Introductions and conclusions: learn

In this lesson you will

Paraphrase an essay question using synonyms, different word forms and a different sentence structure
Write a thesis statement that answers the specific question type: opinion, discussion, advantages and disadvantages, problem and solution, or two-part
Avoid memorised openings, copied wording and vague theses
Write a conclusion that restates your position and main reasons in new words, with no new arguments

Before you start

Think about these questions, or answer them aloud.

→When you read an article, how do you decide in the first few lines whether it is worth reading?
→Do you usually write your introduction first or last? Why?

What an introduction must do

An essay introduction has two jobs: tell the reader what the essay is about and what your answer is. In an exam, two or three sentences (about 40–60 words) are enough.

Paraphrase the topic: one sentence that introduces the issue in your own words.
Thesis statement: one sentence that answers the question directly. This is the most important sentence in the essay.
Outline (optional): a short sentence that previews your main points. Leave it out if your thesis already names them.

A long introduction wastes time you need for your body paragraphs. If you find yourself writing a fourth or fifth sentence, stop and move on.

Three ways to paraphrase the question
Technique	Question wording	Paraphrase
Synonyms	Many people believe that children should…	It is often argued that young people should…
Different word form	Governments should invest in public transport.	Public transport deserves greater investment from governments.
Different structure	More people are working from home than ever before.	The number of people working from home has never been higher.

Paraphrase carefully

Keep the meaning exactly the same. Some people think is not the same as Everyone agrees.
Do not try to change every word. Key terms such as university, tourism or public transport can stay, especially when there is no exact synonym.
Do not copy whole phrases from the question. Copied wording shows the examiner nothing about your own vocabulary.

Match the thesis to the question type
Question type	What the thesis must do	Example thesis
To what extent do you agree or disagree?	State how far you agree, with a hint of why	I strongly agree, because… / While I accept that…, I largely disagree.
Discuss both views and give your opinion	Show that both views exist, then give your view	Both views have merit, but I believe…
Advantages and disadvantages / Do the advantages outweigh…?	Name the main sides, and say which is greater if asked	Although… brings…, I believe these benefits are outweighed by…
Causes and solutions / problems and solutions	Give the main causes or problems and the main solutions	This is mainly caused by…, and it could be tackled by…
Two questions	Answer both questions briefly	This is largely due to…, and I believe it is a positive development.

What a conclusion must do

A conclusion closes the argument. In two or three sentences:

Signal the end: In conclusion, To sum up, Overall.
Restate your position in new words. It must match your thesis exactly.
Summarise your main reasons briefly.
Optional final thought: a recommendation or prediction that follows naturally from your argument.

Do not add a new argument or a new example, change your opinion, or copy your introduction word for word.

The task

Some people believe that university education should be free for all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

A weak introduction

Nowadays, education is a very important issue in today's modern world. Some people believe that university education should be free for all students. In this essay, I will discuss this controversial topic.

A strong introduction and conclusion

Introduction: In many countries, students or their families pay high fees for a university degree, and it has been suggested that higher education should instead be funded entirely by the state. While I accept that free tuition would make university more accessible, I largely disagree with this view, because it would place a heavy burden on taxpayers and could reduce the quality of teaching.

Conclusion: In conclusion, although free university education would remove an important barrier for students from poorer families, making it free for everyone would be too costly and could lower standards. A fairer approach would be to keep moderate fees while offering generous grants to the students who need them most.

How a strong writer does it

The weak introduction starts with a memorised sentence that could begin any essay (Nowadays… in today's modern world), copies the question word for word, and gives no position.
The strong introduction paraphrases: free for all students → funded entirely by the state; university education → higher education, a university degree.
The thesis is clear and specific: I largely disagree, with two reasons (burden on taxpayers, quality of teaching) that become the two body paragraphs. The concession (While I accept that…) shows a balanced view.
The conclusion matches the thesis: the same position, restated in new words (too costly, lower standards).
The final thought (moderate fees… generous grants) follows naturally from the argument. It is a recommendation, not a new argument that needs support.

Length: introduction about 60 words, conclusion about 50 words.

Matching

Match the question and the thesis

Match each essay question with the most suitable thesis statement. There is one extra thesis.

