Eliot Friesen

IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction and Vocabulary

ielts writing task 2 introduction vocabulary - image by Magoosh A good introduction can make the difference between a band 6 score and a band 7 or 8 score. In this post, we’ll look at IELTS Writing Task 2 introduction vocabulary you can use for both the General Training and Academic tests. Specifically, you’ll learn:

  • What to do and what not to do for the introduction to Task 2
  • Opening/paraphrasing vocabulary terms
  • Vocabulary words for stating an opinion
  • Overview words and phrases

Do’s and Don’ts of Writing the IELTS Task 2 Introduction

DO:

  • Write at least 60 words in your introduction
  • Be as specific as possible
  • Plan before you write
  • Paraphrase the topic
  • Clearly state your opinion in a thesis statement
  • Give an overview of the essay

DON’T:

  • Write too much—you need to save time and energy for the body paragraphs! Aim for a maximum of 80 words
  • Restate the task question exactly as it appears in the prompt
  • Try to take “both sides” in your thesis statement
  • Spend more than five minutes writing the introduction on test day
  • Forget to use formal language

IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction Vocabulary

Though IELTS Writing Task 2 topics can vary widely, you can still use the same basic IELTS Writing Task 2 introduction vocabulary to introduce your ideas. Here, I’ll use the following sample prompt to show words you can use for all types of prompts, as well as examples of how you could respond to this prompt specifically.

The Prompt

Social media use has a bad influence on our mental health.

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

Opening: Paraphrasing the Topic

First, you’ll need to restate the topic. Be careful! You want to make sure that you use different words than the original prompt.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction Vocabulary That Works For Many Prompts

  • Experts have hotly debated the issue of X.
  • It appears that…
  • It may seem that…
  • Some people may think that…
  • People have very divided opinions about X.

Examples for This Prompt

  • Experts have hotly debated the issue of social media’s effect on human psychology.
  • It appears that social media may, in some cases, have detrimental effects on human emotions.
  • It may seem that social media websites, like Facebook and Twitter, have an overall negative influence on our psychology.
  • Some people may think that using social media sites and apps is a benign hobby.
  • People have very divided opinions about how social media affects the brain.

Stating an Opinion

Next, you need to give your opinion clearly!

IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction Vocabulary That Works For Many Prompts

  • I/This essay will show that…
  • I/This essay agree/s that…
  • I/This essay disagree/s that…
  • I/This essay will argue that…
  • As I/this essay will show/argue,

Examples for This Prompt

  • I will show that the overuse of social media can have harmful effects on how we feel and act.
  • This essay agrees that using social media can negatively impact our emotions.
  • I disagree that spending time on social media has any unfavorable effects on our psychology.
  • This essay will argue that, in moderation, social media does not harm us, but in fact provides extensive mental health benefits.
  • As I will show, use of social media sites has very little effect on human psychology, either positive or negative.

Overview of the Essay

IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction Vocabulary That Works For Many Prompts

  • This essay will first…before…
  • To examine this issue, this essay will examine both….and…
  • Firstly, this essay will…and secondly, it will….
  • To discuss this issue, this essay will both…and…

Examples for This Prompt

  • This essay will first examine how social media affects our emotions before discussing how it affects our actions.
  • To examine this issue, this essay will examine both personal and social effects of social media use.
  • Firstly, this essay will discuss social media use in teenagers and secondly, it will discuss social media use in adults.
  • To discuss this issue, this essay will both use examples and provide reasoning to support the point that social media use has little to no psychological effects.

Example Introduction

Let’s look at a whole introduction now. Here’s what an introduction could look like for the prompt:

Experts have hotly debated the issue of social media’s effect on human psychology. I will show that the overuse of social media can have harmful effects on how we feel and act. To examine this issue, this essay will examine both personal and social effects of social media use.

More Resources for IELTS Writing Task 2 Vocabulary

Want even more resources for IELTS Writing Task 2 introduction vocabulary? First, check out Eliot’s top tips in this video!

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