This lesson looks at how to write an IELTS essay introduction for an opinion essay. The introduction is the easiest part of any IELTS essay as it follows a similar content for all IELTS task 2 types.
This lesson is a follow-on lesson from last week. Learn how to find main points before continuing with this introduction lesson: Finding Main Points for an Opinion Essay:
Every one of us should become a vegetarian because eating meat can cause serious health problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
How to write an IELTS essay introduction
- Write one statement paraphrasing the information given. This will be your background statement. Make sure you paraphrase the information exactly and don’t include any irrelevant or extra information in it.
- When you paraphrase, make sure you are using words that you are confident with. It is good to paraphrase but you will reduce your band score if you have too many errors.
- Introduce your answer in the thesis statement. The thesis statement follows the background statement. It should contain your answer, your main points.
- Don’t write more than 50 words for your introduction.
Eating meat is considered by some to damage our health and for that reason they believe all people should adopt a vegetarian diet. In my opinion, although a vegetarian diet is certainly a healthy option, having a balanced diet, which contains vegetables and some healthy meat, is the key.
- cause serious health problems = damage our health
- become a vegetarian = adopt a vegetarian diet
Next lesson, we will look at how to write the body paragraphs for this essay.
Recommended Lessons
Finding Main Points for an Opinion Essay (Previous Lesson for this topic)
IELTS Video Lesson for Writing Task 2: How to write an introduction
IELTS Video Lesson for Writing Task 2: Connecting Sentences
IELTS Liz YouTube Channel
Eating meat may have critical health issues.so, all are trying to shift their diet similar to vegans diet. However, in my opinion eating meat do have some advantages. Only having veggies in our food would not help in building or getting essential nutrients to our body. even few vegetables like potato have many disadvantages
All people must adapt vegetarian food habits as consuming meat may impact their health and can lead to various diseases. I partially agree with the proposed idea because our body needs a balanced diet for healthy functioning, which cannot be availed “only” from the vegetarian food sources.
Nowadays increasing number of health issues, people are changing to vegetarian, being than meat-eaters. But in my opinion, it is impossible that everyone relies only on vegetables for our body nutritional needs.
Being a vegetarian have risen in popularity among the people, as it is believed that meat provokes numerous health diseases. From my point of view , I agree that a drastic change in our daily eaten habits must be considered not just to stay healthy in the long term but also to preserve our valuable natural resources.
It is thought that having meat based diet can lead to critical health issues, that is why every individual must go for being a vegetarian. In my opinion, having fish, poultry, and red meat is as important as eating vegetables as long as your consumption of meat is well balanced.
Can someone please comment and let me know where the improvements are needed?
Thanks 🙂
Hlo liz
Please check my intro
The consumption of meat has had a detrimental effect on health hence all of us should be take vegetarian diet. However, while i believe that adopting a vegetarian diet can help us make ourselves healthy, i agree that meat is a main source of protein that completes our diet so both are needed in a balanced diet.
Thanks for lesson.
A diet rich in meat can have a detrimental effect on health. While it can be beneficial to reduce the amount of meat eaten, i don’t think becoming a vegetarian is necessary.
Vegetarianism has been increasingly becoming a well-known trend globally. Its proponents are claiming that abstaining from the consumption of meat is the best way to be free from any forms of illnesses, while the opposition believes that eating meat is crucial to maintaining one’s well-being. In my opinion, a balanced portion of both food groups mentioned is the key to being healthy.
Hi Liz,
I have watched your advanced lesson on Agree/Disagree essay, but one question is there for which I could not find an appropriate answer
Let us take an example, the one used here,
“Every one of us should become a vegetarian because eating meat can cause serious health problems.” Agree/Disagree?
1) If I completely “Agree” then do I need to mention both parts in the “Thesis Statement”? Is that the correct approach? Thesis statement should include:
a) I agree that everyone should become a vegetarian.
b) I agree that meat can cause health issues.
2) Then I need two body paragraphs,
a) State reason + supporting point exclusively on why everyone should become a vegetarian.
b) State reason + supporting point exclusively on why meat could cause health issue.
