or
Because , .
If you are just starting out, and you are still developing an original, evidence-based claim to defend, a simpler formula is probably best. Once you have done the research, and you understand the subject, then a formula like the following won’t look like random words; it will suggest a way to frame a nuanced, complex argument that goes beyond making non-controversial factual statements.
While says , says . While the two authors disagree over , they both share a deep concern over . refusal to accept suggests that is . | |
What really matters is not guessing the magically correct words to fit some secret formula that your mean instructor is refusing to tell you. What matters is that you have researched your subject, that you have found and engaged meaningfully with peer-reviewed academic sources, and that you are developing an evidence-based claim, rather than summarizing or giving unsupported opinion. |
Academic Argument: Evidence-based Defense of a Non-obvious Position
Parts of a Thesis Statement
The thesis statement has 3 main parts : the limited subject , the precise opinion , and the blueprint of reasons .
Make sure you’ve chosen a subject that meets your instructor’s requirements for the assignment. (It never hurts to ask.)
The precise opinion gives your answer to a question about the subject. A good precise opinion is vital to the reader’s comprehension of the goal of the essay .
A blueprint is a plan. It lets the builder know that the foyer will be here, the living room will be to the east, the dining room to the west, and the family room will be north.The blueprint of an essay permits you to see the whole shape of your ideas before you start churning out whole paragraphs.While it’s okay for you to start writing down your ideas before you have a clear sense of your blueprint, your reader should never encounter a list of details without being told exactly what point these details are supposed to support. (For more details on the reasoning blueprint, see Blueprinting .)
The biography challenges the Western genre’s stereotype of the “savage Indian” through . | |
In the blueprint, the author . The author of the example above introduces three different kinds of evidence: Informed by this blueprint, the reader expects to encounter one section (a paragraph or more) devoted to each subtopic.The . |
If your thesis statement introduces three reasons A, B and C, the reader will expect a section on reason A, a section on reason B, and a section on reason C.
For a single paragraph, you might only spend one sentence on each reason. For a 2-3 page paper, each reason might get its own paragraph. For a 10-page paper, each reason might contain its own local thesis statement, with its own list of reasons, so that each section involves several paragraphs.To emphasize the structure of your essay, repeat keywords or paraphrased ideas from the blueprint as you introduce the sections in which you expand on each point. Crafting good transitions is a skill that takes time and practice. ( See Transitions and Reminders of Thesis ).
Note : If you repeat your blueprint phrases and your thesis statement robotically (“The third point I want to talk about is how Black Elk Speaks accurately represents the Indian lifestyle through its direct quotes from Black Elk.”), your writing will be rather dry and lifeless. Dull writing is probably better than aimless rambling, although neither is terribly effective. |
Note : A thesis statement amounts to nothing if the paper is not completely focused on that main point . Blueprinting helps create the coherency of the thesis throughout the entire essay, which makes it a necessary part of the thesis statement.
accurately represents Indian lifestyle through its attention to cultural detail, its use of Indian words, and its direct quotes from Black Elk. | |
: The representation of Indian lifestyle in the book Black Elk Speaks : the book is accurate : the book pays attention to it uses , and it uses . (The rest of the paper will establish the truth of teach of these supporting points, and then explain why they add up to support the truth of the thesis statement.) |
Is a tragedy? | |
This is a question, not a statement. It’s fine to sit down at the keyboard with the intention of writing a paper to answer this question, but before you start churning out the sentences, you should have a clear idea of what answer you’re trying to support. |
This paper will look at the book’s attention to cultural detail, its use of Indian words, and its direct quotations from Black Elk, in order to determine whether accurately represents Indian lifestyle. | |
The above sample is slightly better because it offers more detail, but it still doesn’t say what position the author is taking on the topic of whether the book is accurate. |
Because the events in the story emphasize Black Elk’s role as a Sioux Warrior, and do not describe his eventual conversion to Catholicism and membership in the Society of St. Joseph, presents a skewed and simplified view of the complex history of Native Americans. | |
Note that the above sample contains a (the accuracy of Black Elk Speaks), (it is skewed and simplified), and (because the book only tells part of the story). You don’t need to present those three parts in that exact order every time; furthermore, your instructor may have a good reason to ask you for a different organization. But most of the time, including these three parts will help your reader to follow your ideas much more closely. |
Biographies of all types can teach us many things about the past. What was the culture like? What was the language like? And what did the people say? One such book is Black Elk Speaks, which tells the story of a Sioux warrior in the late 1800s. How accurate is this book? This paper will investigate the cultural details, the language, and what Black Elk actually said, in order to determine the answer. | |
The above sample starts off with a wordy, general statement about biographies. But the main topic isn’t about biographies of all types, it’s specifically about one book, Black Elk Speaks. |
17 Oct 2000 — originally posted by Nicci Jordan, UWEC Junior 08 Dec 2000 — first posted here. Maintained by Prof. Jerz. 13 Dec 2003 — links updated 22 Sep 2006 — moderate revisions by Jerz 29 Oct 2011 — updated by Jerz 14 June 2015 — minor adjustments
Blueprinting: Planning Your Essay A blueprint is a rough but specific plan , or outline, which defines the structure of your whole essay. The blueprint, usually located within the thesis statement, is a brief list of the points you plan to make, compressed into just a few words each, in the same order in which they appear in the body of your paper.
Hochstein, Jordan, and Jerz Thesis Reminders A thesis reminder is a direct echo of the thesis statement . In a short paper, the topic sentence of each paragraph should repeat words or phrases from the thesis statement.
Dennis G. Jerz Timed Essays: Planning and Organizing in a Crunch
this did not help at all
I can’t win them all.
Gibberish person may be skimming too fast. This always helps. I’m in the middle of replying to a student email on how to rework her thesis statement and I use your explanation as a clear explanation.
This has helped a lot, thank you.
I find this page helpful. Thank you!
