FROM PARAGRAPH TO ESSAY

Essay writing builds on many of the skills you have already used to write a paragraph.
Once you know how to write a paragraph, it is not much harder to write an essay; an
essay is just longer. The principles of organization are the same for both. If you can write
a good paragraph, you can write a good essay.

An essay is a group of paragraphs about a specific subject. Like a paragraph, an essay

makes and supports one main point. However, the subject of an essay is too complex to
discuss in one paragraph. Several paragraphs are needed to fully support the main point
of an essay. A typical essay has five paragraphs, but many other types of essays are longer
or shorter.

PARTS OF AN ESSAY
An essay has three main parts:
● an introduction (an introductory paragraph)
● a body (two or more paragraphs)
● a conclusion (a concluding paragraph)
The following chart shows you the similar organizational patterns of a paragraph and
a five-paragraph essay.
Essay
1. Introduction
General Statements
Thesis Statement
2. Body

Paragraph A. Topic Sentence

+
Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences with
A. Supporting Justifications
Sentence B. Topic Sentence
+ +
Justification Supporting Sentences with
B. Supporting Justifications
Sentence C. Topic Sentence
+ +
Justification Supporting Sentences with
C. Supporting Justifications
Sentence 3. Conclusion
+ Restated thesis or summary of
Justification the main points: final comment
Concluding
Sentence

1
 Compare the opinion paragraph and opinion essay below.
OPINION PARAGRAPH

TOPIC SENTENCE I am in favor of homeschooling for three reasons. First of all, homeschooling
REASON #1 makes effective use of time. Homeschooling parent can decide flexibly on the times of
JUSTIFICATION the lessons according to his/her kid’s needs. Children can finish their lessons in a
shorter time, so there will be more time for play, the outdoors, projects, the arts, and
REASON #2
real experiments. The second reason is that students can follow their interests and
JUSTIFICATION
study subjects more deeply. They can choose some of the topics that they want to
REASON #3 investigate. For example, they might study ancient Chinese history, quantum physics,
JUSTIFICATION or computer animation. Lastly, they are less tired physically and mentally when they
CONCLUDING study at home. They don’t have to get up early or travel to school every day. This also
SENTENCE makes them feel more relaxed and peaceful. In conclusion, there are a lot of benefits
of homeschooling for children. (146 words)

OPINION ESSAY In Support of Homeschooling

INTRODUCTION An increasing number of parents in countries such as Australia, Canada,

and the United States have decided not to send their children to elementary or
secondary school. Instead, the parents devote their time and energy to teaching
THESIS their children at home. Although in most countries, governments require
STATEMENT children to attend schools, I am in favor of homeschooling for two main
reasons.

REASON 1 First of all, homeschooling makes effective use of time. Children who are
+JUSTIFICATION homeschooled can finish their lessons in a shorter time. For example, the
average school day is six to seven hours long in many countries. However,
homeschooled children can finish their lessons in four to five hours. As a result,
they have more time to play sports, enjoy hobbies, or continue studying.

REASON 2
The second reason is that homeschooling offers additional schoolwork
+JUSTIFICATION and the opportunity for children and teens to become independent learners.
With the extra time they have, they can follow their interests and study subjects
more deeply. They can choose some of the topics that they want to investigate.
For example, they might study ancient Chinese history, quantum physics, or
computer animation.

On the other hand, some people argue that homeschooling isolates

OTHER’S VIEW
+REFUTATION children from society and their peers, and due to their lack of interaction with
their peers, homeschooled students have fewer social skills and less practice
with teamwork. However, they seem to forget that homeschooling helps young
people to develop socially, too. They can socialize with other homeschooled
teenagers.
CONCLUSION All in all, homeschooled students can complete their lessons in less time
than students in a formal classroom, and they learn how to ask questions and
find answers on their own. I feel that even more parents should consider the
option of homeschooling because of the benefits it offers. (292 words)
2
 OPINION ESSAYS
PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION
This type of topic asks for your own opinion starting from the first paragraph which should
be clearly stated and supported by reasons in the main body paragraphs.

TITLE

INTRODUCTION
General statements
Thesis statement identifying the writer’s point of view. (State the topic and your opinion
clearly.)
(e.g. I believe that/I think that physical education should be taught at schools.)

Your 1st VIEWPOINT/REASON supporting the thesis statement

+
Justifications (Support your reason by explaining, giving examples, and
details.)

MAIN

Your 2nd VIEWPOINT/REASON supporting the thesis statement

+
Justifications (Support your reason by explaining, giving examples, and
details.)
BODY

Opposing (Others’) viewpoint

+
Reason(s) for the opposing viewpoint (State why opponents think that way.)
+
Refutation (Prove that they are wrong, or their argument is not powerful
enough.)

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, /All in All, /To conclude, …………………….
Restatement of the thesis, final comments on the topic.
(Restate the thesis, summarize the main ideas, and/or make final comments.)

3
SAMPLE OPINION ESSAYS

Is Metrobus a solution?

Istanbul, whose population has already exceeded 15 million, has a big network of
public transportation. In addition to the classical services of bus, tram, subway and
ferryboat, people in this big city have been using Metrobus as a means of public
transportation since 2007. Around 283 million passengers travelled by metrobus in the
year 2018 and the numbers rise every year. However, there are also hot debates about its
efficiency. As far as I am concerned, metrobus is not an effective solution to the
public transportation system of Istanbul.

My first reason is that it has already exceeded its capacity and cannot function
properly. Nearly 800.000 people take the metrobus every day. The buses, the platforms,
the footbridges are full of people who try to reach their destination. It is impossible to get
on or get off the bus, especially during rush hour. Therefore, the system of metrobus
does not work accurately.

My second reason is that it does not relieve traffic congestion in E5 motorway.

Actually, it causes more traffic. The lanes for automobiles are fewer and narrower than
before since two separate lanes for metrobus were constructed. This leads to many
problems during the day. For example, there are long queues of cars every day and night,
especially during rush hour. Moreover, drivers using the emergency lane block the way
of the ambulance.

On the other hand, there are some people who claim that metrobus is a very
effective solution for public transportation system in Istanbul. They say that it enables
people to travel long distances faster and in shorter time. They might have a point.
However, the metrobuses are crowded with hundreds of people. You cannot even find a
place to stand or read a book. It is also not comfortable to travel during summer months
because of the heat, so it might be a faster way of transport but it is definitely not a
comfortable journey.

All in all, I believe metrobus is not an effective means of transportation for a

megacity like Istanbul. It was a short-term solution and now, Istanbul needs to replace it
with a more stable, safe comfortable means of public transportation. (364 words)

4
 TRAVELLING ALONE

Travelling to new places is a great way to learn about the world and get away from your
daily routine. Some people believe that travelling alone will be boring, so they prefer
travelling with their friends or families to make it more enjoyable. However, I think
travelling alone is a better experience than travelling with other people because of two
reasons.

First of all, while travelling alone, you get the opportunity to plan your own route and
the places you want to visit. This means that you get to choose the extra activities you
want to do and plan your trip as you wish. However, when you are travelling with other
people, you often have to compromise going to some places so that everyone is happy
about it. This can demotivate you or you may feel that you waste your time.

Secondly, being on your own on the road will help you gain valuable skills and turn you
into a more confident person. The experience will challenge your limits and ability to cope
with obstacles on the way which will make you a stronger person. For example, you
might have to explain where you are going to a local person or do hiking for hours in the
mountains alone. These experiences will test your ability to overcome problems and help
you grow as an individual.

On the other hand, many people think that travelling with family or friends is a better
option than travelling alone. They claim that it is always good to have someone familiar
around and that they always want to make sure that they are safe. However, travelling
alone doesn’t mean that you will be in dangerous situations or you need to take a lot of
risks. If you are not cautious enough and don’t make detailed plans, you can have trouble
while travelling with others as well, so the important thing is to get prepared well and ask
for help when you need.

All things considered, I strongly believe that it is better to travel alone. It is time to get
out of your comfort zone and make a change in your travelling habits. (358 words)

5
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

An essay introduction consists of two parts:

1. a few general statements to attract the reader’s attention
2. a thesis statement

It’s the same in Opinion Essays. After giving general or background information about the
topic, you need to narrow your focus and present a thesis statement, usually at the end of
the introductory paragraph. Like the topic sentence of a paragraph, the thesis statement
expresses the topic and states the main idea of the essay.

Since the introduction is the section that first addresses your audience, it should
immediately attract their attention.

An interesting sentence or question that grabs the

reader’s attention

Giving background information/explanation of the

topic for the essay

Thesis Statement which tells exactly what this essay will

talk about

The first part of the introductory paragraph of an opinion essay often begins by explaining
the topic:

Cell Phones in School

Who doesn’t have a cell phone these days? The amazing thing about
GENERAL cell phones is that they are no longer just used for calling or texting.
STATEMENTS They have become an indispensable multi-tool wonder. Today’s cell
phone is cutting-edge technology at your fingertips.

The thesis statement then presents the writer’s opinion on the topic.

THESIS I believe students should be permitted to use them because cell phones
STATEMENT do not just allow students to stay connected with family and friends,
they are also an excellent learning resource.

6
Techniques for Writing Introduction Paragraphs

There are a number of methods for starting your essays. Sometimes more than one method
can be used to start your essay.

1. The funnel method

In this method, the first sentence is broad and general. It provides some general, common
sense knowledge on the topic. Each following sentence is narrower and more focused.
Finally, it narrows down to your thesis. The important thing in this approach is that your
funnel should not be too large, because you will never be able to narrow it down. For
example, if you start with the beginning of human history to write about young people
living on their own, it will take you ages to narrow down the idea. Therefore, your funnel
must be appropriately narrow at the beginning.

Example paragraph:

Sentences are Technology makes our lives easier. One area that technology
from
helps a lot is communication. We use many different technological
general tools for communication and mobile phones are the most common
ones. People benefit from the mobile phone in various ways. I think
mobile phones are great tools for modern life. (Thesis st.)
to specific

2. Asking questions/Addressing the reader directly

Using questions to attract the attention of your readers is another useful strategy. Then,
your essay proceeds to answer the questions you have posed in the introduction.

Example paragraph:

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Are you
happy with your reflection or would you rather look different?
People have always tried to look more beautiful and more
Asking a
attractive. They tried dressing up nicely, wearing accessories, and
rhetorical
question putting on make-up. Nowadays plastic surgery is in fashion.
However, plastic surgery should be considered necessary only
if it really has physical and psychological benefits. (Thesis st.)

7
3. Turn-about

This strategy involves starting with the idea, belief, or opinion that is the opposite of your
own claim or thesis. You first present the opposite party's opinion, then you switch to your
own opinion. In other words, you do a turn-about. It is most common to introduce a turn-
about with but, however, although, and so on. This strategy is especially useful in
argumentation.

Example paragraph:

problems, Some people believe that using mobile phones may cause
many problems. If people use them all the time, they may eventually
disadvantages
suffer from many health problems. A person who uses her mobile
phone more than necessary may also disturb people around her.
Although mobile phones have some disadvantages, many people
benefit from them. Therefore, I believe that mobile phones are
benefits
great inventions for two main reasons. (Thesis st.)

EXERCISE 1: Read the introduction paragraphs. Can you identify the technique used
in each paragraph?

1. Scientists have been using animals in medical research for a long time. Since then,
people have discussed how ethical it is to use animals for the benefits of medical progress.
People who support animal rights believe that animals are equal to humans and they are
sensitive beings although their brains are not as developed as humans’ brains. I agree with
this idea. I believe that they should have equal rights with humans.
(Technique: ………………………..)

2. Today almost everyone over the age of thirteen carries a cell phone. Many school
systems have banned this item from school grounds. Many say that it is due to the
‘potential problems’, such as texting during classes. Others say it is because they interrupt
the learning environment. However, I definitely think that students should be allowed to
use their cell phones in school since they are great tools for school purposes and a
necessity in any emergency situation. (Technique: ………………………..)

8
WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS FOR OPINION ESSAYS
Since you will be writing about an issue and taking a side/position on that particular issue,
you can use the following graphic to help you plan and organize your thesis statement:

Issue / Topic
+
Position
+
2 reasons for support Thesis Statement
=

Let’s try an example:

1. it has little nutritional I think elementary school children

value should not eat fast food because it
Elementary
+ +
should not eat
=
has little nutritional value, and it is
school fast food 2. it is expensive expensive.
children

Issue/Topic Position 2 Reasons for Support Thesis Statement

EXERCISE 2: Write a thesis statement for each opinion.

1. Opinion: Technology is improving our lives.

Reason 1: It allows Thesis statement: In my view,

people to work at technology is improving our
+
Technology
+ is improving
our lives
+ home. = lives because it allows people
to work at home , and it
Reason 2: It provides
provides students with
students with instant instant information.
information.

2. Opinion: Moving to America is not easy for many immigrants.

Reasons: *language barrier *cultural differences

Thesis Statement: ______________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Opinion: Learning to write in English is difficult.

Reasons: *require time *require practice

Thesis Statement: ______________________________________________________________________________________

9
 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Opinion: Life on Earth is getting more and more dangerous.

Reasons: *environmental problems *political problems

Thesis Statement: ______________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PHRASES TO INTRODUCE THESIS STATEMENTS IN OPINION ESSAYS

In my opinion, … In my view,…
I (firmly)believe that … I think that …
It is my opinion that … I definitely think/feel that…
It appears to me that… It seems to me that …

Here is another method to write a thesis statement:

You can write a thesis statement by adding the opposite opinion even if it does not
match your opinion, which is called Turn about.

Examples:
 Although some people believe that boys and girls learn better in separate classes, I
think that classrooms should be mixed due to educational and psychological
reasons.

