 2: Solutions.
Scenario B: Use 3 Body Paragraphs (Advanced)
Sometimes the question forces you to break your answer into three parts.
- “Discuss Both Views and Give Your Opinion”:
- Body 1: Discuss View A.
- Body 2: Discuss View B.
- Body 3: Your Opinion (if you haven’t woven it into the other paragraphs).
- Multi-Part Questions: occasionally, a prompt asks two distinct questions (e.g., “Why is this happening?” AND “Is it a positive development?”). If the answer is complex, a third paragraph might be necessary to cover everything.
Focus on Quality, Not Quantity
The examiner is not counting your paragraphs to see if you hit a “magic number.” They are checking if your essay is logical.
Your Checklist for Success:
- Plan before you write: Look at the question. Do you have 2 strong ideas? Write 2 body paragraphs. Do you have 3 distinct points? Write 3.
- One Idea Per Paragraph: Never mix two main ideas in one paragraph.
- Depth over Breadth: Aim for 2 or 3 body paragraphs to ensure your arguments are fully explained, supported by examples, and easy to read.
Learning the structure is the first step to IELTS success. Keep it simple, keep it organized, and the score will follow.