Pingback: Academic Argument: an evidence-based defense of a non-obvious position on a complex issue. | Jerz's Literacy Weblog (est. 1999)
please I want some more examples of how to construct a very good acedamic essays
From this class,I kind of know what is thesis statement.It is a strong support of a whole passage,it can inform people of what the passage is telling,only by using a few words .It should have the keywords and a good organization to make itself brief but rich.After learning this class,I think I will be better at writing the thesis statement.Thanks
I am doing a project for my MST…but iam finding it difficult in putting up my paragraphs which needs to include my subject and limited subject…..pliz advice me on how to put up my paragraph
Pingback: Formulating a earning essay - Green Surf Room
I am doing preparation of ielts exam . but I faface difficulty in grammar and especially in thesis line which I confuse that what should i write in thesis line among all kinds of essay …plz tell me but should I do to improve it.
I think you should read more and write more.After writing,you can ask someone that is good at English learning to help you know what your mistakes are.
Vehicles has become a essential part of human being life. People used to bicycle but by the time mode of commute has been replaced by car .however, still in some cities people prefer to ride bicycle for travelling.
Plz tell me how can I impressive to my intro and how can I improve my writing skill
Jonu, I’d say the most important helpful thing you can do is expose yourself to English as spoken by native English speakers, talking with people who know the language well enough that they can correct you immediately, in casual conversation, when you make one of the word-level errors that only an expert user of the language would spot. There is no shortcut — exposing yourself to a language is the only way to learn it.
I happened to come across this video, which is geared towards a young audience, but is written for English language learners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqxuNrhKhMc
Hi i am doing the preparation of competitive exam , i have to write an Essay of 2500-2800 words, data should be critical and researched base, for example there is Essay on Climate change , then please tell me how i develop a thesis statement, and how we write thesis statement, is it is written in the start of Essay or in the end of introduction, some people said that thesis satement should be written in start other say that this written in end of introductory paragraph. please help me with example thanks
Rab, if you are looking for my advice on thesis statements, you have found the right page. If you have any specific questions or comments about the content of this page, I’d be happy to address them. I’ve already put lots of time into this page, and at the moment I can’t think of a way to present my advice any more clearly.
Although you did say “please,” even so, “tell me how I develop a thesis statement” is asking for quite a lot.
What is your college major or your area of professonal expertise? If I asked you to tell me, right here on my blog, what I need to know in order to succeed in a competitive exam in your field, what would you say?
If I went to a doctor and said “Tell me how to diagnose a patient,” or I went to a judge and said “Tell me how to interpret the law,” or I went to an artist and said “Tell me how to be creative,” do you think they would be able give me a few sentences that completely answer my question and prepare me for professional work as a doctor, judge, or artist? If they had spent years as students learning their subject matter, and additional years teaching or writing a textbook on their specialty, they might be very good in their professions but I’d bet they’d all find it tough to answer such a question in any meaningful way.
I won’t be evaluating your submission, so my opinion on debatable topics such as where the thesis should go won’t be of any specific use to you.
thesis statement should be the last statement in your introductory paragraph, it will consist of a short explanation as to why you are writing the essay and what is involved.
That’s certainly a valid place to put a thesis statement, jentar. If your instructor tells you to put a thesis statement in a certain place, then putting it anywhere else is risky. But it’s also possible to start with a paragraph that grabs the reader’s attention with a gripping example that illustrates what’s at stake, and then give the thesis statement in the second paragraph.
This is great stuff. I wonder if you didn’t mean expansive rather than expensive in the following sentence. “Instead of claiming that a book “challenges a genre’s stereotypes,” you might instead argue that some text “provides a more expensive but more ethical solution than X” or “challenges Jim Smith’s observation that ‘[some quote from Smith here]’” instead.
Thanks for your feedback. I’m glad you found the page useful. I really did mean “expensive” in that example, though I am simply suggesting that considering cost is worth exploring in an argument, depending on the kind of argument you are making.
I found the information to be very informative and easy to understand. Thank you
Hi. I began an essay on the topic ; reasons why pursuing college education is important. I had it started off this way… Aristotle said it best when he stated, “Education is the best provision for life’s journey.” Pursuing a college education provides individuals with career pportunities, higher income and experiences necessary in the journey of life. Please do you think I started off good or too weak? I need your help as this is a great assignment for me to make up for my mid semester examination which I was unable to attend!
Your instructor is the one who will grade the assignment, so he or she is the best source of feedback. Without knowing what grade/level you are, or what kind of class you are taking, I can’t really advise you. However, unless you have read Aristotle’s works yourself and can place that quote in its context, I would not recommend pulling a random quote from a website and using it to start a paper. The complete quote is “Education is the best provision for the journey to old age,” but what does that mean?
The word “best” means there is at least a “good” and a “better,” and that by some measurement or judgement, a third thing is “best.” What are the two other sayings (at least) that you have compared to Aristotle, and what are the two other things (at least) that Aristotle thinks are not as good provision for life’s journey to old age? Why does your opinion (on at least three different sayings, of which the best is Aristotle’s), and at least three different provisions for old age (of which the best is education) help you to answer your instructor’s prompt about the reasons for pursing a college education?
What we think of as “college” is very different from the education that Aristotle would have received (or provided). I suggest you look into ways that a college education encourages critical thinking, which is a different way of thinking than “Did I get the right answer? Will my teacher approve? What’s the secret ‘correct’ answer in the back of my instructor’s book that I should memorize and spit back?” Maybe your instructor wants you to determine for yourself whether you feel gaining a college education is worth the intellectual effort.
Pingback: Thesis Statements | cnwillia2015
Pingback: how to write a thesis statement | android firmware download
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Ielts essay introductions and thesis statements..
updated: July 27th 2022. When writing the introduction of an IELTS essay there are two steps that need to be taken. Paraphrase the task question and write a Thesis Statement . If the question asks for an opinion then it must be in the thesis statement. It depends on the type of essay you are writing as they are not all the same. It is advisable to write a thesis in the introduction for every type of essay. A good thesis statement can help you get a good band score in task response in the writing section.