 Many people believe that anti-smoking laws are a good idea, but I definitely think
that such laws are unfair as smokers deserve respect too and their freedom
should not be restricted.

 Although professional athletes feel that they deserve their multimillion-dollar

salaries, I feel that they receive astronomical amounts considering the type of
job they do.

REMINDER: As long as you make a good introduction (giving sufficient background

information and general information), a short version of a thesis statement as shown
below is also CORRECT. Yet, you can always write more complex sentences. That is,
you can always do better😊
 I believe that classrooms should be mixed due to two reasons.
 I think that anti-smoking laws are unfair.
 In my opinion, professional athletes receive astronomical amounts considering
the type of job they do.

10
BODY PARAGRAPHS IN OPINION ESSAYS

In the body paragraphs of an opinion essay, you support your thesis statement with at least
2 reasons. You develop each reason into a separate paragraph. Then, you need to present
the opposing viewpoint in another paragraph.

EXERCISE 3:
A. Read the essay and match the paragraphs (A-E) to the headings (1-4) below.
1 ____ second viewpoint & reasons/examples
2 ____ restate opinion
3 ____ opposing viewpoint & refutation
4 ____ first viewpoint & reasons/examples
5 ____ introduce topic and state your opinion
Diet without Meat
A Nowadays we are often told that we should eat meat as it is an irreplaceable protein
and it is vital to our body. Some people think that as humans, we are designed to eat meat.
However, I personally believe that we should not consume meat because it harms both
our health and animals.
B In the first place, eating meat can be harmful for our health. First of all, the meat we
consume today is different than the meat people ate in the past. Animals used to be in the
nature and eat grass, insects or other foods, which are natural to them. The meat from this
animal is now different from the meat from a cow that was born and raised in a factory, fed
grain-based feed and given growth-promoting hormones and antibiotics. What is more,
some meat products are highly processed after the animals have been slaughtered. They
are smoked, cured, and then processed with various chemicals such as preservatives. In
fact, we think we eat healthily by eating meat, but we take in these chemical substances,
which are not good for us.
C Secondly, the meat industry is cruel to animals. For instance, animals are often kept
in poor conditions or in cages. This means that they cannot walk around, have natural light
or fresh air. They are also highly depressed. Studies show that cattle, pigs, chickens and all
warm-blooded animals can stress, pain and fear. What is more, the methods used for killing
animals make them suffer.
D On the other hand, some people argue that meat is an essential part of our diet and
vegetarian food is boring and tasteless. They claim that human beings have been eating
meat for thousands of years and this is how we are designed. However, they seem to forget
that we are in a modern world now and things are changing fast. Besides, there are many
healthy and tasty alternatives available and these can also provide valuable protein and
vitamins to our body.
E All things considered, I strongly believe that it is best not to eat meat. It is time to
change our harmful habits and turn to a vegetarian diet both four our health and animal’s
future. (353 words)
11
B. Find the justifications for each viewpoint in the essay above and complete the
table.
VIEWPOINT 1 Supporting Ideas
 harmful for our health 

VIEWPOINT 2 Supporting Ideas
 cruel to animals 


OPPOSING VIEWPOINT REFUTATION
 essential part of diet-for thousands 
of years 
 tasteless vegetarian food 

WRITING PRACTICE (GROUP WORK):

In groups of 4 or 5,
 decide if you agree or disagree with the topic.
 write a thesis statement.
 brainstorm for ideas and find 2 viewpoints/reasons showing why you agree or
disagree.
 take short notes for your first and second viewpoints.
 write body paragraphs for each viewpoint.
 get feedback from your instructor & other groups.

Example Group Work:

Group members Altan, Efe, Duru, Berrin

Topic: “Bullying is the biggest problem that children face today.”

Do you agree or disagree?
Thesis Statement I believe that bullying is the biggest problem that children
face today.
VIEWPOINT 1 Body Paragraph 1:
affect school
12
performance My first reason is that bullying affects school performance
negatively. For example, students are unable to study well. They
Supporting Ideas cannot focus on their school assignments or lessons. They even
*unable to study well avoid going to school in order to protect themselves from the
*avoid going to school bullies. As a result, these students may fall behind so much that
they cannot catch up later on. They feel disconnected from
*miss some lessons
school and lose the opportunity to enjoy school activities as
*feel disconnected well.
*not enjoy school
VIEWPOINT 2 Body Paragraph 2:
*affect psychological Secondly, bullying affects young people’s psychological well-
well-being
being. For example, many sufferers of bullying can develop
Supporting Ideas aggressive behavior towards others, so they have difficulty in
*develop aggressive developing and maintaining effective relationships. They may
behavior also avoid conflict and be socially isolated. As a result, they may
*cannot develop lack confidence, feel bad about themselves, have few friends and
effective relationships spend a lot of time alone. Consequently, they feel more
*lack of confidence depressed and lonelier, which has negative effects on both
*depressed and lonely individuals and society.
*negative for individual
& society

Group members
Topic 3:
“Travelling alone is a better experience than travelling with
other people.” Do you agree or disagree?

Thesis Statement
Body Paragraph 1:
VIEWPOINT 1

Supporting Ideas

Body Paragraph 2:

13
 VIEWPOINT 2

Supporting Ideas

PRESENTING THE OPPOSING VIEWPOINT

After you have presented your viewpoints that support your thesis statement, you need to
present the opposing viewpoint in paragraph 4. You should use certain phrases to
introduce the opposing viewpoint with a transition word that expresses contrast.

Follow the steps:

STEP 1: First, present the opposing viewpoint. Then, state specifically why they think like
that.
Transition Words Phrases to introduce the opposing argument

However, it is argued that . . .

On the other hand, some people argue/believe that . . .
Nevertheless, there are people who argue that . . .
opponents of this view claim say that . . .

STEP 2: REFUTATION

Now that you have presented the opposing viewpoint and the reason(s), you must attack
and refute (prove wrong by argument) the opponent’s main reason against your opinion.
There are three basic methods of refutation:
a. COMPLETELY DISAGREE: Your opponent’s reason is wrong because it is based on
incorrect or misleading information. Tell the reader why it is wrong.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

However/But/On the other hand, I strongly disagree with this view because. . . .
However/But/On the other hand, this is not true. . . .
However/But/On the other hand, they are wrong because …

14
b. COMPROMISE: Agree that the opposing viewpoint is valid, but it is not powerful enough.
Show that your viewpoint is more compelling.
USEFUL LANGUAGE

However, they seem to forget that . . .

To a certain extent they are right. They forget, however, that . . .
On the other hand, they ignore the fact that . . .

Refutation Paragraph examples:

Ex 1:
On the other hand, the opponents of mandatory uniforms say that students who wear
uniforms cannot express their individuality. They may be right to a certain extent.
However, they forget that individual performance is more valuable than individual
expression through clothing. School uniforms give students a sense of unity and students
know that they are a part of a big community. I believe this feeling is equally important.

Ex 2:
Of course, there are people who argue that travelling by plane can be a nightmare, with
airport delays, cramped seats and turbulence to put up with. What is more, airplanes and
airports are often targeted by terrorists, which make some people think that travelling by
plane is unsafe. However, they seem to ignore the fact that the number of deaths caused
by cars is larger than that caused by planes. For this reason, travelling by plane is by far the
safest way of travel.

Ex 3:
On the other hand, some people say that the use of animals in research for developing
cosmetics products is cruel and unacceptable. They believe that testing of cosmetic
products is completely unnecessary and doesn’t add any fundamental value for humanity.
They may have a point. However, they do not consider that if a drug is released into the
market without a careful testing, it could cause severe damage to anyone who may
consume it. Even though animals subjected to testing may suffer, it is a necessary step to
ensure the healing power of a drug.

15
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPHS IN OPINION ESSAYS

A good essay definitely deserves a good ending. In the concluding paragraph of an opinion
essay, you may (1) restate your thesis in different words, and/or (2) summarize your
reasons.

In your final comment, you may (1) suggest a solution; (2) make a recommendation or
(3) prediction.

Your final comment should be powerful. You may also use quotations, ask a question to
make the concluding paragraph more interesting.

Today almost everyone over the age of thirteen carries a cell phone.
Many school systems have banned this item from school grounds. Many
Introductory
Paragraph say it is due to the ‘potential problems’, such as texting during classes.
Others say it is because they interrupt the learning environment.
However, I definitely think that students should be allowed to use
their mobile phones in school since they are great tools for school
purposes and a necessity in any emergency situation.

All in all, I believe that cell phones should be permissible on school

premises. They can be used for academic purposes. In addition, cell
Concluding phones are essential for unanticipated conditions. Before you are quick to
Paragraph criticize against cell phones, think of the numerous advantages of
possessing them.

Here is another sample concluding paragraph:

In some cities in the United States, teenage gangs create problems.

The problems range from noisy gatherings in the park to robberies. In
Introductory
Paragraph certain instances, there are even deadly shootings. Some cities are trying
to stop these activities by keeping young people indoors and off the
streets. Police departments say that curfew laws to control teenage
gangs are necessary, but I feel that such laws are unfair and
unconstitutional.

To summarize, making laws to stop teenage gang problems is a

mistake. Governments should not tell young people when they can and
Concluding
Paragraph
cannot be outside their homes. It is the responsibility of parents to see
that their sons and daughters are safely at home during the nighttime
hours. It is also up to parents to teach their children to respect others and
become good members of society.

16
Techniques for Memorable Conclusions
Some techniques you can use to write a memorable conclusion include making prediction,
suggesting results or consequences, recommending a solution or call to action, or use a
quotation.

1. Make a prediction
Ex:
All in all, the costs of attending college have been rising while sources of financial aid for
students have been disappearing. If this trend continues, fewer and fewer families will be
able to send their children through four years of college.

2. Suggest results or consequences.

Ex:
To sum up, the costs of attending college are up and financial aid for students is down. Fewer
and fewer future members of the workforce are able to educate themselves beyond high
school. As a result, the nation will waste the intelligence, imagination, and energy of the
young generation.

3. Recommend a solution or call for action.

Ex:
In conclusion, it is clear that the system of higher education is in trouble. For many students,
completing four years of university is no longer possible because of increasing costs and low
financial aid. To change this trend, the government must increase its financial support of
colleges and universities. Our future depends on it.

4. Use a quotation.
Ex:
All in all, there are many ways to be successful without being famous. Success cannot be
defined by fame. As Charles Churchill said, “Fame is nothing but an empty name.”

BE CAREFUL: Don’t jump into a new topic in your conclusion.

Instead, integrate that idea in your body paragraphs if possible.

17
WRITING PRACTICE 1(PAIR WORK): Choose ONE of the concluding paragraphs
below and re-write it with your own words. Use one of the techniques above to write
your own comment.

1. All in all, I believe that school uniforms should be compulsory. As a result, children
will be more focused. It gives an effective message that all students are equal. Students will
not lose their identity, but they will learn new ways to express themselves.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. To summarize, I think that cell phones should be allowed in schools since they
provide valuable learning resources, and they are really useful in case of emergency. We
are living in a digital age. Therefore, teachers and administrators must find ways to
incorporate this excellent multi-tool in our schools instead of banning it.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WRITING PRACTICE 2 (GROUP WORK): WRITING BODY PARAGRAPHS on BEING A

STAY-HOME DAD

Topic: These days more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go
out to work. Do you think it is a positive or a negative development? Write an opinion essay of
at least 250 words explaining your view.

 Introduction and conclusion paragraphs of this essay are ready, but the body paragraphs
are missing. In groups, you are going to write the body paragraphs of this opinion essay.

 Due to limited time, the T can assign each group to write only ONE body paragraph and
at the end of the lesson, the paragraphs can be put together to create ONE complete essay.

18
GROUP 1 MEMBERS

Introduction In recent years, parents have had to adapt to various changes in our
Paragraph societies. Equal rights movements have made great progress, and it has
become normal for women to pursue a career. It has also become socially
acceptable and economical for men to stay at home and look after their
children. In my opinion, being a stay-at-home dad is a positive experience
because this trend eliminates gender discrimination and enables men to
create a stronger connection with their kids.
Body Par. 1
1st viewpoint:
*eliminating gender
discrimination

Body Par.2
2nd viewpoint:
*enabling men to
create a stronger
connection

Body Par.3
Others’ viewpoint &
your refutation

Possible ideas:
*negative attitudes
from society
*fathers losing
business skills
*riskier for men’s
career
*mothers carrying
the financial burden

Conclusion All in all, couples are free to decide who will take the role of
breadwinner and who will take on the role of upbringing children. If a father
decides to quit his job and take care of his kids at home for some time, this
has a lot of benefits for the family, kids and for the society. It will definitely
change the society’s gender stereotypes and form a deep bond between
father and the kids.

19
SENTENCE PRACTICE: USEFUL SENTENCE STRUCTURES
EXERCISE 4: Re-write the sentences using structures given in the tables.

The Main Idea Method (How?)

S Verb Object by V+-ing NouNoun

People can find a job easily by improving their language skills.
You become more independent by coping with difficulties on your own.

1. The government can solve unemployment if they create more jobs.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Watching TV series, videos and films in English helps you improve your listening skills.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CLAUSE PURPOSE CLAUSE

The doctor operated they could save his patient's life.
He turned on the radio SO THAT he could listen to the news.
I need to buy some detergent IN ORDER THAT I can wash my clothes.
We stayed up all night we could watch a meteor storm.

3. Mr. Kwan is studying the history and government of Canada. He wants to become a
Canadian citizen. (so that-can)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Jane is taking a course in auto mechanics. She wants to fix her own car. (so that-can)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. During the parade, Daniel lifted his daughter to his shoulder to help her see the dancers
in the street. (so that-could)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20
 The Main Idea Purpose

Clause in order to + INFINITIVE

so as to

Most people live and work in a foreign country in order to have a better life.

