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Writing an IELTS Essay Introduction

In the writing for task 2, you must write an IELTS essay introduction , but you only have 40 minutes.

In this time you need to analyze the question, brainstorm ideas to write about, formulate an essay plan, and then write your response. Even for a native writer of English, this is a lot to do in 40 minutes!

So you need to use your time carefully . You need a good IELTS essay introduction, but one thing you do not want to do is spend too long writing it so that you end up rushing your paragraphs. Your paragraphs are the most important thing as they contain all your supporting arguments and demonstrate how good you are at organizing your ideas.

The Two Elements of an IELTS Essay Introduction

You therefore need a method to write your IELTS essay introduction fairly quickly. When you write an introduction, you should make sure you do two things:

• Write a sentence (or two) introducing the topic and giving some background facts about it 
• Tell the reader what you are going to be writing about (thesis statement)

How you do this will vary depending on the question, but here is an example:

Blood sports  have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. Blood sports should be banned.

To what extent to you agree or disagree?

Sample IELTS essay introduction:

Despite the fact that killing animals for sport is popular in modern society, it remains a contentious issue. I believe that blood sports are cruel and uncivilized and so should be banned as soon as possible.

This does the following things:

• First sentence: consists of the topic plus some background facts on the topic which have been taken from the rubric.
• Second sentence: gives the writers opinion and tells us that in the essay the writer will be arguing the reasons why it is cruel.

The topic does not have to be in the first sentence, but it should be made clear somewhere in the introduction. You must always have a thesis.

Paraphrasing

Another important point - don't copy from the question! You must paraphrase (put it in your own words). To do this you can use synonyms and move the order of the sentence around.

Using some of the same words is acceptable, but don't copy whole phrases .

You can see how the question above has been paraphrased. All the information is from the question, but it has been written in a different way and has not been copied.

You can also check out a short video on this lesson:

Further IELTS Introduction Examples

Science and technology have helped the world make many advances. The Arts, such as painting, theatre and dance, to name just three examples, however, are also valuable.

What things do the Arts provide to the world that Science and Technology do not?

Societies have developed rapidly over time due to the many advances in science and technology. However, the arts are also very important and provide our world with many things that science and technology cannot.

According to a recent study, the more time people use the Internet, the less time they spend with real human beings. Some people say that instead of seeing the Internet as a way of opening up new communication possibilities world wide, we should be concerned about the effect this is having on social interaction.

How far do you agree with this opinion?

A recent study has shown that as people use the Internet more, they are spending less time with human beings. I believe that although this has increased the communication around the world in positive ways, it has also led to negative effects on the day-to-day social interaction of human beings.

Unemployment has become an increasing problem in the recent past.

What factors contribute to an increase in unemployment and what steps can be taken to solve the problem?

Over recent years, the level of unemployment has been increasing at an alarming rate in many countries around the world. This essay will discuss the reasons for this increase and consider what practical solutions are available.

Some people think children in secondary school should study international news as part of the curriculum. Others think that this would be a waste of time as there are already too many subjects for children to concentrate on.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

While some people are of the opinion that it would be useful to include international news as a subject in the school curriculum, others believe that this is a waste of students time because they are already overloaded with subjects to study. This essay will examine both sides of the issue.

More Task 2 IELTS Lessons:

How to use brainstorming and planning to generate essay ideas.

Brainstorming and planning is a key step in developing your IELTS essay. This lesson has tips on how to coming up with ideas and organising them.

Paragraph Writing for IELTS: Building strong arguments

This paragraph writing lesson provides tips on constructing the best paragraphs for your IELTS essay.

Improving Writing Coherence for IELTS essays

25% of the writing grade is on how you organise your essay so this lesson shows you how to improve your writing coherence.

IELTS Music Essay: Understanding a Complex Question

An IELTS essay about music is used to show you how to answer a more complex IELTS essay question that does not have a clear 'task' given to you.

Can you use Personal Pronouns in Essays for IELTS?

Learn how to use personal pronouns in essays for IELTS correctly. Can you use "I", "we" and "you"?

IELTS Task Response - 25% of your essay grade

The IELTS Task Response criteria in the scoring makes up 25% of your band score for your essay.

The 3 Types of IELTS Opinion Essays in IELTS

IELTS opinion essays in IELTS can be placed into three types. This lesson explains the different types and how to analyse these essay questions.

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2 can be difficult but complex ideas are not expected.

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Strategies and Tips

In IELTS problem solution essays you have to discuss a particular issue and present ideas to solve that problem.

Writing an IELTS Essay Conclusion

The IELTS essay conclusion is the final part of your IELTS essay. This lesson guides you on how to write a conclusion quickly but effectively.

How to Identify the Topic of an IELTS Essay Question

In IELTS you must identify the topic of your essay as this is a key to making sure your essay is on topic.

Thesis Statement Tips for IELTS Essays

Your thesis statement in an IELTS essay should be written quickly and concisely. Use these tips to do that.

Transitional Phrases for Essays

Learn transitional phrases for essays to get a band 7 or higher in your IELTS writing for coherence and cohesion.

Using Substitution in IELTS to Improve Writing Coherency

You can use substitution in your IELTS essays in order to improve coherency and coherence.

How to Identify the Task in an IELTS Essay

Learn how to identify the task in an IELTS task 2 essay question. This is one of the most important steps in responding to an essay question.

Using Pronouns to Improve IELTS Essay Coherency

Find out how to use pronouns to improve your coherency for IELTS task 2 essays.

How to Write an IELTS Essay: The key steps

Learn key steps on how to write an IELTS Essay. This guides you on how to write a great essay plus other lessons to improve your writing skills.

Tips on How to Score IELTS Band 8 in Writing and Speaking

To score IELTS Band 8 you need to understand exactly what is in the IELTS Band Descriptors for an 8 for writing and speaking first.

Requirements for IELTS Band 7 in Writing

Getting to an IELTS Band 7 is a struggle for many candidates. This lesson explains exactly what you have to do to reach this band score.

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Tips and Strategies

An advantage disadvantage essay is one type of essay that you may get in the test. This lesson shows how to write a pros cons essay.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: How To Write an Effective Introduction

Ielts writing task 2 introduction.

Did you know that a strong introduction can make the difference between a Band 6 and a Band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2?

In the video above, I’ll show you how to write a Band 8 introduction and avoid the 7 biggest mistakes most people make when they introduce their essays.

This post will help you write better introductions in your Task 2 IELTS essays and show the specific sentences I advise all of my students to use when writing IELTS Writing Task 2 introductions.

The introduction is the first part of the essay the examiner will read, and it will give them a good first impression of what to expect in the rest of the essay.

Just like in person, first impressions last.

I often tell my students that a bad introduction in IELTS writing part 2 is the same as going in to the speaking exam and being rude to the examiner- no matter how good you are in the rest of it, the examiner won’t be happy, and unhappy examiners are more likely to give you a lower mark.

Despite this warning, many good students go on to produce introductions with a few common problems in them.

Common Problems

• Talking too generally about the topic.

Most of these essays start off with ‘Nowadays……’ or ‘In modern life….’ followed by general information about the topic. In my opinion, this is the worst start you can possibly make. Remember that you are supposed to answer the question, not write generally about the topic.

• Not giving your opinion

This is the most important sentence in the essay. Not including this will lose you marks in several different ways.

• Not supporting your opinion with main ideas

If you don’t do this, the examiner doesn’t really know what you think about the question. This will also lose you marks. I’ll show you how to write an outline sentence below.

• Trying to write a ‘hook’ or be entertaining

Remember, this is an IELTS exam, not a university essay. There are no extra points for being interesting; in fact, being boring will probably help you. This will help you avoid ‘flowery’ language.

• Using an informal style

Know your audience. You are expected to write in an academic style.

Good and Bad Examples

Question: There is a good deal of evidence that increasing car use is contributing to global warming and having other undesirable effects on people’s health and well-being.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Good Introduction

Rising global temperatures and human health and fitness issues are often viewed as being caused by the expanding use of automobiles. This essay agrees that the increasing use of motor vehicles contributes to rising global temperatures because of the production of greenhouse gases by vehicles and certain health issues are caused by the release of toxic chemicals by internal combustion engines.

Bad Introduction

Nowadays, cars are a very popular way of getting around. Day by day many more people drive cars around but others feel that they cause global warming. Global warming is one of the most serious issues in modern life. They also affect people’s health and well-being which is also a serious issue.

As you can see, the bad example generally talks about the topic, copies words and phrases from the question, and doesn’t include a thesis statement or outline statement.

If your introductions look something like this, don’t worry. Most of my students write introductions a lot like this when they first start in my class and the structure below always helps them fix any problems and write very effective introductions.

Structure of a Good Introduction

If you use this structure, you will not only score higher marks but also save time in the exam. If you practice enough, introductions will become easy, and you will do them in just a few minutes. This will leave you lots of time to focus on the main body paragraphs, where you can pick up lots of marks.

An IELTS writing task 2 opinion essay should have three elements, and these should be:

• Paraphrase  question
• Give opinion
• Support opinion with 2 ideas

That’s it. Simple!

Do you need me to correct your essays and give you feedback on them? Check out our essay correction service or email me at [email protected]. 

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If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

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IELTS Essay Introduction for an Opinion Essay

This lesson looks at how to write an IELTS essay introduction for an opinion essay. The introduction is the easiest part of any IELTS essay as it follows a similar content for all IELTS task 2 types.

This lesson is a follow-on lesson from last week. Learn how to find main points before continuing with this introduction lesson:  Finding Main Points for an Opinion Essay :

Every one of us should become a vegetarian because eating meat can cause serious health problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

How to write an IELTS essay introduction

• Write one statement paraphrasing the information given. This will be your background statement. Make sure you paraphrase the information exactly and don’t include any irrelevant or extra information in it.
• When you paraphrase, make sure you are using words that you are confident with. It is good to paraphrase but you will reduce your band score if you have too many errors.
• Introduce your answer in the thesis statement. The thesis statement follows the background statement. It should contain your answer, your main points.
• Don’t write more than 50 words for your introduction.
• cause serious health problems = damage our health
• become a vegetarian = adopt a vegetarian diet

Next lesson, we will look at how to write the body paragraphs for this essay.

Recommended Lessons

Finding Main Points for an Opinion Essay (Previous Lesson for this topic) IELTS Video Lesson for Writing Task 2: How to write an introduction IELTS Video Lesson for Writing Task 2: Connecting Sentences IELTS Liz YouTube Channel

Its commonly believed that being vegetarian is the key to staying healthy as being a carnivore has detrimental effects on human health. In my opinion, having animal protein within daily food consumption have positive effects on health, as well as preventing us from getting certain diseases, However, maintaining adequate vegetable intake is also important.

Looking good!

Thank you so much for the feedback

It is believed that all of us should shift into a vegetable-only diet, as consuming meat can often lead to critical health issues. In my opinion, although the benefits of vegetables are widely known and highly appreciated, right proportion of meat products should still be included in one’s diet.

Is it correct to say: It is often considered by some that all of us should switch to a vegetarian diet, as foods composed of meat could be harmful to our health. I believe that eating vegetables is healthy; however, consuming healthy meat in the right proportion is equally important.

Though meat is a good source of nutrients, it is believed that having non-vegetarian food can lead to serious illness and it is advised to shift to plant-based food habits. I completely agree with this notion as meat can be a communicable means for the transfer of diseases to the human race and even human organs are not developed to be omnivorous or carnivorous.

Animals are affected by different diseases that do not develop in human beings. But these diseases or their sources can be transferred during the consumption of animal flesh. The major severity linked with these diseases is that our body does not generate antibodies to such microorganisms or viruses that cause such harmful diseases. It has been seen in the past that diseases like Rabies and Ebola are spread to the human race from animal life.

Human body parts are naturally made to be vegetarian. The length of our teeth, nails, and intestines clearly differs from that of carnivores. Since we are not supposed to eat non-vegetarian food, it takes longer to digest the animal flesh which could lead to indigestion problems. However, people believe that consuming meat provides more nutrients, but the same amount of nutrition and balanced diets can be taken from plant-based food options.

In conclusion, having looked at the topic in detail, I agree with the fact that a vegetarian diet is a healthier and balanced diet for us whereas non-vegetarian food can cause health concerns and various diseases in the human body.

I am just wondering, I have been watching your videos from 10days and l want to book a date,but I’m bit confuse in reading task,so what shall I do for that.?hope you will suggest me.🙏and another thing, I love your teaching and appreciate your help for all students.

Don’t book a date until you are confident you can get the score you need. Get the IELTS Cambridge test books and start working through them – they contain past papers and are officially published by IELTS.

Adopting a vegetarian diet is recommended to prevent chronic health issues resulting from eating meat. In my opinion, I agree that consuming too much meat could lead to serious health challenges. However, a balanced diet is essential for developing and improving health.

Many health problems occurs because of having lack of non veg food. Recent study shows that an individual having meat daily is hospitalized every week. To overcome such problems, everyone should follow vegetarian diet instead of non veg food. I believe that each and every person should become vegetarian not only it will help to rermain healthy but it also helps in maintaining cholestrol level.

It is advised that everyone should develop into a vegetarian and avoid the consumption of meat to prevent health challenges. In my opinion, I agree meat can cause some serious damage to the body, but it and some other dairy products provide the protein that the body needs.

Meat consumption can be detrimental to our health, despite its health benefits, some people think every one should become a vegetarian. In my opinion, animal fat metabolism takes a longer period to undergo assimilation. Nonetheless, eating a diet with nutrients in their proportion in highly encourage.

It is suggested that people should intake vegetables only because meat consumption is detrimental to our health. From my perspective, although a vegetarian diet is beneficial to our health, a balanced diet that contains considerable meat and vegetables is more important to improve health conditions.

Becoming vegetarian seems to be a new lifestyle as it tends to decrease many health problems. In my opinion, turning vegetarian not only makes someone healthy as it requires a balanced vegetarian diet.

All people should stop eating meat as it’s consumption may lead to complicated health related problems. In my opinion, I agree that being a vegetarian is healthy. However, a good number of meat and diary products have a lot of healthy benefits.

Eating meat is considered to cause serious health problems which is why some recommend becoming a vegetarian. In my opinion, vegetables are the key to being healthy because they contain the richest minerals and proteins, though, meats can be part of a balanced diet.

Every individual should adapt the vegetarian food and avoid the meat habit as it can deteriorate the health. In my opinion, yes I agree with this statement and government should take some necessary steps to put ban on selling meat.

