thesis statement example in ielts

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How to Write a Thesis Statement

This post will show you how to write a strong IELTS thesis statement. It will also explain why you should vary your thesis statement according to the question type you are given in the IELTS writing test.

This post will look at:

• what a thesis statement is;
• how to identify the different question types;
• how to write a thesis statement for each question.

What is a thesis statement?

”A thesis is an idea put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed or analysed.”

A thesis statement is the most important sentence in your IELTS writing task 2 answer.  It is contained in the introduction ; each introduction should have one, along with a paraphrase  of the question and an outline statement.

A thesis statement is your main idea. I often describe it to students as “the way you feel about the whole issue in one sentence”. It tells the examiner that you have understood the question, and it will lead to a clearer, more coherent essay.

Let’s look at an example of an IELTS thesis statement:

Question: There is a good deal of evidence that increasing car use contributes to global warming and has other undesirable effects on people’s health and well-being.

Do you agree or disagree?

Thesis statement : This essay agrees that increasing motor vehicle use contributes to rising global temperatures and certain health issues.

As you can see, this sentence clearly shows the examiner how you feel about the question. The rest of your essay should support this statement.

How do I know what to write?

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: 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.

Do you agree or disagree?

Therefore, we need to tell the examiner clearly whether we agree or disagree, which will influence our thesis statement.

Let’s look at other examples:

Computers are being used more and more in education.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

• Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

Students are becoming more and more reliant on computers.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

The main keywords in each of the three questions above are more or less the same- education and computers. However, if we look at the action words, we can see that we must answer the three questions in very different ways, which will affect our thesis statement.

The action words are:

• What are some of the problems, and what are some of the possible solutions?

Therefore, it is important to take some time to analyse the question and establish what it  is actually asking us to do .

How do I write a thesis statement for each question type?

Once we have established what the question wants us to do, we can now think about our thesis statement. Below we will look at how to write a thesis statement for four different kinds of questions:

• Opinion Question (Do you agree or Disagree)
• Discussion Question (Discuss both points of view)
• Advantages and Disadvantage
• Problem and Solution.

You should remember that although IELTS writing part 2 questions normally follow a standard format as above, they sometimes change, and you should be prepared for that.

Opinion Question

Some aspects of celebrity culture have a bad influence on young people.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

We have three choices with this kind of question:

• I both agree and disagree

I tell my students to only choose options one or two . Choosing option three will often lead to a confused and/or very long essay. If you have just one opinion and you stick to this, it will lead to a clear and well-argued essay.

Therefore, you have two choices.

• I agree that some aspects of celebrity culture negatively influence young people.
• I disagree that some aspects of celebrity culture negatively influence young people.

All of your thesis statements for this kind of question should start with:

This essay agrees that…..

This essay disagrees that…..

We should try to avoid using personal pronouns like ‘I’ and we, therefore, use ‘This essay….’ instead.

Also, remember that we should not copy the question as this is not allowed in the IELTS writing test, and instead, we should paraphrase.

For example, ‘ This essay agrees that some famous people’s lifestyles have a detrimental effect on today’s youth.’

Second Example Opinion Question

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve the growing traffic and pollution problems.

Thesis Statement: This essay disagrees that the best way to resolve increasing pollution and congestion problems is to raise the cost of fuel.

Discussion Question

Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say this is a positive trend, while others argue that it leads to negative consequences.

For this question, we need to clearly state both sides of the argument and our own opinion.

We do this by simply paraphrasing the question, thus stating both sides, and then giving our own opinion. Our own opinion will be just one side of the argument.

Even if you favour both sides of the argument, state one. Again, this leads to a clearer answer.

Thesis statement: Some argue that schools and universities increasing the use of computers is beneficial, while others oppose this view. This essay agrees that the growing use of technology by educators is a positive development.

As you can see, this student has clearly stated both sides of the argument and stated which side of the argument she prefers.

Second Example Discussion Question

Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others believe that school is the best place to learn this.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Thesis statement: Some argue that teachers should teach youngsters how to be upstanding members of the community, whereas others feel this is the role of the mother and father. This essay agrees that this duty should be filled primarily by parents.

Advantage and Disadvantages Question

In this question, we need to clearly state what we think the main advantage is and the main disadvantage.

Thesis Statement: The principal advantages are the instant information available to students and the ability to communicate with other students. The main disadvantages are the lack of discipline and motivation provided by computers.

Second Advantage and Disadvantages Question

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Thesis statement: The principal advantage is that exposing children to languages as early as possible leads to higher proficiency levels later in life, which outweighs the main disadvantage of young children being overwhelmed by too many subjects.

Problem and Solution Question

What is a problem associated with reliance on computers, and what is a possible solution? 

Our thesis statement will need to state one main problem and one main solution.

Thesis statement: The principal problem is students allowing machines to do all the work for them without thinking for themselves, and a possible solution is to have stricter supervision from teachers and parents.

Cause and Solution Question

In some countries, the average weight of people is increasing, and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing.

What do you think is the cause of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve this?

Thesis statement: The principal cause of this problem is people’s sedentary lifestyles, and a possible solution is to educate society about the dangers of not keeping fit.

This is just a broad overview of IELTS thesis statements, and it should be read in conjunction with my article on how to write an effective introduction to be fully understood.

**Please note**

It should be reiterated that these are the four most common question types that come up in the IELTS writing test. However, these question types sometimes do vary, and you should be ready to change your IELTS thesis statements and introductions accordingly.

To do this confidently on the day of your exam, you must have practised many times beforehand.

You can browse the free IELTS Writing Task 2 materials on my website to improve your skills from home, but free materials can only help you so much. If you need reliable practice questions and feedback on your work, you should join the Waiting List to my VIP Course or contact my team here: [email protected].

Video Lesson: How THIS student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing

In this video, my student will show you how she scored a Band 8.5 in her IELTS Writing test.

Watch us break down her essay step-by-step, talking about her introduction, thesis statement, how she used vocabulary to score high, came up with strong ideas and much more. Check it out here:

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

How to write an IELTS thesis statement.

Ielts essay introductions and thesis statements..

updated: July 27th 2022. When writing the introduction of an IELTS essay there are two steps that need to be taken. Paraphrase the task question and write a Thesis Statement . If the question asks for an opinion then it must be in the thesis statement. It depends on the type of essay you are writing as they are not all the same. It is advisable to write a thesis in the introduction for every type of essay. A good thesis statement can help you get a good band score in task response in the writing section.

The thesis statement tells the examiner what the essay is going to be about and the conclusion of the essay paraphrases the thesis statement. Some teachers have other views and say that a thesis statement is not needed. There are different approaches to writing an IELTS essay. If you have 10 IELTS teachers in a room there will most likely be 10 different opinions on the matter.

In my opinion, a thesis statement is logical and shows the reader what to expect in the rest of the essay. However, do not confuse Thesis statements with memorised outline sentences. See this link here about that.

What exactly is a thesis statement?

‘A thesis statement tells the reader what your essay is going to be about in one or two sentences. It usually includes your opinion or states your position’

• Don’t use rhetorical questions in the thesis. The thesis statement is not a question.
• Make it clear what you are going to write about briefly (1 or 2 sentences)
• If it’s an opinion essay, give 2 reasons for your opinion in the thesis statement.
• The thesis statement comes after paraphrasing the question.
• Do not write an outline sentence, these look like a cliche and memorised. Examiners are trained to spot memorised phrases, for instance: ‘ This essay would like to explore reasons for this in more detail’
• Don’t confuse thesis statements with the above outline sentence. Outline sentences are for very long academic essays. See this lesson here on phrases to avoid.

For each essay type this is what should be in the Thesis statement:

1. Opinion essays: write 2 reasons for your opinion. 2. Advantage disadvantage essays:  state the advantage and the disadvantage, 3. Problem solution essays:   briefly state 1 or 2 problems and possible solutions. 4 . Discussion essays: after paraphrasing both sides of the argument, give your opinion with a reason why you hold that view. 5. Two part question essays: answer the 1st question then answer the 2nd question briefly.

First you have to identify what kind of essay it is.

The first step before you begin to write is to make sure you understand the question, then identify what kind of essay this will be. There are 5 variations on an IELTS discursive essay click here to see a lesson on this .

Before you write the thesis statement you will need to paraphrase the question , click here for a lesson on this. Click here to see how to write a good introduction to a Problem Solution essay.

1. Discussion essay.

This is the Paraphrased introduction with a Thesis statement.

A number of people believe serious crimes need to have a set punishment, whereas others argue that the situation of the crime must be considered. I agree that the circumstances of the crime itself should be taken into account because every case is different.

Thesis Statement: ‘ I agree that the circumstances of the crime itself should be taken into account because every case is different’

It is important to give a brief reason for your view, the body paragraphs should expand on this. The examiner can clearly see your position in the introduction. In this essay, my position is that every case is different and a prison sentence would not be appropriate.

Note: For a more academic feel, rather than using a personal pronoun to state your opinion, you could state your position like this below:

This essay agrees that the circumstances of the crime itself should be taken into account because every case is different.

2. Opinon essay.

Again you need to paraphrase the question and then clearly agree or disagree , remember to choose just one side.. the words: ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree’ means how much do you agree/disagree, or how far do you agree/disagree. You should mention the other side of the argument but stick to your own opinion. Balanced essays do not necessarily get a higher band score.

Give 2 reasons for your view in the thesis statement here. This is the Paraphrased introduction with a Thesis statement:

It is argued that society would be better off if every type of advertising was prohibited. I disagree that all advertising should be disallowed as this policy would not benefit society and would negatively impact the economy.

Thesis statement: ‘ I disagree that all advertising should be disallowed as this policy would not benefit societ y and would negatively impact the economy.’

In this thesis statement I have clearly stated why I hold the opinion that advertising should not be banned with 2 reasons (no benefit to society and bad for the economy)  Remember to keep the introduction to under 55 words or it will be too long.

As mentioned before, you can use a more academic way to state your view, such as:

This essay disagrees that all advertising should be disallowed because this policy would not benefit society and would have a negative impact on the economy.

3. Advantages disadvantages essay.

This is the Paraphrased introduction with a Thesis statement:

In recent times, people can reside wherever they want in the world because of the progress that has made in technology and transport. The main advantage is the career opportunities that a person can get outside their own country, while a possible downside would be the stress of adjusting to living in a different culture.

Thesis statement: ‘ The main advantage is the career opportunities that a person can get outside their own country, while a possible downside would be the stress of adjusting to living in a different culture.’

Try keeping the whole introduction under 55 words as you don’t want it to look like a body paragraph. You can write about 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages, but you need to keep the introduction concise.

Another method is to just refer to the advantage and state the disadvantage, such as:

In recent times, people can reside wherever they want in the world because of the progress that has made in technology and transport. Although there are advantages, the downside would be the stress of adjusting to living in a different culture.’

This allows you to keep the thesis statement concise especially if you want to cover two advantages (or disadvantages)

4. Advantages disadvantages outweigh essay (this needs your opinion).

This type of advantage disadvantage essay is special because it asks ‘ Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?’. This means you have to write about what side you think is stronger and reflect that in the essay and also in the thesis statement. You need to state an opinion here.

Some experts argue that children should study a new language at primary school as opposed to secondary school. This essay agrees that the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages because youngsters pick up and master new languages much easier than at a high school age.

Thesis statement: ‘This essay agrees that the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages because youngsters pick up and master new languages much easier than at a high school age .’

I have underlined the reason for my opinion here. Giving a reason for your opinion is important in a thesis statement. The introduction is 44 words long so that will be fine. Remember to also address the other side of the issue in the main body paragraphs, the side you think is weaker.

Another method here is to use this style which is very concise at 32 words but it does not contain a reason for my view.

Some experts argue that youngsters should study a new language at primary school as opposed to secondary school. In my view, the advantages of younger children learning new languages outweigh the disadvantages.

5. Problem solution / causes solution essay.

People living in large cities have to deal with many issues in their day to day lives. The main problems people face are high rental costs and overcrowding. Some possible solutions would be to build more affordable housing and more green spaces.

Thesis statement: ‘ The main problems people face are high rental costs and overcrowding. Some possible solutions would be to build more affordable housing and more green spaces.’

I have listed 2 problems high rents, overcrowding and 2 solutions affordable housing, green spaces . You can choose just one problem and one solution and that would be fine.

6. Two part question (direct question essay).

The world wide web is a huge source of knowledge which has created opportunities for people worldwide to study. However, not all information on the internet can be trusted, so the government needs to put measures in place to protect people from false information.

Thesis statement: ‘ However, not all information on the internet can be trusted, so the government needs to put measures in place to protect people from false information.’

Two part question essays are sometimes called ‘Direct question’ essays. They consist of 2 direct questions in the task question. Sometimes they will ask for your opinion such as: Do you think….?  or   What do you think…?

If the question asks for the opinion then you must state it. You should briefly answer the 2 questions in the thesis statement then give more detail in the body paragraphs.

Check out the blog posts about how to identify the 5 essay types and also how to paraphrase the question . These are key stages before writing your thesis statement. Make sure your whole introduction is under 55 words or it will be too long.

Take a look here at how to write a good introduction in writing task 2. Now you can try.

Here is a Discussion essay question where you have to give your opinion. Can you write a Thesis statement for it?

Some people believe that the best way to deal with heavy traffic in city centres is for privately owned vehicles to be banned, others however think this is not a realistic solution.  Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Task question again:

Some people believe that the best way to deal with heavy traffic in city centres is for privately owned vehicles to be banned, others however think this is not a realistic solution. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Paraphrased introduction: Some people argue that prohibiting private cars from city centres is the best way to tackle traffic congestion, whereas others say that this is unrealistic.

Thesis statement: I agree that private vehicles should be banned from city centres and more investment needs to be put into public transportation to alleviate traffic jams.

Full introduction with thesis statement:

Some people argue that prohibiting private cars from city centres is the best way to tackle traffic congestion, whereas others say that this is unrealistic. I agree that private vehicles should be banned from city centres and more investment needs to be put into public transportation to alleviate traffic jams.

Leave a comment below if you have any questions..

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Thesis Statement In IELTS Writing

• Post author By Simple IELTS Solutions
• Post date May 6, 2022
• 4 Comments on Thesis Statement In IELTS Writing

When writing an introduction to an IELTS Task 2 essay you want to include 3 things:

• Paraphrase the question
• Thesis statement
• Outline statement

This post is for anyone who is unsure of what a thesis statement is or how they should write one. By the end of this post, you will know exactly why a thesis statement is important and how to make sure you are writing them correctly. On top of that, you will be able to write a brilliant introductory paragraph every time.

Let us look at an example question.

This is an opinion essay question:

Some people think that governments must insist on preserving the traditional appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?

I will write the introduction paragraph by doing 3 things; paraphrasing the question, writing a thesis statement and writing an outline statement.

Paraphrasing the question

You paraphrase the question by saying a similar thing but using different words and phrases. This is a good way to start your essay and ensure that you are talking about the correct topic.

It is only the first part of the question that we paraphrase. If I were to paraphrase the above question, I may say something like this.

This is the original question:

But I don’t want to use the same words as the questions so I use synonyms instead.

Many people believe that governments should ensure that historic buildings maintain their original aesthetic appearance.

This sentence says the same thing as the first part of the question but it is going to impress the reader (examiner) because it uses different language.

What is a thesis statement?

The thesis statement tells the reader (or IELTS examiner) what the essay will be about and introduce the main ideas. Also, if the question is asking your opinion this is where it should first be included. It is typically just 1 or 2 sentences and is going to act a little like a topic sentence for the whole essay.

If you don’t know about topic sentences, follow this link.

How to write a thesis sentence

The thesis statement introduces what the essay will be about but it may be slightly different depending on the different types of essay questions.

This is a summary of things that you may want to include in the topic sentence for each essay type:

Opinion Essay – Write 1 or 2 reasons for your opinion (you don’t need to explain further at this stage)

Advantages & Disadvantages – Write and advantage and disadvantage

Problem & Solution Essay – Give 1 or 2 problems and a solution

Discussion Essay – Talk about both sides of the argument and give your opinion (if asked).

Double Question Essay – Answer both questions but only briefly.

Let us have a look at an example question, I’ll paraphrase the question and write a thesis statement for it.

My thesis for the question that we talked about may look something like this:

I absolutely agree that preserving historic buildings is a vital part of protecting a country’s historical culture for future generations.

The above is the thesis statement, it tells the reader what I think.

The outline statement

Finally, you must outline the things that you will talk about in the rest of the essay. This gives the reader (examiner) an idea of what will be covered in the essay and helps keep you focused on your writing.

An outline statement for our example question in the introduction paragraph may be something like this:

This essay will explore the reasons why protecting old buildings is so important, the main reason being to safeguard an area’s history.

Now let us see this all together. Firstly, let us look at the question again.

This is my introduction paragraph including the thesis statement and outline statement.

Many people believe that governments should ensure that historic buildings maintain their original aesthetic appearance. I absolutely agree that preserving historic buildings is a vital part of protecting a country’s historical culture for future generations. This essay will explore the reasons why protecting old buildings is so important, the main reason being to safeguard an area’s history.

The thesis statement is in bold.

This is a discussion essay question, write the introduction paragraph by paraphrasing the question and adding the thesis statement.

Some people think that getting a degree from a university is the best way to guarantee a good job, others believe that it would be better to go straight into work and get experience instead.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Tell me your thesis statement in the comments below.