6. Most people try to learn English so that they can find a job easily.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Some students work in part time jobs so that they can have some job experience.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. She put on her reading glasses. She wanted to read the name at the bottom of the
contract. (in order to)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Omar is working hard to impress his supervisor. He wants to get a promotion. (in order
to)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Po is saving his money so that he can travel in Europe next summer. (in order to)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Main Idea Purpose

CLAUSE in order not to + infinitive

so as not to
I got up at around 5 a.m.
in order not to miss my flight.

11. You should write down your flight number so that you won’t forget it.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Farah took a map of the city with her so that she wouldn’t get lost.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. You’d better leave at 7:00 am tomorrow in order to avoid the morning traffic.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21
 adjective for+ Object to INFINITIVE
(Who?)
It is difficult for people to communicate in a foreign language.
beneficial for students to improve their language skills.
It can be easier for teenagers to complain about everything.

14. Old people can benefit from a 30 minute-walk every day.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. Using herbs for treatment may be better than using chemical drugs.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. Students can concentrate on their studies in the library more easily.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Older people have difficulty in communicating with young generation.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. Adapting to new technologies is difficult for older people.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

S to INFINITIVE Noun
has/have the opportunity
Young people to improve their language skills.
have the opportunity
to experience
You new cultures.
have the opportunity

19. Students who join in Erasmus Exchange programs can learn the basics of the local
language in a short time.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. People who live in big cities can reach good healthcare services and good schools for
their kids more easily.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22
S give(s) + object +the opportunity to Noun
INFINITIVE
Living
abroad gives you the opportunity/the chance to improve your language skills.

21. When you live abroad, you can experience an entirely different way of life.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. You can make friends on Facebook.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

S enable(s)+Object (Who?) to INFINITIVE Noun

enables us to improve our language skills.
Living abroad
enables people to experience new cultures.
Moving abroad

23. Students can access class materials online thanks to this new system.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXPRESSING CONFLICTING IDEAS

Connector(s) Examples
SVO, but SVO Anna’s father gave her some good advice, but she
didn’t follow it.
SVO, yet SVO
Anna’s father gave her some good advice, yet she
didn’t follow it.

Although/Even though SVO , We went for a walk although it was raining.

SVO
We went for a walk even though it was raining.
SVO although/even though Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
SVO
Even though it was raining, we went for a walk.

23
 Despite/in spite of his low grades, he was
Despite/In spite of + admitted to the university.
Noun/V+ing , SVO
Despite/ In spite of getting low grades, he was
SVO despite/in spite of + admitted to the university.
Noun/V+ing
We went for a walk despite/in spite of the rain.

SVO. However, SVO Charlie did his best to complete the report.
However, Eric hardly did any work.
SVO. On the other hand, SVO
There are just five vowel sounds in English. On
the other hand, some languages have 30 or
more.
While SVO, SVO While my father likes all kinds of music, my
SVO while SVO mother only listens to Turkish folk music.

My father likes all kinds of music, while my

mother only listens to Turkish folk music.

Whereas SVO, SVO Whereas Sweden has very cold winters, UK

SVO, whereas SVO winters are usually quite mild.

UK winters are usually quite mild, whereas

Sweden has very cold winters.

Unlike + noun, SVO Unlike my father, I feel shy whenever I meet new
people.

Unlike a fish, a frog can live in water or on land.

EXERCISE 5: Re-write the sentences with the given words.

1. Children slept although there was too much noise. (despite)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Mary was in love with Tom, but she never talked to him. (although)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. In spite of feeling cold, we continued to walk. (However,)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24
4. I like living in the city. My wife, on the other hand, prefers the countryside. (whereas)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Tim was very late, but he didn’t apologize. (even though)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXERCISE 6: Join the sentences using the linkers in brackets and any necessary extra
words.

1. Energy drinks are a good source of caffeine. Too many can cause an addiction.
(although)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Students are consuming energy drinks in order to concentrate. They can cause
headaches. (even though)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Energy drinks contain many vitamins. They are very high in sugar. (although)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Energy drinks are advertised as healthy although some may contain high amounts of
artificial sweeteners. (despite)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Energy drinks are becoming more and more popular despite the high amounts of
caffeine they contain. (However,)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Sugar free energy drinks can be very unhealthy in spite of the fact that some may
contain they do not contain sugar. (although)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

25
 AVOIDING OVERGENERALIZATIONS IN WRITING

When you write, it is important not to make overgeneralizations, that is, statements
that are so general that they are not true.

Examples of overgeneralizations:

 International students work harder than North American students. (This is not
always true!)
 Teenagers are always irresponsible. (This is not always true!)

To avoid overgeneralizations:

1. Don’t use the adverbs of frequency never or always.

Avoid Never. Use rarely, hardly ever, almost never or usually . . . not.

I almost never get sick.

Young people do not usually like to stay at home at the
weekends.
Avoid always. Use usually, almost always, or often.

Teenagers are often irresponsible.

Studying in a foreign language is usually very difficult.

Avoid the Use very few, hardly any, almost no, or almost none.
quantifiers no,
none, or all. Very few international students learn English easily.
Almost no parents want their kids to be punished at
school.

Avoid all. Use almost all, most, many, or some.

Many international students work harder than North

American students.
Most international students get better grades than North
American students.

26
CAUTION

A cautious style is necessary in many areas of academic writing. It is needed to avoid

statements which are too simplistic. Such statements are rarely completely true.
Poor education leads to crime.
Caution can be shown in several ways:
1. Modal verb: Poor education can lead to crime.
2. Adverb: Poor education frequently leads to crime.
3. Verb/phrase: Poor education tends to lead to crime.
There is a tendency for poor education to lead to crime.
More examples for caution: These products . . .usually have ……………………
. . . multiple factors may lead to………………..
. . . women tend to ………………
. . . other studies suggest that …………..
Complete the box below with more examples.

Modals Adverbs Verb / Phrase

can (ex) frequently (ex) tends to (ex)
there is a tendency
(ex)

Examples
1. Private companies are more efficient than state-owned businesses.
More cautious: Private companies tend to be more efficient than state-owned businesses.
2. Computer manuals are difficult to understand.
More cautious: Computer manuals can be difficult to understand.
3. Older students perform better at university than younger ones.
More cautious: Older students frequently perform better at university than younger ones.
4. Global warming will cause the sea level to rise.
More cautious: Global warming may cause the sea level to rise.

4. Another way to express caution is to use quite, rather or fairly before an adjective.
a fairly accurate summary
27
quite a significant correlation

a rather inconvenient location

Quite is often used before the article. It is generally used positively, while rather
tends to be used negatively.
Examples:
1. The survey was a comprehensive study of student opinion.
More cautious: The survey was quite a comprehensive study of student opinion.
2. The latest type of arthritis drugs are expensive.
More cautious: The latest type of arthritis drugs are fairly expensive.
3. The first-year students were fascinated by her lectures.
More cautious: The first-year students were quite fascinated by her lectures.

28
 ESSAY WRITING PRACTICE 1: SPACE EXPLORATION
STEP 1: WARM-UP

Live broadcast from ISS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU-rZs-Ic4

Discuss these questions.

● Have you ever heard about the

International Space Station (ISS)?
What do you know about it?

● What do you think astronauts on the

ISS worry about right now?

ALTERNATIVE GOOGLE SEARCH ACTIVITIES

Go to Google and search for the answers to ONE of the questions below. Write what you have
found out in the boxes below and share your ideas with the whole class.

1. What do you know about ISS?

You can check the following website to learn more about ISS:
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/blog/the-20-most-frequently-asked-
questions- about-the-international-space-station

29
2. What do scientists learn thanks to ISS?

You can check the following website to learn 15 ways ISS benefits the Earth:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/15_ways_iss_benefits_earth

3. What do you think are the short-term and long-term effects of space travel on the
human body?

short-term effects long-term effects

STEP 2: READING

Note to the Teacher: Ss were assigned to read this text before coming to the lesson.

A. Discussion:
● Did you learn something new from this text? What is it?
● What do you think is the biggest advantage of space exploration?
● What do you think is the biggest disadvantage of space exploration?

B. Go over the text again to find the answers to the questions under the paragraphs.

30
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration

The universe has always fascinated humans. Ancient humans looked up at the sky and
wondered about the Sun, the Moon, and the stars, and they came up with myths and
legends to explain these celestial bodies. Early scientists had some theories about these
bodies and, although many of them were incorrect (some thought, for example, that the
Sun revolved around the Earth), they set the foundation for* modern scientific thought.

As humans developed better technology, they aimed at exploring the vastness of space.
They eventually succeeded in 1969, when Apollo 11 landed on the Moon and astronaut
Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon’s surface. Since then, space
exploration has become a priority* among many scientists and governments, and a lot of
time, money, and energy have been spent on space missions to learn more about the
universe.

Space exploration has several positive effects, but a lot of people argue that it also comes
with its own drawbacks. To understand two sides of this argument, it’s important to
know about the advantages and disadvantages of space exploration.

*set/lay the foundation for (v.): to produce the basic ideas or structures from which something much larger develops

*priority (n.): something that is considered more important than other matters

1. What is the importance of the

Apollo 11 mission according to
the text?

Advantages of Space Exploration

1. It gives us more information about our solar system, galaxy, and universe.

Scientists have discovered ice on Mars

and the Moon as well as liquid water on
moons in our solar system.

Researchers have found out that

gravitational waves hypothesized by
Einstein more than 100 years ago are
indeed real. NASA's Curiosity rover took this selfie on Oct. 11, 2019 on Mars.
When we start exploring space, we can discover new truths about our planet and culture
simultaneously. Data collected by space probes*, telescopes and rovers are continually
31
 challenging our assumptions.

*space probe(n.): a spacecraft without people on board that obtains information and sends it back to earth

2. It can offer solutions to many problems.

In addition to collecting information about the outer space, many space exploration programs
are used to address* some of the problems of modern society. Some programs, for example,
help scientists learn more about the Earth’s atmosphere and know how to better predict
weather and natural disasters. Others focus on looking for planets that can support human
life, which may be the solution to the earth’s growing population.

*address a problem (v.): to think about a problem and decide how you are going to deal with it

3. It gives us a new way to look at the universe.

Space exploration gives people a deeper insight* about the universe and provides them with
more information about the world they live in. It helps them realize that their problems aren’t
really that depressive in the grand scheme of things. It reminds them of how lucky they are to
be part of this big universe.

*insight (n.): an understanding

2. “Space exploration helps them

realize that their problems aren’t
really that depressive in the grand
scheme of things.”

What do you understand from

this sentence?

4. It paves the way to advanced technology.

Scientists are always developing new technology for space programs, but these new
innovations aren’t just useful for astronauts and space missions. They can also be used in other
industries. In fact, they have already led to the development of modern products and gadgets
that many people use. These include GPS systems (which is used in many smartphones,
tablets, and satellite navigations), Teflon-coated fiberglass (which is now used as roofing
material), and breast cancer test imaging.

3. What are the other inventions that

were created thanks to space
exploration? Search on Google for 5
minutes and share them with the class.
(OPTIONAL)

32
5. It creates numerous jobs.

Space exploration doesn’t just involve scientist and astronauts; it also requires the skills and
labor of many engineers, research assistants, technicians, mechanics, and other professionals.
If space exploration was stopped today, these people would become jobless, and they
wouldn’t be able to support themselves and their families. This means that more jobs will be
created thanks to space programs, which can significantly help with the employment problems
that many countries face.

Disadvantages of Space Exploration

1. It endangers the lives of astronauts.

It can’t be denied that space exploration

puts astronauts’ lives in danger, even if
they know what they are signing up for. In
fact, many accidents have happened over
the years and have resulted in numerous
injuries and even deaths. The Apollo 1
manned mission, for example, ended
when its crew members were killed in a
cabin fire as they conducted a launch
rehearsal test. The Challenger
space shuttle exploded less than two minutes after lift-off and killed all of its seven crew
members. Even if missions don’t always end up in disasters, they can still expose astronauts to
a wide range of health problems. Studies have shown that spending long periods of time in
zero gravity can seriously affect a person’s cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems and
make him prone to various illnesses. Exposure to high-energy ionizing cosmic rays in space can
lead to the development of cancer.

4. What are the health risks of space

travel according to the text?

2. It leads to pollution in space.

Many people might think that pollution in space is not a problem; after all, the universe is
vast* and infinite, and it would take billions of years to fill it with junk. But that’s the thing:
even if it wouldn’t fill up right away, it can still be polluted with the debris* that space missions
leave behind, such as satellites, rocket launch boosters, and other kinds of equipment. At the

33
 very least, these debris will harmlessly float around the universe and ruin beautiful space
photos. In the worst-case scenario, they can interfere with planetary orbits, cause accidents
for future space missions, and pave the way to other kinds of problems.

*vast (adj.): huge

*debris(n.): rubbish or pieces of material that are left somewhere and are not wanted

5. Why is space debris a

problem?

3. It can be expensive.

Space exploration is undeniably expensive. Training and educating astronauts, building

rockets and space shuttles, developing new technology for space missions — all of this costs a
huge amount of money. For example, in 2016, the budget for NASA was $19.3 billion.

Supporters of space exploration argue that every penny is worth it because of the knowledge
and data that it brings. However, many people disagree. They point out that spending billions
of dollars on space travel isn’t practical or even ethical when a lot of ordinary people are
suffering from hunger, illnesses, and poverty. They argue that instead of putting large
amounts of money on space programs, governments should use the funds on healthcare,
education, food, housing, and other social programs that would benefit a lot of people and
make their lives better. According to the United Nations, it would only take $30 billion to end
world hunger globally each year. If the money spent for NASA were used for the problems on
Earth, the United States could eradicate* about 60% of the world’s hunger.