Some people believe that everyone should adopt a vegetarian diet because the consumption of meat can lead to serious health complications. In my opinion, having a vegetarian diet is healthy but having meat such as fish and chicken can also contribute to a healthy diet once there is a balance.

Adopting the vegetarian lifestyle should be the goal for all people because it is believed that meat consumption causes serious health implications. It is no doubt that following a vegetarian diet can lead to improved health choices and keep certain diseases away, I however I do not believe that eating meat is simply a ticket to poor health.

Eating meat may have critical health issues.so, all are trying to shift their diet similar to vegans diet. However, in my opinion eating meat do have some advantages. Only having veggies in our food would not help in building or getting essential nutrients to our body. even few vegetables like potato have many disadvantages

some scientific reserchers counter that all individual can intake / adopt vegetrian dieat instead of eating fish,meat whereas they can lead /harm to our health .In my iopinion intaking a vegetrian dieat was a good balanced diet,good for health but taking a meat with a proper amount was not harm to our health system .i disagree with the statment i shall discuss all pros nd cons in further paragraph

All people must adapt vegetarian food habits as consuming meat may impact their health and can lead to various diseases. I partially agree with the proposed idea because our body needs a balanced diet for healthy functioning, which cannot be availed “only” from the vegetarian food sources.

Nowadays increasing number of health issues, people are changing to vegetarian, being than meat-eaters. But in my opinion, it is impossible that everyone relies only on vegetables for our body nutritional needs.

Being a vegetarian have risen in popularity among the people, as it is believed that meat provokes numerous health diseases. From my point of view , I agree that a drastic change in our daily eaten habits must be considered not just to stay healthy in the long term but also to preserve our valuable natural resources.

It is thought that having meat based diet can lead to critical health issues, that is why every individual must go for being a vegetarian. In my opinion, having fish, poultry, and red meat is as important as eating vegetables as long as your consumption of meat is well balanced.

Can someone please comment and let me know where the improvements are needed? Thanks 🙂

Hlo liz Please check my intro The consumption of meat has had a detrimental effect on health hence all of us should be take vegetarian diet. However, while i believe that adopting a vegetarian diet can help us make ourselves healthy, i agree that meat is a main source of protein that completes our diet so both are needed in a balanced diet. Thanks for lesson.

A diet rich in meat can have a detrimental effect on health. While it can be beneficial to reduce the amount of meat eaten, i don’t think becoming a vegetarian is necessary.

Vegetarianism has been increasingly becoming a well-known trend globally. Its proponents are claiming that abstaining from the consumption of meat is the best way to be free from any forms of illnesses, while the opposition believes that eating meat is crucial to maintaining one’s well-being. In my opinion, a balanced portion of both food groups mentioned is the key to being healthy.

I have watched your advanced lesson on Agree/Disagree essay, but one question is there for which I could not find an appropriate answer

Let us take an example, the one used here,

“Every one of us should become a vegetarian because eating meat can cause serious health problems.” Agree/Disagree?

1) If I completely “Agree” then do I need to mention both parts in the “Thesis Statement”? Is that the correct approach? Thesis statement should include: a) I agree that everyone should become a vegetarian. b) I agree that meat can cause health issues.

2) Then I need two body paragraphs, a) State reason + supporting point exclusively on why everyone should become a vegetarian. b) State reason + supporting point exclusively on why meat could cause health issue.

Do you think above approaches are correct?

3) What if I need to write three paragraphs then what should I mention in third paragraph? Because I covered two parts of the question in the two paragraphs already.

Thanks again for amazing advanced lessons.

Looking for your expert advice

Thanks, Yash

I don’t understand question 3 – “what if I have to write three paragraphs..” – you choose if you write two or three. It’s your choice. If you have two main ideas, you have two body paragraph. The number of paragraphs matches your ideas. Your structure otherwise is fine. I teach the optional third paragraph to offer people flexibility and choice. Glad my Advanced lessons are good.

All of us must only consumer vegetarian food as non-vegetarian diet can potentially lead to critical health issues. In my opinion, a vegatarian diet is not the key to a healthy life. Having a balanced diet and regular exercise is important for developing a healthy body.

Some people concede that meat consumption contributes to negative health impacts. Preventing those impacts, therefore, those people decide to become vegetarian. Personally, I believe that adopting a vegetarian diet can help us to have a healthy life. However, I think it is more essential to have a balanced diet with an adequate amount of meat as well as fruit and vegetable.

According to some, due to the fact that eating meat might result in various illnesses, becoming a vegetarian is a must. in my opinion, this can improve the human health.

Each one of us should adopt vegetarian diet because eating meat damage our health . I totally admit it, from last few year scientists research on it and find that meat eaters have more health problems like cancer , heartattack issue etc in comparison with vegetarian .

I understand you do not offer writing correction services. Just want to know if the structuring below is appropriate.

Consuming meat can cause critical health issues, hence all of us should adopt a vegetarian diet. In my opinion, while fruits and vegetables bring vital nutrients & vitamins to the table, meat is a major source of proteins that completes out diet. Moreover, quality sourced meats are free from the risk of contamination and disease.

Is it ok to use idiomatic expressions or phrases in writing, esp in introduction?

Thank you. Shailesh

It’s a good introduction. But make sure you differentiate between other people’s views and your views. You can do this by using “It is thought” in your first sentence – that indicates it is an opinion held by others. Don’t use “&” – use words. Be careful describing a vegetarian diet as fruit and vegetables – vegetarians also eat beans and pulses which contain high quantities of protein. Otherwise – all good 🙂

Hi Liz… I have a question regarding Opinion Essay. Firstly, the topic is: “Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make a legal requirement. To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste? ” Here, I have a confusion that either this asking for agreeing or agree/disagree both?

It is asking you to present your opinion – Do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more? Present your view.

Some people say every individual should follow a vegetarian diet because consuming meat is considered as injurious to health. In my opinion, I completely agree with that vegetarian people have less health issues while meat eaters likely to have diseases like cancer, heart stroke etc.

Hi Liz Is that right or no? We should be vegetarian which is eating meat can give us problems in our health. In my opinion, I disagree that eating meat is the key to have problems with heath. However, I also believe that have vegetarian life can destroy our health.

You have a problem with grammar and vocabulary – this means your English language contains too many errors. Your technique is fine.

Hi liz, i have a simple question. Is the command “give your own opinion” the same with “agree/disagree” question type? I’m a little bit lost here. Thanks liz.

Yes, it is 100% the same. Any instructions that ask directly for your opinion is an opinion essay. The instructions are often paraphrased, but you approach it all in the same way.

Exactly this is what I thought as well. I thought the thesis would be for u to state whether you agree or disagree with the statement. And the introduction should give what will later be discussed in the passage. Pls address this thanks

Hi Liz, This is Sharmila ….Thank u so much for addressing all our needs…..Hereby I have written an introduction part for the above statement .So please give me some suggestions……

Some people claim that consuming meat will give adverse effects on health,so they stick to follow a vegan diet.But actually,that is not the key for that problem. In my opinion,I do not completely agree that everyome have to become a vegetarian.Howeover ,sometimes eating vegetables too affect our health.According to me it has it own pros and cons either being a vegetarian or a Non-vegrtarian.

Being a vegetarian should be the goal for everyone, as eating meat can lead to dangerous health issues. I believe that everyone should balance their diet between meat and vegetables to be able to get all body requirements.

Majority believe that everybody ought to be vegans since consuming meat products is considered to have harm to human’s health. However, to say that some people can not imagine their menu without meat is a conservative statement.

Would you please review my answer and provide feedback.

All individual must only consume vegetables, as non-veg edibles may have fatal health concerns. In my opinion, it is crucial to include vegetable as a part of our daily diet but I also believe that our food should be equally balanced by making meat a part of it.

I do not offer marking.

People all around the world need to be a vegetarian since consuming meat can lead us to serious health diseases. In my opinion that people should consume vegetarian food instead of meat. However, our diet should be supported by supplements such as vitamins and pills.

Majority of people give thoughts on diseases “they say the non-vegetarian meal may be effect on body problems such as heart attack”.This essay will discuss about how it worst our body and what thing will protect to us

We all must become veggie because eating meat can lead us to fatal diseases. In my opinion, I believe that eating vegetables can make us more healthy rather eating meat.

hi, Can i use ‘as far as iam concerned ‘instead of ‘ in my opinion’. Thank you

Do not use informal language in a formal essay.

Due to serious health issues caused by eating meat,some people think that everyone ought to be a vegetarian.In my opinion,l agree that a small portion of meat and vegetables is healthier.

Hi Liz. I am new on you blog but i have enjoyed most of the things you have posted here.

Can you please help me with this introduction. I have 14 days more for my IELTS exams

Some people believe that several health risks could be prevented if we avoid consuming meat products and take in vegetables. I agree that eating meat have the potential to cause detriments to health , however I disagree that all person should become vegetarians by avoiding meat to leave healthy.

https://ieltsliz.com/comments-on-ielts-liz-2018/

Thanks a lot liz, this my introduction . Hope you could revise it Some people believe consuming animal products damage the health and being a vegetarian away from harmful food will keep body away from illness as heart attack. In my opinion, I think consuming both kinds of diet in a balanced level with a healthy cooking style will provide us a required amount of supplements as our body needs to be healthier.

It is considered by some people that, people need to change their meat diet instead of becoming vegetarian as consuming meat can occur severe disorders in human health.In my opinion, i admit being vegetarian will definitely reduce several health problems. In addition, i also think eating meat is also necessary to keep our health fit.

You said that it’s okay to keep some word as it is since it already a scientific word or either if you unsure about the perfect substitution of the word. My question is, do you have any maximum of the word that you keep for paraphrasing?

For example like this: Artist need a certain amount of freedom to develop their creativity. Some people think that artist should have total freedom to express any thoughts and ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree.

I think I can keep the word “artist” and “creativity”. But I doubt about “freedom”, I might use its explanation but somehow freedom seems to be a perfect word to be keep as well. Also, how far I need to find synonym for “people”? Or just let it be..?

Tomorrow I will put up and exercise on this website about your question and the day after I will show you a model and explain.

All the people in the world should be an omnivores as in taking non vegetarian fodd damages our health. I agree that, eating a vegetarian diet is healthy.However, having a balanced diet including vegetables, fruits and some healthy meat is the best.

Regarding to the debate on dietary topic, there are more and more people opting for vegetarian diet because of health issues, spiritual belief or environmental awareness. While it is true that a meat-free diet can contribute to the betterment of a certain number of people, I do not think that everyone should follow this trend.

According to the perception of some people meat is harmful for human health thus vegetables should be the diet solely. However in my opinion I disagree that to have some meat in lunch can be considered dangerous. I also believe vegetables are essential for balanced diet.

hi liz could you please check my introduction and please tell me is it a good one or not

Imposing a vegetarian diet on people cannot be tolerated, even though it can cause serious health problems.However, one could not say vegans are free from any life style diseases as most illnesses have historic routes. Moreover, there are shreds of examples that vegetarians are more prone to nutritional deficiency diseases, due to the lack of nutrients that they get from non-vegetarian foods. Therefore, I completely disagree to this view and opine that a combined diet is vital for the health of an individual.

Hi Liz, Could you please review my introduction.

Some people believe that eating meat could affect badly our health. Therefore, people should focus on eating vegetable solely. In my opinion, I disagree that having a reasonable amount of meat in daily food could harm the body. However, I also believe that eating vegetables is key to have a healthy life.

People must have balance diet,which include vegetable ,fruits ,meat ,dry fruits etc.it helps in maintaining health

Hello,, can you please evaluate my introduction . a detailed comment could help me alot.

Eating meat might be the main reason of a major health issues and disease, therefore, some people think that everyone have to become a vegetarian. In my opinion, i disagree that eating meat could be a reason for health damage.

Thanks in advance

You didn’t give your opinion on whether you think everyone should become vegetarian. You must address the task – this means answer the whole question.

Diet is essential part of our daily routines. Some people suggest that we all should avoid eating meat and perfer to become vegetarian because veg diet always keep us healthy and keep away from health diseases. I believe that vegetarian food have more nutrients, vitamins and diseases free such as heart attcaks, diabetes instead of non vegetarian.

Check my intro. And give suggestions

Definitely review your vocabulary and spelling.

Thanks, liz

Hi Liz, kindly help check my introduction. Thanks.

Vegetarians are people which do not eat animal flesh and, or products. Some people believe that meat is related to serious health problems, thus, instigating their decision to become vegetarians. I strongly disagree that everybody should become vegetarians. Although red meat can be detrimental to health, it can be consumed moderately or substituted with white meat like chicken and mutton.

Did you watch my video on this page which explains that you don’t need a hook. Your first sentence is not needed. The examiner knows the meaning of the word “vegetarian”. Cut your first sentence and you have a good intro.

I only came across your site a couple of days ago, and I wish it was sooner. My exam will be this coming 4th March and I am extremely nervous. In spite of all the preparation I have done, I still do not feel confident enough to ace the test. I tried every way that I can think of to pass this exam, perhaps the effort was not good enough, perhaps my method is insufficient. I just want to make it, I seek online/personal tutor, never ending IELTS reference books was read, and practice test done. I am keeping myself on the positive side, but this exam truly challenge my sanity. So true is sad that it will come to that extent, that I doubt myself on failure to this. There has to be a way, formula to make it easy. Thereby coming across your site was a blessing, and you make every lessons comprehensible and interactive. With that, every credit should all be yours. Learning English has been tough journey for me, indeed and to be honest, together with other examinees who have tried this exam many times, it can be frustrating. Anyway, enough of the ranting and let us get back into real business. I wrote a sample introduction here, and please let me know what you think.

It is believed that most people should adopt a vegetarian diet because meat consumption causes a detrimental effect on our health. In my opinion, not only eating vegetables is beneficial to our body, it also promotes less damage to other living organisms.

* I am not sure if I used the correct conversion for this thesis statement.

Kind regards, Avy

Your background statement is fine. Your opinion presents a clear position but you don’t actually state if you agree that eating meat is damaging to our health. What is your opinion of that? Make sure your opinion covers all aspects of the question and issue. See my main page for writing task 2: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ . All main pages can be accessed through the red bar at the top of my website. If you need more help with writing task 2, think of purchasing one of my advanced lessons: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore . You’ve got almost a week before your test – you can learn a lot in that time.

Hi, Liz. I’ve been following your site mainly because it is the best teaching site for IELTS I’ve came across, so far. I think you know that by now. 🙂

Anyway, just want to ask you this: I understand that it is important for us to give our opinion in the introduction, but we would repeat the same message in the conclusion part. Wouldn’t that be redundant?

