CONTENT

1.Formal and Informal Letters

2.Opinion essays

3.Reporting Experiences

4.Reviews

5.Describing festivals

6.Assessing good and bad points

7. Providing solutions to problems essays

8. “For and Against” essays

9. Describing objects

10. Articles

11. Describing people

12. Describing places

13. Narratives-stories

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 FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTERS

1. DEFINITION:
A letter is a written message from one party to another containing
information. Letters are one of the oldest modes of communication used by
humankind.
There are two types of letter  Formal letter
 Informal letter

2. STRUCTURE. BODY OF A LETTER:

INTRODUCTION

Paragraph 1 - reasons for writing

MAIN BODY

Paragraph 2-3 – development of the subject

CONCLUSION

Final paragraph – closing remarks

FULL NAME

3. STTRUCTURE:

a. Formal letters- are sent to organizations, government departments to

make complaints, requests, orders etc. In case of formal letters, the
person to whom you are addressing the letter is not a friend or any other
person known by you. Your tone is full of respect making use of formal
words and sentences to create a nice impression .

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b. Informal letters- are normally written to relatives, friends or other
people we know very well. A good informal letter should be divided into
paragraphs. Each paragraph should deal with one aspect of the subject
and start with a topic sentence which gives the main idea of the
paragraph.

4. TIPS AND TRICKS:

A good letter should consist:

a) an appropriate greeting ( Dear Michael; Dear Sir)

b) an introduction clearly stating the reason why you are writing
c) a main body in which the subject is developed. Begin a new
paragraph for each main point
d) a final paragraph in which you sum up the topic or express
your wish for something to be done
e) an appropriate ending ( Yours/ Best wishes, +first name)

Present perfect and Past simple are often used in letters giving news.

The Present Perfect is used to refer to recent activities and the Past Simple
to refer to activities which happened in the past.

5. STYLE IN LETTERS:
The characteristics of formal style in letters are :
 the greeting ( Dear Mr Lee, Dear Sir)
 frequent use of the passive

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  formal language ( complex sentences, non-colloquial English)
 no abbreviated forms
 the ending ( Yours sincerely, / Yours faithfully, Jason McNeil)

The characteristics of informal style in letters are :

 the greeting (Dear Alex, Dear Dad)
 informal language and style
 abbreviated forms, pronouns omitted
 the ending ( Yours/ Love /Best wishes/ Regards, Lee)

6. EXAMPLE:

Here are some solved questions for you to understand the

correct letter writing format

Example 1. Write a letter to the Mayor of your city seeking a solution to the
problem of waterlogging in your area. You are Raj / Rani of Dharma Colony,
Ramgargh.
 
14 / 8, Dharma Colony
Ramgarh.

Date: 15 January 2021

The Mayor
Ramgarh

Subject: Complaint regarding the problem of water logging in Dharma Colony

Sir / Madam

I am Raj, a resident of Dharma Colony. The residents of the area are facing a lot of problems
due to water logging.
Every year in the monsoon season, the area gets filled with water as the drainage system
gets choked. We have requested the area committee many times, but the situation is still the
same. The residents’ lives have become miserable as many water – borne diseases have
spread. All the houses are submerged, and we are facing a tough time.
Please consider the issue as serious and find a solution at the earliest.

Yours faithfully

Raj
 
Example 2. You are Garima / Gaurav. Write a letter to your friend
Sanjana / Sanjay, inviting her / him to your birthday party. Give details
regarding the day, time, venue, etc. Add interesting details like theme, dress
code, etc.

45, Jan Marg

Delhi.

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 33, Khan Gali
Delhi.

Date: 15 January 2021

Dear Sanjay

Hi! You are invited to my birthday party on 25th August.

The party will be at Archie’s Place, Nehru Park from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. As the party is based
on the ‘Spiderman’ theme, please wear a dress in red / black color combination. It will be
fun as I have arranged a Mask game and a ‘Spidey’ web game. I am very excited as I will
wear a special Spidey costume designed by my sister. Please come as it will be good to have
your company. Also, bring your brother Saurav.
Waiting for your confirmation.

7. USEFUL LANGUAGE:

Beginnings….

1. I am writing with regard to your recent correspondence. We

regret to inform you that ….
2. Thanks so much for your yhoughtful gift. The jumper fits
perfectly. It will really come in handy this winter when I go
skiing…
3. I just received your letter and I am so sorry to hear that you
are having trouble…
4. Sorry but I can’t make to your 25th anniversary party, but I
will be away on the day of celebration…
5. I am writing to inquire about the special weekend trips..
6. It it with great pleasure that I am writing to congratulate
you on your promotion….

Endings

1. Should you need any information about courses which will

be held next term, I will be so happy to assist you.
2. Thanks again for the gift and please send regards to your
family.
3. Let me know if my advice was any of help. I hope everything
turns out fine.
4. Anyway, I wish them a happy anniversary. I am looking
forward to hear how it went.

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 OPINION ESSAY

1.DEFINITION:

Just like the name implies, an opinion essay is a type of essay that outlines
and reflects the writer’s point of view. However, it is important to point out
that in writing an opinion essay, it isn’t enough to just present your
opinions or point of view. You will also need to support them with sufficient
logical reasoning and examples. 

 In most cases, you may outline or suggest an opposing viewpoint and

then back it up with arguments that point out its flaws. The essay will
consist of an opening paragraph with a thesis statement, supporting
paragraphs, and a closing paragraph with an effective conclusion to
the essay.
 Writing an opinion essay is a chance to reflect your opinion about
something. However, a great opinion essay requires good writing and
in-depth research skills.
Make sure that you collect enough facts and arguments to support your
opinion about a particular subject. The information that you collect fits with
the points that you present in the essay.
 
The typical opinion essay format looks like this:
1. The introduction
2. The main body
3. The conclusion or concluding statement
 
The main purpose of the opinion essay is to:
 Give your opinion on a specific topic.
 Explain something from the subjective position of a writer.
 Describe the causes and relationship of something from the writer’s
perspective.

To write a successful essay, you should follow some steps. Therefore, for
your help, these are some steps that guide you in writing the perfect essay:
1. Pre-Writing
Before starting to write the essay, you need to collect information that
supports your opinion. However, make sure the information that you
collect is relevant and matches your opinion.
Also, in the prewriting phase, you should examine your opinion

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 relevant to the topic. If not, then you should improve it and make it
according to your audience’s interest.
2. Create Opinion Essay Outline
With the right essay outline, you will easily create the essay without
forgetting the main points. For the essay outline, follow the proper
format. The opinion essay outline contains:

o Opinion Essay Introduction

An introduction is the opening paragraph of the essay, and it
should be attention-grabbing. The primary goal of the
introduction is to prepare your readers to dip into the text.
After giving the hook statement, introduce the topic and provide
some background information about the topic. However, it
doesn't explain the essay topic in detail.
Also, conclude the essay with a strong thesis statement that
covers the main purpose of the essay.
o Opinion Essay Body Paragraphs
In the essay body, you need to support your thesis statement.
Address the readers directly while expressing your concerns
about the given statement.
Also, start every paragraph with a topic sentence and give solid
reasons that support your opinion. Moreover, start a new
paragraph only when you want to discuss the new idea.
o Opinion Essay Conclusion
The conclusion is the last but important part of the essay. In
this section, restate the main points of the essay and thesis
statement. Also, try to avoid writing new ideas or information.
However, make sure that your essay conclusion is more
engaging and ends with a warning, ask a provocative question,
or suggest consequences.

