how to write an introduction in ielts essay

IELTS Charlie

Your Guide to IELTS Band 7

Writing The Introduction To Your Essay: Tips, Examples and Problems

In this post, we will look at the introduction to an IELTS essay for IELTS Writing Task 2 .

What Is An Introduction?

The introduction to your IELTS essay should be a short paragraph that tells the reader what your essay is going to be about .

A good introduction should do two different things:

introduce your reader to the topic of the essay
introduce your reader to your answer to the essay question(s)

1. Introduce the Essay Topic

The introduction should firstly introduce your reader to the essay topic.

All IELTS tasks start with a topic statement . For example, in this task:

Some children spend hours every day on their smartphones. Why is this the case? Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

The topic statement is:

Some children spend hours every day on their smartphones.

The simplest way of introducing the topic to your reader is to rewrite the topic statement in your own words . Here are some different ways of rewriting the topic statement:

Many children spend a lot of time daily using their phones.
Smartphones are being used for hours every day by children.
Children are becoming increasingly addicted to their smartphones, spending several hours a day on them.
A recent development is heavy smartphone usage amongst children.
Heavy smartphone usage amongst children has been a growing trend in recent years.

The above examples use language in a flexible way. Using language flexibly will help you get a higher band score.

2. Introduce your Answer

The second thing you need to do is introduce your reader to your answer to the essay question(s). This is your response .

This should be a concise answer. One sentence is usually enough for this.

If the question is asking you to give your opinion (e.g. “to what extent do you agree?”, “what is your opinion?”, “is this a positive or negative development?”), then you just need to tell your reader what your opinion is. For example:

“I believe that this development is largely negative”
“I completely disagree with this point of view.”

For questions which don’t explicitly ask for your opinion (e.g. “discuss both views”, “what are the problems and solutions”, “what are the advantages and disadvantages”), then just say what you are going to write about in your essay. For example:

“Several factors have caused this problem, but they can be solved”
“This trend has significant disadvantages, but there are also some benefits too.”

Common Problems with Introductions

I’ve assessed thousands of IELTS essays, but I see the same common problems in introductions. Here are those common problems. Make sure you avoid these!

Common Problem #1: Scope Sentences

Many test takers write sentences which start with “This essay will…” These are known as scope sentences. For example:

“This essay will discuss the problems of this along with some solutions”
“This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.”

There’s nothing wrong with these sentences, but they contain quite rigid language.

Common Problem #2: Writing an Opinion Statement as if it’s your opinion

Look at this task:

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is clear that the 1st sentence is an opinion statement because it starts with “some people”: “some people believe that” .

However, IELTS could have written the task like this:

Nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The 1st sentence is still an opinion. We know it’s an opinion because you are asked if you “agree or disagree” with it.

However, some test takers will write this in their introduction:

“We have too much choice today. I strongly disagree with this view.”

This is confusing! The 1st sentence states that the writer thinks that we have too much choice . The 2nd sentence says the opposite. So the examiner doesn’t know what the writer’s opinion actually is. This will limit Task Response to around Band 5.

Common Problem #3: Long Introductions

Keep your introduction short and concise. 2 sentences is almost always enough. Examiners mainly assess your essay by looking at the body paragraphs, so it’s important to spend time writing your body paragraphs, NOT your introduction.

Common Problem #4: Copying the Question

Another common problem is that test takers simply copy the topic statement. It is important to rewrite the topic statement in your own words.

Key Points to Remember

remember to introduce the topic of the essay to your reader. You can do this by writing the topic statement using your own words – do not simply copy the topic statement!
also introduce your reader to your response – to your answer(s) to the essay question(s)
keep your introduction short. 1 or 2 sentences is enough

Featured Image by Freepik

Privacy Overview

Discover the 7 STEPS to BAND 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Scores
Life Skills Test
Find a Test Centre
Alternatives to IELTS
General Training
Academic Word List
Topic Vocabulary
Collocation
Phrasal Verbs
Writing eBooks
Reading eBook
All eBooks & Courses
IELTS Writing Task 2
IELTS Essay

How to Write an IELTS Essay

In this introductory lesson you will find some guidance on how you should write an IELTS essay .

There are then more lessons on the following pages for different types of essay and different questions, with lots of tips and strategies for achieving a high score.

You can also watch a video of this lesson:

how to write an introduction in ielts essay

Essay Types

It is important to learn about IELTS essays because there are different essay types, and these will require different ways to answer them.

However, as you will see from the guidance on this page, they can all follow the same basic structure.

These are some of the types of IELTS essays you can get in the test:

Agree / disagree
Discuss two opinions
Advantages & disadvantages
Causes (reasons) & solutions
Causes (reasons) & effects
Problems & solutions

Not every essay will fit one of these patterns, but many do.

You may get some of these tasks mixed up. For example, you could be asked to give your opinion on an issue, and then discuss the advantages or disadvantages of it.

The golden rule is to ALWAYS read the question very carefully to see exactly what you are being asked to do.

The second lesson explains more about analysing essay questions.

How do I Write an IELTS Essay?

In order to answer this, lets first look at a sample question:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In the last 20 years there have been significant developments in the field of information technology (IT), for example the World Wide Web and communication by email. However, these developments in IT are likely to have more negative effects than positive in the future.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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

Write at least 250 words.

An IELTS essay is structured like any other essay; you just need to make it shorter. There are three key elements:

Introduction
Body Paragraphs

We will look at each of these in turn, using the essay question above as an example.

1) Introduction

You should keep your introduction for the IELTS essay short. Remember you only have 40 minutes to write the essay, and some of this time needs to be spent planning. Therefore, you need to be able to write your introduction fairly quickly so you can start writing your body paragraphs.

You should do just two things:

State the topic of the essay, using some basic facts (that you may be able to take from the question)
Say what you are going to write about

Here is an example introduction for the above essay question about IT:

The last two decades have seen enormous changes in the way people's lives are affected by IT, with many advances in this field. However, while these technological advances have brought many benefits to the world, I strongly believe that these developments in IT will result in more negative impacts than positive.

As you can see, the first sentence makes sure it refers to the topic (IT) and uses facts about IT taken from the question. Note that these are paraphrased - you must not copy from the rubric!

The second part then clearly sets out the what the essay will be about and confirms the writers opinion (some questions may not ask for your opinion, but this one does). The writer clearly agrees as he/she thinks there will be more negative impacts.

View this lesson for more advice on writing IELTS essay introductions.

2) Body Paragraphs

For an IELTS essay, you should have 2 or 3 body paragraphs - no more, and no less.

For your body paragraph, each paragraph should contain one controlling idea, and have sentences to support this.

Lets look at the first paragraph for the essay about IT. The essay is about the benefits and drawbacks of IT, so these will need to be discussed in separate paragraphs.

Here is the first body paragraph:

On the positive side, email has made communication, especially abroad, much simpler and faster. This has resulted in numerous benefits for commerce and business as there is no need to wait weeks for letters or take time sending faxes, which was the case in the past. Furthermore, the World Wide Web means that information on every conceivable subject is now available to us. For example, people can access news, medical advice, online education courses and much more via the internet. These developments have made life far easier and more convenient for many.

The controlling idea in this first paragraph is the 'benefits of IT', and there are two supporting ideas, which are underlined. No drawbacks are discussed as the paragraph would then lose coherence.

Most of the essay will focus on the negative aspects of IT, as the writer says there are more negative effects in the introduction. So the next two paragraphs are about these.

The topic sentence in the next paragraph therefore tells us we are changing the focus to the negative points:

Nevertheless, the effects of this new technology have not all been beneficial. For example, many people feel that the widespread use of email is destroying traditional forms of communication such as letter writing, telephone and face-to-face conversation. This could result in a decline in people's basic ability to socialize and interact with each other on a day-to-day basis.

The final body paragraph gives the last negative effect:

In addition, the large size of the Web has meant that it is nearly impossible to regulate and control. This has led to many concerns regarding children accessing unsuitable websites and the spread of computer viruses. Unfortunately, this kind of problem might even get worse in the future at least until more regulated systems are set up.

3) Conclusion

The conclusion only needs to be one or two sentences, and you can do the following:

Re-state what the essay is about (re-write the last sentence of your introduction in different words)
Give some thoughts about the future

Here is an example:

In conclusion, developments in IT have brought many benefits, yet I believe that these are outweighed by the drawbacks. In the future these will need to be addressed if we are to avoid damaging impacts on individuals and society.

The Full IELTS Essay

(290 Words)

The IELTS essay introduction talks in general about the increasing use of IT, thus introducing the topic well. The thesis then clearly sets out the writers opinion.

The following paragraph mentions the present benefits of these developments, but the opening sentence in the third paragraph is a qualifying statement (Nevertheless, not all the effects... ), so the writer can now focus on the negative elements.

The fourth paragraph provides two other negative examples (lack of regulation, viruses). Both paragraphs suggest that these problems will continue in the future.

The essay concludes with a clear opinion that agrees with the statement.

Overall, it is a well-balanced text that mentions the present situation ( ...this has made life.. .) but importantly, also refers to the future of IT (. ..likely to increase..., might get worse. ..).

Now you know the basics of writing an IELTS Essay, you can go on and look at further sample essays or if you prefer, check out the next lessons for Writing Task 2.

More Task 2 IELTS Lessons:

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.

