Writing Task 2 — Writing Effective Introductions

By the end, you can introduce an original Task 2 prompt with a concise topic statement and a response that makes your position clear where the task requires one. This connects most directly to Task Response and Coherence and Cohesion; clear language also matters. An introduction prepares the essay. It does not need a universal memorised opening or a long history of the topic. A short practice introduction is not a full essay or an examiner-rated answer.

First establish the specific topic. Next respond to the task instruction, including its scope. Then communicate your position when a view is required. These jobs may fit in one or two sentences; there is no mandatory template. For “Discuss both views and give your opinion,” one effective approach is to frame the two views briefly and signal your judgment. The essay as a whole must discuss both views; there is no compulsory introduction formula. For a problem-and-solution task, identify the problem and the direction of the response without pretending it is an opinion debate. Check the actual wording before choosing a shape.

Original TutorLand prompt idea: “A city is considering free weekend entry to public museums. Discuss the possible benefits and costs, and give your opinion.” Weak paraphrase — “All cultural buildings everywhere must be without monetary charges forever.” This changes one city, weekend museums, and a proposal into a universal obligation. Natural paraphrase — “The city may let people visit public museums at no charge on weekends.” It preserves the proposal. You can then indicate that the essay will weigh benefits against costs and make a judgment.

Weak example — “In this fast-changing modern world, there are two sides to every coin. Museums have existed since ancient times. I will discuss this controversial topic and give my opinion.” It spends space on stock background, does not specify the weekend-entry proposal, and withholds the actual position. “Two sides” is a cliché, not a response to the instruction. More words do not make the introduction more useful.

Improved example — “The city is considering free admission to its public museums on weekends. Although the policy could widen access, I think it should begin as a limited trial because the city must still cover staffing costs.” The first sentence stays within the proposal. The second recognises a benefit, gives a clear conditional position and signals a relevant cost. This is one possible view, not an official model or an instruction to always use “although”.

For the museum task, a clear thesis says “I support a short trial if the city funds weekend staff.” A vague thesis says “This matter has advantages and disadvantages,” without a judgment. A contradictory thesis says “Free entry is essential, so admission should never be free,” unless a distinction is explained. A memorised thesis says “This essay will shed light on the aforementioned phenomenon” but offers no view. A conditional opinion is valid when its condition and conclusion are clear.

Guided edit: replace “Since the dawn of civilisation, transport has always been very important” with one sentence about the actual prompt: “A town is considering a late-evening shared minibus for residents who finish work after normal bus services.” Then state a position about whether the town should trial it, with one reason. Independent application: original TutorLand prompt — “Some residents want a city to convert an empty ground-floor shop into a community study room, while others prefer to rent it to a local business. Discuss both views and give your opinion.” Write 35–55 words. Keep both options and your view in scope; do not write body paragraphs.

Check: □ Have I kept the original task’s place, proposal and instruction? □ Is my position visible if an opinion is requested? □ Is any background sentence doing real work? □ Does the wording sound natural rather than memorised? □ Is this short enough to leave development for the body? Next, learn to close the same argument in an effective conclusion. Learners will see the next lesson only after review and publication.