Next time you are writing an IELTS writing task 2 essay (or any essay) make sure to include a thesis statement to help the reader to know exactly what your answer will be about.

To find out how I would plan an IELTS Task 2 essay, follow this link.

4 replies on “Thesis Statement In IELTS Writing”

[…] To learn about another important part of your introduction follow the link to a post about the &#821… […]

[…] To find out how to write the perfect introduction paragraph every time, follow this link. […]

Hello there! This post couldn’t be written much better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a great read. Thanks for sharing!

Many thanks, I am very glad that you like it.

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• Wed. Apr 24th, 2024

English Syllabus Guru

Your Ultimate English Syllabus Learning Resource

How to Write Strong Thesis Statements for Your IELTS Essays

By Waqas Sharif

Writing a strong thesis statement for your IELTS essays is a valuable skill. It can improve your writing and increase your overall score.

Your thesis statement acts as a roadmap for your reader. It guides them through your essay, clarifying your main argument and the direction of your writing.

This article will teach you how to create a clear and impactful thesis statement for your IELTS essays. It will provide you with the necessary tools to excel in this critical part of your writing.

Understanding the Importance of a Strong Thesis Statement

Key components of a thesis statement for ielts essays.

A strong thesis statement for IELTS essays should clearly state the writer’s opinion. It should introduce the main points of the essay. The thesis should mention the topic, the writer’s stance, and a brief overview of the arguments in the body paragraphs.

Action words like “discuss,” “argue,” or “analyze” can improve clarity. For instance, in an essay about computers in education, the thesis could be “This essay will explore the advantages of integrating computers in education, such as increased access to information and interactive learning. It will also consider potential disadvantages like distractions and reduced emphasis on traditional forms of education.”

Using specific language and relevant keywords enhances the thesis. A well-crafted thesis sets the foundation for a comprehensive essay structure. This leads to a higher band score in IELTS writing.

Process of Writing Thesis Statement for IELTS Essays

When writing a thesis statement for an IELTS essay, it’s important to clearly state your opinion on the topic. The thesis statement should be in the introduction. It should outline the main points to be discussed.

For example, when discussing the advantages and disadvantages of computers in education:

Thesis statement: “While computers offer career opportunities for students, they also present false information challenges.”

Crafting a strong thesis statement is crucial for a high band score in IELTS writing tasks. It helps examiners and teachers understand the main focus of your essay.

Analyzing the Essay Question

Analyzing the essay question for IELTS writing task 2 should start with identifying the main topic. Determine if the question asks for an opinion, advantages, and disadvantages, or a discussion. Use key language like “advantages,” “disadvantages,” “climate change,” “traffic congestion,” and “education” in the thesis statement to show understanding. Avoid pitfalls such as missing aspects of the question, providing false information, and lacking coherence.

Include action words addressing main points, both sides of an argument, and a realistic solution for a strong thesis statement that meets the task requirements. This approach demonstrates understanding to the examiner.

Identifying the Main Topic of the Essay

To identify the main topic of an IELTS essay, follow these steps:

• Analyze the essay question carefully.
• Break down the question into specific components.
• Identify keywords in the question.
• Determine the type of essay question (problem-solution, advantage-disadvantage, discussion, two-part question, etc.).

Pay attention to action words in the question. Understand the statement being made and identify the main points to address in the thesis statement.

Use specific language and keywords related to the topic, such as climate change, traffic congestion, education, career opportunities, and investment, to guide the thesis statement.

Avoid vague or general statements. Ensure the thesis statement is focused and addresses specific arguments or opinions for the body paragraphs.

By clearly stating the main topic in the thesis statement, maintain coherence and cohesion in the essay. This will lead to a stronger argument and a higher band score from the examiner.

Crafting a Clear and Concise Thesis Statement

Crafting a clear and concise thesis statement for IELTS essays involves using specific language and keywords related to the topic at hand. For example, “advantages,” “computers,” “climate change,” and “education.”

By incorporating action words and clearly stating the writer’s opinion or argument, the thesis statement becomes focused and precise. Avoiding vague or general statements is essential to address the specific question type, whether it’s a two-part question, problem-solution essay, or discussion essay.

Identifying the main topic of the essay is crucial as it helps determine the direction of the argument in the thesis statement. For instance, when discussing the impact of traffic congestion in city centers on CO2 emissions, the thesis statement should highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of investing in public transportation as a realistic solution.

This approach demonstrates coherence and cohesion within the essay structure and showcases a deeper understanding of the topic to the examiner.

Utilizing Specific Language and Keywords

Crafting a strong thesis statement for IELTS essays requires using specific language and keywords. Action words and directly addressing the question type make the statement clear and effective.

For example, in an IELTS Writing Task 2 about traffic congestion in city centers, the thesis statement can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of public transportation and privately owned vehicles in reducing CO2 emissions. This specific language guides the argument and sets the essay’s tone.

On the other hand, vague statements in a thesis can lead to a lack of coherence and make it hard for the examiner to follow the main points.

For instance, saying “society should invest in education for career opportunities” without specifying realistic solutions or the roles of parents and teachers may lack clarity.

Avoiding Vague or General Statements

When writing a thesis statement for IELTS essays, it’s important to be specific and avoid vague statements.

A clear thesis statement establishes the direction of the essay and should present a clear opinion or argument.

For instance, instead of saying “Computers have advantages and disadvantages,” a more specific thesis could be “While computers create job opportunities, their use in urban areas contributes to CO2 emissions.”

This specificity guides the discussion in the body paragraphs.

In IELTS Writing Task 2, which includes question types like two-part questions and problem-solution prompts, using action words and precise language enhances coherence and cohesion.

By addressing both sides of an issue and proposing a practical solution, writers can steer clear of vagueness and structure their essays effectively.

Teachers and examiners appreciate the clarity of a strong thesis statement, which can result in a higher band score.

The writing section of the IELTS test accounts for  33%  of the overall band score. british council

Tips for Writing a Band 7 Thesis Statement in IELTS Essays

Utilize pronouns for coherence and cohesion.

Pronouns are important for connecting ideas and maintaining a consistent flow in essays. When writing a thesis statement for IELTS essays, pronouns help convey the writer’s opinion and introduce the main points.

Effective use of pronouns ensures clarity and conciseness in the thesis statement, guiding the rest of the essay. For instance, when discussing computer benefits in education, pronouns can connect back to the introduction points smoothly.

Additionally, pronouns assist in addressing different sides of an argument, like the advantages and disadvantages of car use in city centers concerning CO2 emissions and traffic.

Using appropriate pronouns enhances overall essay coherence, potentially leading to higher scores from examiners and teachers.

Organize Ideas and Arguments Effectively

Crafting a strong thesis statement for an IELTS essay requires effective organization of ideas and arguments. Here are some key strategies to keep in mind:

• Clearly state your opinion in the introduction using action words.
• Structure the body paragraphs to address both sides of the argument.
• Example : Discussing advantages and disadvantages of city centers, like traffic congestion and CO2 emissions.
• Offer realistic solutions, such as addressing traffic jams.
• In the conclusion, reiterate the thesis statement and address wider implications.
• For instance, consider the impact of car use on society due to increased CO2 emissions contributing to global warming.

These strategies not only enhance coherence but also boost your band score in the IELTS writing task 2.

Incorporate Strategies to Support Your Thesis

When writing an IELTS essay, it’s important to use strategies that support the thesis statement to get a high band score.

One effective approach is using specific language and action words in the statement. This helps to clearly present the writer’s opinion and main points.

For example, when discussing car use in city centers to reduce CO2 emissions, terms like “investments in public transportation” and “traffic congestion” can strengthen the argument.

Recognizing different essay types, like problem-solution or discussion essays, allows for a more coherent structure. This leads to a cohesive argument supporting the thesis statement.

By analyzing both sides of a topic, such as the impact of heavy traffic due to privately owned vehicles, writers can provide a realistic solution without including false information.

Comparing Advantages and Disadvantages

Crafting a strong thesis statement for IELTS essays is important. It should clearly state the writer’s opinion and main points. This acts as a roadmap for the reader and helps the examiner or teacher understand the argument.

When comparing different viewpoints, it’s best to provide a balanced perspective. For example, discussing the advantages of public transportation in reducing traffic congestion while also mentioning the disadvantages of increased investment in transportation infrastructure can lead to a more cohesive essay structure.

To avoid vague statements, use action words that indicate the type of essay. For instance, stating that the essay will discuss solutions to reduce CO2 emissions from privately owned vehicles offers a more realistic approach than a general statement about traffic congestion. Be specific and concise in the thesis statement to effectively convey the main points and potentially achieve a higher band score in the IELTS writing task 2.

Identifying Different Types of Essays

Types of essays vary in structure and purpose. Some examples include:

• Narrative essays, which tell a story.
• Expository essays, which provide information.
• Persuasive essays, aim to convince the reader of the author’s opinion.
• Descriptive essays, focus on creating a vivid picture through sensory details.
• Compare and contrast essays, highlighting similarities and differences between two subjects.
• Cause and effect essays, explaining the relationship between events.

Having a clear thesis statement in the introduction, outlining the main points for discussion in the body paragraphs, is essential.

For IELTS writing task 2, understanding the question type is crucial for achieving a high band score.

Coherence and cohesion in essay structure are vital, whether it’s discussing traffic congestion or addressing CO2 emissions.

Analyzing key action words in the task question can help develop a strong thesis statement addressing both sides of the argument.

Using specific examples, like the impact of car use on climate change, can strengthen the argument and provide realistic solutions to global issues.

Strategies for Writing Band 8.5 Thesis Statements in IELTS Essays

Learn from christopher pell’s essay writing techniques.

Christopher Pell believes that having a strong thesis statement is crucial in IELTS essays. The statement should clearly show the writer’s opinion and guide the essay’s content. Using action words and specific language helps create a clear and focused thesis statement.

In two-part questions or problem-solution essays, including keywords related to the topic improves the statement’s clarity. Structuring the introduction with the main argument points and the stance taken sets the tone for the essay. Pell also suggests considering both sides of an argument in the thesis to demonstrate a balanced approach.

This not only adds depth but also shows the writer’s ability to analyze the topic critically. Following Pell’s techniques can help writers enhance their thesis statements and achieve higher band scores in IELTS writing tasks.

Enhance Writing Coherence through Brainstorming and Planning

Brainstorming and planning are important for writing tasks like IELTS essays.

By brainstorming ideas first, you can structure them logically to create a clear thesis statement.

This helps set the stage for the main points in the body paragraphs.

For example, when discussing the pros and cons of car use in city centers to reduce CO2 emissions, a solid thesis statement can guide the argument.

Brainstorming also helps identify key action words in the task question, indicating the type of essay.

This strategic planning helps achieve coherence and cohesion in your essay structure, meeting language requirements for a higher band score.

Careful planning and offering realistic solutions to issues like traffic congestion and global warming can showcase your knowledge effectively.

Implementing Techniques to Achieve Band 8 Thesis Statements

Crafting a thesis statement for IELTS essays requires using action words and specific language. This helps express the main points and opinions clearly. Incorporating keywords like “CO2 emissions” or “traffic congestion” makes the thesis statement more focused.

Avoid vague or general statements. Provide clear examples or arguments to strengthen relevance and coherence. For example, when discussing car use in city centers, specify the impact on traffic congestion and pollution levels. This enhances the clarity of the thesis statement.

Structure the statement to address “both sides” of the argument in a problem-solution or discussion essay. This allows for a balanced approach that engages the reader. By following these strategies and including relevant language requirements, IELTS writers can achieve a higher band score. This is done by presenting a well-organized and articulate thesis statement that sets the tone for the entire essay.

Examples of Strong Thesis Statements for Your IELTS Essays

A strong thesis statement for IELTS essays should present the writer’s opinion on the topic. It should also outline the main points that will be discussed in the essay.

For example, in an argument essay about the advantages and disadvantages of computers in education, a strong thesis statement could be: “While computers offer career opportunities and access to information, their overuse by students can lead to distractions and false information.”

By including action words and specific keywords like “career opportunities” and “false information,” the thesis statement becomes more impactful and relevant to the reader.

To ensure clarity and conciseness, the thesis statement should address the specific question type in the IELTS writing task 2. It should be supported by coherent body paragraphs that elaborate on both sides of the argument.

In the conclusion, the thesis statement should be reiterated to provide a cohesive structure to the essay. By using appropriate language and addressing the main points of the topic, a well-crafted thesis statement can lead to a higher band score and effectively communicate the writer’s stance to the examiner.

Over to you

Crafting a strong thesis statement for your IELTS essays is important.

By breaking paragraphs into shorter sentences and including facts and data, you can make your thesis statement more impactful and convincing.

This will help you present your argument and demonstrate your understanding of the topic.

A well-crafted thesis statement sets the tone for your essay and guides the reader on what to expect.

It is a crucial part of your essay that highlights your main idea and the direction of your argument.

Remember to keep it concise and focused to make a strong impression on the reader.

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay. It is important in IELTS essays because it guides the reader and helps the writer maintain focus. Example: “The legalization of marijuana has both positive and negative impacts on society.”

To craft a strong thesis statement for your IELTS essay, clearly state your position and outline your main points. For example, “This essay will argue that government funding for education is crucial for societal development.”

An effective thesis statement in IELTS essays includes a clear topic, a concise argument, and a preview of supporting points. For example, “The government should prioritize renewable energy sources to combat climate change” is a strong thesis statement because it states a clear position and previews supporting arguments.

Here are some examples of effective thesis statements for IELTS essays: “In conclusion, strict regulations on fast food advertising are necessary to combat rising rates of obesity among children.”. “Overall, implementing renewable energy sources is crucial in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.”.

To ensure your thesis statement is relevant and clear, make sure it directly addresses the essay question and provides a roadmap for your argument. For example, if the question is about the impact of technology on education, a clear thesis statement could be “Technology has greatly enhanced learning opportunities in the classroom by increasing access to information and promoting interactive methods of instruction.”

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Mr. Waqas Sharif is an English Language Teaching (ELT) Professional, Trainer, and Course Instructor at a Public Sector Institute. He has more than ten years of Eng Language Teaching experience at the Graduate and Postgraduate level. His main interest is found in facilitating his students globally He wishes them to develop academic skills like Reading, Writing, and Communication mastery along with Basics of Functional Grammar, English Language, and Linguistics.

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How to Write a Thesis Statement for IELTS Writing Task 2 ?

The IELTS Writing Task 2 is a challenging task that requires you to write an essay on a given topic in 40 minutes. One of the most important parts of your essay is the thesis statement. The thesis statement is the main argument or idea that you will be discussing in your essay. It sets the tone for your essay and guides the reader on what to expect. In this blog, we will discuss how to write a thesis statement for IELTS Writing Task 2.

What is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement is a sentence or two that summarizes the main point of an essay or research paper. It is usually placed in the introductory paragraph and provides a roadmap for the rest of the essay. The thesis statement should be specific, clear, and concise. It should also be arguable, meaning that there should be different opinions or perspectives on the topic.

Why is a Thesis Statement Important in IELTS Writing Task 2?

The thesis statement is an essential part of your  essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 . It tells the reader what to expect from your essay and sets the tone for the rest of the essay. A well-crafted thesis statement can help you to score higher in the exam. It shows that you have a clear understanding of the topic and have the ability to organize your ideas coherently.

Tips on Writing a Thesis Statement for IELTS Writing Task 2

1. understand the prompt.

The first step in writing a thesis statement for  IELTS Writing Task 2  is to understand the prompt. The prompt will provide you with a topic, and you need to ensure that you understand the topic before you start writing. Analyze the prompt and try to identify the keywords or phrases that can help you to develop your thesis statement.

2. Brainstorm Ideas

Once you have understood the prompt, the next step is to brainstorm ideas. Jot down all the ideas that come to your mind and try to connect them to the topic. Think about the main points that you want to make in your essay and how they relate to the topic. This will help you to develop a thesis statement that is specific and clear.

3. Make a Claim

The thesis statement should make a claim that is arguable. You should take a stance on the topic and provide a clear argument for your position. This will make your essay more interesting to read and help you to score higher in the exam. Avoid making a statement that is too general or vague, as it will not help you to develop a strong thesis statement.

4. Use Strong Language

Your thesis statement should use strong language that clearly states your position. Use phrases such as “I strongly believe that” or “It is clear that” to indicate your stance on the topic. Avoid using phrases such as “In my opinion” or “I think that,” as they make your thesis statement weak.

5. Keep it Concise

Your thesis statement should be concise and to the point. It should not be too long or complicated. Aim to write a thesis statement that is one or two sentences long and clearly conveys your main argument.

Examples of Thesis Statements for IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Prompt: Some people believe that social media has a negative impact on society. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of social media and give your opinion.

Thesis Statement: While social media has its advantages, such as connecting people from different parts of the world, it also has its disadvantages, such as the spread of fake news and cyberbullying. In my opinion, the negative impact of social media on society outweighs the positive impact.

2. Prompt: Some people believe that children should be allowed to use mobile phones in school. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Thesis Statement: Although mobile phones can be useful for educational purposes, such as researching information and communicating with teachers, they can also be a distraction and hinder students’ learning. Therefore, I believe that children should not be allowed to use mobile phones in school.

3. Prompt: Some people argue that the use of renewable energy is the key to a sustainable future. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy and give your opinion.