The thesis statement tells the examiner what the essay is going to be about and the conclusion of the essay paraphrases the thesis statement. Some teachers have other views and say that a thesis statement is not needed. There are different approaches to writing an IELTS essay. If you have 10 IELTS teachers in a room there will most likely be 10 different opinions on the matter.
In my opinion, a thesis statement is logical and shows the reader what to expect in the rest of the essay. However, do not confuse Thesis statements with memorised outline sentences. See this link here about that.
‘A thesis statement tells the reader what your essay is going to be about in one or two sentences. It usually includes your opinion or states your position’
1. Opinion essays: write 2 reasons for your opinion. 2. Advantage disadvantage essays: state the advantage and the disadvantage, 3. Problem solution essays: briefly state 1 or 2 problems and possible solutions. 4 . Discussion essays: after paraphrasing both sides of the argument, give your opinion with a reason why you hold that view. 5. Two part question essays: answer the 1st question then answer the 2nd question briefly.
The first step before you begin to write is to make sure you understand the question, then identify what kind of essay this will be. There are 5 variations on an IELTS discursive essay click here to see a lesson on this .
Before you write the thesis statement you will need to paraphrase the question , click here for a lesson on this. Click here to see how to write a good introduction to a Problem Solution essay.
This is the Paraphrased introduction with a Thesis statement.
A number of people believe serious crimes need to have a set punishment, whereas others argue that the situation of the crime must be considered. I agree that the circumstances of the crime itself should be taken into account because every case is different.
Thesis Statement: ‘ I agree that the circumstances of the crime itself should be taken into account because every case is different’
It is important to give a brief reason for your view, the body paragraphs should expand on this. The examiner can clearly see your position in the introduction. In this essay, my position is that every case is different and a prison sentence would not be appropriate.
Note: For a more academic feel, rather than using a personal pronoun to state your opinion, you could state your position like this below:
This essay agrees that the circumstances of the crime itself should be taken into account because every case is different.
Again you need to paraphrase the question and then clearly agree or disagree , remember to choose just one side.. the words: ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree’ means how much do you agree/disagree, or how far do you agree/disagree. You should mention the other side of the argument but stick to your own opinion. Balanced essays do not necessarily get a higher band score.
Give 2 reasons for your view in the thesis statement here. This is the Paraphrased introduction with a Thesis statement:
It is argued that society would be better off if every type of advertising was prohibited. I disagree that all advertising should be disallowed as this policy would not benefit society and would negatively impact the economy.
Thesis statement: ‘ I disagree that all advertising should be disallowed as this policy would not benefit societ y and would negatively impact the economy.’
In this thesis statement I have clearly stated why I hold the opinion that advertising should not be banned with 2 reasons (no benefit to society and bad for the economy) Remember to keep the introduction to under 55 words or it will be too long.
As mentioned before, you can use a more academic way to state your view, such as:
This essay disagrees that all advertising should be disallowed because this policy would not benefit society and would have a negative impact on the economy.
This is the Paraphrased introduction with a Thesis statement:
In recent times, people can reside wherever they want in the world because of the progress that has made in technology and transport. The main advantage is the career opportunities that a person can get outside their own country, while a possible downside would be the stress of adjusting to living in a different culture.
Thesis statement: ‘ The main advantage is the career opportunities that a person can get outside their own country, while a possible downside would be the stress of adjusting to living in a different culture.’
Try keeping the whole introduction under 55 words as you don’t want it to look like a body paragraph. You can write about 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages, but you need to keep the introduction concise.
Another method is to just refer to the advantage and state the disadvantage, such as:
In recent times, people can reside wherever they want in the world because of the progress that has made in technology and transport. Although there are advantages, the downside would be the stress of adjusting to living in a different culture.’
This allows you to keep the thesis statement concise especially if you want to cover two advantages (or disadvantages)
This type of advantage disadvantage essay is special because it asks ‘ Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?’. This means you have to write about what side you think is stronger and reflect that in the essay and also in the thesis statement. You need to state an opinion here.
Some experts argue that children should study a new language at primary school as opposed to secondary school. This essay agrees that the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages because youngsters pick up and master new languages much easier than at a high school age.
Thesis statement: ‘This essay agrees that the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages because youngsters pick up and master new languages much easier than at a high school age .’
I have underlined the reason for my opinion here. Giving a reason for your opinion is important in a thesis statement. The introduction is 44 words long so that will be fine. Remember to also address the other side of the issue in the main body paragraphs, the side you think is weaker.
Another method here is to use this style which is very concise at 32 words but it does not contain a reason for my view.
Some experts argue that youngsters should study a new language at primary school as opposed to secondary school. In my view, the advantages of younger children learning new languages outweigh the disadvantages.
People living in large cities have to deal with many issues in their day to day lives. The main problems people face are high rental costs and overcrowding. Some possible solutions would be to build more affordable housing and more green spaces.
Thesis statement: ‘ The main problems people face are high rental costs and overcrowding. Some possible solutions would be to build more affordable housing and more green spaces.’
I have listed 2 problems high rents, overcrowding and 2 solutions affordable housing, green spaces . You can choose just one problem and one solution and that would be fine.
The world wide web is a huge source of knowledge which has created opportunities for people worldwide to study. However, not all information on the internet can be trusted, so the government needs to put measures in place to protect people from false information.
Thesis statement: ‘ However, not all information on the internet can be trusted, so the government needs to put measures in place to protect people from false information.’
Two part question essays are sometimes called ‘Direct question’ essays. They consist of 2 direct questions in the task question. Sometimes they will ask for your opinion such as: Do you think….? or What do you think…?
If the question asks for the opinion then you must state it. You should briefly answer the 2 questions in the thesis statement then give more detail in the body paragraphs.
