Introduce the topic and agree or disagree with the statement – 2 sentences
Introduce the topic in our own words. This demonstrates to the examiner that we have understood the question. Say whether we agree or not with the statement. Two sentences are sufficient.
Give each prompt its own paragraph. The first sentence should introduce the prompt. Then, we should explain why it supports our opinion and give examples why.
We should summarise the essay briefly in different words and repeat our opinion in a clear way.
This isn’t the only way you can structure your essay, but it’s easy to follow so I recommend it (as well as most teachers).
“ If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. ” ― Benjamin Franklin
Planning your essay before you start is important. Think about:
Here’s an example essay for the question above:
It is widely accepted that our education system should give students the best chance for future employment. However, it is my opinion that schools should provide much more than this.
Firstly, we can not deny that examinations are unimportant. However, putting too much focus on testing can leave students feeling overstressed, and often does not provide space for them to develop their creativity. Furthermore, it makes the experience of learning boring.
Secondly, schools absolutely should teach students useful skills which they can use throughout life. But they should focus on a range of skills, not just work-related ones. For example, if students learnt about finance and health they would benefit in other areas of their lives, outside of work.
Finally, the importance of social interaction in education must not be forgotten. For many young people, schools provide an opportunity for students to form relationships which will serve them throughout their entire lives. A person with strong social skills will not only do well in their careers but will be happier too.
In conclusion, while it is important to give students good job opportunities, schools also have a responsibility to make learning enjoyable, relevant and creative. Life is not just about work, and education should reflect this.
Your essay should have a formal or neutral tone, never informal. Here are some ways to make your writing more formal.
❌ It’s widely believed… ✅ It is widely believed…
❌ We’ve seen… ✅ We have seen…
Only refer to yourself when giving your opinion about the question. Avoid talking personally otherwise. Don’t use personal experiences as examples.
❌ Whilst I was travelling last year… ✅ It is my opinion that…
Phrasal verbs often have a more formal alternative; for example:
❌ They took part… ✅ They participated…
❌ People are finding out that… ✅ People are discovering that…
❌ Furthermore, it makes the experience of learning boring! ✅ Furthermore, it makes the experience of learning boring.
If you haven’t included a passive example, think about sentences where you can:
✅ We must not forget the importance of social interaction in education. ✅ ✅ ✅ The importance of social interaction in education must not be forgotten.
There are four areas that examiners focus on when assessing your essay:
Each area is marked on a scale of 0 to 5.
Here are some main points to remember in order to get top marks:
Content | Make sure you answer the question and respond in detail to the prompts Don’t include any irrelevant information |
Communicative Achievement | Use a formal/neutral tone Make your ideas easy to understand Give reasons for your examples Make your opinion clear in the introduction and conclusion without repeating words |
Organisation | Use linking words and connectors to link and organise your ideas Make your ideas flow Follow the 5 paragraph formula |
Language | Use a range of vocabulary related to the topic Use a range of simple and complex grammar (e.g. passive and modals) Avoid repeating words if possible Check your spelling |
Often, students lose easy points because they write more than necessary about irrelevant things, or they forget to completely answer the question and prompts. It doesn’t matter if you write better than Shakespear, if you don’t answer the question correctly you can’t get full marks.
The most important things to remember are to:
Here’a a good tip: if you find yourself writing a conditional sentence with ‘if’, see if it’s possible to change it to a second conditional. If so, do it. This is an easy way to demonstrate a higher lever.
Compare these sentences:
For example, if students learn about finance and health they will benefit in other areas of their lives, outside of work. ✅
For example, if students learnt about finance and health they would benefit in other areas of their lives, outside of work. ✅ ✅ ✅
Both sentences are correct for an essay and express the same idea. But the second sentence will get more points because it uses more complex grammar.
Does it matter if i write more than 190 words.
Not exactly, a few words over the limit won’t make a difference, so don’t waste time counting words. It’s not a strict rule. However, if you write much less than the limit then you probably aren’t covering all the points with enough detail. If you write much more than the limit, you’re likely including irrelevant information. In both cases, you would lose points for Content.