Thesis Statement: Renewable energy has many advantages, such as reducing carbon emissions and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, but it also has its disadvantages, such as high initial costs and intermittency. In my opinion, the benefits of renewable energy outweigh the drawbacks, and it is crucial for a sustainable future.

4. Prompt: Some people think that parents should be responsible for teaching their children how to manage money. Others believe that schools should be responsible for this. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Thesis Statement: While parents play a crucial role in teaching their children about money management, schools can also contribute to this by providing financial education and practical skills. Therefore, both parents and schools should share the responsibility of teaching children how to manage money.

In conclusion, writing a strong thesis statement is crucial for success in IELTS Writing Task 2. The thesis statement sets the tone for your essay and guides the reader on what to expect. To write a strong thesis statement, you need to understand the prompt, brainstorm ideas, make a claim, use strong language, and keep it concise. By following these tips, you can develop a thesis statement that is specific, clear, and arguable. Don’t forget to provide supporting evidence and examples in your essay to strengthen your argument. With practice, you can master the art of writing a strong thesis statement and achieve success in IELTS Writing Task 2.

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Your Guide to Thesis Statements for All 5 Types of IELTS Essays

• October 06, 2022

Getting the exact IELTS band score you need for your dream program can be challenging, especially when it comes to the writing section. However, by learning effective writing skills, you will be sure to improve and get the score that you need.

For writing task 2, one of the most important skills for a high band score is thesis statement writing.

Read the post to learn more about thesis statements or skip to the section that most interests you.

Why do I need to write a thesis statement?

According to the British Council, the rubric for IELTS Writing Task 2 is made of four sections: Task Response,        Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resources, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

The second section, Coherence and Cohesion, is all about how effectively you can arrange information and connect your ideas. In short, this part assesses your essay structure.

If you want to show your teacher or test grader that you have great essay structure, learn to write a clear and strong thesis statement.

When an instructor or grader sees a good thesis statement, it signals that the essay writer knows what they are doing. It shows that the essay will be constructed of thoughtful points that are carefully connected, hopefully with transition phrases and other tools that create cohesion and readability.

In other words, a good thesis creates a good first impression.

What is a thesis statement?

An entire book could be written about the thesis statement, but it can be summarized as follows: one or two sentences that summarize the main points of the essay.

One way to think of a thesis statement is as a kind of preview or summary. Consider the last time you discovered a new show on Netflix or another streaming service.

There is probably a good chance that you picked that show for a few reasons: the cover image looked cool, the trailer seemed interesting, and the summary paragraph made the show sound enticing.

A thesis statement is like that preview paragraph on Netflix. Just like Netflix tells us what a show is about, the thesis statement tells us what an essay is about.

How do I write a thesis statement?

Before we discuss thesis statement writing, let’s quickly review the basic structure of IELTS essays.

As mentioned in our last post about IELTS Writing Task 2 , IELTS essays generally have four paragraphs:

• One introduction paragraph.
• Two body paragraphs.
• One conclusion paragraph.

The body paragraphs should each focus on one main point or idea. The thesis, which should be part of the intro paragraph, combines these two main points into a single sentence.

For example, if your essay is about reasons why Toronto is a great place to live, then your thesis will summarize the two main reasons like this:

Toronto is a great place to live because of job availability and endless options for leisure activities.

For the above topic, the first body paragraph will focus on job availability, and the second body paragraph will focus on leisure activities.

How can I write a thesis if I don’t know what my main points are?

The answer is that you don’t.

Contrary to popular belief, you should not write your introduction first . Instead, start with the body paragraphs, then go back and write your introduction. This allows you to figure out what your main points are before combining them into a thesis statement.

If you write your thesis statement first, then you might have to change it later if you get a better idea when you’re writing your body paragraphs.

This technique is much easier to use if you are doing a computer-based test, but if you are doing a paper-based test, you can simply leave the top 1/3 rd of the page empty so that you can add your intro later.

Another option is to create a basic outline of your essay before you start writing. This way, you will have an idea of what your main points are before you start writing, and you can focus on using correct language, rather than worrying about your ideas.

Whatever technique you choose, remember that you have only 40 minutes (sometimes less if you spent a lot of time on Writing Task 1), so you better work quickly!

Can you show me an example?

Review the sample below. The highlights show how the thesis statement summarizes the main ideas from the two body paragraphs. Green shows the main idea of Body Paragraph 1, and yellow shows the main idea of Body Paragraph 2.

Question: Many people feel that cars contribute to global warming. Do you think this is true?

Introduction: Driving a car is a normal part of the day-to-day life of most people. However, in the last several years, many are considering alternative transportation options due to fears that driving contributes to global warming. It is true that using cars is a contributing factor due to CO 2 emissions and overreliance on vehicles.

Body Paragraph 1: CO 2 emissions have an obvious impact on climate change. It has been proven that CO 2 and other greenhouse gases have a warming effect on the earth’s atmosphere. What’s more, about 80% of all greenhouse gas emissions are from CO 2 , meaning that any reduction in CO 2 emissions would be good for the environment.

Body Paragraph 2: Most people use vehicles more often than they need them. It is okay to use vehicles for long trips or to transport large amounts of heavy equipment or goods, but it does not make sense to drive a car to the corner store when you can work there instead. To reduce CO 2 emissions, the population must use alternative means of transportation, such as bicycles and public transit.

Should my thesis statement be different for every essay type?

As discussed in our previous IELTS Writing Post , Writing Task 2 has five types of essays. Even though there are five types of essays, the method for writing a thesis statement is always the same. The thesis statement must always summarize the main points of the essay, no matter the type of essay.

Look at the chart below to notice the similarities between the thesis statements of different types of essays.

How do I practice?

One way to practice thesis statement writing is to find a list of IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, such as those on IELTS Liz . After you have a good list of questions, follow these four steps:

• Look at the first question on the list.
• Time yourself for two minutes.
• Write a thesis statement as fast as you can.
• After two minutes, move to the next question and repeat the process, even if you are not done.

If you follow these steps, eventually, you will become comfortable with writing thesis statements quickly, which is required for a real IELTS test.

For more information about language requirements for our programs, visit the language requirements page . If you have further questions, email [email protected]

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IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Craft a Clear Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement is the most crucial sentence in your IELTS writing task 2!

So, hop on and let’s learn how to perfectly craft one!💯

A thesis statement is your main idea of the whole question. 

In simple words, it is the way you feel about the prompt in 1 sentence!

The 1st act is to recognize the question type and the action words. 

So what are Action Words, first?🤔

The Action Words in IELTS Writing 1. Opinion Question (Do you agree or Disagree) 2. Discussion Question (Discuss both points of view) 3. Advantages and Disadvantages 4. Problem and Solution.

Failure is proof that the desire wasn’t strong enough. Do you agree or disagree?

Here, the action words are ‘do you agree or disagree?’

This was just a sample trick to write a perfect thesis statement! 

To know more exciting tips like these for your IELTS Writing Task 2 essays,

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Writing High-Scoring IELTS Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing great IELTS essays is essential for success. This guide will give you the tools to craft high-scoring essays. It’ll focus on structuring thoughts, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and expressing ideas with clarity . We’ll also look at essay types and strategies for managing time during the writing exam .

Practice is key . Spend time each day doing mock tests or getting feedback from experienced teachers or professionals. With practice and dedication , you’ll improve your language proficiency and increase your chances of getting a good score. Good luck!

Understanding the IELTS Essay Task

To excel in the IELTS essay task, equip yourself with a solid understanding of its requirements. Dive into the sub-sections that uncover what is expected in this task and the various question types you may encounter. Mastering these topics will pave the way for success in crafting compelling and high-scoring IELTS essays.

What is expected in the IELTS essay task

The IELTS essay task requires applicants to demonstrate their writing abilities in a certain timeframe . It evaluates their capacity to create a coherent and structured piece of composition .

A clear thesis is a must. It should be succinct, conveying the primary thought of the essay . Also, there should be a logical structure including an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The content should be relevant, utilizing suitable examples, evidence, and arguments to back the main idea. Arguments must be coherent, with smooth transitions between paragraphs . Plus, formal language, correct grammar, and accurate syntax must be used.

Moreover, applicants must demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing the topic and giving a balanced argument . Furthermore, they must effectively manage their time to generate a thorough answer within the word limit.

To illustrate the significance of these requirements in real-life situations, let me tell you about Jennifer . She was an aspiring nurse from Brazil taking the IELTS test . At first, she found it hard to handle the essay task. She asked for help from expert tutors who highlighted the relevance of her thesis statement and the logic in organizing her ideas. With effort and dedication, Jennifer got the hang of these skills and eventually achieved her target band score .

The types of questions asked in the IELTS essay task

The IELTS essay task covers multiple types of questions. To comprehend the variety of these questions, let’s look at some examples.

To do well, you need to prepare and practice for each type. Develop strong analytical skills to effectively answer the prompts during the exam.

Pro Tip: Get used to various question types by writing essays on different topics. This will help you adjust and boost your performance.

Descriptive questions

It’s essential to comprehend the IELTS Essay Task. This section focuses on descriptive questions . To illustrate this info effectively, use a table with suitable columns. Unique details enhance our understanding. To sharpen essay writing abilities, certain tips are useful. For instance, practice time management and create a clear structure . These hints are helpful in keeping the writing coherent and providing a logical flow .

Also Read: 10 Must-Follow IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Band Score

Argumentative questions

Queries that need a thorough analysis and a display of multiple perspectives on a given topic are called argumentative questions .

They come in different types, such as:

• Cause and Effect (e.g. What are the consequences of using social media?)
• Pros and Cons (e.g. Should zoos be forbidden?)
• Agree or Disagree (e.g. Is homework essential for students?).

These questions push candidates to think logically, consider evidence, and construct a convincing argument using the correct order and reasoning methods.

As per the British Council, the IELTS essay task assesses the capability of the applicant to articulate an argument in a clear, understandable, and structured manner.

Advantages and disadvantages questions

Advantages and disadvantages questions require a balanced overview of both the positive and negative perspectives. Here is a summary of these questions:

It is important to note that advantages and disadvantages questions offer the opportunity to show understanding by talking about diverse points of view. Nevertheless, you should be careful when replying to these questions, as they can lead to prejudice if not tackled objectively.

Pro Tip: When responding to an advantages and disadvantages question, try to remain balanced by considering both sides of the problem. This will help you create an in-depth reply.

Problem and solution questions

Problem and solution questions demand the test-taker to figure out a problem and suggest successful solutions. Here are 6 tips to help you excel in this IELTS essay type:

• Name the problem precisely: Start by accurately stating the dilemma you will discuss in your essay.
• Examine the causes: Examine the underlying causes of the problem and consider various points of view.
• Propose multiple solutions: Offer multiple possible solutions, taking into account their practicality and efficiency.
• Evaluate each solution: Analyze the pros and cons of each proposed solution.
• Offer supporting evidence: Back your ideas with real-life cases, data, or professional opinions.
• Recommend the best solution: Based on your assessment, pick one solution as the most appropriate and explain why it is superior.

Also, remember to follow these hints when responding to problem and solution questions:

• Think about short-term and long-term effects of applying each solution.
• Prioritize realistic and feasible solutions over idealistic ones.
• Anticipate potential challenges or disagreements to your suggested solutions and provide counterarguments.

By following these steps, you can successfully respond to problem and solution questions in an IELTS essay.

Analyzing the Essay Question

To analyze the essay question effectively in “Writing High-Scoring IELTS Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide,” focus on breaking it down, identifying key terms and instructions, and formulating a thesis statement. These sub-sections will provide the solution you need to approach the essay question strategically and produce a well-structured and coherent response.

Breaking down the essay question

Let’s break down an essay question with a table. The table has elements, description, topic, scope, task, and subtasks .

We can use this table to plan and structure our response. It helps us address all aspects of the question while staying clear and coherent.

Here are some tips for breaking down an essay question:

• Read and understand it. Look for keywords that give clues.
• Identify the main topic.
• Find out the scope.
• Analyze the task.
• Break down subtasks.

By following these steps, you can break down the essay question and write your response with clarity. Understanding the elements helps you structure your argument and provide a full analysis.

Identifying key terms and instructions

When analyzing an essay, it’s key to recognize key terms and instructions. This allows us to know what is being asked and how to approach the topic. We can do this by:

• Reading the question thoroughly.
• Looking for important words.
• Finding out the meanings of any unfamiliar terms.
• Understanding the instructions.
• Noting limitations or qualifiers.
• Setting boundaries for what should be included or excluded.

Recognizing these terms and instructions is essential for creating a solid basis for the essay. Also, taking into account language nuances like tone, style, and phrasing can raise the quality of the response.

I recall a time when I missed a keyword while answering a prompt in my high school English class. Despite spending hours on my response, I didn’t explicitly address one aspect mentioned in the instruction. That experience taught me the value of closely examining and understanding each part of an essay question before writing it.

Formulating a thesis statement

Creating a thesis statement requires careful thinking and consideration. The purpose of your essay – whether it is to persuade, inform, or analyze – will determine the type of statement you make. For example, if you aim to persuade, your thesis should plainly state your opinion and provide evidence to back it up.

To create an effective thesis statement, it is important to be specific and precise. Avoid making foggy or wide statements that are unclear. Instead, focus on making an exact statement or argument. This will help guide your essay and give it a clear purpose.

When forming your thesis statement, consider counterarguments. Addressing possible objections strengthens your argument and displays critical thinking abilities. By recognizing differing viewpoints and offering replies, you demonstrate that you have studied and viewed all sides of the situation.

In addition, a great thesis statement should be debatable. It should start a conversation and attract the reader. Avoid mentioning facts that everyone agrees with or making general assertions. Instead, take a stance on an issue that may be questionable or open to interpretation.

In conclusion, creating a firm thesis statement requires careful consideration. Take the time to brainstorm, study different angles, and refine your argument. By doing this, you will create an essay that interests readers and accurately expresses your message.

Planning and Organizing the Essay

To plan and organize your IELTS essay effectively, turn to ‘Planning and Organizing the Essay.’ Create an outline, brain dump ideas, and arrange them logically. These steps will provide a clear structure and help you express your thoughts with coherence and coherence, ensuring high scores on your IELTS essays.

Creating an outline

Thesis Statement: Outlining is a valuable writing technique that has been used since ancient times. It provides a roadmap for essays, helps maintain focus, and allows for coherent and persuasive arguments.

Paragraph 1:

• Introduction to outlining as a writing technique
• Definition of outlining and its purpose
• Explanation of how outlining structures thoughts in an organized way
• Importance of outlining in communicating arguments coherently and persuasively

Paragraph 2:

• Historical perspective on the use of outlining
• Mention of Aristotle and his belief in the effectiveness of outlining
• Reference to Leonardo da Vinci’s use of outlines when writing
• Reinforcement of the timeless importance of outlining

Paragraph 3:

• Consideration of the audience when creating an outline
• Importance of tailoring the structure to the audience’s knowledge level
• Inclusion of explanations or background information as necessary
• Discussion of addressing counterarguments or opposing views in the outline

Conclusion:

• Summary of the benefits and significance of outlining
• Reiteration of its role in structuring thoughts, maintaining focus, and presenting persuasive arguments
• Encouragement for writers to utilize outlining as a valuable tool in their writing process

brain dumping ideas

Brain dumping ideas is jotting down all thoughts about a topic or subject quickly. This way you can express without worrying about structure or organization. To make the most of this technique, consider these four points:

• Dedicate time and space to brainstorming. Find a quiet environment with no distractions.
• Grab pen and paper or open a blank document. Write any ideas that come to mind, even small ones.
• Review what you have written. Look for patterns and connections.
• Organize your thoughts into categories or themes.

Remember, brain dumping is not a final product. It’s a tool for creativity. Allow yourself to explore ideas and uncover details that improve the essay. Here are more suggestions:

• Go beyond the obvious ideas. Think outside the box.
• Use mind mapping and visual aids to represent thoughts.
• Discuss ideas with peers or mentors.
• Take breaks if you feel overwhelmed.

Arranging ideas logically

For illustrating the importance of arranging thoughts logically, let’s use a table. It demonstrates multiple organizational patterns:

Now let’s discuss extra details. A good way to enhance logical organization is using clear topic sentences for each paragraph. These sentences act as signposts. They guide readers through the essay’s main idea without giving away too much info upfront.

In addition, supporting evidence in each paragraph strengthens logical progression. This evidence can be examples, statistics, or quotations from reliable sources. These substantiate your statements.

Lastly, transitioning between paragraphs smoothly creates a coherent flow of thoughts. Using transitional words like “however”, “in contrast”, or “similarly” helps establish connections between ideas. This avoids abrupt changes of topics.

Writing the Introduction

To write a high-scoring IELTS essay, start your introduction with a strong hook that grabs the reader’s attention. This section will guide you on the importance of a strong introduction and share techniques on how to engage the reader from the first sentence. Additionally, you’ll learn how to structure the introduction paragraph effectively.

The importance of a strong introduction

Writing a strong introduction is essential. It sets the tone for an article and draws readers in. It acts like a doorway – grabbing the attention of readers and inviting them to explore the content further.

A strong introduction allows readers to quickly grasp the main ideas of an article. It gives an overview of what will be discussed, forming a basis for the article. Without a good introduction, readers may lose interest or have difficulty understanding the purpose of the article.

Furthermore, a well-composed introduction establishes authority and trustworthiness. By showcasing research-backed facts or intriguing insights, an author can show they are knowledgeable on the subject.