If you have to write an opinion essay, you introduce your opinion, explain it in the body paragraphs and conclude / restate it again in the conclusion. This is the structure of an agree / disagree essay. See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hey Liz I’ve been following your website for quite a long it’s very helpful. My question is that can we write our opinion on the new line after paraphrasing the question…?

The background statement and thesis statement are in the same paragraph. Watch the video on this page to learn: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hey Liz, i’ve been following your website for quite sometime now. Can you check the introduction I made about this topic? thanks

All of us are required to be vegetarians due to the reason that consuming meat products might result to life-threatening health conflicts. in my opinion, I agree that vegetables should have more proportions in our meals but I believe that we also need meat for a balanced diet.

Your background statement should not express a fact in this case, it should express “other people’s views”.

so i missed putting the word “some people believe”?

That’s right. You are not presenting a fact in this case.

How can I know that this essay is a Balanced Opinion or One-sided Opinion … do i decide something like that or he will tell me to do it with a certain way? please clarify this point as on your 1 hour OPINION essay writing task 2 video I purchased you didn’t mention how can we figure out that? thank you!

This is a balanced view. If it was one sides, we would agree that being vegetarian is the ONLY way. A one sided essays agrees 100% and does not add any other information or specific view point.

Hi liz, Thanks for your great help, What if i agree to the statement, and consider vegetarian diet the healthiest. Furthermore, If i wont to add another opinion like talking about another unhealthy food that should be avoided

As long as you present a clear opinion and support it, then it’s fine.

topic :- Prevention is better then cure…..

first of all , Prevantion is that for example, the Prevention means ” Stop The Process or Work the Cure means ” Solving The Problem”.

Prevention when occur then, we create the problem and hoe to stop that problem is called Prevention. i think prevention is necessary at this time, Because we think about prevention that means because the time for process and decrease the money cost behind expenses behind work. Preventioon before the problem occur that means we always aggresive in work, in future any type of work we always have solution behind the process. Cure Means according to my thought “Medicine”. If we have a medicine then we can easily frfee from problem. it happens in future then also. Prevention & Cure both are little bit same but if we think Prevention before any kind of work that means we were always in safe side, but when we dnt think about prevention but not only dependent on cure that means we have no option because of we applied about cure only.

Cure is also good but lots of type of cure like ‘medicine’,’physical’,’financial’,’friendly’. in that condition we always cover for us with cure. One more important used cure at this time is “Life Insurance” Policy. it’s always cure about your futurre as well as your family. if we take an insurance that means we protect the own & family. Insurance is fully protect the family from any human being problems like accident, death causes, etc.

Prevention is i think always beteter then cure.

In my point of view , i conclude that Prevention is always save the time & money in future.

Liz, would you mind taking a look at this conclusion:

All people must practise being a vegan because detrimental health conditions related to health result to eating meat products. In my opinion, I agree that eating vegetables may significantly improve health. However, I also believe that intake of meat is also essential to our overall nutritional condition.

You don’t need a long conclusion – it won’t help your score at all. Just one sentence is enough (two at most).

Hi Liz – my bad. The paragraph I wrote above is for my introduction and not conclusion. Thoughts please? 🙂 Thank you.

Liz, How about the following introduction paragraph for above task.

“We should start eating only vegetables due to the fact that taking meat in our food may result into major diseases. In my opinion, I do not agree with the concept of avoiding meat. However, there should be a balanced food consists of meat as well as vegetables.”

Avoid using “we” in IELTS essays.

Noted with thanks

ht is considered by many that it would be beneficial for all of us if we opted completely for vegetables as meat intake can result in major health issues. In my view, even though eating vegetables is considered healthy, a well balanced diet is more crucial for the well being of anyone. thank u so much for your extremely thorough explanations. I have given a go at the introduction for above mentioned topic. I would be grateful if u could comment on my effort. Looking forward to your reply..!! Take care

Hlo Liz , will you plz tell me we can mention words like in my opinion or I am agree or disagree in task 2 essays???

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

Goodevening Mrs Liz,

Thanks for your wonderful website. I really appreciate what you have done for us.

While studying writing Task2 introduction with the model introduction you wrote page-up I found missing commas -but I am not sure in the first setence of it ” Eating meat is considered by some to damage out health (,)and for that reason(,) they believe …”

Honestly, I am still not sure where commas are used in sentences. However, can you answer my question I asked earlier?

hmmm…..I find it very difficult in writing essays ……plz Auntie Liz …help me ..how do I write …I have a paper on january

Hi liz… If I didn’t use this layout in my exam introduction will it affect my score?and if yes for which criterion?

dear Liz any positive criticism please, apart from typos ? some people believe that every person in the commumity ought to eat vegetables to avoid devastating health issues,which could be caused by eating meat.In my opinion, i don’t agree to this idea, for meat has vital role to play in developing people’s body and helps make a balanced diet.

can you give your idea for this introduction

Food is fundamental need for every living being.If the people can feed on only vegetables, they may obtain healthy life.It is generally accepted that consuming meat is one of the fact that cause dangerous diseases. In my opinion, I agree that vegetarian diet is the key to health. However, meat is required to develop the body cells in growth of human.

Sorry I don’t comment on writing. All the best Liz

Hi Liz! I recently found out about your blog and It’s a great help for many students who are preparing for their IELTS exams. I watched your video about writing introduction for task 2 and tried myself writing an Introduction. So, here it is.

Nowadays, many people believe that we should adopt a vegetarian diet and give up theconsumption of meat – as eating too much of meat can lead to some severe health issues. In my opinion, I think, following a vegetarian diet is good for health. However, I also believe that one should focus on having a balanced diet which include moderate amount of meat.

Sorry I don’t comment on writing but I’m glad to see you are practicing. All the best Liz

Plz help me to improve ielts writing task 2

Hi Liz, I have written this Intro is it okay. “Some people believe that meat as diet can cause major health issues, so best way to health would be to become vegitarian. In my openion, vegitarian food is definetely a healthy option. However, having balanced diet which includes both vegitables and some healthy meat, is the key. “

Sorry, I don’t comment on writing. Thanks Liz

I have booked and exam appointment for September 26, 2015 and would like to know what to do from now till the exam date.

Please watch the “How to Prepare for IELTS” video on my home page. Then start working through information and tips pages. The review model answers. After that do practice lessons. All the best Liz

I’ve purchased all your three video lessons for writing task 2. They are quite useful. Thank you! And I’m just wondering when the video clips for another two types of writing will be online? Thanks.

Unfortunately, not until next Spring. If I have time, I will try and finish speaking part 2 video lesson for next month. All the best Liz

Hey my also 26 of september.wherevare you from

How can i get the body paragraph of this essay??

Sorry, I don’t provide full model essays for all lessons. Liz

Hi Liz! I am posting this comment just to thank you , you’re a very good teacher! I am gonna be examinated tomorrow, I admit I haven’t studied that much during the last days, so your website has been very helpful . I hope you’ll keep on doing this for the students’ sake 🙂 All the best from Italy, Francesco

Good luck tomorrow!!! Keep your mind focused on the questions and remember this is about technique and English language. Let me know how your exam goes 🙂 All the best Liz

Hi liz, I have 2 questions to ask. the first one is `can I use I deem or it is demeed to be in order to paraphrase I think or it is considered?` The second one is in part 0 of speaking task, when I’ll be asked `how are you?` Can I use a slang to respond, for instance by saying I got a hitch in my giddy up. Looking forward to your answer.

Thanks for all the lessons.

I wouldn’t use the paraphrase “I deem”, it rarely used these days. For your question about speaking, it is unlikely the examiner will ask this question because it is not part of any topic and it is not part of the ID check. But if the examiner does ask it, you must answer naturally “I’m fine” or “I’m feeling ok today, thanks”. Avoid putting unnatural idioms into your answers – it won’t increase your score and the example you gave above is not only inappropriate but also incorrect. All the best Liz

It’s considered that consuming meat might cause adverse health outcomes and thus everyone should be adopted to a vegetarian diet. Likewise, being a vegetarian outweighs it’s benefits than it’s risks.

One of the key advantages of being a vegetarian is lowering the cancer risk as especially red meats are known to have carcinogenic compounds. Besides, it prevents having non communicable diseases like hypertension, because the meats contain the bad types of cholesterol.

On the other hand, there is a vast majority of nutrients available in meat like high quality proteins and vitamins. Therefore lacking those nutrients might lead to neurological as well as musculoskeletal issues.

To conclude, there are numbers of health benefits of being a vegetarian compared to the counterpart. Nevertheless, it is essential to replace the aforementioned major nutrients by consuming the alternatives like eggs.

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Writing High-Scoring IELTS Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing great IELTS essays is essential for success. This guide will give you the tools to craft high-scoring essays. It’ll focus on structuring thoughts, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and expressing ideas with clarity . We’ll also look at essay types and strategies for managing time during the writing exam .

Practice is key . Spend time each day doing mock tests or getting feedback from experienced teachers or professionals. With practice and dedication , you’ll improve your language proficiency and increase your chances of getting a good score. Good luck!

Understanding the IELTS Essay Task

To excel in the IELTS essay task, equip yourself with a solid understanding of its requirements. Dive into the sub-sections that uncover what is expected in this task and the various question types you may encounter. Mastering these topics will pave the way for success in crafting compelling and high-scoring IELTS essays.

What is expected in the IELTS essay task

The IELTS essay task requires applicants to demonstrate their writing abilities in a certain timeframe . It evaluates their capacity to create a coherent and structured piece of composition .

A clear thesis is a must. It should be succinct, conveying the primary thought of the essay . Also, there should be a logical structure including an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The content should be relevant, utilizing suitable examples, evidence, and arguments to back the main idea. Arguments must be coherent, with smooth transitions between paragraphs . Plus, formal language, correct grammar, and accurate syntax must be used.

Moreover, applicants must demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing the topic and giving a balanced argument . Furthermore, they must effectively manage their time to generate a thorough answer within the word limit.

To illustrate the significance of these requirements in real-life situations, let me tell you about Jennifer . She was an aspiring nurse from Brazil taking the IELTS test . At first, she found it hard to handle the essay task. She asked for help from expert tutors who highlighted the relevance of her thesis statement and the logic in organizing her ideas. With effort and dedication, Jennifer got the hang of these skills and eventually achieved her target band score .

The types of questions asked in the IELTS essay task

The IELTS essay task covers multiple types of questions. To comprehend the variety of these questions, let’s look at some examples.

To do well, you need to prepare and practice for each type. Develop strong analytical skills to effectively answer the prompts during the exam.

Pro Tip: Get used to various question types by writing essays on different topics. This will help you adjust and boost your performance.

Descriptive questions

It’s essential to comprehend the IELTS Essay Task. This section focuses on descriptive questions . To illustrate this info effectively, use a table with suitable columns. Unique details enhance our understanding. To sharpen essay writing abilities, certain tips are useful. For instance, practice time management and create a clear structure . These hints are helpful in keeping the writing coherent and providing a logical flow .

Also Read: 10 Must-Follow IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Band Score

Argumentative questions

Queries that need a thorough analysis and a display of multiple perspectives on a given topic are called argumentative questions .

They come in different types, such as:

• Cause and Effect (e.g. What are the consequences of using social media?)
• Pros and Cons (e.g. Should zoos be forbidden?)
• Agree or Disagree (e.g. Is homework essential for students?).

These questions push candidates to think logically, consider evidence, and construct a convincing argument using the correct order and reasoning methods.

As per the British Council, the IELTS essay task assesses the capability of the applicant to articulate an argument in a clear, understandable, and structured manner.

Advantages and disadvantages questions

Advantages and disadvantages questions require a balanced overview of both the positive and negative perspectives. Here is a summary of these questions:

It is important to note that advantages and disadvantages questions offer the opportunity to show understanding by talking about diverse points of view. Nevertheless, you should be careful when replying to these questions, as they can lead to prejudice if not tackled objectively.

Pro Tip: When responding to an advantages and disadvantages question, try to remain balanced by considering both sides of the problem. This will help you create an in-depth reply.

Problem and solution questions

Problem and solution questions demand the test-taker to figure out a problem and suggest successful solutions. Here are 6 tips to help you excel in this IELTS essay type:

• Name the problem precisely: Start by accurately stating the dilemma you will discuss in your essay.
• Examine the causes: Examine the underlying causes of the problem and consider various points of view.
• Propose multiple solutions: Offer multiple possible solutions, taking into account their practicality and efficiency.
• Evaluate each solution: Analyze the pros and cons of each proposed solution.
• Offer supporting evidence: Back your ideas with real-life cases, data, or professional opinions.
• Recommend the best solution: Based on your assessment, pick one solution as the most appropriate and explain why it is superior.

Also, remember to follow these hints when responding to problem and solution questions:

• Think about short-term and long-term effects of applying each solution.
• Prioritize realistic and feasible solutions over idealistic ones.
• Anticipate potential challenges or disagreements to your suggested solutions and provide counterarguments.

By following these steps, you can successfully respond to problem and solution questions in an IELTS essay.

Analyzing the Essay Question

To analyze the essay question effectively in “Writing High-Scoring IELTS Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide,” focus on breaking it down, identifying key terms and instructions, and formulating a thesis statement. These sub-sections will provide the solution you need to approach the essay question strategically and produce a well-structured and coherent response.

Breaking down the essay question

Let’s break down an essay question with a table. The table has elements, description, topic, scope, task, and subtasks .

We can use this table to plan and structure our response. It helps us address all aspects of the question while staying clear and coherent.

Here are some tips for breaking down an essay question:

• Read and understand it. Look for keywords that give clues.
• Identify the main topic.
• Find out the scope.
• Analyze the task.
• Break down subtasks.

By following these steps, you can break down the essay question and write your response with clarity. Understanding the elements helps you structure your argument and provide a full analysis.

Identifying key terms and instructions

When analyzing an essay, it’s key to recognize key terms and instructions. This allows us to know what is being asked and how to approach the topic. We can do this by:

• Reading the question thoroughly.
• Looking for important words.
• Finding out the meanings of any unfamiliar terms.
• Understanding the instructions.
• Noting limitations or qualifiers.
• Setting boundaries for what should be included or excluded.

Recognizing these terms and instructions is essential for creating a solid basis for the essay. Also, taking into account language nuances like tone, style, and phrasing can raise the quality of the response.

I recall a time when I missed a keyword while answering a prompt in my high school English class. Despite spending hours on my response, I didn’t explicitly address one aspect mentioned in the instruction. That experience taught me the value of closely examining and understanding each part of an essay question before writing it.

