Grammar strategies that separate Band 6 essays from Band 9 — thesis statements, topic sentences, complex structures, and cohesion.
When to use this: Every Task 2 essay — the thesis is the single most important sentence in your entire response.
✅ What to Use in Each Situation
🚫 What to Avoid
✕'In this essay I will discuss both sides of this argument.'
Why: This is a 'plan statement', not a thesis — it says nothing about what you actually think
Fix: State your position directly: 'I strongly believe that...' or 'This essay argues that...'
✕Saying 'It depends on many factors' as your thesis
Why: This is a Band 5 answer — it is deliberately vague and shows inability to commit
Fix: Pick a side and defend it — even in Discussion essays, your opinion must be clear
✕Burying your thesis in the middle of the introduction
Why: Examiners read the last sentence of the introduction to find your thesis
Fix: Always place your position statement as the FINAL sentence of the introduction
📝 In Practice
Context: Opinion: 'Social media has a negative effect on young people'
✕ Weak:In this essay, I will look at both the positive and negative effects of social media on young people.
✓ Strong:I strongly agree with this view, as the combination of addictive design, unrealistic social comparisons, and disrupted sleep patterns poses a genuine and serious threat to adolescent mental health.
💡 The strong thesis immediately signals Band 8+ thinking — it is specific and committed
Context: Discussion: 'Cities vs rural areas for quality of life'
✕ Weak:Both city and rural life have their advantages and disadvantages and it is difficult to say which is better.
✓ Strong:While rural environments offer undeniable lifestyle benefits, I am ultimately more persuaded that cities provide superior opportunities for professional development and social fulfilment.
💡 The discussion essay still requires a clear opinion — 'it depends' is not acceptable at Band 7+