Using Pronouns to Improve IELTS Essay Coherency

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

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.

Transitional Phrases for Essays

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

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.

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"?

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 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.

Using Substitution in IELTS to Improve Writing Coherency

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

Writing an IELTS Essay Introduction

Tips on how to write an introduction for an IELTS essay introduction in a quick and easy way.

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.

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 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.

Paragraph Writing for IELTS: Building strong arguments

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Any comments or questions about this page or about IELTS? Post them here. Your email will not be published or shared.

Band 7+ eBooks

"I think these eBooks are FANTASTIC!!! I know that's not academic language, but it's the truth!"

Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

Bargain eBook Deal! 30% Discount

All 4 Writing eBooks for just $25.86 Find out more >>

IELTS Modules:

Other resources:.

All Lessons
Band Score Calculator
Writing Feedback
Speaking Feedback
Teacher Resources
Free Downloads
Recent Essay Exam Questions
Books for IELTS Prep
Useful Links

Recent Articles

IELTS Essay: Living with Climate Change

Aug 23, 24 02:37 AM

Grammar in IELTS Listening

Aug 22, 24 02:54 PM

IELTS Line Graph: Governments Expenditure on Research

Jul 23, 24 01:27 PM

The graph gives information about U.S. government spending on research between 1980 and 2008.

Important pages

IELTS Writing IELTS Speaking IELTS Listening IELTS Reading All Lessons Vocabulary Academic Task 1 Academic Task 2 Practice Tests

Connect with us

Before you go...

30% discount - just $25.86 for all 4 writing ebooks.

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

Skip to primary navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar
Skip to footer

IELTS Advantage

IELTS Preparation Courses

IELTS Writing Task 2: ✍️ Everything You Need to Know

When helping students prepare for the IELTS test, one of the biggest fears is how to do well in IELTS Writing Task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the second part of the writing test, where you are presented with a point of view, argument or problem and asked to write an essay in response. Your essay should be in a formal style, at least 250 words in length and you should aim to complete it in under 40 minutes.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Everything You Need to Know

In this video, I’ll outline exactly what you must do to create an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay that could score a Band 7, 8 or 9.

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to IELTS or if you’ve failed the exam before – I’ve broken everything down into a simple 3-step process that anyone can use to improve their scores! Watch the video above to find out what they are.

5 Steps to a Band 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Understand the question.

You must understand the question before you attempt to answer it. This way, you’ll know exactly what the examiner is looking for. One of the biggest mistakes students make is not answering the question fully, which stops them from getting a score higher than a Band 5.

To analyse the question , you must first identify the question type, then identify the keywords in the question and finally identify the instructions words. This will help you understand exactly what the examiner wants you to do with the question.

2. Plan your answer.

The students who get the highest marks in Writing Task 2 always plan their answers for up to 10 minutes. Planning helps you organise your ideas and structure your essay before you write it, saving you time and helping you produce a clear and coherent essay.

3. Write an introduction.

The introduction should answer the question directly. This tells the examiner that you know what you are doing straight away and helps you write your main body paragraphs.

4. Write the main body paragraphs.

This is where you give the examiner more detail . You do this by stating your main points and supporting these with explanations and relevant examples.

5. Write a conclusion.

In your conclusion , you should provide a summary of what you already said in the rest of your essay.

4 Ways to Improve your Score in IELTS Writing Task 2

Many people know they need to improve their writing skills but don’t know how to do it. Here are 4 ways you can boost your score in Writing Task 2:

1. Understand the exam.

You must first understand what IELTS Writing Task 2 is, what you are expected to do and how to give the examiners what they want. This is the first stage and one that is often overlooked.

There are many online resources, often with conflicting and poor-quality information, so finding a reliable source of information is key.

2. Identify your weak areas.

If your car breaks down, you would try and identify which part caused the problem. If you get sick, your doctor will run tests to determine the exact cause of your symptoms.

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the same. We must first identify WHY you are not getting the score you need before we can help you improve.

However, be very careful! You wouldn’t ask the average man on the street for medical advice, so make sure you find someone who knows what they are doing and has the expertise to help you with this.

3. Fix the problems.

Now that we know what the problems are, we must fix them.

If your grammar needs work, fix those issues. If your vocabulary is lacking, work on fixing this issue.

Just as a good doctor can help you fix a medical problem, a good IELTS teacher can help you fix your specific issues.

4. Practice and get feedback.

Practice alone will not help you. It is an essential part of your preparation, but you must also get feedback on your work if you are really going to improve.

You wouldn’t try to teach yourself how to drive without an instructor, would you?

Find someone who will give you accurate and helpful feedback on your work. Otherwise, you will not be able to move to the last stage.

Now that you have understood what you need to do, identified the exact areas you need to work on, improved those areas, and received feedback on your work, you are now ready to get the IELTS Writing Task 2 score you deserve.

Writing Task 2 Structures

I want to warn you about structures because they are not a magic wand that will help you automatically get a higher score. They WILL help you, but please realise that they are just a small part of your overall score.

These structures provide a sentence-by-sentence template for all the main Task 2 question types, making your job much easier on exam day.

Task 2 Essay Structures

Essential Writing Task 2 Skills

No matter how good your English is, you must still learn IELTS writing skills before taking the Writing Task 2 test. These helpful guides will take you through each of these skills step-by-step:

How to Plan an Essay

Making a good plan actually saves you time when you write your essay. This guide will show you how to plan and write a clear essay every time.

How to Think of Relevant Ideas

This guide provides 5 different methods to help you quickly think of relevant ideas that are directly linked to the question.

How to Write a Complex Sentence

Complex sentences help you boost your score for grammar. They are actually very simple to write and are not complex at all.

How to Paraphrase

Paraphrasing is one of the essential IELTS skills for all parts of the IELTS test. You should paraphrase the question in the very first sentence of your essay to help boost your vocabulary score in Writing Task 2.

How to Write a Supporting Paragraph

Supporting paragraphs are the main body paragraphs and are the meat in the sandwich. This is where you provide the detail the examiner is looking for in the form of explanations and examples.

How to Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement tells the examiner your opinion. Many IELTS Writing Task 2 questions specifically ask for your opinion, and if you don’t write it clearly, you have not answered the question properly. This article shows you how, where and when to give your opinion.

How many words should I write?

Around 250 words? Exactly 250 words or over 250 words? How many words over? How do I know how many words I have? Will I lose marks if I write too many words? This article answers all those questions.

How to Understand and Analyse Any Question

A critical part of answering any question. This article shows you how to break down any Task 2 question and identify the keywords, micro-keywords and instruction words to help you answer the question effectively.

How to Write a Great Introduction

The introduction is the first thing the examiner reads; therefore, we must give them a good first impression. I share a very specific sentence-by-sentence structure in this article to help you write introductions quickly and effectively.

Task 2 Marking Criteria

Do you know how Task 2 is marked? What is the difference between a Band 5 and a Band 8 answer? This article breaks down the marking criteria and explains it in simple language so you can give the IELTS examiners exactly what they want.

How to Write a Conclusion

A good conclusion should be a summary of your main points. The conclusion is the last thing the examiner reads, and if you can write a good one, you will leave them with a very good impression.

Using Examples

Each of your supporting paragraphs should have a specific example that supports and illustrates your main point. This is an essential skill to learn if you want to get one of the higher band scores.

Cohesive Devices

Cohesive devices (sometimes called linking words) are one of the most misunderstood and misused elements of writing. Therefore, you must learn how to use them and when to use them.

The Danger of Synonyms

While synonyms are very important, they can also really reduce your mark if used incorrectly.

Paragraphing and Editing

This article will show you how to make your writing as clear and as easy to read as possible. It will also advise you on whether to use a pen or pencil.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 Steps to Success

Read this blog now to access our 61-page Task 2 strategy.

IELTS Writing Tips

I have compiled these tips after years of teaching IELTS, and all of them have been approved by IELTS examiners.

Coherence and Cohesion

This is a video lesson that shows you in practical terms how to improve your coherence and cohesion score.

Writing Task 2 Common Topics

Knowing the common topics can help you prepare for the test more efficiently. Here are the 10 most common topics over the last few years. Studying hard is great, but don’t forget to study smart.

The article below will show you the top 10 most common IELTS topics.

Most Common Task 2 Topics

Full IELTS Writing Task 2 Practice Lessons

Here are some lessons that I have used when teaching students about IELTS Writing Task 2. I have changed them so that you can easily learn from home. They are very long but contain all the necessary information combined with the skills above.

Agree or Disagree (Opinion) Lesson

In this lesson, we look at how to tackle an ‘agree or disagree’ question. Many people worry about whether to take one side of the other or discuss both sides. Additionally, people also worry about how to deal with ‘To what extent’ question types. We allay all of these fears in this lesson.

Discussion Essay Lesson

‘Discuss both views’ questions often confuse people because you are asked to do many things in one essay. As such, it is very important to remember that the question asks you to discuss BOTH views AND give YOUR opinion.

Problem and Solution Essay Lesson

These questions are much easier than you think. You probably discuss problems and solutions in your day-to-day life all the time. Keep it simple.

Advantages and Disadvantages Lesson

There are a couple of different types of advantages and disadvantages questions. This lesson will show you how to answer them.