4. Finalize your Opinion Essay

When you complete writing your essay, start the editing and proofreading
step. At this stage, remove grammar, vocabulary, and spelling mistakes.
Make sure that your essay format is correct and meets all your
requirements.

2.STRUCTURE:

Introduction
 Start the essay with a hook statement.
 Provide a general overview of the topic.
 Include the thesis statement that clearly states your point of vie

Body Paragraphs
 Paragraph 1: (Argument 1 in favour- along with examples, facts, etc.)

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  Paragraph 2: (Argument 2 in favour- along with examples, facts, etc.)
 Paragraph 3: (Argument 3 against- along with examples, facts, etc.)

Conclusion
 Mention all the main points of the essay.
 Free of any new information.
 Restate the thesis statement.
 Leave the reader with a strong final impression.

The Introduction 

The introduction clearly presents the topic or issue and states your opinion
as well. Here, you need to include a thesis statement that basically
summarises the main point of your essay. 
Writing an introduction seems pretty straightforward. However, there’s a
slight catch to it. How do you keep your audience engaged? It’s simple.
Include a hook to get them engaged as soon as they start reading. This way,
your audience will get interested and stay engaged throughout the reading
process.
Your hook could be a rhetorical question. It could even be a quotation or a
sentence from a popular book or play. All that matters is keeping your
audience engaged. 
The Main Body

The main body usually contains points that support your thesis statement.
Here, you would need to write different paragraphs that address separate
aspects of the topic. You would also need to support each paragraph with
logical reasoning and facts. 
Each paragraph in the main body of the essay should begin with a topic
sentence. Subsequent sentences in the paragraph will then contain
arguments or evidence that back up the topic sentence. 
When it comes to writing the main body of an opinion essay or any essay, it
is important to address one main idea in one paragraph. Do not begin a new
paragraph only to continue talking about the previous idea. Each new
paragraph should introduce a new idea. 

3.TIPS AND TRICKS WHEN WRITING AN OPPINION ESSAY:

1. Basic do’s when writing an opinion essay

 Introduce each paragraph with a topic sentence, outlining the main

ideas.
 Do not write about advantages or disadvantages or points for or
against.
 Write in a formal style.

2. Basic don’ts when writing an opinion essay

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  Don’t use colloquial expressions.
 Don’t use short forms.
 Don’t use emotive vocabulary.

4.EXAMPLES:

Space exploration is much too expensive and the money should be

spent on more important things.
What is your opinion?

There is an argument that exploring space is a waste of money and that

there are more urgent needs to be addressed on earth, such as reducing
poverty and preventing environmental destruction. However, I completely
disagree with this opinion for two reasons.
 First of all, many of the technologies we take for granted today were
originated thanks to space research. Take satellite technology, for example,
which we depend on for broadcasting and weather forecasting. Without
satellites, we would not be able to follow global events as they happen, nor
give populations any warning of approaching storms. Space research has
also led to the development of new lightweight materials that offer us heat
protection and enable food preservation. Therefore, the challenge of sending
human beings into space has often driven the development of new
technologies that benefit our everyday lives.
Second, we cannot foresee the distant future, so we ought to develop the
capability to escape from the earth. Gradually, we are learning how humans
can survive for long periods in space and even travel to other planets in the
future. If space exploration is halted, this valuable knowledge will never be
acquired. Indeed, environmental destruction is also a serious issue, but it is
also true that we remain dependent on our environment if we never accept
the challenge of exploring other worlds.
In conclusion, while we undoubtedly face serious problems on our planet,
we must continue to explore space. This will promote further technological
advances as well as provide a possible means of escape should earth become
uninhabitable in future. Ideally, all nations should cooperate in the
advancement of space research.

Some people think that some types of criminals should not go to

prison. Instead, they should do unpaid work in the community. To
what extent do you agree?
Owing to the great variety of crimes that can be punishable by prison, some
people argue that not all criminals are the same and it would therefore be
more appropriate to give certain criminals community service instead. I
agree that in some cases, prison may not be the best solution and
community service would probably have more benefits.
One justification given for prisons is to keep society safe by removing
criminals from the outside world. So the first thing to consider is if someone

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who has broken the law is a danger to other people. In the case of violent
crime, there is an argument to keep the perpetrator away from society.
However, burglary or possession of drugs, for example, does not involve
violence against other people so the criminal does not present a direct
danger to anyone in the community. Keeping these types of criminals in
prison is expensive for the taxpayer and does not appear to be an effective
punishment as they often commit the same crime again when they come out
of prison.
I also believe punishments should reform people so they do not re-offend. A
further reason not to put these people in prison is that they may mix with
more dangerous and violent criminals, potentially committing a worse crime
when they are released. By keeping them in the community, helping others,
they not only learn new skills but could also develop more empathy and care
towards others. If this occurs, society can only benefit.
Critics of this more rehabilitative approach to crime believe that justice
should be harsh to deter people from committing similar crimes and that
community service could be less likely to have that effect. However, there is
very little evidence to suggest that long prison sentences deter criminals.
In conclusion, putting criminals who are not a danger to society in prison is
expensive and ineffective, both as a deterrent and as a form of rehabilitation.
Community service for non-violent crimes benefits both society and the
offender. That said, it would be useful to have more data to work out
whether community service or prison is more likely to stop someone from
reoffending. I strongly believe that decisions on how best to deal with
criminals should be based on evidence of what works.
 

5. USEFUL LANGUAGE: 

TO EXPRESS OPINION

  In my opinion,
  Personally, I think/ I believe (that
  I strongly believe that....
  It is clear (to me) that
  I (completely) agree/disagree with ...
  It seems to me that...
  AsIseeit,...
  In my view,...
  From my point of view, ...
  As far I am concerned, ...
  I am sure/ convinced that ...
  I (dis)agree with the statement, because ...

TO GIVE REASONS

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   My main reason is..../Another reason...
  One reason for... is ....
  Many people say/ believe that...
  Because...
  Since...
  Because of/ due to...

TO EXPRESS FACTS

  It is widely known that...

  It is a well-known fact that ...
  Research has shown that...
  There are definitely...
  It is a fact that...
  It is clear/ true that...
  For example/ for instance,...

TO ADD IDEAS

  What is more,...
  Moreover/ furthermore/ in addition (to)
  Firstly,...
  First of all,...
  Secondly,..
  Thirdly,...
  Lastly,...
  Finally,...

TO EXPRESS CONTRAST

  Although
  Despite ...
  In spite of ...
  Whereas ...
  However....
  In contrast... /but...
  On the one hand... /on the other hand...

TO EXPRESS PURPOSE

  So (that)
  In order to...
  To...
  So as to...

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TO CONCLUDE

  To sum up,...

  To conclude...
  In conclusion...

REPORTING EXPERIENCES

1. DEFINITION:
Experience-(practical contact with and observation of
facts or events).

Preparation Phase

 Before starting our report we need to think about the style we will be
writing in. We do this by considering who we are addressing in our text,
but most of the time we will write in an informal style. Don’t forget to
use past tense!

2.STRUCTURE:

 Introduction

You need to “set the scene”. State the topic of the report, the place where the
experience took place, the people involved and the time of the actions.

 Main Body
Here, we write all the information in chronological order. Don’t forget to use
linking words, they will make your text more interesting and captivating.

 Conclusion/Ending
In this part we wrap everything up and talk about our feelings and about what
we have learned during our experience.

3.HOW TO MAKE OUR REPORT MORE INTERESTING:

 Give each paragraph an intriguing subtitle

 Rather than making a few longer paragraphs keep them brief
and more frequent

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  Find a catchy title so readers would be more attracted by your
report
 On the same note be careful to make an interesting
introduction, since a lame one would make readers bored.

