Introductions and thesis statements
Write a natural 40–60-word introduction in two or three sentences: a background statement that paraphrases the prompt accurately, a thesis that answers the question for every essay type, and an optional outline, with no memorised openers.
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Explain what an introduction must do for Task Response and Coherence and Cohesion
- Paraphrase the prompt into a background statement without copying it or changing its meaning
- Write a clear thesis for opinion, discussion, advantages–disadvantages, problem–solution, cause–effect and two-part essays
- Decide when an outline sentence helps and keep the introduction to 40–60 words
- Replace memorised openers with specific, topic-focused language
What an introduction does, and what it does not do
Two essential moves, one optional:
- Background statement. The topic of the prompt, paraphrased in your own words. One sentence.
- Thesis statement. Your direct answer to the instruction: your position, your verdict, or (for problem–solution) the main problems and solutions. One sentence.
- Outline (optional). A preview of your two main points, used only if the thesis does not already contain them.
An introduction does not:
- give the history of the topic or a dictionary definition;
- ask the reader a question (‘Have you ever wondered…?’);
- develop reasons and examples, which belong in the body;
- announce a discussion without giving an answer (‘This essay will discuss the pros and cons’);
- copy the prompt.
Building an introduction in three moves
- 1
The prompt
Some people believe that cities should ban private cars from their central areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Type: opinion. Job: a clear position with reasons.
- 2
Move 1: paraphrase the topic
It is sometimes argued that private vehicles should be prohibited from entering city centres.
‘Some people believe’ → ‘It is sometimes argued’; ‘ban private cars’ → ‘prohibit private vehicles’; ‘central areas’ → ‘city centres’. Same meaning, same scope, new words.
- 3
Move 2: state your position
I largely agree with this view, provided that reliable public transport is in place before any ban begins.
‘Largely’ shows the extent; ‘provided that’ adds a precise condition. The examiner now knows exactly what the essay will argue.
- 4
Move 3 (optional): outline
Car-free centres would be cleaner and safer, and these benefits would outweigh the inconvenience to drivers.
This previews Body 1 (cleaner, safer) and Body 2 (the inconvenience is a smaller cost). Total: about 50 words.
Paraphrasing tools for the background statement
| Tool | Prompt wording | Paraphrase |
|---|---|---|
Synonyms you are sure of | ban private cars from central areas | prohibit private vehicles from city centres |
Change the word form | Online shopping is becoming more popular. | The growing popularity of online shopping… |
Change the structure (active ↔ passive) | Governments should fund the arts. | The arts should be funded by the state. |
Change the ‘some people’ frame | Some people believe that… | It is sometimes argued that… / There is a view that… / Many feel that… |
Reorder the information | Many young people leave villages to work in cities. | Cities are attracting a growing share of young workers from rural areas. |
Keep words with no true synonym | university, tax, internet, smartphone | Keep them. Forced synonyms such as ‘tertiary institution of learning’ or ‘handheld communication device’ sound unnatural and often create errors. |
The thesis: your answer in one sentence
The thesis is the most important sentence in your essay. Read it on its own: does it answer the instruction? If someone saw only this sentence, would they know what you think?
The thesis changes with the essay type, because each type asks a different question. The patterns below are frames, not scripts. Fill them with the specific content of the prompt, vary the wording, and they will never sound memorised.
Thesis patterns by essay type
| Essay type | Natural pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
Opinion: agree or disagree | I firmly believe / I strongly disagree that… because… | I firmly believe that every student should learn to cook, because it protects their health and saves money. |
Opinion: partly agree | I agree that…, but not that… / …, but only if… | I agree that sport should be compulsory at school, but not that it should be competitive for every child. |
Discussion | While…, I believe… because… | While a higher driving age would reduce risk-taking among teenagers, I believe tougher tests would be more effective, as they target the skills that all drivers need. |
Advantages and disadvantages (no verdict required) | This brings clear benefits, such as…, but also drawbacks, notably… | Building new cities can relieve overcrowding and allow modern planning, but it is expensive and can leave older cities neglected. |
Advantages and disadvantages (‘outweigh’) | In my view, the advantages of… clearly outweigh / are outweighed by… | In my view, the benefits of a four-day week outweigh its drawbacks, provided that daily hours remain reasonable. |
Problem–solution | This causes… and…, but these problems could be eased by… | Rising car numbers waste commuters’ time and damage public health, but better mass transit and road pricing could ease both problems. |
Cause–effect | This trend is mainly driven by…, and it is… | Rural migration is driven mainly by better-paid work in cities, and it is leaving many villages with ageing populations and too few farm workers. |
Two-part | Answer both questions, one clause each | This shift is largely due to cost and convenience, and I consider it a mainly positive development. |
A. Opinion. Some people think that all young people should be required to work for a year before going to university. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In some countries, school leavers are encouraged to spend a year in paid work before starting a degree. Although such a year can build maturity, I disagree that it should be compulsory, because it would delay qualifications for students who already know what they want to study and might discourage others from returning to education at all.