Writing Task 2 Exercise with Video

Writing is a skill, and just like any other skill, it is important to practice to improve.

From Band 6.5 to 8 Demo Lesson

This is my most comprehensive free lesson on IELTS Writing Task 2. We show you how we took one VIP student from Band 6.5 to an amazing 8.

Sample Answers

You must have some good examples to compare your writing and see if you are on the right track. Click the link below for lots of sample answers and over 100 questions.

Task 2 Sample Answers

Agree or Disagree Sample Essays
Task 2 Band 9 Sample Essay
Latest Real Task 2 Questions
Official Sample Test Questions
Cambridge Sample Questions
Free Practice Test
How To Use Task 2 Samples
Recent Confusing Questions
IELTS Writing Practice Guide

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essential Information

You must write an essay in response to a question.
You must write 250 words or more.
Task 2 is worth 2/3 of your total mark on the Writing test.
You should spend around 40 minutes on this part of the test.
General Training and Academic are essentially the same for Task 2. However, they are different for Task 1.
There are certain types of questions that you will be asked, for example, opinion, discussion etc. See below for more detail on these.
Task Achievement (25%)
Coherence and Cohesion (25%)
Lexical Resource (25%)
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)

Grammar and Vocabulary

Grammar is one of the four things you will be marked on in the Writing Task 2 test. Finding out what your common grammar mistakes are and then fixing them is a very powerful way to boost your score in this area. Here are some common grammar mistakes I have found after making hundreds of tests.

Top 10 Grammar Mistakes

For most IELTS students, the problem is not grammar in general. In fact, it is usually just 1-2 problem areas. Therefore, when you fix these main weaknesses, you’ll be able to improve your grammar and your writing score dramatically.

Using Personal Pronouns

Hint- They aren’t as big of a deal as you think.

See the interactive tool below for the answers to the most commonly asked questions we receive about IELTS Writing Task 2:

IELTS Writing Task 2 FAQs

How can i improve my writing.

You will find all the resources you need on our Writing Task 2 page. Click the link below:

Writing Task 2

We also have two Task 2 courses for those that need to improve their Task 2 skills and strategy. They are both based online and completely free of charge. Learn more about them below:

Task 2 5 Day Challenge

Task 2 Essay Builder

If you need serious help or personalised feedback, you should check out our VIP Course. There is a waiting list, but you can add your name here:

How can I get a Band 7, 8 or 9?

The answer to this question is different for every individual IELTS student, as it depends on a number of factors, including your work ethic, English skills and exam strategy. You'll find a guide to answering this question in this article

If you need serious help with improving your IELTS scores, you should check out our online writing course. There is a waiting list, but you can add your name by clicking the link below:

Can you correct my writing?

Please click the link below and it will give you all the information you need about our writing correction service:

Writing Correction Service

Do you have any sample answers?

Yes, you will find them at the link below:

Will using 'high level' or 'academic' words help me improve my score?

Probably not.

Read my recent article about IELTS vocabulary here:

5 Things You Need to Know about IELTS Vocabulary

Can I use idioms?

No, you should not write idioms for Task 2.

Can I use personal pronouns?

You should avoid using personal pronouns, but it is fine to use them when giving your personal opinion.

Do you write a conclusion for Task 2?

Yes, it is very difficult to get a good score in Task 2 if you haven't finished your essay with a conclusion. You will find an in-depth lesson on conclusions here:

How to Write an Effective Task 2 Conclusion

How many paragraphs should I write?

Most IELTS task 2 essays follow the same basic four paragraph structure:

Introduction
Supporting Paragraph 1
Supporting Paragraph 2

However, you can find more comprehensive help with structuring your Task 2 essays here:

5 Day Challenge

Do I need to plan my essay?

I would highly recommend planning your essay. A good plan acts like a map that guides you through the essay, ensuring that you give the examiner exactly what they need to award you the score you need. You can find help with planning your essays here: How to Plan an IELTS Essay

You must write at least 250 words in Writing Task 2.

I would suggest that you aim to write around 270-280 words in total. Aiming for 20-30 words more than the required amount makes you more likely to reach the word limit without setting an unrealistic goal.

Will I lose marks if I don't write enough words?

Yes, if you don't write the required number of words, you will lose marks in 'Task Achievement' for not answering the question fully. Read more here .

Can I use contractions?

No, should not use contractions when you are writing an academic essay.

IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

Test Information FAQ
Band Scores
IELTS Candidate Success Tips
Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
How to Prepare
Useful Links & Resources
Recommended Books
Speaking Part 1 Topics
Speaking Part 2 Topics
Speaking Part 3 Topics
100 Essay Questions
On The Day Tips
Top Results
50% DISCOUNT

IELTS Writing Task 2: Free Tips, Lessons & Model Essays

Success in IELTS writing task 2 is based on using the right techniques. These free tips, model essays, lessons, videos and information will help develop the skills for writing task 2. This page will teach you how to maximise your IELTS writing task 2 score. All lessons are on this page are for both GT and Academic writing task 2.

On this page, you will find for free:

IELTS WRITING TASK 2 TEST INFORMATION
PRACTICE ESSAY QUESTIONS
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR IELTS ESSAYS
MODEL ESSAYS
PRACTICE LESSONS (writing skills, topic ideas etc)

1. IELTS Writing Task 2 Test Information

Learn about your IELTS writing task 2 test. All lessons and tips on this page are for both Academic and GT writing task 2.

IELTS Writing has two tasks: Task 1 (a report) and Task 2 (an essay).
The total time is one hour for both tasks. You should spend only 40 mins on task 2.
The time is yourself to manage. No one will tell you when to move from task 1 to task 2.
The essay if a formal essay. You should not use informal language in your essay.
The instructions say “write at least 250 words”. This means you need to write over 250 words.
Writing task 2 is worth about 66% of your total writing score. Click here: Total Writing Score Calculations
There are four marking criteria which you must learn about. Click here: WRITING T2 BAND SCORES & MARKING WITH TIPS

The Essay Task

Below is an example task you will be given in IELTS Writing Task 2.

You will be given a topic.
Topics contain specific issues or opinions that you must address.
You are given a task, such as to discuss and give an opinion.
Examples are based on your experience of the world in general, not your personal life.
There are FIVE ESSAY TYPES .

2. IELTS Practice Essay Questions

Practice essay questions to help you prepare ideas for topics in IELTS writing task 2. These questions have been written based on questions reported by IELTS students.

Over 100 IELTS Essay Questions (repeated topics)

3. Essential IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips

The most important writing tips for a strong IELTS essay in writing task 2. Learn about the recommended essay length, how to plan your essay, when to give your opinion and how to write an introduction etc. Some videos linked below are old, but still 100% relevant today. Click below:

Essay Structure & Paragraphing

Key Linking Words List

Types of IELTS Essays

Essay Planning Tips

Paraphrasing Tips & Examples

Common Essay Topics

When & How to give your opinion

Video Using the last 5 minutes

4. IELTS Model Essays

IELTS Essays have a specific format, structure, style and band score requirements. These model essays are at band 9 and illustrate how an IELTS writing task 2 essay should be written. Use them as a guide to creating an essay suitable for a high band score in IELTS. Remember, language only counts for about 50% of your marks, the rest is IELTS essay techniques.

Agree Disagree Opinion Essay: Health
Advantages & Disadvantages Essay: Language
Cause Solution Essay: Crime & Punishment
Direct Questions Essay: Happiness
Opinion Essay: Social Media
Discussion Essay: Work
Do Advs Outweigh Disavs Essay: Reading
Direct Questions Essay: Family
Direct Questions Essay: Art
Positive or Negative Development: Social Media
2 Model Essays about Economy & Money /Buildings
Model Essay & Question for Topic of Education
Two Question Essay: Technology
IELTS ESSAY TOPICS FOR 2024

More Writing Task 2 Tips

Ideas for Topics Tips with Band Score Info
Deleting Words in your Essay
Should I indent the first word of my paragraphs?
10 sentences to avoid in your IELTS essay
Video: How to add examples to your essay
Tips: Under Words Penalty
Can you use quotes, idioms or proverbs in your essay?
Handwriting: Using cursive writing or not
Video : Grammar – How to Add a Clause
Video : Grammar – Connecting Sentences

5. Practice Lessons for Writing Task 2

Various lessons for: IELTS Essay Writing Skills, Topics, Language

Improving Sentences for a Higher Score
Essay Ideas: Advertising to Children in Schools
Essay Topics for 2024
IELTS Essay Topics Prediction 2022
Grammar Test : Using “the” with countries and nationalities
Paraphrasing Practice
Using Passive Voice for Giving Opinions
Essay Ideas: Employment Competition
Essay Ideas: The Importance of History
Essay Ideas: Housing & Trees
Essay Ideas: International Aid
Essay Ideas: City Transport
Essay Ideas: Salaries
Essay Ideas: Function of Schools
Essay Ideas: Female Staff in Senior Positions
Writing Skills: Punctuation Practice
Writing Skills: Linking Word Practice
Essay Ideas: Littering in Cities
Listen and Write Dictation: Natural Disasters
Discussion Essay with Feedback: Music Topic
Writing Skills: Improving Sentences: Ebooks Topic
Essay Ideas: Banning Mobile Phones
Two Question Essay with Feedback: Judging Business Success
Essay Ideas: Tourism and Local Communities
Essay Ideas: Traffic & Pollution
Writing Skills: Improving a Thesis Statement
Writing Skills: Improving Sentences (1)
Essay Ideas: Handwriting Skills
Essay Ideas: Older or Younger Leaders
Writing Skills: Introduction Feedback
Writing Skill: Opinion Essay Introduction Feedback
Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Body Paragraphs
Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Introduction
Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Finding Main Points
Writing Skills: Thesis Statement
Essay Ideas: Public Services .

