Introduction: 3 or 4 or 5 sentences?
How long is long enough?
ielts360toefl@hotmail.com
Jeenn Lee Hsieh
This website is very popular world-wide, with its daily lessons as well as its eBook "Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics". Simon's ideas are useful for beginning writers when composing body paragraphs. Simon also teaches how to write introductions (and conclusions).
>How to write an essay?
English composition: Your thesis should be well-focused, your structure should be well-organized, and your content should be well-supported.
Content>Your content must include relevant ideas from your knowledge or experience.
Structure>It is logical to organize a 4-paragraph structure.
Thesis>Write your thesis statement to present your opinion in response to the question.
>How to write an introduction?
Simon 提到引言 Introduction，只写两句话。
第一句话是交待"introduce"问题"topic/question"的背景，
第二句话是提出立场"position/opinion"来回答问题。
2 sentences in the introduction:
What is the question (topic/task) about?
What is your answer (position/opinion)?
>举5个例子：
The following 5 examples (posted by www.ielts-simon.com) illustrate ONE METHOD to compose an introduction. Stick to this method if you have no more effective method in mind.
(提示： 建议考生坚持一种适合自己思路的方法来写引言。习惯成自然。如果大家都是用同一样方式写引言，则评分考官会感到沉闷无聊。)
1>The current trend toward teleworking is a positive one in many respects. However, I strongly disagree with the idea that it should be introduced in all work contexts. (Example posted by ielts-simon, Wednesday 09, April 2014)
2>People have different opinions about whether we are more or less dependent on others nowadays. In my opinion, modern life forces us to be more independent than people were in the past. (Example posted by ielts-simon, Wednesday 26, March 2014)
3>Technological progress has taken place throughout the course of human history. While early technologies changed the lives of normal people, I believe that recent breakthroughs have had an even greater impact. (Example posted by ielts-simon, Wednesday 12, March 2014)
4>It is true that many people criticize modern society because it seems to be too materialistic. I agree with this to some extent, but I do not think it is the case that everyone is a victim of consumer culture. (Example posted by ielts-simon, Wednesday 29, January 2014)
5>People have different opinions about whether governments should help senior citizens. Although I accept that we all have a responsibility to save money for retirement, I disagree with the idea that elderly people should have no support from the state. (Example posted by ielts-simon, Wednesday 18 December, 2014)
>Introduction writing tips: examples a-b-c-d-e
(Examples from http://www.editenglish.com )
(提示：引言的写法如下.)
a>Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes while others believe that the classes should be optional. I believe that students should absolutely required to attend classes, and I will explain my reasons below.
b>If I could invent something new, I would develop a chemical germ detector with an attached protection kit that could be worn on the body. This invention is needed because there is a real danger of chemical terrorism in the world. We are not medically equipped to handle such a disaster. Such a device might help to save thousands of lives.
c>People have two options when deciding where to eat. They can prepare meals and eat at home or they can go out to stands or restaurants. I prefer to go out to eat because the food is more varied and interesting, and it is less work for me and save time.
d>There are many good reasons to live in a big city and an equal number of good reasons to live in a small town. I prefer to live in a small town because it is more personal and homey; it is easier to get around in; and it is safer than a big city.
e>It is better for children to participate in team sorts than individual sports. In team sports, children learn how to cooperate. They learn good sportsmanship and how to rely on their teammates. These are important lessons that will benefit children throughout their lives.
>谢振礼 Jeenn Lee Hsieh 引言: 3 sentences
1. 申论主题--回答问题，不是重复问题。(Present your position as the thesis statement in direct response to the question.)
2. 集中焦点--缩小问题，不是扩大问题。(Narrow the scope of the thesis into your focus so as to avoid being off-topic.))
3. 话分两头--针对问题，不是逃避问题。(Say what you are going to say in 2 body paragraphs. This sentence will make up the body of your essay.)
Most essays use an introduction to pose a position and establish what is coming next in the body paragraphs. Great introductions are so captivating and to the point that the reader wants to learn more.
>猫头鹰的日志-网易博客：
谢振礼360+原创范文。引言的写法--"One Method"，说不一样就是不一样。(For example, never use "I", "my", etc.)
To see 360+ examples of introductions (and full essays) written and explained by Jeenn Lee Hsieh, click this link:
