Contents

Discursive essay
Creative Writing Under
Exam planning strategy
Pressure
Argumentative assignment

A presentation by James Abela

2006 All rights reserved, please do not reproduce without permission

Argumentative Opinion
Lets make students clean the toilets
Do you agree?

Argumentative essays Does anybody else think the same as you?

Particularly useful for IELTs Why do you think that?

& pre-university entry exams. Can you understand the other side?
Why are they wrong?

Argumentative Order If you remember 1 sentence!

Lets make students clean the toilets "I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to
have." Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Introduce topic - agree / disagree "To accomplish great things we must not only act but
also dream, not only plan but also believe." Anatole
Tell us why ideas and examples
"Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a
Different opinions not important or matter of quality; the other, a matter of time." Marabel
Morgan
not true
"There are two levers for moving men -- interest and
Brief summary fear. Napoleon Bonaparte 1769-1821, French General,
STRONG LAST SENTENCE Emperor

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 Building an Argument
Building an Argument Smoking should be banned from public places

Smoking is dirty.

Leave ash

Leave cigarette butts

Smoking should be banned from Smells bad

public places
Causes irritation to the eyes

Building an Argument Vocabulary

Smoking should be banned from public places
First point - First of all / To begin with / To
Smoking is dangerous start with
Connect points And / Also /Furthermore /
Careless smokers cause fires Whats more / As well
Change sides On the other hand /
conversely / But / That said
causes throat & lung cancer
Conclude - In conclusion / Therefore
Examples - For example / For instance
Causes heart disease

Quick Planning - Mindmaps Steps to planning!

Wide range of Draw a Mindmap as fast as possible
uses: from Internet Select 3-5 ideas (In an exam, just choose
site design to by instinct)
brainstorming in Each of those ideas can then be made into
meetings a paragraph
Generate ideas Once complete reread your work
about 30% faster
Write a conclusion
Check grammar and spelling

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 Discursive Why?
Discursive Essays
Used in Universities
Academic Writing

Therefore:
After youve reached university!
Strict Format rules
Logical NOT emotional

Discursive Formal Writing Discursive Formal Writing

X
Dont use Contractions Dont use Contractions
No slang, mate No slang, mate
When in Rome do as the Romans Do When in Rome do as the Romans Do
(NO IDIOMS) (NO IDIOMS)
We dont use personal Pronouns. We dont use personal Pronouns.
No Titles (See Above) No Titles (See Above)
I think you shouldnt have any opinion I think you shouldnt have any opinion

Discursive Essay - Order

Rephrase the quote/question in your
own FORMAL words. Perhaps you can Should students choose
see what issues lie behind it. (1
paragraph max) Teachers?
Evidence that agrees
Evidence that disagrees
Implications or consequences
Conclusion (Allowed some opinion here)

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 Weighing an Argument Planning It
Weighing: On the one hand On the other hand
For Against
Pros Cons
Some teachers would Give every student
work harder. good grades.
Some teachers would Choose teachers they
prepare more for like, not good
class. teachers.
Some bad teachers Teachers might teach
wouldnt get chosen. what is interesting
Try to make their and not what is
class more interesting. important.

Discursive How to ACE it Conclusion

Accurate Argumentative Be Honest!
Language and evidence Build an argument with examples
Clear Quick Planning Method Mindmaps
Discursive Very formal, must be seen to
Economical be balanced.
(Dont try to make your essay appear Plan it with Vs brainstorming
longer by repeating etc.) ACE it!