6. What kind of changes would

take place on Earth if space
funds were used to deal with the
problems on Earth?

eradicate (v.): to destroy or get rid of something completely, especially something bad, syn: wipe out

34
Final Thoughts

Space exploration is one of the biggest achievements of humans as a whole, and it has paved
the way to greater scientific understanding and many technological advancements over the
years. However, it can’t be denied that it also has several drawbacks. Therefore, governments
and scientists should find a balance between the advantages and disadvantages.

Reference: 7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration. (2018, January 30). Retrieved from
https://futureofworking.com/7-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-space-exploration/

C. Go through the paragraphs again and examine how each advantage

/disadvantage is supported.

 Write down the supporting details in small notes.

 Then think of other ways to support each advantage/disadvantage.
 What other examples/facts/information could be given to support
each advantage/disadvantage?
 Can you add any other advantages or disadvantages to this table?

Advantages of space exploration Support

more information about our solar

system, galaxy, and universe

offering a solution to many problems

giving us a new way to look at the

universe

paving the way to advanced technology

creating numerous jobs

35
 Disadvantages of space Support
exploration

endangering the lives of astronauts

leading to pollution in space

expensive

STEP 3: VOCABULARY

A. Examine the definitions of 8 important words from the text and their example sentences.
Pay attention to how they are used and what type of words are used with them. Then write
your own sentences for each one. You can get help from online English-English dictionaries.

1. to pave the Data from the probe will pave the way for a more
detailed exploration of Mars.
way
for/to…… (idiom) Space explorations have paved the way to greater
scientific understanding.
If something paves the
way for/to something This decision paved the way for changes in
else, it makes the other employment rights for women.
thing possible.
This action paved the way to other kinds of problems.

Your sentence: ………………………………………

36
2. require (v.)
to need something; to Space exploration requires the skills and labor of
depend on many people.
somebody/something
Friendships do not just happen; they require effort.
be required to do The workshop is free, but booking is required.
something: a law or
rule says you must do it You are required by law to stop your car after an
or have it accident.

require somebody to Bringing up children requires you to put their

do something needs first.

Your sentence: ………………………………………

3. put in danger
Space exploration puts astronauts’ lives in danger.
(v.)
I could be putting my life in danger by saying
to put at risk, to put these things.
someone or something
in danger of being hurt, Firemen put their own lives in danger as part of
damaged, or destroyed their job.
synonym: to endanger
Your sentence: ……………………………………….

4. expose (v.)
(to something Space missions can expose astronauts to a wide range
harmful/dangerous) of health problems.

to put Children are exposed to new dangers on the

somebody/something
in a place or situation internet. Workers were exposed to high levels of
where they are not
protected from radiation.
something harmful or
unpleasant Your sentence: ……………………………………….

37
 5. ruin (v.)
to damage something
so badly that it loses all
its value, pleasure, etc.
These debris will ruin beautiful space photos. The
bad weather ruined our trip.
That one mistake ruined his chances of getting the
job.

Surely you don't want to ruin all our good work,

do you?

Your sentence: ……………………………………….

6. cost (v.)
to have a particular How much does it cost for NASA to go to the Moon?
price
It costs just $1 million to place a satellite up to 200
kilograms on SpaceX’s Transporter-1.

A second-hand car doesn’t cost much.

Your sentence: ……………………………………….

7. worth (adj.)
1. be worth
something: having a
particular value,
especially in money
2. be worth
(doing) something
Supporters of space exploration argue that every penny is
worth it.
Our house is worth £200,000.
How much is this painting worth?
It's always worth paying the extra £3 for next-day
delivery. This book is worth reading.
Your sentence: ……………………………………….

8. funds (n.)
Instead of spending billions on space programs,
governments should use the funds on healthcare,
1. money that an education, food, housing, and other social programs.
organization needs or has
We have insufficient funds to pay for the building work.
2. an amount of money
that has been saved or The construction of the park is not finished due to lack of
has been made available funds.
for a particular purpose We need to create enough funds to complete the project.

Your sentence: …………………………

38
B. Rewrite the sentences below using the given words/phrases.

put someone’s life in danger worth to create funds

be required pave the way to expose

1. NASA revealed that its Artemis Mission to the Moon will cost around $28 billion.
According to NASA, _____________________________________________________________________________________
2. The U.S Congress will give the financial support to NASA to send astronauts to the Moon in
2024.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Panic in space can be deadly, so astronauts always train hard to stay alive in emergencies.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. When a spacecraft built for humans travels into deep space, various complex systems
are needed to keep the crew and the spacecraft safe.

When a spacecraft built for humans travels into deep space, ______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Perseverance Rover of NASA will test technology that could allow humans to travel to
Mars.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. On Earth, humans are exposed to 3 to 4 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation a year (mostly
from natural sources like some kinds of rocks and the few cosmic rays that get through the
atmosphere). On the International Space Station, astronauts get about 300 mSv per year.

On the International Space Station, astronauts _________________________________________________________

STEP 4: WATCHING A VIDEO

A. Before watching the video, look at the transcript below. Can you predict the missing
words & phrases? Watch the video twice and fill in the missing words or information.

Should we continue exploring space? (Duration: 1.53)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmOc5p2dGZY&list=PLRocsFRngP78v
ds4wjBywhOb 8UOqqZp4q&index=1

39
Transcript- Should nations continue exploring space?

Man: Give me a go or a no go for launch.

Astronaut: Launch control, all systems go. We are go for launch.

Man: Copy that. Launch in 5,4,3,2,1…….

Astronaut: Launch control, is there a problem?

Woman: Sorry, gentlemen. Are yousure we shouldcontinue withthis launch? Man: Yes,we are supposedto
be exploring outer space and so we should launch! Woman: Yeah, but all the years we’ve explored space
haven’t led to anything worthwhile. We still don’t know about things like the ________ ______ on
astronauts’ health.

Man: Well, science has always involved risks. The risk is definitely worth exploring space. If we can discover
new worlds, new ______, then this could help us solve our_ ____ ______such as climate change and
exhaustion of resources. It’s for the ______ of future mankind.

Woman: Let’s focus onthe present ______ ______the future! There are people allover the worldsufferingfrom
______and ______. That shuttle we are about to launch cost 1.7 billion dollars to make. That’s enough to
______32 million kids in Africa…per year! Imagine what we could do for humanity …today!

Man: Progress-hater!

Woman: Watch it, future boy!

Astronaut: Excuse me, you two. Are we a go or a no go?

B. Examine how speakers in the video refute each other’s arguments.

Refutation
All the years we’ve explored

Refutation

If we can discover new worlds,

us
solve our own issues such as

resources. It’s for the benefit of

future mankind.

40
C. Write your own ideas to refute the given arguments about space exploration. You can go
back to the reading text to create your refutation.

Argument

Argument

billion.

STEP 5: WRITING AN OPINION ESSAY

You have collected some information about space exploration from the Internet, read a text
about the advantages and disadvantages of Space Exploration, studied some important words
and watched a short video about this debate. Now, it is time to write an opinion essay.

Are you for or against space exploration? In groups of 3-4, choose ONE of the
topics below.

“I believe space exploration has a lot of benefits and is important for the whole
world.”

“I think space exploration is a waste of time and money because of many

reasons.”

41
Sample for Outline & Essay:

Fill in your outline in short notes.

GROUP 1 members

ESSAY OUTLINE

THESIS STATEMENT

VIEWPOINT#1 Write your ideas in short notes.

+ Supporting ideas

VIEWPOINT #2 Write your ideas in short notes.

+ Supporting ideas

Others’ view Write your ideas in short notes.

& Refutation

WRITE YOUR ESSAY HERE.

42
43
ESSAY WRITING PRACTICE 2: BIKE-FRIENDLY CITIES
STEP 1: WARM-UP
Answer these questions.
● Are there any bike lanes in your town or
city? How often do you see people
cycling in your town/city?
● Why are bikes not popular as a means
of transportation in our country?
● What do you see in the picture on the
right? Do you think these types of bikes
can be used in your town or city? Why?
/Why not? a cargo bike for families

A. Go through the information about cycling below and guess the correct number.

1. The Netherlands, which has a population of over 17 million, has around 13 / 20 / 23

million bikes.
2. In Amsterdam alone, there are just under 570 / 670 / 770 kilometers of cycle lanes.
3. 40 / 50 / 60 percent of Copenhagen's citizens bike to work or school every day. Bikes
can also be rented for free.
4. Ireland’s government has directed 10 / 20 / 25 percent of its annual transportation
budget to cycling and walking.
5. Britain’s government invested £ 2 million / £ 500 million /£2 billion to support cycling
and walking infrastructure.
6. Energy and resources that are used for the creation of one single car can be used for
the creation of up to 100 / 150 / 200 bicycles.
7. Konya has 450 / 500 / 550-kilometer network of bicycle lanes, which is the longest in
Turkey.

Reference: https://www.worldcycletours.com/blog/2019/22-interesting-facts-about-cycling

Note to the Teacher: Students can be reminded that they can make use of the
factual information in Ex. A to support their arguments in their essay.

44
 B. WHOLE-CLASS DISCUSSION
The way we travel around cities is changing,
especially during COVID-19 pandemic. We
have to keep our distance from one
another. That means fewer buses, trains and
cabs (taxis). Anxiety over public
transportation means that more and more
people are willing to use bikes to go around
and this brought about a dramatic increase a bike parking space in Amsterdam
in bicycle sales around the world.
Read the paragraph above. Then discuss the answers to these questions.
1. What does “bike-friendly” mean? What are the features a city must have in order to be
“bike-friendly”?
2. Can Turkey go through this change and transform its cities to make them bike-friendly?
3. Here are some features of bike-friendly cities. How would you explain them? Take small
notes in the space provided. You can search them online as well. (Answers may vary.)

1. cycling infrastructure Possible answers

2. public bike share

3. bike-and-ride option

4. cycling safety

5. community support

6. political
support/political will

45
STEP 2: WATCHING A VIDEO ABOUT THE TOPIC

How to Build a City Around Bikes, Fast (Duration: 9:32)

Around the world, cycling lanes are popping up and bike shops are selling out. As
the coronavirus pandemic means people need to avoid subways and buses, the
bicycle is having a renaissance. And it could have a much bigger impact for the
health of our cities in the future.

A. Read the short introduction of the video above before watching. Which words or
phrases do you expect to hear in this video titled “How to Build a City Around Bikes, Fast”?
Put a check beside the words or phrases.

airborne pollution attachment to cars political will

gridlocked traffic healthcare costs pro-cycling

cars dominating road space emergency services fluid traffic

to reinforce infrastructure to prioritize cycling sick leave

sidewalk/pavement

World's longest aerial bicycle lane in Xiamen, China

(7.6 kilometre)

pedestrian

46
B. Match the definitions on the left with the words in bold in the sentences on the right.
Definitions Example Sentences
1. to control or have a lot of influence over a. Thanks to fast changes in infrastructure, the
somebody/something, especially in an traffic is more fluid now.
unpleasant way ……………………………………

2. to put tasks, problems, etc. in order of b. The city administrations are responsible for
importance, so that you can deal with the reinforcing the cycling infrastructure of the
most important first……………………………… cities.

3.with so many cars in the streets of a town c. Chinese companies have started to dominate
that the traffic cannot move at all …………… the electric car market for batteries, motors and
………………………….. other essentials.

4. smooth and continuous……………………… d. Our municipality should prioritize bike and

pedestrian infrastructure over on-street
parking.

5. a feeling of love or strong connection to e. The radical urban transport scheme is

someone or something……………………… designed to clear London's gridlocked roads.

6. to make a structure or material stronger, f. Many workers have little attachment to their
especially by adding another material to it companies.
………………………………………

Note to the teacher: Students are expected to watch the video before coming to
the lesson, yet you can play it during the lesson as well.

C. FIRST VIEWING: Tom Gibson, presenter of the video, talks about the urgent need to re-
organize cities and turn them into bike-friendly spaces.
 Read the questions below before watching the video.
 While watching the video, take small notes in the spaces provided. Then check your
answers.

47
 How to Build a City Around Bikes, Fast (Duration: 9:32)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI6HFQXquU&list=PLRocsFRngP7_t
brZVWP4lEr0WZT_YO0If&index=9&t=33s

1. Throughout the video, which

problems about traffic and
transportation in London are
mentioned?

2. What are the benefits of cycling in

cities?

3. In Seville’s cycling transformation,

what were the two key elements?

4. Towards the end of the video (at

7:29), Will Norman, who is London’s
.
walking and cycling commissioner,
compares Berlin, Paris and London.
What is the difference between London
and the other two cities?

5. What is Tom Gibson’s message

throughout the video? What does he
want?

D. SECOND VIEWING (OPTIONAL): Here are some data given throughout the video by the
speakers. Watch the video again and fill in the missing numbers.

48
 Note to the Teacher: Students can be reminded that they can make use of this
factual information to support their arguments in their essay.

▪ Society loses 79 cents per km driven by a car, but it gains ___ cents per km
cycled.

▪ There were over 72,000 trips on bikes in Seville in 2011. That’s a ___ % increase
in just 4 years.

▪ Seville’s 80 km of cycle paths cost ___ million.

▪ On these cycle paths, there are ___ trips per day.

▪ Metro line in Seville cost ___ million and it has ___ trips per day.

▪ 1 km of highway equals ___ of bike lanes.

▪ The UK government has fast-tracked ___ million pounds to invest in emergency

infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.

EuroVelo 12 (EV12) was the first European route,

opened in June 2001, 6,000 km (3,700 mi) route through
England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark,
Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. It features in the
Guinness Book of Records as the longest unbroken
signposted cycling route. It was funded in part by the
European Union's Interreg initiative.