Check out the blog posts about how to identify the 5 essay types and also how to paraphrase the question . These are key stages before writing your thesis statement. Make sure your whole introduction is under 55 words or it will be too long.
Here is a Discussion essay question where you have to give your opinion. Can you write a Thesis statement for it?
Some people believe that the best way to deal with heavy traffic in city centres is for privately owned vehicles to be banned, others however think this is not a realistic solution. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Task question again:
Some people believe that the best way to deal with heavy traffic in city centres is for privately owned vehicles to be banned, others however think this is not a realistic solution. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Paraphrased introduction: Some people argue that prohibiting private cars from city centres is the best way to tackle traffic congestion, whereas others say that this is unrealistic.
Thesis statement: I agree that private vehicles should be banned from city centres and more investment needs to be put into public transportation to alleviate traffic jams.
Some people argue that prohibiting private cars from city centres is the best way to tackle traffic congestion, whereas others say that this is unrealistic. I agree that private vehicles should be banned from city centres and more investment needs to be put into public transportation to alleviate traffic jams.
2 thoughts on “how to write an ielts thesis statement.”.
Is a correction done by Ray or other members of the IELTS Focus team?
I do the writing corrections
The thesis statement is an essential part of an essay introduction, and it is very important that you know where to put it and how to write it.
Getting it wrong could very likely reduce your IELTS score as it could affect the coherency of your essay and if it's an opinion essay, it may mean that your opinion is not clear.
They are a crucial part of writing an introduction .
If you prefer you can also watch this video lesson about thesis statements for IELTS:
What is a thesis statement.
Very basically, it tells the person reading your essay what will be in it . It may also give your opinion if the question asks you for this.
It is the last sentence of your introduction.
Don't get it mixed up with the topic of your essay - this is usually at the beginning of your introduction.
In order to make it effective, you must have first identified the task of the essay. If you are unsure about this, check out this lesson on identifying the task .
The task is what you have to do , and is usually at the end of the rubric . For example, look at this IELTS essay question:
As global trade increases, many goods including those we use on a daily basis are produced in other countries and transported long distances.
Do the benefits of this trend *outweigh the drawbacks?
What you have to do (the task) is explain whether you think, overall, an increase in the production of goods in other countries and their subsequent transportation over long distances is more advantageous or disadvantageous .
So your essay is obviously going to be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of this issue, and this is what needs to be made clear in your thesis statement.
It is also an opinion essay as it is asking you to make a decision on whether you think there are more advantages or disadvantages. So you need to make this clear as well.
Here is an example introduction, with the thesis in bold:
Due to the increase in global trade, many of the goods that we consume every day are made in a different country and then transported over a long distance in order to reach us. In my opinion, this trend has more disadvantages than advantages .
You would then go on to write about the advantages and disadvantages of global trade ( focusing more on the disadvantages as you think there are more of these).
*Just a quick note on the word ' outweigh '. This word often confuses students and they end up writing a thesis statement opinion that contradicts what they write in the essay.
The simple answer - don't use the word! It is just asking you if there are more advantages than disadvantages. So just state what you think in the thesis without using the word, as in the example.
We will now look at how thesis statements can vary with different question types. However, you should not try to learn set phrases or sentences to fit certain essays.
There are some broad types of essay question that are common to see, but they can all vary slightly.
The golden rule is to always read the question very carefully ( never rush this as you may not fully answer the question ) and work out what you have to do.
Your thesis statement will then follow on from this, depending on what you have decided you need to write about in order to answer the question.
So below are some suggestions of what you could do for certain common kinds of essay question, but this is not to say these are right and other ways are wrong. There are numerous ways to write good thesis statements and these are just possibilities.
Some questions ask you specifically to discuss two opinions and to give your opinion .
Some people think that young children should be allowed to do paid work, while others think that this should be illegal.
Discuss both opinions and give your opinion.
There are various ways you could choose to write an introduction and thesis for this.
You could begin by paraphrasing the two opinions, then stating in the thesis what you will do:
Some people believe that it is acceptable for young children to undertake jobs that they are paid for, whereas others believe that this is wrong and should be illegal. This essay will discuss both sides of the issue.
This is quite simplistic but it makes it very clear what you are going to do.
You will obviously need to give your opinion as well in the essay, but stating this in the thesis ("This essay will discuss both sides of the issue and then give my opinion") sounds awkward so it is better without it.
Another possible way to do it is by having a sentence to introduce the topic first, and then paraphrasing the two opinions to make them your thesis:
At present, more and more young children are becoming involved in paid work. Whilst some people are of the opinion that this is an entirely acceptable practice, others believe that this is completely wrong and should be made illegal.
This is fine as your thesis will match with your essay - you go on to discuss the first opinion and then the second one.
Or of course you could modify this slightly to include your opinion:
At present, more and more young children are becoming involved in paid work. Whilst some people are of the opinion that this is an entirely acceptable practice, I believe that this is completely wrong and should be made illegal.
As long as you go on to discuss both sides of the argument, this is fine.
Another type of question is when you are asked to agree or disagree with one opinion.
Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
For this type of question, you need to state what your opinion is in the thesis statement.
Although you could feasibly do this in the conclusion, I think it is better to do it first so it is clear to someone reading the essay what your opinion is upfront. It is not wrong though to put it in the conclusion - this is your choice.
Your thesis statement here will depend on whether you agree, disagree, or partly agree. Here are some examples of each:
A thesis statement that agrees with the opinion :
Alternative medicine is not new. It is accepted that it pre-dates conventional medicine and it is still used by many people all over the world. However, I strongly believe that this form of medicine does not work and is possibly a danger to those using it.
A thesis statement that disagrees with the opinion :
Alternative medicine is not new. It is accepted that it pre-dates conventional medicine and it is still used by many people all over the world. I am unconvinced that it is dangerous, and feel that both alternative and conventional medicine can be useful.