B. Discussion. Some people believe that unemployed young people should receive money from the government, while others think they should only be given training. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Governments differ in how they support young people who cannot find work: some provide cash payments, whereas others offer only training schemes. While I accept that training is the better long-term solution, I believe that modest financial support is also necessary, because people who cannot afford food or transport are unlikely to complete a course.
C. Advantages–disadvantages (‘outweigh’). More and more people are using mobile payment apps instead of cash. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Digital payment services, from banking apps to mobile wallets such as bKash, are rapidly replacing cash in everyday transactions. In my view, the convenience and safety of these services far outweigh their drawbacks, although older and rural users need better protection from fraud.
D. Problem–solution. In many countries, large amounts of food are wasted by supermarkets and households. What problems does this cause? What can be done to reduce food waste?
Every day, huge quantities of edible food are thrown away by both retailers and ordinary households. This waste damages the environment and strains family budgets, but it could be significantly reduced through stricter rules for supermarkets and better public awareness of how to store food.
E. Two-part. Many people now prefer to watch films at home on streaming services rather than going to the cinema. Why is this? Is it a positive or negative development?
In many countries, streaming platforms now allow people to watch new films at home, and fewer are choosing to visit cinemas. This shift is largely explained by lower cost and greater convenience, and I believe it is a mainly positive development, even though it threatens the shared experience of watching films together.
- A. OpinionConcession (‘Although such a year can build maturity’) + clear disagreement + two reasons that preview Body 1 and Body 2. The word ‘compulsory’ targets the absolute ‘all’ in the prompt.
- B. DiscussionThe background sentence sets out both views; the thesis gives a precise opinion (both are needed, with training as the long-term goal). All three jobs are visible in two sentences.
- C. OutweighThe verdict (‘far outweigh’) arrives in the introduction, so the position is clear throughout. The ‘although’ clause shows the writer has weighed the disadvantages too.
- D. Problem–solutionNo opinion is needed, so the thesis names the two problems and the two solutions. This works as both thesis and outline.
- E. Two-partQuestion 1 is answered in one clause (‘cost and convenience’), question 2 in the next (‘mainly positive’). Both answers are on the page in sentence two.
- What they shareEach is 40–60 words, opens with a sentence about this specific topic, copies nothing, and could not be reused for a different prompt.
Check: background and thesis
7 questions- 1
Which sentence is the thesis?
(1) Many governments now spend large sums on space exploration. (2) I believe this money would be better spent on urgent problems on Earth, such as poverty and climate change.
- 2
Prompt: Some people think that young people should be required to learn a musical instrument at school. Which is the best background statement?
- 3
Choose TWO memorised openers that an examiner would not credit.
Select 2.
- 4
Prompt: More people are working from home. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
A band 7+ introduction to this essay should already show which side the writer thinks is stronger.
- 5
A Task 2 introduction is usually about to 60 words long.
- 6
Prompt: Zoos should be closed. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What is wrong with this thesis: ‘This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of zoos and give my opinion.’?
- 7
Find and correct the mistake:
Nowadays, the number of people who shops online are increasing.
Answer every question to check.
Opinion essay: weak vs strong introduction
Band 5 introduction
Prompt: Some people think that the government should provide free public transport in large cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Nowadays, in this modern era, transport is a burning question all over the world. Some people think that the government should provide free public transport in large cities. Every coin has two sides. In this essay I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this topic and give my opinion.
Band 8 introduction
Same prompt.
Many city authorities are considering making buses and trains free of charge in order to reduce congestion and help low-income residents. I agree with this idea only in part: free fares would benefit the poorest commuters, but I believe the money would achieve more if it were spent on making public transport faster and more reliable.
**Left:** two memorised formulas, one copied sentence (which does not count towards 250 words), the wrong essay type (‘advantages and disadvantages’ in an opinion essay) and no position. After 50 words the examiner knows nothing about the writer’s view. **Right:** a specific background sentence that adds the purpose of free fares (congestion, low-income residents), then a precise partly-agree thesis with a clear split: free fares help the poorest, but investment in speed and reliability would help more. The body paragraphs are already mapped.
Two-part essay: weak vs strong introduction
Band 5–6 introduction
Prompt: In many countries, people are getting married later in life than in the past. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?
In recent years, the age of marriage has been increasing in many countries. There are many reasons for this and it has both positive and negative sides, which will be discussed in this essay.
Band 8 introduction
Same prompt.
