WRITING INTRODUCTION
FOR AN IELTS WRITING TASK 2 ESSAY
Lesson objectives:
After the lesson, students will be able to:
- Understand the purpose of Introduction in an IELTS Writing
Task 2 essay
- Know the steps to write a good introduction in an IELTS
Writing Task 2 essay
- Know and apply suggested structures in the Introduction in 4
question types of essay
1. General knowledge about Introduction
a. Purpose: The introduction aims at providing 2 things:
- Background information
+ The topic
+ The aspect of the topic being dealt with
- Writer’s opinion
+ The position taken by the writer to the topic
b. 2 parts of the introduction
General statement(s): give the reader the background
information about an essay. They should lead the reader gradually
from a general idea to a very specific one.
A thesis statement:
+ to clearly and concisely state your position on the issue
+ to provide an answer to the question
+ to provide a roadmap for the rest of the essay
c. Target time: 5 minutes
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d. Steps:
Step 1: Identify what the Question GIVES
Step 2: Identify what the Question ASKS
Step 3: Write General Statement: Restate what
the Question GIVES
Step 4: Write Thesis Statement: Answer ALL
questions + GUIDE/ROADMAP to the essay +
show your POSITION
2. Introduction for the four types of essays
Type The question GIVES… The question ASKS…
Opinion (a fact) + a controversial To what extent do you
idea agree or disagree with
the controversial idea?
Discussion 1 2 views Discuss both views and
give your opinion.
Discussion 2 (a fact) + 2 sides of an Do the benefits
issue (advantages & outweigh the
disadvantages) drawbacks?
List essays A fact/a growing 2 out of the 4 following
phenomenon things:
- Causes
- Effects
- Problems
- Solutions
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2-part A fact 2-3 questions
questions
a. Opinion essay
The question GIVES… General Statement
Restate what the Question GIVES
(a fact) + a controversial idea Fact: It is true that …
Controversial idea: It is sometimes
argued that …
The question ASKS… Thesis Statement
Answer ALL questions +
GUIDE/ROADMAP to the essay +
show your POSITION
To what extent do you agree or Agree: I completely agree that …
disagree with the controversial would be a good idea
idea? Disagree: In my opinion, it would
be inappropriate/nonsensical/wrong to
do something.
Partly agree: While I disagree with
the idea of V-ing (weaker view), I do
believe that + clause (stronger view).
Example:
Topic 3: Some people believe that unpaid community service
should be a compulsory part of high school programs. To what
extent do you agree/disagree?
Citizans is convinced by unsalaried public service shouldn’t be optional
programs in high school. In my opinion, it would be nonsensical to order a
student to do this kind of work.
Plan for the Introduction:
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- Background information: community service for all teenagers
- Answer/Position – 3 choices: agree, disagree, or partly
agree/disagree (when possible)
Introduction:
General statement: It is sometimes argued that high school
students should be made to do some work in their local
communities.
Thesis statement: agree, disagree, partly agree
Agree: I completely agree that this kind of scheme would be a
good idea
Disagree: In my opinion, it would be
inappropriate/nonsensical/wrong to force teenagers to do this
kind of unsalaried work.
Partly agree: While I disagree with the idea of making such
programs compulsory, I do believe that community service could
benefit young people
This Thesis Statement provides a roadmap to the essay
because:
+ “While I disagree with the idea that….” is followed with your first
argument, and you’re going to use this idea here as the main theme
of the first paragraph
+ “I do believe that….” is followed with your second argument, and
you’re going to use the idea here for your second paragraph.
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b. Discussion essay
Discussion 1
The question GIVES… General Statement
Restate what the Question GIVES
2 views People hold different views about +
noun phrase + as opposed to + noun
phrase.
