B2 Stage 5: Short essay
Start an essay and give your view
How to write a B2 essay introduction
You can open an essay by introducing the topic in your own words and giving your view.
This guide is for B1 writers moving to B2. It is a stage 5 skill: write a short essay (4 paragraphs) (140-220 words).
When to use an essay introduction
At the start of every essay. Some writers write it last, after they know their main points.
An essay introduction: how to do it
An introduction has two jobs: it introduces the topic in your own words, and it gives your view. Start with why the question matters, using something real: a change, a typical situation or a well-known fact. Do not copy the question, and do not start with 'Nowadays ... is very important'. Then give your view in one clear sentence and, if you can, say what your main reasons will be. Last, make sure the rest of the essay does what the introduction promised. Write four paragraphs: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion.
Useful language for an essay introduction
- In recent years, ...
- It is often said that ...
- Some people believe that ...
- In my view, ...
- I will argue that ...
- There are two main reasons for this.
Example of an essay introduction
In many popular cities, crowds of tourists now queue for hours outside famous churches, castles and museums. Some people say that visitors should pay to enter, while others believe that these places belong to everyone. In my view, tourists should pay, because the money protects the sights and also helps the people who live around them. The first reason is that old buildings cost a lot to look after. Thousands of visitors walking through the same rooms wear down the floors, and the walls need regular cleaning and repair. Entry fees give the owners an income to pay for this work, so the building stays open for future visitors. The second reason is fairness to local residents. Crowds make the streets noisy and push up prices in nearby shops. If tourists pay a fee, part of it can be spent on services such as cleaning and transport, which residents use every day. In conclusion, a modest fee is a fair way to protect famous sights and support the people who live near them. Visitors get a better experience, and the sights last longer.
Topic: Should tourists pay to visit famous sights?
How the BetterWrite coach checks an essay introduction
The BetterWrite coach checks 3 points for this skill, plus accuracy and staying on topic, and quotes your own words when one is not there yet.
Try it
Write a short essay (140-220 words) for your teacher: Should students have to learn a foreign language at school? Use an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and focus on your introduction.
Write 140-220 words (a short essay (4 paragraphs)).