WRITING, PART 2.OPINION ESSAYS

WRITING, PART 1: AN ESSAY

Writing , part 1

You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet.

ESSAY: DEFINITION

In writing, part 2, one of the task type you may find is an ESSAY, usually written for a teacher.

- An ESSAY is mainly a SUBJECTIVE piece of writing. - The main purpose of the task is the development of an argument (controversy) and/or

a discussion (analysis) of issues surrounding a certain topic. - Candidates are expected to GIVE REASONS (arguments which justify and back up

opinions) for their opinions.

- EXAMPLE

- You have recently had a discussion in your English class about places to live (main topic). Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay, giving your opinion on the following statement.

Whatever your age, life in the country is always better than life in he city.

Write your essay (all tasks in part 2 must be written in 120-180 words)

ESSAY: STRUCTURE

INTRODUCTION

BODY PARAGRAPH 1Points against the topic

BODY PARAGRAPH 2Points in favour the topic

CONCLUSION

An essay has got THREE MAIN

PARTS:

AN ESSAY BY PARTS

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION: EXAMPLE

In my opinion, in current times, stress may kill you or destroy your family.

Cities have become overcrowded and people usually decide to live in cities to be close to their workplaces.

I personally think that living in the country is always better than living in our stressfull, busy and congested cities.

CALL THE READERS’ ATTENTION

ADD SOME GENERAL INFO

ABOUT THE TOPIC TO

LOCATE THE READER

STATE CLEARLY THE TOPIC

PARAGRAPH 2: POINTS AGAINST

1ST BODY PARAGRAPH: CONS

(FIRSTLY/IN THE FIRST PLACE) FOR SOME PEOPLE, LIVING IN THE COUNTRY IS UNCONFORTABLE SINCE YOU HAVE TO COVER LONG DISTANCES TO GO TO THE SHOPPING CENTER AND THIS MEANS SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY IN PETROL.

FURTHERMORE, IN RUSH HOURS YOU MAY FIND TRAFFIC JAMS THAT CAUSE YOU STRESS BECAUSE YOU CAN BE LATE AT WORK.

FINALLY, MANY PEOPLE CLAIM THAT IN THE COUNTRY THERE IS NO NIGHTLIFE OR ENTERTAINMENT.

1ST POINT AGAINST+REASON

2ND POINT AGAINST+REASON

2RD POINT AGAINST+REASON

PARAGRAPH 3: POINTS IN FAVOUR

1ST BODY PARAGRAPH: PROS

NEVERTHELESS, LIVING IN THE COUNTRY CAN COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF PEACE, RELAX AND HEALTH BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE TO SUFFER THE POLLUTON, THE NOISE AND THE FRANTIC WAY OF LIFE IN CITIES.

IN ADDITION, GOING SHOPPING IS NOT A PROBLEM IF YOU DO IT ONCE A WEEK, AND, CONSEQUENTLY, YOU NEEDN’T DRIVE THE REST OF THE WEEK.

ALTHOUGH YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF STUCK IN A TRAFFIC JAM, YOU CAN AVOID THIS SITUATION BY GETTING UP EARLIER OR USING THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WHICH IS COMFORTABLE AND CHEAP.

1ST POINT AGAINST+REASON

2ND POINT AGAINST+REASON

2RD POINT AGAINST+REASON

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

RE-STATE THE TOPICUsing slightly different words

ADD NEW IDEAS (IF YOU WANT)

ADD A FUTURE REMARK

1ST BODY PARAGRAPH: PROS

IN CONCLUSSON/ IN A NUTSHELL/ TO SUM UP, LIVING IN THE COUNTRY HAS A LOT OF ADVANTAGES AND PROVIDES YOU HIGH QUALITY LIFE. I THINK THAT IN THE FUTURE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL PICK OUT THE OPTION OF LIVING IN THE COUNTRY, LEAVING THE CITY BEHIND.

RE-STATE THE TOPIC

ADD ANOTHER IDEA

CONCLUDE WITH A FUTURE REMARK

CONNECTORS

1.CONTRAST: HOWEVER, NEVERTHELESS, ALL THE SAMETHOUGH, ALTHOUGHIN SPITE OF/ DESPITE + ING; IN SPITE THE FACT THAT/DESPITE THE FACT THATON THE ONE HAND/ ON THE OTHER HAND

2. CAUSEBECAUSE, SINCE, FORFOR THIS REASON, THAT’S WHY, THIS IS WHYOWING TO+NOUN

3. CONSEQUENCEAS A CONSEQUENCE, CONSEQUENTLY, THEREFOREAS A RESULT

4. ADD NEW IDEASFURTHERMORE, BESIDES, IN ADDITION, ON THE TOP OF THIS.

CONNECTORS

3. ENUMERATE:

TO BEGIN WITH

FIRSTLY, SECONDLY, THIRDLY, ETC.

IN THE FIRST PLACE, ETC.

FINALLY

OTHER:

OTHERWISE/ IN OTHER WAYS (POR LO DEMÁS)

IN OTHER WORDS

NAMELY (A SABER)

ALTERNATIVELY (AS A SUBSTITUTE// ON THE OHER HAND) (EN LUGAR DE ESTO/ POR OTRA PARTE)

AT ANY RATE, ANYWAY (DE TODOS MODOS)

EXEMPLIFICATION

FOR EXAMPLE, FOR INSTANCE, SUCH AS (+ A LIST OF ACTIONS OR NOUNS)

CONCLUSION:

IN CONCLUSION, TO CONCLUDE, TO SUM UP, SUMMARIZING, IN A NUTSHELL

EXAM PRACTICE

Part 1

You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

1. In your English class you have been talking about playing computer games. Now your Engish teacher