49
STEP 3: VOCABULARY STUDY

Here are 10 sentences from the video. Rewrite these sentences so that they have the same
meaning as the original. Check online dictionaries to learn the meanings of the words in
bold.

1. More people on bikes usually means

fewer people in cars.

2. From Berlin to Bogota, cycling

infrastructure is popping up or being
reinforced.

3. This strange period is the smartest time

to transform our cities into bike-friendly
utopias.

4. Are we ever going to get a chance to

reorganize a city like this ever again?

5. If people cycle, the level of air pollution is

going to fall enormously.

6. The amount of people you could fit safely

into a road space is far greater with bikes.

7. Most of us associate a road with the

motor vehicle, but actually there was a time
when streets were for people.

8. Cars have come to totally dominate our

road space.

50
9. Making enough space for bikes means
taking that space away from cars.

10. We’ve got a bit of a strange attachment

to cars.

STEP 4: READING
A. Tom Gibson states: “If our urban spaces are to function after the pandemic, cities will have
to implement actions that are pro-people and make sure it happens fast.” Making cities bike-
friendly is one of these actions.
However, there are some people who think cycling is not a good alternative to cars. Go
through the list of their arguments. What are these arguments mainly about? Classify
them under these topics:
safety physical comfort traffic problems high costs

Critics say cycling has clear drawbacks.

They claim:

1. Bike lanes narrow down the car lanes, which leads to more traffic
congestion. _______________

2. When the roads are restricted for cars to create space for bike
lanes, this will lead to many other problems. _______________

3. Serious injury rates for accidents involving bicycles are considerably higher than for most
other vehicles. _______________

4. Even if a cyclist is wearing a helmet, the rest of their body is completely unprotected and
bikes themselves do not stand up well to collisions. _______________

5. Cyclists have to share the road or the street with car commuters and motorcyclists.
Drivers may not respect cyclists’ right of way and this is risky. _______________

51
6. The cyclists themselves contribute to the danger if they are overconfident and try to keep
up with or pass motorized vehicles. _______________

7. Riding is uncomfortable for the cyclists. The small seat is unable to hold their body.
Moreover, being a non-motorized vehicle, it requires more physical effort. It can also cause
back pain. Cyclists have to utilize their lower back in order to power and control the cycle.
_______________

8. Bicycles are not a good choice as a reliable mode of transport when the weather is bad.
They do not have sheds and when it rains heavily, one cannot ride on it. _______________

9. Most importantly, making cities bike-friendly is a complex and an expensive operation.

Transforming the infrastructure, changing people’s attitudes and habits, adopting to new
rules and regulations…these are difficult tasks to deal with financially. _______________
B. Now, have a look at the list of arguments stating the benefits of cycling. What are these
arguments mainly about? Classify them under these topics:
economic benefits solving traffic problems psychological/social benefits
environment-friendly health benefits

Benefits of cycling
1. Bikes are a modern, clean form of transportation because they
do not burn any fossil fuels. That is, they do not exhaust toxic
fumes into the environment. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
means improved air quality. _______________

2. Bikes are affordable for everyone. _______________

3. Cycling is great cardiovascular exercise at a time when lifestyles

are becoming increasingly inactive. Riding a bicycle allows the
average person to get in their daily exercise efficiently on their way to work.
_______________

4. Bicycles are the most useful form of transport to combat against traffic gridlock as many
cities are suffering from traffic jam due to the increasing number of private cars. Bicycles are
tiny and need less space on the road. _______________

5. There are almost zero maintenance costs for the bicycle. _______________

6. Cycling is easy and fun. It is associated with joy. People who walk or cycle to work are
more satisfied, have less stress, and are more relaxed in comparison to the ones who drive.
They also experience more freedom. _______________

52
 7. Cycling encourages social interaction because you are (un)consciously aware of your
surroundings. You can also have a high degree of interaction with the surrounding
environment. _______________

Reference:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-29/how-the-feds-could-keep-the-bike-boom-rolling

https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/made-on-earth/the-great-bicycle-boom-of-2020.html

STEP 5: GROUP DISCUSSION

Discuss these questions in groups of 3-4 and take short notes. You may need these ideas
while writing your essay.

1. When you think about the problems of

cities related to transportation and
traffic, what examples can you give from
your own city/town? What kind of
problems does your city suffer from?

2. If you were a member of a cycling club

and wanted to have basic infrastructure
for cycling (bike lanes, parking for bikes,
bike-share stations, etc.), who would you
ask for help?

3. Without political support, it is difficult

to transform cities into bike-friendly
spaces. What are the things that citizens
can do to attract politicians’ and public’s
attention?

25 kilometer-bike lane in Arsuz, Hatay

53
STEP 6: WRITING AN OPINION ESSAY (GROUP WRITING ACTIVITY)
Make groups of 3-4 and choose ONE of the topics below. Do you agree or disagree with the
statement? Write an opinion essay of at least 250 words explaining why you agree or
disagree.

 “Cycling is a good alternative to cars.”

 “In order to create a healthier public environment after the pandemic, cities
have to integrate cycling to their public transport systems as quickly as
possible.”

 “Cities in Turkey must prioritize biking infrastructure and become bike-friendly

for all the residents.”

Sample for Outline & Essay:

Fill in your outline in short notes.

GROUP 1 members

ESSAY OUTLINE

THESIS STATEMENT

VIEWPOINT#1 Write your ideas in short notes.

+ Supporting ideas

54
VIEWPOINT #2 Write your ideas in short notes.
+ Supporting ideas

Others’ view Write your ideas in short notes.

& Refutation

WRITE YOUR ESSAY HERE.

55
More videos:
How Amsterdam Became a Bicycle Paradise (Duration: 3:57)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKbRL6Opifg&list=PLRocsFRngP7_tbrZVWP4lEr0WZT_
YO0If&index=8&t=88s
Beijing's first bicycle-only expressway (Duration: 1:15)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1ebS0Fn2QE

56
WRITING PRACTICE 3: VIDEO GAMES
STEP 1: WARM-UP
Discuss the following topics in-
class.
● What do you see in the
picture? What do you think
is happening?

● What are the trending video

games nowadays? What’s
your favorite? Why?

● Do you learn anything from

playing video games?

STEP 2: READING
Pre-Reading
Match the game genres with their definitions.
a. A game that requires careful planning and tactics to achieve victory, often from a
godlike perspective over the game world.
b. A game that involves travelling and jumping across platforms, often with obstacles
and other elements like ladders.
c. A game that focuses on one-on-one combat against an opponent.
d. A game in which the player controls a central character. They explore the game
world, solve puzzles and take part in tactical fights to complete their quest.
e. A game in which the player races against opponents in some type of transportation.
f. A game whose main focus is combat involving guns or other projectile weapons such
as missiles.

1) Platform game ____ 4) Role-playing game (RPG) ____

2) Fighting game ____ 5) Strategy game ____
3) Shooter game ____ 6) Racing game ____

57
Now, read the text about video games and do the activities below.

Video Games can be Good for You!

For years video games have been criticized for making people more antisocial,
overweight or depressed. But now researchers are finding that games can actually change us
for the better and improve both our body and mind.

Games can help to develop physical skills. Pre-school children who played interactive
games such as the ones available on Wii have better motor skills, for example they can kick,
catch and throw a ball better than children who don’t play video games. A study of surgeons
who do microsurgery in Boston found that those who played video games were 27 per cent
faster and made 37 per cent fewer errors than those who didn't. Vision is also improved,
particularly telling the difference between shades of grey. This is useful for driving at night,
piloting a plane or reading X-rays.

58
 Games also benefit a variety
of brain functions, including
decision-making. People who play
action-based games make decisions
25 per cent faster than others and
are no less accurate, according to
one study. It was also found that the
best gamers can make choices and
act on them up to six times a second,
four times faster than most people. In another study by researchers from the University of
Rochester in New York, experienced gamers were shown to be able to pay attention to more
than six things at once without getting confused, compared with the four that most people
can normally keep in mind. Additionally, video games can also reduce gender differences.
Scientists have found that women who play games are better able to mentally manipulate
3D objects.

There is also evidence that gaming can help with psychological problems. At the
University of Auckland in New Zealand, researchers asked 94 young people diagnosed with
depression to play a 3D fantasy game called SPARX and in many cases, the game reduced
symptoms of depression more than conventional treatment. Another research team at
Oxford University found that playing Tetris shortly after exposure to something very
upsetting – in the experiment, a film of traumatic scenes of injury and death was used – can
actually prevent people having disturbing flashbacks.

The effects are not always so positive, however. Indiana University researchers
carried out brain scans on young men and found evidence that violent games can alter brain
function after as little as a week of play, affecting regions in the brain associated with
emotional control and causing more aggressive behavior in the player. But Daphne Bavelier,
one of the most experienced researchers in the field, says that the violent action games that
often worry parents most may actually have the strongest beneficial effect on the brain. In
the future, we may see many treatments for physical and neurological problems which
incorporate the playing of video games.

59
Post-Reading

In your groups, fill in the chart below by finding out how the arguments below are
supported in the text. Write in short notes.

Arguments Supporting Ideas

Video games develop ___* ________________________________________

physical skills. ___* ________________________________________
___* ________________________________________

Video games develop brain ___* ________________________________________

functions. ___* ________________________________________
___* ________________________________________

Video games help overcome ___* ________________________________________

psychological problems. ___* ________________________________________
___* ________________________________________

60
 Online Research Task

As you may realize, the reading text mostly focuses on the positive effects of gaming. In your
groups, you have already listed the positive effects. Now conduct a brief online research on
the negative effects of video games in order to find opposite views on the major supporting
ideas that are mentioned in the text. Finally, share the ideas you have found with the other
groups.

Positive Effects Mentioned in the Text Negative Effects Found in Research

“Games can help to develop physical
skills.”
__Various studies show that playing too much
computer games causes physical damages and
increases anxiety and depression in players.__
__Many studies show that most adolescents who are
addicted to computer games have high heart beat
and blood pressure due to too much excitement and
stress.__

61
Vocabulary
Fill in the gaps with the appropriate form of the words and chunks to complete the
sentences. There are two extras. You may use these words in your writing later on.

make errors do brain tell the difference in one’s psychological

scans between field problems

cause aggressive pay develop better make piloting a

behavior attention to motor skills decisions plane

1. Playing video games improves the speed at which people can ____________________.
2. Video gamers also demonstrate an improved ability to ________________several things
at once.
3. Researchers state that playing video games helps pre-school children ________________
and thus, they have full control over their fine muscles.
4. Playing video games also has a beneficial effect on vision, increasing players' ability to
_________________________ varying shades of grey.
5. Surgeons who play computer games work faster and do not _______________________
as much as the ones who do not play.
6. Researchers from Indiana University investigated the effects of violent video games by
____________________ on video gamers to monitor their neurological reactions.
7. Their research showed that violent video games affect emotional control and may
_____________________________.
8. Prof. Dr. Daphne Bavelier is one of the most experienced researchers ________________.

STEP 3: WATCHING A VIDEO ABOUT THE TOPIC

Note to the Teacher: You can choose ONE of the video activities if time is limited.
In this case, choosing the first video (titled Are Video Games BAD for You?) is
recommended so that the students can see the possible negative effects, as well.

Video Activity 1

Watch the video about the good and the bad effects of playing video games on children.

 Which of the negative effects of playing video games have been mentioned in the
video? Put a check and take notes using the space provided.

62
  Work in groups and come up with explanations for the remaining negative effects of
playing video games on children. Write your notes in the space provided.

The video is titled “Are Video Games BAD for You?” (Duration: 2: 42)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NdlwUs0X3M

Negative Effects of Playing Video Games on Children

Negative Effects Explanation

1. Isolation from society Example: Children may spend less time
interacting with the family and friends.

2. Aggressive thoughts,
feelings and violent
behaviors

3. Lower empathy

4. Lack of vitamin

5. Associating violence
with pleasure

6. Confusing reality and

fantasy

7. Muscle pain

8. Obesity

9. Sleep deprivation

63
Video Activity 2

Group Work: While watching the video, try to make notes of minor supports or details for
each effect.

The video is titled “Can Video Games Make You Smarter?” (Duration: 4: 13)

Please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOsqkQytHOs

Note to the Teacher: If your students have difficulty in catching up with the pace of
video, you may open the subtitles and/or set the playback speed to “0.75”.

 Increases cognitive functions: ……………………………………………………………....…………………

…………………....……………………………………....……………………………………....………………..……
 Increases attention to the detail in individuals:…………………………………………………………
…………………....……………………………………....……………………………………....………………..……
 Video games can be educational: …………………………………………………………………....………
…………………....……………………………………....……………………………………....………………..……
 Helps kids who suffer from dyslexia: ……………………………………………………….………………
…………………....……………………………………....……………………………………....………………..……
 Improves the eyesight: ………………………………………….…………………………....…………………
…………………....……………………………………....……………………………………....………………..……
 Improves memory and focus even in elderly: ……………………………………………………………
…………………....……………………………………....……………………………………....………………..……
 Increases the success of the doctors: ………………………………………………………………………
…………………....……………………………………....……………………………………....………………..……

64
STEP 4: OUTLINING & WRITING AN OPINION ESSAY

You have brainstormed for ideas about video games, read a text and watched videos about
the good and bad effects of video games, written explanations for these effects and shared
ideas with your class. Now, you are going to write an opinion essay answering the question
below.

“Playing video games is harmful for children.” Do you agree or disagree with this idea?
Write an opinion essay of at least 250 words explaining why you agree or disagree.