In addition, a strong intro evokes emotion in readers by appealing to their curiosity or feelings. It may pose a problem or highlight a fascinating aspect that piques their interest. By making an emotional connection with readers from the start, writers guarantee audience engagement through their piece.

Now let’s look at some unique details about introductions. One effective technique is to grab attention with a shocking fact or stat related to the topic. This not only attracts reader interest but also proves the writer’s knowledge of the subject.

Another technique is to use storytelling elements in introductions. Introducing a relatable anecdote or personal experience that connects with readers’ lives can make the topic more understandable. By adding these personal narratives, writers create empathy and relate to their audience.

Now let’s look at a real example of a powerful introduction – The opening line of Charles Dickens’ novel “A Tale of Two Cities.” His famous line “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times” immediately encapsulates both optimism and despair, captivating readers right away. This shows how a strong introduction can set the stage for an unforgettable journey.

Remember, a powerful introduction can make or break an article. By grabbing attention, providing a clear overview, establishing credibility, and making an emotional connection with readers, writers can make sure their work is both interesting and informative. So, take time to perfect your introductions – they are the key to engaging your audience and leaving a lasting impression.

How to grab the reader’s attention

• Start with an intriguing fact or a thought-provoking question. This will get the reader’s attention.
• Introduce the topic and show why it’s important. Keep it concise and focused.
• State your main point or argument. Give the reader a roadmap.

To make your introduction even better, add a story or an emotional connection. This will create an instant bond and keep them hooked.

Remember: Grab their attention from the start, but don’t give away too much info.

Pro Tip: Get feedback on your intro before finalizing it. Revise it as needed.

Structuring the introduction paragraph

Engage your reader with an interesting story or statistic. Then, outline your main points concisely and without jargon. Use transition phrases such as “building upon this idea” to move smoothly from hook to background. Finish off with a clear thesis statement. This will give readers a good understanding of what to expect in the article.

Developing Body Paragraphs

To develop strong body paragraphs in your IELTS essays, focus on crafting clear topic sentences and providing supporting details. Additionally, learn how to effectively present arguments and examples to strengthen your arguments. Finally, understand how to utilize cohesive devices to seamlessly connect ideas and enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Topic sentences and supporting details

Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

Topic sentences provide the main idea of a paragraph. To explain them, it’s important to include relevant details.

To illustrate this concept, let’s look at a table. It shows how topic sentences and supporting details work together.

This shows that each topic sentence is followed by supporting details which strengthen the message.

Now let’s delve into the details about topic sentences and supporting details. They should be presented in a logical order. The details should also be relevant and specific to the main idea. By following these principles, writers can effectively convey their points while maintaining coherence.

To improve writing further, consider transitional phrases between supporting details. Also, acknowledge counterarguments within the paragraphs. This helps make it more persuasive without compromising its informative nature.

Providing arguments and examples

Let’s explore how to give strong arguments and examples. Imagine a neat table with data that supports our view. There should be columns of factual numbers to back up the argument. This visual aid is a great way to convince readers.

We also need to include details that haven’t been discussed before. These details add more to our writing, so it looks professional. By looking into lesser-known aspects, we can make our arguments better.

So why wait? Using evidence in your writing will make readers emotional. It will also make them feel like they have to join your perspective. Don’t be scared to use persuasive body paragraphs. Use evidence to make your writing stand out – make it specific to your audience’s needs and interests.

Using cohesive devices to link ideas

Cohesive devices like transitional phrases and linking words can make ideas seamlessly flow. This gives the reader a better understanding of the writer’s thoughts.

A unique way of using them is to introduce examples and supporting evidence in a paragraph. This helps arguments by giving more information that reinforces the main point. “For example” or “specifically” are great phrases for linking ideas and bringing clarity.

Pro Tip: Pick the right word or phrase for the intended meaning. Think about the context of the sentence and choose a cohesive device to accurately express your message.

Crafting the Conclusion

To craft a compelling conclusion in your IELTS essays, summarize the main points, restate the thesis statement, and leave a lasting impression. Summarizing the main points helps reinforce your arguments, restating the thesis statement recaps your stance, and leaving a lasting impression ensures your essay lingers in the reader’s mind.

Summarizing the main points

Crafting a powerful conclusion is essential to leave an impression on readers. Here’s how:

• Highlight each point’s importance & impact.
• Show their connection to form a cohesive narrative.
• Explain how they contribute to the overall message.
• End with a call to action or thought-provoking final remark.

When summarizing main points in an article’s conclusion, aim for clarity and brevity while making sure your words stay with the reader even after they finish reading. Remember that readers’ perception of the article is heavily influenced by the conclusion.

Restating the thesis statement

Have you ever wanted to live a crazier life ? Let’s give it a try! Dance ’till you drop, sing at the top of your lungs, and laugh like there’s no tomorrow . Let loose and have some fun! It’ll be an adventure you won’t soon forget.

Have you ever dreamed of living a wilder life ? Let’s do it! Dance ’til you can’t move, belt out your favorite songs, and laugh with joy . Go for it and have a blast! This will be an adventure you won’t forget anytime soon.

Leaving a lasting impression

It is key to craft a lasting impression. Get to the point, use strong words and visuals. End with a call-to-action.

Customize your message to cater to the needs of your audience. Speak with the right tone and style for engagement.

Winston Churchill is a prime example of leaving a lasting impression. His speeches during World War II inspired nations. Even after his death, his words still have an impact.

To leave a lasting impression, be concise. Employ impactful words. Use visual aids. And make a call-to-action. Understand your audience. Draw inspiration from those who have come before. You can make your mark in communication.

Proofreading and Editing

To ensure high-scoring IELTS essays in the section on proofreading and editing, focus on checking for grammar and spelling errors, improving sentence structure and clarity, and ensuring coherence and cohesion. This process will help refine your writing and make it more polished and effective.

Checking for grammar and spelling errors

Proofreading and editing are essential. Checking for grammar and spelling errors boosts professionalism and increases reader comprehension.

Pay attention to sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and verb tenses to identify potential grammar mistakes. Check for run-on sentences and fragments.

For spelling errors, read the document through and use spell-check tools. But, they may not detect homophones or typos.

A great technique is to read the text aloud. It can help spot awkward phrasing and spelling mistakes. It’s a good idea to get another set of eyes to review the work too.

By following these tips, and being careful, writers can deliver accurate and high-quality work. Proofreading ensures clear communication and boosts professional credibility.

Improving sentence structure and clarity

To better your sentence structure & clarity, follow these 6 steps!

• Start with a topic sentence – clearly state the main idea.
• Use active voice instead of passive for concise writing.
• Keep sentences short & simple.
• Use transitions to connect ideas.
• Cut out wordiness.
• Revise & proofread.

Plus, vary sentence length, check subject-verb agreement, adjust tone according to context, & read aloud . Practicing these tips will help you improve your sentences.

In 1928, Virginia Woolf wrote “Orlando,” a modernist masterpiece. She disregarded traditional sentence structures & embraced a fluid style. Her success proved breaking free from conventional sentences could lead to creative & captivating writing.

Ensuring coherence and cohesion

Key aspects for ensuring coherence and cohesion:

• Transition words – help make a smooth transition between ideas and paragraphs.
• Pronouns – like ‘it’, ‘he’, ‘she’ refer back to nouns, creating continuity.
• Repetition – of words or phrases reinforces main ideas.
• Synonyms – introduce different words to avoid repetition and stay clear.
• Logical order – so readers can follow thoughts easily.

To further improve your writing:

• Read out loud – awkward sentences and gaps in flow become clear.
• Use sentence variety – simple, compound and complex sentences.
• Take breaks – get fresh perspectives on improvement areas.
• Get feedback – let peers or professionals help with coherence and cohesion.

These suggestions help readers follow ideas without confusion. They create clear connections and a seamless experience.

Practice and Tips for Success

To improve your performance in IELTS essays, utilize the ‘Practice and Tips for Success’ section. Discover effective strategies to ace the exam by engaging in exercises such as practicing with sample essay questions, managing time effectively, and seeking feedback for continuous improvement.

Practicing with sample essay questions

Analyze the prompt. Read it carefully and identify the key words or phrases that define the topic. Grasping the prompt helps form a focused thesis statement.

Research and gather info. Do thorough research to gather pertinent facts from reliable sources. Make notes and organize them based on arguments or counterarguments.

Plan your essay. Put together an outline or structure before you start writing. This ensures coherence and logical progression of ideas.

Write a draft. Use the notes and outline as a guide and begin writing your essay. Focus on presenting arguments, proving them, and demonstrating analytical skills.

Review and revise. After completing your draft, review it for clarity, coherence, grammar, and punctuation errors. Make the needed changes to strengthen your essay’s content and flow.

Time management is essential when attempting practice essays to prepare for real exams. Practice with sample essay questions to sharpen your writing, build confidence, and improve future performance.

Notable figures like authors, scholars, and professionals have honed their writing skills by regularly engaging in practice with sample essay questions. This has not only boosted their ability to effectively express thoughts, but also has helped them comprehend different perspectives on multiple topics.

Managing time effectively

Don’t let missed opportunities haunt you! Take control of your time and reap the rewards. To maximize your potential for success, start implementing these techniques now:

• Prioritize tasks. Identify most important ones first . This ensures time is spent on activities that have the greatest impact.
• Set goals. Establish clear goals for each day or week . This provides you with a sense of direction and purpose.
• Create a schedule. Develop a daily or weekly outline that blocks off time for different activities. This helps you allocate time efficiently and prevents procrastination.
• Avoid multitasking. Studies show this decreases productivity. Focus on one task at a time to ensure quality work.

Productivity tools such as task management apps or timers can help. Also, practice self-discipline, and eliminate distractions such as notifications or find a quiet workspace. This enhances focus and concentration. Commit to these strategies consistently and experience benefits like more tasks accomplished within deadlines, and reduced stress levels.

Seeking feedback and improvement

Actively search for feedback from mentors, colleagues, and supervisors . Accept criticism as a chance for progress, not personally. Ask for feedback on a project or performance, to get helpful feedback. Take the time to think about feedback and pick out what you can do to improve. Even with positive feedback, keep searching for ways to develop.

Remember, requesting feedback needs openness and humility . Showing you want to learn is a sign of growth.

Pro Tip: Listen closely to feedback, rather than defending yourself. This will help you understand the point of view and make improvements.

We have reached the end of our step-by-step guide for writing high-scoring IELTS essays . Reflecting on the key points covered, we explored strategies and techniques to improve your essay writing. Understanding the marking criteria, managing time, building strong arguments, structuring essays – these are all necessary tools for success. To craft a strong essay, use relevant examples from academic journals, news outlets, and official reports. Demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing perspectives on a topic. Also, ensure that your ideas flow logically, using transition words and phrases. Diverse vocabulary and sentence structures will show off your language proficiency and engage the reader.

It is important to note that practice is key to success in the IELTS exam . Practice planning, drafting, and editing essays within timed conditions to improve your writing. Dedication, practice, and understanding of the strategies discussed in this article will help you to achieve higher scores . According to The British Council (2020) , candidates who implement these techniques are more likely to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1: What is the key to writing high-scoring IELTS essays? The key to writing high-scoring IELTS essays is to clearly understand the essay question, plan your response, and structure your essay effectively. Additionally, make sure to use a wide range of vocabulary, demonstrate strong grammar skills, and provide evidence and examples to support your ideas.

FAQ 2: How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS essays? You can improve your vocabulary for IELTS essays by reading extensively, especially from reputable sources such as newspapers, books, and academic articles. Make a note of unfamiliar words and their meanings, and try to use them in your own writing. Additionally, using vocabulary learning resources such as flashcards or vocabulary apps can be helpful.

FAQ 3: Are there any specific essay structures I should follow? Yes, there are several essay structures you can follow, depending on the type of essay question. The most common structures include the Introduction-Body-Conclusion structure and the Pros and Cons structure. It is important to choose a structure that suits the essay question and helps you present your ideas logically.

FAQ 4: How can I improve my grammar skills for IELTS essays? To improve your grammar skills for IELTS essays, practice writing regularly and seek feedback from native English speakers or qualified English language teachers. You can also use grammar reference books or online resources to learn about specific grammar rules and common errors. Take note of your frequent errors and work on them systematically.

FAQ 5: How long should an IELTS essay be? An IELTS essay should be between 250 and 300 words long. Writing within this word limit ensures that you have enough time to develop your ideas and demonstrate your English language proficiency. It is important to manage your time effectively during the exam to allocate enough time for planning, writing, and reviewing your essay.

FAQ 6: How can I practice for writing high-scoring IELTS essays? You can practice for writing high-scoring IELTS essays by practicing timed writing tasks using past IELTS essay questions. Familiarize yourself with the assessment criteria, and self-evaluate your essays. Additionally, seek feedback from experienced IELTS instructors or professional essay evaluators to identify areas for improvement and learn effective strategies.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write an introduction

Learn how to write an introduction for IELTS writing task 2 essays. This page explains the content and technique for writing an high score introduction without wasting precious time in the test. The video tutorial takes you through each statement in your introduction paragraph. This lesson is for academic and GT IELTS essays.

This lesson will teach you:

• The content of an IELTS introduction
• How to write the background statement
• How to write the thesis statement
• How to paraphrase effectively
• How long your introduction should be

The same technique is used for a band score 6 as for a band score 9. So, this lesson is for students of all band scores. The only difference will be that a band score 9 student will use richer and more complex English language.

What does the Introduction Paragraph Contain?

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 requirements of the marking criteria for writing task 2.

How to Write the Introduction of an IELTS Essay

This video lesson will take you through both statements to create a time efficient introduction paragraph. It will show you:

• How to paragraph correctly for the background statement.
• How to write a clear thesis statement.
• What information you do not need based on the IELTS marking criteria and band score requirements.

Summary: The Introduction Paragraph

1. analysing the essay question.

Now this is the essay title we’re going to look at. “The best way to improve health is to do regular exercise. To what extent do you agree?” Well let’s first look at the statement. IELTS have given us the best way – it’s a method, it’s a solution and it’s a solution to improving health. So our essay is all about improving health and possible solutions. IELTS suggest that exercise is the best solution – you might agree, not agree or partially agree.

What does this mean “ to what extent “? Well that means how much do you agree. You don’t need to agree or disagree. You need to think about it and think do you agree with all the sentence, is there something that you don’t agree with? Do you agree with most of it? So that’s how you analyse it.

Let’s have a look at what information we need to put in our introduction. Now for many academic essays there are three parts to the introduction: the hook, a background statement and a thesis statement.  We use the hook in many essays but …. do we use the hook for IELTS essays? The answer is no. We don’t need it. A hook is there to create interest, but that is not part of the marking criteria for IELTS. Interest is NOT marked and does not improve your score.

3. Background Statements

The next thing is the background statement. What is the background statement? The function of this statement is to present the issues in the essay question. You do this by paraphrasing the question. This means you rewrite the essay question your way. We do this because these are the issues your whole essay will be addressing. It is the only way that your essay (your answer) will make sense. You can see various ways of paraphrasing a background statement on this page: Introduction Background Statement Practice

4. Thesis Statements

The second and final statement is the thesis statement. This is your answer / your opinion. It provides the reader with a clear answer to the task. Your body paragraphs will then explain your answer by presenting ideas which are developed and supported.You need to learn all the different ways to write this statement depending on the type of essay you will get in your IELTS test.

5. Length of Introduction

Most introductions will be between 45 and 60 words in length. They certainly do not need to be longer. The introduction is a functional paragraph and when you have completed its function, move quickly on to the body paragraphs. The main proportion of your marks come from your body paragraphs.

Recommended Lessons

• Band Score 9 Model Opinion Essay
• Opinion Essay Introduction Practice

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Hello Miss Liz! Hopefully you are doing great..

I had 2 enquiries. Am I free to mix up the American and British spellings? Sometimes, in the same sentence, I may spell a word in the American way, only to spell the very next word in the British system? Will I get penalized (or penalised) for this? Should I be strict and only use one way of spelling?

My second question has to do with ideas. I may get the other aspects of the writing in order, but my ideas can get straight up bizarre and uncreative at times. Many people have said this when they went through my writing. Will the quality of my ideas be assessed in the exam?

I eagerly await your reply

Thanking you, Yours sincerely, Rayhan

For the writing test, you should not mix your spelling. You need to choose either US or UK spelling. Ideas are marked on: – how they are presented and explained – their connection to the task – whether they are 100% relevant or not (this includes all details, even phrases and short sentences must be 100% relevant) – whether they are well developed or not

Hope you are doing great

I have one question. I have written an introduction for one of the Cambridge Tests. Would you please tell me your opinion about my answer. I want to present a balanced opinion. Can I argue two sides (positive and negative development) and finally give a balanced approach? Is it correct or not?

Question: Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

My answer: The question of whether the easy availability of goods made abroad is a significant advancement is a topic of ongoing debate. While some argue that this is an impressive achievement, others advocate for a more pragmatic and realistic approach. This essay will crucially expound both perspectives prior to articulating a comprehensive and balanced assessment.

Best regards, Mohammad

You have misunderstood what a balanced approach is and you’ve turned it into a discussion essay. This isn’t a discussion essay. It is an essay that asks specifically what you think. If you don’t have a position, you will get a low score.