4.USEFUL IDIOMS AND LANGUAGE:

Also, arrange your ideas into paragraphs and use linking words such as:
 When
 The Next Day
 Afterwards
 During that
time
Some useful idioms:
• in broad daylight
• without further ado
• in no time
• troubled waters
• go with the flow
• come to a head

REVIEWS
1. DEFINITION:

What is a review?

 A review’s main purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about

something which the writer has experienced (e.g. a film, a book, a holiday) and
to give the reader a clear impression of what the item discussed is like. While
there are many types of reviews, this is a format you could follow to help you
get started:

1. THESIS
2. LIKES AND DISLIKES
3. YOUR RECOMMENDATION

2. STRUCTURE OF A REVIEW:

INTRODUCTION:
Always name what you will be reviewing!

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Open your review with an introduction paragraph that does either of
the following things: catches the reader’s attention and identifies the thing
you’ll be reviewing (e.g., the title of the book or movie, the director or author
it is by etc.).

The 1st body paragraph:

Give a short explanation/summary of what you will be reviewing!

Here you describe the plot and the action while informing the reader which
actor plays which role. In a restaurant review, describe the setting and the
type of food or service.

The 2nd body paragraph:

Should be used to describe good and bad points respectively.

Here you analyse the film, talking about the director and then the actors,
looking at good things as well as bad things. In a book if the characters are
well described or if the writing is good enough. In a restaurant it analyses
the service and the quality of the food.

The 3rd body paragraph:

Just like the 2nd main body paragraph, it should be used to highlight good
and bad points!

Conclusion:
Present the reader with your general impression and your verdict. 

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3. TIPS AND TRICKS FOR WRITING A BETTER REVEW:
 A title is advisable.
 You should also start a new paragraph for every item/aspect you are
addressing in your review. 
 Try to make it interesting by using a wide range of vocabulary
comparisons to describe something; specialised topic vocabulary. 
 Give your assessment of what you are reviewing and points mentioned
in the task input. 
 Include a final recommendation or evaluation
 Don’t forget!  The target reader is specified in the question, so the
candidate knows not only what register is appropriate, but also has an
idea about the kind of information to include. 
 Language of opinion (positive, negative), recommendation, description
is necessary.

4. USEFUL LANGUAGE:
 Avoid using common adjectives. Instead of good or bad, use adjectives
such as  ‘amazing’ and ‘disappointing’ or ‘terrific’ and ‘terrible’.

 Use linking phrases: 

-Overall if you like…
-I was pleasantly surprised by...
-In fact…
-What I disliked the most was…

5.EXAMPLES:

Finally, as an example, here is a review by ‘Kirkus Reviews’ of

Ralph Ellison’s ‘The Invisible man’:

An extremely powerful story of a young Southern man, from his late high
school days through three years of college to his life in Harlem.
His early training prepared him for a life of humility before white men, but
through injustices- large and small, he came to realize that he was an
"invisible man". People saw in him only a reflection of their preconceived ideas
of what he was, denied his individuality, and ultimately did not see him at
all. This theme, which has implications far beyond the obvious racial parallel,
is skillfully handled. The incidents of the story are wholly absorbing. The
boy's dismissal from college because of an innocent mistake, his shocked
reaction to the anonymity of the North and to Harlem, his nightmare
experiences on a one-day job in a paint factory and in the hospital, his

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lightning success as the Harlem leader of a communistic organization known
as the Brotherhood, his involvement in black versus white and black versus
black clashes and his disillusion and understanding of his invisibility- all
climax naturally in scenes of violence and riot, followed by a retreat which is
both literal and figurative. Parts of this experience may have been told before,
but never with such freshness, intensity and power.
This is Ellison's first novel, but he has complete control of his story and his
style. Watch it.

DESCRIBING
FESTIVALS/ CEREMONIES/ CELEBRATIONS

1. DEFINITION:

The Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary gives two meanings. The first is

related to putting on a performance: a series of special events, performances,
etc. that often takes place over several days. The second is more traditional
and religious: a special day or period when people celebrate something,
especially a religious event.
So, a festival is an event ordinarily celebrated by a community and
centring on some characteristic aspect of that community and its religion or
cultures. It is often marked as a local or national holiday. Next to religion
and folklore, a significant origin is agricultural.
Such pieces of writing can be found in magazines, newspapers or travel
brochures, or as part of letters, stories, etc.
The style you use depends on the situation and the intended reader.

2. STRUCTURE:
A descriptive composition about an event should consist of:
 an introduction in which you set the scene, mentioning the
name/ type, time, place and reason for celebrating this event (see
Paragraph 1);
 a main body in which you describe:
• Paragraph 2: preparations (decorations, rehearsal, etc.);
• Paragraph 3: description of actual event (costumes, food,
music,
dancing, other activities, etc.);
 a conclusion in which you describe the people’s feelings or
comments on the event, final thoughts (Final Paragraph).

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 3. POINTS TO CONSIDER/ TIPS AND TRICKS:

 When you describe annual events (e.g. a carnival/ festival

which takes place every year) you should use the present
tenses. However, if the event is related to the past (e.g. the
carnival/ festival you attended last year), you should use
past tenses. The passive is frequently used to describe the
preparation or activities which take place (e.g. Presents were
wrapped in colourful paper
and put under the tree Christmas tree);
 To make you description more vivid, narrative techniques
and a variety of descriptive adjectives can be used to set the
scene and describe the atmosphere. (e.g. During the carnival,
onlookers line the crowded streets, clapping and cheering
as they watch the brightly coloured floats and exotically
dressed dancers go by as the sound of traditional Caribbean
music fills the air);
 You can use the passive to describe events when the activity
is more important than the agent (i.e. the person who did it)
e.g. After the parade, speeches are made and hymns are
sung.

4. EXAMPLE:
Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day takes place in Britain every year on the

Sunday closest to November 11th. It is held to remember all those who
died while fighting in World Wars I and II.
Prior to the actual event, many schools and organisations
rehearse for the parades which will be held on the day. Paper poppies
are sold to the public, and they wear them in their lapels for a week or
so before the event. The poppy flower, due to its bright red colour, is
used to symbolise the blood shed by the soldiers during the war.
On the actual day, war veterans join the parades, proudly
displaying their medals, and they march or are pushed in wheelchairs
down the streets to the cheers of the crowds. In the evening there is
always a remembrance service, held at the Royal Albert Hall in
London, which is televised live. Hymns are sung, speeches are made,
and at the end of the service, thousands of poppies are dropped from
the ceiling onto the audience below.
Remembrance Day is a very important event. We should respect
and feel proud of those people who died fighting in the wars as they
played a very significant role in securing our country’s freedom.

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 5. USEFUL STRUCTURES/ COLLOCATIONS/ IDIOMS

 Bright lights sparkle, huge colourful flowers, crowed-gasped in wonder

and admiration, exhilarating, picturesque, glamming, handsomely,
bizarre, blissful, striking, quant, radiant, cold feeling of shock gripped
me, splintered, shattered wood of the door, scarcely breathing,
slightest groan, initial shock subsided, hesitate, puzzled, eagerly
anticipated, exquisite, deafening noise, exclusive, tranquil silence,
chaotic, bright neon lights, hum of laughter and voices, muted gasps,
breath taking, eye-catching, majestic.

ASSESING GOOD AND BAD POINTS

1.DEFINITION:

A report assessing good and bad points is normally a formal piece of

writing, and should consist of:

2.STRUCTURE:

a) An introduction in which you state the content and purpose of

your report.

b) A main body in which all information concerning the topic is

presented in detail under sub-headings.

c) A final paragraph which summarizes the information

mentioned in the main body and states your
opinion/recommendation.