Note to the teacher: Since this is the last essay writing practice before In-class
Writing 1, students can prepare their outline in groups but write their whole essay
individually and get individual feedback.
___________________________________________________________________________

65
66
SAMPLE OPINION ESSAYS

Sports at School

The Latin saying “mens sana in corpore sano,” which translates to “a healthy
mind in a healthy body,” is more relevant now than ever. Physical fitness is not only one
of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative
intellectual activity. Sports have been a part of the school curriculum for many years.
However, people are questioning whether to drop them in favor of more academic
subjects. I disagree with this viewpoint. I believe sports should not be cut from
school curriculums for a number of reasons.

To start with, sports are important for the general fitness and good health of
children. In particular, being active is the best way to keep fit and stay in shape. As a
result, if children have sports activities at school, they will have a more active life and
easily avoid problems of obesity and related health issues.

Secondly, sports encourage personal development. For example, team sports

encourage team spirit and co-operation. In addition, individual sports help people to
show determination to win and accept failure if they lose. Therefore, children can
develop important life skills thanks to the school teams or sports practices at their
school.

On the other hand, some people believe that academic skills (literacy and
numeracy) are much more important than playing games. This means time spent doing
sports at school takes time away from academic subjects. They claim that sports can
still be played outside school hours and should be excluded from the school curriculum.
However, they fail to consider that physical fitness is associated with academic
performance in children. When students are physically active, they develop mentally, as
well and feel more responsible for their academic studies.

In conclusion, although some people think that sports at school take time away
from academic subjects, I strongly believe that they are an important part of the school
curriculum and should not be cut. They help students to stay fit and healthy and they
help them develop useful life skills. I believe that physical education should be as
important as academic subjects at schools. (351 words)

67
 Nursery Schools

An African proverb says it takes a village to raise a child. In fact, in today’s busy
world, raising a child is a challenging task. Parents don’t have the chance to take care of
their kids during the day or have someone else to watch them at home, so they are
putting their children into nursery school while they go to work. Some people feel that
parents should stay home with their children, but I strongly believe that nurseries are
beneficial for many reasons.

To begin with, nurseries provide educational benefits for children. For

example, they learn skills like counting and recognizing the alphabet. As such, when
they start primary school, they already have the abilities they need to do well. Many
experts believe that early learning positively affects brain structure.

Secondly, nurseries improve many important skills. They give children a chance
to play and learn to share with others their own age. Therefore, they develop self-
confidence and social skills. They are less shy and more comfortable interacting with
other children and even elders.

On the other hand, it is argued that children who go to nursery are more likely
to catch colds or minor illnesses from other children. This means that parents have to
take time away from their jobs to look after them. However, they seem to forget that
children can become ill anytime anywhere. This should not be an excuse to avoid
sending their children to nursey school.

To sum up, I believe that it is better for children to go to nursery school than stay
home. Nurseries can help develop education and social skills, while providing parents a
safe place to leave their children. Parents should send their children to nursery school if
they want to secure their children’s future. (294 words)

68
 Why You Should Not Smoke

Have you ever considered the harms of smoking? Nowadays many people know
the harms but many of them continue smoking. I think people shouldn’t smoke for a
number of reasons because it affects our health, we spend a lot of money on
cigarettes, and when you smoke, you are not respecting people around you.

The first reason is that smoking affects your physical health. If you smoke, your
physical condition will be negatively affected, so it will be very difficult for you to
succeed in sports. Also, smoking produces lethal diseases like cancer and reduces the
length and quality of your life.

The second reason is out of respect for the people around you. When you
smoke, you not only harm yourself, but you also harm all the people around you. They
will be inhaling the fume, which is a health risk for them as well. Thus, you mustn’t be
selfish; you should at least avoid smoking in front of people who don’t smoke. Also,
many people don’t like the cigarette’s smell, so they won’t enjoy your company.

On the other hand, some people may feel that smoking helps them to fight
with stress and they think they only smoke when they feel stressed. However, they
forget that there will be a day when they will feel the need of a cigarette more often.
They will find themselves smoking very frequently as it turns into an addiction. As a
result, they will never manage to get rid of the stress in the real sense.

To sum up, we should take care of ourselves and stop harming ourselves. We
should also think about all the people around us. If we refuse to smoke, we can have a
better life. Remember that "If you can dream it, you can do it." (299 words)

69
 Having Many Options in Life

It is common nowadays to hear people complaining about the number of choices

people have. They are flooded with choices every second in their daily lives. When
people are looking at their smart phones, they can flip through various applications:
social media networks, videos, games, online shopping platforms. Within each category,
they are offered tons of options. Some claim that this is something problematic, and
others say that having lots of options makes life easier. Despite its benefits in
everyday life, I believe that having many choices is problematic for our life.

First of all, the choices offered by the technology and the Internet lead to
confusion and exhaustion as we have to make so many decisions about the content that
we consume. The number of online media options, for instance, is now almost endless.
There are countless websites offering entertainment, news, videos and music streaming,
many of which are free. We had a choice of a number of TV channels in the past, whereas
we now have access to thousands of films and series through services like Netflix. These
choices that are available to us make use confused and exhausted. It is difficult to choose
what we want among all these options and we may end up not finding what we are
looking for.

Secondly, having too many choices leads to waste of money and materials.
People are now used to the luxury of being able to access everything they need. People
are presented too many options for food, books, films, clothes, technological devices, etc.
They are surrounded by ads everywhere which urge them to consume more than they
need. They spend a lot of time and money for the things that they can afford. This is
called “consumerism”. This is a global disease now and results in wasting the resources
of the world.

On the other hand, some people believe that having too many choices in life
brings about a feeling of freedom to people. They think that having few options will
make people feel frustrated or blocked. For them, choosing whatever you need or want
from a variety of choices is easier. They might have a point. However, they forget the
fact that it is a temporary feeling. Having too many choices might seem liberating at
first, yet if you are exposed to too many choices, it requires a lot of effort to choose what
you need. That might be exhausting. As a result of this, you may feel doubtful, indecisive,
stressful but not free.

In conclusion, we are faced with a huge number of options in most areas of life
nowadays and this might cause a lot of difficulties in our lives. For these reasons, we
should limit the amount of choice in our lives. This will definitely give us less stress and
more satisfaction. The life will be simpler with fewer options. (477 words)

70
 Animal Testing should not be Banned

Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new medicines and test
the safety of other products. Some people argue that these experiments should be
banned because it is morally wrong to cause animals to suffer or die. Each year about
thousands of dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, monkeys, and other animals die in deadly dose
tests. On the other hand, some others are in favor of them because of their benefits to
humanity. In my opinion, animal testing should not be banned for a number of
reasons.

The first reason is that many products must be tested on animals to ensure that
they are safe for use by humans. For example, diabetics would not be able to inject
insulin to control their diabetes if it had not been developed by testing it on animals.
Moreover, the effects of certain chemicals such as insecticides can be observed on
animals and their offspring and results are achieved faster because animals have shorter
life duration than humans and the ability to reproduce easily.

The second reason is that these experiments are aimed at finding cures for
diseases such as cancer. Most of these tests cannot be done in any other way. Many
famous lifesaving drugs were invented in this way, and animal experiments may help us
to find more cures in the future. For instance, forty years ago, polio was a common
tragedy amongst children. Animal testing led to the discovery of a vaccine and now this
disease is very rare in developed countries. These experiments clearly ensure human
safety and survival.

On the other hand, some people say that the use of animals in research for
developing cosmetics products is cruel and unacceptable. They believe that testing of
cosmetic products is completely unnecessary and doesn’t add any fundamental value for
humanity. They may have a point. However, they forget that if a drug is released into
the market without a careful testing, it could cause severe damage to anyone who may
consume it. Even though animals subjected to testing may suffer, it is a necessary step to
ensure the healing power of a drug.

In conclusion, animal testing makes drugs safer for human consumption and paves
the way for future medical discoveries. It also means we are causing animals suffer for
our own benefits. Therefore, companies must invest more in developing alternative
methods that can replace using animal experimentations. Until then, I am in favor of it
provided that it is conducted under strict conditions and there is no alternative. (420
words)

71
 DEATH PENALTY

“Do as I say, not as I do.” This is what society tells us when it punishes murderers
with the death penalty. It tells us that murder is wrong, and in our legal system, it is
against the law. However, we still see that murderers are sentenced to death. Thus, we
ourselves indirectly commit murder. In my opinion, the death penalty should be
abolished, and murderers should be punished with life imprisonment.

Firstly, we have no rights to kill other humans. The right to live is the basic right
of any human being and no one can infringe this right, no matter what that person did.
Moreover, innocent people can sometimes face wrongful execution in courts. Such unfair
sentences take away lives of innocent people and make other citizens lose faith in law
and justice.

Secondly, death penalty provokes revenge. When we were children, we used to

take each other’s toys and it was very common to hit a friend in order to get the toy
back. Then s/he would do the same to take it back. This is called revenge. When a
murderer kills someone, society takes revenge by killing the murderer. Unfortunately,
after his/her death, the murderer’s family is full of anger and they may reflect it to the
society. As a result, this cycle never ends.

On the other hand, there are those who think that if someone murders
someone, it is not society’s fault, so s/he deserves the death penalty. However, they
forget that this is not a good solution to the problem because rehabilitation of a guilty
person is more important and beneficial for the society. Besides, criminals sometimes
regret their actions. In this case, they should be given a second chance to improve
themselves.

In conclusion, the problem lies in the fact that death penalty is a tool for
committing murder. It should not be considered as a way to stop killing. I could not
agree more with the idea that laws should create a positive difference in society and
save lives rather than destroy them. (341 words)

72
CAUSE/EFFECT RELATION

Cause is the reason why something happens.

Effect is a result or consequence of an action.

When you answer a question such as “Why

did you decide to major in biology?”, you are
analyzing causes. When you answer a
question such as “What effects will learning
English have on my career?”, you are
analyzing effects.

Examine the essay questions below. What does each of them focus on: Causes or Effects?
Sample Essay Questions
 What are the causes of air pollution in Turkey? Write an essay explaining the
reasons. (Focus on Causes)
 Why do people take online courses? Write an essay explaining the reasons. (Focus
on Causes)
 What are the effects of peer pressure on teenagers? (Focus on Effects)
 What effects do TV commercials have on children? (Focus on Effects)

You need to think about the reasons

and/or the results of an event in order to
 analyze that situation
 predict possible outcomes
 and maybe find a solution to a
problem

Understanding cause/effect relationship is a vital part of critical thinking skills. In

academic writing, you will often need to analyze causes and/or effects. In your

73
departmental courses, you may need to discuss the causes and/or effects of certain
events or situations.

Writing Section in YTU English Proficiency Exam requires you to write a cause OR an
effect essay, so in this section, you will learn how to write an essay explaining at least 2
causes OR 2 effects of a certain event or an action. You will study the structure of the
cause/effect essay, learn useful sentence structures to express cause/effect relation and
practice writing about cause/effect through many writing exercises.

Before examining the essay structure, let’s look at the cause/effect relationship.

UNDERSTANDING CAUSE/EFFECT RELATION

Read the quotes below. Which one do you like the most? Why? Explain.

74
THINKING ABOUT REASONS/CAUSES

a. Do you often question why things happen? When was the last time you asked why?
Make groups of 4 and write 4 “Why?” questions that you have asked someone or
yourself recently and write any real or possible answers.

What happened? A question with “Why?” What was the reason?

(A negative or a positive
event/result)
My boyfriend was late for Why were you late? He overslept.
our date. Why was he late?
Beşiktaş lost to Fenerbahçe Why did they lose? They didn’t run.
last night. They were not motivated.

Do you usually feel satisfied with the answer you get or do you keep asking more
“why”s😊?

It may be annoying or unkind to keep asking the question “why” to people, but asking
the question “Why” is a useful strategy if you need to understand the root cause of a
situation or an event.

b. Examine the cause/effect relations below.

RESULT: You were late. Why? My car stopped working.

Why did it stop working? I ran out of gas.

Why did you run out of gas? I forgot to fill up the tank.

Why did you forget to fill up the tank? I was running late for work.

Why were you running late for work? I set my alarm for p.m instead of a.m.

Why did you do that? I was out late drinking with friends.

WHAT’S THE RESULT? being late

WHAT’S THE ROOT CAUSE? lack of responsibility OR carelessness OR irresponsible

behaviour

75
RESULT: Millennials buy fewer houses. WHY? Because they like the freedom of
renting.

WHY? Because they don’t value owning a home.

WHY? Because they prefer spending their money on experiences.

WHY? Because they don’t have enough experiences.

WHY? Because they don’t have enough money.

WHY? Because they have high student loan debt.

WHAT’S THE RESULT? Millennials buying few houses

WHAT’S THE ROOT CAUSE? Financial problems

Exercise 1: Work in groups. Choose an event or a situation mentioned in your group

and write it in the table below. Then ask “Why” for at least four times and try to come up
with the root cause.

RESULT:

WHY?

WHY?

WHY?

WHY?

76
DISTINGUISHING CAUSE AND EFFECT

CAUSES of air pollution in Turkey EFFECTS of air pollution in Turkey

Exercise 2: Read the list of causes and effects of air pollution in Turkey.

Now, put the causes and effects of air pollution into the correct category in the table.

insufficient public transportation shorter life span for residents

lower quality of life residents unbearable smell

poor visibility burning coal for domestic heating

necessity to stay indoors geographical reasons

While explaining a cause, you can naturally talk

about a result/effect of that cause. Similarly,
while explaining an effect, you may as well mention some
causes of the event. That is completely normal because of
the nature of cause & effect relationship between events.
That is not a problem at all. The important thing is that you start and continue your
essay with the correct organization of your ideas and give relevant explanations for each
body paragraph.
77
TRANSITION SIGNALS EXPRESSING CAUSE OR EFFECT RELATIONSHIP
“Because”, “as”, and “since” introduce a cause. These are used to join two complete sentences (or
independent clauses) together.