Do you think above approaches are correct?
3) What if I need to write three paragraphs then what should I mention in third paragraph? Because I covered two parts of the question in the two paragraphs already.
Thanks again for amazing advanced lessons.
Looking for your expert advice
Thanks,
Yash
I don’t understand question 3 – “what if I have to write three paragraphs..” – you choose if you write two or three. It’s your choice. If you have two main ideas, you have two body paragraph. The number of paragraphs matches your ideas. Your structure otherwise is fine. I teach the optional third paragraph to offer people flexibility and choice. Glad my Advanced lessons are good.
All of us must only consumer vegetarian food as non-vegetarian diet can potentially lead to critical health issues. In my opinion, a vegatarian diet is not the key to a healthy life. Having a balanced diet and regular exercise is important for developing a healthy body.
Some people concede that meat consumption contributes to negative health impacts. Preventing those impacts, therefore, those people decide to become vegetarian. Personally, I believe that adopting a vegetarian diet can help us to have a healthy life. However, I think it is more essential to have a balanced diet with an adequate amount of meat as well as fruit and vegetable.
According to some, due to the fact that eating meat might result in various illnesses, becoming a vegetarian is a must. in my opinion, this can improve the human health.
Each one of us should adopt vegetarian diet because eating meat damage our health . I totally admit it, from last few year scientists research on it and find that meat eaters have more health problems like cancer , heartattack issue etc in comparison with vegetarian .
Hi Liz,
I understand you do not offer writing correction services. Just want to know if the structuring below is appropriate.
Consuming meat can cause critical health issues, hence all of us should adopt a vegetarian diet. In my opinion, while fruits and vegetables bring vital nutrients & vitamins to the table, meat is a major source of proteins that completes out diet. Moreover, quality sourced meats are free from the risk of contamination and disease.
Is it ok to use idiomatic expressions or phrases in writing, esp in introduction?
Thank you.
Shailesh
It’s a good introduction. But make sure you differentiate between other people’s views and your views. You can do this by using “It is thought” in your first sentence – that indicates it is an opinion held by others. Don’t use “&” – use words. Be careful describing a vegetarian diet as fruit and vegetables – vegetarians also eat beans and pulses which contain high quantities of protein. Otherwise – all good 🙂
Hi Liz… I have a question regarding Opinion Essay. Firstly, the topic is: “Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make a legal requirement. To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste? ” Here, I have a confusion that either this asking for agreeing or agree/disagree both?
It is asking you to present your opinion – Do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more? Present your view.
Some people say every individual should follow a vegetarian diet because consuming meat is considered as injurious to health. In my opinion, I completely agree with that vegetarian people have less health issues while meat eaters likely to have diseases like cancer, heart stroke etc.
Hi Liz
Is that right or no?
We should be vegetarian which is eating meat can give us problems in our health. In my opinion, I disagree that eating meat is the key to have problems with heath. However, I also believe that have vegetarian life can destroy our health.
You have a problem with grammar and vocabulary – this means your English language contains too many errors. Your technique is fine.
Hi liz, i have a simple question.
Is the command “give your own opinion” the same with “agree/disagree” question type?
I’m a little bit lost here.
Thanks liz.
Yes, it is 100% the same. Any instructions that ask directly for your opinion is an opinion essay. The instructions are often paraphrased, but you approach it all in the same way.
Exactly this is what I thought as well. I thought the thesis would be for u to state whether you agree or disagree with the statement. And the introduction should give what will later be discussed in the passage. Pls address this thanks
Hi Liz,
This is Sharmila ….Thank u so much for addressing all our needs…..Hereby I have written an introduction part for the above statement .So please give me some suggestions……
Some people claim that consuming meat will give adverse effects on health,so they stick to follow a vegan diet.But actually,that is not the key for that problem.
In my opinion,I do not completely agree that everyome have to become a vegetarian.Howeover ,sometimes eating vegetables too affect our health.According to me it has it own pros and cons either being a vegetarian or a Non-vegrtarian.
