Tips for Writing an Essay

 

When we write about the pros and cons of an issue, we consider a topic from opposing points of view, outlining the advantages and disadvantages.


In a discursive composition, ideas should be linked with appropriate linking words and phrases. Examples of these include:

To list and add points:
Firstly/In the first place/To start/begin with ...; Secondly/In addition/Furthermore/Moreover/Besides...; Thirdly/Finally/Last; Last but not least; etc

To introduce or list advantages:
The first/main/most important advantage of...;
One/Another/An additional advantage of ...;
One point of view in favour of...; It is often suggested/believed/argued that...;
Some/Many people suggest/feel/argue that...; etc

To introduce or list disadvantages:
The main/most important disadvantage/drawback of...; One/Another/An additional disadvantage/negative effect of...; One point/argument against; etc

To introduce examples/reasons/results:
For example/instance; such as; like; in particular; therefore; for this reason; because; as; since; as a result; etc

To show contrast:
On the other hand; However; still; but; Nonetheless; Nevertheless; Although; Even though; Despite/ In spite of (the fact that); etc

To introduce a conclusion:
In conclusion; To conclude/sum up; All in all; Finally; Last; All things considered; Taking everything into account/ consideration; etc

 

 Sample Letter

 

You have 20 minutes to do this task.

 

This is part of  a letter from an English-speaking friend.

 

… Are you working hard at school at the moment? I am because we have some very important exams at the end of the year. They’re our final exams at school and then we leave. What exams do you have? Are you studying hard for them and doing lots of homework?

 

And what will happen after the exams? What are you going to do then? Will you have a holiday? Are you hoping to go to university?

 

Tell me all about it.

Jake

 
 

 

 

 

Write back to Jake answering his questions.

 

Write 100-140 words.

Remember the rules of letter writing.

 

Dear Jake,

Thanks for your letter. Yes, I’m working very hard at school at the moment too because I also have my final exams at the end of the year. I’m going to take eight exams in all subjects, including English. The teachers are giving us a lot of homework and it’s hard to do all of it, so I’m not going out very much.

After the exams, I’m going to get a job for the summer. I’d like to have a holiday but I can’t afford to. I’m probably going to work in a shop. After that, I’m hoping to go to the local university. If my exam results are good enough, I’ll go to the local university and do a business degree course for three years.

I hope you’re well and not working too hard! Write to me again soon.

Inna



 

Sample Essay

 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Abroad

 

1.     Introduction (state the problem)
Nowadays, with better co-operation, and relation with foreign countries, some students choose to study at a foreign university rather than a local, one. However, there are drawbacks to studying in another country.

2. Arguments «for»
A reason why people want to study in another country is that, they have the opportunity of learning the, language of that country, Also, you learn to be more independent because you do not have your, family nearby to rely on. In addition, you have the chance to get to, know people from a different country and, apart from making new friendships and contacts, you become familiar with, another culture and way of life. This helps to broaden the mind.

3. Arguments «against»
On the other hand, studying abroad can be very, expensive and your family may have to give up, things like holidays to be able to afford to send you to another country. Moreover, you may get homesick and unhappy there because you are far away from your family. As a result you might mix only with other students from your own country and so, will not experience a different style of living.

4. Conclusion
All in all, whether you would enjoy, studying abroad depends on what kind of person you are and how much you can afford. If you have strong family ties, then it might be better to study in your own country. But, if you are, the type who mixes well with people from different cultures, then it could be a challenging experience.

 

 

Sample Essay


The Internet is a new way to communicate. Some people think it has more drawbacks than advantages.
What can you say for and against communicating by using the Internet?


1.     Introduction (state the problem)
The Internet is an extremely useful tool that has become an important part of our lives in the last few years. It makes searching for information much easier and quicker than before when people had to rely on books as a research tool. But, there are those who points out that the Internet can make life more dificult too.

2. Arguments “for”
It is true that the Internet has given us the possibility of reading vast quantities of information on an unlimited number of topics. What is more, it allows us to communicate that information to anyone who has a computer, via email. For many people, it is their only source of written information.

3. Arguments “against”
However, the Internet has its drawbacks. The main one is that the information that it provides is not always accurate or up-to-date. Secondly, the amount of information is so great that it can make looking for something too complicated. In addition, it can be quite costly to log onto and use.

4. Conclusion
All in all, the Internet is a useful addition to our lives when it is used wisely, but it is important not to think of it as the only source of information and to use books as well. It is unique in the way it has united the world through communication of ideas and this has never happened before.

 

 

Sample Essay

 

Many children are becoming obese. Some people feel schools should ban junk food to help solve this problem.

What can you say for and against serving junk food in schools? Write 200-250 words using the plan.

1. Introduction
(state the problem)

Would children have a healthier lifestyle if chips, hamburgers and fizzy drinks were banned from school canteens? Many of the meals that children eat at school are high in sugar and fat. In Europe today about 25% of children weigh more than is healthy. This is a serious problem because children who are overweight are likely to be overweight as adults and this can lead to health problem.

2. Arguments “for”

Many people believe that schools are responsible for teaching children healthy eating habits. Children who eat well learn well. If school canteens have only good food on the menu, children will eat good food. If children learn to appreciate a healthy diet at school, they will appreciate it for the rest of their lives.

3. Arguments “against”

However, if you stop children buying junk food at school it doesn’t mean that they will stop buying junk food outside school. It is better to teach children to make healthy food choices. Lead by example by eating well at home. If you teach a child to make healthy choices, you are teaching them an important lesson.

4. Conclusion

Schools, parents and children themselves must share the responsibility for the food children eat. Children who eat well do better at school and will probably go on to be healthy.

 

Sample Essay

 

You have 40 minutes to do this task.

 

Comment on the following statement.

 

International tourism has grown a lot  in recent years, with more and more  people traveling to other countries. However, some people say that this has disadvantages as well as advantages.

 

What can you say for and against the growth in international tourism?

 

Write 200-250 words.

 

Use the following plan:

 

1.     Introduction (Describe the situation)

2.     Arguments ‘for’

3.     Arguments ‘against’

4.     Conclusion

 

It is certainly true that international tourism has grown a lot in recent years, and this is mostly because more and more people can afford to travel abroad now. The cost of air travel is now rely on the income from tourists.

This has advantages. People see other parts of the world and learn about the people from other countries. This is good for international relations because people increase their knowledge of each other. And it is a very good experience in life to travel to other countries, meet the people who live there and see other ways of life. Furthermore, some local people can make more money than they used to from tourists.

However, there are disadvantages too. Tourism causes damage to the environment. Air travel produces pollution and large numbers of tourists in a place that used to be quiet and unspoilt are harmful for the environment in those places. Also, the life of the local community can be destroyed if their old industries and ways of earning money are replaced by tourism. The local people often do jobs that are not well paid in the tourism industry instead of things like fishing. Their quite villages that have been the same for many years suddenly change and are full of hotels.

I think that the growth in international tourism will continue but it is hard to say whether the advantages or disadvantages of it are greater.

 

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