Because CAUSE EFFECT

Since climate change is bringing water supplies diminish.
droughts,
As
Because of the fact people want to find jobs and they move to big cities.
that establish economic security for
themselves,
Due to the fact that

1. communication problems among team members  team performance decreasing

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
...……………………………………....…………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. being exposed to exhaust from automobiles and trucks  suffering from respiratory
dieseases
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
...……………………………………....…………………………………………………………………………………………..

3. difficult for students to learn English on their own  they should attend the school
regularly
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
...……………………………………....…………………………………………………………………………………………..
The following prepositions introduce a cause in the form of a noun phrase.

CAUSE EFFECT
Due to social networking sites, people sometimes forget the importance of
Because of online computer games, face-to-face communication.
As a result of the increased heat, young people have eye problems.
agricultural activities will change.

4. Economic situation  many shops doing badly

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
5. the heavy rain and the flood  many roads in the area closed

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….

78
6. The company - financial losses  poor management.
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
7. Tom has been ill.  absent from school
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
The following transition words introduce an effect. These are used to join two complete
sentences (or independent clauses) together.
CAUSE EFFECT
The printing press enabled the scientists were able to spread
Consequently,
fast spread of knowledge. their ideas around the world
Therefore, faster than ever.
He smoked 50 cigarettes a day he had significant health
Thus,
for many years. problems later in life.
As a result,
For this reason,
It was raining , so we cancelled our plans.

8. Because he did not get the required grade in his IELTS test, the university which he
had applied for rejected his application.

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….

9. Students’ grades are not satisfactory and they sometimes need to repeat classes
because they spend two or more hours playing video games each day.

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….

10. We've decided to move to a less expensive city. The rent has increased drastically
over the past two years.
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
11. Wind plants generate electricity only when the wind blows. If there is no wind, there
is no electricity.

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….

79
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS TO DESCRIBE CAUSE & EFFECT

CAUSE VERB EFFECT

Sitting in front of the screen may lead to back pain.
for long hours can contribute to
could result in
Long-term computer use is one possible reason for eyestrain.
may be responsible for
is the reason for

1. Smoke respiratory problems

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
2. Higher demand for goods and services  higher imports
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….

3. Fifty per cent of road accidents  head injuries.

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….

EFFECT VERB CAUSE

Poor cultural literacy may/could come from too much technology.
results from
Some illnesses may be the result of negative feelings and stress.
develop from

4. Heavy traffic Overpopulation in big cities

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
5. His difficulty in walking  a childhood illness
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
6. The damage in her lungs heavy smoking.
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
7. Car accidents  lack of education, speed and drink-drive.
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
CAUSE EFFECT
If/when parents allow their kids to play violent kids may be negatively affected.
computer games often,

80
8. If the number of diesel vehicles in Istanbul continues to increase, …………………………
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
9. A driver’s ability to drive a car is seriously lessened when ………………………………………
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….

CAUSE VERB EFFECT

Lack of confidence causes failure.
Living in a crowded city causes people to have a lot of stress.
Greenhouse gases cause the Earth’s atmosphere heat up.
to

10. The poor harvest  Prices rise sharply.

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
11. The bad weather  problems for many farmers.
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….

CAUSE VERB EFFECT

Social factors affect(s) personality development.
influence(s)
Nicotine has/have a negative/positive impact the functioning of the heart
on and arteries.
Historical has/have an effect on
events has/have an influence on the future of a country.
shape(s)

12. In the present digital age, technology shapes how we …………………………………….…….

……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….
13. The new taxes on consumer goods/fuel/electricity will have a serious impact on
……………………………………………………………....……………………………………....…………………………………….

81
SENTENCE WRITING PRACTICE 1
Learning about the topic GLOBAL WARMING

a. Before watching the video on causes and effects of global warming, check the
important words about global warming that you will hear in the video.

Emission (n): an ice sheets (n): a chunk of glacier ice

amount of gas,
heat, light, etc. flood (n): a large amount of water
that is sent out covering an area that is usually dry

Drive up (the drought (n): a long period when there is

temperature): little or no rain
increase
diminish (v): to reduce or be reduced in
Vapor(n): a gas that escapes from a liquid size or importance
or solid, esp. as a result of heating
agriculture (n): farming
get trapped (v): unable to move or
escape from a place or situation smog (n): a mixture of smoke, gases, and
chemicals, especially in cities, that makes
warm(v): to (cause to) become warm the atmosphere difficult to breathe and
harmful for health
glacier (n): a large mass of ice that moves
slowly

b. Examine the diagrams below. In the first diagram, several causes lead to one effect
(Global Warming). In the second diagram, a single cause (Global Warming) leads to
several effects.

Now, watch the National Geographic video on the causes and effects of global warming
and climate change. Pick ONE CAUSE and ONE EFFECT from each diagram which were
NOT MENTIONED in the video.

82
The video is titled “Causes and Effects of Climate Change | National Geographic” (3.04)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4H1N_yXBiA

CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING

CAUSE
CAUSE
Global
Warming

CAUSE
CAUSE

CAUSE
NOT MENTIONED

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

Global
EFFECT Warming EFFECT

EFFECT
EFFECT

EFFECT
NOT MENTIONED

83
c. Now, read the sentences next to the pictures below. Understand what they mean and
write them in your own words by using the given prompts OR a variety of other
sentence patterns or expressions that you have learnt.

CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

1. Burning of fossil fuels leads to high emissions

of carbon dioxide. (COME FROM)

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

2. Greenhouse Effect emerges due to the

greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide,
methane, and water vapor. (CONTRIBUTE
TO)

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

3.Rapid increase in the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has warmed the planet at
an alarming rate. (DUE TO)

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

4. The more greenhouse gases in the

atmosphere, the more heat gets trapped.
(CAUSE)

_______________________________________

5. Because of the rise in temperatures, ice caps

melt and more water flows to the seas. (WHEN)

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

84
6. Warmer temperature also makes weather
more extreme. This means not only more
intense major storms, floods and heavy
snowfall, but also long and frequent
droughts. (BE RESPONSIBLE FOR)

Warmer temperature is _____________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

7. These changes in weather pose challenges.

Growing crops becomes more difficult. Areas
where plants and animals live shift. Water
supplies are diminished. (AS A RESULT OF)

______________________________________

______________________________________

8. More water flows to the seas from glaciers and ice

caps. As a consequence, ocean water gets warmer
and sea levels rise. (IF)

______________________________________

______________________________________

9. Exposure to higher levels of smog can cause

health problems. Some of these problems are
asthma, heart disease and lung cancer. (SUCH
AS)

______________________________________

______________________________________

85
SENTENCE WRITING PRACTICE 2
a. Watch the video on the causes of obesity and take short notes in the space provided.

The video is titled “What Really Causes Obesity?” (9.14)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5GCCcWqtZ8

Causes of Obesity

Causes Supporting Details

Cause 1: Consuming more
calories than you need

Cause 2: Sedentary lifestyle

Cause 3: lack of sleep

Cause 4: disruptions in your

endocrine functions

Other causes:
stopping smoking
some medications’ side effects

Doctor’s comments and her

message to the audience

86
b. Work in pairs and compare your note-taking sheet with your partner. Add more ideas
to your notes. Then think about each reason. Explain each reason in your own words
in the space provided below.

Causes Explanation & Examples

Cause 1: Consuming more
calories than you need
Cause 2: Sedentary lifestyle
Sample answers:
Because some people eat more than their bodies need, they
get obese. They consume more calories than they need. The
portions are bigger than they were in the past. Also, we
prefer to eat food which has high calories.
-

Cause 3: lack of sleep

Cause 4: disruptions in your

endocrine functions

Other causes:

Doctor’s comments and her

message to the audience

c. Now, in groups of 4, examine each other’s sentences. Re-write 5 sentences using the
verbs or linking words expressing cause and effect on pages 80-83.

1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………….
2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………….
3. ……………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………….
4. ……………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………….
5. ……………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………….

87
PARAPHRASING PRACTICE ON CAUSE/EFFECT SENTENCES

1. Overeating often results in obesity.

(result from) ___________________________________________________________

2. Obesity usually results from overeating as well as a slow metabolic rate.

(contribute to) _________________________________________________________

(responsible for) _______________________________________________________

3. Financial difficulties may cause marital problems.

(be the result of) ________________________________________________________
(develop from) _________________________________________________________
4. Parental encouragement and motivation have an effect on a student’s success at
school.
(affect) ________________________________________________________________
5. Natural disasters in a country often lead to economic crises.
(have an impact on) _____________________________________________________
6. English is the most popular language in the world. The major cause of this popularity
is that it is the language of business and science.
(because) _______________________________________________________________
7. The electric cars are improving very fast. Some countries are already talking about
banning the sale of gasoline cars after 2030.
(so…………..that) ____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
8. When you're talking about all the people in the world, it's hard to find a consensus on
anything. There are just too many different opinions.

(so………….that) ____________________________________________________________

9. Humans are overusing the natural resources of the planet. If nothing changes,
mankind will need two planets to sustain its lifestyle.

(As) ____________________________________________________________________
10. Freshwater supplies only make 2.5% of the total volume of the world's water. For
this reason, demand for water could soon exceed supply.

(such ……….that) ____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

88
CAUSE / EFFECT ESSAYS

Cause/Effect essays are concerned with why things happen (causes) and what
happens as a result (effects). Cause/effect is a common method of organizing and
discussing ideas. A well-organized cause/effect essay should consist of:

TITLE

INTRODUCTION
General statements
Thesis statement

Give your first cause OR effect with a topic sentence and

supporting details

MAIN BODY
Give your second cause OR effect with a topic sentence and
supporting details

Give your third cause OR effect with a topic sentence and

supporting details

(Optional paragraph)

CONCLUSION
Re-state your thesis statement, using different words.

Note to the teacher: It is not necessary to cover all the essay samples in this section.
You can choose whichever you like and present it/them as example.

89
SAMPLE CAUSE ESSAYS

Why are Cities Getting Overcrowded?

Cities cover just 3% of the planet's land surface, but more than half of the world’s
population lives in urban areas. There will be about 2.5 billion more people added to the
urban population by 2050, mainly in Africa and Asia. The world’s cities, especially big
ones, are getting more and more overpopulated year by year. Cities such as Tokyo, Sao
Paolo, Istanbul, Bombay and Shanghai are now considered ‘mega cities’ because of their
enormous size and huge populations. There are two main reasons for cities to get
overcrowded, one economic and the other socio-cultural.
The primary cause for cities becoming so crowded is economic. As a country
develops, its cities become the engines for development; thus, jobs are available in these
areas. Frankfurt, Istanbul, Bombay and Sao Paolo are all economic centers. Tokyo, for
example, was the motor for Japan’s fast economic development in the 1960s and 70s. As
a result, its population increased rapidly. People moved to Tokyo because they could
find jobs and establish economic security for themselves and their families there.
Another factor in the huge increase in urban populations is the socio-
cultural factor. Thousands of people migrate to the cities not only for jobs but also
educational and personal reasons. The better universities are always located in big
cities, and this attracts thousands of students every year. Generally, these students, after
their graduation, stay on and work in the city. Moreover, young people tend to move to
bigger cities as villages and rural areas are more tradition-oriented, and young people
see this as an obstacle to their personal freedom.
In conclusion, people always move to the areas that provide opportunities and
give them the freedom they desire. I feel that overpopulation in big cities is one of the
biggest problems of the world and governments across the world must work together to
find some solutions. (310 words)

90
 CAUSES OF CAR ACCIDENTS
For many people, driving a vehicle is an everyday activity. People rely on their
cars to get to work, school, and other important places. However, driving can be
dangerous, and although weather conditions and car malfunctions can contribute to
accidents, the behavior of drivers is most often the cause of accidents. The three main
causes of car accidents are poorly trained drivers, distracted drivers, and
impaired drivers.
One cause of car accidents is poorly trained drivers. Drivers who don’t follow
the rules of the road can be putting themselves and others at risk. For example, drivers
who exceed the speed limit will have a more difficult time stopping or turning if
something, such as an animal, crosses their path. In addition, there are road signs that
drivers need to recognize, understand, and obey. Not checking blind spots and not being
aware of one’s surroundings can result in a collision. A driver who is not aware of what
is around his or her vehicle may crash into other cars or objects, not realizing they are
there. For these reasons, poorly trained drivers can cause accidents.
Distracted drivers are another cause of car accidents. Driving is a task that
requires the driver’s full attention, so performing other tasks while driving can lead to
an accident. For example, people who talk on their cell phone while driving are limiting
their abilities, since talking on a cell phone often requires the use of one hand and takes
some concentration. Cell phones are not the only distraction; drivers will often work on
laptops, put on makeup, and do other activities. If a driver is doing these things, he or
she is not focused on the road. The driver then may, for example, not notice if a car has
stopped in front of him or her and collide with that car. Drivers should wait until they
have reached their destination to perform other tasks, as such activities often lead to
accidents.
A final cause of car accidents is impaired drivers. Drinking and driving is
something that is obviously dangerous. A driver’s ability to drive a car is seriously
lessened when he or she is under the influence of alcohol, and many accidents have been
caused by people who were drunk driving. Driving while under the influence of drugs is
also dangerous. Often illegal drugs impair a driver as much as alcohol. For example,
drugs such as LSD can cause visual hallucinations, and drivers may swerve recklessly.
Even legal drugs, like medications, should be used with caution if the user is going to be
driving. Some of these drugs can make the user drowsy, and this state will slow the
driver’s reaction time to things happening. All of these influences can certainly lead to
car accidents.
In conclusion, driving is difficult, and drivers have a responsibility to drive with
great care and attention. Carelessness can result in a car accident. Accidents are caused
by many things; however, three of the most significant causes are poorly trained drivers,
distracted drivers, and impaired drivers. As long as these types of drivers remain on the
road, accidents will happen. (519 words)