Being a vegetarian should be the goal for everyone, as eating meat can lead to dangerous health issues. I believe that everyone should balance their diet between meat and vegetables to be able to get all body requirements.
Majority believe that everybody ought to be vegans since consuming meat products is considered to have harm to human’s health. However, to say that some people can not imagine their menu without meat is a conservative statement.
Would you please review my answer and provide feedback.
All individual must only consume vegetables, as non-veg edibles may have fatal health concerns. In my opinion, it is crucial to include vegetable as a part of our daily diet but I also believe that our food should be equally balanced by making meat a part of it.
I do not offer marking.
People all around the world need to be a vegetarian since consuming meat can lead us to serious health diseases. In my opinion that people should consume vegetarian food instead of meat. However, our diet should be supported by supplements such as vitamins and pills.
Majority of people give thoughts on diseases “they say the non-vegetarian meal may be effect on body problems such as heart attack”.This essay will discuss about how it worst our body and what thing will protect to us
We all must become veggie because eating meat can lead us to fatal diseases. In my opinion,
I believe that eating vegetables can make us more healthy rather eating meat.
hi,
Can i use ‘as far as iam concerned ‘instead of ‘ in my opinion’.
Thank you
Do not use informal language in a formal essay.
Due to serious health issues caused by eating meat,some people think that everyone ought to be a vegetarian.In my opinion,l agree that a small portion of meat and vegetables is healthier.
Hi Liz. I am new on you blog but i have enjoyed most of the things you have posted here.
Can you please help me with this introduction. I have 14 days more for my IELTS exams
Some people believe that several health risks could be prevented if we avoid consuming meat products and take in vegetables. I agree that eating meat have the potential to cause detriments to health , however I disagree that all person should become vegetarians by avoiding meat to leave healthy.
https://ieltsliz.com/comments-on-ielts-liz-2018/
Thanks a lot liz,
this my introduction . Hope you could revise it
Some people believe consuming animal products damage the health and being a vegetarian away from harmful food will keep body away from illness as heart attack. In my opinion, I think consuming both kinds of diet in a balanced level with a healthy cooking style will provide us a required amount of supplements as our body needs to be healthier.
It is considered by some people that, people need to change their meat diet instead of becoming vegetarian as consuming meat can occur severe disorders in human health.In my opinion, i admit being vegetarian will definitely reduce several health problems. In addition, i also think eating meat is also necessary to keep our health fit.
Hi Liz
You said that it’s okay to keep some word as it is since it already a scientific word or either if you unsure about the perfect substitution of the word. My question is, do you have any maximum of the word that you keep for paraphrasing?
For example like this:
Artist need a certain amount of freedom to develop their creativity. Some people think that artist should have total freedom to express any thoughts and ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree.
I think I can keep the word “artist” and “creativity”. But I doubt about “freedom”, I might use its explanation but somehow freedom seems to be a perfect word to be keep as well. Also, how far I need to find synonym for “people”? Or just let it be..?
Tomorrow I will put up and exercise on this website about your question and the day after I will show you a model and explain.
All the people in the world should be an omnivores as in taking non vegetarian fodd damages our health. I agree that, eating a vegetarian diet is healthy.However, having a balanced diet including vegetables, fruits and some healthy meat is the best.
Regarding to the debate on dietary topic, there are more and more people opting for vegetarian diet because of health issues, spiritual belief or environmental awareness. While it is true that a meat-free diet can contribute to the betterment of a certain number of people, I do not think that everyone should follow this trend.
According to the perception of some people meat is harmful for human health thus vegetables should be the diet solely. However in my opinion I disagree that to have some meat in lunch can be considered dangerous. I also believe vegetables are essential for balanced diet.
hi liz could you please check my introduction and please tell me is it a good one or not
Imposing a vegetarian diet on people cannot be tolerated, even though it can cause serious health problems.However, one could not say vegans are free from any life style diseases as most illnesses have historic routes. Moreover, there are shreds of examples that vegetarians are more prone to nutritional deficiency diseases, due to the lack of nutrients that they get from non-vegetarian foods. Therefore, I completely disagree to this view and opine that a combined diet is vital for the health of an individual.