3.TIPS AND TRICKS:

 Before starting to write your report, think of who you are supposed to
be according to the topic and who the report is addressed to. This will
help you decide on the style of the report.

 Decide on the heading of the report, then carefully plan the

information you will include. Decide on what you will be writing
about, giving sub-headings, and think of what specific information
you will include in each section.

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  Use linking words to join your ideas. If you feel there are negative
aspects to be mentioned, present them under the relevant sub-
headings, as well as the positive aspects. Join the negative and
positive comments using appropriate words (however, nevertheless, on
the other hand, in contrast etc.)

 Present tenses are normally used in this kind of report. However, past
tenses are used to reports related to past events
e.g. a report about a restaurant.

4.USEFUL LANGUAGE:

 To introduce: As requested, The purpose/aim of this report is to....

etc.

 To make contrasting points: However, Although, Despite, But, While,

Even though etc.

 To express the difference between appearance and reality: It may

seem, On the surface, Apparently etc.

 To conclude/Summarize: In conclusion, On the whole, To conclude,

To sum up etc.

5.EXAMPLE:

As requested, this is my assessment report on Bailey's Restaurant,

where a friend and I had dinner on Saturday night.
The restaurant occupies the ground floor of a beautiful Regency
terraced house. With a seating capacity of 70 people, it has deep carpets,
soft lighting from wall-mounted lamps, and rich oak paneling on the walls.
The effect is both luxurious and welcoming. The menu offers traditional
British cooking, as well as a few French and Italian dishes. I chose roast
beef as a main course, and my companion had lamb.
Although the food was well cooked and attractively presented, I felt
the choice of starters and desserts was very limited. Even though the
restaurant was completely full-on Saturday, the service was reasonably
quick. The waiters and waitresses were all polite and efficient. The bill, for a
three-course meal for two people, with a bottle of wine, was £85. There are
several dishes on the menu which are far more expensive than the ones we
chose, and these prices are rather high for the quality of food served.
To sum up, Bailey's Restaurant has an attractive décor and a
pleasant atmosphere, as well as good food and service. However, the menu
is limited and overall our dinner was certainly overpriced.

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 PROVIDING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS ESSAY

1.DEFINITION:

An essay in which we suggest solutions to a problem is a formal piece

of writing. Firstly, a problem is being brought up and discussed. Afterwards,
a plan for a solution is provided. 
Therefore, this type of essay is commonly used when we want to
persuade others that we have a better idea or a better understanding of a
specific topic, meaning we can find the best suited solution for the specific
inconvenience. We should also keep in mind that for every suggestion made,
any expected results or consequences must be mentioned. 

2.STRUCTURE:

INTRODUCTION:

 Hook/catch ⇒ write something interesting to catch the reader’s

attention (it has a significant importance for the overall text, as most
readers decide to read or not to read the essay, depending on how the
first sentence catches their interest)
!!!MAKE SURE YOUR HOOK IS INTERESTING!!!
 Background information ⇒ introduce why it is a problem, who it affects
and how big it actually is  
 Thesis statement ⇒ in this last sentence of the paragraph, you will
want to clearly state the thesis statement, which has three parts:
1. What is the problem?
2. Why is it a problem?
3. References to possible solutions

Example of a thesis statement:

Excessive noise from traffic (1) poses health risks for people of all
ages. (2) Researchers have come up with two possible solutions to both
protect people and preserve the flow of traffic. (3)

(1) THE TOPIC ⇒ states what the problem is

(2) THE REASON IT’S A PROBLEM
(3) REFERENCE FOR SOLUTIONS

Example of an introductory paragraph:

21
 Education is important to be successful in life, but a growing number
of young people are choosing to work instead of going to college. (1) This is
especially true among high-school students, who feel they are able to be
successful without college. However, experts tell us a proper education is
key to achieving goals. (2) High-school dropouts fail to achieve their full
potential, but two new programs can help them get ahead. (3)
(1) THE HOOK ⇒ it firstly establishes the importance of education and
then it informs us that there is a growing number of people that
fail to see its importance.
(2) THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ⇒ the idea is being elaborated,
while also establishing again the importance of education.
(3) THE THESIS STATEMENT ⇒ the problem is clearly stated and a
solution is proposed.

BODY:

=BLOCK METHOD=

 Problem/s with reasons ⇒ convince readers it’s a problem  

 First solution ⇒ explain solution and persuade the reader towards the
best possibilities
 Second solution 

!!!REMEMBER YOU ARE WRITING IN SUCH MANNER TO PERSUADE

THE READERS THAT THESE SOLUTIONS ARE REALLY THE BEST; USE
STRONG, PERSUASIVE LANGUAGE!!!

=POINT-BY-POINT METHOD=

 First problem with solution

 Second problem with solution
 Third problem with solution 

CONCLUSION 
 Briefly restate the problem and the solution
 Restate the thesis statement 
 Emphasize the solutions
 Include a call-to-action ⇒ challenge the readers to do something about
the problem 
 Take home phrase ⇒ add something that the readers will remember  

3.TIPS AND TRICKS:

1. Interest your reader in the problem
2. Convince your reader that the problem is important and needs to be
solved
3. Explain your solution clearly

22
 4. Convince the reader that your solution is cost-effective and feasible
5. Convince your reader that your solution is better than other solutions

4.EXAMPLE:

The internet has transformed the way information is shared and

consumed, but it has also created problems that did not exist before.
What are the most serious problems associated with the internet
and what solutions can you suggest?

ANSWER:
The enormous growth in the use of the internet over the last decade
has led to radical changes to the way that people consume and share
information. Although serious problems have arisen as a result of this, there
are solutions.
One of the first problems of the internet is the ease with which
children can access potentially dangerous sites. For example, pornography
sites are easily accessible to them because they can register with a site and
claim to be an adult. There is no doubt that this affects their thoughts and
development, which is a negative impact for the children and for society.
Another major problem is the growth of online fraud and hacking. These
days, there are constant news stories about government and company
websites that have been hacked, resulting in sensitive information falling
into the hands of criminals.
It is important that action is taken to combat these problems.
Governments should ensure that adequate legislation and controls are in
place that will prevent young people from accessing dangerous sites, such
as requiring more than simply confirming that you are an adult to view a
site. Parents also have a part to play. They need to closely monitor the
activities of their children and restrict their access to certain sites, which
can now be done through various computer programs. Companies must also
improve their onsite IT security systems to make fraud and hacking much
more difficult by undertaking thorough reviews of their current systems for
weaknesses.
To conclude, the internet is an amazing technological innovation that
has transformed people’s lives, but not without negative impacts. However,
with the right action by individuals, governments and businesses, it can be
made a safe place for everyone.

5.USEFUL LANGUAGE:

1. To introduce suggestions: to begin/start with, one way to, another

solution would be…, another way to...would be…, etc.

2. To express cause: because of/owing to/due to the fact that, for this
reason, etc.

23
 3. To express effect: thus, therefore, as a result, consequently, so,
therefore, etc.

