One of the most frustrating things for examiners is receiving a block of text in an IELTS writing essay. This usually happens when a student writes their entire essay in one big paragraph.

Did the student mean to write just one paragraph? Probably not. But when you don’t clearly separate your paragraphs, the examiner can’t tell where one paragraph ends and the next begins.

Using an indent may seem like enough, but it’s usually not sufficient, especially in an exam setting where you’re writing quickly. Skipping a line between paragraphs is much more effective. Here’s why:

1. Coherence and Cohesion: Without clear paragraphing, you’re likely to receive a Band 5 or lower for Coherence and Cohesion. The examiner won’t be able to follow your ideas clearly, making it harder to understand your essay.

2. Clarity: An essay without paragraphs is difficult to read. It creates confusion, and your writing becomes disorganized.

3. Making the Examiner’s Job Easier: Paragraphing is basic but crucial. If you don’t respect the examiner’s time by clearly separating your paragraphs, you’re making the task more difficult than it needs to be.

In my previous job at a law firm, a partner would often delete emails without reading them if they weren’t properly formatted with clear paragraphs. He would say, “If they don’t have enough respect for me to hit the space bar, then they don’t deserve my time.” This mentality applies to your writing as well—make sure your work is easy to read!

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The Importance of Editing Your Writing

In the video below, you’ll notice that while writing under exam conditions, I frequently edited my work—deleting and changing sentences. This is an essential practice for improving your writing.

I recommend that my students read each sentence after writing it, then review the entire paragraph before moving on to the next. Finally, they should review the entire essay at the end. This editing process helps catch mistakes early, reducing the number of errors.

To make editing easier:

1. Skip a Line Between Paragraphs: Leaving a space between paragraphs gives you room to make corrections without crowding your writing. If you’re running out of space, you can always ask for more paper.

2. Use a Pencil: A pencil is ideal for editing because you can easily erase mistakes. If you’re short on time, you can use a pen and simply cross out errors, but a pencil gives you more flexibility for adjustments.

By following these simple steps—paragraphing clearly and editing your work—you’ll improve the quality of your writing and be much more prepared on exam day.