A thesis statement that partly agrees with the opinion :
Alternative medicine is not new. It is accepted that it pre-dates conventional medicine and it is still used by many people all over the world. I agree that for certain conditions this type of medicine is ineffective and could even be dangerous, but for some illnesses it is a good alternative choice.
These examples illustrate why it is important to ananlyze the question carefully and brainstorm your ideas first so you have a clear idea of what you will be writing and what your opinion is.
Some other essays may not ask you for your opinion specifically, but may ask you to discuss, for example, problems and solutions , causes and effects , advantages and disadvantages .
If you are asked to do this, then you should just clearly state that you will be discussing these two things in your essay. Here are some examples:
Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems.
Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways that governments and individuals can tackle these problems.
Sample thesis in bold:
Many countries of the world are currently experiencing problems caused by rapidly growing populations in urban areas. It is critical to understand what these issues are and how both governments and individuals can overcome them.
The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years.
Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.
Over the last ten years, Western societies have seen close to a 20% rise in the number of children who are overweight. It is important to understand not only why this is happening but also the consequences of this worrying trend.
In order to solve traffic problems, governments should tax private car owners heavily and use the money to improve public transportation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution?
Traffic congestion in many cities around the world is severe. One possible solution to this problem is to impose heavy taxes on car drivers and use this money to make public transport better. These measures would have both benefits and drawbacks.
This lesson has provided you with some broad guidance on writing a thesis statement for different types of essay.
It is important to stress again though that questions can vary so you must always analyze if carefully and identify exactly what you need to do and what should therefore be in your thesis statement.
Remember, a thesis statement is just telling the reader what the focus of your essay is and giving your opinion if necessary.
Follow this link to see some examples of IELTS essay questions .
In IELTS problem solution essays you have to discuss a particular issue and present ideas to solve that problem.
In IELTS you must identify the topic of your essay as this is a key to making sure your essay is on topic.
Tips on how to write an introduction for an IELTS essay introduction in a quick and easy way.
25% of the writing grade is on how you organise your essay so this lesson shows you how to improve your writing coherence.
Learn how to use personal pronouns in essays for IELTS correctly. Can you use "I", "we" and "you"?
The IELTS Task Response criteria in the scoring makes up 25% of your band score for your essay.
The IELTS essay conclusion is the final part of your IELTS essay. This lesson guides you on how to write a conclusion quickly but effectively.
IELTS opinion essays in IELTS can be placed into three types. This lesson explains the different types and how to analyse these essay questions.
Brainstorming and planning is a key step in developing your IELTS essay. This lesson has tips on how to coming up with ideas and organising them.
Learn transitional phrases for essays to get a band 7 or higher in your IELTS writing for coherence and cohesion.
Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2 can be difficult but complex ideas are not expected.
An advantage disadvantage essay is one type of essay that you may get in the test. This lesson shows how to write a pros cons essay.
Getting to an IELTS Band 7 is a struggle for many candidates. This lesson explains exactly what you have to do to reach this band score.
You can use substitution in your IELTS essays in order to improve coherency and coherence.
Find out how to use pronouns to improve your coherency for IELTS task 2 essays.
Learn how to identify the task in an IELTS task 2 essay question. This is one of the most important steps in responding to an essay question.
An IELTS essay about music is used to show you how to answer a more complex IELTS essay question that does not have a clear 'task' given to you.
This paragraph writing lesson provides tips on constructing the best paragraphs for your IELTS essay.
Learn key steps on how to write an IELTS Essay. This guides you on how to write a great essay plus other lessons to improve your writing skills.
To score IELTS Band 8 you need to understand exactly what is in the IELTS Band Descriptors for an 8 for writing and speaking first.
Any comments or questions about this page or about IELTS? Post them here. Your email will not be published or shared.
"I think these eBooks are FANTASTIC!!! I know that's not academic language, but it's the truth!"
Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5
All 4 Writing eBooks for just $25.86 Find out more >>
Other resources:.
Aug 23, 24 02:37 AM
Aug 22, 24 02:54 PM
Jul 23, 24 01:27 PM
IELTS Writing IELTS Speaking IELTS Listening IELTS Reading All Lessons Vocabulary Academic Task 1 Academic Task 2 Practice Tests
30% discount - just $25.86 for all 4 writing ebooks.
Copyright © 2022- IELTSbuddy All Rights Reserved
IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.
IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024
In an IELTS opinion essay for writing task 2, your introduction has a Background Statement and a Thesis Statement. You should aim for between 40 to 50 words for the length of your essay introduction. While the background statement introduces the topics, the thesis statement is your answer to the task given by IELTS. It should introduce the main points and show the direction your essay will take. Below are two possible introductions with different thesis statements for the following IELTS task.
IELTS Task 2 The increase in the amount of traffic is responsible for growing problems in many large cities and this has resulted in more traffic congestion, particularly at rush hour. What measures could be taken to deal with this problem?
The introductions below have different thesis statements. Which one do you think is the best?
1. The growth in the quantity of traffic in most major cities has led to problems of congestion in the peak travel hours. There are a number of solutions to this issue which I will discuss in this essay.
2. The growth in the quantity of traffic in most major cities has led to problems of congestion in the peak travel hours. This can be solved by having a traffic free zone and improving the public transportation system offered to the public.
Click below:
Number 2 is the best introduction because the thesis statement is more specific and directly related to the topic.
Explanation:
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU:
RECOMMENDED VIDEO:
This is an old video but it is good and still relevant over a decade later. Please watch to learn:
HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION FOR IELTS WRITING TASK 1
……………………………………………………….
FREE SUBSCRIBE : to get my new lessons & tips by email
Type your email…
I don’t think the first example is not good. I’ll say it’s just normal, but as long as you fully expand the “solutions” in depth in the body paragraphs, that’s totally fine. The second one is clearly better in language. However, if we have, say, 4 or even more solutions to it, it would be impossible to include them all in the introduction. If I were about to do this, I might rewrite the first example, but with a more specific and personalised sentence to state my answer, instead of something that can be put everywhere.
