AVTC6_Unit 8_Discussion/ Opinion Essays

III. POST-WRITING
Task 7. Work in pairs. Read your partner’s essay. Then use the Checklist below to offer
feedback that can help your partner improve his or her writing. 
Content Y/N Comments/ Suggestions

Task Response

Does the essay contain at least 250 words?

Is the topic addressed in the introduction? 

Does the thesis statement discuss both questions as
required? 
Is each of the paragraphs related to the topic? 
Does the conclusion summarize the both views and
give the author’s final opinion?
Coherence & Cohesion
Does the essay have an introduction, two body
paragraphs, and a conclusion? 
Is there a clear topic sentence in each paragraph?
Does the author include any relevant examples
and/or other supporting details (explanation,
reasons, etc.)? 
Are there at least 4 transitional expressions used
correctly (First, Moreover, However, etc.)?
Lexical Resource

Has the question been paraphrased properly?

Does the author avoid repeating vocabulary?

Have spelling and word-choice errors been
checked?
Does the author use academic vocabulary
sufficiently? 

Does the essay contain vocabulary specific to the

1 [FOR INTERNAL USE AT VAN LANG UNIVERSITY ONLY]

AVTC6_Unit 8_Discussion/ Opinion Essays

topic?
Grammar Range and Accuracy
Does the author use a range of simple, compound,
and complex sentences? 
Have the verb tenses and subject-verb agreement
been checked?
Has punctuation been used correctly?

Time management

Was the task completed within 40 minutes?

Task 8. Additional topics for further practice.

Choose one of the following IELTS Writing Tasks and write a complete essay. Remember
to give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

1. Some people believe that the best way to improve the general well-being of school children is
to make physical education compulsory in all schools. Others, however, think that this would
have little effect on overall health and other measures are needed.

2. Some people believe government should spend money on building train and subway lines to
reduce traffic congestion. Others think that building more and wider roads is the better way to
reduce traffic congestion.

3. Some people think that parents have a great influence on their children. Others believe that
the media is a bigger influence.
(Souce: IELTS Past Paper)

2 [FOR INTERNAL USE AT VAN LANG UNIVERSITY ONLY]