Difference between IELTS General Training and Academic Writing

Collegedunia Team

Jan 31, 2022

The students who are appearing for IELTS are usually in a dilemma whether to appear for IELTS Academic or IELTS General test. Well, there is nothing to be confused about, it is very simple as; if you are appearing in the test for admission in English proficient colleges or internships you need to write IELTS Academic and if you are willing to migrate to such English-speaking nations then IELTS General is your requirement.

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The IELTS test comprises Speaking and Listening sections, that too have General and Academic uses, on paper, but they are the same for IELTS Listening and Speaking. The concerning polarity lies in the Writing section, which will be discussed thoroughly throughout the article.

IELTS General Vs Academic Writing Test

IELTS Writing follows two formats- IELTS Academic and IELTS General. IELTS Academic writing constitutes 33% of the total score of IELTS writing. In IELTS Writing Task 2, test takers write a semi-formal/neutral discursive essay of at least 250 words in the answer book provided. Here is an undetailed difference between IELTS academic and General writing to give a proper idea about the format and ace the IELTS writing score:

IELTS Academic Writing IELTS General Writing
Academic writing is for admission in universities or jobs abroad General Writing is for settling abroad or migration
Focuses on a specific topic or theory or a view-point so that the writer is restrained to a particular IELTS Writing topic. Focuses on an IELTS Writing topic.
There is a specific structure and model of writing. There is no particular structure of writing but follows an artistic format.
It follows a formal way of writing. It follows an informal way of writing.
Does not focus on contractions. Focuses on contractions.
Topic is more of academic/subjective related subjects. Topics are more common subjects, suitable to general topics as the name suggests.
Academic writings occasionally take help of charts, pie charts, graphs, tables, bulleted paragraphs to present the concepts in a well-structured manner. General Writings uses only artistic ways of writing to make the writing interesting to the reader.
The writings are assisted by references and citations. General writing usually does not take help of such references.
Such as- A professor penned down a theory which was to be published in the monthly Science and Tech column. Such as- I wrote a story which may be a motivational story for the general reader which is supposed to be published in a Local Newspaper.
Academic writing associates with the article or writing emphasizing on particular subjective topics. General Writing associates with the article or writing which puts emphasis on common subjects or topics

Read More IELTS Writing Related Articles

IELTS Academic Writing IELTS General Writing
Targets Specific audience Aims General reader
Issues can only be comprehended by intelligentsia Issues can be comprehended by anyone
Articles acknowledges a rationale idea Articles acknowledges general idea
Topics are generally tougher than those of general writing Topics involved an easier topic comparatively
Academic writing has its own unique regulation of writing General Writing may be semi-formal, formal or informal.
Advised to use correct grammar and punctuation strictly Grammar, spellings and punctuation should be used correctly however it is not as strict as academic writing
Must use only formal language Language of writing can be formal, semi-formal or informal
Academic writing does not promote Abbreviations in the IELTS articles Abbreviations are accepted in general writing
Involves a concise and succinct format In general writing writer always have the liberty to use content to entertain readers
The writings are used in research, conference papers The readers are usually attracted by it
Academic version is to articulate the writer’s diagrammatic representation General subscribes to test the writer’s command over general topics
Topics are conceptual oriented Usual topics are assigned

IELTS Writing Tips

IELTS Writing Tips helps you to improve your IELTS Academic and General writing tasks. IELTS writing tips help you to give structure to your writing. This structural writing eventually leads to a high score.

  1. Read the task before you start writing to summarize the key points.
  2. Follow the format: Introduction, illustration and conclusion.
  3. Try to use your own words with a range of grammatical structures.
  4. After finishing, check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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