HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY

A essay must have the following features:

A essay must have the following features:

Purpose: What we usually do with an essay is to analyse and assess a topic, situation or issue which, in some Purpose: What we usually do with an essay is to analyse and assess a topic, situation or issue which, in some
way, is interesting or controversial. .
way, is interesting or controversial. .

Tone and style: Given that you're writing about a serious or controversial issue, an essay is written in a formal
style, so we must stick to an objective tone and style. The language must be formal, thus avoiding words that are
simply too common or generic (E.g: things, stuff, get, etc.) and contractions (E.g.: can't, don't, won't, etc.). Passi-
ve constructions are preferable.
ve constructions are preferable.
Tone and style: Given that you're writing about a serious or controversial issue, an essay is written in a formal
style, so we must stick to an objective tone and style. The language must be formal, thus avoiding words that are
simply too common or generic (E.g: things, stuff, get, etc.) and contractions (E.g.: can't, don't, won't, etc.). Passi-

Structure: Like every piece of writing, an essay must present a defined structure:
Structure: Like every piece of writing, an essay must present a defined structure:

1) Introduction (30 words)

1) Introduction (30 words)

2) First paragraph (40 words)

2) First paragraph (40 words)

3) Second paragraph (40 words)

3) Second paragraph (40 words)

4) Third paragraph (40 words)

4) Third paragraph (40 words)

5) Conclusion
5) Conclusion

Opinion: There are countless ways of expressing your opinion in an essay, so you must choose the one that suits
you best. However, it is advisable to remain impartial throughout your writing and give your opinion only in the last
paragraph, as a conclusion. However, it is optional. The most important thing is that you justify everything you say
in your essay.
in your essay.
Opinion: There are countless ways of expressing your opinion in an essay, so you must choose the one that suits
you best. However, it is advisable to remain impartial throughout your writing and give your opinion only in the last
paragraph, as a conclusion. However, it is optional. The most important thing is that you justify everything you say

Coherence: Coherence is essential in every type of writing, but especially in an essay. As it to be an argumentati- Coherence: Coherence is essential in every type of writing, but especially in an essay. As it to be an argumentati-
ve text, you must avoid writing incoherent paragraphs that have nothing to do with one another. Your ideas must ve text, you must avoid writing incoherent paragraphs that have nothing to do with one another. Your ideas must
follow a logical order and be well connected with appropriate linkers.
follow a logical order and be well connected with appropriate linkers.

• Introducing an argument or point of view • Introducing an argument or point of view

Some/Many/A few people think/feel/say that…
 Some/Many/A few people think/feel/say that…

Other people disagree/argue that….
 Other people disagree/argue that….

One point of view is…
 One point of view is…

The general belief is that…
 The general belief is that…

Most people believe that…
 Most people believe that…

Public opinion is divided on the topic of…
 Public opinion is divided on the topic of…

It is sometimes/often said/thought/claimed that…
It is sometimes/often said/thought/claimed that…

• Giving opinions • Giving opinions

In my opinion
 In my opinion

I am of the belief that…
 I am of the belief that…

In contrast to …. I feel that…
 In contrast to …. I feel that…

My personal opinion is that…
 My personal opinion is that…

It is my wholehearted/sincere opinion that…
It is my wholehearted/sincere opinion that…

• Linking Words and Phrases • Linking Words and Phrases

However
 However

Nevertheless
 Nevertheless

In addition…
 In addition…

Firstly…Secondly
 Firstly…Secondly

On the one hand…On the other hand…
 On the one hand…On the other hand…

In contrast…
 In contrast…

Meanwhile
 Meanwhile

Whereas
Whereas

SOME EXAMPLE OF ASSESSMENT: https://studentlanguages.com/fce-essay/

SOME EXAMPLE OF ASSESSMENT: https://studentlanguages.com/fce-essay/

ASSESSMENT - https://www.fceexamtips.com/writing ASSESSMENT - https://www.fceexamtips.com/writing

You have 80 minutes to write two texts. The first text will always be an essay and should be 140-190 words long. You have 80 minutes to write two texts. The first text will always be an essay and should be 140-190 words long.
The second text can be an article, informal email or letter, a formal email or letter, a report, or a review and should The second text can be an article, informal email or letter, a formal email or letter, a report, or a review and should
be 140-190 words.
be 140-190 words.

The examiners give you a grade based on 4 things:

The examiners give you a grade based on 4 things:

• Content - Did you write what you were asked to write?
• Communicative achievement - Was your writing too formal, too informal, or just right?
• Organisation - Did you link paragraphs and sentences? Is there a logical flow from start to finish?
• Language - Did you show off your sparkling vocabulary or did you use basic words? Did you make lots of
grammar and spelling mistakes?
• Content - Did you write what you were asked to write?
• Communicative achievement - Was your writing too formal, too informal, or just right?
• Organisation - Did you link paragraphs and sentences? Is there a logical flow from start to finish?
• Language - Did you show off your sparkling vocabulary or did you use basic words? Did you make lots of
grammar and spelling mistakes?