………………

FREE SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to get new lessons & tips by email. Email Address Subscribe

Click Below to Learn:

IELTS Test Information
Writing Task 1
Writing Task 2

Copyright Notice

Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

Click here: Privacy Policy
Click here: Disclaimer

Return to top of page

IELTS Task 2 Writing: How to Write a Clear and Simple Introduction

by Dave | Writing your introduction | 44 Comments

A lot of my IELTS students like to start their Task 2 essays with a long and complicated introduction.

This is a really bad idea., i know a lot of examiners and to be honest they’re not especially clever, and they get tired and hungry like just like everybody else., so it’s a good idea to make your ielts essay as simple and clear as possible, and this is especially true for the introduction, as that will be the first thing they read., so think of the reader (the very tired examiner) and keep it simple., don’t miss out on my new patreon exclusive essays here if you want to really improve on ielts, the most important part of your introduction, if your opinion is clearly presented in the introduction and then confirmed in the conclusion, then it makes your whole essay clearer., you can see from the table below, for a band 7 and above, your position should be clear “ throughout the response ”, which means from your introduction to your conclusion., putting your opinion in your introduction won’t guarantee you a band 7 for task achievement., but it makes it more likely because it will make your writing more logical., so this will also improve your cohesion and coherence score as well.


	”

How to write a clear and simple introduction

A basic introduction has three sentences:, 1. a simple paraphrase of the question., 2. your position (overall opinion)., 3. what you will do in the essay. (this sentence is optional.), let’s check out some examples on the topic of railways, example 1 (agree or disagree question).

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

For this kind of question you can discuss one or both sides.

But either way you must clearly state which side your opinion agrees with. if you don’t do this you can’t get higher than a 5 for task achievement., as i suggested earlier, it’s best if you include your opinion in the introduction and conclusion., introduction for discuss one side e.g. strongly agree.

It is often suggested that governments should increase investment in railway infrastructure rather than on new roads. Personally, I agree that the benefits of rail, which include less traffic and pollution, outweigh the apparent benefits of new roads. I will explain my reasons in this essay.

Introduction for discuss both sides e.g. agree

It is often suggested that governments should increase investment in railway infrastructure rather than on new roads. I will discuss both views but personally, I agree that the rewards of investing in trains, which include a reduction in traffic and pollution, outweigh the benefits of building new roads.

Example 2 (discuss both sides question)

Some people think that governments should spend money on railways. Others believe that there should be more investment into new roads. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

For this kind of Task 2 question you need to discuss both sides of the question.

As with agree/disagree question above, you must clearly state which side your opinion agrees with., the best way to do this is to include your opinion in the introduction and conclusion., technically, it’s ok to write a very general introduction and leave your opinion to the end., but this isn’t as clear, and you might run out of time before you’ve got to your conclusion, so overall it’s a more dangerous strategy., so here is the example introduction., notice that it’s exactly the same as the discuss both sides from the agree/disagree question., example 3 (two questions).

Nowadays governments are investing more in public transport such as buses and trains rather than in building new roads. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?

For this kind of task you need to discuss both questions equally.

The second question requires an opinion so you must clearly state which side your opinion agrees with., again, as above the best way to do this is to include your opinion in the introduction and conclusion., introduction for positive development:.

It is often noted that many governments are adopting policies which invest in public transport rather than in road infrastructure. Personally, I feel the main reasons for this are an increase in congestion and a reduction in air quality in big cities. I therefore feel this is a positive development. I will explain my reasons in this essay.

Why you should include main ideas in the introduction

all of the example introductions above included main ideas as well as a clear opinion., it is a good idea to include main ideas as it makes your position very clear., this is especially important for ielts students aiming for a band 7 or above., for more information, check out the article below., now it’s your turn put your answers in the comments, why should you always include a clear position in your introduction, if you don’t include a clear position in your intro, what is the highest score you can get for task achievement, recommended for you.

Latest IELTS Writing Task 1 2024 (Graphs, Charts, Maps, Processes)

by Dave | Sample Answers | 147 Comments

These are the most recent/latest IELTS Writing Task 1 Task topics and questions starting in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and continuing into 2024. ...

Recent IELTS Writing Topics and Questions 2024

by Dave | Sample Answers | 342 Comments

Read here all the newest IELTS questions and topics from 2024 and previous years with sample answers/essays. Be sure to check out my ...

Find my Newest IELTS Post Here – Updated Daily!

by Dave | IELTS FAQ | 18 Comments

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Write a Band 7+ Introduction

by Dave | Writing your introduction | 156 Comments

Students often ask me what’s the best way to write an introduction if you’re aiming for a high band score. I always tell ...

IELTS Grammar: Five Grammar Websites Every IELTS Student Should Know

by Dave | IELTS Grammar | 0 Comment

Let’s be honest, grammar is hard and kind of boring. But it’s important! It’s worth 25% of your writing and speaking scores, and a good ...

IELTS Listening Tips: A Simple Way to Improve at the Beginning of each Section

by Dave | IELTS Listening | 5 Comments

Be sure to avoid the mistakes that most students make on writing by signing up for my exclusive IELTS Ebooks here on Patreon. Dave The Situation ...

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

44 Comments

I’ve noticed you use the verb “feel” to express your position on the topic. Will it be ok to use the standard verbs, namely, I believe, I think, In my opinion…. I endorse this view point because…?

Yes, those are all fine! You can also say ‘I would endore this view…’

Did you mean endorse, Sir?

Yes, thanks, mistyped it!

Hii, i am Diya. I am finding a lot of difficulty in my IELTS and i need your help. I always scored 5.5 in writing in real exam. Hence, please give me some useful tips. Thankyou

Join my zoom class.

I really have hard time paraphrasing the introduction please advise

It depends on your level. If you are confident in your English, change it around a lot. If not, just change a few words. Try changing the part of speech, for example ‘construction’ a noun, to ‘construct’ a verb. The key is to write it fast because the opinion sentence is more important.

Is that helpful for you?

I struggle to find new umbrella words for outline, topic sentence and conclusion. My requirement is 7 band in writing. What should I do. I scored 6.5 in writing twice.

For example the question is Employee should be allowed to work from home. Agree or disagree. My main points are work life balance and economical.

Now I have to repeat main points in the 1. Outline 2. Topic sentence 3. Conclusion

So, I cannot think of new ways of saying work-life balance thrice. Please help me

For a specific term like that, don’t stress too much – that is not what is holding you back from band 7.

Some other ways – balance work and life, have more personal time, have more time for one’s family/hobbies, not allow work to intrude, better balance work and life, get away from work

Don’t try to think of one to one synonyms – few of those exist in English. Try to think of wholly different ways of saying the same thing such as have more time for yourself.

I struggle with writing the introduction “Discuss both views” because I want to highlight my main views and provide my opinion without much paraphrasing. Whats is the best way of doing it?

Completing university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people argue that tertiary education is the most effective method to improve career prospects while others believe that it is better to acquire work experience and soft skills. University education is valued in technical occupations whereas soft skills are essential of business and management. I will discuss both the views but personally I believe that higher education is more beneficial because soft skills could be learned while working.

Now the problem is I have to think of many synonyms while writing such intros. I do What should I do? Should I use “former/latter” view? Or should I add the main points while paraphrasing only?

Some people believe it is important to give gifts and presents to friends and family to show that we care about them. Others think that there are better ways to show affection to them. Discuss both the views and give your own opinion.

Expressing love towards our loved ones is extremely important. While some people think that giving gifts is the best way to do this since materials are the only way to show love, others think respect is a better way. I will discuss both the views but I agree with the latter view.

Please help me.

Or should I use Although structure? Like you use in most of your sample answers. What is the most rewarding and easy structure as my requirement is of 7 bands?

Using a subordinate structure like although is good because it helps your cohesions/coherence and grammar and also allows you to easily include both main ideas.

That’s why I often use it. Try it out and maybe it will work for you too!

Yes it is a real challenge to do that in the introduction. If you can’t paraphrase enough you can also leave your main ideas out of the introduction and just include your opinion.

Both of your introductions are very good. I wouldn’t worry too much about the paraphrasing problem. I repeat words in my essays as well. Trying to overparaphrase can also hurt your score a lot.

Depending on the question, try to include your main ideas in the introduction but don’t stress about it.

i want to improve reading as well as writing can u help me plz i always have poor vocabulary how cn i improve it

To improve your vocabulary… read more!

Learn about some activities to do here: https://howtodoielts.com/read-the-news-improve-ielts-reading/

why do we say: governments should increase investment “in” railway rather than “on” new roads?

It’s just the collocation that does with investment – we invest in.

Invest on is probably ok but sounds a little unnatural.

Hello Dave, I’ve also had this question for a while. Why did you use “on” for the “new roads” in the very first example even though the “in” is better for the word of investment?

I really appreciate your site!! Thanks.