One or two small errors won’t matter but if your errors make the essay hard to understand you could lose points.
No, but you can if you want.
It does not matter which you use, but you must be consistent. Don’t change between the two.
Here are some common B2 First (FCE) essay topics; make sure you have a good range of vocabulary for each:
I hope you find this guide for the B2 First (FCE) Writing essay helpful. Practice makes perfect so make sure to write as often as you can. Use the comments below to leave your answer to the sample question above.
Really clear and easy to follow easy planning – thanks
Thanks Lucy 👍
Actually very clear and useful! Thanks a lot!!!
Excellent explanation, thank you!
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Exam question:, type: essay.
Your teacher has asked you to write an essay on the importance of learning foreign languages.
Write about: |
Write your essay using all the notes.
“We live in a world, where it is easier than ever before to communicate all over the world without speaking the local language perfectly. Google Translator makes this possible, even if there is no internet.
Especially for travelling it is helpful when you can speak a foreign language, because you can be confronted with unexpected situations. Further you can connect with the locals and experience the country much better by speaking the same language. But for the employment it is important to talk the same language like the clients do. As long as you work for a local company and you can talk in your mother language for the whole day, you don’t need knowledge in a foreign language. On the other side there are studies about the learning process in the youth, which say that you will never learn as easy as in school. Since I have seen my parents learning French in the older age, I believe to the summary of this studies.
In conclusion it makes definitely sense for me to learn a foreign language in school, as long as it is a useful language like English.”
Adding an appropriate title is definitely an attractive addition.
We live in a world, (avoid personal language) In the contemporary world, where it is easier than ever before to communicate all over the world without speaking the perfect knowledge of the local language perfectly . Google Translator makes this possible, even if there is no internet. (communicate more complex ideas)
The introduction should inform the reader about the essence of the essay;
Tip: Remember that essay is an academic paper and must be written in the formal language
First and foremost, (introduce paragraphs), e specially for travelling it is bilingualism is (be precise) helpful when you (avoid personal language) / one can speak a foreign language , because you he or she can be confronted with unexpected situations. Furthermore [,] you one can connect with the locals and experience the country much better by speaking the same language .
As for employment [,], it is important / vital (use vocabulary of a higher level) to talk the same language as the potential clients do. As long as you one work for a local company and you he or she can talk in your mother language for the whole day, you don't need knowledge of a foreign language is not needed
On the other side [,] there are studies about the learning process of the youth, which say that you one will never learn as easily as in school . Since I have seen my parents learning French at an older age, I believe to the summary of this study .
In conclusion [,] it makes definitely sense for me to learn a foreign language in school , as long as it is a useful language like English.
Recommended video How to write a great Cambridge B2 First Certificate essay
Content: 4-5/5 have you answered the question?
All content is relevant to the task. Target reader is informed.
Communicative Achievement: 3/5 have you completed the task in the right sort of language?
An essay is an academic paper and must be written in formal language. Formal & Informal Style (video)
The overall readability and style of some sentences could be a bit better
The organisation: 4/5 have you structured your writing properly?
The text is clearly organised into paragraphs , which each deal with one idea.
Use consistently linking words Linking words and phrases Linking words and paragraph connectors(video)
Language: 3-4/5 have you used a good range of grammar and vocabulary?
Vocabulary There is a suitable range of vocabulary, including less common lexis.
Grammar There is suitable range of simple and more complex grammatical forms which are used with control and flexibility.
Slightly repetitive vocabuary.
There are grammar errors and the language is not always used with full control
Use more relevant and diverse grammar structures
Score: 14/20 Grade: B2
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B2 first writing paper.
Today we are going to practise a valuable writing skill: generating ideas and essay planning in Part 1 of the B2 First Writing exam.
Let’s first look at two examples of essay exam tasks.