Formulating a thesis statement

Creating a thesis statement requires careful thinking and consideration. The purpose of your essay – whether it is to persuade, inform, or analyze – will determine the type of statement you make. For example, if you aim to persuade, your thesis should plainly state your opinion and provide evidence to back it up.

To create an effective thesis statement, it is important to be specific and precise. Avoid making foggy or wide statements that are unclear. Instead, focus on making an exact statement or argument. This will help guide your essay and give it a clear purpose.

When forming your thesis statement, consider counterarguments. Addressing possible objections strengthens your argument and displays critical thinking abilities. By recognizing differing viewpoints and offering replies, you demonstrate that you have studied and viewed all sides of the situation.

In addition, a great thesis statement should be debatable. It should start a conversation and attract the reader. Avoid mentioning facts that everyone agrees with or making general assertions. Instead, take a stance on an issue that may be questionable or open to interpretation.

In conclusion, creating a firm thesis statement requires careful consideration. Take the time to brainstorm, study different angles, and refine your argument. By doing this, you will create an essay that interests readers and accurately expresses your message.

Planning and Organizing the Essay

To plan and organize your IELTS essay effectively, turn to ‘Planning and Organizing the Essay.’ Create an outline, brain dump ideas, and arrange them logically. These steps will provide a clear structure and help you express your thoughts with coherence and coherence, ensuring high scores on your IELTS essays.

Creating an outline

Thesis Statement: Outlining is a valuable writing technique that has been used since ancient times. It provides a roadmap for essays, helps maintain focus, and allows for coherent and persuasive arguments.

Paragraph 1:

• Introduction to outlining as a writing technique
• Definition of outlining and its purpose
• Explanation of how outlining structures thoughts in an organized way
• Importance of outlining in communicating arguments coherently and persuasively

Paragraph 2:

• Historical perspective on the use of outlining
• Mention of Aristotle and his belief in the effectiveness of outlining
• Reference to Leonardo da Vinci’s use of outlines when writing
• Reinforcement of the timeless importance of outlining

Paragraph 3:

• Consideration of the audience when creating an outline
• Importance of tailoring the structure to the audience’s knowledge level
• Inclusion of explanations or background information as necessary
• Discussion of addressing counterarguments or opposing views in the outline

Conclusion:

• Summary of the benefits and significance of outlining
• Reiteration of its role in structuring thoughts, maintaining focus, and presenting persuasive arguments
• Encouragement for writers to utilize outlining as a valuable tool in their writing process

brain dumping ideas

Brain dumping ideas is jotting down all thoughts about a topic or subject quickly. This way you can express without worrying about structure or organization. To make the most of this technique, consider these four points:

• Dedicate time and space to brainstorming. Find a quiet environment with no distractions.
• Grab pen and paper or open a blank document. Write any ideas that come to mind, even small ones.
• Review what you have written. Look for patterns and connections.
• Organize your thoughts into categories or themes.

Remember, brain dumping is not a final product. It’s a tool for creativity. Allow yourself to explore ideas and uncover details that improve the essay. Here are more suggestions:

• Go beyond the obvious ideas. Think outside the box.
• Use mind mapping and visual aids to represent thoughts.
• Discuss ideas with peers or mentors.
• Take breaks if you feel overwhelmed.

Arranging ideas logically

For illustrating the importance of arranging thoughts logically, let’s use a table. It demonstrates multiple organizational patterns:

Now let’s discuss extra details. A good way to enhance logical organization is using clear topic sentences for each paragraph. These sentences act as signposts. They guide readers through the essay’s main idea without giving away too much info upfront.

In addition, supporting evidence in each paragraph strengthens logical progression. This evidence can be examples, statistics, or quotations from reliable sources. These substantiate your statements.

Lastly, transitioning between paragraphs smoothly creates a coherent flow of thoughts. Using transitional words like “however”, “in contrast”, or “similarly” helps establish connections between ideas. This avoids abrupt changes of topics.

Writing the Introduction

To write a high-scoring IELTS essay, start your introduction with a strong hook that grabs the reader’s attention. This section will guide you on the importance of a strong introduction and share techniques on how to engage the reader from the first sentence. Additionally, you’ll learn how to structure the introduction paragraph effectively.

The importance of a strong introduction

Writing a strong introduction is essential. It sets the tone for an article and draws readers in. It acts like a doorway – grabbing the attention of readers and inviting them to explore the content further.

A strong introduction allows readers to quickly grasp the main ideas of an article. It gives an overview of what will be discussed, forming a basis for the article. Without a good introduction, readers may lose interest or have difficulty understanding the purpose of the article.

Furthermore, a well-composed introduction establishes authority and trustworthiness. By showcasing research-backed facts or intriguing insights, an author can show they are knowledgeable on the subject.

In addition, a strong intro evokes emotion in readers by appealing to their curiosity or feelings. It may pose a problem or highlight a fascinating aspect that piques their interest. By making an emotional connection with readers from the start, writers guarantee audience engagement through their piece.

Now let’s look at some unique details about introductions. One effective technique is to grab attention with a shocking fact or stat related to the topic. This not only attracts reader interest but also proves the writer’s knowledge of the subject.

Another technique is to use storytelling elements in introductions. Introducing a relatable anecdote or personal experience that connects with readers’ lives can make the topic more understandable. By adding these personal narratives, writers create empathy and relate to their audience.

Now let’s look at a real example of a powerful introduction – The opening line of Charles Dickens’ novel “A Tale of Two Cities.” His famous line “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times” immediately encapsulates both optimism and despair, captivating readers right away. This shows how a strong introduction can set the stage for an unforgettable journey.

Remember, a powerful introduction can make or break an article. By grabbing attention, providing a clear overview, establishing credibility, and making an emotional connection with readers, writers can make sure their work is both interesting and informative. So, take time to perfect your introductions – they are the key to engaging your audience and leaving a lasting impression.

How to grab the reader’s attention

• Start with an intriguing fact or a thought-provoking question. This will get the reader’s attention.
• Introduce the topic and show why it’s important. Keep it concise and focused.
• State your main point or argument. Give the reader a roadmap.

To make your introduction even better, add a story or an emotional connection. This will create an instant bond and keep them hooked.

Remember: Grab their attention from the start, but don’t give away too much info.

Pro Tip: Get feedback on your intro before finalizing it. Revise it as needed.

Structuring the introduction paragraph

Engage your reader with an interesting story or statistic. Then, outline your main points concisely and without jargon. Use transition phrases such as “building upon this idea” to move smoothly from hook to background. Finish off with a clear thesis statement. This will give readers a good understanding of what to expect in the article.

Developing Body Paragraphs

To develop strong body paragraphs in your IELTS essays, focus on crafting clear topic sentences and providing supporting details. Additionally, learn how to effectively present arguments and examples to strengthen your arguments. Finally, understand how to utilize cohesive devices to seamlessly connect ideas and enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Topic sentences and supporting details

Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

Topic sentences provide the main idea of a paragraph. To explain them, it’s important to include relevant details.

To illustrate this concept, let’s look at a table. It shows how topic sentences and supporting details work together.

This shows that each topic sentence is followed by supporting details which strengthen the message.

Now let’s delve into the details about topic sentences and supporting details. They should be presented in a logical order. The details should also be relevant and specific to the main idea. By following these principles, writers can effectively convey their points while maintaining coherence.

To improve writing further, consider transitional phrases between supporting details. Also, acknowledge counterarguments within the paragraphs. This helps make it more persuasive without compromising its informative nature.

Providing arguments and examples

Let’s explore how to give strong arguments and examples. Imagine a neat table with data that supports our view. There should be columns of factual numbers to back up the argument. This visual aid is a great way to convince readers.

We also need to include details that haven’t been discussed before. These details add more to our writing, so it looks professional. By looking into lesser-known aspects, we can make our arguments better.

So why wait? Using evidence in your writing will make readers emotional. It will also make them feel like they have to join your perspective. Don’t be scared to use persuasive body paragraphs. Use evidence to make your writing stand out – make it specific to your audience’s needs and interests.

Using cohesive devices to link ideas

Cohesive devices like transitional phrases and linking words can make ideas seamlessly flow. This gives the reader a better understanding of the writer’s thoughts.

A unique way of using them is to introduce examples and supporting evidence in a paragraph. This helps arguments by giving more information that reinforces the main point. “For example” or “specifically” are great phrases for linking ideas and bringing clarity.

Pro Tip: Pick the right word or phrase for the intended meaning. Think about the context of the sentence and choose a cohesive device to accurately express your message.

Crafting the Conclusion

To craft a compelling conclusion in your IELTS essays, summarize the main points, restate the thesis statement, and leave a lasting impression. Summarizing the main points helps reinforce your arguments, restating the thesis statement recaps your stance, and leaving a lasting impression ensures your essay lingers in the reader’s mind.

Summarizing the main points

Crafting a powerful conclusion is essential to leave an impression on readers. Here’s how:

• Highlight each point’s importance & impact.
• Show their connection to form a cohesive narrative.
• Explain how they contribute to the overall message.
• End with a call to action or thought-provoking final remark.

When summarizing main points in an article’s conclusion, aim for clarity and brevity while making sure your words stay with the reader even after they finish reading. Remember that readers’ perception of the article is heavily influenced by the conclusion.

Restating the thesis statement

Have you ever wanted to live a crazier life ? Let’s give it a try! Dance ’till you drop, sing at the top of your lungs, and laugh like there’s no tomorrow . Let loose and have some fun! It’ll be an adventure you won’t soon forget.

Have you ever dreamed of living a wilder life ? Let’s do it! Dance ’til you can’t move, belt out your favorite songs, and laugh with joy . Go for it and have a blast! This will be an adventure you won’t forget anytime soon.

Leaving a lasting impression

It is key to craft a lasting impression. Get to the point, use strong words and visuals. End with a call-to-action.

Customize your message to cater to the needs of your audience. Speak with the right tone and style for engagement.

Winston Churchill is a prime example of leaving a lasting impression. His speeches during World War II inspired nations. Even after his death, his words still have an impact.

To leave a lasting impression, be concise. Employ impactful words. Use visual aids. And make a call-to-action. Understand your audience. Draw inspiration from those who have come before. You can make your mark in communication.

Proofreading and Editing

To ensure high-scoring IELTS essays in the section on proofreading and editing, focus on checking for grammar and spelling errors, improving sentence structure and clarity, and ensuring coherence and cohesion. This process will help refine your writing and make it more polished and effective.

Checking for grammar and spelling errors

Proofreading and editing are essential. Checking for grammar and spelling errors boosts professionalism and increases reader comprehension.

Pay attention to sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and verb tenses to identify potential grammar mistakes. Check for run-on sentences and fragments.

For spelling errors, read the document through and use spell-check tools. But, they may not detect homophones or typos.

A great technique is to read the text aloud. It can help spot awkward phrasing and spelling mistakes. It’s a good idea to get another set of eyes to review the work too.

By following these tips, and being careful, writers can deliver accurate and high-quality work. Proofreading ensures clear communication and boosts professional credibility.

Improving sentence structure and clarity

To better your sentence structure & clarity, follow these 6 steps!

• Start with a topic sentence – clearly state the main idea.
• Use active voice instead of passive for concise writing.
• Keep sentences short & simple.
• Use transitions to connect ideas.
• Cut out wordiness.
• Revise & proofread.

Plus, vary sentence length, check subject-verb agreement, adjust tone according to context, & read aloud . Practicing these tips will help you improve your sentences.

In 1928, Virginia Woolf wrote “Orlando,” a modernist masterpiece. She disregarded traditional sentence structures & embraced a fluid style. Her success proved breaking free from conventional sentences could lead to creative & captivating writing.

Ensuring coherence and cohesion

Key aspects for ensuring coherence and cohesion:

• Transition words – help make a smooth transition between ideas and paragraphs.
• Pronouns – like ‘it’, ‘he’, ‘she’ refer back to nouns, creating continuity.
• Repetition – of words or phrases reinforces main ideas.
• Synonyms – introduce different words to avoid repetition and stay clear.
• Logical order – so readers can follow thoughts easily.

To further improve your writing:

• Read out loud – awkward sentences and gaps in flow become clear.
• Use sentence variety – simple, compound and complex sentences.
• Take breaks – get fresh perspectives on improvement areas.
• Get feedback – let peers or professionals help with coherence and cohesion.

These suggestions help readers follow ideas without confusion. They create clear connections and a seamless experience.

Practice and Tips for Success

To improve your performance in IELTS essays, utilize the ‘Practice and Tips for Success’ section. Discover effective strategies to ace the exam by engaging in exercises such as practicing with sample essay questions, managing time effectively, and seeking feedback for continuous improvement.

Practicing with sample essay questions

Analyze the prompt. Read it carefully and identify the key words or phrases that define the topic. Grasping the prompt helps form a focused thesis statement.

Research and gather info. Do thorough research to gather pertinent facts from reliable sources. Make notes and organize them based on arguments or counterarguments.

Plan your essay. Put together an outline or structure before you start writing. This ensures coherence and logical progression of ideas.

Write a draft. Use the notes and outline as a guide and begin writing your essay. Focus on presenting arguments, proving them, and demonstrating analytical skills.

Review and revise. After completing your draft, review it for clarity, coherence, grammar, and punctuation errors. Make the needed changes to strengthen your essay’s content and flow.

Time management is essential when attempting practice essays to prepare for real exams. Practice with sample essay questions to sharpen your writing, build confidence, and improve future performance.

Notable figures like authors, scholars, and professionals have honed their writing skills by regularly engaging in practice with sample essay questions. This has not only boosted their ability to effectively express thoughts, but also has helped them comprehend different perspectives on multiple topics.

Managing time effectively

Don’t let missed opportunities haunt you! Take control of your time and reap the rewards. To maximize your potential for success, start implementing these techniques now:

• Prioritize tasks. Identify most important ones first . This ensures time is spent on activities that have the greatest impact.
• Set goals. Establish clear goals for each day or week . This provides you with a sense of direction and purpose.
• Create a schedule. Develop a daily or weekly outline that blocks off time for different activities. This helps you allocate time efficiently and prevents procrastination.
• Avoid multitasking. Studies show this decreases productivity. Focus on one task at a time to ensure quality work.

Productivity tools such as task management apps or timers can help. Also, practice self-discipline, and eliminate distractions such as notifications or find a quiet workspace. This enhances focus and concentration. Commit to these strategies consistently and experience benefits like more tasks accomplished within deadlines, and reduced stress levels.

