In your body paragraph you will develop and extend the main ideas in your essays. There are many possible ways to do this but below are some of the things you can include to help you reach band 7 and higher:
(If you haven’t already read my previous blog article about writing an introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2, you might want to read it now as I will continue with the same question)
Question: Some people argue that we are born with a fixed personality while others argue that we develop our personality because of our experiences.
What do you think is the most important factor?
1. Topic Sentence
The topic sentence clearly states the main idea of the paragraph. The reader should understand what the paragraph is about just by reading the topic sentence. This is the most important sentence in the paragraph. If your topic sentence is not clear, then your whole body paragraph will be confusing.
Example: “Genetics appear to play an important role in determining a person’s personality traits.”
2. Show Contrast Using “While” or “Although”
In IELTS Writing Task 2 it is important to include complex sentences (more than 1 clause). One way to do this is with an adverb showing contrast such as “while” or “although”.
Example: “While upbringing has a big impact on the way personality develops, genetics create the starting point from which character forms.”
Or: “Although upbringing affects the way our personalities develop, genetics determine our predispositions towards certain types of behaviour.
3. Give an Example that Illustrates the Point
An example is a useful way to give evidence supporting your main idea. It does not need to give any precise details, you are not expected to be a subject area expert, but it can give a general example of how something happens in the real world.
Example: “For instance, we often see examples of shy children who develop into introverted and reserved adults. Meanwhile their more extroverted siblings become more outgoing and sociable in adulthood.”
Or: “For example, studies have shown that genetically identical twins that are separated at birth and brought up in different families, often show similar character traits as adults.”
4. Using a Conditional
Including a conditional is another good way to add a complex sentence to your body paragraph.
Example: “If a young child shows a tendency to be happy and friendly, there is a good chance he or she will show similar character traits later on in life.”
5. Using Linking Adverbs and Phrases to Show Continuation, Contrast and Similarity, and Cause and Result
It’s important that there are clear links between the ideas in your sentences. Using linking adverbs and phrases will help you do this. Here are some of the words and phrases you can use:
Showing Continuation:
Furthermore,
In addition,
Showing Contrast:
However,
But,
On the other hand,
Meanwhile,
Nonetheless,
Showing Similarity:
Likewise,
Similarly,
In the same way,
In a similar manner,
Cause and Result:
As a result,
In consequence,
Examples:
“On the other hand, a child which tends to be melancholic and moody is more likely to grow up to have problems with unhappiness and low moods.”
“Similarly, a person who from a very young age enjoys socialising and being around people, will usually grow into an adult that enjoys interacting with others.”
“As a result, we can conclude that a person's DNA is an important factor in determining not just physical appearance but personality too.
6. Referencing: Referring to the Previous idea with “This”
You can use “This” to refer to the idea in the previous sentence. This is called referencing and it is a very natural way to connect to the last sentence. There are many ways you can continue a sentence after “This” but some common examples are:
This means that…
This leads to…
This results in…
This tells us that…
Example: “This does not mean that upbringing is unimportant, but it tells us that genetics should be considered a factor that shapes who we are.”
If we put some of these elements together we get a very good body paragraph:
“Genetics appear to play an important role in determining a person’s personality traits. While upbringing has a big impact on the way personality develops, genetics create the starting point from which character forms. For instance, we often see examples of shy children who develop into introverted and reserved adults. Meanwhile their more extroverted siblings become more outgoing and sociable in adulthood. Furthermore, studies have shown that genetically identical twins that are separated at birth and brought up in different families, often show similar character traits as adults. As a result, we can conclude that a person's DNA is an important factor in determining not just physical appearance but personality too. This does not mean that upbringing is unimportant, but it tells us that genetics should be considered a factor that shapes who we are.”
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