The task below is taken from B2 First for Schools Handbook for teachers:
In your English class you have been talking about education. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay for homework. Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view. Some parents teach their children at home rather than sending them to school. Is this a good or a bad thing for the children? Notes Write about: 1. having a parent as a teacher 2. making friends 3. ...................... (your own idea)
The second task is taken from First Certificate in English, Writing, Sample test 1:
In your English class you have been talking about the environment. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay for homework. Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view. Every country in the world has problems with polution and damage to the environment. Do you think these problems can be solved? Notes Write about: 1. transport 2. rivers and seas 3. ...................... (your own idea)
Each exam task is targeted at a different age group: young people and adults. Consequently, their main theme varies, one is closer to teenagers’ expertise and interests – education and schooling, and another centres around a theme adults are more likely to easily expand on – environmental matters.
The layout of both exam tasks, their structure, is the same, though. It contains a general statement following an English class discussion. Then, there are three notes, known as content points, that must be included and well-developed throughout.
It’s worth mentioning that your own idea is not your opinion . This latest is briefly mentioned in the introduction, and backed up with a convincing explanation and a strong reason for in the conclusion.
The activity I am inviting you to join consists in brainstorming ideas for the ‘ your own idea ’ part of the task. There are ten exam tasks. Rather than thinking of just one of your own ideas for the essay exam task, it is good practice to think of a few different ones and then pick the best idea to write about. The best idea is the one which you can explain well and provide reasons for, since it mustn’t be merely mentioned, or superficially discussed. A well-developed essay is a successful one since it will be valued at a high score by Cambridge examiners.
Let’s look at the example below:
Note 3: My own idea
You can also use this activity to practise generating examples or reasons to support the main idea of each paragraph of the essay. Use the same cards, but this time focus on the ‘notes’ part of the task. Think of as many examples or reasons for the main ideas listed in the ‘write about’ part of the task. Once again, it is good practice to brainstorm a number of them and then choose the best ones, a couple for each paragraph, to include in your essays.
Note 1: having a parent as a teacher
Note 2: making friends
Note 3: taking part in team activities
If you want to find out more about writing essays for the Cambridge B2 First exam and enhance your writing skills, here are two other articles earlier posted:
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Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.
A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.
The main goals of an introduction are to:
This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.
The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.
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Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.
Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.
Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.
The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly why the topic is important.
Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.
Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.
Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:
The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.
How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:
Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.
This is the most important part of your introduction. A good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.
The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.
Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.
Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:
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As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.
For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.
When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.
It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.
To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .
You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.
My first sentence is engaging and relevant.
I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.
I have defined any important terms.
My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.
Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.
You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.
This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.
This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).
In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.
If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:
The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .
The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.
To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.
The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:
Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.
The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.
The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
McCombes, S. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 25, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/introduction/
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Once you've understood the assignment and prepared your argument, you need to decide how you're going to present your essay in a logical structure.
Use our quick guide to planning out an essay to help you decide where and what to include in you introduction, conclusion, and main body of your text.
The introduction of your essay serves as a road map establishing the scope of the discussion and presenting the central argument that will be developed throughout the essay. This is a space to make a positive first impression of your argument, your writing style, and the overall quality of your work. It will provide a solid ground for your assignment - providing you do everything you say you will .
Your introduction should outline how the main body of your writing will proceed. It will give the reader a general idea of the theme of your work, why you think it is important, and where you plan to detail all of your arguments and ideas. By the end of the introduction you should have formed an outline for a coherent structure that your reader can follow.
Use the introduction to define specific terms related to the essay question to demonstrate engagement and clarity. For example:
This essay will explore the concept of 'social media' as platforms that facilitate online interactions among users.
Show the range of viewpoints relevant to the essay question. For instance:
Social media's impact on mental health outcomes is multifaceted, encompassing economic, social, and psychological perspectives. This essay will focus on the social and psychological aspects, particularly examining...
The main body of the essay elaborates on the points introduced in the introduction and develops arguments supported by evidence. It should me structured in paragraphs, and each paragraph should follow a logical sequence that build up to your conclusion.