Or
People hold different views about
whether … or …
The question ASKS… Thesis Statement
Answer ALL questions +
GUIDE/ROADMAP to the essay +
show your POSITION
Discuss both views and give your While there are some benefits to + V-
opinion. ing, I believe that … is more …
Example:
Topic 1: Some people think that it is more effective for students to
study in groups, while others believe that it is better for them to
study alone. Discuss both views and give your opinion?
People hold different view about the effective of studying alone or
studying in group…Whilw there are some benefits to studying
alone, neither I believe that group study is better.
Plan for the Introduction:
- Background information: study in groups or alone
- Answer/Position: sometimes better alone, usually better in a
group
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Introduction: People hold different views about the
effectiveness of group study as opposed to working alone. While
there are some benefits to studying independently, I believe that
group work is usually more productive.
Discussion 2
The question GIVES… General Statement
Restate what the Question GIVES
(a fact) + 2 sides of an issue Fact: It is true that …
(advantages & disadvantages)
The question ASKS… Thesis Statement
Answer ALL questions +
GUIDE/ROADMAP to the essay +
show your POSITION
Do the benefits/advantages outweigh While I understand that + clauses
the drawbacks/disadvantages? (drawback), I believe that there are
more benefits than drawbacks.
Or
While I understand that + clauses
(benefits), I believe that there are
more drawbacks than benefits.
Example:
Topic 2: In many cities, the use of video cameras in public places is
being increased in order to reduce crime, but some people believe
that these measures restrict our individual freedom. Do the benefits
of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?
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It is true that more and more video camreras have been setup in
public places. While I understand that
Plan for the Introduction:
- Background information: the use of video cameras in public
places, reduce crime, restrict our individual freedom
- Answer/Position: drawbacks are understandable, but more
benefits than drawbacks
Introduction: It is true that video surveillance has become
commonplace in many cities in recent years. While I understand
that critics may see this as an invasion of privacy, I believe that
there are more benefits than drawbacks.
c. List essays
The question GIVES… General Statement
Restate what the Question GIVES
A fact/a growing phenomenon Fact: It is true that …
The question ASKS… Thesis Statement
Answer ALL questions +
GUIDE/ROADMAP to the essay +
show your POSITION
2 out of the 4 following things: - Reasons/Causes: There are
- Causes various reasons why + clause,…
- Effects
- Problems - Effects: …, and a number of
- Solutions consequences/effects could arise as a
result of the…
- Problems: Although there will
undoubtedly be some negative
consequences of this trend,…
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- Solutions: …, steps could
certainly be taken to address this
issue.
Example:
Topic 4: Many criminals reoffend after they have been punished.
Why do some people continue to commit crimes after they have
been punished, and what measures can be taken to tackle this
problem? (Causes & solutions)
Plan for the Introduction:
- Background information: criminal reoffend
- Answer/Position: several reasons, a variety of measures
(governments, communities)
Introduction: It is true that punishments do not always deter
criminals from committing more crimes. There are various
reasons why offenders repeatedly break the law, but
governments could certainly take steps to address this issue.
d. Two-part questions
The question GIVES… General Statement
Restate what the Question GIVES
A fact Fact: It is true that …
The question ASKS… Thesis Statement
Answer ALL questions +
GUIDE/ROADMAP to the essay +
show your POSITION
2-3 questions Directly answer all questions in one
sentence, using the structure “while”.
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Example:
Topic 5: As most people spend a major part of their adult life at
work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual well-
being. What factors contribute to job satisfaction? How realistic is
the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?
Plan for the Introduction:
- Background information: job satisfaction
- Answer/Position: several factors, unrealistic/impossible
Introduction: Work plays a central role in our lives, and we would
all like to feel fulfilled professionally. While a variety of factors may
lead to job satisfaction, it would be unrealistic to expect everyone to
be happy at work.
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WRITING CONCLUSION
FOR AN IELTS WRITING TASK 2 ESSAY
Conclusion
1. Purpose:
- Restate the writer’s opinion and answer to the question.
Your opinions should already be clear throughout your essay.