Hi Liz,
Could you please review my introduction.
Some people believe that eating meat could affect badly our health. Therefore, people should focus on eating vegetable solely. In my opinion, I disagree that having a reasonable amount of meat in daily food could harm the body. However, I also believe that eating vegetables is key to have a healthy life.
People must have balance diet,which include vegetable ,fruits ,meat ,dry fruits etc.it helps in maintaining health
Hello,, can you please evaluate my introduction .
a detailed comment could help me alot.
Eating meat might be the main reason of a major health issues and disease, therefore, some people think that everyone have to become a vegetarian. In my opinion, i disagree that eating meat could be a reason for health damage.
Thanks in advance
You didn’t give your opinion on whether you think everyone should become vegetarian. You must address the task – this means answer the whole question.
Diet is essential part of our daily routines. Some people suggest that we all should avoid eating meat and perfer to become vegetarian because veg diet always keep us healthy and keep away from health diseases. I believe that vegetarian food have more nutrients, vitamins and diseases free such as heart attcaks, diabetes instead of non vegetarian.
Check my intro. And give suggestions
Definitely review your vocabulary and spelling.
Thanks, liz
Hi Liz,
kindly help check my introduction. Thanks.
Vegetarians are people which do not eat animal flesh and, or products. Some people believe that meat is related to serious health problems, thus, instigating their decision to become vegetarians. I strongly disagree that everybody should become vegetarians. Although red meat can be detrimental to health, it can be consumed moderately or substituted with white meat like chicken and mutton.
Did you watch my video on this page which explains that you don’t need a hook. Your first sentence is not needed. The examiner knows the meaning of the word “vegetarian”. Cut your first sentence and you have a good intro.
Hi Liz,
I only came across your site a couple of days ago, and I wish it was sooner. My exam will be this coming 4th March and I am extremely nervous. In spite of all the preparation I have done, I still do not feel confident enough to ace the test. I tried every way that I can think of to pass this exam, perhaps the effort was not good enough, perhaps my method is insufficient. I just want to make it, I seek online/personal tutor, never ending IELTS reference books was read, and practice test done. I am keeping myself on the positive side, but this exam truly challenge my sanity. So true is sad that it will come to that extent, that I doubt myself on failure to this. There has to be a way, formula to make it easy. Thereby coming across your site was a blessing, and you make every lessons comprehensible and interactive. With that, every credit should all be yours. Learning English has been tough journey for me, indeed and to be honest, together with other examinees who have tried this exam many times, it can be frustrating. Anyway, enough of the ranting and let us get back into real business. I wrote a sample introduction here, and please let me know what you think.
It is believed that most people should adopt a vegetarian diet because meat consumption causes a detrimental effect on our health. In my opinion, not only eating vegetables is beneficial to our body, it also promotes less damage to other living organisms.
* I am not sure if I used the correct conversion for this thesis statement.
Kind regards,
Avy
Your background statement is fine. Your opinion presents a clear position but you don’t actually state if you agree that eating meat is damaging to our health. What is your opinion of that? Make sure your opinion covers all aspects of the question and issue. See my main page for writing task 2: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/. All main pages can be accessed through the red bar at the top of my website. If you need more help with writing task 2, think of purchasing one of my advanced lessons: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore. You’ve got almost a week before your test – you can learn a lot in that time.
Hi, Liz. I’ve been following your site mainly because it is the best teaching site for IELTS I’ve came across, so far. I think you know that by now. 🙂
Anyway, just want to ask you this: I understand that it is important for us to give our opinion in the introduction, but we would repeat the same message in the conclusion part. Wouldn’t that be redundant?
If you have to write an opinion essay, you introduce your opinion, explain it in the body paragraphs and conclude / restate it again in the conclusion. This is the structure of an agree / disagree essay. See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
Hey Liz I’ve been following your website for quite a long it’s very helpful. My question is that can we write our opinion on the new line after paraphrasing the question…?