Each paragraph should focus on a specific point related to the main argument. Start with a clear topic sentence that relates directly to the thesis statement.
Support your arguments with evidence such as data, examples, or scholarly sources. For example:
Studies have shown a correlation between excessive social media use and increased feelings of anxiety and depression (Smith, 2020).
Ensure that each paragraph explicitly connects back to the central argument or the essay question. This helps maintain a clear and focused argument.
It is helpful to check your essay plan, your introduction and the conclusion as you go along to make sure everything adds up.
The conclusion brings together the key points of the essay and restates the central argument in light of the evidence provided in the main body. This is your opportunity to synthesise your ideas into a coherent conclusion, summarise what you have written, and reiterate the thesis statement from your introduction.
Bring all your ideas together and address the question one final time in one concise paragraph. Here you will abridge what you have accomplished, (dis)proven, or demonstrated within your main body. It is your final chance to ensure that the reader has been provided evidence to establish the main point of the writing. It is also your final chance to explicitly illustrate how you have met the assignment brief.
Briefly summarise the main points discussed in the essay. Avoid introducing new information, but make sure to reference
Restate the thesis statement, emphasising its significance in light of the evidence presented in the main body. This will help you make sure you have kept on-topic and achieved your aim. For example:
In conclusion, this essay has demonstrated that social media can have significant impacts on mental health outcomes, particularly in relation to...
Home > Blog > How To Start An Essay
The most difficult aspect of composing an academic essay is writing the introduction. Creating an introduction that engages is crucial. It’s supposed to capture the reader’s interest and introduce the main ideas of the entire essay. However, this can be a challenging task.
A lot of students get stuck in the introduction part of their essays. But, there is light at the end of the tunnel. You don’t have to dedicate endless hours to perfecting your introductory paragraphs!
Begin writing without going into too much detail or making things complicated; just get started! In our article, we go through various tips on how to start an essay, take a deep dive into different types of essays , and give you various essay introduction examples. Keep reading if you want to write an essay introduction in no time!
An effective essay introduction paragraph is supposed to get the reader psyched about your work and there are plenty of ways you can choose to do this. There’s no formula for writing a strong introduction in our academic essays.
You could start with a fact or a quote. Or, you could choose to state the main point of your essay. Whatever you decide, you need to make sure it relates to your essay topic. You wouldn’t begin by quoting Einstein for a Geography essay!
If you’re wondering how to write an essay introduction that will engage your readers, then you should know that this depends on the type of content you’re writing. Informative essays don’t start the same as a thesis statement, for example. All academic writing has some requirements, however. Hence, when you write an introduction to your essay, you must:
For informative essays, the focus should be proving that you know everything about your subject. You can do all of this with a good introduction. Early on, you can let the audience know what will be discussed so they want to learn more. Consider it as a way of preparing an audience for the rest of the essay.
Poor introduction: “Water is very important. This essay will talk about water resources and why they are important.”
Why is the above not how to start an informative essay? Because of the following:
A good introduction, however, would look more like this:
“Over 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. And yet, only 2.5% of it is fresh. This startling fact shows just how important water conservation is. In this essay, we will explore the current state of global water resources. We’ll also look at the challenges of water scarcity, and potential solutions to ensure sustainable water use.”
This is better because:
Wondering how to start an argumentative essay? Introductions to argumentative essays must set the points you’re going to make. Do this by providing the background information on the issues you’re discussing. This sets the stage for your later argument and prepares the reader for what they’re about to read.
Here is a good argumentative essay introduction example:
“Imagine a world where public healthcare is accessible to all. Regardless of income. Universal healthcare is a controversial topic. But, it is necessary for equality and public well-being. In this essay, I will argue that universal healthcare should be implemented in the United States. I will discuss its benefits and address some common counterarguments. This article will also examine successful models from other countries.”
This is good because:
Bad introduction: “Universal healthcare is a big topic. This essay will discuss why it should be implemented.”