AThis trend mainly reflects longer periods of education and higher housing costs, and I believe it is a largely positive development.
BIn this essay, I will talk about this topic and give my ideas about it.
CI strongly agree that such skills deserve a place in the curriculum, because they prepare young people for independent adult life.
DCongestion is largely caused by rising car ownership and inadequate public transport, and it could be reduced by investing in reliable bus and rail networks and charging drivers to enter city centres.
EBoth approaches have clear strengths, but in my view classroom learning remains more effective for most students because of the direct contact with teachers.
FWorking from home saves commuting time and offers flexibility, but it can also lead to isolation and make it harder to separate work from private life.

1.Some people think that schools should teach practical skills such as cooking and managing money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2.Some people think the best way to learn is in a classroom, while others believe online courses are more effective. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
3.More and more people are working from home. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
4.Many cities suffer from serious traffic congestion. What are the causes of this problem, and what solutions can you suggest?
5.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?

Gap fill

Paraphrase the question

Complete each paraphrase with ONE word so that it has the same meaning as the original sentence.

1. Governments should spend more money on public transport. → Public transport should receive more from governments. 2. Many people believe that technology makes life easier. → It is widely that technology makes life easier. 3. The number of people who live alone is increasing. → There has been a significant in the number of people living alone. 4. It is important to protect wildlife. → The of wildlife is important. 5. Fewer young people are reading newspapers. → Newspaper among young people is falling. 6. Some people think that children should be allowed to choose their own school subjects. → Some argue that children should have the to choose their own school subjects.

Put in order

Put the introduction in order

Essay question: “Some people believe that young people should spend a year working or travelling before they start university. To what extent do you agree or disagree?” Put the sentences of the introduction in order.

1This essay will explain these two benefits before considering the concern that some students may never return to education.
2I largely agree with this proposal, as a year away from study can help young people mature and choose their degree course more carefully.
3In many countries, most students go straight from secondary school to university at the age of eighteen.
4However, it has been suggested that they should first spend a year working or travelling.

Writing task

Your turn: introduction and conclusion

Spend 2 minutes deciding your position and two main reasons. Then write the introduction and the conclusion only (about 10 minutes). Leave a line between them.

In many countries, people now buy most of their food in large supermarkets rather than in small local shops and markets.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Write an introduction (2–3 sentences) and a conclusion (2–3 sentences) for this essay. Write at least 80 words in total.

Write at least 80 words · about 12 minutes

12:000 / 80 words

Save words to review them later with flashcards.

paraphrase
to express the same meaning using different words
“Paraphrase the question in your first sentence.”
thesis statement
the sentence that states the main point or position of an essay
“Your thesis statement should answer the question directly.”
restate
to say something again in a different way
“The conclusion restates the writer's position.”
on balance
after considering all the facts and arguments
“On balance, the disadvantages are greater.”
outweigh
to be greater or more important than something else
“The benefits clearly outweigh the costs.”
tuition
the money paid for teaching at a college or university
“Tuition fees have risen sharply in recent years.”
accessible
easy for people to reach, use or get
“Free courses make education more accessible.”
burden
a heavy duty, cost or responsibility
“Higher taxes would be a burden on working families.”
convenience
the quality of being easy, quick or useful
“Many shoppers choose supermarkets for their convenience.”
decline
to become smaller, fewer or weaker
“The number of local food shops has declined.”
gap year
a year that a young person spends working or travelling before starting university
“She spent her gap year working in a hospital.”

Key points

An introduction needs two things: the topic in your own words and a thesis that answers the question. Two or three sentences are enough.
Paraphrase with synonyms, word forms and changes of structure, but keep the meaning exactly the same.
Match the thesis to the question type: agree/disagree, both views, advantages/disadvantages, causes/solutions or two questions.
A conclusion restates the same position and main reasons in new words; it never adds a new argument.
Avoid memorised openings and copied wording: they show the examiner nothing about your own English.

Check your answers in the practice exercises to record a score.

Up next · Writing B2 Intermediate

IELTS General Training letters

Go to lesson

Warm-up

In this lesson you will

Before you start

What an introduction must do

Paraphrase carefully

What a conclusion must do

Quick check: introductions and conclusions

The task

A weak introduction

A strong introduction and conclusion

How a strong writer does it

Match the question and the thesis

Paraphrase the question

Put the introduction in order

Your turn: introduction and conclusion

Key points

Warm-up

In this lesson you will

Before you start

What an introduction must do

Paraphrase carefully

What a conclusion must do

Quick check: introductions and conclusions

The task

A weak introduction

A strong introduction and conclusion

How a strong writer does it

Match the question and the thesis

Paraphrase the question

Put the introduction in order

Your turn: introduction and conclusion

Key points