Day 2 (Time: ~ 45′)
🎯 Goals: By the end of Day 2, you will:
- 📚 Re-write the three introductions by replacing weak or general words with precise alternatives to strengthen vocabulary and clarity.
- 📝 Ensure each introduction contains the three building blocks:
- 📌 Background: Set the stage for your topic.
- 📌 Paraphrase: Restate the task using your own words.
- 📌 Thesis: Clearly state your position.
✅ So your essay flows smoothly from the very first line!
✨ Main Techniques and Tips
Here are the main techniques and tips the video offers:
- 🎯 Focus your message: Don’t just write vague claims like “Technology is very important nowadays.” Instead, show your point with a specific example or fact: “In many universities, online learning platforms now replace traditional lectures for at least one day a week. Choose one clear point or angle for your writing so your readers don’t get lost.
- 🎨 Make your voice vivid: Use stronger verbs, specific nouns, and concrete details. Swap weak fillers or vague abstractions for images that stick.
- ✂️ Prune the fluff: Cut unnecessary words, phrases, and repetition. If it doesn’t add meaning, remove it. Be ruthless with trimming.
- 🚫 Do not overgeneralize.: Don’t say: “many people”, “everybody”, “nowadays, everybody…” Use qualifiers instead.
Beyond Basic Writing: How to Think and Write Clearly
1️⃣ Get to the Point
Weak version:
“Recently, AI has become more popular.”
(Vague, slow, no angle.)
Stronger version:
“The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence has reshaped how societies understand productivity and creativity.”
Why it works:
- Gets to the point immediately
- Uses precise vocabulary
- Signals clear direction + impact
2️⃣ Avoid Overgeneralisation
Weak version:
“People have recently started worrying more about the environment.”
Stronger version:
“Growing concerns about climate change have fundamentally altered public attitudes toward energy consumption.”
Why it works:
- Replaces vague “people” with a specific, meaningful group.
- Upgrades a general verb (“worrying”) into a clear, measurable idea.
- Clarifies what has actually shifted.
What “public attitudes” really means:
It refers to a specific dimension of behaviour:
- 👉 their beliefs
- 👉 their perceptions
- 👉 their opinions
- 👉 their preferences
3️⃣ Understand Why the Stronger Version Works
Weak example:
“Students use technology a lot.”
(Too general — no clarity about how or why it matters.)
Stronger example:
“Students rely on digital tools to organise tasks, submit assignments, and collaborate with classmates.”
Why this works:
- It replaces vague use with clearer rely on.
- Gives three concrete actions: organise, submit, collaborate.
- Makes an abstract idea vivid + easy to picture.
Vivid writing sounds confident, precise, and alive.
⭐ Final Message
Strong writing is not about complexity. It’s about:
- Getting to the point
- Being precise instead of general
- Understanding why strong sentences work
Your writing becomes clearer, sharper, and more academic instantly.
To improve your writing beyond IELTS Band 6.5–7, strengthen your vocabulary. Replace basic or repetitive words with more precise alternatives. This will also make paraphrasing the task easier and more effective.
Click on Write with Power to explore why word choice matters. Then, check Alternatives to Basic Words for examples of more precise vocabulary.
Assessment
Goal: Develop Critical Awareness of What Makes an Intro Strong or Weak
📝 Exercise: Strong vs. Weak Introductions
Click one introduction. Then choose whether it is strong or weak. You’ll get feedback explaining why.
1. Working from home essay
2. Competition vs. cooperation essay
3. Public transport essay
✍️ Practice: Re-Write Your Introductions
Revise the introduction drafts you wrote on Day 1 using precise, vivid words you learned in Day 2. Use our Writing Assistant for instant feedback.
Topic 1:
Some people believe that children should be taught to be competitive in school. Others believe that cooperation is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Topic 2:
Working from home has become increasingly common in recent years. Do you think this development has more positive or negative effects?
Topic 3:
Government investment in public transport is the best way to solve traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
💾 Your drafts will stay saved here until you clear your browser cache/history.
Checklist:
✅ End of Lesson 2
In this lesson, you learned:
- ✅ The three building blocks of a strong introduction (Background/Hook, Paraphrase, Thesis).
- ✅ How to paraphrase the essay question instead of copying it.
- ✅ How to write a clear thesis statement that shows your position.
- ✅ Quick tips for making introductions concise and effective.
- ✅ How to practice writing and revising introductions using prompts and a checklist.
👉 In Lesson 3, you will learn different types of introductions, practice writing at least one of them, and develop two body paragraphs to build a stronger essay.