You can say investment on or investment in – though in is more common, Miku.

It is often noted/suggested that goverments SHOULD increase invesments in public transport, such as trains or buses inspite of building new roads. Personally, I feel the main reasons are a reduction on traffic congestions and air pollution. Therefore, I would endorse this is a positive development.

note: Hi admin, is this a proper introduction? Meanwhile, I am deeply appreciate with your website contents and design style. IT IS EXTREMELY USEFUL for most of us! Many thanks

That structure is fine, An!

You can say instead – not in spite of.

It is often suggested that government should spend more money on railways rather than building new roads. In my opinion, developing railway infrastructure is a wise idea, it would help in reducing pollution and tame the environmental hazards.

Great work Valeed!

Careful with parallel structures – reducing… taming…

Ok thank u very much for this. And this is very useful to us so much.

sorry but it is very wrong to include your opinion in a discussion essay

You don’t have to take my word for it – you can consult the public band descriptors or the official IELTS website. They clearly state that you should have a clear position ‘throughout’ – don’t trust me – trust IELTS!

Can I write formate for writing task 2 in the ielts exam?

What do you mean by ‘formate’?

she means format / structure

In recent times governments are investing hugely in public transportation system rather than constructing new roads. In my view, this will reduce congestion and overloading while making business transactions faster. I think it will bring positive development. I will explain my reasons in the essay.

Great intro, Florence!

you state 2 important reasons: less traffic and pollution… but if we explain more than these two cases in 2 bodies, what we should say in the introduction?

It is believed by many people that lawmakers should invest money on railway inspite on roads. I largely agree with that government should utilise money on railways as it reduce pollution nd traffic nd will elaborate here under.

If question asks us (Do you think the advantages of this issue outweigh the disadvantages?) What should be our strategy?

Being not authorized ,capital punishment continues in many countries. Some are of the views that parents should have the power to discipline their children in this manner.Despite ,the unacceptability of this view,this essay agrees that parents should exercise there authority on their children because it will make them a better member of the society and enable them to have a good sense of behavior in the future.

Great work, Adekoya – keep it up!

I keep seeing paraphrasing How important is it in writhing task

It’s important but students often exaggerate its importance – do it when possible, but don’t stress too hard about it, Lucy!

New follower,just too insightful. Wish I had known this site for awhile, it’s not too late though.

Hope it helps you, Patience!

Exclusive Ebooks, PDFs and more from me!

Don't miss out!

"The highest quality materials anywhere on the internet! Dave improved my writing and vocabulary so much. Really affordable options you don't want to miss out on!"

Minh, Vietnam

Hi, I’m Dave! Welcome to my IELTS exclusive resources! Before you commit I want to explain very clearly why there’s no one better to help you learn about IELTS and improve your English at the same time... Read more

Patreon Exclusive Ebooks Available Now!

Practice Test
Useful Tips – Tricks
Full Writing Review
General Writing Task
Writing Task 1
Writing Task 2
Writing Exercises
Writing Sample – Topics
Writing Vocabulary
Speaking Vocabulary
Intro Question
Speaking Part 1
Speaking Part 2
Speaking Part 2 – Audio
Speaking Part 3
IELTS Books
Recent Exams
IELTS Vocabulary
Essay from Examiners
IELTS Ideas

IELTS App - For Mobile

Ready for the IELTS exam with our IELTS app. Over 2 million downloads

Popular Last 24h

Ielts preparation tips | top-10 online free sites, writing task 2: people now wear western clothes such as suits and jeans rather than traditional clothing, cue card #50: talk about someone who encourages you to achieve goals or someone who encouraged you to achieve a goal, ielts speaking part 3: success, describe a famous person that you are interested in (albert einstein.), writing task 2: many children find it difficult to concentrate on or pay attention to school., ielts speaking part 1: topic music.

IELTS Test/Skills FAQs
IELTS Scoring in Detail
Forecast Speaking – 2023
List IELTS Speaking Part 3
List IELTS Speaking Part 1
IELTS Writing 2023 – Actual Test

Our Telegram

Join our community for IELTS preparation and share and download materials.

The information on this site is for informational purposes only. IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, or IDP Education Australia.

Latest Articles

Ielts reading practice 120: nutmeg – a valuable spice, ielts reading practice 119: could urban engineers learn from dance, ielts speaking part 1: neighbours, most popular, describe a ﬁlm that made you laugh, describe a person whom you met for the ﬁrst time and made you happy, topic: experience is the best teacher, describe something difﬁcult you would like to succeed in doing, in many countries，today there are many highly qualified graduates without employment..

Ebooks & Courses
Practice Tests

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,

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.

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

Click on the HTML link code below.
Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Like this page?

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

IELTS Writing
Task 2 Introductions
Back To Top

* New * Grammar For IELTS Ebooks

$9.99 each Full Set Just $ 23.97

Find Out More >>

IELTS Courses

Full details...

IELTS Writing Ebook

Discount Offer

$7 each Full Set Just $ 21

Carefully created to help you achieve 7+ in your Writing test.

Find out more >>

Testimonials

“I am very excited to have found such fabulous and detailed content. I commend your good work.” Jose M.

“Thanks for the amazing videos. These are ‘to the point’, short videos, beautifully explained with practical examples." Adari J.

"Hi Jacky, I bought a listening book from you this morning. You know what? I’m 100% satisfied. It’s super helpful. If I’d had the chance to read this book 7 years ago, my job would be very different now." Loi H.

"Hi Jacky, I recently got my IELTS results and I was pleased to discover that I got an 8.5 score. I'm firmly convinced your website and your videos played a strategic role in my preparation. I was able to improve my writing skills thanks to the effective method you provide. I also only relied on your tips regarding the reading section and I was able to get a 9! Thank you very much." Giano

“After listening to your videos, I knew I had to ditch every other IELTS tutor I'd been listening to. Your explanations are clear and easy to understand. Anyways, I took the test a few weeks ago and my result came back: Speaking 7, listening 9, Reading 8.5 and Writing 7 with an average band score of 8. Thanks, IELTS Jacky." Laide Z.

Contact

About Me

Site Map

Disclaimer

IELTS changes lives.

Let's work together so it changes yours too.

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips to Write an Effective Introduction

Updated On Oct 07, 2022

Share on Whatsapp

Share on Email

Share on Linkedin

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

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

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

Start Preparing for IELTS: Get Your 10-Day Study Plan Today!

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

IELTS Writing Practice Tests 2024: How to Improve Your Score?

Raajdeep Saha

Best IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips for Achieving Band 9

Kasturika Samanta

Traditional Festivals and Celebrations Have Disappeared - IELTS Writing Task 2

Courtney Miller

Post your Comments

IELTSMaterial Master Program

1:1 Live Training with Band 9 Teachers

4.9 ( 3452 Reviews )

Our Offices

Gurgaon city scape, gurgaon bptp.

Step 1 of 3

Great going .

Get a free session from trainer

Have you taken test before?

Please select any option

Email test -->

Please enter Email ID

Mobile Band 9 trainer -->

Please enter phone number

Application

Please select any one

Already Registered?

Select a date

Please select a date

Select a time (IST Time Zone)

Please select a time

Mark Your Calendar: Free Session with Expert on

Which exam are you preparing?

Great Going!

IELTS One Skill Retake is now accepted in all Australian states!

IELTS Academic

IELTS Academic assesses how well you can use English in an academic environment.

IELTS General training

Students applying to high schools or vocational training programs in English-speaking countries might need to take this test.

IELTS for UKVI

If you would like to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level in the UK, you can take IELTS for UKVI.

IELTS One Skill Retake

Didn't get the band score you require? Check to see if you're eligible for a One Skill Retake.

Get your results

Check your provisional IELTS results online and do more.

IELTS Community

Join the IELTS community and meet with other IELTS test takers from all over the world!

I'm glad that IELTS is recognised by many organisations globally. It allowed me to confidently apply to many universities with my IELTS One Skill Retake results.

IELTS Reading test: how to manage your time?

Grammar 101: Affect vs. Effect

Grammar 101: Understanding verb tenses

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!

Share this article

How to paraphrase and boost your IELTS Writing Score

How to write numbers in IELTS

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a good conclusion

Grammar 101: Loose vs. Lose

The A to Z of IELTS: H is for Hyperboles

Too vs To – Learn the difference

Grammar 101: Then vs. Than

Full list of 50 difficult English words and synonyms in 2023

Useful links
Who accepts IELTS?
News and articles
IELTS Events
IELTS Masterclass
Your IELTS results
IELTS General Training
IELTS by IDP app
Find a test centre
Middle East
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Saudi Arabia
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Switzerland
Legal notices
Privacy policy
Cookie policy

The official IELTS by IDP app is here! Download it today.

