Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Writing essays
The language that we use for writing essays Saying what you agree with
is often more formal than the language that You will first need to read the essay title
we use in conversation. The next four pages carefully, and decide what you agree or
give you help with the more formal disagree with about it or whether you think
type of language that is usually used in it is true. Use these words and phrases to say
writing. They give words and phrases what you agree with or what you think is true
that will help you to write your ideas about the statement:
clearly and naturally, and in a way that is Certainly . . .
suitable for an essay.
It is certainly true that . . .
An example essay It is certainly the case (= true) that . . .
You could be asked to write many different Examples:
types of essays in English during the course Certainly more people than ever before are
of your studies. These may include factual overweight.
essays, descriptive essays or stories. You may It is certainly the case that we know more
also be asked to write letters, emails, reports about healthy eating than ever before.
or pages from a diary as writing exercises.
Giving reasons for why you think some-
The phrases below all relate to the language thing is true
you might want to use in a discursive essay
Use these phrases to give reasons why you
(= an essay in which you are asked to discuss
think something is true about the statement in
something). The title of the example essay is:
the essay title:
Despite the increased availability of healthy
food and our greater knowledge of what makes Perhaps this is because . . .
a healthy diet, we are fatter and less healthy This could be because . . .
than ever before. Discuss. This could/may/might be a result of . . .
Before you start This could/may/might be due to . . .
Make sure you understand what you are This may be attributable to . . . ( formal)
expected to do in writing the essay. If you do Examples:
not understand some words, look them up in Perhaps this is because people today eat the
this dictionary. It might help for you to put wrong kinds of food.
the essay title into more simple language the
process of doing this will help you to be sure This could be due to the fact that people
that you understand it. Another way of writing today eat the wrong sort of food.
this essay title might be: Although we know Giving additional reasons
more about healthy food and healthy eating
Use these words and phrases when you want
than ever before, we are fatter and less healthy
to give another reason why you agree or
than ever before.
disagree with the statement:
In a discursive essay, you will have to write Another reason (for this) might be . . .
about the things you agree or disagree with It is also true/the case that . . .
about the title of the essay, give your reasons
for your opinions, and finally state what your In addition . . .
conclusions (= your final opinions) are, based Furthermore . . .
on the things you have discussed. Moreover . . .