4. To express reality: in fact, as a matter of fact, in practice, etc.

5. To emphasize what you say: obviously, clearly, needless to say etc.

6. To conclude: all in all, to sum up, all things considered, etc.

“FOR AND AGAINST” ESSAYS

1. What a typical essay task looks like:

The first step is always to underline the key points in the task so
you know what to do and what information to include in your essay. When
you look at a writing task – and I mean every kind of writing task, not only
essays – you should think about two things: what you have to include in
your text and who is going to read it. Choosing the correct register and
tone (formal English) for your essay will earn you higher marks so don’t
forget about it. The second point we need to consider is what we have to
write about. In every essay task there are a situation/topic (problems with
pollution and damage to the environment), a question for you to answer
(Do you think these problems can be solved?) and three topic
points (transport, rivers/seas, your own idea). Always write about all
three topic points.
"For and against" essays are one type of discursive writing in
which you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a specific
topic.

2. Structure-the 3 main parts of an essay:

● an introduction in which you present the topic, making

a general remark about it without giving your opinion;
● a main body in which you present the points for and the
points against, in separate paragraphs, supporting your
arguments with justifications/examples;
● a conclusion which includes your opinion (e.g. In my
opinion/view, I believe/think, etc) or a balanced summary
of the topic.

24
3. Points to consider
• Make a list of the points for and against a topic before you start writing.
• Write well-developed paragraphs in which the points you present are
supported with justification, (i.e. reasons or examples). Make sure each
paragraph has more than one sentence (e.g. One advantage of using a
word processor is that it saves time. It is much quicker to make corrections
on one than it is to do them by hand). Do not use informal style (e.g. short
forms, colloquial language, etc.) or strong language (e.g. I firmly believe,
etc.)
• Try to include a quotation relevant to the topic you are writing about. For
example, if you are writing an essay on space exploration, a quotation you
may include is: "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."
(Neil Armstrong)
• Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence which summarises what the paragraph is about.

You should start each main body paragraph with a topic sentence
which introduces or summarizes the main topic of the paragraph. The topic
sentence should be followed by supporting sentences which justify the
argument presented in the topic sentence, by giving examples or reasons.
You should use linking words/phrases to present your justifications,
such as: first of all, what is more, for example, because, since, in
particular ,etc.
e.g. Travelling by train has a lot of advantages.
First of all, it is comfortable as trains are spacious so there is
plenty of room to walk about. What is more, trains are convenient. For
example, you do not have to take any food or beverages with you, because
most trains have a restaurant. Finally, when you travel by train you reach
your destination fairly quickly.

3. TECHNIQUES TO BEGIN OR END YOUR ESSAY:

To attract the reader's interest and make the beginni

ng or ending of your essay more effective, you can use some of the following
writing techniques:
• address the reader directly e.g. If you take the time to train your
dog, it will learn to obey you.

• include a quotation (i.e. Sentence or phrase taken from a book, play,

etc.) When we use a quotation, it is necessary to mention the
name of the person who said/wrote it. e.g. As George Orwell wrote,
“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

• include a rhetorical question e.g. Is it true that a dog is man's best

friend?

25
 DESCRIBING OBJECTS

1. The definition of an describing essay:

A descriptive essay is an essay with which you describe something. 

2. The structure of the essay:

Introduction:

 The first sentence should grab attention.Try to hook the reader,

intrigue your audience. This will give your essay a very good start.
 Topic: Introduce the object you are writing about. Stay brief,don’t
introduce all the important details, keep some of them for later.
 Background info: Here, you can slightly elaborate on your topic, but
don’t give all the information you have. Leave all of the specific details
for the body paragraphs. Keep to grab the reader’s attention!
 Appeal to the senses: if you want to keep your reader’s attention,
appeal to at least one or two of the five senses by the end of your
introduction.

Body Paragraphs:

 First impressions are very important, so if you really want to keep

your readers entertained, start each of body paragraphs with an
exciting point.
 Appeal to senses in plot development: we cannot stress this enough,
appeal to senses as much as you possibly can. This is exactly what
makes a good story. If you can use all of the five senses in one
paragraph, do it! Do not limit yourself to just one or two. And, of
course, use the same logic in all of your subsequent parts.
 Operate the facts: Senses are cool, but it’s the events that make up a
storyline. For example, when you are describing the object, include
some background information about it.
 Keep the suspense: even if you can grab the reader’s attention with a
hook, be prepared that keeping it is a challenging task. Ideally, try to
build up to an impressive finale. Build the suspense, each new line of
your story should involve the reader more and more.

26
Conclusion:

 Do not forget to reflect on your purpose. No matter how good your

description may be, readers will still want to know why it is important
in the first place. Don’t describe just for the sake of describing, give
your story meaning.
 Stress the significance: sometimes, the significance of an object may
seem obvious to you as the writer. It will not always be so for your
audience. Make sure you stress the importance of the object enough
for the reader to understand.
 Impress: the hook of your story can be challenging enough; but, an
impressive conclusion is even more complex. Wrap it up with a
powerful statement that will not escape the reader’s mind right after
he/she finished reading. Yes, this stage will need some extra thinking,
so do not rush to put a stop to your writing.

4. Points to consider:

 You could describe an everyday object in your life.

 You could describe an object with sentimental meaning for you.
 You could describe the most important object that you own.

5. Extra tips and tricks:

 Write with style, for example use imagery to highlight your writing
style. Metaphors, similes, even paradoxes , whatever suits you best.
 Stick to chronological descriptions: the best tip when working on a
short form of writing (which is your essay) is to keep things
chronological. Shifting from the present to the past and then jumping
ahead to the distant future will simply confuse your readers.
 Get a second opinion: you will never know what kind of impression
your essay creates unless you ask for a second opinion. Get one of
your collegues to look at your paper. Remember, even if you did a top
job, there is always some room for improvement. A second opinion will
surely let you see small mistakes in your work.
 Make sure you use clear and appropriate words in the writing of the
essay.

6. Example of describing an object:

" The Most Important Object in My Life "

27
 Soft, cuddly, and a good listener, my dear teddy bear is the most
important creation man sewed over the past decades. It is the only
permanent thing in my life and never left me in the rollercoaster ride
of destiny. My teddy bear was given to me by a neighbor as a birthday
present. He was my first fluffy toy during my childhood years. We
watched movies together, sat next to each other, and did spend our
leisure time simultaneously.

I always bring him whenever I can especially when we go to long

journeys and vacations. During the moments when I felt pain and
sadness, I just grab him in my arms and whisper how terrible I felt
when mom scolded me, whenever the bullies snatched my paper bill,
and how I wish people could understand the way I am. I treated him
like an older brother. He is my security blanket. He never failed to give
me the comfort and happiness during my darkest days. He is the only
thing I can trust and depend on. That special bond continued until my
first year as a teen. As time passed by, I realized that I became too
dependent on my teddy bear. I feared the dependency the same way
as I was afraid of being independent and alone. I felt I cannot live
without the most reliable and trustworthy object in my life. The fear
was translated into an awareness and recognition that my teddy bear
is far from what I have believed he was: a good listener with a soul.

Yes, he never left me in times of despair but he is incapable of

comprehending my deepest thoughts and emotions because he is a
nonliving thing. The worry of being independent and detaching myself
to my security blanket gradually faded. He was still there, lying in my
bed and watching me handling my own problems and
disappointments in life. I will always treasure the memories and the
maturity my teddy bear gave me. He gave me the greatest gift in
my life: independence and accountability and he will remain in my
heart forever.

Source of the description: https://studymoose.com/the-most-

important-object-in-my-life-essay

7. Useful expressions phrases and words:

 In order to
 In other words
 To put it another way
 To put it more simply
 Moreover
 Furthermore
 Similarly
 Another key thing to remember
 As well as
 Firstly, secondly, thirdly……
 However

28
  On the other hand
 That said
 Yet
 Despite this
 With this in your mind
 For instance
 Significantly
 In conclusion
 All things considered
 To exemplify
 In view of
 Considering
 According to X
 Alternatively
 Nonetheless
 Importantly
 Notably
 To summarize
 Above all

HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE THAT CAN GET

YOU MAXIMUM GRADE IN THE FCE EXAM?

