Imagine again - the examiner is tired, bored and has already marked so many writing papers and then they come to the next one (it's yours!) and they read the most perfect sentence, which clearly shows that you have understood the question, intend to answer the question and have used some beautiful language to portray this - immediately the examiner jumps up and shouts, "Hooray! Finally, it's a good one!"
The introduction in your writing tasks is the first impression the examiner has of you so make it a good one - it is the first impression that often stays with them throughout the rest of the time they spend reading your work and the one that remains in their mind when giving you that score.
Example sentence for beginning task 1:
This report will provide a summary of the information presented (on/ in a graph/ chart/ map/ table), which shows (the topic of the data E.g. sales) (during the period E.g. 1999 to 2010).
The words in italics here should be changed according to the data in the question. This will not work for all task 1 questions but should do for most and consider the language used:
will - shows you can use the future
provide - more academic than give
,which shows - relative pronoun to create a complex sentence
Task 2 introductions should include the following:
- a sentence describing the situation/ background/ topic (this is the title but in your own words)
- a sentence to show you have understood the question type - your opinion (1-sided essay E.g. agree or disagree)/ say there are two sides/ problem and solution etc.
- a sentence introducing the essay E.g. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this issue.
Vocabulary
Put yourself in someone's shoes = imagine yourself in someone's situation
Intend to do something (v) = plan to do something
Portray (v) = show
Impression (n) = idea
Remain (v) = stay