Mastering English Essay Writing in 2019: Essential Training Techniques
As we step into 2019, English essay writing remains a critical skill for students and professionals alike. Whether preparing for standardized tests like IELTS and TOEFL or aiming to improve academic performance, effective training methods can make a significant difference. This article explores practical techniques for enhancing English composition skills, supported by the latest data and research.
Core Techniques for English Essay Training
Structured Outlining
A well-organized outline serves as the backbone of any strong essay. Research from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) shows that students who spend 5–7 minutes outlining before writing score 15–20% higher in coherence and logical flow. The basic structure should include:
- Introduction (Hook + Thesis Statement)
- Body Paragraphs (Topic Sentence + Supporting Evidence)
- Conclusion (Restatement + Final Thought)
Vocabulary Enhancement
A 2019 study by Cambridge Assessment English revealed that essays using precise, varied vocabulary receive higher marks in lexical resource categories. To expand word choice:
- Use tools like Oxford Learner's Thesaurus or Ludwig.guru for context-based synonyms.
- Practice "chunking" – learning phrases (e.g., "a staggering increase" instead of "a big rise").
Grammar Precision
Common errors in tenses, articles, and prepositions can undermine clarity. Data from Grammarly's 2019 Writing Report highlights the top mistakes in English essays:
| Error Type | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| Incorrect Tense | 32% |
| Missing Article | 28% |
| Subject-Verb Disagreement | 22% |
| Misused Prepositions | 18% |
Source: Grammarly analysis of 10M student essays (2019)
Evidence Integration
Modern essay scoring rubrics (e.g., TOEFL iBT) emphasize evidence-based writing. A 2019 ETS report notes that essays incorporating statistics or expert quotes score 25% higher in "Development" categories. For example:
"According to UNESCO's 2019 data, global literacy rates reached 86.3%, underscoring education's pivotal role in economic growth."
Current Trends in English Essay Evaluation
Trend 1: Automated Scoring Systems
Platforms like ETS's e-rater® and Write & Improve by Cambridge now use AI to assess essays instantly. These systems prioritize:
- Lexical diversity (measured by type-token ratio)
- Syntactic complexity (e.g., compound-complex sentences)
- Cohesion (transition word density)
Trend 2: Task Achievement Focus
Recent IELTS Task 2 prompts (2019) increasingly require:
- Clear position statements (e.g., "This essay argues that...")
- Balanced discussion for "Discuss Both Views" questions
- Specific examples over generalizations
Practical Training Resources
| Resource | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Liz (liz.ieltsadvantage.com) | Free essay critiques | IELTS candidates |
| Purdue OWL (owl.purdue.edu) | Grammar drills | Academic writing |
| Write & Improve (writeandimprove.com) | AI feedback | All levels |
Final Thoughts
English essay mastery in 2019 demands a blend of traditional techniques and adaptation to digital tools. By focusing on structure, vocabulary precision, and evidence-based writing, learners can meet evolving evaluation standards. As automated scoring becomes mainstream, practicing with real-time feedback platforms offers a competitive edge. The data clearly shows that targeted training – not just repetitive writing – drives measurable improvement.