Have you ever wondered what is the structure of a 100-point article? Or

what are some tips and trick that could improve your writing? Well you’re
writing the right article then!

1.DEFINITION:

An article is a piece of writing on a particular topic for a newspaper,

magazine, newsletter, website or other publication.

2.STRUCTURE:

The structure of an article for a newspaper, magazine or website, is usually

in three parts:

 introduction – engaging the reader, or outlining the main point of the

article to follow.
 middle – making clear and interesting points about the topic
 end – a concluding paragraph that draws the points together
If the aim of an article is to persuade the reader, then the opening and
closing paragraph will outline the writer’s viewpoint and make it most

29
 memorable. Subheadings are sometimes used to signpost the content of
each.

3.POINTS TO CONSIDER.
-Structuring Your Article For Maximum Impact
-Use Keywords And Phrases To Get Readers
-Re-read Your Article To Avoid Mistakes
- Use an adequate title

- Try using original ideas

3.What are some useful tips and tricks?

As I did in the beginning, the crucial thing you must do is to gain the reader’s
interest in the title and introduction, for example, ask a question to attract the
readers attention.
Here are also other tips that will help you:
 Use neutral language for your article(not too formal or informal). You can
address the reader personally by using „you”.
 Make your article lively and entertaining. Use descriptive language.
 Conclude your article with a summary of what you said, and give your
opinion if appropriate!

5.Here are some good examples:

Have you We ever
wantreceived a thoughtful gift? The best gift I’ve ever been given was a picture from my ten-
your articles!
year-old niece,
GIVINGwho she had drawn for my birthday. It wasn’t an expensive gift, but it was one of the most
GIFTS
thoughtful
What’s theI’vemost
everthoughtful
received. The picture ever
gift you’ve was decorated
received? with
Whyhand-drawn
do you thinkimages
givingof theisthings I love
gifts
best: flowers,important?
ice cream Do
andyou
birds.
think the best gifts are the most expensive ones?
We’ll publish the best articles in our magazine next month.
Personally, I think it’s important to give gifts to show you care about the people in your life. The picture
my niece made was so nice because it demonstrated that she understands the things that make me happy.
As far as I’m concerned, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a gift: something home-made and personal
is just as lovely to receive as a diamond ring or a fast car. And you don’t need to wait for a special
occasion such as a birthday; you can give gifts any day of the year to show someone you love them.

Remember, it isn’t how much you spend on a gift that matters, but the thought you put into giving
something you think the other person will enjoy.

30
 6.USEFUL STRUCTURES/COLLOCATIONS/IDIOMS

 Colloquial phrases: one of the cool things, I totally recommend it,

etc. 

 Rhetorical questions:

 Have you ever…?

 Do you ever wonder…?
 What do you think about…?
 Are you a… like me?
 Are you one of those people who…?
 What would you say if I told you that…?

 Introducing new ideas:

 Firstly,
 First,
 In the first place,
 To begin with,
 The coolest thing about 
 What attracts me most 
 One thing to consider is
 Another consideration is
 Secondly,
 As for
 As to
 Also, 
 As regards
 In addition,
 In addition to that,
 Moreover,

 Concluding the article:

 In conclusion,
 On the whole,

31
  To sum up,
 To conclude,
 All in all, 
 … you will not regret it!

DESCRIBING PEOPLE

I. Definition
A descriptive essay, as the name implies, is a form of essay that
describes something.As for describing people, the essays must contain
specific information about the person’s characteristics,interests. All of these
facts should be a detailed portret of the person described.
II. Structure
A descriptive composition about a person should consist of:
a) an introduction where you give some brief information about the
person (his/ her name, time or place you met/saw him/her, how you heard
about him/her);
b) a main body where you describe physical appearance, personality
characteristics and hobbies/interests/everyday activities in separate
paragraphs; and
c) a conclusion which includes your comments and/or
feelings about the person.
Such descriptions can be found in articles, letters,
witness statements, novels, etc.

III. Points to consider

Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence which

introduces the subject of the paragraph. A variety of linking
words should be used to connect ideas.
To describe physical appearance, details should be given
as follows: height/build, age, facial features, hair, clothes,
moving from the most general aspects to the more specific
details. e.g. John is a tall, slim man in his mid forties. He has a
thin face, blue eyes and a large nose. His short hair is greying at
the temples. He is usually casually dressed.
To describe character and behaviour you can support
your description with examples. e.g. Sally is very sociable. She
loves going to parties and dances, If you want to mention any
negative qualities, use mild language (tends to, seems to, is
rather, can occasionally be, etc.). e.g. Instead of saying Sally is
arrogant., it is better to say Sally tends to be rather arrogant.

32
 Variety in the use of adjectives will make your description more
interesting. e.g. good-natured, well-behaved, gorgeous, etc.
Present tenses can be used to describe someone connected to the
present, e.g. someone you see every day. Past tenses can be used to describe
someone related to the past, e.g. someone who is no longer alive, someone
whom you won't meet again ... etc.

IV. Tips and tricks

Avoid beginning all sentences in the same way as this will make your
composition boring. Use a variety of structures, trying to link the sentences
together.
Instead of writing: She is a pretty girl. She has an oval face., you can write:
She is a pretty girl with an oval face.
Look at the examples suggested below:

He has wrinkles. They make him look older.

He has wrinkles which make him look older,
She is a beautiful woman. She wears designer clothes.
She is a beautiful woman who wears designer clothes.
She has long hair. She wears her hair in a pony-tail.
She wears her long hair in a pony-tail.
He has a big garden. He grows vegetables in the garden.
He has a big garden where he grows vegetables.

Instead of only using adjectives to describe a person's character, you can

also include examples of the way they speak/look/smile, etc. in order to give
a clearer picture and to make the description livelier. e.g. His blue eyes light
up whenever he sees his grandchild. Although the adjectives kind and
affectionate could be used to describe the person, giving examples of
mannerism makes the description more vivid.

V. Example

"My Next-door Neighbour"

Mavis has been my neighbour for six years. I first met her when
she knocked on my door and asked for a spade because she hadn't yet
unpacked hers. She had only moved in two days before.
Physically, Mavis looks younger than most other women in their
late sixties. She is of average height, neither fat nor thin. Her plump
round face is framed by a mass of wavy white hair and her sparkling
blue eyes show her humour and friendliness. She prefers wearing
casual, comfortable clothes. I don't think I have ever seen her in a
perfectly ironed suit.

33
 As for her personality, Mavis's most striking characteristic is her
generosity. My house, as well as most of our neighbors’', nearly always
has a vase of flowers from her garden in the living room. Mavis is very
good- natured and always has time for a chat. She is also patient. She
hardly ever gets annoyed about anything, except when children pick
her favourite roses and lilies. However, she tends to be quite stubborn
- once she has made a decision, nothing can change her mind.
Mavis always seems to be busy doing something. She spends a
lot of her time looking after her garden and often participates in local
flower shows. When she is not in her garden, she somewhere raising
money for one charity or another.
All in all, Mavis is the perfect next-door neighbour. Since the
day she moved in, we have grown very close and I am very fond of her,
even if I am woken up by the noise of her lawnmower early in the
morning

VI. Useful structures

The sturctures used to make a descriptive essay are usually adjectives that
describe the person.
Using a variety of structures trying to link the sentences together,will make
the composition more interesting and not boring.
The linking words would be with, which, who, where etc
Instead of writing: She is a pretty girl. She has an oval fac.
You can write: She is a pretty girl with an oval face.
Also, to link sentences are used structures or words such as:
and also; and as well; in addition to; also; both … and …; - for similar
qualities
but in spite of this/nevertheless/however, although/in spite of the fact that-
for opposing qualities

DESCRIBING PLACES
1.DEFINITION:
A good description of a 'place' helps to explain what makes it so different
from other 'places' and can give a good guide as to where it is located.

