The best vocabulary for IELTS essay conclusions

Today's best IELTS tip is about phrases you can use in your essay conclusions.

Here is a selection of some of the words and phrases I give students for essay conclusions.  

I’m giving you three pieces of information for each word or phrase:

1.    The word or phrase

2.    The word or phrase in context (it’s been my experience over the years that people learn lists of words or phrases but don’t know how to use them in context!)

3.    Any additional information I think is useful.

•    In summary,
•    In summary, I would say that…
•    Don’t forget the comma after the words ‘in summary’

•    view
•    My personal view is that
•    This is useful when the essay question asks you to include your own opinion.  You could also use the words ‘opinion’, ‘position’ and ‘conclusion’.

•    On balance,
•    On balance, it appears that the arguments….
•    Don’t forget the comma after the words ‘on balance’.

•    As we have seen,
•    As we have seen, many people are divided on this issue
•    A phrase that students tend to use less regularly than ‘in summary’ or ‘in conclusion’ but is a nice way to ‘round off’ an essay.

•    outweigh
•    The advantages outweigh the disadvantages
•    A nice ‘academic’ phrase for giving your own opinion.

•    however
•    It is a fact, however, that……
•    ‘however’ is an extremely useful linking word, not just in conclusions.  In conclusions, it is useful when you want to add an additional point to your conclusion.

•    In conclusion,
•    In conclusion, it is obvious that…
•    Don’t forget the comma after the words ‘in conclusion’

•    analysis
•    On analysis it can be seen that…. / My personal analysis is that….
•    This is a useful word in discussion essays

•    Finally,
•    Finally, it should be noted that…..
•    Don’t forget the comma after the words ‘finally’.

•    no easy answers
•    There are no easy answers to this question.
•    A useful phrase in an essay with a balanced conclusion.

•    complex issue
•    This is obviously a complex issue.
•    A useful phrase in an essay with a balanced conclusion.

•    both sides of
•    There are strong arguments to be made on both sides of the issue.
•    A useful phrase in an essay with a balanced conclusion.

I hope you find some of these words and phrases useful in your essay conclusions.  You should be aware, however, to make sure that they sound ‘natural’ and not to simply use as many phrases as possible.  If you look at the ‘Coherence and Cohesion’ section in the writing band descriptors,  Bands 5 and 6 mention words sounding ‘mechanical’ and talk about ‘overuse’ of cohesive devices.

 

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Alanna