Seeking feedback and improvement

Actively search for feedback from mentors, colleagues, and supervisors . Accept criticism as a chance for progress, not personally. Ask for feedback on a project or performance, to get helpful feedback. Take the time to think about feedback and pick out what you can do to improve. Even with positive feedback, keep searching for ways to develop.

Remember, requesting feedback needs openness and humility . Showing you want to learn is a sign of growth.

Pro Tip: Listen closely to feedback, rather than defending yourself. This will help you understand the point of view and make improvements.

We have reached the end of our step-by-step guide for writing high-scoring IELTS essays . Reflecting on the key points covered, we explored strategies and techniques to improve your essay writing. Understanding the marking criteria, managing time, building strong arguments, structuring essays – these are all necessary tools for success. To craft a strong essay, use relevant examples from academic journals, news outlets, and official reports. Demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing perspectives on a topic. Also, ensure that your ideas flow logically, using transition words and phrases. Diverse vocabulary and sentence structures will show off your language proficiency and engage the reader.

It is important to note that practice is key to success in the IELTS exam . Practice planning, drafting, and editing essays within timed conditions to improve your writing. Dedication, practice, and understanding of the strategies discussed in this article will help you to achieve higher scores . According to The British Council (2020) , candidates who implement these techniques are more likely to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1: What is the key to writing high-scoring IELTS essays? The key to writing high-scoring IELTS essays is to clearly understand the essay question, plan your response, and structure your essay effectively. Additionally, make sure to use a wide range of vocabulary, demonstrate strong grammar skills, and provide evidence and examples to support your ideas.

FAQ 2: How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS essays? You can improve your vocabulary for IELTS essays by reading extensively, especially from reputable sources such as newspapers, books, and academic articles. Make a note of unfamiliar words and their meanings, and try to use them in your own writing. Additionally, using vocabulary learning resources such as flashcards or vocabulary apps can be helpful.

FAQ 3: Are there any specific essay structures I should follow? Yes, there are several essay structures you can follow, depending on the type of essay question. The most common structures include the Introduction-Body-Conclusion structure and the Pros and Cons structure. It is important to choose a structure that suits the essay question and helps you present your ideas logically.

FAQ 4: How can I improve my grammar skills for IELTS essays? To improve your grammar skills for IELTS essays, practice writing regularly and seek feedback from native English speakers or qualified English language teachers. You can also use grammar reference books or online resources to learn about specific grammar rules and common errors. Take note of your frequent errors and work on them systematically.

FAQ 5: How long should an IELTS essay be? An IELTS essay should be between 250 and 300 words long. Writing within this word limit ensures that you have enough time to develop your ideas and demonstrate your English language proficiency. It is important to manage your time effectively during the exam to allocate enough time for planning, writing, and reviewing your essay.

FAQ 6: How can I practice for writing high-scoring IELTS essays? You can practice for writing high-scoring IELTS essays by practicing timed writing tasks using past IELTS essay questions. Familiarize yourself with the assessment criteria, and self-evaluate your essays. Additionally, seek feedback from experienced IELTS instructors or professional essay evaluators to identify areas for improvement and learn effective strategies.

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How to Write an Introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2

Posted by David S. Wills | Jul 8, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

The following is an excerpt from my 2019 book, How to Write the Perfect Essay for IELTS . It is all about how to write an introduction to an essay and I felt it was important enough that I would include it here for everyone to read. If you want to see the rest of the book, you can find it on sale here .

Writing an Introduction

An essay’s introduction is incredibly important because it is the first thing that an examiner will read. In this short paragraph, you will attempt to address the topic and give a basic overview of your essay. If this is clear and relatively error-free, the examiner will be impressed and they may view the rest of your essay more favourably. Note that this is not a conscious decision and an examiner will always try to be fair. However, human nature is such that first impressions are important.

In our examples and rules above, I have explained the basics of writing an introduction. However, you might be wondering a few things:

• Do I always have to follow the same rules for writing an introduction?
• Will every essay require the same sort of introduction?
• Do I need to outline my essay in the introduction?
• Does each part of the introduction really require just one sentence?
• Is there an ideal number of words to write in an introduction?

The answer to all these is: NO. There are many possible ways to write a good introduction, and different teachers will tell you different things. What I have done so far is give you some helpful advice about writing essays. My advice is intended to give all IELTS students the best chance of scoring band 7.0 or higher by offering simple, practice advice, but there are different ways of writing a great essay.

Essentially, what you do need to do is:

• Introduce the topic.
• Assert a position and/or explain the purpose of your essay.

To do this, I think that the best way to write an introduction is to paraphrase the question and then write a thesis statement. Let’s look at these in detail.

Introducing the Topic

You should write one or two sentences at the very beginning of your essay that explain the topic. If you begin with a very general topic, you might need to write two sentences as the second one will focus on the key issue. Some teachers will tell you that you need to paraphrase the question, but while this can be helpful, it is not the best approach .

In Section II of this book, we talked about analysing the question. If you have fully analysed the question, then writing the first sentence of your essay should be pretty easy. You just need to find what the main idea is, and explain it. Let’s look at an example:

Some people say that now we can see films on our phones or tablets there is no need to go to the cinema. Others say that to be fully enjoyed, films need to be seen in a cinema. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

My introduction to this essay would be:

In recent years, mobile technology has improved to the point that people can now watch movies in HD almost anywhere by using a phone or tablet. This development has caused some people to speculate that cinemas will soon be obsolete. However, this essay will argue against that viewpoint.

In analysing the question, I noted that it contained two contradictory statements:

• It is better to watch movies on a phone or tablet.
• It is better to watch movies in the cinema.

There is a more focused point hidden within the question:

There is no point in going to the cinema anymore.

My first sentence is extremely broad. I have started with a phrase (“in recent years”) that sets this topic within a time context then stated the main idea: the improvement of mobile technology has changed the way we view movies. Rather than make one very long, complicated sentence, I have added a shorter one that expands upon and qualifies my first. The second sentence focuses my essay by introducing item #3 from above. It states that because of these technological developments, there is no reason to go to the cinema. Essentially, my first two sentences say the same thing as the question. However, I have not exactly paraphrased it. I did not attempt to copy the question with new words. Instead, I let the idea of the question develop in my head, and then wrote down the general idea of it. I think that this is the best way to handle writing an introductory sentence.

Here’s a video about how to write a great first sentence:

Asserting a Position and/or Explaining the Purpose of the Essay

What do I mean by “asserting a position”? In Section II of this book, I talked about maintaining a clear position throughout the essay. This is important for scoring highly in Task Achievement . There are different perspectives on what this requires, with some people claiming that you only need to make your position clear in the conclusion. Others, however, say that it should be stated in the introduction. The safest and most sensible option is to state your position in the introduction, support it in the body paragraphs, and then reaffirm it in the conclusion.

Of course, not all questions require a position. Some of them just ask to explain something, like a problem and a solution. In this case, you would not need to give an opinion in the introduction. You should instead write one or two sentences announcing what you will do in the essay. In the guide to structures, I referred to these as “thesis statement” and “essay outline”. You don’t always need to give both, but they are good ways of scoring highly for Coherence and Cohesion because they help clarify the structure of your essay.

In my previous example, I only wrote “…this essay will argue against that viewpoint.” This is a sort of thesis statement. I could have expanded it to say, “The first paragraph will look at reasons why it appears that cinemas will become obsolete, while the second will explore the continued relevance of cinemas in the digital era.” This is an example of an essay outline . However, there is a slight problem with this sort of sentence. While it undoubtedly adds value to an essay, it also adds to the word count, and to the length of time taken to write an essay. It is important to finish your essay within 40 minutes and also to spend time checking for errors. As such, writing an extra sentence or two could cost additional time that could be spent elsewhere. If you struggle with finishing in time, you should probably write a shorter introduction and ensure that you finish the whole essay. Advanced students, who can easily finish in time and wish to improve their score to a band 8.0 or 9.0, would do well to consider incorporating essay outlines for an improved structure. 

Another reason why we may choose to include a thesis statement or essay outline is that it improves the register of an essay. In other words, it makes it more formal . Whilst a question may ask for your opinion on an issue, writing “I think…” is less formal than writing “This essay will argue that…” By getting into the habit of writing this sort of sentence, you can reduce the number of personal pronouns and increase the formality of your essay, thereby improving its tone.

Here is an example from a problem and solution essay, which would not require a thesis statement, but would require an essay outline:

Despite the growing number of gyms and fitness centres, more and more people are leading a sedentary lifestyle in the modern society. What problems are associated with this? What solutions can you suggest?

In the twenty-first century, an unprecedented number of people are living sedentary lifestyles due to changes in our work and social habits. [DW1]   This is a seriously dangerous phenomenon and greatly threatens our health and happiness. [DW2]   This essay will look at the problems and solutions. [DW3]  

I could have expanded it slightly:

In the twenty-first century, an unprecedented number of people are living sedentary lifestyles due to changes in our work and social habits. This is a seriously dangerous phenomenon and greatly threatens our health and happiness. This essay will first look at the problems and then explore some solutions.

By adding these small extra details, I am giving a slightly more advanced guide to the essay. However, the difference is pretty minimal. This is something to consider for people aiming to make improvements and score band 7.0 or higher.

  [DW1] I have written a single sentence to introduce the topic, which essentially paraphrases the question.

  [DW2] This sentence develops the idea further.

  [DW3] Here, I outline in the most basic terms the function of the essay.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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4 Steps to write a band 9 IELTS essay introduction

4 Steps to write a band 9 essay introduction in IELTS writing Exam

Many test takers often do not know how to start writing an essay and might lose quite a lot of time before they actually start to write.

However, if you are well aware of a few simple steps you need to take, the process of writing an IELTS essay introduction will become quick and effortless.

IELTS Game will introduce four steps you should follow in order to write an effective introductory paragraph.

4 Steps to write a band 9 essay introduction for IELTS writing task 2

1. read the essay task carefully and make sure you understand what is required of you..

Essay prompts will often contain two or three sentences – to illustrate a situation and ask your opinion.

In task 2 examples below, note how you can be asked to provide answers to one or two questions:

You should be able to give answers to each of the question put by the essay task .

Step 2 to write Essay introduction

2. decide what your view on the topic is and brainstorm reasons for it.

Do you have enough of them? How will you order them?

It is possible that you will not be able to come up with arguments to support your point of view whereas there will be many ideas for the opposite side.

Go for the one you can write about, not the one you think is right.

IELTS examiners do not assess your opinion, they want to see how well you can express yourself.

By brainstorming ideas for your essay, you are also thinking of organizing them into a clear and logical order.

Sometimes test takers consider this as an unnecessary and time-consuming activity.

However, if you skip this step, you are running the risk of redoing parts of your essay later on, which in turn can not only look scruffy but more importantly will ruin cohesive structure of your essay.

Thus, do make sure you spend a few minutes considering your arguments and planning your structure.

Let us have a look at some ideas for  « In many cities today, most people live in large apartment blocks. Does this kind of accommodation has more advantages or disadvantages?» question.

Advantages:

• Closeness to other people
• Safer than living in houses
• Well-developed infrastructure
• The ability to enjoy nice views from higher floors

Disadvantages:

• Noise from neighbors

As there are more advantages on the list, the decision is made in their favour, regardless of whether we really feel that way.

3. Paraphrase the situation given in the essay task

By restating the IELTS task 2 essay prompt in other words, you let the examiner know that you understand it.

Use synonyms and different parts of speech as well as changing sentence structure for an effective paraphrase. For example:

Original: In many cities today, most people live in large apartment blocks.

Paraphrase: Many people in urban areas choose to reside in big blocks of apartments.

It is important for people to take risks IELTS writing task 2

Writing tips to score higher grades in assignments, how is a grammar checker important in creative writing, 4. write a thesis statement – a sentence in which you express your opinion.

Start with words and phrases showing that the opinion belongs to you (use a comma after it) and continue with your actual opinion. Going back to our example:

In my opinion, although living in an apartment has limitations such as noise disturbance and lack of gardens, advantages of such housing are far more.

Finally, the introductory paragraph is ready:

The Final Introduction

Many people in urban areas choose to reside in big blocks of apartments.   In my opinion, although living in an apartment has limitations such as noise disturbance and lack of gardens, advantages of such housing are far more.

You may also use the following phrases to introduce your opinion:

• In my opinion,
• From my point of view,
• I am confident that…
• I am convinced that…
• I personally feel that…

As you see, there is nothing difficult in writing an introduction for your essay, but it is a very important step. You just need to follow the simple rules, and your introduction will look perfect. Good luck!

• How to Write a Perfect Closing Paragraph for IELTS Essay?
• Top 5 Grammar rules you should know for IELTS writing task 1 & 2

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• Academic practice
• General practice
• Task 1 Academic
• Task 1 General
• Task 2 (essay)

IELTS Academic task 1 Lesson 1: how to write introduction?

You should start your task 1 answer by introducing the graph from your question. Just write 1-2 sentences to say what your graph shows and for what period of time (if there is one).

To do this, you need to paraphrase text from your task 1 question.  

Example of good introduction :

Question : The graphs below give information about computer ownership as a percentage of the population between 2002 and 2010, and by level of education for the years 2002 and 2010.

Introduction : The bar charts show data about computer ownership, with a further classification by level of education, from 2002 to 2010.

To write a good introduction, follow these techniques :

Change introductory expressions

the graph/chart/table/diagram

• gives information about/on
• provides information about/on
• illustrates
• gives reason why (only if graph provides reasons for smth)
• explains why (only if graph provides explanation for smth)
• compares (only if several items are compared)
• compares smth in terms of smth the charts compare two cities in terms of the number of employed people.
• compares smth in year1 and year2 the graph compares the population in 2000 and 2013.
• “The pie charts provide information on the proportion of males and females working in agricultural sector.” OR “The pie charts show the proportion of males and females working in agricultural sector.”
• “The table compares five companies in terms of the number of employees.” OR “The table illustrates the number of employees in five companies.”

Paraphrasing

You can rewrite a phrase by using the word how :

• shows the number of people ... = shows how many people ...
• depicts changes in spending on ... = depicts how much changed spending on ...

You can rewrite a phrase by using synonyms :

• number of = quantity of (not interchangeable with amount of )
• spending = expenditure
• rate = percentage
• ratio = proportion
• information = data
• change can be sometimes replaced by increase , decrease or variation
• share = portion
• place = site

Time periods

• from 1985 to 1995 = between 1985 and 1995
• in 1985 = in the year 1985
• in 1985 and 1995 = in 1985 and 1995 respectively = in the years 1985 and 1995
• The table shows consumption rates from 2001 to 2004.
• The graph shows consumption rates in 2012 and 2015 respectively.

