How to write an essay?

| B2 First (FCE)
Level: B2
Exam: B2 First
Writing

Article navigation:
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Structure
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Writing Guide
B2 First (FCE)  Essay: Example essays
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example topics
B2 First (FCE)  Essay: Tips
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Useful Phrases & Expressions
B2 First (FCE) Essay: FAQ

An essay is always written for the teacher. It should answer the question given
by addressing both content points and providing a new content point of the writer’s own.

The language of an essay should be formal. Also, make sure that you justify all your ideas and
that you use appropriate connectors to link your sentences and paragraphs.

When writing a professional essay, you can choose whether to give it a title or not. This could be
the same question provided in the task. As for the structure, it should have an introductory
paragraph and a conclusion at the end. The body should consist of 2 or 3 main paragraphs,
depending on how you decide to structure your ideas.

B2 First (FCE) Essay: Structure

Introduction
Present and develop the essay question in your introduction

1 st body paragraph
State your 1st argument and give a reason. This should be your main point.

2 nd body paragraph
State your 2nd argument and give a reason.

3 rd body paragraph (optional)

State your 3d argument and give a reason.
 Conclusion
Give your opinion

B2 First (FCE) Essay: Writing Guide

Introduction

In the introduction, state the topic clearly and give a brief outline of the issue, saying why it is
important or why people have different opinions about it. Do not express your opinion at
the beginning of your essay (develop your essay in such a way that it guides the reader to the
conclusion you draw).

Example: 

Hockey has been a part of life in Canada for over 120 years. It has evolved into an
extremely popular sport watched and played by millions of Canadians. The game has gone
through several changes since hockey was first played in Canada.

1st – 3rd body paragraph 

Supporting paragraphs make up the main body of your essay. Each new paragraph has one

main idea, stated in a topic sentence.

How do I write them?

1. List the points that develop the main idea of your essay.
2. Place each supporting point in its own paragraph.
3. Develop each supporting point with facts, details, and examples

To connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words. Transition

words link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read. Use them at the
beginning and end of your paragraphs.
Conclusion

The summary paragraph comes at the end of your essay after you have finished developing your
ideas. The summary paragraph is often called a “conclusion.” 

It summarizes or restates the main idea of the essay. You want to leave the reader with a sense
that your essay is complete.

Example:

Overall, the changes that occurred in hockey have helped to improve the game. Hockey is faster
andmore exciting as a result of changes in the past 120 years. For these reasons, modern hockey
is a better game than hockey in the 1890s.

B2 First (FCE)  Essay: Example essays

FCE Essay Sample 1

Subject:

In some countries, learning English is compulsory at

school. Do you agree with this?
Student’s FCE Essay Answer:

Introduction
Whether we like it or not, English has invaded most
schools across the globe. If these courses should be
compulsory or not is an important question to
consider.
1 st body paragraph 
To begin with, learning a second language is vital for
students because it opens their world to new cultures.
They not only learn a new language, but also learn
about other cultures apart from their own. In a world
that is rapidly becoming more and more international,
an extended worldview can help the students thrive in
such a cosmopolitan environment.
2 nd body paragraph 
Because English is the accepted language used in
business throughout the world, it is necessary for
students to prepare themselves and to be able to
survive in the competitive workplace. If students do
not learn English they will lose opportunities for
promotion, new career paths, and the chance to be
successful in a world that communicates only in
English.
3 rd body paragraph 
Lastly, learning English as a second language should
be compulsory, because otherwise only the most
motivated will learn it. Most students need the
structured atmosphere of a classroom in order to
focus and apply themselves. Without this gentle push,
the students can lose their drive and motivation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I think that English should be
compulsory in schools. The students will not only
have a better chance to be successful in their
professional careers, but they will also be more
enriched culturally. As well, because everyone is
different , the courses should be compulsory so as to
nurture those who need structure and guidance.

FCE Essay Sample 2

B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example topics
B2 First (FCE)  Essay: Tips

 ANSWER THE QUESTION

 PLAN your essay
 REVISE your essay to correct mistakes.
 Use a variety of discussive words and phrases
 Give examples where possible
 Use formal language
 Don’t use contractions (we’re, I’ve etc.)
 Sum up your argument in the final paragraph
 The final paragraph is the best place to express your opinion clearly.

B2 First (FCE) Essay: Useful Phrases & Expressions

Introduction

The trend nowadays is towards ….

Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of ….
Recent research indicates that ….
Hardly a week goes by without another report of ……….. appearing in the media.
This raises the issue of whether ……
Although most people would generally agree that ………… few would deny that ….
Stating your opinion

As I see it,
It seems to me that ………… I would also say that ….
I am convinced that ……………
I am inclined to believe that ………………
There is no doubt in my mind that ………………
One of the drawbacks of ……. is ……….
However, one of the benefits is that …………
Changing topic
As regards the causes for this, …………..
Concerning the causes for this, ………
As for the causes, ………..

Presenting arguments

One justification is often given for ……….. is that……………..

Advocates/Proponents would claim that ………………
Those who object to …………….. often argue that ……………….
Another objection is that ……
However, it should not be forgotten that …………..
……….. are opposed to ……………. on the grounds that ……………..
From the point of view of ……………..
According to ………………..

Describing causes

One factor which has led to ………… is …………..

One of the factors which has brought this about is ………
The problem often stems from ………………..
The situation has been exacerbated by …………….
………….. has only made the situation worse.
One consequence of ……………. is …………….

Proposing steps and measures

As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion would be to ………
The first step to be taken would be to ……..
To alleviate the situation people should ………..
In addition they ought to ……………
To begin to tackle this situation society/individuals/the government need/s to This can only be
dealt with if …………
To overcome this problem, …………..
Were the government to ……………, the situation would doubtless improve.
Individuals can do a great deal to …………
The burden of responsiblity lies in the hands of ……..
It is vitally important that ………
Legislation should be introduced to control ……………..
It would be a grave error if we ……………..

Concluding

All in all it seems to me that ………..

The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that …………………..
All things considered, ………….
On balance, I tend to believe that …………
The world would surely be a better place to live in if …………..
If people stopped ….ing, we would have/ we could look forward to a ……………
The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless ……………….

B2 First (FCE) Essay: FAQ

Should you do a plan?

Yes! You must make a plan to organise your writing. On the day of the exam, you will be
stressed and feel pressure. A plan is your way of organising you text and your thoughts.

What happens if I write more than 190 words?

Nothing… Well, almost nothing. In the past for every 5 words extra, they took away a point,
however, now they do not. It is not good to go over 190 words because of time, but you can. I
wouldn´t write more than 200 words because they will probably lower the mark they give you
for content. They will determine some of it to be unnecessary.

What counts as a complex language in the exam?

You MUST use complex language at B2 level. You must use attention-grabbing vocabulary
and a variety of grammar structures. The passive voice, relative clauses, modal verbs,
conditionals, reported speech and inversions all count as COMPLEX grammar forms and you
must use them. Otherwise, you can address academic experts and pay someone to write your
paper if you need help to write an essay for you.