2.STRUCTURE - A DESCRIBING OMPOSITION ABOUT

DESCRIBING A PLACE SHOULD CONSIST OF:
1. an introduction- in which you identify it, give its exact location and
state the reason for choosing it;
2. a main body- in which you describe the main aspects of the place in
detail- for example, when you describe a place you should describe
what you can see and do there;

34
 3. a conclusion- which includes your comments, feelings and/or a
recommendation.

3.POINTS TO CONSIDER:
 A wide variety of adjectives (enormous, delightful, etc.) and adverbs
(horribly, beautifully, etc.) will make your description more
interesting. 
 Use of the senses (hearing, sight, smell, taste, touch) as well as
narrative techniques to start and finish your composition will make
your description more vivid. e.g. On entering the hospital I was struck
by the strong smell of antiseptic. 
 Present tenses should be used when describing a place for a tourist
brochure. Past tenses should be used when you describe a visit to a
place which took place in the past. First and second conditionals
(will/would) can be used when you describe your ideal house/city, etc.

Descriptions of places can be found in travel brochures, letters,

magazine articles and stories. They can be written in a formal or informal
style, depending on whom they are addressed to and how the writer wants
to present the description. For example, a description of a place you visited
in a letter to a friend would be informal, while a description of a place in a
travel brochure could be written in a formal style. It could also be written in
a less formal style when the writer wants to sound more persuasive. This
can be achieved by writing in a more personal style, addressing the reader
directly. 

4.TIPS AND TRICKS:

Narrative techniques can be used when you describe a place. You
can start or end your description by: 

 using your senses to describe the weather, surroundings, etc;

 asking a rhetorical question (a question which expects no answer);
 using direct speech;
 describing people's feelings or reactions about the place;
 using a quotation (e.g. As Dr Samuel Johnson once said, "When a
man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”);
 creating mystery, anticipation or suspense; 
 addressing the reader.

When you describe places, you may use prepositional phrases and verbs:
Prepositional phrases such as all around, to the left, to the right, at the
top of, as far as the eye can see etc. are used to describe statistic features.
Verbs such as flow, run, stretch, wind, curve, rise etc. are used to
describe features which suggest movement.

5.EXAMPLE:

35
 Set in the heart of southern England, London is one of the biggest and
busiest cities in Europe. A truly international city, London attracts millions
of visitors every year from all over the world, yet never loses its own unique
charm.
-INTRODUCTION
London has many impressive sights to see, ranging from the historical
beauty of St. Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben to Buckingham Palace and the
Houses of Parliament. In this city of contrasts, you can be walking along one
of the busiest streets, yet still be less than a mile from one of the many
huge, peaceful parks. London is a great cultural centre, too; the National
Gallery contains one of the finest collections of classical paintings in the
world. 
London is also well known for other things apart from its monuments
and art galleries. Shoppers will enjoy visiting the department stores on
Oxford Street or they could try Harrods, the most exclusive shop in London.
For evening entertainment, the choice of theatres is enormous. From the
famous Southbank Theatre complex to the smaller theatres of Covent
Garden, there is no end of plays to see. Soho and its pavement cafés are also
worth visiting.
-BODY
London is an exceptional place, a truly modern city that has managed to
keep its traditional style and sense of history. You may get exhausted in
London, but one thing is certain; you will never get bored because, as Dr
Johnson once said, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life. -
CONCLUSION

NARRATIVE STORIES

● What is a narrative story?

A narrative story is a text used to construct and communicate a story, with

characters, conflicts, and settings. Narrative writing is used in almost every
piece of writing, whether fiction or nonfiction. It has a central point that the
whole narrative revolves around, including incidents and characters. A
narrative essay is similar to a simple five-paragraph essay, in that it has the
same format. It is only different in that it is a narrative, having characters,
incidents, and dialogues. Narrative writing includes poetry, anecdotes, and
novels.

● Narrative structure:

Every narrative, even nonlinear narratives, is organized in some way. This is

how the main character pursues their goal or faces the challenge presented

36
to them. No matter how you structure your narrative, it has three distinct
parts:

○ The beginning: This is where the reader meets your writing. Hooking their
attention at the beginning is crucial.
○ The middle: The middle of your story or essay is where the action
happens. This is where your protagonist faces one or more conflicts and
reaches the climax, the point where the narrative pivots to the falling action
after the protagonist either meets or
fails to meet their goal.

○ The end: After the narrative’s climax, the ending wraps up loose story
threads, satisfies readers’ remaining curiosities, and positions the
protagonist for life after the story’s events.

● How to make your essay better:

❖ Narrative essays tell a vivid story, usually from one person's viewpoint. A
narrative essay uses all the story elements such as a beginning, middle, and
ending, as well as plot, characters, setting, and climax. Use different body
paragraphs for each to visually allow the reader to have some rest while
reading and also separate the different periods in your story. The plot’s
usually told chronologically and the story always has a purpose. Further, it
might use dialogue if the writer chooses to. It’s written with sensory details
and bright descriptions that involve the reader. All these details relate in
some way to the main point the writer is making.
❖ For example, if you choose to write about a place you visited alone, it
could be told without dialogue, but if you want to narrate

about the time you met a celebrity, for example, a conversation should be
included.

● Types of Narrative essays:

Writing a narrative essay can seem difficult if you don’t have a clear view of
what you want to communicate or how to do it. There are several types of
narrative essays: fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

1. Fiction is an imaginary narrative, based on the writer’s thoughts, ideas,

and feelings presented as a series of many events. It can be presented in a
form of a novel, folk-tale, short story, and a play, among others.

2. Non-fiction, on the other hand, counts as a personal narrative essay

where it’s based on real information, facts, or happenings. Biographies along
with journals and diaries are the most common non-fiction writings.

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3. Poetry can be both fictional or non-fictional because it’s a narrative where
the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the distinctive style
and rhythm. Sonnets and epics are the most frequently used.

● Elements of a narrative essay:

What makes a narrative essay relies on three fundamental elements:

character, theme, and dialogue.
● Characters are very important in this type of writing, even if the essay is
an autobiography, the person writing the essay becomes a character
that involves some other characters who behave, act and do things like the
rest of the participants presented in novels and stories.
● It revolves around a theme or a motif, which it’s presented in a thesis
statement that breaks down into three different parts. Further, in the text,
these parts are elaborated through characters in body paragraphs that
follow the essay structure.
● Lastly, dialogue is used between characters to capture a conversation. It is
the third most important element in which the narrative essay writer decides
how to tell the story he or she wants to portray.