Paraphrasing in use:

See how the topic was paraphrased to make a very good task 1 introduction (picture on the right).

• Show is changed to compare
• Percentages added
• Different added
• In 2007 and 2009 → In the years 2007 and 2009

As you see, you don't have to make up a completely new introduction. Just take the given topic as a base, and change/add some details.

Practice. Choose the correct options:

• The table shows the amount of students who study abroad in 2001 and 2011. The table shows the number of students who study abroad in 2001 and 2011.

Amount or number? Note that students are countable.

• The graph illustrate China's annual growth rate of exports of goods. The graph illustrates China's annual growth rate of exports of goods.

Look at the verb that follows the word graph . Hmm, the graph should be singular, so illustrates is the correct option.

• The line graph shows how many Finnish people went to the cinema between June and October 2014. The line graph shows how much Finnish people went to the cinema between June and October 2014.

You can say how much water or how much effort (these nouns are uncountable). But people are countable, so you should use how many in this case.

• The pie charts compare the world population of 1900 with 2000 . The pie charts compare the world population in 1900 and 2000 .

You should use phrase in + year , not of + year or at + year . Moreover, it seems like you compare population with year in the first sentence.

• The bar chart gives information about average household expenditure in Japan. The bar chart shows information about average household expenditure in Japan.

You can use either gives information about or shows , but not both at the same time.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a good introduction

Introductions are an important part of a Writing Task 2 essay. They let your examiner know what to expect from your essay. That’s why we have put together a quick list of tips you can use to write an effective introduction for Writing Task 2.

Content Tags

An introduction is important to the essay because it creates an initial impression in terms of the quality of your writing. A clear, well-organised and relevant introduction will most certainly create a positive first impression on the examiner. So, what makes up an effective introduction? Let’s take a look.  

Tip 1: Stop to read and analyse the question

In Writing Task 2, you need to address all the parts of the question or task in a relevant way. Because your introduction is the first step towards achieving this goal, you need to introduce your answer to all the different parts of the question. This is why it is important to take some time to read and analyse the task before you start writing, so you know exactly what you are being asked to write about. 

Tip 2: Begin with a general statement and then focus in on the details of the question

Writing Task 2 questions usually begin with a general statement before focusing in on more specific points or questions about the topic. Using a similar model in your own introduction is a great way to start your essay, but make sure that your general statement is clearly related to your topic and is not too broad. 

Tip 3: Use your own words

While it is perfectly acceptable for you to use the task as a guide for your introduction, make sure you do not copy material from the task.  

Copying the task word-for-word shows the examiner that you have a limited range of language, which can affect your band score. Instead, change the order of the information, use synonyms, and explain more complex ideas in your own words.  

It is also important not to use a memorised introduction where you insert words related to the question topic. Examiners read thousands of responses so can recognise memorised scripts.

Tip 4: State your position

In Writing Task 2, you will need to develop a position while exploring the different parts of the task. It is then important that you clearly state your position in your introduction. 

Tip 5: Explain how you plan to develop your essay

Even though this strategy can be considered as optional, briefly explaining how you plan to develop the topic can help you better organise your writing. It is also a good way to let the examiner know what you’ll be covering in the essay. 

Review your introduction

Don’t forget to re-read your introduction once you’ve finished writing your essay. It is common for test takers to begin their essays thinking about a specific argument, or a specific way to organise their writing but change their minds as they develop the topic. So, after completing your Writing Task 2, make sure that your final draft still matches your introduction. 

Now that we have gone over some important strategies for writing a good introduction for Writing Task 2, it’s time to look at a sample introduction. Start by reading and analysing the prompt, as mentioned in tip 1. Then, carefully read the sample introduction and notice the different strategies used, which have been highlighted for you.

Sample question

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy. 

The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?  

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

Write at least 250 words.

Sample introduction

General Statement: 

Nuclear technology has been around for many years.  

Details: 

Whether this technology is used for weapons of mass destruction or as a source of energy, many are of the belief that the use of nuclear energy has more advantages than disadvantages. 

Position: 

In my opinion, nuclear technology can indeed be a very efficient energy source. However, nuclear weapons possess such enormous destructive power that any benefits that this technology may offer to humankind are not enough to counter its potential devastating effects. 

Plan: 

This essay will address why the drawbacks of nuclear technology outweigh the benefits and will include relevant examples to support this position.

Just as an effective introduction will let the examiner know what they can expect from your essay, a good conclusion will remind them of the main points presented and will summarise what you want your examiner to remember from your writing. Check our blog for our post on strategies for writing a good conclusion! 

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Writing IELTS Introductions and Conclusions

In IELTS writing task 2 , the introduction and the conclusion are two of the most misunderstood paragraphs. Test takers often write too much or too little. Sometimes they struggle to write anything at all.

Many students overthink these paragraphs, especially the introduction, and try to write all the most impressive grammar and vocabulary they know.

So, just how important are the writing task 2 introduction and conclusion? What makes a solid introduction and how do you write a good conclusion? Find out below.

Introductions

The importance of the introduction.

Everyone knows that introductions are necessary for the IELTS writing task 2 essay but most people don't know why or what the introduction should include.

The introduction is truly a vital section of the essay. Without one, you will not get any higher than band score 5 in Coherence and Cohesion.

For the purposes of IELTS, your essay introduction is the examiner's first impression of your writing. It should allow the examiner to approximate where your band score might be. So, an examiner will understand, upon reading your introduction, if your IELTS essay is a 6-7, a 5-6 or a 7-8.

You will not be scored only on your introduction, of course, but it is important to write a strong introduction that is accurate, concise and uses solid grammar and vocabulary.

What the IELTS Essay introduction must contain

As mentioned earlier, many test-takers overthink the introduction and end up writing too much. What should a good introduction contain? Less than you think!

• rephrasing of the prompt
• your position

Rephrasing the prompt

Rephrasing the prompt is an important element of the IELTS Essay introduction. Not only does it show the examiner you have understood the question but it also shows your ability to successfully use novel vocabulary.

What should never be missing from the introduction is your position, yet this is frequently what keeps students from getting the band score they need.

Your position

Each IELTS writing prompt has a question or command. These include:

• Discuss both views and give your opinion
• To what extent do you agree/ disagree
• Discuss advantages and disadvantages

So, what is your position? Your direct response to any of those about commands/ questions. Your response needs to be clear and direct. Essentially, you need to directly answer the question in the introduction.

What the band descriptors say

At band 7 under Task Achievement we see, "presents a clear position throughout the response." The keyword here is throughout. Throughout means from the beginning to the end.

So, it is important that you make your position clear as early as your introduction if you hope to score 7 in Task achievement and this can be done when you answer the question in the introduction.

How do you rephrase the task?

Try using synonyms and different sentence structures to convey a similar meaning.

Do you have to rephrase every word?

You do not have to rephrase every word. Sometimes when test takers try to rephrase everything the result is very unnatural text. What you want to avoid is copying chunks of text. Chunks are phrases or groups of words.

Below is a sample IELTS writing task 2 prompt.

Communication through text messaging and other forms of instant online communication are short and basic. Some people think this will be the death of grammar and spelling. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample introduction

Nowadays, across the world, most people use text messages to communicate quickly and effectively. The speed of this communication, however, carries with it the risk of losing basic writing skills. In my opinion, this is a valid concern, given the minimal opportunity we have for proper writing these days, yet correct language usage will continue.

How is the prompt rephrased?

Communication through text messaging and other forms of instant online communication are short and basic. ->Nowadays, across the world, most people use text messages to communicate quickly and effectively.

Some people think this will be the death of grammar and spelling. -> The speed of this communication, however, carries with it the risk of losing basic writing skills.

The position

The writer's position shows partial agreement and briefly explains why: In my opinion, this is a valid concern, given the minimal opportunity we have for proper writing these days, yet correct language usage will continue.

Notice that in the introduction, not all the words were rephrased: communication, text messages and writing were not rephrased. However, no chunks of words were copied from the essay prompt and novel vocabulary was used.

Does the IELTS essay introduction need anything more?

Some students believe they need to write an extra sentence in their introduction, indicating that the essay will include evidence to support their arguments.

For example: This essay will address this issue, using examples and evidence to support my opinion.

Most IELTS examiners find this kind of sentence unnecessary as it doesn't add anything vital to the introduction and many times seems like a memorised phrase.

Remember that examiners are trained to spot memorized language so use language that is fairly academic but natural in your IELTS essay .

How introductions can go wrong

See the task below:

The Internet provides us with information about life and cultures of different countries, and some people say it is not necessary to visit these countries to learn about them. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your opinion and relevant examples.

Here is a sample introduction:

With the internet so prevalent today, some people believe it is no longer necessary to visit countries to learn about them. The internet provides us with information about different countries. I agree completely with this statement. In this essay, I will explain my viewpoint, discussing the negatives of travel.

Why it's problematic:

• Chunks of language are copied from the prompt
• The language is choppy - sentences are not linked together fluently
• The task 2 prompt does not ask you to discuss the negatives of travel. It wants to know if the internet has made it unnecessary to visit other countries.

Conclusions

The importance of the conclusion.

A good conclusion provides closure to your IELTS writing task 2. It should restate the main position you described in the introduction and leave the reader with a thoughtful but more general idea. Without a conclusion you cannot score above a band score of 5 in coherence and cohesion.

The conclusion is the last thing your examiner reads so it needs to be concise, accurate and without superfluous information.

How to write a good conclusion

• restate your position
• end with a thought-provoking idea or prediction

Restatement of your position

In your conclusion, you must first start off with your position. In many IELTS essays this means that you must give your opinion again. This should not be written though with the same language used in the introduction or in the body paragraphs. Novel vocabulary and different grammar should be included.

Thought-provoking idea or prediction

Leave the reader with something to think about on the topic. This could be a more general statement about how the essay topic affects the world more broadly or what you think may happen in the future with the issue in the essay.

What conclusions should not contain

IELTS essay conclusions should never include new ideas. Any new ideas you want to write should be incorporated into the body paragraphs.

Below is the sample IELTS writing task 2 prompt seen previously.

Sample conclusion

To conclude, while there is a risk of diluting language through continuous use of text messaging, I believe that this can be avoided. If we, as a society, continue reading regularly and consciously, language will survive and flourish.

Why it is a good conclusion

• The conclusion is brief - only two sentences long - but it incorporates the elements necessary to score well in IELTS writing task 2.
• The position is clearly stated -> while there is a risk of diluting language through continuous use of text messaging, I believe that this can be avoided.
• There is a prediction for the future related to the essay topic -> If we, as a society, continue reading regularly and consciously, language will survive and flourish.
• Advanced vocabulary is used -> diluting, continuous, consciously,flourish
• Advanced grammar is used in both sentences.

How conclusions can go wrong

Below is a sample IELTS writing task 2 prompt seen above.

Here is a sample conclusion

To conclude, travel is expensive, dangerous and time-consuming. We should avoid traveling and spend time with our friends and family instead. Recent studies have shown that when children spend time with their parents, both recorded feelings of well-being. In the future we will spend more time with our parents.

Why it's problematic

• The writing task was not about the negatives of travel
• The writer introduces new ideas in the conclusion
• There is a prediction but it is not related to the task
• No conclusions can be drawn on the actual issue in the prompt because the response is off topic

Here is another example that is representative of a band 7

To conclude, I believe the internet provides endless sources of information about the world around us but it can never replace travel fully. No internet site or application has yet to provide the transformative experience of travel nor do I think it ever will.

• The conclusion is brief - only two sentences long - but it incorporates the main points necessary to score well in IELTS writing task 2.
• The position is clearly stated -> I believe the internet provides endless sources of information about the world around us but it can never replace travel fully.
• There is a more general, thought-provoking idea related to the essay topic -> No internet site or application has yet to provide the transformative experience of travel nor do I think it ever will .
• Advanced vocabulary is used -> transformative experience
• Advanced grammar is used .

Both the introduction and conclusion are vital components of IELTS writing task 2 . They should be brief but well-structured.

They should be concise so that you can dedicate more time to your body paragraphs. Most importantly, they should answer the question so that the position is clear.

Learn more about how to successfully write all parts of the IELTS writing task 2 through the online course at IELTSPODCAST.COM. There, you will learn tips on how to quickly and effectively write ielts essays to get the band score you need.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips to Write an Effective Introduction

Updated On Oct 07, 2022

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Many IELTS test candidates devote a lot of effort to practising their essay writing. The main goal of the IELTS writing module is to evaluate the test-takers’ writing abilities. Particularly taking into account the elements of vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and the capacity for writing. Success in the IELTS writing test relies heavily on essay writing.

Have you ever felt challenging to write an essay in IELTS Writing task 2?

All IELTS learners (even IELTS teachers) reckon that the most difficult part of writing is how to get started. Getting started, or writing an introductory paragraph, can be easy if you remember that an introduction has four purposes:

• Introduce the topic of the essay.
• Arouses the reader’s interest in the topic.
• Indicates the overall “plan” of the essay.
• Tells reader what the essay is about

In the IELTS writing exam, the examiners are not looking for the interesting introduction as it is not assessed in your IELTS essay. In other words, there is no difference between the fascinating introductions and boring ones in IELTS exam. In addition, time is another pressure for IELTS Writing. You have to do a lot of things in your essay for the IELTS writing within 40 minutes, for example, analysing the statement, planning your essay, and proofreading it when you have finished, so actually you just have about 35 minutes to write your essay. There is not enough time for you to worry about having “a hook” in an introduction.

Basically, the introduction has two parts:

• General statements
• A thesis statement

You should aim for around 50 words for the length of your essays.

How to structure your introduction:

• Your introduction should be 2- 3 sentences
• Sentence 1 -2 :  General statement. Introduce the topic of the essay.
• Sentence 3:  Thesis statement. Keep it clear, and get to the point. “ While I agree that governments and individuals are spending a significant amount of money on those celebrations, I would argue that this activity is necessary and therefore can be considered acceptable.”

Beer in mind that specific examples from your own experience shouldn’t be included in the introduction paragraph (instead the body paragraph).

GENERAL STATEMENT:

General statements aim to:.

• introduce the topic of the essay
• give background information on the topic

How to write a general statement?

When it comes to writing a general statement, the first sentence in an introductory paragraph should be a very general comment about the subject. Each subsequent sentence should become more specific than the previous one and finally, lead into the thesis statement.