The background statement and thesis statement are in the same paragraph. Watch the video on this page to learn: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
Hey Liz, i’ve been following your website for quite sometime now. Can you check the introduction I made about this topic? thanks
All of us are required to be vegetarians due to the reason that consuming meat products might result to life-threatening health conflicts. in my opinion, I agree that vegetables should have more proportions in our meals but I believe that we also need meat for a balanced diet.
Your background statement should not express a fact in this case, it should express “other people’s views”.
so i missed putting the word “some people believe”?
That’s right. You are not presenting a fact in this case.
How can I know that this essay is a Balanced Opinion or One-sided Opinion …
do i decide something like that or he will tell me to do it with a certain way?
please clarify this point as on your 1 hour OPINION essay writing task 2 video I purchased you didn’t mention how can we figure out that?
thank you!
This is a balanced view. If it was one sides, we would agree that being vegetarian is the ONLY way. A one sided essays agrees 100% and does not add any other information or specific view point.
Hi liz,
Thanks for your great help,
What if i agree to the statement, and consider vegetarian diet the healthiest. Furthermore,
If i wont to add another opinion like talking about another unhealthy food that should be avoided
As long as you present a clear opinion and support it, then it’s fine.
topic :- Prevention is better then cure…..
first of all , Prevantion is that for example,
the Prevention means ” Stop The Process or Work
the Cure means ” Solving The Problem”.
Prevention when occur then, we create the problem and hoe to stop that problem is called Prevention.
i think prevention is necessary at this time, Because we think about prevention that means because the time for process and decrease the money cost behind expenses behind work. Preventioon before the problem occur that means we always aggresive in work, in future any type of work we always have solution behind the process.
Cure Means according to my thought “Medicine”.
If we have a medicine then we can easily frfee from problem. it happens in future then also.
Prevention & Cure both are little bit same but if we think Prevention before any kind of work that means we were always in safe side, but when we dnt think about prevention but not only dependent on cure that means we have no option because of we applied about cure only.
Cure is also good but lots of type of cure like ‘medicine’,’physical’,’financial’,’friendly’. in that condition we always cover for us with cure.
One more important used cure at this time is “Life Insurance” Policy.
it’s always cure about your futurre as well as your family.
if we take an insurance that means we protect the own & family.
Insurance is fully protect the family from any human being problems like
accident, death causes, etc.
Prevention is i think always beteter then cure.
In my point of view , i conclude that Prevention is always save the time & money in future.
Liz, would you mind taking a look at this conclusion:
All people must practise being a vegan because detrimental health conditions related to health result to eating meat products. In my opinion, I agree that eating vegetables may significantly improve health. However, I also believe that intake of meat is also essential to our overall nutritional condition.
You don’t need a long conclusion – it won’t help your score at all. Just one sentence is enough (two at most).
Hi Liz – my bad. The paragraph I wrote above is for my introduction and not conclusion. Thoughts please? 🙂 Thank you.
Marvin
Liz,
How about the following introduction paragraph for above task.
“We should start eating only vegetables due to the fact that taking meat in our food may result into major diseases. In my opinion, I do not agree with the concept of avoiding meat. However, there should be a balanced food consists of meat as well as vegetables.”
Avoid using “we” in IELTS essays.
Noted with thanks
ht is considered by many that it would be beneficial for all of us if we opted completely for vegetables as meat intake can result in major health issues. In my view, even though eating vegetables is considered healthy, a well balanced diet is more crucial for the well being of anyone.
thank u so much for your extremely thorough explanations. I have given a go at the introduction for above mentioned topic. I would be grateful if u could comment on my effort.
Looking forward to your reply..!!
Take care
Hlo Liz , will you plz tell me we can mention words like in my opinion or I am agree or disagree in task 2 essays???
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Goodevening Mrs Liz,
Thanks for your wonderful website. I really appreciate what you have done for us.
