Mastering the Three Bullet Points: Your Secret to a Band 7+
Hello! Welcome to one of the most important lessons for your IELTS General Training Writing test. In Task 1, you have to write a letter of at least 150 words. The prompt will always give you three specific "bullet points" telling you what information to include.
Think of these bullet points as orders from your boss. If your boss asks you to do three things and you only do two, you haven't finished the job! Many students lose marks not because their English is bad, but because they simply forgot to cover one of these points or didn't write enough about them. Don't worry if this seems like a lot to remember—by the end of this page, you’ll know exactly how to satisfy the examiner.
1. The Golden Rule: Task Achievement
In the IELTS marking criteria, "Task Achievement" is 25% of your score. This measures how well you followed the instructions. Here is the reality of the marking room:
Band 5: You missed one or more bullet points entirely.
Band 6: You mentioned all three points, but you didn't give enough detail for some of them.
Band 7: You covered all three points clearly and fully.
Quick Tip: To get a high score, you cannot just "mention" a point. You must develop it. This means adding extra details like "who," "where," "when," or "why."
2. The "Three-Course Meal" Strategy
Imagine your letter is a three-course meal. If you only serve an appetizer and a main course, your guest will leave hungry! Treat each bullet point as a separate course.
Step 1: The Plan
Before you start writing, look at the three points. Spend 2 minutes thinking of 2 small details for each point.
Step 2: The Structure
The easiest way to ensure you cover everything is to give one paragraph to each bullet point. This makes it very easy for the examiner to see that you have done the work.
3. Show, Don't Just Tell: Comparing Weak and Strong Answers
Let's look at a sample prompt:
"You recently stayed at a hotel and were unhappy with the service. Write a letter to the manager. In your letter:
• Give details of your stay
• Explain what the problems were
• Say what you want the manager to do"
Bullet Point 1: Give details of your stay
Weak Version (Band 5/6):
I stayed at your hotel last week for two nights.
Why it's weak: It is too short. It doesn't feel like a real letter.
Improved Version (Band 7+):
I stayed at the Grandview Hotel from the 12th to the 14th of October. I was in room 402, and the booking was under the name of Mr. John Smith.
Why it's strong: It includes specific details (dates, room number, names) that make the situation feel real. This is fully developing the point.
Bullet Point 2: Explain what the problems were
Weak Version (Band 5/6):
The room was very dirty and the staff were not very nice to me.
Why it's weak: It's too general. "Not nice" is basic vocabulary and doesn't explain the situation.
Improved Version (Band 7+):
Upon entering the room, I noticed that the carpets had not been vacuumed and there were no fresh towels. Furthermore, when I called the reception to complain, the clerk was extremely dismissive and refused to send someone to help.
Why it's strong: It uses high-value vocabulary (dismissive, furthermore, noticed) and describes specific actions.
4. High-Value Language to Connect Your Points
To move smoothly between the bullet points, use these "signposting" phrases. They tell the examiner, "Look! I am moving to the next requirement now."
For the first point:
I am writing to inform you that...
I am writing with regard to...
For the second point:
Regarding the issues I encountered...
The main problem was that...
To make matters worse...
For the third point (Action):
Under the circumstances, I would appreciate it if you could...
I would be grateful if you could provide a full refund.
I look forward to hearing your suggestions on how to resolve this.
5. The Timing Reality
You have 20 minutes for Task 1.
• 3 minutes: Read the prompt and underline the three bullet points. Plan your details.
• 15 minutes: Write your letter. Spend about 4-5 minutes on each bullet point paragraph.
• 2 minutes: Check! Did you accidentally skip a point? Did you write at least 150 words?
Did you know? Even if your grammar is perfect, if you forget to address the last bullet point (e.g., "Say what you want the manager to do"), you will likely not get above a Band 5 for Task Achievement. The points are not optional!
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake: Combining all points into one long paragraph.
Fix: Use a new paragraph for each bullet point. This makes your letter "skimmable" for the examiner.
Mistake: Writing too much on Point 1 and running out of time for Point 3.
Fix: Keep your "balance." Give roughly the same amount of space (3-4 sentences) to each bullet point.
Mistake: Inventing "crazy" stories that take too long to write.
Fix: Keep your details simple and realistic. You don't need to be a creative writer; you just need to be clear.
7. Summary Checklist
Before you finish your practice letters, ask yourself these three questions:
1. Did I include a separate paragraph for each bullet point?
2. Did I add at least two specific details (like names, dates, or reasons) for every point?
3. If I look at the prompt again, is there any instruction I ignored?
Key Takeaway: Your letter is a response to a request. To get a high score, you must answer all parts of that request with enough detail to make it believable. Practice looking at prompts and "brainstorming" two details for each point in under 60 seconds!