What Makes a Strong Paragraph Idea in IELTS Task 2? | Band 7 Writing Tips
If you’ve ever sat down to write and felt your brain freeze after the first sentence — this is why.
It’s not your grammar.
It’s not your vocabulary.
It’s your idea quality.
Most students never learn how to tell the difference between a real paragraph idea… and a fake one.
The Truth Most IELTS Tutors Skip
You can follow all the templates in the world — but if your main ideas are vague, generic, or undevelopable, you’re locked at Band 6 forever.
So how do you know if your idea is really strong?
Here’s the quick test…
3 Signs Your Paragraph Idea is Actually Worth Writing
It directly answers the exact question.
Not just the general topic — the real question being asked.
You can explain it and support it.
If you can’t turn it into a 3-sentence mini-argument, it’s not ready.
It’s specific, not vague.
“Education is good” is weak.
“Free university reduces the wealth gap” is strong.
Add to your ability to express yourself with better vocabulary.
Test Yourself
Which idea is stronger?
A. Technology has changed education.
B. Online university access has increased opportunities for rural students.
Both are true — but only one is clear, focused, and can be developed in a Band 7+ paragraph.
Here’s Where Most Students Struggle
Even when they understand what a strong idea looks like…
…they can’t produce one under pressure.
And when they try, they start listing — or rambling — and the paragraph falls apart.
This is where you lose the examiner.
This is where your Band 6 begins.
What You’ve Just Learned Is the Start
You now know what a strong idea looks like. That’s a micro-win.
But here’s the real challenge:
Can you generate them consistently?
Can you build them under time pressure?
Can you develop them with clear logic and a real example — fast?
That’s exactly what the IELTS Insiders Basics Course trains you to do.
It doesn’t just explain the concept — it rewires how you think when you plan.
And it starts from the very first session.
Ready to Train for Real?
Join the free IELTS Insiders Basics Course and start building your Band 7 paragraph strength — from the idea up.