While studying writing Task2 introduction with the model introduction you wrote page-up I found missing commas -but I am not sure in the first setence of it ” Eating meat is considered by some to damage out health (,)and for that reason(,) they believe …”
Honestly, I am still not sure where commas are used in sentences. However, can you answer my question I asked earlier?
Thanks
Yen
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
hmmm…..I find it very difficult in writing essays ……plz Auntie Liz …help me ..how do I write …I have a paper on january
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hi liz…
If I didn’t use this layout in my exam introduction will it affect my score?and if yes for which criterion?
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
dear Liz
any positive criticism please, apart from typos ?
some people believe that every person in the commumity ought to eat vegetables to avoid devastating health issues,which could be caused by eating meat.In my opinion, i don’t agree to this idea, for meat has vital role to play in developing people’s body and helps make a balanced diet.
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
can you give your idea for this introduction
Food is fundamental need for every living being.If the people can feed on only vegetables, they may obtain healthy life.It is generally accepted that consuming meat is one of the fact that cause dangerous diseases. In my opinion, I agree that vegetarian diet is the key to health. However, meat is required to develop the body cells in growth of human.
Sorry I don’t comment on writing.
All the best
Liz
Hi Liz! I recently found out about your blog and It’s a great help for many students who are preparing for their IELTS exams. I watched your video about writing introduction for task 2 and tried myself writing an Introduction. So, here it is.
Nowadays, many people believe that we should adopt a vegetarian diet and give up theconsumption of meat – as eating too much of meat can lead to some severe health issues. In my opinion, I think, following a vegetarian diet is good for health. However, I also believe that one should focus on having a balanced diet which include moderate amount of meat.
Sorry I don’t comment on writing but I’m glad to see you are practicing.
All the best
Liz
Plz help me to improve ielts writing task 2
Hi Liz,
I have written this Intro is it okay.
“Some people believe that meat as diet can cause major health issues, so best way to health would be to become vegitarian. In my openion, vegitarian food is definetely a healthy option. However, having balanced diet which includes both vegitables and some healthy meat, is the key. “
Sorry, I don’t comment on writing.
Thanks
Liz
Dear Liz,
I have booked and exam appointment for September 26, 2015 and would like to know what to do from now till the exam date.
Please watch the “How to Prepare for IELTS” video on my home page. Then start working through information and tips pages. The review model answers. After that do practice lessons.
All the best
Liz
Hi Liz,
I’ve purchased all your three video lessons for writing task 2. They are quite useful. Thank you! And I’m just wondering when the video clips for another two types of writing will be online? Thanks.
Unfortunately, not until next Spring. If I have time, I will try and finish speaking part 2 video lesson for next month.
All the best
Liz
Hey my also 26 of september.wherevare you from
How can i get the body paragraph of this essay??
Sorry, I don’t provide full model essays for all lessons.
Liz
Hi Liz! I am posting this comment just to thank you , you’re a very good teacher! I am gonna be examinated tomorrow, I admit I haven’t studied that much during the last days, so your website has been very helpful . I hope you’ll keep on doing this for the students’ sake 🙂
All the best from Italy,
Francesco
Good luck tomorrow!!! Keep your mind focused on the questions and remember this is about technique and English language. Let me know how your exam goes 🙂
All the best
Liz
Hi liz, I have 2 questions to ask. the first one is
`can I use I deem or it is demeed to be in order to paraphrase I think or it is considered?`
The second one is in part 0 of speaking task, when I’ll be asked `how are you?` Can I use a slang to respond, for instance by saying I got a hitch in my giddy up.
Looking forward to your answer.
Thanks for all the lessons.
I wouldn’t use the paraphrase “I deem”, it rarely used these days. For your question about speaking, it is unlikely the examiner will ask this question because it is not part of any topic and it is not part of the ID check. But if the examiner does ask it, you must answer naturally “I’m fine” or “I’m feeling ok today, thanks”. Avoid putting unnatural idioms into your answers – it won’t increase your score and the example you gave above is not only inappropriate but also incorrect.
All the best
Liz