ESSAY WRITING
Useful language
Introduction Phrases
 It is often said that ...
 ….is a hotly-debated topic that often divides
opinion.
 ….is a topic that is often discussed but rarely
solved.
 Many people feel that ...
 We live in an age when many of us are…
 More and more families/people are choosing
to …
 The trend nowadays is towards +ing
 ver the past/last ten years or so! …
 "ecent research indicates that the number of
…is increasing.
 #tatistics indicate that---
 $ardly a wee% goes by without another
report of .. appearing in the media. This
raises the issue of whether ……………..
 &lthough most people would generally agree
that …………… few
Language for topic sentences
First Paragraph
 …. clearly/undoubtedly has an impact on…
 It is common %nowledge that… plays a
crucial role in…
 It is undoubtedly the case that…
 There is little doubt that…
 … is widely believed to contribute to…
 It is generally considered that…
 "ecent research suggests that…
 #tudies have shown that… has an
impact/influence on…
 'ew people would contest/dispute the fact
that…
Second Paragraph
 &nother factor to consider is…
 n the other hand/In contrast…
 It is often claimed that…
 &ll the evidence suggests that…
Language for supporting ideas
 'or e(ample!
 'or instance!
 &n obvious e(ample of this is…
 & clear e(ample of this is…
 This is illustrated by…
 &s a case in point…
Language for conclusions
 In light of the above!
 Ta%ing all this into consideration/account!…
 &s far as I am concerned! / in my opinion! /
as I see it! etc.
 … is the most effective way to… due to the
fact that…
 )espite the fact that… undoubtedly plays a
role in… I firmly believe that… is more
effective due to the fact that… its
advantages outnumber/ outweigh those
ADVANCED
ADVANCED GRAMMAR
 Inersions!  *ot only is/do…..but also…
"arely/seldom do people….
 Conditionals!  Were
 Were these recommendations
to be implemented/ $ad they %nown about/
if they happen to…/ If he should have any…
 Dou"le co#paraties!  The cheaper the….!
the more popular…
 Participle clauses!  eing a %een shopper
myself!… $aving bought many products
online!….
 Su"$unctie! It is vital that should be / I
recommend that  should be done…/
would rather/ sooner 
 Adanced lin%ers!  )espite the fact that….!
….. due to the fact that! with a view to/ in
the light of …./ given….
 Relatie clauses!  reason for which…./
students whose wor% ought to be
assessed/ !which would be paramount to….
F&RMAL V&CA'(LAR)
Longer *ords *ith origins in Latin
eg, is because + informal # is attributable  No idio#atic e+pressions or phrasal er"s
to + formal / as% for+ informal # go up informal # increase  + formal
en0uire about + formal # choose+ ta%e part in + informal # participate in +
informal # opt for + formal formal
ear in mind + informal / be ta%en into
 Replace e#otie language
consideration + formal
&dore/ be elated be satisfied with
A"stract nouns rather than er"s
e great be satisfactory
Ma%e a reservation instead of boo%
'eel overwhelmed appear unable to cope/
ffer assistance instead of help
$andle/ manage/
Ma%e a complaint instead of complain
'antastic valuable/ profitable/ positive/
1(press your dissatisfaction instead of be
 beneficial
unhappy