Essay Structure - The Writing Process (Introduction).

Essay    Structure -  The Writing Process (Introduction).

Sample question:

People work because they need money to live. What are some other reasons that people work?
Discuss one or more of these reasons. Use specific examples and details to support your choices.
Introduction  - 80 – 90 words – 12 – 13 minutes –

There are many and various reasons why people work other than earning money for everyday life. Work for most people in the world is something that is done every day and becomes a regular daily habit for them and their families. In my opinion some of the other reasons for people to work are: to keep themselves occupied so that they have something to do and all the time and in addition it is a way for people to avoid getting bored. I will be elaborating on these points in this essay.

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IELTS Task 2 essay  - STRUCTURE & TIME guidelines:

Time allowed - 40 minutes 

2 minutes - planning and thinking - brainstorm

Introduction - 12 -14 minutes - 80 – 90 words 

"I will be elaborating on these points in this essay."

BODY - 2 / 3 paragraphs - 22 / 24 minutes - 140 /160 words

CHECK!!!! – 1 – 2 minutes

CONCLUSION  - 3 - 4 minutes  -  30 - 40 words

"In conclusion, as I have tried to show in this essay, …"

TOEFL Independent essay

Time allowed - 30 minutes 

1 - 2 minutes - planning and thinking - brainstorm

INTRODUCTION - 8 / 9 minutes - 100 words

"I will be elaborating on these points in this essay."

BODY  2 / 3 paragraphs - 13 / 15 minutes - 150 /170 words

(CHECK!!!! – 1 – 2 minutes) 

CONCLUSION  - 3 / 4 minutes  -  30 / 40 words

"In conclusion, as I have tried to show in this essay,"

BRAINSTORMING

The writing process

A. The writing process    –    How to write an introduction paragraph

Read this essay question:

Technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world today. Given time, technology will completely replace the teacher in the classroom.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

What does the introduction paragraph do?

The introduction paragraph acts as a roadmap for the essay. When the examiner reads the introduction to the essay, they should already know exactly what the rest of your essay will look like. Here is an introduction to an argument essay.

The introduction paragraph has four sentences:

• Sentence 1 – General background statement

• Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement

• Sentence 3 – Arguments (thesis)

• Sentence 4 – Leading statement

The general background sentence simply says something general about the topic given in the essay question. It does NOT state any opinion about the essay question. In the case of our essay question, we would say something general about technology. For example:

• Sentence 1 – General background statement:

Nowadays, the use of technology is often in the news for many different reasons.

• Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement:

The way that technology is constantly improving and developing keeps it in the public eye.

• Sentence 3 – Arguments (thesis)

I disagree with the title question because I do not think that students should only learn from computers and in addition a robotic teacher cannot keep the discipline needed in a classroom.

The thesis is the most important sentence in your entire essay because it answers the essay question directly and states the arguments for the body paragraphs.

• Sentence 4 – Leading statement

I will be elaborating on these points in this essay.

The leading statement takes the examiner into the body of the essay.

The Introduction:

Nowadays, the use of technology is often in the news for many different reasons. The way that technology is constantly improving and developing keeps it in the public eye. I disagree with the title question because I do not think that students should only learn from computers and in addition a robotic teacher cannot keep the discipline needed in a classroom. I will be elaborating on these points in this essay.

From the introduction paragraph it is clear to the examiner what is coming in the rest of the essay. The introduction paragraph contains your arguments (thesis) as well as what topics you will use to support your.

Discuss these essay questions and brainstorm some ideas that support it and some ideas that refute it. Then choose to agree or disagree based on which path you think is easiest.

Finally, write the introduction paragraph for an essay:

*Public transportation is a great way to travel, particularly within a metropolis. The Shanghai metro is the most convenient way to get around the city. Do you agree or disagree?

** Violence among young people has increased dramatically over the past 50 years. This rise moves in tandem with the growth in violent media. Thus, the conclusion can be drawn that violent media is the main cause of violence among young people. Do you agree or disagree?

*** Increasingly, the western world has been outsourcing its labour-related jobs to cheaper alternatives available in less-developed countries. Although this creates opportunities for people in poorer nations, it is a policy that is criticized by many in the west. Write an essay response supporting the case for the outsourcing of labour related jobs.