Writing IELTS Introductions and Conclusions

In IELTS writing task 2, the introduction and the conclusion are two of the most misunderstood paragraphs. Test takers often write too much or too little. Sometimes they struggle to write anything at all.

Many students overthink these paragraphs, especially the introduction, and try to write all the most impressive grammar and vocabulary they know.

So, just how important are the writing task 2 introduction and conclusion? What makes a solid introduction and how do you write a good conclusion? Find out below.

Introductions

The importance of the introduction

Everyone knows that introductions are necessary for the IELTS writing task 2 essay but most people don't know why or what the introduction should include.

The introduction is truly a vital section of the essay. Without one, you will not get any higher than band score 5 in Coherence and Cohesion.

For the purposes of IELTS, your essay introduction is the examiner's first impression of your writing. It should allow the examiner to approximate where your band score might be. So, an examiner will understand, upon reading your introduction, if your IELTS essay is a 6-7, a 5-6 or a 7-8.

You will not be scored only on your introduction, of course, but it is important to write a strong introduction that is accurate, concise and uses solid grammar and vocabulary.

What the IELTS Essay introduction must contain

As mentioned earlier, many test-takers overthink the introduction and end up writing too much. What should a good introduction contain? Less than you think!

  • rephrasing of the prompt
  • your position
Rephrasing the prompt

Rephrasing the prompt is an important element of the IELTS Essay introduction. Not only does it show the examiner you have understood the question but it also shows your ability to successfully use novel vocabulary.

What should never be missing from the introduction is your position, yet this is frequently what keeps students from getting the band score they need.

Your position

Each IELTS writing prompt has a question or command. These include:

 

So, what is your position? Your direct response to any of those about commands/ questions. Your response needs to be clear and direct. Essentially, you need to directly answer the question in the introduction.

Why?

What the band descriptors say

At band 7 under Task Achievement we see, "presents a clear position throughout the response." The keyword here is throughout. Throughout means from the beginning to the end.

So, it is important that you make your position clear as early as your introduction if you hope to score 7 in Task achievement and this can be done when you answer the question in the introduction.

How do you rephrase the task?

Try using synonyms and different sentence structures to convey a similar meaning.

Do you have to rephrase every word?

You do not have to rephrase every word. Sometimes when test takers try to rephrase everything the result is very unnatural text. What you want to avoid is copying chunks of text. Chunks are phrases or groups of words.

Below is a sample IELTS writing task 2 prompt.

Communication through text messaging and other forms of instant online communication are short and basic. Some people think this will be the death of grammar and spelling. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample introduction

Nowadays, across the world, most people use text messages to communicate quickly and effectively. The speed of this communication, however, carries with it the risk of losing basic writing skills. In my opinion, this is a valid concern, given the minimal opportunity we have for proper writing these days, yet correct language usage will continue.

How is the prompt rephrased?

Communication through text messaging and other forms of instant online communication are short and basic. ->Nowadays, across the world, most people use text messages to communicate quickly and effectively.

Some people think this will be the death of grammar and spelling. -> The speed of this communication, however, carries with it the risk of losing basic writing skills.

The position

The writer's position shows partial agreement and briefly explains why: In my opinion, this is a valid concern, given the minimal opportunity we have for proper writing these days, yet correct language usage will continue.

Notice that in the introduction, not all the words were rephrased: communication, text messages and writing were not rephrased. However, no chunks of words were copied from the essay prompt and novel vocabulary was used.

Does the IELTS essay introduction need anything more?

Some students believe they need to write an extra sentence in their introduction, indicating that the essay will include evidence to support their arguments.

For example: This essay will address this issue, using examples and evidence to support my opinion.

Most IELTS examiners find this kind of sentence unnecessary as it doesn't add anything vital to the introduction and many times seems like a memorised phrase.

Remember that examiners are trained to spot memorized language so use language that is fairly academic but natural in your IELTS essay.

How introductions can go wrong

See the task below:

The Internet provides us with information about life and cultures of different countries, and some people say it is not necessary to visit these countries to learn about them. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your opinion and relevant examples.

Here is a sample introduction:

With the internet so prevalent today, some people believe it is no longer necessary to visit countries to learn about them. The internet provides us with information about different countries. I agree completely with this statement. In this essay, I will explain my viewpoint, discussing the negatives of travel.

