Fully addressing all parts of the question: This means responding to every aspect of the essay prompt. Whether it’s an opinion essay, a discussion of both views, or a problem-solution essay, the examiner checks if you’ve thoroughly addressed all components. Missing out on any part of the task (such as not giving your opinion when asked) will result in a lower score.

Example:

• In an opinion essay asking whether social media has had a negative or positive impact, you must clearly state your opinion and explain it, while addressing both sides of the argument if required.

Developing your ideas sufficiently: Your ideas should not only be presented but also supported with clear explanations, examples, or reasons. Shallow or undeveloped ideas may hurt your score because they show a lack of critical thinking or analysis.

Example:

• If discussing the benefits of social media, simply stating, “Social media is good because it connects people” is insufficient. You should expand by explaining how it connects people, why this is important, and provide specific examples.

Providing a clear position throughout the essay: For essays that ask for your opinion, the examiner expects you to clearly present your position from the beginning and maintain it consistently throughout. Your position should be clearly expressed in your introduction, developed in your body paragraphs, and restated in your conclusion.

Example:

• If the essay asks whether you agree or disagree with a statement, make your position clear in the introduction (e.g., “I strongly believe that social media has brought more harm than good”), and keep this stance consistent throughout the essay.

Relevant information: The content of your essay should directly answer the essay prompt. Irrelevant information, off-topic examples, or unrelated personal anecdotes can weaken your response. Stick to ideas that directly respond to the task.