This doesn’t work. Here’s why:
Academic writing has its do’s and don’ts , and expository essays, specifically, give you a bit more freedom when it comes to your introduction. This is because they present evidence without an argument, so you don’t need to present your main idea early on.
It’s still important to try to engage the reader with either interesting context or a surprising fact. An expository essay introduction should work in your favor by setting up the tone of the essay.
Here is a bad introduction example:
Bad introduction: “AI is a topic. This essay will talk about AI and what it does.”
You should not start your expository essay like this because:
A good introduction example of how to start an expository essay is the following:
Good introduction: “Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a concept found in science fiction. It is now a reality. It impacts our daily lives in many ways. From virtual assistants to autonomous vehicles, AI technology is rapidly evolving. This essay will explore the history of AI and its current applications. It will also look at potential future developments.”
The above is a good introduction to an expository essay because of the following:
Wan to learn how to start an analysis essay to compel your readers to want to know more? Analysis essay introductions should include an engaging hook . You could also choose to present a bit of background information about the text or subject that you’re analyzing.
Because you need to carry out a deep examination of a subject, writing a strong introduction is necessary. It prepares the reader for the new and exciting insights you’re about to provide.
Here’s a good introduction for an analysis essay about Shakespeare:
“Hamlet’s central theme is the human condition. It’s filled with complex characters and intricate themes. The character of Hamlet himself embodies the struggle between action and inaction. This is a central theme of the play. In this essay, I will analyze Hamlet’s soliloquies. The aim is to uncover how Shakespeare uses them to develop this theme and reveal Hamlet’s internal conflict.”
This is a good introduction because it:
Bad introduction: “Hamlet is a play by Shakespeare. This essay will analyze Hamlet and what he says.”
This is a poor opening statement because:
Knowing how to write an essay starting with a quote can be a useful skill to have. Starting with an interesting quote within the first paragraph can pack a punch when done properly. Use the following techniques to create an engaging essay introduction:
A clear thesis statement is essential. It works by guiding the direction of your essay and informs the reader of your main argument. Creating a strong introduction with your thesis statement sets the tone for the rest of your academic essay.
Here’s how to make sure your thesis statement begins well:
A literary analysis essay introduction needs to be systematic so that you’re showing readers how you’re exploring the work. Before you write your introduction, you need to choose a niche angle to explore. Then, provide the relevant background information and why you’ve chosen your theme.
Let’s look at a great example of a literary analysis introduction for the book “1984:”
“In George Orwell’s novel, “1984,” the pervasive theme of totalitarianism is central to understanding dystopian societies. Using the character of Winston Smith, Orwell explores the dangers of a government’s control over its citizens’ thoughts. This essay will analyze how Orwell uses symbolism to portray the oppressive regime in “1984” and its impact on freedom.”
This works because:
Smodin AI can help you create an essay introduction that will captivate your readers. Whether you need a strong opening line or a clear thesis statement, it can do it all! To get help, simply input your essay topic and the type of introduction you want. Smodin will then write it for you!
To make your essay introduction effective, begin with something that catches the reader’s attention. This could be a fact or quote. Provide context by giving necessary background information about the subject matter. State clearly what exactly you’re going to prove or argue throughout the essay in one sentence.
Make sure to let the reader know briefly about the main points and what you will be discussing. This sets up the reader’s expectations from when your essay begins.
Make sure your essay introduction is neither too short nor too long but straightforward. Normally, it should be around 10-15% of the whole word count limit given for your assignment. So, if your entire essay should be 1000 words, then aim to write between 100-150 words for your introduction.
This ensures that everything necessary gets included without overloading the reader with information that might discourage them from continuing reading.
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Understanding the importance of essay structure mastering the structure of an ielts writing task 2 essay is crucial for achieving a high band score. a well-organized essay demonstrates clear thinking and effective communication skills, which are key components assessed in the ielts exam. proper structure helps you present your ideas logically and coherently, making it easier for the examiner to follow your arguments and evaluate your writing ability. ielts writing task 2 essay structure diagram key components of ielts writing task 2 essay structure, introduction.
