Post by Admin on Oct 25, 2015 4:34:05 GMT
Everyone has different ideas about what makes a good introduction. If you look at some of the ‘very good’ essays written by IELTS examiners at the back of the books of Cambridge Practice Tests, you will see that some of them do not have a recognisable introduction. On the other hand, ‘model’ essays on some websites have practically the same introduction for every essay.
Both extremes, however, were NOT written under exam conditions where you have just 40 minutes to
Unfortunately, that’s what IELTS test-takers need to do, but since the examiner is interested in your position and a response where the main ideas are explained and supported with details, you need to concentrate on the body of your essay. That means your introduction must be short and to the point. You need to refer to the question, state your position and indicate to the examiner what will be in the essay in one or two sentences.
Example:
Universities should accept equal numbers of men and women in every subject.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Although I agree that universities should open their doors to all students alike, in my view, they need not set a fixed limit on the number of men and women they accept in each subject. My reasons for this opinion are psychological and personal.
The student has paraphrased the question, so we know what the issue is. They have stated their position. They have signposted what will be in the essay, so the examiner will expect one paragraph about psychological reasons and another about personal reasons.
Both extremes, however, were NOT written under exam conditions where you have just 40 minutes to
- read and understand a new question
- think about what you have to say about the topic
- plan how to organise your ideas
- write the essay
- check it for basic spelling and grammar issues.
Unfortunately, that’s what IELTS test-takers need to do, but since the examiner is interested in your position and a response where the main ideas are explained and supported with details, you need to concentrate on the body of your essay. That means your introduction must be short and to the point. You need to refer to the question, state your position and indicate to the examiner what will be in the essay in one or two sentences.
- Avoid stock phrases such as ‘It it is undeniable that ...’ ‘Everybody knows that ... and empty generalisations. It indicates to the examiner that parts of your essay are memorized.
- If you write a good thesis statement you will never have to write ‘In this essay I will write about/explain/demonstrate...’ which is something most examiners hate. It shows lack of mastery in English.
Example:
Universities should accept equal numbers of men and women in every subject.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Although I agree that universities should open their doors to all students alike, in my view, they need not set a fixed limit on the number of men and women they accept in each subject. My reasons for this opinion are psychological and personal.
The student has paraphrased the question, so we know what the issue is. They have stated their position. They have signposted what will be in the essay, so the examiner will expect one paragraph about psychological reasons and another about personal reasons.