I’ve just edited the page above to provide more explanation in the answer. Have a read.
Hello Liz! I hope you are doing great! I appreciate your hard work, patience and dedication so much! I have purchased your advanced lessons and I am a bit confused about the use of “we” in the task 2 essays. You said in your discussion essay explanations that only in case of ” as people we do not live …” we can use this pronoun. My question is can I use ‘we’ in sentences like- ” …the food we intake…” or “exercise helps keep our body….” ? I am trying to follow your lessons as closely as possible, and I found them very helpful! Thank you so much for everything you are doing for us! God bless you! Regards, Mouli
There are no rules that state we cannot use “we”. It is not a pronoun that is often used in IELTS essays, but there are times when we can use it. Your examples are fine. Just remember, most IELTS essays are about people in general, not “we”. For example, “We should all do more exercise” is better written “People should do more exercise.”
Hi, Liz! Do you give private lessons on writing essays? Thank you.
I only offer my Advanced Video Lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/
To what extend do you agree or disagree? I completely agree with this ideology. Before mustering the end point, I will shed light on my views in the following paragraphs.
Is it correct?
It sounds like you have memorised sentences to use in your essay. IELTS do not accept memorised language.
Liz, love your website. I have a question with respect to thesis statement. Is it okay to pose a question as a thesis statement.
For a question on bringing tablets and computers to schools, I framed my thesis statement this way: …”Do students gain or benefit from these resources?” Is this correct?
Your thesis statement is your answer. You should not write it as a question. It is best to avoid writing questions in your essay. Present statements, supporting points, ideas – not questions.
Hi Liz Could I give specific solutions in the introduction? I think it should be put in the body paragraph
It is fine to introduce your main ideas in the thesis statement and then put details and examples in the body paragraphs.
I agree that the second introduction is better. However,I have a question which is what is the difference between an introduction and a conclusion. You said that the second introduction is better because it sums up the main points. But, this is what a conclusion is supposed to do. Please clarify my confusion dear teacher.
The introduction introduces the reader to the issues in the question and presents your answer. The conclusion summarises your ideas – it restates your opinion.
Exactly, this is what I am trying to say. If we already summarize our main points in the introductory paragraph, what would we write in our conclusion? This is my question.
You have introduced your ideas in the introduction and summarised them in the conclusion. They are the same ideas – introduced and concluded.
Hi Liz, I like your teaching standard and methods. I have written introduction something different, could you please let me know anything is wrong except not included the opinion.
Many large cities have big problem of growing amount of traffic during a peak travel hours due to hight traffic congestion.
Thanks in advance Nishi
traffic congestion is a serious concern in metropolis, which is due to the increase in traffic flow especially in peak timings. in my opinion, improving public transportation facilities as well as having traffic free zones would eradicate this issue.
hi MS.liz back ground and thesis statement are only for opinion essay or applicable all types of essay in task 2 ?? please let me know
thanks in advance
All types. You can see my model essays on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/or you can purchase my writing task 2 lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/
Liz could you give me some good introduction sentences to start with in the opinion essay
There are no sentences which you can learn for a high score. Any sentences you learn to put in your essay will lower your score. You should start by paraphrasing the statement given – that’s all. Then add your thesis statement and your introduction is complete. See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
Dear Madam,
Can I write all advantages in one body paragraph and all disadvantages in one body paragraph.
Sure you can for an advs/disadvs essay. It’s a logical way to organise ideas into body paragraphs.
Anne says: April 5, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Hi Liz I wanna ask a question. In this essay question: Some people think that the best way to reduce crimes is to apply longer prison sentences, while other people think that there are better methods of doing so.Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.
Can I write :
Some people believe that the most effective method towards reduction of crime rate is to lengthen prison sentences while others think that mandatory, unpaid community work would be better. In my opinion, capital crimes should attract longer prison sentences while minor offenders should be rehabilitated.
Now the question did not state what other people think, it just stated” while others think that there are better methods of doing so”. Is it OK for me to insert what I think that “other people” thought so that I can use and develop it in the body paragraph. Or should I just leave it and add all my points in my thesis Statement.
Thanks..looking forward to getting a reply from you.
Always paraphrase the background directly from the statement given. The actual views of others should be explained in your body paragraph. In your intro just mention “while others do not agree and believe in other solutions”.
Liz I am bit confused about advantages and disadvantages essays.do I need to put advantage and disadvantages separately or just like option essay in a paragarph.??????
