Introduction paragraph to an ADFELPS essay
Most ADFELPS Task 2 essays follow the same basic four-paragraph structure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction
Supporting Body Paragraph 1
Supporting Body Paragraph 2
Conclusion
Write a good introduction paragraph and you are on your way to getting a good mark.
Introduction Paragraph
Your introduction paragraph has three parts:
1. Topic Sentence. What are you going to write about? This should be a general statement
taken from the question. Please do not copy the question directly. Use paraphrasing –
change the structure/word order/use synonyms (words that mean the exact meaning).
2. Thesis statement. What is your opinion?
3. Outline sentence. What are you going to write about in your Body 1 and Body 2
paragraphs?
Sentence 1 for all essay types: Introductory sentence (general statement)
1. These days, ____________is / are + ___________ing…  For a recent issue
These days, ____________have/has ___________ed…
2. Over the last ___________ ,[something] has/have…  For an issue that did not start recently
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Sentence 2 for different essay types: Thesis Statement (your opinion)
1. Discuss change: e.g.) “Discuss the changing nature of…”
Sentence 2: In my opinion, there are two areas that have been most affected by…
2. Discuss effects: “Discuss the influence of...” “Discuss the implications of...”
Sentence 2: In my opinion, ________ has affected / improved / damaged _________ in several
ways.
3. Problems and Solutions: e.g.) “How can...?” “What can be done to….?” “Identify
problems and how they can be addressed.”
Sentence 2: In my opinion, there are several key solutions to this challenge.
4. Advantages and Disadvantages: e.g. A) “Discuss both the positive and negative aspects
of….” “Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of…”
Sentence 2: In my opinion, __________ has both positive aspects/ advantages and negative
aspects/disadvantages
e.g. B) “Has ___________ had a positive or negative effect on____________?”
Sentence 2: In my opinion, ______ has improved/has been negatively affected in several ways.
5. Importance: “Discuss the importance of…..” “Discuss the role of…”
Sentence 2: In my opinion, _______ has / have become an important _____________ for / of / in …
6. Should: e.g.) “Should cigarette smoking be banned in public places?”
Sentence 2: In my opinion, ______ should / shouldn’t ________ for several reasons.
7. A or B?
e.g.) “Have advances in I.T. increased [A] or decreased [B] security in your country?”
In sentence 2 you choose either [A] or [B], not both.
Sentence 2: In my opinion, it has decreased security for Vietnam for several reasons.
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Sentence 3: Outline Sentence (what you are going to write about in the 2 body
paragraphs) You can choose two options from the suggestions given on the question
paper or choose your own.
1. Change:
In this essay, I will first discuss changes in ________ related to _________ and second, address
those related to _________
2. Effects:
In this essay, I will first discuss the effects of _____ on ______ and second, address how it has
affected _________.
3. Problems and solutions:
In this essay, I will first discuss ways in which we can (improve / increase / reduce / prevent)
__________ and second, address how we can …
4. Advantages and Disadvantages:
A) In this essay, I will first discuss the advantages of _______ related to ________, and second
address, the disadvantages to _________________.
B) In this essay, I will first discuss the_______________ advantages of __________________ and
second, address the _______________ advantages of it.
5. Importance of:
In this essay, I will first discuss the importance of ________ for _______ and second, address it’s
importance for ___________.
In this essay, I will first discuss the ________ advantages of _______ and second, address the
advantages related to _______________.
In this essay, I will first discuss how _________ have improved _________ and second, address how
they have _____________.
6. Should:
In this essay, I will first discuss the _______ advantages of …….. and second, address the
advantages related to ____________.
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7. A or B:
In this essay, I will first discuss the advantages of ______ing related to ________ and second,
address the advantages to _________
Examples of introductions for all essay types - 3 sentences:
Introduction – Thesis statement – Outline sentence.
1. Discuss change: e.g.) “Discuss the changing nature of modern warfare”
Sentence 1: These days, technology has dramatically changed the way wars are fought.
Sentence 2: In my opinion, there are two areas that have been most affected by technological
advances.
Sentence 3: In this essay, I will first discuss changes in modern warfare related to weapons
systems and second, address changes related to military operations.
These days, technology has dramatically changed the way wars are fought. In my
opinion, there are two areas that have been most affected by technological advances.
In this essay, I will first discuss changes in modern warfare related to weapons systems
and second, address changes related to military operations. (49 words)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Discuss effects: “Discuss the influence of the internet on your Armed Forces.”
Sentence 1: Over the last 30 years, the Internet has changed the world significantly.
Sentence 2: In my opinion, it has improved the abilities of our Armed Forces in several ways.
Sentence 3: In this essay, I will first discuss the effects of the Internet on intelligence
gathering methods and second, address how it has improved military training methods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Problems and Solutions: e.g.) “How can a country ensure that it attracts the best
recruits to the Armed Forces?
Sentence 1: These days, militaries must work hard to attract the best recruits possible in
order to stay competitive.
Sentence 2: In my opinion, there are several key solutions to this challenge.
Sentence 3: In this essay, I will first explain how militaries can improve their advertising
methods and second, address how they can more effectively explain the benefits of
serving in the Armed Forces.
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4. Advantages and Disadvantages: e.g. A) “Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
modernization.”
Sentence 1: Over the last century, modernization has accelerated significantly.
Sentence 2: In my opinion, this has improved the world in several ways.
Sentence 3: In this essay, I will first discuss the economic advantages of increased
productivity and second, address the disadvantages related to the environment.
e.g. B) “Has internal migration had a positive or negative effect on development in your
country?
Sentence 1: Over the last decade, people have been moving from the countryside to the cities
in increasing numbers.
Sentence 2: In my opinion, this has had a positive effect on the development of Vietnam.
Sentence 3: In this essay, I will first discuss the economic advantages of internal migration
and second, address the community advantages of it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Importance: “Discuss the role of women in the Armed Forces in your country.”
Sentence 1: For over 50 years, women have served in the Vietnamese military.
Sentence 2: In my opinion, they have become an important part of our Armed Forces for
several key reasons.
Sentence 3: In this essay, I will first discuss how women have improved military healthcare
and second, address how they have improved intelligence gathering methods.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Should: e.g.) Should cigarette smoking be banned in public places?
Sentence 1: Over the last 50 years, rules for smokers have changed several times.
Sentence 2: In my opinion, we should now ban smoking in public places for several reasons.
Sentence 3: In this essay, I will first discuss the health advantages of banning public
smoking, and address, the advantages related to keeping our environment clean.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. A or B?
e.g.) “Have advances in I.T. increased or decreased security in your country?”
Sentence 1: These days, I.T. is changing the world in several key ways.
Sentence 2: In my opinion, it has decreased security for Vietnam for several reasons.
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Sentence 3: In this essay, I will first discuss the disadvantages of I.T related to national
security, and second address, the disadvantages related to the financial security of
civilians.
e.g.) Should the news media in your country focus more on local or international events?
Sentence 1: These days, the news media in Vietnam is growing rapidly.
Sentence 2: In my opinion, it should focus more on local events than international ones.
Sentence 3: In this essay, I will first discuss the economic advantages of covering local
events, and second address, the advantages related to communities.
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