● Useful idioms for your narrative story:

A blessing in disguise=a good thing that seemed bad at first

A dime a dozen=Something common
A blessing in disguise a good thing that seemed bad at first
A dime a dozen Something common as part of a sentence
Beat around the bush Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is
uncomfortable

Better late than never Better to arrive late than not to come at all Bite the
bullet To get something over with because it is inevitable Break a leg Good
luck Call it a day Stop working on something Cut somebody some slack
Don't be so critical

Cutting corners Doing something poorly in order to save time or money

Easy does it Slow down
Get out of hand Get out of control as part of a sentence
Get something out of your systemDo the thing you've been wanting to do so
you can move on

Get your act together Work better or leaveby itself

Give someone the benefit of the doubt Trust what someone says Go back to
the drawing board Start over
Hang in there Don't give up
Hit the sack Go to sleep

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Useful expressions for you narrative stories

According to X; X stated that; referring to the views of X Firstly, secondly,

thirdly
In view of; in light of; considering
Moreover; furthermore; in addition; what’s more

In order to; to that end; to this end

In other words; to put it another way; that is; to put it more simply
Similarly; likewise; another key fact to remember; as well as; an equally
significant aspect of
Despite this; provided that; nonetheless
For instance; to give an illustration of; to exemplify; to demonstrate; as
evidence; to elucidate

Example of a narrative essay:

 The Climb

I have this fear. It causes my legs to shake. I break out in a cold sweat. I
start jabbering to anyone who is nearby. As thoughts of certain death run
through my mind, the world appears a precious, treasured place. I imagine
my own funeral, then shrink back at the implications of where my thoughts
are taking me. My stomach feels strange. My palms are clammy.

I am terrified of heights.

Of course, it’s not really a fear of being in a high place. Rather, it is the view
of a long way to fall, of rocks far below me and no firm wall between me and
the edge. My sense of security is screamingly absent. There are no
guardrails, flimsy though I picture them, or other safety devices. I can rely
only on my own surefootedness—or lack thereof.

Despite my fear, two summers ago I somehow found myself climbing to a

high place, while quaking inside and out. Most of our high school had come
along on a day trip to the Boquerón, a gorgeous, lush spot in the foothills of
Peru. Its prime attraction is the main waterfall, about 100 feet high, that
thunders into a crystal clear pool feeding the Aguaytia River. All around the
pool and on down to the rushing river are boulders large and small. The
beach is strewn with rocks. On both sides of the fall, the jungle stretches to
meet it, rising parallel to it on a gentler slope.

After eating our sack lunches within sight and sound of the fall, many of us
wanted to make the climb to an area above it. We knew others had done so
on previous trips. A few guys went first to make sure they were on the right
path. But after they left, my group of seven decided to go ahead without

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waiting for them to return. I suspected we were going the wrong way, but I
kept silent, figuring that the others knew better. We went along the base of
the hill until we reached the climb. It stopped me in my tracks.

The climb ascended steeply above us. Along the right edge, the jungle
hugged the rocks; passage through its trees did not look feasible. The
majority of my view was filled with rocks. Looming high to the sky, the
boulders rose in a tiered manner. Peering back down toward the river, I saw
a steep slope of rocks all the way to the water. All I could think about was
how far it would be to fall.

My tense thoughts were interrupted by the realization that my friends were

already beginning to climb! My anxiety increased as I watched them.

Do I turn back? My whole being shouted, “Yes!” Will I regret it later? I really
want to get to the top, but...

I voiced my uncertainties to my friends. They dismissed my fears and

encouraged me to stick it out. Questioning my own sanity, I decided at least
to attempt the climb.

I chose a path that seemed easiest. My friend Tom was ahead of me. Then,
suddenly, he slipped and slid backward about 10 feet! I watched, paralyzed,
until he stopped himself and assured us he was all right. My heart was
hammering.

Now those who had tried the other way came back; it had not worked.
Consoling myself that my friend Seth would be right behind me, I shakily
began the ascent. The “path” led up a narrow area between boulders. In it,
we reached a place where there just were no good handholds. Seth braced
my foot, and those above sent down words of encouragement. I was soon
past the first challenge safely, but not feeling much better about the rest of
the climb.

The difficulties only increased from that point on, with scary spot after scary
spot. Though I knew I should not look down, I could not always ignore the
long drop to the boulders below. My breathing sped up, but my heart
pounded even faster, growing loud in my ears.

My friends kept right on climbing. But they did not forget me. Someone was
always behind me to help hold my feet steady when necessary, and someone
else was always ahead to offer a hand up. I trusted them more than myself; I
knew my feet could easily slip. With friends supporting me by words and
actions, I slowly gained ground.

Finally we came to the worst section yet. To me the slope looked very close
to vertical. The slight handholds were few and far between. Being short, I
knew the stretches would be difficult enough in normal conditions. In my
current panic, it would be much worse. The alternative was to go back

40
down. Which was more difficult? I didn't want to go either way, but
obviously I had to go somewhere.

The trouble was, we were not getting any nearer to the falls. By now, we
realized that this route was not the way most frequented! But knowing this
did not get me any closer to safety.

Since getting up this next part was next to impossible, and waiting for a
rescue helicopter was not an option, with fear and trembling I decided to go
down, but not by myself. Melody agreed to go with me, earning my eternal
gratitude. She paused to pray for safety; I did not trust my voice enough to
pray aloud.

Now, with our backs to the rocks, the drop was continually in our line of
vision. It seemed even steeper than before. The song “Angels Watching Over
Me” ran through my head as we began, Melody going first. I kept up a steady
stream of chatter, my trembling voice betraying my fear.

One of the first tough places we came to gave us trouble. Cautiously

stretching one foot down, Melody could not reach the bottom of the boulder.
A slip would mean an extremely long drop. So we tried a different route
where a fall would be shorter. It was somewhat wet and would entail a short
slide to reach the bottom.

Melody made it safely. I hesitated, unsure of my footing, and picturing

myself at the bottom of the cliff, bones broken and pain wracking my body,
if I still lived.

“You can do it! I'm right here,” Melody called. She waited patiently, not
pressuring me to hurry.

Inching carefully to the edge, I could see in the corner of my eye the
boulders and river far below. As I started down the rock, my foot slipped! My
heart jumped into my throat as the terror I had held just under the surface
swept over me.

I’m gonna fall! I inwardly shrieked.

It had been only a small slip, however; I was not in midair! I took a few
calming breaths, and my heart repositioned itself where it belonged.

With no further mishaps, we came eventually to the last troublesome spot,

the stretch between two boulders that had given me problems on the way
up. Thankfully, the rest of our friends had given up climbing to the top and
had now caught up to us. There were two possible descents from here. One
way included a short jump down. I decided to check out the other way. Seth
was working his way down this second route when he fell a few feet and
bruised himself! I again looked over the first option.

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Do I want to jump? There’s a big drop if I jump wrong or don’t stop on the
ledge! But the other way...!

I knew if I was to get down, it would have to be Seth’s way. He was willing to
help me however he could. I inspected the “path” he had taken. There was
some low vegetation, matted down and sloping slightly toward the edge.
Then came a drop down to a narrow inlet between rocks. That was not so
bad. The hitch lay in the fact that there was no handholds or footholds, and
my short legs would not reach to the rocks.

“Uh, I don’t know about this. I don’t like the looks of it!” I said, my voice
quavering. “You can make it, Amy! I'm right here. I won’t let you fall,” Seth
promised.
Slowly, painstakingly, I backed over the vegetation.
“I’m coming down,” I warned, my voice unsteady.

“I’m ready,” answered Seth. “I got you.”

His assurances gave me the strength to go on. I trusted him implicitly.

Flattening myself onto my belly, I edged my feet into midair. Seth held them
tightly and slowly lowered me, guiding my feel to a firm place as I let my
body slide over the leaves, twigs, and rock. When my feet made contact with
the solid rock, I heaved a huge sigh of relief. I could feel the fear draining
out of me.

My arms and legs were scratched up; I was dirty and sweaty. But none of it
mattered. I was at the bottom!

“Yaaaaaaahhhh!” I yelled. I never felt so alive, and so thankful for that life.

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