IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction: Tips and Templates

Mastering the IELTS Writing Task 2 introduction is essential for building a clear, well-structured essay. This guide provides practical steps, versatile templates for every essay type, and sample introductions from Band 6 to Band 9 to help you enhance coherence, accuracy, and overall writing performance.

I. How to Write a Strong IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction?

The introduction is one of the most crucial parts of your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay. It sets the tone for your entire response and gives the examiner their first impression of your writing. A well-structured introduction demonstrates clarity of thought, awareness of the task type, and an ability to paraphrase and build arguments effectively.

In IELTS Writing Task 2, your introduction serves three major functions:

• It paraphrases the essay question to show lexical resource.

• It states your position or outlines what the essay will discuss.

• It helps the reader understand what to expect—a roadmap for the body paragraphs.

While short and concise (usually 40–60 words), the introduction is not a place for long arguments or supporting evidence. It should introduce the topic and prepare the reader for what’s coming in a clear and organized manner.

There are typically two or three core elements in a strong Task 2 introduction:

1. Paraphrased background statement – Rewriting the question prompt using different words and structures while keeping the meaning intact.

2. Thesis statement – A direct sentence stating your main position or summarizing what the essay will argue.

3. Outline sentence (optional) – A sentence that briefly previews the points or structure, useful in more complex essays.

This structure ensures clarity while allowing flexibility depending on the type of essay you are writing.

How to Write the Introduction – Step by Step

Step 1 – Identify the Essay Type

Before you begin writing, determine what type of essay the prompt is asking for. The five most common are:

• Opinion (agree/disagree)

• Discussion (discuss both views)

• Problem-solution

• Advantage–disadvantage

• Two-part question

Your introduction's tone and thesis should align with the question’s requirements.

Step 2 – Paraphrase the Question Effectively

Avoid copying the question verbatim. Instead, use synonyms, change the sentence structure, and condense where necessary. The goal is to demonstrate your lexical and grammatical range.

Example:

Original: Some people believe that students should be taught financial education in schools. Do you agree or disagree?

Paraphrased: Many argue that schools should include financial education in their curriculum to better prepare students for adult life.

Step 3 – Write a Clear Thesis Statement

Your thesis is the most important sentence in your introduction. It clearly states your main position or approach to the task.

• If it’s an opinion essay, state your agreement or disagreement.

• In discussion essays, you can stay neutral or favor one side.

• In a two-part questFion, respond briefly to both questions.

Example thesis:

In my opinion, teaching financial literacy at school is essential, as it equips young people with practical life skills.

Step 4 – (Optional) Add an Outline Sentence

In some cases—especially for longer or more complex essays—you may include a sentence that briefly outlines the main points you’ll cover. This helps the reader follow your argument more easily.

Example:

This essay will explore the reasons why financial education is vital and suggest how schools can implement it effectively.

Don’t overuse the outline sentence. It’s optional and best used when your body paragraphs are clearly distinct in focus.

II. IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction Templates

Using templates can be an effective way to approach the introduction of your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay—particularly when you're under time pressure. However, templates should never be memorized and applied rigidly. Instead, they should act as flexible frameworks, adapted to fit the requirements of each specific question type.

General Template for Any Essay Type

• Sentence 1 – Paraphrase the question: Rewrite the topic in your own words using different vocabulary and sentence structure.

• Sentence 2 – Thesis statement: Clearly state your opinion or main idea in a direct and simple way.

• (Optional) Sentence 3 – Outline sentence: Briefly mention the main points or structure of your essay.

Example:

Many argue that schools should include financial education in their curriculum. I firmly believe this is a necessary step, as it equips students with essential life skills. This essay will discuss why financial literacy is important and how it can be taught effectively.

Templates by Essay Type

1. Opinion Essay (Agree or Disagree)

Structure:

• Sentence 1: Paraphrase the topic

• Sentence 2: State your clear opinion (agree/disagree)

• Sentence 3 (optional): Mention main arguments or essay outline

Template:

The question of whether [topic] remains a subject of debate. Personally, I [agree/disagree] with this idea because [give brief reason 1] and [reason 2].

2. Discussion Essay (Discuss both views + your opinion)

Structure:

• Sentence 1: Introduce the issue and paraphrase the question

• Sentence 2: Mention both perspectives

• Sentence 3: State your opinion (balanced or leaning)

Template:

Some individuals believe that [viewpoint A], while others argue that [viewpoint B]. This essay will examine both perspectives before concluding with my personal opinion.

3. Advantage–Disadvantage Essay

Structure:

• Sentence 1: Paraphrase the question

• Sentence 2: State whether advantages outweigh disadvantages or you remain neutral

• Sentence 3: Mention what aspects will be discussed

Template:

The practice of [topic] has grown in popularity in recent years. While it offers several advantages, there are also some drawbacks to consider. This essay will explore both aspects to reach a conclusion.

4. Problem–Solution Essay

Structure:

• Sentence 1: Introduce the topic as a growing issue

• Sentence 2: Mention the significance of finding solutions

• Sentence 3: Briefly mention the solutions or suggest the essay will propose them

Template:

One of the most pressing issues in today’s world is [topic]. This phenomenon presents several challenges, but there are practical steps that can be taken to mitigate them.

5. Two-Part Question Essay (Direct Questions)

Structure:

• Sentence 1: Paraphrase the entire question

• Sentence 2: Briefly answer both questions or summarize your perspective

Template:

[Topic] raises two important questions: [question 1] and [question 2]. This essay will provide responses to both queries with supporting examples.