The introduction sets the tone for your essay and provides a roadmap for the examiner. It should include:
Your essay should typically have 2-3 body paragraphs, each focusing on a main idea that supports your thesis. The structure of each body paragraph should include:
Example of a body paragraph:
The conclusion serves to wrap up your essay and leave a lasting impression. It should:
Coherence and cohesion.
To improve the flow of your essay and create a seamless connection between ideas, use:
Enhance the depth and clarity of your body paragraphs by:
Outline Creation: Practice creating detailed outlines for various IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, focusing on organizing your ideas logically.
Paragraph Analysis: Examine sample high-scoring essays and identify the key structural elements in each paragraph.
Timed Writing: Set a timer for 40 minutes and write a full essay, paying close attention to structure and time management.
Peer Review: Exchange essays with a study partner and provide feedback on each other’s structural choices.
Revision Practice: Take a previously written essay and restructure it to improve coherence and flow.
By mastering the structure of IELTS Writing Task 2 essays and consistently practicing these techniques, you can significantly improve your writing skills and increase your chances of achieving a high band score. Remember that while structure is crucial, it should serve as a framework for presenting your ideas clearly and persuasively. Continue to refine your approach through regular practice and feedback to develop a strong, personalized writing style that meets IELTS standards.
Luis @ kse academy.
Los exámenes de Cambridge English suelen tener varias partes: Reading, Writing, Use of English, Speaking y Listening. En este post te voy a hablar del Writing del B2 First (FCE) y, más concretamente sobre cómo escribir un essay para el FCE de Cambridge English .
This post is also available in English.
El Writing del First (FCE) tiene dos partes únicamente. Para cada parte tienes que hacer una composición escrita que dependerá de las instrucciones de cada ejercicio. En la primera parte siempre se te pedirá que escribas un essay (ensayo), ya que únicamente se te da una opción. En la segunda parte te dan 3 opciones entre las que puedes elegir. De entre éstas, los tipos de writing que aparecen son letters/ emails (cartas o emails), articles (artículos), reviews (reseñas) y reports (informes). Cada writing debe tener entre 140 y 190 palabras , aproximadamente.
Al tratarse de diferentes tipos de Writings , las expresiones y estructuras que utilizarás serán diferentes. Pero para eso estoy yo aquí, para explicarte cómo escribir cada uno, y hoy empezamos con cómo escribir un essay .
Un essay , en español «ensayo», es un escrito de opinión con el que analizamos un tema , una situación o un problema desde diferentes puntos de vista , argumentando cada uno de ellos y expresando nuestra opinión al respecto. Por este motivo, un essay tiene las siguientes características:
Ahora que sabemos las características de un essay para el First (FCE) Writing , vamos a ver un ejemplo de essay a nivel B2 , tanto la tarea de ejemplo como una posible respuesta.
En la siguiente imagen puedes ver las instrucciones de un essay con un tema muy recurrente, como es el del medio ambiente:
En las instrucciones debemos fijarnos en lo siguiente:
Según el modelo de tarea planteado arriba, cada párrafo corresponderá a una idea diferente, aparte de la introducción y la conclusión. Es decir, lo normal es que nos salgan 5 párrafos. A continuación tienes un ejemplo de essay para FCE Writing :
Como puedes observar a simple vista, el essay tiene un título introductorio y 5 párrafos (introducción + idea 1 + idea 2 + idea 3 + conclusión). Si nos paramos a leer el essay detenidamente, veremos lo siguiente:
Se trata de un buen ejemplo de essay para el FCE Writing . Hay que tener en cuenta, además, que este writing está escrito para simular un nivel B2, sin llegar a un nivel C1.
