3 steps to write a concise and effective IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction for band 7+

Have you ever experienced the dilemma of staring at a Writing Task 2 prompt during your IELTS preparation, with ideas in mind but not knowing how to start your essay? This can be considered the most challenging issue that IELTS test takers often encounter. Therefore, PREP has compiled 3 concise and effective steps to write an opening paragraph for a Band 7+ Writing Task 2 essay, making it easier for you to conquer the Writing test. Let's explore these techniques for writing an engaging IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction in the following article!

I. Step 1: Understanding the "question" through keywords is the first step in writing an IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction

To write an effective IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction, the first step that test takers need to remember is to understand the question through keywords:

• We need to quickly "decode" what the question is asking by identifying the keywords.
• Translating them into your mother tongue quickly is a good approach if you are not yet comfortable with thinking directly in English.

Below are some IELTS Writing Task 2 introduction examples:

Sample prompt 1: “Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things that we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

The prompt asks whether advertising encourages unnecessary purchases or provides information about beneficial products. Clearly, you need to discuss both perspectives and then provide your own opinion.

Sample prompt 2: “Studies show that criminals get a low level of education. Some people believe that the best way to reduce crime is educating people in prison so they can get a job after leaving prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

The prompt asks whether educating prisoners is the best way to reduce crime. Many people may lean towards saying "no" upon hearing this.

Sample prompt 3: “In some countries, an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems as a result of eating too much fast food. It is therefore necessary for governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?”

In the prompt above, there are two key phrases: "health problems" and "impose tax." Many people might mistakenly think that the first phrase is more important and spend a long paragraph discussing health problems such as obesity and diabetes. However, after careful reading, you will understand that the question is very simple: "To tax or not to tax?" The choice is up to you.

II. Step 2: Introduce the essay content through a general statement

• In this step of writing an IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction, we introduce the essay by using a general statement, which involves paraphrasing some key keywords from the prompt.
• You don't need to paraphrase the entire prompt, just focus on conveying the context effectively.
• Sometimes, if the prompt is complex, you can write the IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction using two sentences instead of one.

Here are some examples for reference:

Example 1 of how to write an IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction:

Introduce the content of the essay through a general statement: Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things that we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Paraphrase: Advertising  commercial advertisements
We have the sentence: Recently, commercial advertisements have bombarded a variety of television channels, newspapers, magazines and websites.

Example 2 of how to write an IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction:

Introduce the content of the essay through a general statement: Studies show that criminals get a low level of education. Some people believe that the best way to reduce crime is educating people in prison so they can get a job after leaving prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Paraphrase:
Educating people in prison  educating offenders during imprisonment
Reduce crime  reducing the future crime rates
We have the sentence: Educating offenders during imprisonment as a method of reducing the future crime rates is a major topic of concern in today’s society.

Example 3 of how to write an IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction:

Introduce the content of the essay through a general statement: In some countries, an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems as a result of eating too much fast food. It is therefore necessary for governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Paraphrase:
Increasing number of people…eating fast food increasing presence of fast food Governments  policymakers
Impose a higher tax  taxation schemes
We have the sentence: Recently, the increasing presence of fast food has caused many policymakers to consider specific taxation schemes that may fundamentally reduce the consumption of this type of food.

III. Step 3: Respond to the prompt with a concise thesis statement

• The final sentence in writing an IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction is the thesis statement. This sentence is used to answer the prompt and provide an overview of the essay: which main aspects will be discussed?
• To do this, we need to refer back to Step 1: What does the prompt ask? Does it ask about both sides or just one side?
• The goal is to directly address the prompt and provide a clear direction for the body paragraphs. Hence, hinting at some keywords you will use in the body paragraphs is a great approach.

Here are some detailed examples for reference:

Example 1 of how to write an IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction:

The thesis statement: Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things that we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
You need to cover both sides of the prompt, which the prompt already mentions, so remember to continue paraphrasing.
      – this trend helps popularise new goods that enhance people’s living standards
      – the main result is the unnecessary consumption of goods by the public
Additionally, make sure to state your own opinion clearly! Here, I will use:
      – there are stronger reasons…
Recently, commercial advertisements have bombarded a variety of television channels, newspapers, magazines and websites. While some claim that this trend helps popularise new goods that enhance people’s living standards, there are stronger reasons why the main result is the unnecessary consumption of goods by the public.

Example 2 of how to write an IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction:

The thesis statement: Studies show that criminals get a low level of education. Some people believe that the best way to reduce crime is educating people in prison so they can get a job after leaving prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
When the prompt states, "my way is the best way," we should respond with something like... well, that's just one way, there are other ways too! I will make it clear:
      – This is a good way
      – But it is not the best
      – There are better ways!
We will have the sentence:
Educating offenders during imprisonment as a method of reducing the future crime rates is a major topic of concern in today’s society. While such a solution is effective in reducing crime, it is far from being the best method and there are many better methods of crime prevention.

Example 3 of how to write an IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction:

The thesis statement: In some countries, an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems as a result of eating too much fast food. It is therefore necessary for governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
When the prompt asks for your opinion on taxing or not taxing, it's up to you. In my case, I will choose not to tax. Yay, I'm a fan of fast food! I believe:
- This form of taxation is not truly effective; people will still eat fast food anyway.

• Taxation also brings about other consequences for various groups of people
  We will have the sentence:
  Recently, the increasing presence of fast food has caused many policymakers to consider specific taxation schemes that may fundamentally reduce the consumption of this type of food. However, there is strong evidence why taxation is not only ineffective in stopping people from consuming fast food but also disadvantageous to some groups of people.

These are the three concise steps to writing a concise IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction, aiming for a band score of 7+. Hopefully, the knowledge shared by PREP above will help you effectively prepare for the IELTS exam during your self-study at home and achieve a high IELTS Writing band score.