Candidate Login
Branch Login
IELTS on Computer
Paper Based IELTS
One Skill Retake (OSR)
Why take IELTS
IELTS for Study
IELTS for Work
IELTS for Migration
IELTS Vs. TOEFL
IELTS Vs. Duolingo
IELTS Vs. TOEFL Vs. PTE
IELTS Vs. TOEFL Vs. PTE Vs. Duolingo
IELTS or PTE for Migration
IELTS Test Dates
IELTS Test Centres
How do I Register?
IELTS Test Fee
IELTS For Academic
IELTS For General Training
IELTS For UKVI
IELTS For Life Skills
IELTS Form Filling Tips
Choose Speaking Slot
Reading Test Tips
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2
IELTS General Writing Task 1
IELTS General Writing Task 2
Speaking Test Tips
Listening Test Tips
Preparation Material
Academic Practice Test
General Training Practice Test
IELTS Familiarisation Test
Practice Test Video
Enquiry On Results (EOR)
Download TRF
Frequently Asked Questions
On paper Vs. On Computer
Test Takers Experience
Announcement
IDP India CSR Policy
IELTS Preparation Planner
Special Requirements
Learning Difficulties
Visual Difficulties
Hearing or Speaking Difficulties
CD IELTS Test Centres
IDP Branches
Registration partners
Share your Queries

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.

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.

Book my test

Share this article

Helpful resources.

Minimum IELTS score to study in Canada universities in 2024

How do I check my IELTS results online?

IELTS One Skill Retake – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why IELTS is important to move to Canada?

Importance of vocabulary in acing IELTS

Why take IELTS with IDP?

Know the student expenses and cost of living in Netherlands

Know all about studying master's degree in Netherlands

Top 10 universities in Netherlands for international students in 2024/2025

Unsure between OET and IELTS in 2024? A Guide for Healthcare Professionals

Global Gateway Towers, Tower-B, 5th Floor, Sikanderpur Ghosi, Sector-26, M.G. Road, Gurugram -122002 Haryana, India

About IDP IELTS India
IDP IELTS offices in India
About IDP India
IELTS Result
Additional TRF
Enquiry on Results
Transfer & Cancellation
Free IELTS Masterclass
CD IELTS FAQ's
IELTS Preparation Videos
IELTS Test Practice Material
Free IELTS Support Tools

IELTS India

Disclaimer - India
Privacy policy - India
Terms - India

A Beginner’s Guide to IELTS
Common Grammar Mistakes [for IELTS Writing Candidates]

Writing Correction Service

Free IELTS Resources
Practice Speaking Test

Select Page

7 Steps to Structuring an IELTS Task 2 Essay

Posted by David S. Wills | Apr 6, 2020 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

In this week’s article, I want to show you how to structure an IELTS writing task 2 essay. I’ve written about this many times in the past, but today I want to show you a simple, 7-step approach that can guide you to the perfect essay.

First of all, I want to mention that there are lots of ways to write an amazing essay. There are also 5 different kinds of question, hundreds of topics, and lots of different combinations. This means that you cannot just memorise an answer or even memorise a structure. You can learn about that in my IELTS books :

However, this article will give you a guide to writing a great essay structure by logically sequencing your ideas. This can help you to score highly for Coherence and Cohesion, which is worth 25% of your writing score.

IELTS Essay Structure: The Basics

Before we begin with the 7 steps, I would like to give you a short overview. Writing an IELTS essay requires many skills and you have a lot of different criteria to meet in order to get a band 7 or above. Your essay will be judged in four ways, each accounting for 25% of the total score:

Task Achievement
Coherence and Cohesion
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy

When thinking about structuring an essay, we are essentially talking about Coherence and Cohesion . Being able to produce a strong structure with logically sequenced ideas will give you a good chance of a high score in this section.

There are lots of different approaches, but most IELTS trainers agree that a four-paragraph structure is the best approach, with five paragraphs sometimes being appropriate. [ Read about 4 vs 5 paragraphs ] You should aim to divide your ideas sensibly and then build them in order to support your thesis or explain the issues as necessary.

Today, the steps that I will describe for you are as follows:

Analyse the Question
Brainstorm Ideas
Plan your Overall Structure
Plan your Internal Paragraph Structure
Write a Strong Introduction
Link your Sentences
Write a Good Conclusion

1. Analyse the Question

Every IELTS question is different and so it is really important that you read it carefully in order to understand it fully. If you just read it quickly, you might get the wrong idea. It is natural for our brains to see a word and jump to a conclusion. For example, a question that mentions climate change might really be asking about solutions to fossil fuel emissions rather than the consequences of global warming. If you don’t understand the question, you cannot write a good answer.

Before you begin brainstorming , read the question at least twice. Let’s look at an example:

Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to make people recycle more is to make it a legal requirement. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

When you first look at this question, your eyes will be drawn to keywords like “waste” and “recycle.” That is good, but we need to understand the full sentence. What sort of waste are we talking about? Waste from homes . What does “legal requirement” mean? It means make it a law .

You will always see a statement of some sort above and then the question below. Once you understand the statement, you should read the question. In this case, the question is “To what extent do you agree…?”

Therefore, you need to choose a position ( agree/disagree ) and then write an essay that explains your position.

Note: Some IELTS candidates believe that you have to give a balanced viewpoint. This is not necessarily true. You can read about it in this article .

2. Brainstorm Ideas

Once you understand the question, you can begin to think of ideas to use in your essay. My biggest piece of advice here is: DON’T CHOOSE TOO MANY IDEAS!!

Seriously, it is not helpful to use lots of different ideas or examples in your essay. Yes, this might help you reach 250 words easily, but your essay will definitely get a low score for Coherence and Cohesion (and possibly Task Achievement) because it will not be well organized and probably will lack sufficient development of ideas.

I encourage my writing students to follow the idea of ONE PARAGRAPH, ONE IDEA. In some essay types, this is easy. For example, in an advantages/disadvantages essay , you can just devote one body paragraph to advantages and the other to disadvantages. Simple!

However, in other types of essay, you might find it harder. With agree/disagree essays, you might have two reasons why you agree. In this case, you just put one reason in each body paragraph.

Let’s brainstorm now.

Personally, I agree that laws should be passed that require people to recycle their household waste. Therefore, I would consider the following ideas:

brainstorm ideas for ielts writing task 2

Those are just some ideas. Sometimes you will struggle to think of even two ideas and sometimes you will easily think of five or six. The important thing, though, is to choose the most important ones. Think about what would make the most convincing argument.

3. Plan your Overall Structure

By “overall structure,” I mean your basic paragraph plan. Every IELTS writing task 2 essay should have an introduction and conclusion , and at least two body paragraphs. This is the standard essay format and I highly recommend that you practice with it. Essays that have lots of paragraphs are usually a mess and will receive low scores for Coherence and Cohesion.

I want to write an advanced essay that will score band 9, so I am going to use an interesting structure that will allow me to show off my essay-writing skills. My first body paragraph will look at opposing viewpoints and then refute them, before the second body paragraph concisely states why we do need laws that make people recycle.

For this essay, my overall structure would look like this:

Introduction	Introduce topic Explain purpose of essay
Body paragraph 1	Give 2 opposing arguments and then refute them
Body paragraph 2	Give strong argument to support my viewpoint
Conclusion	Re-state main idea and summarise arguments.

This is a pretty simple and flexible paragraph structure. I highly recommend that you use it because once you become comfortable with it, you can really adapt it a lot. Even though it is basic and you can use it for scoring band 6, you can also use this structure for band 9 essays.

The reason is that you can vary the content of your body paragraphs greatly. Here, I have tried to give balance to the argument, even though I agree with one side – the need for laws. However, rather than simply state two compelling reasons, I will first dismiss the counter-arguments and then give an argument in favour of my viewpoint.

4. Plan your Internal Paragraph Structure

This is the most difficult part of structuring an essay and it is the reason why most people struggle to get a high score for Coherence and Cohesion.

It is really, really important for IELTS writing that your ideas are sequenced logically. That means they go from one idea to the next in a logical way. Look at these two example passages. One contains a logical flow of ideas and the other does not. Can you tell which is which?

The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced.
These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable.

Which one is correct? Answer: #1.

In this answer, I began with a topic sentence . This is a sentence that introduces an idea. I then explained that idea in more detail. Finally, I added another sentence that built upon the previous two. Both the second and third sentences supported the first. When you put them in the wrong order, they make no sense.

Finally, notice that I used certain words to refer back to previous ideas: these laws , do this .

5. Write a Strong Introduction

It’s really important with any kind of writing to give a strong introduction. This grabs your reader’s attention but also tells them what to expect from your writing. If an examiner reads a really terrible introduction, they will think that your body paragraphs are likely to be very bad, too.

As such, it is important that you devote a little time to writing an excellent intro.

What does that involve?

I recommend that people generally write a three-sentence introduction. (However, remember that there is no one perfect way to write an essay and so there are other good possibilities.)

I suggest this:

General statement that addresses the topic.
Slightly more specific statement that relates wider topic to specific question.
A sentence that shows essay intention or overview. (This is often called an outline sentence .)

For the above question, I would write an introduction like this:

Pollution remains a significant problem all around the world and this is causing people to debate possible solutions. One such solution is for governments to impose laws requiring citizens to recycle certain kinds of waste from their homes. This essay will argue that environmental laws are essential to reducing waste and thereby saving the planet.

sample introduction for ielts writing task 2

Let’s look at how those sentences are structured:

A very general statement: pollution is a problem; people discuss solutions.
More specific statement: introduce potential solution with simple detail
Essay statement: state that laws are essential for solving problem

6. Link your Sentences

Next, you are going to need to write the body paragraphs. With your essay structure already written, it should not be too hard to do this. You need to follow a simple but effective internal paragraph structure that develops and supports each idea.