Esta es la pregunta más típica en esta parte del examen y la respuesta es la siguiente: sí y no . Me explico. Los correctores no cuentan las palabras y te penalizan en función del número de palabras sola y exclusivamente. Corre el rumor entre los alumnos y profesores de que por cada 10 palabras te quitan puntos, pero eso no es cierto. Ahora bien, piensa que si te has pasado en 50 o 100 palabras, o más, probablemente estés metiendo información poco relevante a la tarea , y eso sí que es penalizable . Del mismo modo que si escribes menos de 140 probablemente te falte información importante o no la estés cubriendo con el detalle que se te pide.
Por ello, yo siempre recomiendo pasarse como mucho 10 o 20 palabras. De ese modo no perderás puntos si la tarea cubre los puntos que se te piden.
Aunque voy a publicar más artículos explicando cómo hacer cada tipo de writing, si no quieres esperar puedes adquirir la guía oficial de KSE Academy para el Writing del FCE . En esta guía encontrarás lo siguiente:
¿Quieres ver un extracto? Aquí la tienes .
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La verdad es que me ha sido muy útil para coger apuntes. Muchas gracias!
Me alegro mucho, María. Gracias por tu comentario. Un saludo!
Muy interesante y la verdad deseo mejorar mi escritura y obtener la certificación.
I think my ideas are clear before start writting but I don’t get use the connectors.
Conciso y claro. Lo tendré en cuenta para el examen, gracias!
Hola, suspendería seguro si se me olvida el titulo en un essay ? Muy util tu información, gracias
muy útil me presento a examen el viernes nivel b2.gracias
Muchisimas gracias, me estoy preparando para el examen y la información me fue de gran ayuda. Saludos!!
me ha parecido super interesante, la semana próxima tengo las pruebas, espero sacar partido de toda esta información gracias.
¡Muchísimas gracias! Vuestro artículo acerca de cómo escribir un ESSAY está resultando muy útil para mí.
Muchísimas gracias a ti, Jairo, por leer el artículo y por tu comentario. ¡Un abrazo!
Muy claro y estructurado. Super útil!!
Me alegro de que te haya resultado útil. Gracias por tu comentario! 🙂
Explicas muy bien, la verdad me sirvió mucho. Muchas gracias por compartir.
Muchas gracias, Jaqueline. Un saludo! 🙂
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B2 First (FCE) Essay: Tips. Plan your essay before you write. Make sure you know how to comment on all the points that are asked. Invent information if you don't have any ideas. Divide the essay into paragraphs - put one answer in one paragraph. Use advanced vocabulary when you can and formal language.
Part 1 of the writing test - there are 2 parts total. 140-190 word limit. You have about 40 minutes to plan and write your essay. You must answer a question using two notes and your own idea. The topic requires general knowledge only. The essay is always formal because it is written "for your teacher".
Here's a useful structure for an opinion essay:Paragraph 1Intro. uce the topic using a general statement and give your. hether you agree or disagree with the statemen. .Paragraph 2Give the first reason to support your opinion. Provide specifi. s for your opinion, using examples if necessary.
FCE Essays - Sample/model answers and examiner comments. An essay is always written for the teacher. It should answer the question given by addressing both content points and providinga new content point of the writer's own. The essay should be well organised, with an introduction and an appropriate conclusion,and should be written in an appropriate register and tone
B2 First Writing Part 1 . Teacher's notes . Aims of the lesson . ... structuring an essay, but one way that works well for this type of question is: ... Paragraph 1 introduction Paragraph 2 point one - problem + solution Paragraph 3 point two - problem + solution Paragraph 4 point three - problem + solution Paragraph 5 conclusion ...
The first part is the essay; the second part is an article, email, letter, report, or review. You will be given the essay title and two ideas or prompts. It's essential that you include both of these ideas in your essay, as well as another relevant idea that you have to come up with yourself. You have to write 140-190 words in each part and ...
Each paragraph has a clear purpose: Introduction: it introduces the topic in a general way and it leads to the second paragraph (first idea). Paragraph 2: it deals with idea 1. Paragraph 3: it deals with idea 2. Paragraph 4: it deals with idea 3. Conclusion: we express our opinion to conclude and summarise the essay.
