Notes on Writing Introduction Paragraphs for IELTS Writing Task 1

Overview

• Introduction paragraph for IELTS Writing Task 1 is easy to write but prone to mistakes.
• Errors can affect band scores, so it's crucial to minimize mistakes.
• Different tasks (charts, graphs, tables, pie charts) have similar introduction structures.
• Understand the rubric provided with the task.

Structure of the Introduction

• Key Components:
  • Description of the chart or diagram.
  • Include relevant information but omit specific data features.
  • Focus on the general topics or categories involved.

Example Rubric Breakdown

• Example Chart: "The chart below shows the sales for a coffee shop in a town in the UK from 2000 to 2020."
• Common Mistakes:
  • Paraphrasing incorrectly.
  • Including unnecessary details in the introduction.
  • Using vocabulary and grammar incorrectly.

Error Analysis in Sample Introduction

• Sample Intro: "The diagram below gives the information for the sales of, for example, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, food in a cafe, which is located in an English village from 2000 to 2020, units measure in pounds sterling."
• Total Errors: 15

Types of Errors Identified:

1. Vocabulary Errors:
   • Use of "diagram" instead of "chart".
   • Misuse of "cafe" instead of "coffee shop".
2. Grammar Errors:
   • Incorrect verb forms (e.g., "give" should be "gives").
   • Wrong preposition (e.g., "for" should be "about").
   • Missing conjunctions (e.g., "and" before last category).
3. Information Errors:
   • Missing important descriptors (e.g., "average monthly sales").
   • Incorrect location description (e.g., "English village" should be "British town").
   • Units not properly described (e.g., "units measure in" should be "units are measured in").

Revised Introduction Example

• Improved Version:
  • "The bar chart gives information about the typical monthly sales of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sandwiches, cakes, and soup for Cuppa Coffee Shop, which is located in a British town. Between 2000 and 2020, units are measured in pounds sterling."

Advanced Version for Higher Band Score

• Higher-level vocabulary and precise information lead to better scores.
• Example: "The bar chart illustrates the typical monthly revenue for Cuppa Coffee Shop located in a British town from the sales of six food and drink items in 2000, 2010, and 2020."

Tips for Writing Introductions

• Paraphrasing Techniques:
  • Use verbs: "shows", "gives information about", "illustrates".
  • Change order of information for variety.
  • Ensure clarity and avoid repetition.
• Organizational Logic:
  • Maintain a logical flow in presenting information in the introduction.

Practice Exercise

• Write your own introduction for multiple tasks.
• Remember to:
  • Remove unnecessary details.
  • Paraphrase effectively.
  • Organize information logically.

Final Thoughts

• Use model answers and resources on ieltsliz.com for further practice and examples.
• Focus on clarity and coherence for higher band scores.