There is one issue to tackle in this essay – growing similarity because of global sales of products. You must show the reader if you think it is more positive or more negative. This doesn’t mean 50/50 because that has no position and is a discussion essay without an opinion. It means if you think the issue in the question is mostly positive (because there is equality in the world), but only slightly negative (because it might make the world a less interesting place), then you need to make this clear or you will get a lower score.

My advice to you is NEVER aim for a balanced approach unless you have received training on how to do it. Otherwise you will go wrong. Also never use the statement “this essay will” – this is a redundant statement in IELTS.

Please watch my video again about the content of an introduction. Then get my advanced lessons if you need training: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Dear Liz thank you so much for your videos and all the materials that you’ve provided for us. I’d like to ask a question in this video you said that the length of the introduction should be 35-50 but here you’ve written 45-60, I ‘d like to know has it changed which one would be better? Thank you

The advice is general advice, not fixed rules. As your introduction will be most usually 2 sentences, it will probably work out at around 40-50 words. But it might be slightly below or slightly above. The key thing to get right is the content of the introduction, and to remember that the main points for your writing task 2 are in the body paragraphs so a long introduction isn’t necessary. See the model essays on this page to see the variation in introductions: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hi Mam, Can I rephrase the question in the video as [To maintain a good healthy life style, workout is important in day to day life.] So I want to ask a question should we omit all the words and paraphrase it. Or should only change the specific word in question.

Paraphrasing does not necessarily mean changing all words. You choose which words to change and which could stay the same. Paraphrasing can also involve changing the word order rather than just changing words. My video explains this. The word “workout” is not a paraphrase for “exercise”. So, this would be an incorrect paraphrase. A workout means using your muscles with weights, usually in a gym. It might also mean fitness training. Workout does not include walking but exercise does include walking and other very gentle activities where the body is moving, such as taichi and yoga. So, changing exercise to workout will change the entire meaning of the essay and would be incorrect. Another mistake is to paraphrase “health” as “healthy life style”. These are not the same thing either and you’ve just changed the entire essay again by poor paraphrasing. “life style is only about the way you live, not your blood pressure or blood sugar levels etc. So, by paraphrasing two words, you have completely altered the essay and this will significantly lower your score.

If you can’t find a suitable paraphrase for “health” or for “exercise”, just change the word order: “It is thought that exercise is important in day to day life as a way to enhance health.”

Hi dear Liz. could you please give me some suggestions about my introduction ? the question is: Out of a country’s health budget, a large proportion should be diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventive measures. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

One of the major parts of any country’s income are invested on health issue expenditures. In recent years, much attention is paid to awareness of the society about the impressive role of preventive activities. I believe that the society is becoming aware, therefore, it’s valuable to spend more money on preventions rather than treatments.

I suggest you watch the video on the page above again so that you produce two statements: a background statement which is a direct paraphrase of the essay statement and a thesis statement which produces an answer. Don’t be indirect. Don’t have a hook.

Hi mam, this is Surya and I have trouble with the introduction part. please have a look at this introduction part and give me your feedback. question:- Some government are motivating industries and business to move from cities to regional areas. Do you think the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages. Answer:- with the pollution and population increasing in cities due to industries and people crowded for employment, I think the government persuading the industries and business to shift from cities to rural areas is a great benefit to the people,environment and economy as well though it has certain negligible demerits.

As explained in the video on the page above, first you paraphrase the question directly and accurately. Then you present your position in the thesis. Two separate statements in one paragraph.

Hi, Liz how are you. I wanted to ask that can we induce certain conclusion after observing the trends of a pie chart or any graph in writing task 1. For example, in one Cambridge test, the pie chart shows the usage of water across different areas of world for agriculture, industry and household. In America industry uses most water, while in asia agriculture uses most. Can I write in the explanation paragraphs that america is more industrialized so they spend most water in industry and vice versa. Or I should just present the data available on pie chart in my own words without deducing any conclusions from the trends. Thankyou

Your task is to report what is shown on the graph or chart etc – it is a factual report. It is not to give opinions, predictions or evaluations.

Thankyou so much Liz

Hello Liz , I want to ask something. I recently sat for academic ielts and I did a mistake on writing task 2 . My introduction disagreed but I went on to agree throughout the essay up to the conclusion , will this affect me adversely if other band descriptors are good.

Unfortunately, it will affect your score for task response because you did not maintain a clear position throughout the whole essay. But it won’t affect your score for the other criteria.

Thank you so much .

All type of writing task 2 questions would have “Thesis Statement” or only certain types of questions.

All introduction paragraphs for all Writing Task 2 essays should have a background statement and a thesis statement.

Do we need to mentioned like: “This essay will discuss this and that and later on that” in introduction ?

No. That statement is not required. It doesn’t harm your score, but it is not at all necessary and not part of the band score requirements in IELTS Writing Task 2.

Please tell me the best way to going partially with any statement,can I use structure “even though” if yes that how?

I suggest you get my advanced lessons and learn properly: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hello Liz, I just paused my video to commend your teaching methodology. It is simple and precise. Thanks.

Hello Liz. Thanks for all your lessons and video. I wish I had discovered it when I took my first ilets exams , any ways I’m going for a second attempt and I know I,ll do better with your tutelage. You’re the best and God bless.

How can we write down an essay if we do not know something well?we have to collect information to put in our essay?Am I correct?

As you prepare for IELTS, you should be preparing ideas for topics as well. I also have an e-book called “Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics” which you can purchase in my store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi Liz wish you had an easier way of making payments like mobile money transfer ,we want to buy those e-books but it’s a little of a challenge

I wish you could change things but I don’t own or have any control over the store platform because it is managed and owned by another company. At present, the only payment method is Paypal but one day I hope to take card payments s well.

Hi Liz, I just tried and found that it’s OK to use card payments.

This is a link to my store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . Don’t use any other store. There are no card payment options at present. But you can use your card as long as you pay through Paypal. Hopefully, in the future, I’ll have more options.

Thank you for all that you do. Much love and appreciation. My test is tomorrow and Please I would like to know if I can type in Capital letters for my Computer based IELTS writing test.

Do you mean “Can I write using all capital letters in my writing test?” The answer to that question is “Don’t do it”. It isn’t a fixed rule, but IELTS is testing your grammar which includes the correct use of capital letters – using capital letters at the start of a sentence or for proper nouns etc. So, please write as normal and use capital letters when it is grammatically correct to do so for the Writing Test. Good luck tomorrow!

Hi Liz, Would I penalized if I were to introduce my ideas in summary in the introduction paragraph, as part of the thesis statement? Or is it best to leave it for the topic sentences in each body paragraph solely?

For instance, Nowadays more people move away from from their friends and families for work. Does this have more advantages or disadvantages? After paraphrasing the background statement… “…In this essay I will argue why In spite of one having benefits like making new friends and gaining a great employment opportunity that come with moving abroad, the huge disadvantage of separation anxiety from one’s family members outweighs them all.”

It’s a long thesis statement. Take out so much detail: In my opinion, in spite of benefits such as making friends and employment opportunities, the issue of separation anxiety outweighs them all.

That is a clear thesis statement which introduces main points without giving detail. The detail will come in the body paragraphs. Learn to write each sentences in a punchy, focused manner without extra padding. However, your main ideas are not particularly strong. If someone is making new friends, separation anxiety is often lessened. This negates your argument that the disadvantages outweigh. Remember, your ideas must make sense. Therefore, it would be better to have the benefits as – becoming more independent and better work opportunities (such as higher salary or promotion). The disadvantages ought to be lack of support (particularly when sick or if children are involved) and separation anxiety (leading to mental health issues such as depression). You can now argue the case that the disadvantages are more serious.

Also try to avoid “like” instead of “such as”. The word “like” as a linking word is informal and not suitable for Writing Task 2. Hope you found this useful 🙂

Can you please check the below sample essay written by me and advise whether it is sufficient to serve the purpose or if there is any improvement points you can suggest.

The best way to improve health is to do regular exercise. To what extent you agree or disagree?

Consistent physical training is one of the ideal methods to boost fitness. This essay strongly agrees with this statement because it not only stimulates metabolism but also helps in improving mental health. In today’s modern lifestyle where we spent major portion of our life sitting long hours at office and in home, exercising daily is the necessity to activate our metabolism to prevent variety of lifestyle diseases such as Blood Pressure/Sugar et al. It is considered to be the most effective way to deal obesity which is considered to be mother of all disease. A recently concluded study in UK concluded that by 2025 there will be 48% of the population in UK suffering from obesity which can be prevented by daily physical exercise. In addition to the physical fitness one of the major challenges of the new era is to balance mental health. To achieve maximum output at work as well as to get succeed in life we have to deal with varied amount of physiological pressure. Exercising is the finest way to divert all the negative energy and channelizing them into concentrated productive outcome. A clear example of this is the recent advisory issued by WHO to all the institutions dealing with desk jobs to mandatorily have the gym/fitness centre at the work place to develop the healthy lifestyle and to reduce the risk of various diseases. In conclusion, daily exercise is one of the finest ways to keep health in the best shape because it helps in building the stamina to prevent the deadly disease at bay and balance mental well being to deal with varied life problems. Total Word Count = 271

Dear Mr.Pell I saw the videos of two Australian teachers stating that when the question says ” what are advantages and disadvantages’ (because they have “s” at the end which means plural) we have to write two double idea paragraphs. I am confused with it. When each body paragraph needs to include one idea and when two ideas? Could you please share a lesson or video that clarifies this point?

Best wishes Dr.Reza

The band score requirements for paragraphs don’t actually say “one idea per paragraph”. They state that each paragraph should have a “central theme”. This means all advantages in one paragraph – logical organisation. However, for opinion essays, each idea is a separate idea and should be written in individual paragraphs. This means your paragraphing should be logical and will depend on the type of essay you get.

Dear liz, I recently gave my IELTS ACADEMIC test. I do not remember the exact phrasing of the question, but it was along the lines saying “in many parts of the world, children and teenagers are involved in many crimes.” what are the reasons and how they should be punished? I was in hurry and i might have missed “in many parts of the world” to paraphrase (I am not sure if i mentioned it or not) but my rest of the essay is relevant. So basically, my thesis might have missed a part. I wrote ” nowadays, it is seen that many young children and teens are getting involved in crimes” and i added next statement but nowhere it involves the “manu parts of the world” would this affect my score significantly? I am confident about my lexical resources and grammar. But i fear this one mistake might lead to low score. please let me know. 🙂

All fine. That isn’t a vital piece of information for the introduction given that topic. Good luck with your results 🙂

Hi Liz, I have purchased your advanced lesson of opinion essay and was wondering it is necessary to write a balanced approach essay for a higher band score or we can get a good score with a one-sided approach as well.

The position you take isn’t marked – one sided or balanced view are both good. However, make sure you cover all issues in the question, keep the same stance throughout and have relevant points. I teach both approaches because some essay questions are more suited to one approach than the other. So, don’t decide which approach you will take until you read the question.

Question:–Many people like to go on holiday abroad, while others believe it is better to visit places within their own country. Discuss both the views and give your opinion. Intro:—A lot of individuals want to go out of country for vacation. However, others argue that it is good to visit their home nation. This essay agrees that go out for holiday is give idea about new culture and learn new language. Can i write in this way in opinion essay type question and also plz tell me 1. Is it is necessary to use background Statment? 2. How to write thesis statement and outline statement.

The instructions ask for your own opinion. This essay agrees” cannot be used. An essay is not a person and it is not you. Give your opinion clearly and directly. For your background statement, try to write it as one sentence, rather than two as you have done.

Hi Liz, You clearly say that there is no need to add more than the background sentence/s and the thesis statement in the introduction. But, I have found others who suggest to write ‘outline statements’ to make it better. What do you think?

It does not at all affect your score. You won’t get a higher score to have more than a background and thesis statement. The main points in an IELTS essay are in the body paragraphs. While the conclusion and introduction are essential, they serve only a functional purpose.

Hey liz 🙂 I have a question if you dont mind For the 3rd paragraph of advantage/disadvantage question..I want to check if this sentence is formal or not

However, every coin has two sides and despite all the advantages mentioned above, there are some disadvantages too.

It looks like a memorised sentence and that isn’t going to help your score. Each sentence should be uniquely created by yourself and connect to the specific topic given. That is a general statement which doesn’t connect to any topic. Be specific and don’t memorise whole sentences.

you said this is a band 9 essay. i am confused as you did not use a gerund in the introduction or even anywhere in it. also, your transition words look quite mechanical. please kindly respond.

I don’t understand your comment. There is no essay on this page. There is a video lesson which explains the techniques and content for an introduction. You do NOT need to write a gerund in the introduction at all – this is not an IELTS rule. Linking words are mainly used in the body paragraphs, not the introduction.

Thesis statement While it is true that regular physical exercise is key to health, I disagree that this method is the most effective since rational nutrition and avoiding bad habits are equally important.

The following thesis statement is taken from the author: Jasur Abidov.

While it is true that regular exercise is key to health, I disagree that this method is the most effective since rational nutrition and avoiding bad habits are equally important.

My question is: Is it fine or necessary to mention the reasons in the thesis statement when you disagree with something? Is it more appropriate to mention the reasons for disagreement in the body paragraphs or is it just fine to mention in both thesis statement and body paragraphs?

It is completely fine to introduce your main points in the introduction. I sometimes do this in my essays. However, you can’t add any detail. All detail is left to the body paragraphs. Introducing the main points introduces the reader to the main contents and probable paragraphs. As you see from the example introduction written by Jasur, the essay would contain three paragraphs – one about exercise, one about nutrition and one about bad habits. It’s a logical and good way to tackle an opinion essay. But if the main points are too lengthy to add or can’t be written in a short thesis statement, it is possible to only state the position that you will take.

Is it compulsory to write the general line in the starting of introduction.

If you watch the video lesson above, you will see the two statements which are required in an IELTS essay for task 2. Nothing else is required.

Hi Liz, I have just started following you for preparing ILETS and have tried my first writing task 2. I have tried to write an introduction according to your tips. Question: Some people think that the government is wasting money on the arts and that this money could be better spent elsewhere. To what extent do you agree with this view. My Essay While there are people who believe that the government has been venturing most of the monetary funds in developing arts in the country and such act may not prove to be beneficial. Moreover, they think that instead of squandering excess of money on arts and literature, this could be utilized in better ways. In my opinion, I agree that Government should invest money in community services first rather in arts. However, I believe improving arts may also add to a country’s economy and restoring heritage. Primarily, a government functions for the welfare of the citizens of the country. In the view of this, for development of a country, effective strategies must be formulated in the benefit of the countrymen. It is advisable that government should spend on services centering the society’s welfare. Government should use the national funds in improving civic amenities such as building schools, advanced and fully equipped hospitals, community centres and parks. In doing so, the citizen of the country feels proud of their governance and return back with paying taxes further strengthening the economy. However, completely neglecting art and literature may not be desirable. Since, developing arts in the form of music, theatre and artistic infrastructure may invite tourism internationally as well as nationally. Large scale music concerts and plays may attract millions of art lovers from different corners of the world. Moreover, construction of art specific museums and exhibition centres can impress the crowd. This may further boost a country’s economy and allows amalgamation of varied cultures. To conclude, I would agree that taking care of the basic needs of the society and working primarily for their welfare is the need of the hour. However, developing fields like arts may also be essential for strengthening the economy.

Hi, Can we say/ write ‘to developing’ or shall we say for developing/ to develop? Regards, Amit

– I look forward to seeing you. – I hope to see you. – Only one person is responsible for developing this vaccine. – We are close to developing a vaccine. As you can see, it depends on the structure of the sentence and the way words are used.

I have been following your page for three months and I have improved a lot. I really Want to ask that can I use word ‘ought to’ in the introduction part of writing task 2 as my instructor here in Baroda has instructed me not to use it instead of should. I am really confuse.

Thanks Anurag patel

Of course you can use “ought to” as a paraphrase the “should”.

Hi Liz, Can I start with this… In the salad days of millennium, many people believe that doing daily exercise is the most significant method to become healthy is convincing. I think in a reverse manner and strongly agree to the given statement. My inclination is justified in the ensuring paragraphs. And after that BP1, BP2 and conclusion.

Try writing more naturally without filling your writing with inappropriate, descriptive language. Just write normally.

I think ur giving the best way which can helps all the students thanks for it, i really like ur lesson 🙏😎🥳😍

Very well done! Thank you for this lesson.

Would this one be better? Advertising, which is considered to have a strong impact on people’s lives, is virtually everywhere these days. In my opinion, this profusion of commercials has more negative effects than positive ones because it promotes consumerism and causes frustration.

Now you are going in the right direction. This is what IELTS is all about. The introduction serves only two purposes – to paraphrase the essay question because your whole essay will address it and secondly to present your answer.

Hello Liz! Could you have a look at my introduction, please. Thanks The question: People are surrounded by advertising which has an increasing effect on our lives. Do you think the positive effects of this outweigh the negative effects. Introduction: Advertising seems to have occupied our world completely. It is in streets, public transports, at our homes, in our gadgets – virtually everywhere, so it is needless to say that this constant presence affects our lives in one way or the other. But is this impact a positive one or are its drawbacks more significant? This essay aims to a dress this question and reach a concluding view.