- Summarize (by nominalizing) what the writer already said in
the rest of the essay. The simplest approach to writing conclusion is
to paraphrase your Thesis statement in the Introduction.
2. 2 rules for conclusion
Rule 1: Never write anything new for your conclusion.
Rule 2: One-sentence conclusion
3. Conclusion for different question types
3.1 Conclusion for discussion questions
Topic 2: In many cities, the use of video cameras in public places is
being increased in order to reduce crime, but some people believe
that these measures restrict our individual freedom. Do the benefits
of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?
Introduction: It is true that video surveillance has become
common place in many cities in recent years. While I understand
that critics may see this as an invasion of privacy, I believe that
there are more benefits than drawbacks.
Conclusion: In conclusion, I would argue that the advantages of
using video security systems in public places do outweigh the
disadvantages.
Paraphrase:
video cameras in public places:
more benefits than drawbacks:
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3.2 Conclusion for opinion questions
Topic 6: Families who send their children to private schools should
not be required to pay taxes that support the state education
system. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Introduction: It is sometimes argued that parents of children who
attend private schools should not need to contribute to state
schools through taxes. Personally, I completely disagree with
this view.
Conclusion: In conclusion, I do not believe that any financial
concessions should be made for people who choose private
education
Paraphrase:
not required to pay taxes:
families who send their children to private schools:
3.3 Conclusion for problem & solution questions:
Topic 7: In the developed world, average life expectancy is
increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and
society? Suggest some measures that can be taken to reduce the
impact of ageing populations.
Introduction: It is true that people in industrialized nations can
expect to live longer than ever before. Although there will
undoubtedly be some negative consequences of this trend,
societies can take step to mitigate these potential problems.
Conclusion: In conclusion, various measures can be taken to
tackle the problems that are certain to arise as the populations
of countries grow older
Paraphrase:
the developed world:
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average life expectancy is increasing:
Structure: various measures can be taken to tackle the problems
that are certain to arise as….
Societies can take step to mitigate - various measures can be
taken…
There will undoubtedly be some negative consequences of this
trend - problems that are certain to arise as
3.4 Conclusion for 2-part questions:
Topic 8: There are many different types of music in the world
today.
Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more
important than international music heard everywhere nowadays
Introduction: It is true that a rich variety of musical styles can be
found around the world. Music is a vital part of all human cultures
for a range of reasons, and I would argue that traditional music
is more important than modern, international music.
Conclusion: In conclusion, music is a necessary part of human
existence, and I believe that traditional music should be given more
importance than international music.
Paraphrase:
music is a part of all human cultures:
I would argue that …. is more important than...:
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Homework
1. Complete the following tasks for the following essays
o Underline key topic words and key instruction words
o Rewrite the introduction
o Write a conclusion
- Topic 1: Some people think that it is more effective for
students to study in groups, while others believe that it is better for
them to study alone. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Topic 3: Some people believe that unpaid community service
should be a compulsory part of high school programs. To what
extent do you agree/disagree?
Topic 4: Many criminals reoffend after they have been punished.
Why do some people continue to commit crimes after they have
been punished, and what measures can be taken to tackle this
problem? (Causes & solutions)
Topic 5: As most people spend a major part of their adult life at
work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual well-
being. What factors contribute to job satisfaction? How realistic is
the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?
2. Complete the following tasks for the following essays
o Underline key topic words and key instruction words
o Write a two-sentence introduction for the following essays
Topic 9: The money spent by governments on space programs
would be better spent on vital public services such as schools and
hospitals. To what extent do you agree and disagree?
Topic 10: Some people think that a sense of competition in children
should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught
to cooperate rather than compete become more useful adults.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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Topic 11: In many countries, schools have severe problems with
student behavior. What do you think are the causes of this? What
solutions can you suggest?
Topic 12: News editors decide what to broadcast on television and
what to print on newspapers. What factors do you think influence
these decisions? Do we become used to bad news, and would it be
better if more good news was reported?
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