See my model essays: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
Hi Liz, I have been attempted IELTS more than 6 times. Each time I get the required overall score which is 7.5. However I don’t get the required score for the individual modules(which is 7). For instance if I get a score 8 in listening, 7.5 in reading and 7.5 in speaking, i get only 6.5 in writing. At the same time , in the next attempt i get a 7.5 in writing with a reading score of 6.5. this continues to happen in each attempts i make. Any one of the module will be scored 6.5 each time (even I got a 6.5 in listening when i had all my modules markred 7.5. This make me depressed . Please help me . thank you
This means that you have the ability to hit band 7.5 in all sections but fail to do so repeatedly. This is can be due to your understanding of the requirements of the band scores. You may produce a band 7.5 essay in one test without realising why but then fail on your technique when you write the next test. Also tests have an element of luck involved. Your performance may vary depending on the topics and questions given. I suggest you review your reading skills: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-tips-how-can-i-improve-my-score/ . Make a list of all errors you make in reading practice – why you made the error, the trap used and the paraphrasing used. Then review your understanding of the writing requirements. Don’t just look at the requirements for the score you want, read all band score requirements to learn why your score goes up or down: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-band-scores/ and also: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2-band-scores-5-to-8/ . Also consider getting one or more of my advanced writing task 2 lessons so see where you are going right and where you are going wrong: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
Some people think that the government spend money on public service rather that wasting money on the arts .to what extend do you agree ? Allocating state funds for arts considered to be unfair for many , so according to them state funds should used used for the betterment of the public services. In my opinion , major share of public funds should necessarily be used for the basic requirement for the people such as health care system and public transport , but minimal support from state would help for the conservation of arts and culture for the future . Firstly, spending huge amount of state revenue on arts adversely affect on service sectors , mainly based on health . Recently , there is a tremendous growth in number of people who rely on hospital for both acute and chronic illness .lf the government fail to cope up with the public needs ,that lead to the deterioration of health of a society as a whole . Consequently , this would worsen the standard of health delivering services of the country. Another point to consider before investing public funds on arts is , it can weaken transportation system of the country . Whether the country developed or developing ,popularity of the public transport always remains the same , most citizen rely on public transport for their daily commuting . In such cases scarcity of enough funding would cause ineffective services . Moreover many solitary agencies will take over from government , which can result service users to pay exorbitant ticket prices . This would certainly become unaffordable and that weaken the infrastructure of the specific country . Finally , role of art and museums on prosperity of country’s culture is undeniable,so that sufficient contribution on conservation of those arts are worthwhile . More precisely , museums and art galleries are valuables that handed over by our ancestors , so it’s our turn to give adequate protection and also hand that over to our future generation . For that, little aid from state would be better off for the protection of those valuables. In conclusion , investing state funds on art is not feasible because government has got various other sectors to consider . However , offering financial aid for art is applicable for its protection and promotion .
Can you please tell me band score as well ,thank you
https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-band-scores/
Sorry I don’t comment on writing.
Liz your teaching system is very good.
HELLO LIZ I HAVE A QUESTION CAN WE WRITE “THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF TRAFFIC AND ITS PROBLEM IS A FREQUENT TOPIC OF DISCUSSION ” IN THE START OF THE INTRODUCTION…..
Sorry I don’t comment on writing. Liz
Is “has lead” correct?
No, it should be “led”. All the best Liz
hello mam! kindly tell me about different discourse markers one can use in speaking? thanks
They are listed on the speaking page under “linking devices for speaking”. All the best Liz
thanks alot! 🙂
hello mam, is this thesis is right ? in the following text , I will ponder upon the entire articulates verdiction on it
Hi Liz, Thank you for all the stuff you’ve been doing so far because I find them really helpful in order to achieve a great band score on the IELTS test. I have a question here. I know that the introduction 2 is way better. But I’m afraid that if I write my introduction in that way which gives the two main solutions then I probably won’t be able to paraphrase these two in the beginnings of each of my body paragraphs and also my conclusion. As a matter of fact, this might lower my score in terms of lexical resource because I run out of vocabulary. Am I right ?
You can repeat words in IELTS and still get a high score. Paraphrasing skills should be demonstrated but that doesn’t mean you change the words all the time. English has a limited number of words in the language so it is normal that some words are repeated. Aim for accuracy at all times. Liz
Hi Liz, Is it necessary to include all my solutions in the introduction part? I’m afraid that I can not expand the two ideas of having a traffic free zone and improving the public transportation system enough, so in order to reach 250 words, I may include more small solutions which take one or two sentences each. But if I include them in the introduction, it seems tedious. How can I do in this case? Thank you very much!
I don’t really understand what you mean. Each body paragraph should contain one solution and each body paragraph should be equally developed. You can’t put one solution in one body paragraph and then two solutions in the next body paragraph. Your paragraphs must be planned properly and your solutions must be explained clearly. All the best Liz
I get it! I was just afraid that I have no enough descriptions for one solution a while back so I hoped to achieve 250 words by adding more solutions which seems not working now. I will try to focus one solution with more actual examples. Thanks a lot !!!
Your task is to answer the question and the question is about language not tourism. Don’t get distracted because there is extra information given by IELTS. You must identify what the issues are that you are responding to. This essay is easy because there’s a direct question for you to answer. All the best Liz
OK! I know what to do. Thank you!
Notify me of follow-up comments by email.
Notify me of new posts by email.
50% discount: advanced ielts lessons & e-books, ideas in ielts essays & in ielts speaking, test yourself with linking words, ielts speaking part 2 cue card topics – 2024, new reading exercise for you (july 2024).
Copyright © Elizabeth Ferguson, 2014 – 2024
All rights reserved.
Return to top of page
Copyright © 2024 · Prose on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in
Opinion Guest Essay
Supported by
Text and Illustrations by Pablo Delcan
Pablo Delcan is a designer and visual artist and the creator of Prompt-Brush 1.0.
Last December, I announced the creation of the very first non-artificial-intelligence generative art model.
The “model,” which I called Prompt-Brush, consisted of a simple text box that people could use to send prompts, and me at the other end, with a stack of blank paper. The experiment started as a post on social media; I didn’t expect it to go viral. But within weeks I was receiving thousands of prompts from all around the world, written in over a dozen languages. For the past nine months, I have been drawing and delivering these images every day.
The prompts have varied widely, from deeply personal stories of relationships, loss and regret to whimsical and surreal scenarios involving animals and pop culture references. I sketch them quickly, with a paintbrush and black ink: I aim for a rapid reaction, akin to how an A.I. might respond. But because I’m a human, the process is necessarily different. For me, each prompt offers a small view into the life of the prompter, and the drawings reflect what I think a good answer might be.
I’ve found single-word prompts, such as “forgiveness,” “loneliness,” “happiness,” “longing” and “victory,” challenging because they can mean so many different things to different people. I’ve found that the most truthful way for me to respond to these is to focus on my experiences and memories. The drawing for forgiveness, for example, ended up being a bare foot being stepped on by someone wearing a shoe; I had accidentally stepped on my daughter that morning. The prompt “victory” was a drawing of a hand with a squashed mosquito on its palm — sweet revenge.
We are having trouble retrieving the article content.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in .
Want all of The Times? Subscribe .
