Can You Use Personal Examples in IELTS Essays? Yes, But...

"Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience."

This instruction appears on every IELTS Writing Task 2 question. Yet students constantly ask: "Can I really use personal examples? Won't that hurt my score?"

The answer is yes, you can use personal examples. But like most things in IELTS, there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.

What IELTS Actually Asks For

Look at the Task 2 instructions again:

"Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience."

IELTS explicitly invites you to use personal experience. The phrase "your own knowledge or experience" is permission to include:

• Personal anecdotes
• Examples from your country or culture
• Observations from your life
• Things you've read, heard, or learned

The Two Types of Examples

Type 1: General Examples

Examples from public knowledge—studies, statistics, famous cases, general observations.

"Research shows that regular exercise improves mental health."
"In many countries, such as Japan and South Korea, students face intense pressure."
"A recent study found that screen time affects attention spans."

Type 2: Personal Examples

Examples from your own life and experience.

"In my experience, learning a second language has opened many opportunities."
"I have observed that my friends who exercise regularly seem happier."
"In my country, India, there is significant pressure on students to succeed academically."

Both types are acceptable in IELTS. The key is using them effectively.

When Personal Examples Work Well

To Support General Claims

Personal examples work best when they support a broader point you've already made.

Effective:

Technology has transformed education in developing countries. In my own experience growing up in rural Vietnam, internet access allowed students like me to take online courses from international universities—something impossible for previous generations. This personal example illustrates how technology democratizes educational opportunity.

Here, the personal example supports a general claim about technology and education.

When You Lack General Knowledge

If you don't know statistics or research about a topic, personal experience is better than making up facts.

Better than inventing data:

While I cannot cite specific statistics, my observation suggests that social media affects young people's self-esteem. Several friends have described feeling inadequate when comparing themselves to curated images online.

To Add Specificity

Personal examples can make abstract arguments concrete.

Abstract:

Cultural exchange has many benefits.

With personal example:

Cultural exchange has many benefits. When I spent a summer studying in Germany, I developed not only language skills but also a deeper understanding of European perspectives on work-life balance—insights I could not have gained from textbooks alone.

When the Question Asks for Experience

Some questions specifically ask about personal experience:

• "Do you think this is important? Why or why not?"
• "What should people do in this situation?"
• "Is this true in your experience?"

For these questions, personal examples are not just acceptable—they're expected.

When Personal Examples Cause Problems

When They Replace Reasoning

Personal examples should support arguments, not replace them.

Weak:

I believe technology is harmful because my brother became addicted to video games.

This uses a single personal case to make a sweeping generalization. It's not convincing reasoning.

Stronger:

Technology can be harmful when used excessively. Addiction to digital entertainment can negatively impact academic performance, social relationships, and physical health. In my own family, I have witnessed how excessive gaming affected my brother's grades and sleep patterns, illustrating these broader concerns.

Here, the reasoning comes first; the personal example illustrates the point.

When They're Irrelevant

Personal examples must be relevant to your argument.

Irrelevant:

(In an essay about environmental policy) I went to the beach last summer with my family. We had a wonderful time.

This tells us nothing about environmental policy. It wastes words.

When They're Too Long

A personal example should be 1-2 sentences, not an entire paragraph.

Too long:

When I was twelve years old, my parents decided to move from a small village to the city. I remember feeling very nervous because I didn't know anyone there. My school was much bigger than my old school. At first, I had trouble making friends. But eventually I met some people who shared my interests. Now I think it was a good decision because I had better educational opportunities in the city...

This reads like a narrative, not an academic essay. Keep examples brief.

When Every Example Is Personal

Variety matters. If every example in your essay is personal, you demonstrate limited knowledge.

Limited:

In my experience... I have observed... In my country... I believe from personal experience...

Mix personal examples with general knowledge, statistics, or references to other countries/contexts.

Using First Person: "I" Statements

A related question: can you use "I" in IELTS essays?

Yes, You Can Use "I"

These statements are perfectly acceptable:

• "I believe that..."
• "In my opinion..."
• "I agree/disagree that..."
• "In my view..."

Stating your opinion clearly is part of Task Response. Using "I" is often the clearest way to do this.

Avoid Overusing "I"

Don't start every sentence with "I think" or "I believe."

Repetitive:

I think technology is beneficial. I believe it helps education. I feel that students benefit from online learning. I think governments should invest more.

Better:

Technology offers significant benefits for education. Online resources enable students to learn at their own pace and access materials previously unavailable to them. Given these advantages, governments should prioritize investment in educational technology.

State your opinion clearly in key places (introduction, conclusion), then let your arguments speak for themselves.

When to Avoid "I"

Some sentences sound better without "I":

Awkward:

I think the main advantage is that people can communicate faster.

Cleaner:

The main advantage is faster communication.

You don't need "I think" before every claim in an opinion essay—your opinion is already established.

Phrases for Introducing Personal Examples

For personal experience:

• "In my experience..."
• "From my observation..."
• "I have witnessed..."
• "Having lived in [country], I have seen..."

For examples from your country:

• "In my country, [country name]..."
• "In [country], where I grew up..."
• "In [country], for example..."

For personal opinion after example:

• "This experience suggests that..."
• "This illustrates..."
• "This demonstrates..."

Examples of Effective Personal Example Usage

Example 1: Education Topic

Education systems should develop critical thinking, not just memorization. In my experience studying in [country], much of our learning focused on memorizing facts for examinations. While I could recall information, I struggled to analyze or evaluate ideas until encountering different teaching methods at university. This experience illustrates why educational reform is needed.

Example 2: Technology Topic

Technology has both positive and negative effects on social relationships. In my own life, I have maintained friendships across continents through social media—connections that would have faded without digital tools. However, I have also observed friends so absorbed in phones during social gatherings that face-to-face conversation suffered. This dual impact demonstrates that technology's effects depend largely on how individuals use it.

Example 3: Environment Topic

Local environmental initiatives can be highly effective. In my hometown in [country], a community program encouraged residents to reduce plastic use and separate recyclable waste. Within two years, visible pollution in local waterways decreased noticeably. This example suggests that environmental change does not always require top-down government action—communities can drive meaningful progress.

Quick Guidelines

DO:

• Use personal examples to support general arguments
• Keep examples brief (1-2 sentences)
• Connect examples to your main point
• Mix personal and general examples
• Use "I" for clear opinion statements

DON'T:

• Use personal examples as your only evidence
• Tell long personal stories
• Include irrelevant personal details
• Start every sentence with "I think"
• Rely entirely on personal experience

Key Takeaways

1. IELTS explicitly invites personal examples—the instructions say "your own experience"
2. Personal examples support arguments—they don't replace reasoning
3. Keep examples brief—1-2 sentences, not paragraphs
4. Mix example types—personal plus general shows broader knowledge
5. "I" statements are acceptable—but don't overuse them
6. Relevance is essential—every example must support your argument

Personal examples, used well, demonstrate your ability to connect abstract ideas to real-world applications. They show examiners you can think independently rather than just reciting memorized content.

Not sure if your examples are effective? BandWriteCoach analyzes your essay development and tells you whether your examples successfully support your arguments.