Make sure you do it by paraphrasing the statement of the question, which means you need to write it again with the same meaning but use your own words. This act helps you to increase your score in the IELTS writing test, for instance:

Question : In recent years some countries have experienced very rapid economic development . This has resulted in much higher standards of living in urban areas but not in the countryside. This situation may bring some problems for the country as a whole. What are these problems? How might they be reduced?

General Statement : It seems to be an increasingly widespread concern for the effects of urbanisation with the imbalance in living standards between the city and the outskirt.

Obviously, you can see in this example; the writer used the different vocabularies with the same meaning to introduce also give the background information on the topic.

THESIS STATEMENT:

What is the definition of thesis statement.

A thesis statement is usually a sentence to offer a concise summary of the main point or claim of your IELTS essays and follows the general statement. It is critically important in your IELTS writing task 2 because it is your answer or your opinion/point of view about the given topic in the Writing test. It will guide IELTS examiner what your essay is about and help keep your argument focused.

So don’t get it mixed up with the general statement which tells the reader what topic of your essay is at the beginning of your introduction.

So, how to write a good thesis statement?

There are a range of essay question types in IELTS Writing Task 2, namely:

• Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
• Discussion (Discuss both view)
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Problem and Solution
• Two-part Question

  The first thing we need to do is to identify which type of question it is and look at the action words. For example, in the question below the action words are ‘do you agree or disagree?’

Question: The government and individuals are spending too much money on national celebrations like new year or festivals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

We, therefore, need to tell IELTS examiner clearly whether we agree or disagree, and this will influence our thesis statement. So, the thesis statement should be as follows:

People have different views about whether public expenditure on national occasions such as new year or festivals is too much nowadays. While I agree that governments and individuals are spending a significant amount of money on those celebrations, I would argue that this activity is necessary and therefore can be considered acceptable.

As can be seen, the above sentence makes it crystal clear to IELTS examiner what you think about the question. The rest of your IELTS essay will go on supporting this thesis statement.

How does the thesis statement change with different types of question?

We will now look at how thesis statements can vary with different question types. However, you should not try to learn set phrases or sentences to fit certain essays.

The golden rule is to  always read the question very carefully  and figure out what you have to do.

Your thesis statement will then follow on from this, depending on what you have decided you need to write about in order to answer the question.

Sample thesis statements for 5 essay question types in IELTS Writing Task 2:

• Opinion (Agree or Disagree) Topic: Too much emphasis is placed on going university for academic study. People should be encouraged to do vocational training, because there is a lack of qualified tradespeople such as electricians or plumbers. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Thesis statement: It goes without saying that society always needs a skilled workforce to function. Employees of different professions contribute differently to the thriving of the community, and therefore I disagree with the statement that vocational courses should be given any more weight than before.
• Discussion (Discuss both view) Topic: Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both views and give your opinion Thesis statement: Many people show preference for repeating their daily routine while others always look for change as they believe change would bring more benefits. In my opinion, I would agree with the latter point of view.
• Advantages and Disadvantages Topic: Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both views and give your opinion Thesis statement: Many people show preference for repeating their daily routine while others always look for change as they believe change would bring more benefits. In my opinion, I would agree with the latter point of view.
• Problem and Solution Topic: There is a general increase in anti-social behaviours and lack of respect for others. What are the causes and solutions? Thesis statement: The widespread problem of anti-social behaviours and disrespectful attitudes towards others has long been a major topic of concern in society. Some of the major culprits of this problem will be discussed before the most important solutions are drawn.
• Two-part Question Topic: Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.  In what ways has technology affected the types of personal relationships?  Has this become a positive or negative development? Thesis statement: Rapid advances in technology have undoubtedly affected the way we interact in various ways. While some of this change can exert a negative impact on the way we communicate with each other, my view is that overall modern technology typically improves communication in personal relationships.

Below are two potential introductions with different thesis statements for IELTS essay question. Choose which one is better.

IELTS Essay Question:

Some people believe increasing business and cultural contacts between countries is a positive development while others argue that it is a threat to the identity of a nation? Discuss both views and give your opinion?

Introduction:

Intro 1: It is sometimes argued that increasing business and cultural contacts between countries are a positive development. I believe that the trend is a threat to identity a nation.

Intro 2: It is sometimes argued that increasing business and cultural contacts between countries  is a positive development. Such positive elements include increased employment prospects, increased commerce, and increased multilateral harmony. However, I believe that this trend is a threat to the identity of a nation.

IELTS examiner’s comment:

Intro 2 is the better one. A better thesis statement (and an increase in coherence) would be to state what the reasons’ are. For example, sentence two could be “Such positive elements include increased employment prospects, increased commerce, and increased multilateral harmony.” Remember that a clear position throughout is a key feature of TR and a strong thesis statement is a great start to alert the examiner that you making your position very clear in the beginning. (notice that the above use of increased’ three times in this context is an effective writing technique)

I hope the tips mentioned above could help you to hike up your IELTS score in the IELTS writing test! Stay tune for the latest update on IELTS Material website.

Don’t forget to keep practicing to write an introduction to get yourself familiarized with the IELTS test and get the high score in IELTS.

You can also write your own introduction in the comment boxes below to receive feedback from us!

Also check :

• Tips to Improve IELTS Writing Skills
• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• IELTS Band 9 essays
• Advantage and Disadvantage Essays
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet
• IELTS map vocabulary
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

Eplore other Writing Task 2 Articles

Kasturika Samanta

Raajdeep Saha

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Posted on Jan 7, 2017

It seems that countries in the globe are enhancing their business and cultural interaction with each other. Although some people consider it a sinister to a nation identity, I think that it is a positive development. It will bring increased employment prospects, increased commerce, and increased bilateral harmony. In addition, this essay will also discuss how the identity of a nation can be kept safe with these activities by adopting some procedures.

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IELTS Writing task 2 - Tips for crafting a strong introduction and conclusion

Find out the tips for crafting a strong introduction and conclusion in IELTS Writing task 2

Crafting a compelling introduction and conclusion is very important in IELTS Writing task 2 , as they serve as the gateway to engage the reader and leave a lasting impression. A strong introduction captures the reader's attention, establishes the topic's relevance, and presents a clear thesis statement, while a well-crafted conclusion provides a concise summary of the main points and offers a thoughtful final perspective. By following effective strategies and following essential guidelines, you can improve your IELTS Writing performance and maximise your chances of achieving success in this crucial section.

Tips for writing a strong introduction in the IELTS Writing task 2

Here are the 5 tips for you to consider when practicing writing a good introduction on the IELTS Writing task 2 :

Tip 1: Thoroughly read and analyse the question

To effectively address all aspects of the question or task in a meaningful manner, it is essential to dedicate time to carefully read and analyse the prompt. Your introduction acts as the initial step towards accomplishing this objective, as it introduces your response to each component of the question. Therefore, taking a moment to comprehend and dissect the task before commencing your writing allows you to fully grasp the precise focus and requirements of the prompt, enabling you to provide a comprehensive and relevant answer.

Tip 2: Start with a general statement and focus on the specifics of the question

In most instances, Writing task 2 usually starts with a general statement that gradually narrows down to specific points or inquiries pertaining to the given topic. Using a similar approach in your introduction can be an effective method to initiate your essay. However, it is crucial to ensure that your general statement maintains a clear connection to the topic and avoids being overly broad.

By striking the right balance, you can provide an engaging introduction that captures the reader's attention while remaining focused on the task at hand.

Tip 3: Use your original language

While it is undoubtedly acceptable for you to use the task structure as a guide for your introduction, it is important to avoid copying its content. Directly replicating the content raises concerns about your language proficiency and may impact your band score negatively.

Instead, try to rephrase the information, rearrange its structure, use synonyms, and express intricate concepts using your own words. Moreover, it is essential to steer clear of using memorised introductions that involve inserting preconceived phrases related to the question topic.

Skilled examiners evaluate numerous responses, enabling them to identify scripted responses, so prioritising originality should be your first concern when writing an introduction.

Tip 4: Clearly express your stance

When approaching the IELTS Writing task 2, it is crucial to delve into the various aspects of the task. Consequently, it is essential to express and state your opinions in the introduction.

Tip 5: Outline how you plan to approach your essay

While this approach may be seen as an option, providing a concise explanation of how you intend to expand on the topic can assist in structuring your writing effectively. Additionally, it serves as a helpful guide for the examiner, offering insight into the content you will address in your essay.

Review your introductory paragraph

Remember to reread your introduction after completing your essay. It is common for test takers to initially start with a specific argument or organisational structure, but as they explore the topic, they may change their perspectives. Hence, once you finish Writing task 2, it is crucial to ensure that your final draft aligns with your introduction.

Now that we have covered essential techniques for crafting a strong introduction in Writing task 2, let's proceed to examine a sample introduction. Begin by reading and analysing the prompt, as discussed in tip

Then, carefully examine the sample introduction, paying attention to the highlighted strategies.

Sample question

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy. The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.Write at least 250 words.

Sample introduction (Answer)

General statement:.

Nuclear technology has been around for many years.

Whether this technology is used for weapons of mass destruction or as a source of energy, many are of the belief that the use of nuclear energy has more advantages than disadvantages.

In my opinion, nuclear technology can indeed be a very efficient energy source. However, nuclear weapons possess such enormous destructive power that any benefits that this technology may offer to humankind are not enough to counter its potentially devastating effects.

This essay will address why the drawbacks of nuclear technology outweigh the benefits and will include relevant examples to support this position.

Similar to how a well-crafted introduction informs the examiner about the content of your essay, a strong conclusion serves to reinforce the key points presented and provides a summary of the essential aspects you want the examiner to retain from your writing. Be sure to read further for insightful information on effective strategies for composing a compelling conclusion!

Tips for writing a strong conclusion in the IELTS Writing task 2

Tip 1: connect your conclusion to the introductory paragraph.

Consider your introduction and conclusion as integral parts of a cohesive whole, as they should be closely intertwined. Ensure that you:

Revisit the concepts or themes you initially introduced

Provide additional perspectives gained from exploring the body of your essay.

Tip 2: Summarise the primary arguments of your essay

In your conclusion, it is crucial to offer a concise overview of the key points discussed in your essay. However, it is essential to avoid repetition. Instead, demonstrate to the examiner how your arguments and the supporting evidence seamlessly interconnect.

Tip 3: Steer clear of repeating things

While summarising the primary points of your essay, refrain from echoing the language used in your body paragraphs. Try to imply diverse vocabulary and sentence structures to avoid repetitive patterns. This approach will demonstrate to the examiner your ability to utilise a broader range of vocabulary and grammatical constructions.

Tip 4: Express your personal viewpoint

When undertaking Writing task 2, it is important to present your opinion in the form of an essay. If you reach the concluding paragraph and realise that you have omitted your viewpoint, ensure that you use it in your conclusion to ensure clarity.

Tip 5: Avoid introducing new arguments

Ensure that your conclusion does not introduce fresh points. Remember that the purpose of your closing paragraph is to provide a sense of finality to your essay, rather than introducing novel ideas.

To Implement these tips into practice

After exploring various strategies for crafting a compelling conclusion, it is crucial to understand how these techniques work together to seamlessly conclude an essay. To illustrate this, let's examine a sample question, introductory paragraph, and conclusion. Observe how to use all five tips to create a cohesive ending.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Sample conclusion (Answer)

Nuclear technology is extremely dangerous. Even though nuclear weapons have only been used twice, in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, evidence from these actions, as well as from nuclear accidents such as the Chernobyl disaster, are irrefutable proof of the disastrous effects of nuclear technology. Even in the absence of nuclear accidents, nuclear power inevitably produces radioactive waste, which is severely damaging to our bodies. Our best protection against these dangers is to simply not use nuclear technology. Instead, we should look for alternative ways to produce sustainable energy and achieve world peace by spreading a message of tolerance, kindness, and non-violence.

If you review the main points in the example conclusion above:

The destructive power of nuclear weapons

The disastrous consequences of nuclear disasters

The harmful effects of radioactive waste

You will see the writer reminds the examiner (reader) of the importance of their main ideas while summarising how this point fits well with the examples provided in the body of the essay.To finish, you can see how the writer highlights their proposed course of action, which helps the essay end on a positive note.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 introduction: a better way to start your essay

By ieltsetc on May 12, 2020

The IELTS Writing Task 2 introduction causes a lot of controversy. Should you paraphrase the question in the introduction? Should you always give your opinion?

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Reader Interactions

November 16, 2022 at 9:07 am

Hi Nguyễn Trung Hiếu

That’s a lot of questions! Perhaps you’d like to book a coaching hour with me or join the Academy where we have regular Q&A sessions. Best wishes Fiona

October 12, 2022 at 1:09 pm

Dear Ms. Fiona, I want to ask you some questions about IELTS Writing. 1. One problem I faced when a person said to me “You can find contradictions in both different dictionaries and English professors. That is why English is both an art and a science” This statement give me a scenario that show the unclearliness to evaluate which languages is formal or informal, OR which ones is suitable for IELTS Writing for IELTS Speaking. Can it suffer IELTS Candidate’s score in IELTS Speaking and Writing? * Further one I see is related to the usage of ‘proverbs’ and ‘rhetorical questions’ in IELTS Writing Task 1 (even in writing models of some IELTS real reliable expert and ex-examiner) Example to clarify my problem – First example with the usage of “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” – a proverb “However, the look of the building is also important because of the role of art in everyday life. Architecture is often considered one of the original and purest forms of artistic expression. I am reminded of a quote from Pablo Picasso who said ‘Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.’ Imagine a city filled with ugly, utilitarian structures like many Soviet-era buildings. These buildings will not lift people’s spirits or encourage them to contemplate the intended message. Contrast this with a city where architects have been given free rein to be artists. As long as the buildings are also functional, you will find a city filled with beauty and provocation that enhances life for its inhabitants. The outward appearance does not have to be beautiful, but it has a responsibility to contribute something to enrich the lives of everyday people.” (This text is derived from a sample answer of former examiner) – Second example with rhetorical questions “In some types of work, qualifications are less important. With manual jobs, such as cleaning and laboring, there is very little theoretical knowledge required. Thus, employers are more likely to seek people with a good working knowledge of the job and what it entails. However, even in these jobs it is important for people to have a minimum level of education, especially if they want to rise above the lowest working level. How can a person without good writing and mathematical skills balance a budget, or deal with legal or safety issues? Therefore, qualifications matter even in more practical types of work.” (This text is from a model answer of an IELTS test writer) 2. I have some questions about your Members Academy. – You mentioned when attending your academy, I can 2-minute speaking recording every week to hand in to receive your feedback. It’s similar to 8 x Fiona’s Speaking & Pronunciation Analysis and Correction, isn’t it? If yes, do you offer feedback and correction about a member’s IELTS Speaking full test (15-minute test) to give an estimated score. – If becoming a member of Coaching & Course, in addition to fixed courses you give, can I access any new lessons or new practices every week? – Do you offer any live lessons about IELTS Writing or Speaking? I always know more about it? – Can I ask you the extra costs if I want to receive more Writing feedbacks besides 8 fixed full writing tasks in Members Academy?