Your background statement includes unnecessary information and is not a direct paraphrase of the question. Your thesis statement fails to answer the question. I highly recommend you learn the right way to write an IELTS essay. This isn’t something you can guess at or collect a few tips about. You need to learn what IELTS want. See my Advanced Lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Apologies Liz,thanks for all your good works. Please kindly grade this essay of mine. An assessor graded it 6.5,i dont know what else to do differently. Thank you NEWS ABOUT PROBLEMS AND EMERGENCIES IS HARMFUL TO INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY. DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE?

Many people believe that reporting issues-arising and latest unpalatable events cause unrest and panic to all and sundry. In my opinion, I disagree with this because breaking news keeps us abreast of need-to -know information about our environment and also enable us to avoid falling victims to threats. The main purpose of reporting news is to render information to the public about recent events. Information on the news comes in two forms; good and bad, and the reason why these reports are put out is to educate people about these occurrences so that the society becomes aware of them. We only know what we have heard about. A good example is the recent outbreak of Coronavirus, which was firstly reported in Wuhan, China in November 2019, and by December the whole world had been notified about the outbreak. Without news reporting, we would have been left unaware of and exposed to this deadly disease. Reporting latest events prevents us from falling victims to these problems. People tend to steer clear of harmful situations that pose fatal risks of physical injuries, incapacitations or even death. Take the terrorist groups invasion of certain parts of Nigeria for example, news updates on happenings in these areas enable people to keep away from these locations to avoid being kidnapped or killed. Another example is the recent messages on the news globally on how handwashing and the use of face-masks can help to control infections. Majority of people have adopted these personal hygiene practices because it has been repeated severally on news outlets. To conclude, even though breaking news on outlets like the television, radio and Facebook has had its fair share of creating panicky situations among the public, it is the best way to learn about new events so as to protect us from being victims of these mishaps. However, government should legislate about dissemination of information and individuals of groups should be severely punished if found to have shared false news.

Unfortunately, I don’t offer marking of feedback. But I will say this essay does not conform to the requirements of IELTS based on the marking criteria. For example, you can’t have only one body paragraph in an IELTS essay without it having a negative impact on your score for Coherence and Cohesion. Your conclusion shouldn’t be longer than your introduction – it’s a waste of words and doesn’t help your score. The reason you are struggling to understand what you are doing wrong is because you haven’t learned about IELTS essays. You clearly have great English, but this is all about what IELTS want. See my Advanced Lessons to learn the right techniques based on the official band score requirements. https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ One final tip: don’t use informal language in your essay (all and sundry) – use that language in your speaking test instead.

Thank you for you response Liz, still on the above essay,it has 2 clear body paragraphs not 1.. Please which of your online course will I benefit from the most?Thanks once again

Sorry, I didn’t see that. Leave an empty line between paragraphs to make them clear. If the examiner can’t easily see them , you’ll get a lower mark. Also pay attention to your topic sentences (the first sentence of each body paragraph) – they need to be written more fully and in a more connected way. Don’t use referencing in the topic sentences. My Advanced Lessons each cover one type of essay. You posted an Opinion Essay – start with that one and see what you learn 🙂

Thanks a lot..

hey liz , thanks for providing us these valuable guidance , however; is the type question like : to what extant do you agree .? is not the same of : to what extant do you agree or disagree ! because i have seen your example and you provide the another reason to get healthy which is diet and if you added to our essay i guess thats mean we do not totally agree! i heard some teachers telling that you have take one position agree or disagree and write you controlling ideas with specific details ,, i really got confused about the question that ask and thanks in advance

Teachers teach that you can only agree with one side because it is a safe approach, particularly with low level English users. However, having a partial agreement is possible with any essay that asks for your opinion, regardless of how the instructions are written. See my Advanced Lessons for different approaches if you want more in-depth training: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hey Liz, Thanks a bunch for such a helpful content, really appreciated! 😊 Before watching this video,i had written my own version of introductory paragraph’s statements, could you please confirm if it will be okay too? “There is no doubt that exercise,when done regularly, is a method that has excellent effects on health improvement. Perhaps, in my opinion, if combined with a diet that ia full of nutritious elements, it produces the best results.”

It’s fine, but don’t use the word “perhaps”. Either you believe in your own opinion or you don’t.

Dear Liz, task 2 question on 14-3-20 was: It is argued that parents of children who break laws should also be punished as they are some way responsible. To what extent do you agree or disagree. First two line of my introduction was “In recent years the number of children committing unlawful activities have increased unprecedentedly. Hence, many people opine that parents of children who do not abide by laws ……” But now I feel the first line including the linking word in the second sentence were irrelevant and unnecessary… I don’t know why I wrote…will I get very poor mark for this?

You have made up information that is not part of the question in your first line. This essay is not about the increase in crime at all. So, it will affect your score for Task Response which is 25% of your marks. There are no rules for marking as to how much it will affect your score. As with all errors, they affect the score, but in no particular amount. At least, you know your error and won’t make the same mistake again. You don’t need a hook to start your introduction in IELTS. Just paraphrase the essay question exactly as it is.

Your website is very much helpful and like the way you teach every minute details about all the aspects in IELTS. I actually have a doubt regarding the use of pen or pencil in the exam? Can we use a pencil or we have to use pen for all the 3 modules?

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-help-faq/

Hi! I wanted to know if it’s possible to completely agree with the statement or even completely disagree with it. For example, I saw a topic that said the Government should take measures to restrict ownership of mobile phones and asked to what extent do I agree or disagree with it. Personally, I completely disagree with that idea, but I’m wondering if I can actually write my essay in that view.

You can choose to agree, disagree or partial agree/disagree. The choice of opinion is yours and is not marked. What is marked is your ability to present the position and explain it.

So, if I write my entire essay from the perspective of disagreeing without any point of agreeing to the idea, it’s still ok? They wouldn’t state that there’s no balance?

Your whole essay explains your view covering the single issue or two issues raised in the question. If you disagree, how can you write suddenly that you agree? If you disagree, you disagree. It is not a discussion essay. However, not all questions are suited to a one sided view. You should decide your stance after you read the question and think about ideas.

Hello For the thesis statement can I use “This essay will discuss……” or “In this essay…. will be discussed.”

If the instructions ask for YOUR opinion, those words do not directly give YOUR opinion. So, if you use them as a way to express your own personal opinion, it will mean you failed to give your opinion and that would be a problem for Task Response which is 25% of your marks. So, be careful how you use such a phrase in IELTS.

Hi Liz, some teachers say that you should also include an outline in your introduction saying what you are planning to do in the essay, for example writing something like: “in this essay, first I will discuss the advantages, and then I will analyze the disadvantages”. I don’t think this is a good idea, but wanted to have your opinion about this? Thanks!

Firstly, it is a learned phrase – a memorised sentence. IELTS do not accept memorised language as an example of your own level of English. Secondly, the examiner has the instructions which are “discuss the advantages and disadvantages” – it is not important for you to repeat that. Lastly, it is actually a sentence that isn’t required in any IELTS essay – it won’t influence your score for the better or for the worse – it has no impact. So, don’t waste your time. Two statements for the introduction and then straight into the body paragraphs which is where the high scores are.

QQ: Is it ok to write questioning statements in writing task 2 of general module?

Ex:- Topic :- Some people believe that retirement age should not be fixed to 65 years. Do you agree?

Essay:- after writing intro and somewhere in 2nd para , if I want to write “If the age for starting work is not fixed and neither is the work tenure, then why should retirement age be?” Is this ok ?

You should be aiming to write statements that support your main point, not opening up questions.

Thanks for all the lessons in this blog. I have a doubt in paraphrasing the below question. Could you please take a look and help me out?

Food travels a thousands of miles from farmers to consumers. Some people think that it would be better to our environment and local businesses if we only purchase locally produced products. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

The question has a general statement and background statement. Do I have to paraphrase everything in the question for my introduction?

Thanks, Suganya

“Due to the distance food travels, it is commonly thought that people should only buy local products from local businesses to protect the environment.” As you see, you can just merge information to create one background statement.

Hello ma’am can i use “heated debate” in my introduction about any global problem? Thanks in advance

Those are some of the most overused words in IELTS writing task 2 – they won’t impress the examiner.

Hi Liz, I am writing 100 words of body paragraphs. I am including general idea in the beginning. After this, I write two sub-ideas with one supporting example (for any one idea). At last, I conclude my idea. But by using this approach, my essay becomes too lengthy. Sometimes it’s about of 300 words and sometimes it’s about of 330 words. I am seriously confused. Is it correct way to BP? I need your help.

You are trying to fix a formula for the content of your body paragraphs – don’t do that. You need to show flexibility when it comes to body paragraphs. For example, you do not actually need to conclude a body paragraph. That is not a requirement of IELTS so there is no point fixing that as part of your body paragraph. Just state your main idea and then explain it – you decide how to explain it depending on the idea and the topic – you do not plan this before hand. Start being more flexible in your approach. See my Advanced Writing Task 2 Lessons if you need more help: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hello liz I have a confusion in which essay should i give opinion starting from intro please guide .

Go to the Writing Section of this site for your answer. Use the RED MENU BAR at the top of the site.

Mam please let me know which one method is correct to use in thesis for giving opinion 1. (This essay will or it is agreed) or 2. ( In my opinion , i believe , i completely agree ). I m really confused about that part. Pls help me.

See the writing section of this website – click on the RED MENU BAR at the top of the website.

Hello mam. Your lessons are extremely helpful for the students like me to get a good band score. Please answer my doubt regarding introduction paragraph in WT2. I have read a lot of band score 9 and 8.5 essays and almost most of them have included a hook in their introduction but you stated that hook is not necessary. Please solve the dilemma going on in my head as I believe that you will give me correct advice.

I do not know what else to say. A hook does not help your score at all. It is a sentence that does not relate to the band score requirements. If you put it, it is just padding. It doesn’t cause your score to go down, but it is a waste of time. You have a limited amount of time and each sentence should be 100% focused and essential to the essay. A hook is to “hook the reader” – it’s about interest – that isn’t a band score requirement for IELTS. This is explained in the video on the page above.

Thanks a lot mam for replying and giving a helpful advice

is your GT writing task 2 or 1 available for purchase?

Thanks Anjali

I have Advanced lessons for writing task 2 which are for both GT and Academic writing. I also have an e-book of ideas for topics which is also suitable for both tests. See this page: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

just get to know about your health. Please take care and get well soon :). May God Bless you.

Regards Anjali

If the topic is not a question like ”The importance of video games for the children”. Should we discuss or give our opinion about that?

If there is no direct question, there will be instructions such as “Discuss both views and give your opinion”. You will always get instructions or a clear question. Use the IELTS Cambridge Test papers to prepare – or my essay questions.

Hie Liz i would like to be enrolled in your paid up courses,in the four catergories how much is it?

Hello Liz, You are doing great works for us. Congratulations on your initiatives. Then I have a doubt regarding writing task 2, that is can I use this word “their ” to explain something about a group of people. Is it will reduce my score.

Of course it is fine. I don’t understand your worry about it.

Respected Mam,

I have a question that is there any word limit in IELTS writing task 1 / 2, as it is written in cambridge books for task 2 (250 words) and for task 1 (150 words).

Thanks a lot.

The instructions tell you to write AT LEAST 250 words for task 2 and AT LEAST 150 words for task 1. The words “at least” mean “not less than”.

Hie Liz How many body paragraphs can one write

You should have either two or three body paragraphs. See this page for model essays: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hi Elizabeth,I took the subscription for the essays. I just have one doubt,I read somewhere that there are 5 types of essay formats but I can see only three types in your subscription; Adv. & Disadv. , Discussion and Opinion. Can you tell me if there are any other formats?

I haven’t made the other lessons yet. You can use my free lessons and tips for the other two types of essays. Click on the RED BAR at the top of the website and select “writing task 2”.

Wish you the best!

Hi, can we use : This essay will … ?

You can use any sentence you want. The question is not “can I use it”. The question is “Will it help my band score?” or “Is it a requirement of IELTS?” or “Can I use this instead of writing my opinion?” – answer to all = No.

I just love your answers!

Thank you Liz, You are very kind to share your knowledge with so many of us .

As regards the Essay, how do go about the body… does an Essay just end in 50-60 words?

I suppose we have to discuss in details about what exercises entails and also dieting as have introduced it in your thesis.

I have never sat for the exams and I am just studying in preparation to enrolling

There are over 300 pages of lessons and tips on this site for IELTS preparation – all free. Go to the RED BAR and click “Writing Task 2” to see full essays, lessons, more videos, tips etc.

I would like to ask about the essay question I have taken before. It is about people eating fast food and healthy foods. In my conclusion, I have not chosen any of these options rather, I have opted to mention that moderation is the key.

The score I received for the essay is quite low and I needed to receive a higher mark. So I would like to check if I would have to agree to one of the statement in order to receive a good score?

Your score is based on a lot more than deciding your opinion. I also cannot judge the opinion you chose without seeing how you presented it, how you explained it, how you linked it to the question, whether you covered all issue in the question and what other issues you covered in your essay. All those points connect to the score for Task Response.

Hi mam You said in video that this is for Academic essay. So can’t we follow this in general essay?? Reply pls Thanks

All my writing task 2 lessons are for GT and Academic essays – there is no difference between them in how you write your essays.

Hi Liz, your blog is of immense help in preparation. Small confusion, I learned from you that, you don’t need to discuss both the sides in essay. In the IDP official website the sample task for CBT is this In Britain,when someone gets old they often go to live in a home with other old people where there are nurses to look after them, Who do you think should pay for it, the government or the family? Now in my essay I think that the government should pay for it ,so I dont need to write about the consequences where family pays for it, right? https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/ielts-general-writing-task-2.pdf They recommended arguments for both the solution in body paragraph. So now I am little confused.

Your opinion MUST address all issues. You need to look at the essay question and see how many issues it has. If it has one issue (compulsory parent courses), then you choose one side only and write about one side only (if you choose that opinion). You would not write about pros and cons of compulsory parent courses – you don’t have two equal sides to one coin. But if it has two issues (government or family), you can’t ignore 50% of the essay question. If you agree with one side, then your view is “I agree with the government and I do not agree with the family”. Then your essay explains your opinion. This means you are given two coins and your opinion addressed both. So look at the question and address what you are presented with. When you prepare for IELTS avoiding thinking in black and white rules. If you want a high score, adapt your skills and be flexible.

Woow thank you for this Liz. I have been thinking bout the same concern.

Physical activities on a daily basis is a necessary step for the betterment of health.

Writing task 2 essay topic ” companies should provide sports and social facilities for local community to what extent do you agree or disagree??

My background statement companies need to make available for use physical recreation and public amenities for neighbourhood populace. in my opinion I agree with the above statement but they shouldn’t stop at that they should build schools colleges and institution for higher education too.

Did I get it right?

Hi, I am not sure if this is the right place to ask but I am using a book to improve my writing and one of the advices is to add in the introduction paragraph a sentence explaining your intention such as : ” In this essay, I will discuss some of the reasons why moving abroad is so popular and some of the challenges to overcome” but I have read in some sites that these type of sentences are not really necessary… any comment on this?

Those sentences are common in academic writing, but not needed in I£LTS. The examiner has the instructions – you don’t need to repeat them.

Thanks a lot, it is very clear

thanks alot for the for our great efforts

im in a dilemma i have gone through many ielts essays sample book one thing i have figured out from those is they start their introduction with a nice HOOK or BACKGROUND idea and then paraphrasing and thesis statement also my teacher suggested the same though, i prefer your way of writing the introduction but now im worried whivh is the correct way maam please help me out

thank you!!!!!

IELTS is a short essay which is all about focus and relevancy. A hook is used to capture the readers attention -this is 100% irrelevant for IELTS. You are being marked on 1) how relevant (not interesting) your ideas are 2) focus 3) expanding ideas (in the body). The introduction only contains the essay question paraphrased and your answer (the main points you will cover in brief). It has no other purpose in IELTS. You must then get to the body paragraphs where the real points are scored. Having a longer intro will not boost your score. You will not be marked down for a hook, but it is a waste of time and will not help you. I am stating this as someone who has completed the IELTS examiner training – not just as a teacher.

One quick question.

Is it grammatically correct to write “In my opinion, I agree (or I believe)”? I personally feel that it is a repetitive statement, as, we make an opinion because we agree with the statement, and vice versa.

Please correct me if I am wrong. Thank you.

Best, Shailesh

It is optional. You certainly don’t need to use them both.

Hi Liz, Thanks for being humble and helping the test takers with your teaching.

I have a question regarding the opinion essay. When the question is “To what extent do you agree?” we can either completely or partly agree/disagree. But when the question is “Do you agree/disagree?”, can we Partly agree/disagree? Thanks

There is no difference between the instructions. Your view can be any view you want. Your position is what you choose it to be.

Hi First of all, thank you so much for such a platform, its really helful I would like to know that can we use carbon pencil to perform writing task 1,2 in ILETS test ? thanks

Hi I watch your video today and i think there is a mistake as my teacher told me that “To what extent”? the answer is I totally agree or disagree with the statement. Not just only that I agree or disagree with the statement. please inform me if there is a difference?

There is no such rule in IELTS writing task 2. Your teacher is offering you advice. It is not a rule.

Human activity has had a negative impact on plants and animals around the world. Some people think that this cannot be changed, while others believe actions can be taken to bring about a change.

People’s deeds have had a deteriorating effect on the ecosystem of this planet, while a segment of the population thinks this damage is permanent the others trust that there are various ways to improve the situation. However, in my opinion, with a positive mind set towards sustainable development this damage caused can be reversed.

