ESSAY WRITING

ORGANIZING YOUR ESSAY

I. Read the essay below. Match the five different parts of an essay 1-4 to the five
paragraphs A-D.
Read the essay below and underline the linking expressions that have been used.

Many people believe that increasing levels of violence on television and in films are having a
direct result on levels of violence in society. Others claim that violence in society is the result of
more fundamental social problems such as unemployment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

1. A short summary and restatement of the arguments

2. A clear statement of your view, and a rewriting of the original question in your own
words.
3. Supporting argument (how violence is shown)
4. Supporting argument (violence is an imitation of film models)

A. The issue of violence has become a topic of debate in recent years. Some argue that
it is connected to people’s exposure to violent scenes on television and in films while others
point to wider problems in society such as unemployment, poor housing and education as the
root of anti-social behavior. Personally, I believe that violence in the media plays a significant
role in encouraging violent behavior.

B. First, numerous reports on social problems have been suggested that as levels of
violence in the media increase, so does young people’s exposure to it. Even films which aim at
children often contain violence and despite the difficulty of proving whether this directly
affects society in a negative way, it is hard not to be concerned. Also, it is argued that
children learn through modeling adult behavior, so if the film models they choose are violent,
then it is highly that they may be violent themselves.

C. Furthermore, the way violence is portrayed in the media is often stylized, resulting in
violence being seen as acceptable and attractive. This means people who are easily impressed
may behave violently themselves. In addition, although research has shown that aggressive
behavior is often of genetic predisposition or coming from aggressive parents, I still believe
that the unrealistic way violence is shown in the media must have a negative effect on young
viewers.
D. In conclusion, with the media’s extensive display of violence, there comes the alarming
trend of violence in society. In my view, the undesirable effects on young people and the
unrealistic way it is shown have made disastrous impacts on society as well.

II. Underline the words or phrases which are used to introduce an opinion.
II. Read the model task 2 below and decide where you would separate it into paragraphs.
Insert the following phrases into the correct place: In conclusion; To begin with; Secondly.
 In many countries today, the eating habits and lifestyles of children are
different from those of previous generations. Some people say this has a
negative effect on their health.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
It has recently been suggested that the way children eat and live nowadays has led to
deterioration in their health. I entirely agree with this view, and believe that this
alarming situation has come about for several reasons. There is the worrying increase
in the amount of processed food that children are eating at home, with little or none
of the fresh food or vegetables that earlier generations ate every day. In addition,
more and more people are choosing to eat in fast-food restaurants, which may be less
healthy. This is because what they eat there is extremely high in fat, salt and sugar,
all of which can be damaging to their health. There is a disturbing decline in the
amount of exercise they get. Schools have become obsessed with exams, with the
shocking results that most young pupils now do no sports at all. To make matters
worse, few even get any exercise on the way to and from school, as most of them have
their parents drive rather than walk or cycle. Also, children are spending far more
time at home playing computer games, watching TV or surfing the internet. They no
longer play outside with friends or take part in challenging outdoor activities.
Although none of these changes, on its own, have caused widespread harm to children
health, there can be little doubt that all of them together have had a devastating
effect. This, in my opinion, can only be reversed by encouraging children to return to
more traditional ways of eating and living.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS
Look at the exam question below. Then read the three introductions 1-4 written by students.
Which introduction do you think is the most effective?

Technological advancement has made it possible for office workers to do much of their work from
home instead of working in offices every day. Working from home should be encouraged as it is
good for workers and employers.
Do you agree or disagree?

1. Nowadays, new technologies have made it possible for many office workers to work
from home rather than travelling to their offices every day. In my opinion, working
from home should be encouraged because it is good for workers and employers.
2. In recent years, the vast expansion of information and communications technology has
made teleworking much more feasible. I personally believe that this type of working
arrangement benefits both the workers and their employers as well.
3. When computers first came to our offices in the 1960s, there were many imaginative
predictions of the way they would revolutionize our lives. However, few people
predicted the arrival of the personal computers in the 1980s, which would sit on desks
and give each of us enormous computing power. Then, the invention of the internet in
1990s gave us the possibility of connecting with computers in other parts of the world.
4. Working from home is many people’s ideal and there are strong arguments in favor of
it.
 LINKING EXPRESSIONS
I. Look at the functions that linking expression can perform. Read statements 1-7 below and
decide in each case which function the linking expression is performing.
a. add information b. show a contrast c. show a consequence
d. express an opinion e. give an example f. give a reason g. list a sequence

1. In Britain, it is very difficult to get a gun license, whereas in many places in the
United States, almost anyone is able to apply for one.
2. Crime is increasing all over the city. Therefore, the police have decided to install a
large number of CCTV cameras.
3. Capital punishment has been stopped in many countries because of strong opposition
to it.
4. There are three things to do before an interview. First of all, research the
company on the Internet.
5. The Prime Minister has lowered taxes considerably in the last two years.
Furthermore, the unemployment rate continues to decline.
6. Prison sentences are far too lenient these days. Many murderers, for instance, are
released in only eight to ten years.
7. I can’t speak for everyone, but in my experience, this kind of situation is extremely
uncommon.
II. Complete the summary by choosing the correct word or phrase.
Vegetarians often argue that people should not eat meat. They feel that eating
meat is wrong. (1) However/Consequently I personally believe that a meat-based diet
is a matter of choice. In modern life, people can choose to eat whatever they like,
(2) including/in addition to meat. In fact, eating is one of the great pleasures of life.
(3) For instance/Consequently, we can enjoy cuisine from all around the world. Why,
therefore, should we restrict ourselves to one kind of diet? Some people say that
vegetarianism is the healthiest way to life. (4)However/Moreover humans are not
herbivorous nor are they strictly carnivorous. Humans are omnivorous: we are
designed to eat a variety of things. (5) One example/For one thing which supports
this view is our dental system. We are equipped with both grinding teeth and sharp
teeth to grind plant products and bite meat. (6) Another reason/This means that
eating meat is for its high protein content which is difficult to get without
consuming meat.

III. These words and phrases are used to show contrast: ALTHOUGH; EVEN THOUGH;
DESPITE; IN SPITE OF; HOWEVER.
Complete the sentences with a word or phrase showing contrast.
1. ……………… the large amount of violence on TV, people are able to tell the difference
between real life and TV.
2. TV gives the impression that society is violent and unsafe ………… this reality for most
people is quite the opposite.
3. Violence is a normal occurrence nowadays on TV. ………………….., I believe we need to be
more careful about what we watch and what we allow our children to watch.
4. ……………………very common in popular movies, violence should not be used for
entertainment purposes.