When you do this, it is important that you link your sentences. Now, if you have a good enough structure, your sentences will already be linked. That is because your ideas will flow naturally from one to the next.

As you will know, it is possible to use “ cohesive devices ” (also called transitional or linking words/phrases etc). These include words and phrases like: however, therefore, next, after that, meanwhile, on the other hand . They are very useful and help guide your reader, but you should not overuse them or it will make your writing weak.

Let’s look at my third paragraph as an example.

The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. In the United Kingdom, people are required to recycle most of their household waste, and the environment is far cleaner than other countries, such as China, where people can throw any trash away without consequences.

How many cohesive devices did I use?

None. My sentences were already well-organized, so I did not need to use any.

You can read all about not using too many cohesive devices here .

7. Write a Good Conclusion

Finally, you must finish all your IELTS writing task 2 essays with a conclusion . This means a final paragraph that summarizes everything you have said so far and then references your key ideas. This can be either one or two sentences, but don’t write much more than that.

A conclusion will also differ according to the question type. Some might require you to make a suggestion or state an opinion, while others will really just require you to summarize you have said.

It is a pretty good idea to follow a structure like this:

Paraphrase your main idea.
Re-state your main arguments.

For example, here is my conclusion from the above question:

In conclusion, laws are absolutely essential to ensure that people recycle their household waste. Without such laws, very few people would actually go to the trouble of recycling; however, if governments enforce these laws, almost everyone would have to comply.

In this conclusion, the first sentence paraphrases my main idea (laws are necessary) and the second sentence re-states my main arguments (people would not recycle without laws; laws make people recycle).

Note that I have avoided repeating myself. In these two lines, I have simply referred to my previous arguments but I have not copied the things I already said. I have used new language for it.

Sample Band 9 Answer

Next, I will show you my answer for this question. Remember that this is just one possible answer. There are other ways to write a band 9 score. However, I do think that this is the best way because it is easy to learn and apply to your own essays. I recommend that you download the essay as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file because I have annotated it fully. You can see a clear explanation of what purpose each sentence has.

Sample Answer

Pollution remains a significant problem all around the world and this is causing people to debate possible solutions. One such solution is for governments to impose laws requiring citizens to recycle certain kinds of waste from their homes. This essay will argue that environmental laws are essential to reducing waste and thereby saving the planet. The case against laws imposing mandatory recycling revolve around the notion that people can learn to recycle by themselves, and this is true to an extent. With the improvement of education, people typically litter less and recycle more. However, our planet is presently in the grips of environmental catastrophe and it would take several generations for people to make changes to their lives. It is also sometimes argued that poor people cannot afford to make the sacrifice necessary to use less plastic and switch to sustainable products, and it is therefore unfair to punish them. However, mandatory recycling would not require people to immediately give up plastics; instead, they would simply be required to dispose of them in an ethical manner at a government-run recycling facility. The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. In the United Kingdom, people are required to recycle most of their household waste, and the environment is far cleaner than other countries, such as China, where people can throw any trash away without consequences. In conclusion, laws are absolutely essential to ensure that people recycle their household waste. Without such laws, very few people would actually go to the trouble of recycling; however, if governments enforce these laws, almost everyone would have to comply.

You can download a copy of that sample essay here . This will allow you to see all of my annotations like this:

Improving your Writing Skills

If you really want to get better at IELTS writing, the best way is to have an expert check your work. People who use my writing correction service find that they can quickly identify their mistakes and improve their overall IELTS score.

E-mail me at david [at] ted-ielts [dot] com to find out more, or check the above link.

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.

IELTS Speaking Topic: Cooking

May 6, 2018

5 IELTS Writing Tips

February 14, 2020

Find Out Your IELTS Writing Score

July 4, 2020

Avoiding IELTS Scams

March 1, 2019

Download my IELTS Books

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Write an Effective Introduction & Conclusion in IELTS

Most people do not know the importance of IELTS writing task 2 introduction and conclusion. It affects a lot on your overall performance in IELTS bands. Basically, a strong introduction and conclusion can make a huge difference between a Band 6 and a Band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2. In this article, you will get to know how to write a Band 8 introduction and conclusion by avoiding the biggest mistakes most people make when they introduce and conclude their essays. As you know, the introduction is the first part of the Ielts writing task 2 the examiner reads and it gives them a first impression of what to expect in the rest of the essay. On the other hand, the conclusion is the last part the examiner ends its reading and leaves the impression on him.

Lets’ Start with the Introduction. Many aspirants produce introductions with a few common problems in them.

Common Problems in IELTS Introduction

1.talking too generally about the topic..

Many aspirants start the essays with ‘Nowadays……’ or ‘In modern life….’ followed by general information about the topic. According to expert’s knowledge, this is not the right way to start an essay. Let me clear the fact that you need to answer the question not write generally about the topic.

2.Not including a thesis statement

The thesis is the most important sentence in the IELTS writing essay. If you don’t include it, your marks will be deducted.

3. Not outlining what you are going to do

Sentence outlining defines what your essay says so that examiner comes to know what you are going to write in the rest of your essay. If you don’t write it, you will lose your marks.

4. Using an informal style

Never use an informal style of essay writing. 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 is contributing to rising global temperatures and certain health issues. Firstly, this essay will discuss the production of greenhouse gases by vehicles, and secondly, it will discuss other toxic chemicals released 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. .

Bad Example Explanation:

it discusses the essay topic very generally, copies words or phrases from the question. Moreover, it doesn’t include a thesis statement or outline statement. Don’t worry! Many students write the introduction like this but let me give you an example of a good introduction that will help you to write very effective introductions.

Structure of a Good Introduction

An IELTS writing task 2 essays should have three sentences:

Paraphrase question
Thesis statement
Outline statement

1.Paraphrase Question

Paraphrasing is writing the question again by using different vocabulary words like synonyms so that it has the same meaning.

Example 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.

Paraphrase Question Example :

Rising global temperatures and human health and fitness issues are often viewed as being caused by the expanding use of automobiles. The synonyms used in the above example: Increasing- expanding Car use- use of automobiles Global warming- rising global temperatures People’s health and well-being- human health and fitness.

2.Thesis Statement

The thesis is your main idea you need to write what the essay is about in one sentence. Basically from this, the examiner comes to that you have understood the question and will lead to a clear and coherent essay.

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.

Example Thesis:

This essay agrees that the increasing use of motor vehicles is contributing to rising global temperatures and certain health issues. Basically, the thesis is just one sentence long that you have to practice summing up your opinion in one sentence.

3. Outline Statement

Once you paraphrased the question and gave your thesis statement, then you will tell the examiner what you will discuss in the main body paragraphs. In other words, outline what the examiner will read in the rest of the essay. it should be one sentence only.

Example 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.

Outline statement Example : Firstly, this essay will discuss the production of greenhouse gases by vehicles, and secondly, it will discuss other toxic chemicals released by internal combustion engines.

You need to write one main idea for each paragraph. In this essay, I have only two main body paragraphs, so I only need to discuss two points in the outline statement.

Main body paragraph 1- Production of greenhouse gases by cars.

Main body paragraph 2- Toxic chemicals produced by car engines.

In this way, you can specify the main ideas so it should be easy to spot these and then write a sentence about them.

Conclusion In IELTS Writing Task 2

In IELTS writing task 2 conclusion , the conclusion is one of the easiest parts to write because here you just need to conclude the essay. Rest of the things you have already mentioned in your introduction and main body paragraphs.

However, these are the paragraphs that examiners read and it leaves an impression on him about your essay. Therefore, it's important to finish strongly. In the end, while writing the conclusion, you have limited time so in order to write an effective conclusion in less time, you to practices a lot for writing it quickly.

IELTS Conclusion Quick Tips

1. Never include ideas in your conclusion: A conclusion is simply just restating the ideas you have in the rest of the IELTS writing task 2. You can’t write new ideas in the main body and not in the conclusion.

2 . Answer the question in the conclusion: You should answer the question in a way what you think about it and make it clear how you feel about the issue.

3 . Don’t try to include everything: In the end, you are not supposed to go into detail; because you have already mentioned everything in the main body paragraphs. just summarise your main points in an effective way.

4. Always write one: If you don’t end the essay with a good conclusion, then you won't expect a good score in the IELTS writing task.

Linking Phrases That You Need to Avoid!

First of all, start with a linking phrase, but some are better than others.

Have a look at some of the examples:

Finally is not that suitable because it represents that you are making a final point and therefore a new idea. Thus you can use it in the main body of your essay, but not the conclusion.

In a nutshell

In a nutshell, is an informal phrase that we should never use in IELTS conclusions.

In the general, show the reader you are going to discuss something generally. So we are not going to do the same in our conclusion. Therefore we should avoid using it in conclusion.

How to Write a Good Conclusion?

There are two elements in a good conclusion:

1. Summarizing the main points of the essay

2. Varying your vocabulary by paraphrasing

Example Introduction:

It is argued that students should be taught real-life skills, like how to look after money. This essay agrees that they should be part of the curriculum because everyday competencies benefit people later in life and not being taught how to manage money at an early age can lead to dangerous consequences in adulthood.

The Above Effective Introduction Example includes the following:

Paraphrasing the question
Stating my opinion
Outlining what I will talk about in the rest of the essay

Example Conclusion

In conclusion, this essay supports the idea that teenagers ought to be taught functional subjects like financial planning because it helps them in adulthood and a lack of education related to these topics can have serious consequences.