In many societies, young adults are now marrying several years later than their parents did. This trend largely reflects longer periods of education and the rising cost of setting up a home, and I consider it a mostly positive development, since couples who marry later tend to do so with greater financial and emotional security.
**Left:** a reasonable paraphrase, but the second sentence answers neither question. ‘There are many reasons’ names none, and ‘both positive and negative sides’ avoids the judgement the question demands. **Right:** question 1 is answered (‘longer periods of education’, ‘the rising cost of setting up a home’), question 2 is answered (‘mostly positive’) with a reason. The examiner can predict both body paragraphs from this one sentence.
The outline sentence and length control
When to use an outline:
- If your thesis already contains your reasons (‘…because it protects their health and saves money’), skip it. Repeating the same points makes the introduction feel padded.
- If your thesis is short (‘I strongly agree with this view.’), add one to preview Body 1 and Body 2.
- ‘This essay will argue that…’ is acceptable occasionally. ‘This essay will discuss…’ with no answer is not.
Length control: 40–60 words.
- Under about 30 words usually means the paraphrase or the position is missing.
- Over about 70 words usually means body content has crept in: reasons being explained, examples, or general background.
- Four minutes. If you get stuck, write a simple, clear version and move on. You can polish a word or two in your final check, but a missing body paragraph cannot be rescued.
Writing Task 2 practice
130+ words · 15 minWrite an introduction (40–60 words each) for all three prompts below. At least 130 words in total.
Prompt 1: Some people believe that governments should spend more money on public libraries than on building new sports stadiums. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Prompt 2: Some people think that parents should teach children how to manage money, while others believe this is the responsibility of schools. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Prompt 3: In many cities, young people find it increasingly difficult to afford a home of their own. What problems does this cause, and what measures could governments take to address the situation?
Self-check before submitting
- ☐ Each introduction has a background statement that paraphrases the prompt without copying it
- ☐ The paraphrase keeps the original meaning and limiting words (e.g. ‘young people’, ‘in many cities’)
- ☐ Prompt 1: a clear position on libraries versus stadiums
- ☐ Prompt 2: both views appear and your own opinion is stated
- ☐ Prompt 3: two problems and the solutions are named; no opinion is required
- ☐ No memorised openers (‘Nowadays, in this modern era’, ‘Every coin has two sides’)
- ☐ No ‘This essay will discuss…’ without an answer
- ☐ Each introduction is two or three sentences and 40–60 words
Final quiz: introductions
10 questions- 1
Which structure works best for most Task 2 introductions?
- 2
Which is the best thesis for a discussion essay on whether university should be free or paid for by students?
- 3
Words copied directly from the prompt count towards your 250-word total.
- 4
The background statement should paraphrase the prompt without changing its meaning or its scope.
- 5
Prompt: Many young people in developing countries choose to study abroad. Choose TWO acceptable paraphrases.
Select 2.
- 6
Match each sentence to its role in the introduction.
Digital payments are rapidly replacing cash in everyday transactions.In my view, their benefits clearly outweigh the risks.Faster transactions and safer savings matter more than the threat of online fraud. - 7
Put the steps for writing an introduction in order.
Drag the cards (or use the arrows) into the correct order.
- 1Write a thesis that answers the instruction
- 2Check that it is 40–60 words and nothing is copied
- 3Paraphrase the topic in one sentence
- 4Identify the essay type and the jobs
- 8
Instead of writing ‘This essay will discuss the pros and cons’, state your in the introduction.
- 9
Find and correct the mistake:
Although technology has many benefits, but it also has some drawbacks.
- 10
Your introduction is 95 words long. What is the most likely reason?
Answer every question to check.
Key takeaways
Language for background and thesis sentences
Saved as flashcards with a free accountcontend
verb/kənˈtend/
To state firmly that something is true, especially in an argument.
জোর দিয়ে দাবি করা
Some contend that free public transport would reduce congestion.
merit
noun/ˈmerɪt/
A good quality or advantage that deserves to be considered.
গুণ, যৌক্তিকতা
Although both views have merit, I believe the second is more convincing.
largely
adverb/ˈlɑːdʒli/
Mostly; to a great degree.
অনেকাংশে, মূলত
I largely agree with this proposal, provided that it is introduced gradually.
prevalent
adjective/ˈprevələnt/
Common or widespread at a particular time or place.
প্রচলিত, ব্যাপক
Online shopping has become prevalent among young urban consumers.
increasingly
adverb/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli/
More and more over time.
ক্রমবর্ধমানভাবে
Young people find it increasingly difficult to afford a home in large cities.
commonplace
adjective/ˈkɒmənpleɪs/
Happening or seen so often that it is no longer unusual.
সাধারণ ব্যাপার
Paying for groceries by mobile phone is now commonplace in Dhaka.
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