IELTS Writing Task 2 Linkers

IELTS Writing Task 2: Linking Words for the Conclusion

IELTS Writing Task 2 Linkers: Learn the best-linking word to start your conclusion for your IELTS essay. Don’t make a mistake with your cohesive devices because mistakes will lower your band score. This lesson will explain which linking words to use and which ones to avoid

Best-linking

In this blog, we are going to look at the best linkers to use to start your conclusion for the IELTS writing task 2 essay

Here is the list of linkers and have seen students using these linkers for IELTS academic essay

“In Conclusion”

“To Conclude”

“In General”

“In a nutshell”

“Finally”                                                                                                          

“To Sum up”

Now are all these linkers suitable to use?  I can tell you some of these linkers are inappropriate, they should not be used for the conclusion of the IELTS conclusion of task 2 essay.

Let’s have a look at the linkers

Finally

I know your conclusion is the final paragraph but “finally does not indicate a conclusion.  We use this linker to show the final main point which means we use this linker in the last body paragraph.  That is we have first, second and finally and after that we have the conclusion.  So please do not use “finally” for your conclusion.

In a Nutshell

In a nutshell, the meaning of this means to summarize all the main points briefly.  So the meaning is correct but this expression “in a nutshell” is informal and can only be used for speaking or some informal writing.  That means using this kind of linker with academic essays for IELTS is wrong.  It is something that the examiner usually notices and will be a problem for your band score.  So don’t use Nutshell for your IELTS.

In General

“In general” does not really mean to indicate a conclusion

So now we have been left with three linkers “In conclusion” “To conclude”, “To sum up”,

To sum up – I would not recommend it for a conclusion

If someone asks me for the best linkers to start the conclusion of course I would choose “In Conclusion” and “To conclude”

A linker at the beginning of a paragraph is there to help the reader understand the order of information and indicate what information is.  So when I am reading an academic essay and I see “In conclusion” or “To Conclude”, I understand this is the conclusion.  And that is good for an Academic essay.

For more IELTS tips visit our Youtube Channel

IELTS General/Academic 7+ Bands Course! 15 Hrs! (FREE FEEDBACK)