My questions are too long, but I really hope you will answer them. I look forward to seeing your answer. Yours Sincerely,

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IELTS Writing Tasks How to Write Task 2 Introductions

To score highly for IELTS writing tasks, you need to impress the examiner from the very first sentence. This lesson will show you how.

In it you’ll learn:

• Why the introduction is so important
• The 3 part structure
• 4 common mistakes to avoid
• How to write a great introduction

Want  to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

Why the Introduction is So Important

Beginning your IELTS writing tasks well will immediately start stacking up the marks for both Task Achievement and Coherence and Cohesion which together carry 50% of the marks.

A good introduction does several things:

• It gives an excellent first impression.
• It shows the examiner that you understand the question.
• It gives the examiner a brief overview of what you’ll cover in the rest of the essay.
• It focuses your thoughts and keeps you on track while writing.

The 3 Part Structure

A good introduction has a simple 3 part structure:

• Paraphrased question

Thesis statement

Outline statement.

This structure can be used for any type of question. It should:

• Have 2-3 sentences
• Be 40-60 words long
• Take 5 minutes to write

Before I show you how to write good introductions to Task 2 IELTS writing tasks, I want to flag up some common errors students make to help you avoid them.

4 Common Mistakes

# 1  not being specific enough.

It’s tempting to start your essay with a general statement about the topic of the question. Don’t do this. You need to be very specific. Here’s an illustration of a poor opening sentence.

Everybody should become a vegetarian because eating meat can cause serious health problems. 

• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Bad first sentence:

These days, many people are worried about their health and changing their diet is one way that they try to improve it.

This is not a question about health in general but one specifically about becoming a vegetarian for health reasons.

A good first sentence will paraphrase the question, that is, it will state the same information using different language and often, a different sentence structure as well.

We’ll be looking at paraphrasing and an example of a good first sentence later in this lesson.

# 2  Not writing a thesis statement

A thesis statement is a summary of the main idea of your essay. When the examiner reads it, they will instantly know whether or not you have understood the question correctly. It also acts as an outline for the rest of your essay.

This makes the thesis statement the most important sentence in your essay. If you get it right, you will have got off to the perfect start.

There’s an easy to remember formula for writing thesis statements which we’ll be studying below. For now, here’s an example relating to our sample question.

Thesis statement : This essay agrees that the world’s population should stop consuming meat due to the related health risks.

Note the use of synonyms to paraphrase the question.

# 3  Not stating your opinion

Task 2 IELTS writing tasks generally require you to give your opinion. Usually, this will be clearly stated in the question. For example, the instruction might say,

        or

• Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

In other questions, it won’t be so clear that this is what you should do. For example,

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world?

However, your opinion – the main idea of your essay – is still required. If you always include it in the introduction, as well as throughout your essay, you won’t go wrong.

# 4  Using inappropriate language

For Task 2 essays, you must use formal language. Most students understand this.

However, many candidates make the mistake of trying to use clever or complex language to add interest or to show off their high-level language skills.

Keep tight control of your language. This is a very short essay and you don’t have the time or space to get carried away with elaborate words and phrases.

Get the information across quickly and succinctly using everyday language that includes topic words and their synonyms.

Most importantly, use the language correctly. The more complex you make it, the more errors you’re likely to make.

I show you how to write essay introductions for each of the 5 question types on their individual pages where I go into everything in much more detail.

Opinion Essays  – Agree or Disagree

Discussion Essays

Problem Solution Essays  + Causes & Solutions

Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

Double Question Essays

For the rest of this page, I’ll go through just one example to illustrate some of the points I’ve made.

How To Write a Great Introduction

Here’s a reminder of the 3 part structure you should use for all task 2 IELTS writing tasks.

Paraphrased Question

Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question.

Some young people are leaving the countryside to live in cities and towns, leaving only old people in the countryside.

Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

Paraphrased question:   The migration of the younger generation to urban areas is leaving many rural locations populated predominantly by the elderly.

Note the use of synonyms for many of the keywords. For example,

• young people – younger generation
• countryside – rural locations
• cities and towns – urban areas
• leaving – migration
• old people – the elderly

You don’t have to replace them all but do so where possible without making the sentence sound awkward.

It’s fine to repeat one or two words. Don’t spend too much time trying to think of synonyms or use ones you are not 100% sure are correct.

The thesis statement states your opinion on the topic. In most instances, you simply need to decide whether to agree or disagree with it and to reiterate the main idea of the statement. For example,

Thesis statement:  This essay argues that the loss of young people from the rural landscape has problematic consequences.

This thesis statement states the opinion of the writer and paraphrases the question again in a way that makes this view clear.

Finally in the introduction, you must outline the two main points that you’ll cover in the rest of the essay. This acts as a guide to the examiner and also helps to keep you focused and on track as you write.

Do it in one sentence, or you can add them onto the end of the thesis statement if appropriate.

Outline statement:   The two most serious are, the depletion of the rural workforce and the loss of local education facilities.

These two ideas will become your two main body paragraphs.

• Main body paragraph 1 – the depletion of the rural workforce . 
• Main body paragraph 2 – the loss of local education facilities.

The Finished Introduction

So now, let’s pull the whole introduction together.

Final introduction:

The migration of the younger generation to urban areas is leaving many rural locations populated predominantly by the elderly.  This essay argues that the loss of young people from the rural landscape has problematic consequences.  The two most serious are, the depletion of the rural workforce and the loss of local education facilities.

These three sentences exactly follow the 3 part structure I showed you for creating introductions to task 2 IELTS writing tasks and also avoid the common mistakes I outlined above.

This short paragraph would be an excellent introduction to an essay on this topic.

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More help with ielts writing tasks.

IELTS Writing Test  – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.

IELTS Writing Tips  – Top 10 tips to bring you success in your writing test. Essential information you need to know to achieve a high score.

IELTS Writing Task 2  – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.

The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay   – How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure for each essay type.

Understanding Task 2 Questions  – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay  – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.

How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs  – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid. 

How To Write Task 2 Conclusions  – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

Task 2 Marking Criteria  – Find out how to meet the marking criteria in Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.

   Opinion Essays

   Discussion Essays

  Problem Solution Essays

  Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

  Double Question Essays

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IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a good introduction

Introductions are an important part of a Writing Task 2 essay. They let your examiner know what to expect from your essay. That’s why we have put together a quick list of tips you can use to write an effective introduction for Writing Task 2.

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An introduction is important to the essay because it creates an initial impression in terms of the quality of your writing. A clear, well-organised and relevant introduction will most certainly create a positive first impression on the examiner. So, what makes up an effective introduction? Let’s take a look.  

Tip 1: Stop to read and analyse the question

In Writing Task 2, you need to address all the parts of the question or task in a relevant way. Because your introduction is the first step towards achieving this goal, you need to introduce your answer to all the different parts of the question. This is why it is important to take some time to read and analyse the task before you start writing, so you know exactly what you are being asked to write about. 

Tip 2: Begin with a general statement and then focus in on the details of the question

Writing Task 2 questions usually begin with a general statement before focusing in on more specific points or questions about the topic. Using a similar model in your own introduction is a great way to start your essay, but make sure that your general statement is clearly related to your topic and is not too broad. 

Tip 3: Use your own words

While it is perfectly acceptable for you to use the task as a guide for your introduction, make sure you do not copy material from the task.  

Copying the task word-for-word shows the examiner that you have a limited range of language, which can affect your band score. Instead, change the order of the information, use synonyms, and explain more complex ideas in your own words.  

It is also important not to use a memorised introduction where you insert words related to the question topic. Examiners read thousands of responses so can recognise memorised scripts.

Tip 4: State your position

In Writing Task 2, you will need to develop a position while exploring the different parts of the task. It is then important that you clearly state your position in your introduction. 

Tip 5: Explain how you plan to develop your essay

Even though this strategy can be considered as optional, briefly explaining how you plan to develop the topic can help you better organise your writing. It is also a good way to let the examiner know what you’ll be covering in the essay. 

Review your introduction

Don’t forget to re-read your introduction once you’ve finished writing your essay. It is common for test takers to begin their essays thinking about a specific argument, or a specific way to organise their writing but change their minds as they develop the topic. So, after completing your Writing Task 2, make sure that your final draft still matches your introduction. 

Now that we have gone over some important strategies for writing a good introduction for Writing Task 2, it’s time to look at a sample introduction. Start by reading and analysing the prompt, as mentioned in tip 1. Then, carefully read the sample introduction and notice the different strategies used, which have been highlighted for you.

Sample question

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy. 

The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?  

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

Write at least 250 words.

Sample introduction

General Statement: 

Nuclear technology has been around for many years.  

Details: 

Whether this technology is used for weapons of mass destruction or as a source of energy, many are of the belief that the use of nuclear energy has more advantages than disadvantages. 

Position: 

In my opinion, nuclear technology can indeed be a very efficient energy source. However, nuclear weapons possess such enormous destructive power that any benefits that this technology may offer to humankind are not enough to counter its potential devastating effects. 

Plan: 

This essay will address why the drawbacks of nuclear technology outweigh the benefits and will include relevant examples to support this position.

Just as an effective introduction will let the examiner know what they can expect from your essay, a good conclusion will remind them of the main points presented and will summarise what you want your examiner to remember from your writing. Check our blog for our post on strategies for writing a good conclusion! 

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How to write IELTS agree disagree essay introductions!

Hey! Today Nick and I are trying a new style of lesson. Instead of giving you lots of information about one topic, we are going to break down one element of essay writing – how to write an introduction to an IELTS agree disagree essay. Join us to learn the three ingredients that you need to write an introduction well (they may not be what you expect) and how you can tackle questions that include “some people” or a background statement.

By the end of the short lesson, you should be able to write an introduction to any agree / disagree essay with ease, which should give you more time to tackle the body of the essay, which is where all of the points are to be gained.

Below, you can find a summary of the episode, which includes all of the links to useful materials and the times of each part of the discussion (so you can go directly to the part you want to listen to)   🚀

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The three ingredients for a great IELTS agree disagree essay introduction

In IELTS writing, there are no real points to be gained in the introduction. If you take a look at the band descriptors, you will see that most points for Task Response come from your paragraphs in the body of the essay, where you need relevant arguments that are well developed (and if you don’t know how to write those, you can take at this recent blog post ).

However, that does not mean that your introduction is not important.

What you write here will be the first thing that the examiner reads and you really do want to make a good first impression. Plus, the introduction will be the place where you first clearly express your opinion, and this really is an important element of Task Response , so you want to make sure that you get it right.

The good news is that there are just three ingredients in a good introduction for an IELTS agree disagree essay, and if you spend as little as 30 minutes practicing them, you will be able to write one in your exam without even thinking! That will give you more time and brain space to focus on the body. So, what are the three ingredients?

1. Introduce the general topic of the essay

Many students write IELTS agree disagree introductions in the following way:

• Paraphrase the task in the first sentence
• Write a memorised sentence such as “I agree with this statement and will explain why in the following paragraphs”

We do NOT recommend that you use this approach. Firstly, the second sentence here is entirely memorised so will be discounted by the examiner as it can be used in any essay. More importantly, no English writer would ever present their opinion in this way. There is no need at all to present your opinion in a separate sentence.

As we will see in a moment, you can easily present your view along with the paraphrase in ONE sentence. 

If you do this, you will have space in your introduction for an opening sentence that introduces the general idea of the essay. There are no “models” for these sentences, but some useful structures are:

• Nowadays, the number of people suffering from obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. = CHANGE STILL IN PROGRESS
• Nowadays, more people than ever  use  social media to keep in touch with family and friends  = FACT
• Recently , the number of electric cars on the road has increased. = CHANGE FINISHED
• Being able to speak a foreign language is one of the most important skills that a person can have in the modern world.

Want to learn how maximise your writing score with an ex-examiner? Then why not find out more about our Gold Writing Package . It contains everything you need to get a 7.0+ in Writing Task One and Task Two.

2. Present your opinion

This should be the easiest sentence that you write in the introduction. If you agree in an IELTS agree disagree essay, you will simply start the sentence by saying “I agree” and then paraphrase the task. If you disagree, you will do the same, but you will start the sentence with “I disagree”.

• I agree that countries should invest in railways instead of roads.
• I disagree that countries should invest in railways instead of roads.

In the episode, Nick and I will discuss how you can paraphrase well by identifying words that CANNOT be paraphrased, and changing the word order. The easiest way to tell if you have paraphrased well is to give your paraphrase to a friend and check that they can understand it. If they cannot, try again.

Remember that it is better to use a word directly from the prompt than to replace it with a word that does not have a clear meaning.

3. Make sure you have good cohesion

The final ingredient in our introduction to an IELTS agree disagree essay will be adding a few words to make sure that you have good coherence and cohesion. Firstly, you will need to add a transition signal between the first and second sentence in your introduction. This will either be “However” or “In fact” depending on the relationship between the first sentence and your opinion.

Take these introductions for example. My opinion is the same (I agree) but the transition is different as in the first introduction, there is contrast between the opening sentence and my opinion sentence, and in the second introduction there is not.

Cleaning is not usually a job that people look forward to. However, I agree with those who feel that having a tidy, well-organised home or workplace is important.   Cleaning is a common chore that most people have to complete on a regular basis. In fact,  I agree with those who feel that having a tidy, well-organised home or workplace is important.

Then, to complete your introduction, you should foreshadow the structure that are going to use by telling the examiner how many paragraphs that they should expect to read. To do this, all you need to do is add “for 2 main reasons” or “for three main reasons” to the end of your introduction (depending on how many reasons you are going to offer!)

Cleaning is not usually a job that people look forward to. However, I agree with those who feel that having a tidy, well-organised home or workplace is important for two main reasons .

Let’s practice writing IELTS agree disagree introductions together!

This week, we want you to work as hard as we do, so we are inviting you to write your own introductions to the following questions as you listen to the lesson.

Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 

Some people say it is important to keep your home and workplace tidy, with everything organised in the correct place. What is your opinion about this?

Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar. Do you agree or disagree?

Every year several languages die out. Some people think that this is not important because life will be easier if there are fewer languages in the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

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