Useful Tips for Essays

Write well developed paragraphs Use formal style Use generalisations (people say/believe/consider) but do not use overgeneralisation (everybody believes that ) Avoid strong feelings (nobody does this/it is impossible to disagree with me) Do not use strong personal expressions (xI thinkx) use milder language (I believe/in my opinion/to my mind/I am inclined to believe that/it seems to me that/as far as I am concerned) Use linking words (in other words/moreover/anyway/as a consequence/to start with/finally) Use sequencing (first of all/next/moreover/lastly) ake reference to other sources (the government claims that) !ive examples not personal thoughts Do not blindl" refer to statistics unless "ou are certain of a source Use an advanced level of vocabular" Outline: Giving Advantages and Disadvantages Introduction# general statement about the topic (e$g$% A matter of considerable controversy at present is the issue of whether to study in a foreign country or rather not. There are different opinions in this debate therefore it is worth examining both aspects before reaching any conclusion.) Main body# Para # advantages and statements to support "our point of view (The main advantage of /On the one hand can be advantageous!/etc" Para ## disadvantages and statements to support "our point of view (However, the disadvantages of are numerous. Firstly, . Secondly, . Finally /On the other hand can be disadvantageous!/etc) onclusion# !ive a balanced consideration or give "our opinion without using personal words or expressions (To sum u $ &) Outline: !"pressing Opinions Introduction# state "our opinion clearl" without using too man" personal opinion words (e$g$% The sub%ect of animal testing is very controversial. !n my o inion$ animal testing should be banned for a number of reasons.) Main body# Para & give the first point supporting "our opinion (The first reason for su orting animal testing is that !" Para ## give the second point supporting "our opinion ("oreover% &) Para '# give the last point supporting "our opinion (The final and most im ortant oint in favour of#

Para (# give the opponents' viewpoint (However, the o that &)

onents say

onclusion# re(state "our opinion% using different words (In conclusion%&) Outline: #roviding $olutions%$uggestions to #roblems Introduction# state the problem% the main reasons for the problem and that there are several solutions to it$ (e$g$% )iolent crime has increased as a result of greater accessibility to weapons% combined with the fact that large numbers of young people are unemployed$ with very few prospects of finding a %ob$ !n my o inion, there are several solutions to the roblem.) Main body# Para & "our first suggestion and wh" it would be a good idea ($n effective solution is # Para #& "our second suggestion and wh" it would be a good idea ($nother suggestion is &) onclusion# )onclude the essa" b" summari*ing "our opinion give "our final suggestion and explain wh" it would be the best idea ($ll things considered, the best solution to the roblem is ) Outline: Discursive !ssay Introduction# make a general statement about the topic (e$g$% *asketball is an important part of our society and plays a large role in many +ithuanians,s lives. -ow more than ever$ basketball events dominate headlines and basketballers have become national heroes. The question is$ does basketball merit this kind of interest and attention." Main body# write various points of view in separate paragraphs$ +n each paragraph "ou should include the opposite point of view$ +nclude some of the following aspects# moral$ personal$ scientific$ political$ geographical$ social$ historical$ religious$ economic$ artistic$ educational$ psychological. ,our main bod" paragraphs should start# e$g$% -ara .# From a social stand oint% &/-ara 0# $s far as education is concerned% &/-ara 1# From an economic oint of view onclusion# )onclude b" giving "our own opinion on the sub2ect (!n my o inion% &)