Please let me know if this introduction para correct. Thank you

Please l need your assistant on writing task 2.

Sorry, I do not offer that service.

Hello Liz, I will like to purchase you advance writing task 2 but i dont have a paypal account. I will like to know if there is any other way that i can have it purchased. Thanks

It is also possible to ask a friend to buy the lessons for you.

Although, it is sometimes thought that big international companies ought to nuture the economy of these developing countries through the establishment of offices and factories, other people believe that countries should keep large forieign countries away.

Somebody said 50 words are essential for introduction and now u said only 2 statements .. I am confused because according to me format is 1)general line 2)rephrasing the given statement 3) thesis And plz tell me if this line is correct This essay attempts to elaborate both the views in subsequent fragments.

There is NO rule in IELTS about the length of the introduction. IELTS examiner certainly do NOT count the number of words for each paragraph and mark accordingly. They count the full essay word length and check that it is 250 plus words – that’s all. The higher band scores are mainly based on well developed main ideas which means your focus should be in the body paragraphs. It is your choice if you follow the advice I have given you in this video lessons or not.

Hi Liz, Thanks for sharing the useful videos. I will be writing the IELTS for the General training module and not the Academic one. So, I wanted to know whether the Introduction part for General training is different from the Academic one? The way in which you described the Introduction part, will it differ ?

All my writing task 2 lessons are for the GT and Academic essays.

can you guide me with my writing?

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ and also consider purchasing my Advanced Writing Task 2 lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hello liz I would like to ask you about the idea of adding another idea in the thesis statement which was not given in the statement of the questions. In this lesson you have added applying a diet. Do not you think that we should stick on the essay’s question and we should explain all what is related to exercise and not a diet which is a system of choosing the right food on the right time

This is an Opinion Essay based on a solution to the problem. You can give your opinion of the solution they offer and then offer your preferred solution.

Hello everybody.

I am writing to ask if for introduction we should avoid phrases like: It is undeniable that ____________ is one of the most challenging issues these days. Or: This increasing _________has been a significant feature of modern life in developed countries. Or: One of the most significant advances in civilization is the development of…. There are a number of reasons for believing that… Some people have predicted….

Some of them sound to me useful for introducing some types of essays, but I am afraid that could be pre-prepared for the examiner in some way, especially if they include things like: “modern life, civilization…

Thanks in advance!

IELTS is an English language test. It is a test to check your level of English – not your memory. Each sentence you use should be uniquely created by yourself in the test room. You can learn linking words, but not phrases or sentences. Memorising chunks of language is NOT accepted by IELTS.

Hi Liz, Can I write (In my opinion,I partially agree and partially disagree with the statement….)

Wonderful job done 🙂 for this blog and all videos. I have seen the one with explanation on how to write an introduction and i was shocked to learn new things 😛 I got 7 in academic writing module, back in Nov 2017. However, I need a lot of improvement cause i am scared about my general attempt that is going to happen very soon. I am so happy to have your support freely available, which is terrific !

I need help specifically in longer complex sentence structures. Is there any way to have a piece of advice on just ONE essay, please ?

Thank you !

Sorry, I don’t offer that service. I am working on an e-book which is a list of sentence structures and grammar tenses for writing task 2. Would you be interested in that when it’s ready?

Hi Liz, Hope you are doing well. I am a bit confused with the structure of introduction, I read on the internet, wherein it is that for a good introduction you “must” include the following: 1 Paraphrase the question 2 Thesis Statement 3 Outline Statement (e.g. The essay will first look at how voluntary work can help students develop soft skills and then discuss how these extracurricular activities are valued by universities and employers) Whereas in your video you don’t talk about an outline statement. could you please clarify the importance of outline statement and really we need to add in the essay or not. I am stuck at 6.5 in writing, consecutively 2 times got 6.5. For the second time, I bought your advanced video also but unfortunately again got 6.5. Please let me know, is this because I have not included an outline statement in my introduction to the essay. Thanks in advance for your reply.

IELTS do not require an outline statement at all for an introduction. Your score is not based only on technique, it is also your English language. To hit band 7, you must produce complex English with few errors – it is probable that your English contains too many errors for band 7. Errors also include unsuitable word choice, paraphrasing at the wrong time, spelling, punctuation. You must also showcase a range of sentence structures which are accurate. Making sure all sentences are 100% relevant and fully connected is also essential. All issues in the essay question must also be fully addressed. Also review your task 1 techniques, this accounts for 33% of your marks in writing. So, there are a numerous reasons for not hitting band 7. You must review your writing and try your best to improve.

I am interested in your e-book… when do you think it will be ready?

I really have no idea. I hoped to get it done this summer, but my health took a downward turn again. As soon as I have a reasonable prediction on the date, I will post a notice on this website 🙂

Get well soon Liz!

I am from India. I have tried purchasing your advanced writing lesson using both master card and visa,however, the site says not able to add the card. Something is not right.

This will be a local problem with Paypal. You can try again OR set up a paypal account OR ask a friend to buy the lessons for you.

Hi Liz, may I allow to use question in my essay to make it more attractive? e.g. what is the best way to flee?

Why do you want to make it attractive? Do you think it will gain you higher marks? Whether your essay is interesting or not, has NO impact on your score – absolutely zero impact. It is not a marking criteria for IELTS.

Hi Mrs.Liz . thank you for this wonderful lesson my British teacher have said that to me: I should write what i will write in the full essay in the introduction after background. For example, the most effective etc,,,, This essay will discuss this issue then will set out my personal conclusion. is that true and beneficial ??

This is not an academic essay – it an academic essay for IELTS which is a language test. IELTS do not accept memorised sentences or language. That sentence is a fixed sentences which is memorised and used by many many students – it does not contain examples of your own English and won’t help your score.

Hlo ma’am , you are doing a great job and deserve to be applauded . My question is , how many typical Vocabulary words should I use in My Writing Task 2 . I have penchant for using vocab . But one thing I’m afraid of is tgat the examiner might not get the exact meaning of yhe message I want to convey or what is my frame of mind . In place of put forward my ideas I write Propound my viwpoint . Similarly , for motive I use Incentive . For harmless I use Innocuous . And so on , there is profusion of words I use to put a better impression on the examiner . And same is in the case of speaking as well . Should I continue doing so or decrease it to some extent .

Your aim should not be to impress. It should be accuracy and clear meaning at all times. Poorly chosen words or even little mistakes all count and will lower your score.

Hi can u give ssuggestions for my introduction. Question is Children should not be educated at home by their parents.do u agree or not? My intro … Young generations must be restricted to home tuition given by their fathers and mothers.In my opinion ,mentors play vital role for students in gaining good academic scores in latter life however neglegence of parents is considered to be worse towards their kid’s future. Waiting for response

Sorry I don’t actually understand your opinion. What do you mean by “mentors”? Are you referring to teachers? Because a mentor and a teacher are not the same at all. Why are you talking about negligence? Your whole opinion is very confusing. This is about home-schooling or school education. This is a typical example of poor vocabulary choices. Just write your opinion so that it is 100% easy to understand. Your thesis is vital to be fully understood.

Yeah exactly thank you so much ..now is it correct? Young learners should not be taught by their fathers and mothers . In my opinion , I believe that School educations or educational institutions are better for children and home schooling is not ideal for kids to develop abilitis in facing different chalenges.

Yeah exactly thank you so much ..now is it correct? Young learners should not be taught by their fathers and mothers . In my opinion , I believe that School educations or educational institutions are better for children and home schooling is not ideal for kids in developing abilities to face different chalenges. .. I’m really appreciated for giving ur precious time .

Now your opinion is easy to understand, but your vocabulary is still a problem. “fathers and mothers” – do you think it is a great paraphrase – does it improve the sentence? No. Parents are parents – you do not paraphrase that word. Your choice shows a lack of awareness of paraphrasing. Paraphrasing is about which words to change and also which words to keep the same. Also “kids” is informal and unsuitable for essay writing. And “developing abilities to face” – what does this mean? It actually has no meaning and no relation to education and school subjects etc. So, your problems are: a) learning more about the right techniques b) making better choices with your vocabulary. I don’t usually comment so much for students, but this is a lesson that all students can benefit from when they read it.

Thank u so much for ur explanations. The reason for writing this sentence I thought when children get school education they interact with different students so that they face different challenges which make them easy to achieve goals.

Now I can understand you perfectly – you should write this way in your essay. Be clear, be direct, write normally. But this is only one main point, not all your main points. You should plan all your main points before you start writing your introduction. Plan the whole essay first. So, you believe home schooling is bad because: a) children lack interaction with others b) they lack the range of subjects offered by schools c) they lack equipment and facilities offered by schools Get all your main points planned, then write your introduction. So, your thesis statement will say that you think school education is better than home school due to student interaction, subject range and facilities. – now you have a clear introduction!!

Thank u so much liz now I understand . Have a good day

Again school education is not about facing challenges. This is about the range of subjects offered, social interaction, extra curricular activities, professional teaching etc. Also, as I already said, “fathers and mothers” is not a good paraphrase. Parents are parents – don’t change the word. Sorry I won’t be able to offer you further help.

Thank you liz

Hi Liz, Your video is so helpful and I’m able for doing lots of practices after watching it. Thanks.

Hii Liz.. Thanks for your valuable support to all.. My exam is on 1st feb. Just want your quick opinion on following introduction.

Topic: Children in some parts of the world have less responsibility compared to children in the past. Some people think this as a positive change, however others think of it as as negative change. What do you think?

Introduction: Children in a few regions of the world don’t have much responsibilities in comparison to little ones in earlier times. It is argued by some to be a positive development while other consider it detrimental for society. In my opinion, it certainly has a negative impact on the world because children with decreased responsibility tend to become more reckless regarding their future.

Hello Liz! Could you answer my question, please?

The essay question is “Universities should accept equal numbers male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

Do I HAVE TO use the words Agree or Disagree in my thesis?

For example, would the following thesis be wrong or confusing? “In my view, gender should play no role in the decision-making process when university places are allocated and entry to higher education ought to be granted purely on merit.”

Is this thesis statement appropriate when the essay question is worded like that? I would greatly appreciate your response!

Of course, it’s fine 🙂 You do NOT need to use the words “agree” or “disagree”. You need to express your opinion and you did that clearly. Well done 🙂

Thank you very much Liz!

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How to Write a Great Introduction in IELTS Task 2 Essay: A Comprehensive Guide

Greetings, future IELTS conquerors! 🎉 If you're here, it's probably because you're grappling with the IELTS Task 2 Essay and, more specifically, that all-important introduction. Don't worry; we've got your back. Let's delve deep into this critical aspect of IELTS writing so that you can kick off your essay on a high note.

To make this as real as possible, we're using a sample question from a past IELTS exam. The question reads: "Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

IELTS Task 2 Essay Introduction: Why is this Important?

If you're eyeing a high band score, it’s crucial to understand the undeniable importance of a compelling introduction in your IELTS Task 2 Essay. Think of the introduction as your initial handshake with the examiner—it's your first impression, and we all know how lasting first impressions can be.

Setting the Stage for Success

Let's begin by setting the stage for what the introduction means in the context of the IELTS writing test. You're essentially setting the tone for your whole essay. Fail to engage the reader here, and you risk losing their attention for the remainder of your argument, affecting your overall band score.

Your Elevator Pitch to the Examiner

Picture this: you get into an elevator with a renowned IELTS examiner. You have merely 30 seconds to convince them why your viewpoint on the topic is worth their attention. Your introduction is that 30-second elevator pitch. It's short but powerful, capturing the essence of what's to come.

The Traffic Light Analogy

Let's consider another analogy: a traffic light. Your introduction serves as the green light that signals the reader to proceed into the depths of your essay. A confusing or dull introduction acts like a red or yellow light, making the examiner pause or even reconsider delving into the rest of your essay.

Mastering Your Introduction with IELTS Luminary

Writing a captivating introduction isn't just about following a set formula; it's an art. Luckily, it's an art you can learn. If you're struggling with constructing strong introductions, you might find incredible value in our IELTS eBooks . These resources offer comprehensive strategies for each section of the IELTS exam, including detailed tips on mastering the art of the introduction.

But, what if you've already drafted an essay and are uncertain about its quality? No worries, our IELTS Essay Correction Service is here to save the day. An experienced examiner will provide you personalized, detailed insights into your writing, including how to enhance your introductions. It's like having a personal IELTS coach who not only points out your mistakes but guides you on how to fix them.

The Ingredients of a Band 9 Introduction

Now, what goes into a stellar IELTS Task 2 Essay introduction? Three critical components:

Hook: A sentence to grab the reader's attention

Background Information: A brief context about the topic

Thesis Statement: Your main argument or opinion on the issue

Why These Three Components?

Firstly, let's demystify why thes e three components are like the Holy Trinity of your introduction. Your "Hook" works like a magnet, pu lling the reader into your essay. The "Background Information" acts as a bridge, leading the reader from your hook to your thesis statement. Finally, your "Thesis Statement" is the crown jewel, summarizing your entire essay in a nutshell. It's like a mini-roadmap of what's to come.

1.1. Crafting the Perfect Hook

Ah, the hook—the golden key that unlocks reader engagement in your IELTS Task 2 essay. It's your debut act, your brief moment to make a memorable first impression. But why does it matter so much? Well, the hook is a pivotal engagement tool that can lure the reader into your argument. It's what compels the evaluator or any reader to shift from passive reading to active engagement. If done correctly, it makes the reader think, "Wow, I need to read more about this!"

Now, when you're writing your hook, you might have a lot of questions. What type of hook is best suited for an IELTS essay? How can it align with my thesis statement? These questions are perfectly addressed in our IELTS preparation eBooks , which provide specific examples and techniques for mastering the art of the hook.

1.2. What Makes a Question an Effective Hook?

In your example, you used a particularly interesting hook: "Does unpaid community service turn high school students into responsible citizens, or is it just free labor?" This question is ingenious for several reasons. First, it's provocative; it challenges the reader's pre-existing beliefs about unpaid community service. Second, it's open-ended, encouraging the reader to ponder and question their own stance on the issue. These attributes make the reader eager to explore the perspectives you'll unfold in the subsequent paragraphs.

If you're uncertain about how well your hook aligns with the rest of your essay, our IELTS Essay Correction Service  can be a lifesaver. A seasoned examiner reviews your essay and gives you detailed feedback on how effective your hook is, among other elements.

1.3. The Role of a Hook in the Bigger Picture

While a hook is your opening act, it should never be disconnected from your main argument. It needs to be a natural prelude to the background information and thesis statement that follow. Think of your hook as the first step in a journey—you capture attention with the hook and then guide your reader down the path of understanding why your argument holds water.

Remember, a hook isn't just about being flashy; it's about being relevant and setting the stage for a compelling argument. When done right, it enhances the overall coherence and effectiveness of your IELTS Task 2 essay. And if you want to see how a complete, high-scoring essay looks like from start to finish, don't hesitate to check out our comprehensive eBooks or get detailed feedback through our Essay Correction Service .

2.1. Providing the Must-Know Background Information

So, you've successfully managed to engage your reader with a gripping hook. The next logical step is to seamlessly transition into the background information. Think of this as the foundation upon which your entire argument will stand. Without context, even the most compelling hook becomes an isolated gimmick. In essence, you're telling your reader, "Great, now that I've piqued your interest, let's dig deeper into why you should care about this topic."

For instance, in your sentence—"The debate surrounding unpaid community service as part of high school curriculums has ignited passionate discussions about educational priorities"—you've managed to encapsulate the essence of the ongoing discourse. You highlight that this isn't just a fringe topic, but one that's at the forefront of educational debates. The term "passionate discussions" indicates that there's no universal agreement, making your forthcoming argument all the more vital.

Here's a subtle tip: When crafting this section, try to present both sides of the argument briefly. This strategy not only enhances your essay's comprehensiveness but also shows you've done your homework. If you're wondering how to integrate conflicting perspectives in your essay without compromising your argument, our IELTS preparation eBooks offer some advanced techniques for this.

2.2. The Role of Background Information in Scoring High

IELTS examiners don't just want to see that you can argue a point. They want to see that you understand the larger context, that you can connect the dots. This makes your essay not just a collection of personal opinions but a well-thought-out piece that aligns with broader educational or societal issues. It's what takes your essay from a Band 6 to a Band 8 or 9. And if you're skeptical about how well you've provided background information, our Essay Correction Service can give you an examiner's perspective, evaluating the strength and relevance of your contextual setup.

3. Writing an Effective Thesis Statement: Your Answer in Brief

The thesis statement is more than just a sentence; it's the backbone of your entire essay. This is the pivotal moment where you give your reader a crystal-clear snapshot of your stance. At this juncture, ambiguity is your enemy. What you aim for is razor-sharp clarity, eliminating any room for misinterpretation. For instance, your example—"I firmly believe that integrating unpaid community service into high school curriculums can foster social responsibility among students"—is a textbook case of an impactful thesis. It does more than simply state an opinion; it conveys conviction through the words "firmly believe."

But why is conviction so important? In the IELTS Task 2 landscape, a wishy-washy thesis statement can drastically undermine the potency of your argument. A strong thesis, however, does the opposite. It solidifies your viewpoint, providing a sturdy framework for the supporting paragraphs that follow. To put it another way, it's the anchor that keeps your essay from drifting into a sea of vagueness.

