Although the introduction paragraph in IELTS writing task 2 is not as important as the main body, writing a good opening can help secure the minimum score for the entire essay.
The introduction is not made up out of thin air; it needs to be based on two things. First, it should be based on the background information or viewpoint provided by the topic, with vocabulary replaced and sentence structures rewritten to demonstrate your understanding of the topic. This is more of a formulaic approach. Second, it should reflect the main points you intend to discuss in the body paragraphs, clearly stating your personal stance. This is part of responding to the task. Especially for the latter, if the introduction does not clarify your position and the argumentation in the body paragraphs is vague, the examiner will be confused, and the TR (Task Response) score will not be high. Additionally, if the viewpoint expressed in the introduction is inconsistent with the stance in the body, this creates a contradiction, giving the examiner a reason to deduct points. In theory, before you start writing the introduction, you should already have a general idea of the stance you intend to take and the arguments you plan to present throughout the essay.
So, how can you quickly write the introduction? Although the IELTS writing task2 has different question formats — such as asking whether you agree or disagree with a viewpoint (AD), asking you to compare the pros and cons of an issue (pros and cons comparison), asking you to discuss two opposing viewpoints and provide your own opinion (D&G), or presenting a social phenomenon and asking for causes and solutions — you can use the same framework for the introduction: “Rewrite the topic in one sentence” + “state your position in one sentence.”
Below, I will provide examples based on different question formats, which should give you a basic understanding. Once you’re familiar with this approach, the remaining task is to accumulate vocabulary, sentence structures, and viewpoints.
Agree or disagree with a viewpoint (AD)
“Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career. Do you agree or disagree?”
#Step 1: rewrite the topic in one sentence
“It is often argued that attending university is the most effective way to achieve a successful career.” “It is often argued that …” can also be replaced with “There is a common belief that …” or “Many people argue that …“.
#Step 2: state your position in one sentence
“In my opinion, I (fully/completely/tend to) agree/disagree with this view.” “In my opinion …” can also be replaced with “Personally, I think that …” or “I firmly believe that …“, etc. It depends on your preference and familiarity. The key is not to sound advanced, but to express yourself smoothly and clearly.
Discuss and give your own opinion (D&G)
“Some people think that economic growth is the most important factor in reducing poverty. Others believe that economic growth actually increases poverty. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
#Step 1: rewrite the topic in one sentence
“There is an ongoing debate about whether economic growth is the key to reducing poverty or if it actually exacerbates poverty.” There are also some sentence structures that are frequently used: “People have different views about …” or “There are differing opinions on …“.
#Step 2: state your position in one sentence
A more complex way to express your stance could be: “While economic growth can reduce poverty by creating jobs, I believe it can also increase poverty if wealth is not distributed fairly.” Of course, how you phrase this depends on your argumentative strategy. This sentence directly references the central points of the two body paragraphs, emphasizing that unequal distribution can cause poverty while acknowledging the benefits of economic growth. It’s very clear. If you want to be a bit lazier, you could use a universal opening like “This essay will discuss both views and provide my own perspective.“, leaving your stance a mystery for now and encouraging the examiner to read on.
Advantages and Disadvantages
“In recent years, the use of social media has become increasingly popular. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?”
#Step 1: rewrite the topic in one sentence
“In recent years, social media usage has surged in popularity.” These trend-focused sentences can be rephrased using different structures such as “Over the past few years, … has seen a significant increase …“, “Recently, … has become increasingly …“, or “Lately, there has been a noticeable rise in …” and so on.
#Step 2: state your position in one sentence
“Although social media offers several benefits, I contend that its negative aspects are more impactful.” A simpler and more straightforward stance would be “I believe that the drawbacks are far more than the benefits.”
Issues/Causes – Solutions
“Many cities around the world are facing increasing levels of air pollution. What are the causes of this problem and what can be done to solve it?”
#Step 1: rewrite the topic in one sentence
“Air pollution has become a significant issue in many urban areas globally.” You can also use sentences like “There is a growing concern about …” or “The issue of… has become increasingly serious.“
#Step 2: state your position in one sentence
“I believe that the primary causes of this issue are vehicular emissions and industrial activities, and it can be addressed through stricter regulations and the promotion of cleaner technologies.” You can signal to the examiner that you’re transitioning from discussing causes to proposing solutions. A versatile response could be something like, “This essay will examine the main causes of this problem and propose some possible solutions.“, similar to the example in D&G.
I trust that you have understood the ways to rewrite the introduction for the four types of Writing Task 2 mentioned above. While the concepts are important, practice is even more crucial. So, get started right away!