Why it's problematic:

  • Chunks of language are copied from the prompt
  • The language is choppy - sentences are not linked together fluently
  • The task 2 prompt does not ask you to discuss the negatives of travel. It wants to know if the internet has made it unnecessary to visit other countries.

Conclusions

The importance of the conclusion

A good conclusion provides closure to your IELTS writing task 2. It should restate the main position you described in the introduction and leave the reader with a thoughtful but more general idea. Without a conclusion you cannot score above a band score of 5 in coherence and cohesion.

The conclusion is the last thing your examiner reads so it needs to be concise, accurate and without superfluous information.

How to write a good conclusion
  • restate your position
  • end with a thought-provoking idea or prediction
Restatement of your position

In your conclusion, you must first start off with your position. In many IELTS essays this means that you must give your opinion again. This should not be written though with the same language used in the introduction or in the body paragraphs. Novel vocabulary and different grammar should be included.

Thought-provoking idea or prediction

Leave the reader with something to think about on the topic. This could be a more general statement about how the essay topic affects the world more broadly or what you think may happen in the future with the issue in the essay.

What conclusions should not contain

IELTS essay conclusions should never include new ideas. Any new ideas you want to write should be incorporated into the body paragraphs.

Below is the sample IELTS writing task 2 prompt seen previously.

Communication through text messaging and other forms of instant online communication are short and basic. Some people think this will be the death of grammar and spelling. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample conclusion

To conclude, while there is a risk of diluting language through continuous use of text messaging, I believe that this can be avoided. If we, as a society, continue reading regularly and consciously, language will survive and flourish.

Why it is a good conclusion
  • The conclusion is brief - only two sentences long - but it incorporates the elements necessary to score well in IELTS writing task 2.
  • The position is clearly stated -> while there is a risk of diluting language through continuous use of text messaging, I believe that this can be avoided.
  • There is a prediction for the future related to the essay topic ->If we, as a society, continue reading regularly and consciously, language will survive and flourish.
  • Advanced vocabulary is used -> diluting, continuous, consciously,flourish
  • Advanced grammar is used in both sentences.
 
How conclusions can go wrong

Below is a sample IELTS writing task 2 prompt seen above.

The Internet provides us with information about life and cultures of different countries, and some people say it is not necessary to visit these countries to learn about them. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your opinion and relevant examples.

Here is a sample conclusion

To conclude, travel is expensive, dangerous and time-consuming. We should avoid traveling and spend time with our friends and family instead. Recent studies have shown that when children spend time with their parents, both recorded feelings of well-being. In the future we will spend more time with our parents.

Why it's problematic

  • The writing task was not about the negatives of travel
  • The writer introduces new ideas in the conclusion
  • There is a prediction but it is not related to the task
  • No conclusions can be drawn on the actual issue in the prompt because the response is off topic

Here is another example that is representative of a band 7

To conclude, I believe the internet provides endless sources of information about the world around us but it can never replace travel fully. No internet site or application has yet to provide the transformative experience of travel nor do I think it ever will.

Why it is a good conclusion

  • The conclusion is brief - only two sentences long - but it incorporates the main points necessary to score well in IELTS writing task 2.
  • The position is clearly stated -> I believe the internet provides endless sources of information about the world around us but it can never replace travel fully.
  • There is a more general, thought-provoking idea related to the essay topic -> No internet site or application has yet to provide the transformative experience of travel nor do I think it ever will .
  • Advanced vocabulary is used -> transformative experience
  • Advanced grammar is used .
Conclusion

Both the introduction and conclusion are vital components of IELTS writing task 2. They should be brief but well-structured.

They should be concise so that you can dedicate more time to your body paragraphs. Most importantly, they should answer the question so that the position is clear.

Learn more about how to successfully write all parts of the IELTS writing task 2 through the online course at IELTSPODCAST.COM. There, you will learn tips on how to quickly and effectively write ielts essays to get the band score you need.

Alternatively, sign up for essay corrections so you can gain from our years of experience as examiners. Get detailed feedback and writing tips from an ex examiner on how to answer different types of IELTS writing tasks.

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