By using the phrase "foster social responsibility among students," you're also subtly highlighting the essay's central theme. You're not just talking about unpaid community service; you're talking about its capacity to instill social responsibility—a skill vital for the growth of the individual and the community.

Now, you might be wondering, "How do I know if my thesis statement is strong enough?" Well, that's something our Essay Correction Service is perfectly suited for. Our team of examiners can provide in-depth feedback on the effectiveness of your thesis statement, along with suggestions for improvement. And if you're looking to get a deeper understanding of constructing powerful thesis statements, our eBooks are packed with strategies and examples that can guide you.

Example Introduction of a Band 9 IELTS Essay

Based on our discussion of essential components like the hook, background information, and a robust thesis statement, here's how a high-standard introduction might look:

"Does unpaid community service in high schools serve as a stepping stone to responsible adulthood, or is it simply a form of free labor? This contentious issue has sparked numerous debates about the very essence of education and social development. I strongly assert that incorporating unpaid community service into high school curriculums is not merely a social obligation but a fundamental aspect of cultivating socially responsible citizens."

This introduction effectively grabs the examiner's attention with a thought-provoking hook, provides essential background information, and concludes with a compelling thesis statement. It's designed to set the stage for a persuasive essay, guiding the reader seamlessly into the ensuing arguments.

Wrapping Up the Discussion

Now, if you're wondering how to blend all these elements into a compelling narrative, we’ve got something special for you. Our IELTS eBooks cover these topics and much more, providing practical tips and exercises to fine-tune your writing skills.

Feeling a bit shaky about your essay? Why not get it reviewed by an expert? Our IELTS Essay Correction Service provides invaluable personalized feedback, right down to the nitty-gritty details of crafting the perfect introduction.

So there it is: your foolproof guide to constructing a Band 9 introduction for your IELTS Task 2 Essay. With a riveting hook, relevant background information, and a clear thesis statement, you’re setting yourself up for a top-notch essay and, ultimately, a higher band score. Keep tuning in for more actionable IELTS tips and strategies.

Ready to ace that IELTS exam? We bet you are! Keep practicing and see you in our next deep-dive!

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IELTS Discussion Essays [Discuss Both Views/Sides]

Posted by David S. Wills | Jun 14, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 3

In this lesson, I’m going to explain what an IELTS discussion essay is and how you can write a good one. I will talk about structure and content, as well as looking briefly at discussion essay thesis statements, which many people find tricky. I’ve also written a sample essay, which you can find at the bottom of this page.

What is a Discussion Essay?

As the name suggests, a discussion essay is an essay that discusses things! More specifically, it is a type of IELTS writing task 2 essay that requires you to look at two different points of view . You can easily recognise these essays by the following phrase:

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sometimes it is phrased a little differently. It might say:

Discuss both sides and give your opinion

Discuss both points view and give your opinion

The important thing is that these all mean the same. When you see any of these, you know that you need to write a discussion essay. Importantly, this instruction tells you that you need to do two things:

• Discuss both views (there will have been 2 views mentioned in the previous sentence(s))
• Give your opinion (i.e. state which view you agree with)

If you failed to do either of these things, you would not have satisfied the basic criteria for Task Achievement .

Example Discussion Essay Questions

Here is a list of 5 discussion essay questions either from the IELTS exam, reportedly from the IELTS exam, or from reputable publications that have copied the IELTS question style. (Not that you absolutely should avoid fake IELTS questions when practising.)

Some people say that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time. Others say that is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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.

Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods. Others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that higher education should be funded by the government. Others, however, argue that it is the responsibility of individuals to fund their higher education. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that it is important for children to attend extra classes outside school, while others believe that they should be allowed to play after school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

You can see in these questions that there is a similar pattern. In each case, the question phrase (“Discuss both views and give your own opinion”) is the same and in the previous sentence or sentences, there are two opposing views. This, then, makes “discuss both views” questions a sort of opinion essay .

How to Answer IELTS Discussion Questions

First of all, it is important when answering any IELTS task 2 question that you read the question carefully so that you understand it, then provide an answer that directly responds to the question, following its instructions carefully.

As discussed above, you are required to do two things: 1) Discuss both views, and 2) Give your own opinion. You absolutely must do both of those. It doesn’t really matter what your opinion is or whether you give equal weighting to both sides of the argument. Instead, you must cover both sides and also give some sort of opinion. (It is important, though, according to the marking rubric , that you are consistent in your opinion.)

Your answer of course should be structured carefully so as to present your ideas in a thoroughly logical way that is easy for your reader to interpret. I almost always use a four-paragraph structure in my essays, but some people prefer to use five paragraphs in this sort of essay. The difference would look like this:

You might be wondering why I have given my opinion in the body of the five-paragraph essay but not in the four-paragraph essay. Well, actually I would give my opinion in the body of both. However, my opinion would be more subtly woven into the text of the four-paragraph essay. I personally find this to be a better method, but it is equally possible that you could write an amazing five-paragraph essay. That issue is discussed further in this video:

Discussion Essay Thesis Statement

In academic writing, a thesis statement (sometimes called an essay outline ) is the part of the essay where you insert your opinion. It typically comes at the end of the introduction and guides the reader by explaining your opinion on the issues that have been introduced.

But do you really need to provide one in such a short essay? Well, a 2018 study into successful IELTS essays concluded that thesis statements were “obligatory” – i.e. you absolutely do need one. In fact, that study found that thesis statements appeared in 100% of successful IELTS discussion essays! Therefore, we can conclude they are very important.

Because a discussion essay will tell you to “Discuss both views and give your opinion,” you must introduce the two views and then give your opinion in the introduction. Here is an example:

Introductory paragraph:

In some parts of the world, children are forced to go to cram schools and other facilities of extracurricular learning, but many people believe that this is unfair and that they should be allowed to enjoy their free time instead. This essay will look at both perspectives and then conclude that it is indeed unfair.

My first sentence clearly introduces two different ideas:

• Children should do extra classes
• Children should not do extra classes

Note how I have successfully used synonyms to avoid repeating anything from the question. I have also framed the issue in a new way so that I am not just paraphrasing. (You can learn why paraphrasing is not always helpful here .)

My second sentence is the thesis statement. In this sentence, I outline what the essay will do (“look at both perspectives”) and then give my opinion (“it is unfair”). This is a simple but effective thesis statement.

Thesis Statement Advice

Your IELTS discussion essay thesis statement should do two things:

• Tell the reader what the essay will do
• Present your opinion

Because this is a formal essay, it is best not to be too personal. Instead of saying “I will…” or “I think…” it is better to say “This essay will…” Here are some simple templates that you can follow most of the time:

• This essay will look at both sides and then argue that…
• This essay will discuss both views but ultimately side with…

Just make sure to avoid being overly vague. You are required to give your opinion consistently throughout the essay, so don’t say “This essay will look at both sides and then give my opinion .” It is not really the best approach because the examiner wants to see that you can be consistent in presenting an opinion. That is clearly stated in the marking rubric. For band 7, it says:

• presents a clear position throughout the response

It could be concluded, then, that your opinion is not clear from the start and so you have not done enough to warrant a band 7 for Task Achievement.

Body Paragraphs

As I mentioned above, there are really two main approaches you could take to the body paragraphs:

• Discuss one view per paragraph and incorporate your opinion into each.
• Discuss one view per paragraph and then have another for your opinion.

I suppose there is also a third option:

• Compare and contrast the two viewpoints in each paragraph.

This last one may be a little harder to do successfully without jeopardising your score for Task Achievement or Coherence and Cohesion , but advanced candidates may find it useful.

Remember that there is no single perfect formula for an IELTS essay. That’s not how languages work and that’s not how IELTS works. Different people could come up with different ways to present a successful essay. The most common essay structures are mere guidelines for particularly useful methods of approaching an essay.

Does a Discussion Essay Have to be Balanced?

Because the question says “Discuss both views,” it is quite logical to think that you must provide some degree of balance, but you certainly don’t need to give equal weighting to both sides. Remember that you are also going to give your opinion, so if you come down strongly on one side of the issue, it might be odd to give equal attention to both.

If you do feel very strongly about one side, you might want to present your discussion of the other side as quite negative. However, IELTS is a thinking exam as well as an English exam and an intelligent person can always look at both sides of an issue and explain – at the very least – why someone might believe a thing that is different to his own view. This seems quite important, but there is nothing explicitly mentioned in the marking rubric.

I would suggest that if you think a two-sided issue is basically one-sided (i.e. you strongly disagree with the other view), you should still write one or two sentences about why people believe that and then devote the rest of your essay to disputing their view.

Another approach is to write BP1 as a very short paragraph that explains why people might think one thing, but then have BP2 as a very long paragraph that debunks the opposing view and then explains why the other is correct.

(You can read more about IELTS essays and balance here .)

Sample Answer

Here is my full sample answer to the above question about whether or not children should be made to do extracurricular activities:

In some parts of the world, children are forced to go to cram schools and other facilities of extracurricular learning, but many people believe that this is unfair and that they should be allowed to enjoy their free time instead. This essay will look at both perspectives and then conclude that it is indeed unfair. In countries like South Korea, most children are made to go to an array of cram schools outside of regular school hours. Their parents do this in order to give their child a better future because it helps the child to learn more and thus gives them the academic advantages needed to apply to the best universities or jobs in future. These schools often provide children with an advantage over their peers because they improve their foreign language or math skills more quickly, and thus the children who do not attend these schools might have comparatively poor grades. However, whilst this attitude may result in better academic performance, it is certainly not good for the mental health of these children. It is no coincidence that places like South Korea have the highest rates of suicide among their young populations. The fact is that children are not equipped to spend fourteen or sixteen hours per day in classrooms, memorising facts and figures. In a sense, it is a form of child abuse. Children should be allowed to go home and spend time with friends and family to build social skills. They should be allowed to occupy themselves in order to become more creative and learn how to understand their own mind instead of being trained to repeat what they are told. In conclusion, it is understandable that some parents want their children to go to extra classes, but this is damaging to children and they should be given the freedom to play and socialise outside of regular school hours.

In BP1, I have looked at the topic of cram schools (ie the side of the argument in favour of extra lessons). I explored why parents might want their kids to do this and show the supposed benefits. Note that I never embraced any of these benefits. I was careful to use language that distanced these ideas from my own opinion, which was the opposite, so I said “Their parents do this in order to…”

In BP2, I looked at the opposite side. I was careful to make sure that my first sentence linked to the previous paragraph, highlighting that the benefits are quite minor compared to the drawbacks. All of my sentences here justify my position, which is that it is cruel to force these extra lessons on children.

My conclusion ties all of this together. The first clause references BP1 and the second summarises the main argument in BP2.

You can find two more sample essays here:

• A discussion essay about sports facilities
• A discussion essay about sports abilities

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.

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It is sometimes debatable whether asking children to get extra education after school or letting them play that is actually beneficial for them. Even though both viewpoints have benefits and drawbacks but I believe ,in the childhood age, children have to take rough and discipline education after school to be succeed in the future.

To begin with, many educational experts believe that playing is one of the essential aspects that have to be gotten by children to grow and happy. By using the playing approach, children can have a good mental and psychic health. Besides, letting children play after school can also support them to increase their emotional stimuli and get a positive social interaction. With this way, experts believe children can grow as a better adult in the future and have a freedom to get a better life in the upcoming times.

However, I completely contra with the first idea because I believe childhood is a better time to train children about academic or other skills that benefits them in the future. Based on scientific journal that I read, the ability of children in learning new things are more spectacular compared to adults. A lot of artists, scientist, and even football player who currently becoming a superstar in this era is a string of process that is began since their in the childhood. For instance, nowadays, I am working in the field of election supervision, it because since in my childhood my father love to force me learning about social and political issues by getting additional class. Thus, making children to get extra class after school is an appropriate preference if parents desire to see their son getting a good future.

To conclude, based on experts children have to get a freedom to play after schools but in my viewpoint it will be more advantages if they utilize the playing time with joining additional class after school.

VERY GOOD MR DIRWAN But actually you mixed both of the ideas , you need to take one side for this sort of essay writting, as it is mentioned in the above instruction. By the way WELL DONE . love from Pakistan to my sweet brother.

I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are really great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend. ??

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Writing an IELTS Essay Conclusion

For an IELTS essay conclusion, many students write too much. It is only a short essay, so the conclusion does not need to be too long.

You should also have a formula for writing the conclusion quickly so you can focus your time on developing your ideas and supporting them in your body paragraphs.

You can watch a video of this lesson if you prefer:

You should do three things in your conclusion:

• Use a concluding phrase
• Restate the thesis statement in different words
• Give some personal opinions, hopes, fears, or recommendations about the future

Take a look at this essay question and introduction. The thesis statement is in red:

Blood sports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. Blood sports should be banned.

To what extent to you agree or disagree?

  Sample IELTS essay introduction:

Despite the fact that killing animals for sport is popular in modern society, it remains a contentious issue. (thesis) I believe that blood sports are cruel and uncivilized and so should be banned as soon as possible.

Sample IELTS essay conclusion:

In order to write the first sentence of the IELTS essay conclusion, you can paraphrase your thesis statement - remember to use a phrase to make it clear it is a conclusion.

To conclude , it is clear that blood sports must be prohibited as no civilized society should allow the pain and suffering of animals simply for fun.

For your final sentence, you can give some personal opinions, hopes, fears, or recommendations about the future.

I hope that governments around the world discuss this issue with haste and forbid this inhumane type of sport as soon as possible.

This then, is the full IELTS essay conclusion:

To conclude , it is clear that blood sports must be prohibited as no civilized society should allow the pain and suffering of animals simply for fun. I hope that governments around the world discuss this issue with haste and forbid this inhumane type of sport as soon as possible.

Further IELTS Essay Conclusion Examples

Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Introduction:

Alternative medicine is not new. It is accepted that it pre-dates conventional medicine and it is still used by many people all over the world. I am unconvinced that it is dangerous, and feel that both alternative and conventional medicine can be useful.

Conclusion:

To sum up , I strongly believe that conventional medicine and alternative therapies can and should coexist. They have different strengths, and can both be used effectively to target particular medical problems . The best situation would be for alternative therapies to be used to support and complement conventional medicine.

Some people believe the aim of university education is to help graduates get better jobs. Others believe there are much wider benefits of university education for both individuals and society.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

These days, more and more people are making the choice to go to university.  While some people are of the opinion that the only purpose of a university education is to improve job prospects, others think that society and the individual benefit in much broader ways.

All in all , I believe that although a main aim of university education is to get the best job, there are clearly further benefits.   If we continue to promote and encourage university attendance, it will lead to a better future for individuals and society.

Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today.

What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to tackle the issue?

Probably the most worrying threat to our planet at the present time is global warming. This essay will examine the reasons why global warming is occurring and discuss some possible solutions.

To conclude , although global warming is a serious issue, there are steps that governments and individuals can take to reduce its effects. If we are to save our planet, it is important that this is treated as a priority for all concerned.

More Task 2 IELTS Lessons:

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.

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 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.

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.

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"?

Transitional Phrases for Essays

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

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.

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 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.

Paragraph Writing for IELTS: Building strong arguments

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

Using Substitution in IELTS to Improve Writing Coherency

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

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.

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.

Using Pronouns to Improve IELTS Essay Coherency

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

Writing an IELTS Essay Introduction

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

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.

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.

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.

How to Write an IELTS Essay: The key steps

Learn key steps on how to write an IELTS Essay. This guides you on how to write a great essay plus other lessons to improve your writing skills.

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Writing Task 2 Introduction

Watch the video on how to write an introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2.

Introduction

IELTS candidates often see the introduction as an opportunity to impress the examiner by “discussing the issue” or trying the “academic hook”. This means they write general statement about the topic’s importance or relevance. For example...

"The future means and method of classroom interaction is a hotly debated and controversial topic that greatly impacts on all aspects of education."

Candidates write this because they have been trained to do so. However, this is IELTS writing task 2, not a high school or college assignment and this type of opening is irrelevant and certainly will not impress examiners.  There are no extra points for clever or impressive opening statements.

An IELTS writing task 2 introduction should contain a paraphrase of the rubric (the task statement) and a thesis statement.

Paraphrasing the task statement shows examiners that you understand the task and what you are required to write. Do not copy from the rubric as this will be deducted from your word count.

Limit the paraphrase to 1 sentence.  You can paraphrase by using... 

Words and phrases that have similar meaning. Example:

Statement                                          

believed  

Changing the form of the word

Example: from verb to noun

Using different grammatical structures.  Example:

Statement                                            

Many people believe  

It is claimed by many

Paraphrase of the statement

It is claimed by many that the contemporary practice of students interacting with teachers in actual classrooms is forecast to disappear by 2050.  

For more discussion on synonyms and paraphrase, follow the link.

IELTS Vocabulary

Thesis Statement.   After paraphrasing the statement, write the thesis statement which has 2 parts. These parts can be in any order.

1. A statement of intent or purpose - what you will do in your essay.

2. State your position (opinion) in response the instructions. For example...

To what extent do you agree with this opinion?

I strongly disagree with this statement and this essay will detail the reasons why.  

Pronouns.   It is acceptable to use pronouns in your thesis statement. Example:

I strongly disagree with this statement and I will detail the reasons why in my essay.  

Stating a clear position is a main requirement of the Task Response criterion.

Band 7:  presents a clear position throughout the response.

State your position clearly in the introduction and be consistent in following it all the way through your essay.