WRITING AN INTRODUCTION

A GOOD INTRODUCTION INCLUDES

• INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPIC (1-2 sentences) - paraphrase the task
• THESIS

EXAMPLE

• Some people think that playing video games is beneficial to their users while others say that video games are more disadvantageous (Giới thiệu chủ đề). I will discuss both sides of this argument in my essay below and give my personal view in the conclusion (Đưa ra định hướng bài viết).

4 TYPES OF ESSAYS

• Discussion
• Opinion
• Advantages & Disadvantages
• Direct questions

DISCUSSION

• Some people think that video games are advantageous while others believe video games are harmful to the people who play them. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

THESIS FOR DISCUSSION

• I will discuss both sides of this argument in my essay below and give my personal view in the conclusion.
• I will discuss both of these views in my essay below.

OPINION

• Nowadays young people spend too much of their free time in shopping malls. This has negative effects on themselves and the society they live in. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

THESIS FOR OPINION

• Although ... can have many benefits to ..., this essay disagrees that ...
• Although ... can produce a number benefits, I personally disagree with this idea for a number of reasons, which will be outlined in this essay.
• While I partly agree that ..., I would argue...

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

• Some universities offer online courses as an alternative to classes delivered on campus. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

THESIS

• In my view, such a development, although detrimental at some point, could be seen as an essential step forward.
• In my opinion, this development, despite being the facilitation of ..., is a detriment to ...
• Although the benefits of this are varied, the drawbacks, in my opinion, should be paid more attention to.

DIRECT QUESTIONS

• In some parts of the world it is increasingly popular to research the history of one's own family. Why do people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative development?

THESIS

• There are some compelling reasons for this; and I strongly feel that this is a positive development.
• I believe that people are highly susceptible to ..., and that certain actions need to be taken to ensure ...
• There are some reasons to justify this trend and it also causes/ triggers adverse/unfavorable effects/impacts on the society.

PRACTICE

• Nowadays,there are more and more people who decide to live in cities. What are the reasons and effects of this?
• Students leave high schools without learning the way to manage their money. What are the reasons and solutions?

PRACTICE

• Some people think it is more important to spend money on roads and motorways than on public transport systems. To what extend do you agree or disagree?
• Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by their teachers, whereas others argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

PRACTICE

• It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university. Do the advantages of having a year off outweigh the disadvantages?
• More and more young people from wealthy countries are spending a short time doing unpaid work such as teaching or building houses for communities in poorer countries. Why young people choose to do so? Who will benefit more: young people or the communities?