Conclusion Explanation

Let me explain what I did in the conclusion. I restate my opinion and main supporting points. However, I did not copy all the words; I just simply used synonyms and paraphrase them. Make sure paraphrasing does not mean changing every single word. Basically, you should try to vary your vocabulary as much as you can, but it’s not possible to change each and every word. Therefore you can better repeat a word properly.

Paraphrases Used in Above Conclusion

This essay support- This essay agrees Should- ought To students- teenagers Functional subjects- real-life skills Look after money- financial planning Later in life- adulthood

Content Writer

Sign Up Complete your profile

Must contain atleast 1 uppercase, 1 lowercase and 1 numeric characters. Minimum 8 characters.

Item Details		Price

IELTS skill

Content type, ielts test preparation materials writing, speaking, videos from test takers and universities.

Watch videos from former test takers, IELTS experts and leading universities. Learn from their insights on the IELTS test experience.

What is IELTS?

How to best prepare for a wide variety of speaking topics, should i try to speak slowly or quickly in my speaking test, common pronunciation mistakes (v vs w), what is ielts for ukvi, does punctuation matter, can you tell me about the writing band scores/assessment criteria, do i need an ielts preparation course rather than an english course, do you have any advice on how one can improve their punctuation, can i use formal language in academic writing task 1, should we expect topics related to covid-19, will i be penalised for using personal examples in ielts writing task 2, ielts talks: meet the expert (le cao bach), ielts myth-busting: you asked, we answer #2, ielts writing task 2 masterclass, free ielts practice tests.

There is no shortcut to success and practice is the first step of the journey. Explore free IELTS materials to kick start your studying.

COMPUTER-DELIVERED

Ielts academic - writing task 2, ielts academic - writing task 1, ielts writing - familiarisation test, general training writing - writing task 1, general training writing - writing task 2, paper-based, free practice test - speaking part 1, free practice test - speaking part 2, free practice test - speaking part 3, academic writing - writing task 1a, academic writing - writing task 1 - sample task 2, life skills b1 - sample task a, ielts online courses.

Dive into your practice with free and paid online courses covering a wide range of IELTS topics.

IELTS online preparation courses

Ielts academic test preparation.

Learn from IELTS Experts, former test takers and more. Cultivate good reading habits and unlock handy tips to achieve your desired IELTS band score.

Find out why an overview is important in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

Find out why it is so important to include an overview in your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to understand IELTS question prompts

Learn more about the different question prompts in Writing Task 2. Our IELTS Expert will guide you on how to address the question relevantly.

IELTS for UKVI: Moving to the UK

Moving to UK can open many doors for you and your family. Find out how IELTS for UKVI can get you to the United Kingdom.

Language to help you speak more fluently in the IELTS Speaking test

Find out which functional phrases you should learn to help improve your IELTS Speaking test performance.

Grammar 101: Advice vs. Advise

Get to understand the difference between advice and advise. These are commonly confused words, but it's easy to get it right. Check out Advice vs Advise.

IELTS for native English speakers – some tips to get a top score

Even if English is your first language, you should still practice for IELTS. IELTS for native English speakers gives you tips and tricks to get a high score.

Gaining your IELTS confidence back, after several tries and failures

Failed in your latest IELTS attempt? Don’t despair! Here’s a game plan to regain your confidence and bounce back with a win to attain the band score you desire!

The difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training

IELTS provides you with a choice between the Academic and General Training tests. So which one should you book? Let's find out.

Having a burning question about the IELTS test? Find answers to the most common test taker queries.

IELTS Speaking test: 10 tips from Experts

5 reasons why ielts is the top-choice of test takers worldwide, 5 tips to practice your pronunciation in ielts speaking.

Useful links
Who accepts IELTS?
News and articles
IELTS Masterclass
Your IELTS results
IELTS General Training
IELTS Academic
IELTS Online
IELTS for UKVI
IELTS by IDP app
Find sessions
Check IELTS results
Middle East
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Saudi Arabia
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Switzerland
Legal notices
Privacy policy
Cookie policy

IMAGES

How to Write an Introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2
Ielts Writing Task 1 Introduction
How to Write an Introduction For an Essay: Guide With Examples
How to Write an Introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2
IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips to Write an Effective Introduction
IELTS Task 2 introduction: a better way to start your essay

VIDEO

Ielts writing introduction example
IELTS Writing Task 2 || How to write IELTS Essay? || Tips&Tricks || Online class available
Perfect IELTS Writing Introduction [Sample ⬇️]
How to Write IELTS Essay Introduction in 2Min Only #ieltswriting #ieltstask2 #ieltswritingtask2
How to write introduction in IELTS writing task 2 #youtube #ielts
How to Write Introductions & Conclusions in IELTS Task 2

COMMENTS

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write an introduction
An introduction paragraph for an IELTS writing task 2 essay requires only two statements. A Background Statement - This is a paraphrase of the essay question. All essays must have this statement. A Thesis Statement - A direct answer to the essay question and task. An IELTS introduction paragraph does not require anything more to fulfil the ...
PDF Writing Task 2 Essay structure and writing an introduction
Procedure: introduce focus of the lesson: Writing Task 2 - Essay structures and introductions. give each student a copy of Worksheet 1 and one minute to read the Task 2 question. elicit possible next steps before writing i.e. brainstorming ideas. draw attention to the True / False task and clarify the importance of spending time with the ...
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.
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a good introduction
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.
PDF Essay structure and writing an introduction
Information about this section of IELTS In Writing Task 2, test takers will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. They will be expected to write at least 250 words and are advised to spend 40 minutes on this task. The essay should be written in formal, academic English. Time 45 minutes
IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction
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 ...
Writing The Introduction To Your Essay: Tips, Examples ...
introduce your reader to the topic of the essay. introduce your reader to your answer to the essay question (s) 1. Introduce the Essay Topic. The introduction should firstly introduce your reader to the essay topic. All IELTS tasks start with a topic statement. For example, in this task: Some children spend hours every day on their smartphones.
How to Write an IELTS Essay: The key steps
Write at least 250 words. An IELTS essay is structured like any other essay; you just need to make it shorter. There are three key elements: Introduction. Body Paragraphs. Conclusion. We will look at each of these in turn, using the essay question above as an example.
IELTS Writing Task 2: ️ Everything You Need to Know
IELTS Writing Task 2: ️ Everything You Need to Know
How to Write an Introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2
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.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Free Tips, Lessons & Model Essays
IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips, Lessons & Models
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Write a Band 7+ Introduction
This is a huge help for your cohesion and coherence! The standard IELTS Task 2 essay structure is four paragraphs - an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, with each body paragraph focussing on one main idea. So for the introduction above the main idea for body paragraph 1 will be traffic, and the main idea for body paragraph 2 ...
IELTS Task 2 Writing: How to Write a Clear and Simple Introduction
Discuss both sides and give your opinion. For this kind of Task 2 question you need to discuss both sides of the question. As with agree/disagree question above, you must clearly state which side your opinion agrees with. The best way to do this is to include your opinion in the introduction and conclusion.
How to write effective Introduction IELTS Writing Task 2
This will leave you lots of time to focus on the main body paragraphs where you can pick up lots of mark. An IELTS writing task 2 opinion essay should have three sentences and these three sentences should be: Paraphrase question. Thesis statement. Outline statement.
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write an introduction
A complete lesson on how to write an introduction paragraph for an IELTS essay. This lesson explains the content of the background statement and the thesis s...
IELTS Writing Tasks How to Write Task 2 Introductions
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.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips to Write an Effective Introduction
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.
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a good introduction
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.
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 ...
How to Write the Perfect IELTS Essay Introduction
Watch this video to find out how to write The PERFECT IELTS Essay Introduction in IELTS Writing Task 2. IELTS Ex-examiner Mark teaches you everything you nee...
7 Steps to Structuring an IELTS Task 2 Essay
Today, the steps that I will describe for you are as follows: Analyse the Question. Brainstorm Ideas. Plan your Overall Structure. Plan your Internal Paragraph Structure. Write a Strong Introduction. Link your Sentences. Write a Good Conclusion. 7 Steps to a Perfect IELTS Essay Structure from David Wills.
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Write an Effective Introduction
Never include ideas in your conclusion: A conclusion is simply just restating the ideas you have in the rest of the IELTS writing task 2. You can't write new ideas in the main body and not in the conclusion. 2 . Answer the question in the conclusion: You should answer the question in a way what you think about it and make it clear how you ...
10 steps to writing high-scoring IELTS essays
Step one: Plan your time. The Writing test (consisting of Writing tasks 1 and 2) takes approximately 60 minutes. Plan to spend around 20 minutes on your first task, and 40 minutes on your essay task. A sample plan for your time might be: 5 to 10 minutes reading the essay question and planning your answer. 15 to 20 minutes writing your first draft.
IELTS Writing, Speaking test preparation
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to understand IELTS question prompts. Learn more about the different question prompts in Writing Task 2. Our IELTS Expert will guide you on how to address the question relevantly. 30mins IELTS for UKVI: Moving to the UK. Moving to UK can open many doors for you and your family. Find out how IELTS for UKVI can get you ...