Introductions 2: Outlining main ideas

Once you have paraphrased the IELTS Writing Task 2 question, the next step is to outline (summarise) your main ideas. Outline your main ideas in one or two sentences. You can also combine your opinion with your outline. This outline of your position and main ideas is called a 'thesis statement'.

Example:

It is generally agreed that family relationships are not as close as they were in the past. Explain why you think this has happened and suggest how family relationships could be made closer.

Main Idea 1: Changes in society make it harder to maintain close relationships.

Main Idea 2: People should make more effort to foster family relationships.

Outline/ thesis statement: In my opinion, the lack of closeness could be the result of changes in society that have made it harder for people to spend quality time with family members. In order to address this problem, it’s important that people make more effort to stay in touch with family. They can use modern communication devices and applications to do this.

Exercise:

Look at the following IELTS question and then look at the way four candidates outlined their ideas in their introduction. Match the examiner comments below with the candidates’ outlines.

Question: The values we learn from our family have more influence over our future success than anything we learn at school.

Do you agree or disagree?

Outline 1: I completely agree for two reasons. At home we learn the good habits of discipline and hard work, as well as communication and interpersonal skills from our parents. These skills have a greater impact on our success or failure in life than anything we learn in the school classroom.

Outline 2: This is a complex question. In this essay I will look at both sides of the question.

Outline 3: Relationships in the family play a huge role in the way children develop and therefore have a big influence on their future success. Likewise, school is critically important, as this academic preparation is necessary to find a high-paying job.

Outline 4: Families are a very important part of our society. Without them society would cease to function effectively. However, over the years, family structures have been changing. While in the past most people lived in large extended families, these days it's common for children to grow up as an only child and to rarely see other relatives.

Comment A: This introduction does not answer the question directly. The writer's views are not shown, and the ideas that are presented do not relate directly to the family's influence on a child's future success.

Comment B: The candidate has not outlined her position in the introduction. Instead, the candidate has used a generic statement. The candidate therefore missed an opportunity to show her English language skills and, without a thesis statement, her position remains unclear.

Comment C: The candidate has clearly shown his position and has effectively outlined the main ideas of the essay in a thesis statement.

Comment D: This outline presents two main ideas effectively but does not present the candidates opinion, even though the question requires it.

Activity:

Think of two main ideas and your opinion (where required) for the following IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Write a thesis statement for each one.

i. In the past people had to follow strict rules about the clothes they could wear at work. These days, in many places these rules have become more relaxed

Is this a positive or negative development?

ii. Some people think that we should not try to prevent climate change, but instead we should find a way to adapt to it.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

iii. Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn news. However, others believe that it is better to get the news from other media.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

iv. What are the most important qualities of a good leader?

Can these qualities be taught or are they innate?

v. Some people think that staying in hotels is not a good way to get to know about a country or its people.