An essay is usually written for a teacher and may be written as a follow up to a class activity. It should be well-organised, with an introduction, clear development and an appropri ate conclusion. The main purpose of this task is the development of an argument and/or discussion of issues surrounding a certain topic.
B2 essay structure. A Cambridge B2 First essay has a reasonably set structure. This is because the tasks are always similar. Take a look at the task below: When we analyse the task, the most obvious structure is to write 5 paragraphs. This allows us to keep a clear separation between our three points. It also gives us plenty of opportunities ...
These three paragraphs are called the body of the essay. However, an essay wouldn't be an essay without an introduction at the beginning and a conclusion at the end. All together that's five paragraphs and we could structure it like this: With an introduction, body and conclusion every essay has three main parts.
1. Introduction. You have 80 minutes to write two texts. The first text will always be an essay and should be 140-190 words long. The second text can be an article, informal email or letter, a formal email or letter, a report, or a review and should be 140-190 words. The examiners give you a grade based on 4 things:
The 5 Paragraph Formula. This is a very simple five-paragraph formula you can use to structure any B2 First (FCE) essay: Paragraph 1. Introduction. Introduce the topic and agree or disagree with the statement - 2 sentences. Paragraph 2. Prompt 1. Introduce, explain and example - 3 sentences. Paragraph 3.
The introduction should inform the reader about the essence of the essay; Tip: Remember that essay is an academic paper and must be written in the formal language First and foremost, (introduce paragraphs), e specially for travelling it is bilingualism is (be precise) helpful when you (avoid personal language) / one can speak a foreign language ...
Let's first look at two examples of essay exam tasks. The task below is taken from B2 First for Schools Handbook for teachers: In your English class you have been talking about education. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay for homework. Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Introduction. Start your article in an interesting way. You could ask the reader a question or make a strong statement. 1st body paragraph. The first paragraph should involve the reader in some way. 2nd body paragraph. Build on the interest you have raised in the first paragraph by telling the next part of the story.
Here, we suggest a possible structure for your essay: 1) Introduction. Introduce the topic and the two opposing views. State your opinion. 2) Body paragraph 1. Topic sentence: describe the view/s that you disagree with. Explanation: explain why some people support this view or provide evidence that supports it.
Check learners understand the format of the Writing paper by asking them to tell you if the following statements are true or false: • You must complete two pieces of writing. (True) • You don't have to write an essay. (False - in Part 1 you must write an essay) • Both pieces of writing are the same length.
Table of contents. Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
The introduction of your essay serves as a road map establishing the scope of the discussion and presenting the central argument that will be developed throughout the essay. This is a space to make a positive first impression of your argument, your writing style, and the overall quality of your work. ...
Article navigation: B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example Topics / Questions B2 First (FCE) Essay: Download (PDF) An essay is a piece of writing in which you are asked to discuss a topic that might be controversial or relevant somehow. It usually follows a class discussion. The language of an English essay should be formal.Also, make sure that you justify all your ideas and that you use appropriate ...
An effective essay introduction paragraph is supposed to get the reader psyched about your work and there are plenty of ways you can choose to do this. There's no formula for writing a strong introduction in our academic essays. You could start with a fact or a quote. Or, you could choose to state the main point of your essay.
Paragraph Analysis: Examine sample high-scoring essays and identify the key structural elements in each paragraph. Timed Writing: Set a timer for 40 minutes and write a full essay, paying close attention to structure and time management. Peer Review: Exchange essays with a study partner and provide feedback on each other's structural choices.
El Writing del First (FCE) tiene dos partes únicamente. Para cada parte tienes que hacer una composición escrita que dependerá de las instrucciones de cada ejercicio. En la primera parte siempre se te pedirá que escribas un essay (ensayo), ya que únicamente se te da una opción. En la segunda parte te dan 3 opciones entre las que puedes ...