A paragraph is a group of sentences that work together to express a single main idea. It usually starts with a topic sentence (more on that later), followed by supporting details that explain or develop the idea further.
In other words, the text you’ve just read is a paragraph.
Why do paragraphs matter?
Paragraphs help organise writing by breaking information into clear, manageable parts.
In academic and workplace communication, well-structured paragraphs are important because they help present ideas clearly and logically, whether you're writing an essay, a report or an email.
Using paragraphs helps other people understand your message more easily and lets your ideas shine through.
Why are paragraphs important in the IELTS Writing test?
Because IELTS prepares you for real-world writing tasks, it’s crucial that you use paragraphs appropriately in your test.
IELTS Writing Task 1 paragraph structure
If you’re taking the IELTS Academic test, Writing Task 1 involves describing some visual information such as a chart or graph.
For IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you could divide your response into an introduction and 1-2 body paragraphs. A conclusion is optional but it’s important to include an overview either at the beginning or at the end of your writing.
Example:
An introduction - rewording of the question
Body paragraph(s) - key details, their relevance, comparisons, etc.
An overview of the main ideas.
In the IELTS General Training test, Writing Task 1 requires you to write a letter, which you could structure like this:
An opening greeting to the recipient, e.g. Dear Mrs. Smith.
A brief introduction telling the recipient why you are writing (could be 1 sentence)
A paragraph for each of the bullet points in the question or task.
A short conclusion to round off the letter. (could be 1 sentence)
A closing salutation e.g. Regards, (followed by your name).
Learn how to write a letter for the IELTS General Training test.
IELTS Writing Task 2 paragraph structure
In IELTS Writing Task 2, you’ll be asked to write an essay for both the Academic and General Training tests. This should include:
An introductory paragraph where you write the thesis statement – what the essay will be about and your position.
Body paragraphs (usually 2 to 3) with clearly defined topics supported with details and examples
A conclusion paragraph summarising the main points in your essay.
It’s important that each paragraph has one central idea. This is usually introduced in the first sentence of the paragraph, which is called the topic sentence.
How many body paragraphs you write often depends on the essay type. In a discussion essay, for example, you can use one paragraph to explain one side of the argument and another to explain the other side.
Read the body paragraph from an IELTS essay below.
What is the main topic of this paragraph?
First of all, learning a second language at kindergarten can expose children to different cultures. This is the best time in a person’s life to see how other people speak and what customs they have as children not only learn quickly, but they are more likely to be open-minded compared to adults. If someone starts learning a foreign language in their teenage years or even as an adult, the chance of biases forming increases and they may resent learning the language. For example, in countries where students learn basic English lessons at kindergarten, it has been shown that when these children grow up, they are more open to other cultures compared to the older generations. Therefore, education institutions should make second language acquisition part of their early learning programs.
Answer: Learning a second language in kindergarten introduces children to diverse cultures.
Read more about enhancing IELTS essay paragraphs with impactful examples.
How paragraphing can affect your IELTS Writing score
Paragraphing is mentioned in the Coherence and Cohesion scoring criteria of the IELTS Writing band descriptors.
In Task 1, using paragraphs is only important for Bands 8 and 9 as the task is short (minimum150 words). However, for Writing Task 2, paragraphs are expected at Band 6 and higher. This because you are expected to write a longer response in Task 2 (at least 250 words).
Unclear or missing paragraphs can lower your score. In contrast, organising your response into logical paragraphs helps with topic organisation and improves coherence.
Watch this video to learn more about Coherence and Cohesion.
IELTS paragraph writing: Tips for a higher score
Want to write better paragraphs? Use these quick tips to get started:
Include one main idea in each paragraph.
Start your paragraph with a clear topic sentence.
Use linking words to connect your ideas (e.g. in addition, for example).
Read different texts to see how paragraphs are structured. *
*Bonus tip: Start with a matching headings question from an IELTS Reading practice test. This task asks you to match headings with the right paragraphs or sections in a text. It tests your ability to identify the main idea in a paragraph as well as supporting ideas.
At IDP IELTS, we offer a wide variety of free preparation materials to help you achieve your desired score.
We’ll help you feel ready and confident as you start the next phase of your life.
Visit our IELTS Prepare Hub.
FAQs: Paragraphs
Read answers to frequently asked questions about paragraphs in the IELTS test.