Advertisement
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Step 2: Write your initial answer. After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process. The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.
Strong Thesis Statement Examples. 1. School Uniforms. "Mandatory school uniforms should be implemented in educational institutions as they promote a sense of equality, reduce distractions, and foster a focused and professional learning environment.". Best For: Argumentative Essay or Debate. Read More: School Uniforms Pros and Cons.
How to write a thesis statement for persuasive essays. Similar to argumentative essays, persuasive essays follow many of the same guidelines for their thesis statements: decisive language, specific details, and mentions of subtopics. However, the main difference is that, while the thesis statements for argumentative and expository essays state facts, the thesis statements for persuasive essays ...
Understanding what makes a good thesis statement is one of the major keys to writing a great research paper or argumentative essay. The thesis statement is where you make a claim that will guide you through your entire paper. If you find yourself struggling to make sense of your paper or your topic, then it's likely due to a weak thesis statement. Let's take a minute to first understand what ...
It does contain at least two clauses, usually an independent clause (the opinion) and a dependent clause (the reasons). You probably should aim for a single sentence that is at least two lines, or about 30 to 40 words long. Position: A thesis statement always belongs at the beginning of an essay.
Step 4: Revise and refine your thesis statement before you start writing. Read through your thesis statement several times before you begin to compose your full essay. You need to make sure the statement is ironclad, since it is the foundation of the entire paper. Edit it or have a peer review it for you to make sure everything makes sense and ...
4. A strong thesis statement is specific. A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you keep your paper to a manageable topic. For example, if you're writing a seven-to-ten page paper on hunger, you might say: World hunger has many causes and effects. This is a weak thesis statement for two major reasons.
It is a brief statement of your paper's main argument. Essentially, you are stating what you will be writing about. Organize your papers in one place. Try Paperpile. No credit card needed. Get 30 days free. You can see your thesis statement as an answer to a question. While it also contains the question, it should really give an answer to the ...
How to structure an opinion essay. If this is your first time writing an opinion essay, a good way to start is by using the five-paragraph essay structure. Paragraph 1: Introduction. Capture your reader's attention with a good hook. Present the prompt and state your opinion. Some tips for a good opinion essay hook: Use a surprising statistic.
These statements provide a statement of fact about the topic (not just opinion) but leave the door open for you to elaborate with plenty of details. In an expository essay, you don't need to develop an argument or prove anything; you only need to understand your topic and present it in a logical manner. ... A good thesis statement in an ...
A thesis statement . . . Makes an argumentative assertion about a topic; it states the conclusions that you have reached about your topic. Makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of your paper. Is focused and specific enough to be "proven" within the boundaries of your paper. Is generally located near the end ...
To write and start a thesis statement, you should: Pick Your Topic: Decide what your essay will be about. Formulate Your Argument: Choose your main point or stance on the topic. Be Specific: Make sure your statement clearly outlines what you'll discuss. Make It Debatable: Your thesis should present an argument that can be supported with evidence. Keep It Concise: Aim for one or two sentences ...
Now on to those 30 persuasive thesis statement examples I promised! 1. Is a college education necessary? A college education is not the right choice for everyone, as many students graduate with a large amount of student debt and limited job opportunities. 2.
An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.; An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.; An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an ...
A thesis statement is, essentially, the idea that the rest of your paper will support. Perhaps it is an opinion that you have marshaled logical arguments in favor of. Perhaps it is a synthesis of ideas and research that you have distilled into one point, and the rest of your paper will unpack it and present factual examples to show how you arrived at this idea.
Make sure that the thesis statement does not exceed two sentences. Avoid making obvious statements such as 'this is an essay about….' or 'the point of this paper is….'. The thesis statement should be able to convey this without using such up-front language. Write clearly and articulately.
Thesis. Your thesis is the central claim in your essay—your main insight or idea about your source or topic. Your thesis should appear early in an academic essay, followed by a logically constructed argument that supports this central claim. A strong thesis is arguable, which means a thoughtful reader could disagree with it and therefore ...
This thesis statement is not debatable. First, the word pollution implies that something is bad or negative in some way. Furthermore, all studies agree that pollution is a problem; they simply disagree on the impact it will have or the scope of the problem. No one could reasonably argue that pollution is unambiguously good.
If you're ready to start the search for an argument essay thesis statement, here are 11 good thesis statements to get you started: 1. Although the use of drones has been praised as an effective tool in combat, the reality is that drones can be extremely dangerous, inaccurate, and often kill innocent civilians. 2.
Schools should start at a later time of day. Inspired by this sample essay about school start times. Beginning the school day at a later time would stabilize students' sleep patterns, improve students' moods, and increase students' academic success. #15. Schools should distribute birth control to teens.
A thesis statement is the single, specific claim that your essay supports. A strong thesis answers the question you want to raise; it does so by presenting a topic, the position you wish to defend, and a reasoning blueprint that sketches out your defense of your chosen position. A good thesis is not merely a factual statement, an observation, a personal opinion or preference, or the question ...
For each essay type this is what should be in the Thesis statement: 1. Opinion essays: write 2 reasons for your opinion. 2. Advantage disadvantage essays: state the advantage and the disadvantage, 3. Problem solution essays: briefly state 1 or 2 problems and possible solutions. 4.
Example 1. You could begin by paraphrasing the two opinions, then stating in the thesis what you will do: Some people believe that it is acceptable for young children to undertake jobs that they are paid for, whereas others believe that this is wrong and should be illegal. This essay will discuss both sides of the issue.
by Liz 50 Comments. In an IELTS opinion essay for writing task 2, your introduction has a Background Statement and a Thesis Statement. You should aim for between 40 to 50 words for the length of your essay introduction. While the background statement introduces the topics, the thesis statement is your answer to the task given by IELTS.
I've found single-word prompts, such as "forgiveness," "loneliness," "happiness," "longing" and "victory," challenging because they can mean so many different things to ...