What is an essay?

This is an essay

An essay is a group of paragraphs that supports, examines, outlines, explores, defends, analyzes, describes, develops, etc. only ONE idea.

A matter of size

What is the difference between a paragraph and an essay?

Writing an ECCE opinion essay

LA INDUSTRIA INTERNATIONAL

People concerned with violence in the city.

Following meetings with members of the Town Council, the Mayor has announced that he has in mind to start an aggressive plan in order to deal with the sky rocketing number of crimes in the area. This would imply reducing certain individual rights in order to stop this massive wave of violence, like setting curfews for example. Local residents are divided on this issue. Many believe it to be an excellent idea as it will finally put an end to a situation that is stifling the citizens. Others are concerned about the unpleasant consequences that may arise from such measures. The editor would like to know more about readers’ views on this proposal.

Prompt: Newspaper article:Information not to be taken into account for the essay.

Task A: LETTER

You have read this article in your local newspaper. Write a letter to the editor of the city times expressing your opinion on the issue. Do you agree with the Mayor’s proposal? What effects do you think this plan to reduce violence in your area will have? Start your letter: “Dear editor,”

Task B: ESSAY

Due to the recent economic growth of the region, Trujillo is now receiving not only a great influx of visitors, but also a number of people who have decided to settle down in the area because they believe it is a great place to live and raise a family. What’s your opinion about Trujillo? Is it actually a good choice to bring up a family? Write an essay expressing your opinion.

Task B:Asks the student to express an

opinion on a general issue.Not necessarily related to the article.

Task A:Not to be taken into account

Do you like living in the city?

What aspects do you (not) like about Trujillo?

Everyone is always talking about the fantastic things Trujillo has to offer. Many tourists praise the wonderful tourist sites like Chan-Chan or the well-known Huanchaco beach for example. But, actually, I think that Trujillo is one of the least desirable places to grow up. I consider this to be true not only because of the intense and heavy traffic, but also due to the rising rate of crime. Let’s take a deep look at this issue.

Nowadays, one the most negative things Trujillo has is its chaotic traffic. Since Trujillo is a relatively small city, the excessive number of cars transforms its main streets into an endless and a stressing snake of smoke and loud noise. The obvious outcome we have to put up with is the incredible amount of time people waste. Sometimes, especially at rush hour, you can be stuck in traffic for up to forty five minutes. But unfortunately, that is not the most serious issue.

The other problem affecting this city, probably the most dangerous one, is the rising rate of crime. Every day, newspapers display news about a murder, shooting, or assault. This situation is creating a sense of insecurity among people and is seriously damaging the city image. People are really concerned and do not know what to do to cope with and solve the problem.

Even though Trujillo has once been considered one of the best cities in Peru, these two negative factors have made it one of the least desirable places to settle down. If they are not solved, they will end up damaging the city image even more, thus affecting people’s economy, development and stability.

INTRODUCTION OUTLINETopic:Introduces the general theme.

What subject are you going to write about?

Controlling idea:

Limits the topic.

What do you want to say about the topic?

Everyone is always talking about the fantastic things Trujillo has to offer. Many tourists praise the wonderful tourist sites like Chan-Chan or the well-known Huanchaco beach for example. But, actually, I think that Trujillo is one of the least desirable places to grow up. I consider this to be true not only because of the intense and heavy traffic, but also due to the rising rate of crime. Let’s take a deep look at this issue.

INTRODUCTION MODEL Thesis Statement

Concluding (Linking) sentence

What is your

opinion?

What are the main ideas you will

use to support your opinion: A &

B

What are the main ideas you will use to support your opinion:

A & B

Two sentences introducing

the topic

Two sentences introducing

the topic

Describing the past and present.

Thirty years ago there were only a handful of cars in the dusty town of Abu Dhabi. Today, the streets are bumper-to-bumper with modern 4WD vehicles, luxury saloons, and taxis. Thesis Statement.

Introducing the topic (2 sentences)Background Example 1

Give one side (+) and the other side (-)

Abu Dhabi is probably one of

the most highly developed cities in the Arab world. However, its traffic congestion is a serious problem. Thesis Statement.

Introducing the topic (2 sentences)Background Example 2

Describe the current situation

Abu Dhabi is a modern city, but it faces a modern problem. Every morning and evening, the streets are crowded with cars, taxis and trucks. Thesis Statement.

Introducing the topic (2 sentences)Background Example 3

BODY OUTLINE

Development of topic

sentence

BODY MODEL 1

(Concluding) Linking

sentence

Concluding sentence

Nowadays, one the most negative things Trujillo has is its chaotic traffic. Since Trujillo is a relatively small city, the excessive number of cars transforms its main streets into an endless and a stressing snake of smoke and loud noise. The obvious outcome we have to put up with is the incredible amount of time people waste. Sometimes, especially at rush hour, you can be stuck in traffic for up to forty five minutes. But unfortunately, that is not the most serious issue.

The other problem affecting this city, probably the most dangerous one, is the rising rate of crime. Every day, newspapers display news about a murder, shooting, or assault. This situation is creating a sense of insecurity among people and is seriously damaging the city image. People are really concerned and do not know what to do to cope with and solve the problem.

Take the first supporting key word & put it in a

topic sentence

Take the second

supporting key word & put it in a

topic sentence

CONCLUSION OUTLINE

CONCLUSION MODEL

Even though Trujillo has once been considered one of the best cities in Peru, these two negative factors have made it one of the least desirable places to settle down. If they are not solved, they will end up damaging the city image even more, thus affecting people’s economy, development and stability.

Conclusion: restate opinion and main points

Concluding sentence