These templates should serve as springboards—not scripts. You should modify them to match your own writing style, vocabulary range, and specific argument for each task.

Failure to paraphrase effectively often results in repetition in IELTS Writing, which lowers lexical resource scores.

III. Sample Introductions (Band 6 to Band 9)

Understanding what makes a strong introduction—and how it differs across scoring levels—is essential for improving your IELTS Writing Task 2 performance. In this section, you'll see sample introductions written at Band 6, Band 7, and Band 8–9 levels. For each, there is an explanation of what works, where the limitations lie, and how the introduction aligns with IELTS scoring criteria.

Band 6 Sample Introduction

Prompt: Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the right place to learn this. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sample Introduction:

Some people think that it is the responsibility of parents to teach children good behavior, while others say schools should do this. This essay will look at both sides and give my opinion.

Analysis:

• Strengths: The introduction paraphrases the prompt accurately and shows understanding of the task. The structure is clear.

• Limitations: Vocabulary is very basic and directly mirrors the question. There is little to no variation in structure or sentence type. Thesis is vague.

• Why Band 6: While the meaning is communicated clearly, the language lacks variety and precision. It fulfils the task but does not demonstrate strong lexical or grammatical ability.

Band 7 Sample Introduction

Sample Introduction:

There is ongoing debate about whether moral and social values should be taught by parents at home or learned within the school environment. This essay will discuss both perspectives and explain why I believe that parents play a more influential role in shaping their children’s behavior.

Analysis:

• Strengths: Good vocabulary use (e.g., "ongoing debate", "moral and social values"). Reasonable paraphrasing and a clear opinion expressed in the thesis.

• Limitations: Thesis could be slightly more specific in introducing the supporting points. Sentence variety is present but somewhat conservative.

• Why Band 7: Demonstrates lexical flexibility and task awareness. Some refinement still needed in phrasing, but the structure is effective and coherent.

Band 8–9 Sample Introduction

Sample Introduction:

While some argue that the responsibility of nurturing socially responsible individuals lies with parents, others contend that this duty is better fulfilled by educational institutions. Although both sides have merit, I firmly believe that schools, due to their structured and diverse environments, are better suited to cultivate these essential life skills.

Analysis:

• Strengths:

  • High-level paraphrasing using academic phrases ("nurturing socially responsible individuals", "educational institutions").

  • Clear, opinionated thesis with justification.

  • Precise and advanced vocabulary showing strong lexical resource.

• Why Band 8–9:

  • Excellent control of grammar, collocations, and sentence complexity.

  • Shows critical thinking and depth in the introduction without going into unnecessary detail.

These examples illustrate how introductions evolve from basic comprehension (Band 6) to fluent and flexible academic writing (Band 8+). Practicing your own introductions by analyzing models like these can help you build stronger structure, richer vocabulary, and greater clarity in your writing.

These distinctions directly reflect the assessment criteria used in IELTS Writing band scores.

IV. Common Mistakes in Task 2 Introductions

Even though the introduction is only a small part of your essay, making mistakes here can set a negative tone for the rest of your response. Understanding what not to do is just as important as mastering what to include. Below are the most common errors IELTS candidates make when writing introductions for Writing Task 2—and how to avoid them.

Repeating the Question Without Paraphrasing

Mistake: Many students copy the prompt almost word for word, believing it's the safest way to introduce the topic.

Example:

Some people believe that schools should teach children to be good members of society, while others believe that this should be taught by parents.

Why it hurts your score:

• Shows limited lexical resource.

• May be penalized under "Task Achievement" and "Lexical Resource" criteria.

What to do instead: Learn to paraphrase key terms using synonyms and alternative sentence structure. Practice with common IELTS topics to build speed and accuracy.

Including Specific Arguments or Supporting Points Too Early

Mistake: Some candidates begin discussing their main body points in the introduction.

Why it hurts your score:

• Makes the introduction too long or detailed.

• Repeats information unnecessarily in later paragraphs.

• Affects essay balance and logical progression.

What to do instead:

• Stick to a general overview of the topic.

• Limit the introduction to the paraphrased question and thesis (and optional outline sentence).

Writing an Overly Long Introduction

Mistake: A long introduction (sometimes over 100 words) uses up too much of your 40-minute writing time and total word count.

Why it hurts your score:

• Reduces time available to develop body paragraphs.

• Often includes repetition or padding with low-value phrases.

What to do instead: Target 40–60 words for your introduction. Focus on impact and clarity rather than word count. Efficiency is key.

Being Too Vague or Neutral in the Thesis Statement

Mistake: Using vague phrases like “This essay will discuss this issue” or not clearly stating an opinion (in an opinion-based task).

Why it hurts your score:

• Examiner cannot tell what your position is.

• Affects “Task Response,” especially in essays that require a clear opinion.

What to do instead: Make your thesis direct and purposeful. For example:

I strongly believe that parents are better suited to teach children good behavior because of their close emotional bond.

Avoiding these common mistakes not only strengthens your introduction but also improves your overall essay coherence and confidence from the very beginning.

Most of these issues are recurring mistakes in IELTS Writing that candidates can actively train to avoid.

Above is the full article by PREP on how to write a strong and effective introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2. We hope this guide helps you understand the structure, avoid common pitfalls, and feel more confident when starting your essays. Keep exploring with PREP to strengthen your writing skills, step by step.