91
 FACTORS THAT LEAD TO SUCCESS AT UNIVERSITY
Being a student at a university is a dream for a lot of high school students. Any
student who wants to have a bright future with a good career plans to study at a
university. However, the road to success at university is full of difficulties. Therefore,
students should be aware of the difficulties. Despite these problems, students can
manage to get their degree. In order to be successful at university, students need
strong motivation, and concentration on their goals.
First, students need to keep up the motivation they need to study. Students
have many obligations to fulfill, such as completing homework assignments and
research projects, studying for exams and writing term papers. Allocating enough time
for all these things requires students to be highly motivated. In addition, many students
work after school and arrive home late at night. Only dedicated and responsible students
will push themselves to finish their work before going to bed disregarding their
tiredness. Also, when the options are to go to a party with friends or stay home and
study for the final exams, only determined students will choose to study.
Secondly, students need to determine realistic academic goals and focus on
them. Many students are not aware of the importance of selecting the right university
and major. In fact, a wrong decision may result in a waste of time and money. For
example, students may have very high expectations and select a major that presents
demands they cannot meet. In some cases, they find that they are on a career path they
do not even enjoy. As a result, they may have to change their major or drop out of
university when they realize that they cannot keep up their grades. If they are more
focused on what they really want, the better their chances will be to achieve their goals.
To sum up, if students are enthusiastic and motivated about their major and
realistic about their academic goals, their university journey will be easier. They need to
transform themselves into eagles. An eagle knows how to focus on what it wants and
captures it even when the distance is great. (357 words)

92
SAMPLE EFFECT ESSAYS

FOOTBALL AS A GLOBAL BRAND

The term globalisation is a process of interaction and integration among the

people, companies, and governments of different nations. It is the result of cross-border
trade in goods and services, technology, and flows of investment. The clothes that we
wear, the music that we listen, the books that we read all reflect the effects of
globalization. Thanks to the improvements in technology, particularly in communication
technology, globalization spreads into all parts of our life, even football. Football is now
a global brand, and this has lead to changes in the way the game is played, owned and
run. Among these changes and effects, the most important ones are the mobility of
players and managers and its becoming a commodity*.
Firstly, globalization has created an international market for football
labour and as a result of this, the mobility for players and managers around the
world has increased. Today football leagues attract players from all corners of the
globe. For example, previously, a club could only have three foreign players in UEFA
competitions. Nowadays, a club can have a full team of EU nationals. It can also sign
players from non-EU countries. Such kind of globalization of football can contribute to
sharing knowledge and skills among footballers and managers, which can increase the
quality of the sport and promote world peace.
Another effect of globalization on football is that it has become a commodity
– it can be bought and sold. There are fewer trade barriers now. Anybody with the
money can buy any clubs. For example, in 2003, Chelsea football team was bought by a
Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich. That means that the more money you have, the
more of the club you can buy. As a consequence of globalization in football, the clubs also
show little interest to the local footballers, which can cause unemployment in the end.
Taking everything into account, as a result of globalization, we can see
different footballers and managers in a team from different parts of the world. That can
have positive impacts on the development of football, footballers and managers.
However, football has now commercialized and that can lead to many negative effects
such as unemployment and monopoly. (364 words)
*Commodity: something that can be bought and sold, especially a basic food product or fuel

93
 EFFECTS OF WATCHING TOO MUCH TV

Many technological devices were invented with positive thoughts in mind, but
they may bring about negative effects along with positive impacts. Invention of TV is a
good example for this. It was invented with good intentions – education and
communication would be worldwide, there would be no national borders, etc. However,
we are now trying to overcome its physiological and psychological negative effects
on human beings.

Watching TV has several physiological negative effects. One of them is eye-

strain. It is true that there are specifications for watching TV; TV should be 5 meters
away from the eye, the room should be adequately lit, TV should be placed at the same
height with our eyes, etc. However, these do not prevent our eyes from getting tired if
we keep watching TV for a long time. Another physiological effect is obesity, which is
widely observed in people who like watching TV and eating snacks everyday. TV is such
a powerful machine that people cannot get away from it – it is addictive.

Apart from the physiological effects, TV also causes psychological effects.

One is a result of being exposed to violence. After seeing so many violent scenes on TV,
people start considering violent actions normal and they lose their sensitivity to their
environment. Besides, the interpersonal communication among people decreases. Being
insensitive to the suffering of other people causes people to become alienated. Also, after
coming home from work, people seek to relax in front of the TV, and generally people
prefer watching TV to talking to each other. This has serious consequences because lack
of interpersonal relationships mostly end with loneliness, depression, arguments and
even divorces.

In conclusion, inventions are meant to be beneficial for human beings as long as

we know how to benefit from them. TV is one of such inventions that need to be used for
the right purpose only – being educated and entertained for a reasonable period of time.
If we are aware of the adverse physiological and psychological effects of watching too
much TV, we may at least reduce the negative consequences. (344 words)

94
 EFFECTS of ALCOHOLISM

Alcoholism is the most severe form of alcohol abuse. It’s simply defined as the
inability to manage drinking habits. The effects of this disease are really serious. Many
people cannot control their habit of drinking alcohol, and they can easily become
addicted; that is a big problem. Alcoholism has a serious impact on the physical and
psychological state of a person.

The first effect of alcoholism is physical. These are the most important ones
because these can cause your death. For example, alcoholism causes cancer in the
stomach, kidneys, and liver. Besides, alcohol alters the digestion of nutrients that the
body needs to stay healthy. It also causes severe damage in the neurons, so it causes
alterations in the body’s movements, loss of appetite, and depression. There are other
effects in the body like gastritis and cirrhosis of the liver. All these physical
consequences could cause your death if you drink alcohol in mass quantities.

The second effect caused by alcoholism is psychological. At the beginning,

alcohol makes you feel relaxed, but if you drink it in excess, it increases anxiety and
causes depression. It can also cause family and legal problems, violence, changes of
behavior, and suicide, among others. Alcohol is very powerful and can alter all your
normal behaviors.

In conclusion, the effects of alcoholism, which are physical and psychological,

can cause many problems that affect your life in all aspects. Alcohol alters your brain,
muscles, digestion process, and cause other disorders that affect your health. It also can
cause depression or changes in your behavior that result in problems with your family,
friends, and with yourself. I think there are many treatment options available to help
those in need to overcome alcohol abuse. When it is discovered in its early stages, the
chance for a successful recovery increases significantly. (302 words)

95
 Effects of a Positive Outlook on Our Lives

Happiness is a state of being that many people want to achieve. There are
numerous different ways of becoming a happy person. I think having a positive outlook
is one of the many ways of reaching the state of happiness. It can change your life in two
ways. It can enrich your relationships, and make you more capable of overcoming
some difficulties in your life.

First of all, a positive outlook helps you find happiness in professional,

social, and personal relationships. Having a positive attitude will help you find a good
job and keep it. Colleagues enjoy working with someone who always look at the bright
side and avoid conflict. Friends will appreciate your energy and want to spend more
time with you. A happy person makes everybody else happy. Happiness and a positive
outlook on life also have a beneficial effect on personal relationships. As a consequence,
any partnership will be a solid, strong and happy relationship by means of a positive
outlook.

Secondly, people with a positive outlook are stronger and more capable of
confronting difficult situations. They develop clear minds, which help them deal with
life’s challenges better than those individuals who are not at peace with themselves.
Happy people’s optimism creates the strength that is needed to find rational solutions to
the many unexpected problems that life presents. This optimism also promotes self-
esteem. For example, happier students are more likely to approach professors for help
when they are having some trouble in their course work. In contrast, unhappy or less
happy students may internalize their frustrations and be less likely to seek out help.

In conclusion, it is a good idea to have a positive outlook and recognize what

makes us happy since it will bring us more peace and harmony. Having a positive
mindset will bring us strong relationships, and the ability to face the obstacles in life. If
we promise ourselves to laugh more and think positively, we will change our lives for
the better. (331 words)

96
 Money Trap for University Students

“You don’t pay, we pay instead,” says one of the advertisements of a bank which
wants more customers to use their credit cards. Many other ads also present credit
cards as the easiest way to obtain the things people dream of. Even people who do not
have a regular income, such as university students, are encouraged to have credit cards.
Therefore, being a credit card holder negatively affects a university student’s
present financial situation and future lifestyle.

First effect is that a university student may experience financial problems if

he/she is not in control of his/her spending habits. Your credit card uses money
from your bank account, even when you do not have any money. If you are not careful
with your repayments, it is likely that you will have to beg your parents to protect you
from the bank’s anger. What is more, a credit card might lead you to buy unnecessary
things and spend more time in places where you would normally not go, which will
eventually affect your finances.

Credit cards also have negative effects on a student’s future lifestyle. To

begin with, the virtual money transaction (money which you do not really touch) might
make you think that there is an ever-growing money tree at your service. In fact, this is
an illusion and it hides the fact that the money you are spending must come from
somewhere and has a limit. Secondly, as you rely more and more on your credit card,
you may overspend and have to ask for your parents’ financial support. In turn, this
might become a habit and, in the future, you might be obliged to do what your parents
expect instead of realizing your own dreams.

In conclusion, credit cards are not as supportive as they seem to be for a

university student and are only a temporary solution. As a matter of fact, they could ruin
a student’s present and future life. I think a university student should never fall into this
trap and should learn to spend the money s/he has carefully. (344 words)

97
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

Introduction paragraphs consist of general statements giving background information

and a thesis statement expressing the main aim of the essay.

Here are the steps to write an introduction paragraph for cause/effect essay.

1. Provide background information about the situation that you are analyzing. You
can read or listen to different sources of information to create an opening.
2. Describe the situation.
3. Write a thesis statement that states the focus of your essay and your 2 causes or
2 effects.

Examples

Question: What are the causes of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) among honeybees?

BACKGROUND Do you like eating fruit or vegetables? (Asking rhetorical

INFO +
questions) These crops and hundreds of others cannot grow without
GENERAL
STATEMENTS the help of honeybees. Honeybees are responsible for pollinating more
than 90 different agricultural crops. Pollination is the process of
transferring pollen from one part of a plant to another, allowing plants
to reproduce. (Giving definition) Because most plants can’t transfer
their pollen alone, we rely on bees to make sure the food we eat
continues to grow. However, over the past decade, scientists have
noticed that bee population across the globe is rapidly declining.
(Describing a problem/an issue)This situation is called Colony
THESIS Collapse Disorder (CCD). Although there are many reasons of CCD,
STATEMENT scientists identified three factors: parasites, pesticides, and
climate change.

98
Question: What are the negative effects of watching too much TV?

BACKGROUND Many technological devices were invented with positive

INFO+GENERAL thoughts in mind, but they may bring about negative effects along
STATEMENTS with positive impacts. Invention of TV is a good example for this. It
was invented with good intentions – education and communication
would be worldwide, there would be no national borders, etc.
However, we are now trying to overcome its physiological and
THESIS
psychological negative effects on human beings.
STATEMENT

Question: What are the factors that lead to happiness?

BACKGROUND What makes a person happy? If people want to be happy,

INFO + should they seek money and professional success? (Asking a
GENERAL question) Many experts in fields such as sociology, psychology,
STATEMENTS and public policy are attempting to answer this simple question:
What makes people happy? In this new field of happiness studies,
some intriguing answers are beginning to emerge about what
makes people happy. Surprisingly, they support the hypothesis
that money cannot buy happiness. There are two simple factors
THESIS that lead to happiness: One is to reject the urge to compare
STATEMENT yourself to others based on their finances and second one is to
be true to yourself.

99
WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS

A strong thesis statement for a cause-effect essay indicates whether the essay
focuses on cause or on effect and mentions which specific causes or effects will be
explained in the body paragraphs.

OPTION 1: Focusing on cause /on effect and mentioning which specific causes or
effects will be explained in the body paragraphs.

Thesis statement samples for “cause” essays

Part 1 Part 2
There are 2 important reasons for First one/One is high number of cars and the
Istanbul’s traffic problems. second one/the other is lack of an efficient
public transportation system.

There are 2 important reasons for Firstly, there are a lot of cars in the city.
Istanbul’s traffic problems. Secondly, there is not an efficient public
transportation system in the city.

There are 2 main factors/causes

that lead to traffic problems in
İstanbul.

There are two main causes/reasons First one/One is that people cut trees for
of destruction of the rainforests. timber. Second one/The other one is that
most of the rainforests are in developing
countries and they need to sell their forests.

There are two reasons why The first one is the cutting of trees for
rainforests are destroyed. timber. The second one is the need for
money in developing countries.

YOUR TURN: Now write one different version of the thesis statement given.
(Part 1 and 2)
There are two main reasons why online shopping became very popular. Firstly,
customers find it more economical. Secondly, it is a far more practical way of shopping.
 _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

100
Thesis statement samples for “effect” essays

Part 1 Part 2
Technological devices bring They have physiological and psychological
about some negative effects. negative effects on human beings.
There are two important
negative effects of technology
One is physiological and the other is psychological.
on our life.

Smoking has two very serious The first one is on lungs and the second one is on
effects on health. heart.

There are two very serious It negatively affects functions of lungs and
medical consequences of increases the risk of heart attack.
cigarette smoking.
One effect is the inability of the lungs to function
efficiently. The other effect is increasing risk of a
heart attack.

One effect is that lungs stop functioning efficiently.

Istanbul’s traffic congestion
affects the city in 2 ways.
The traffic congestion in
Istanbul has several negative
effects.
The second effect is that risk of heart attack
increases.
First effect is on/about people’s feelings and the
second effect is on/about productivity and
efficiency of working people.
First effect is that people get angry and frustrated.
The second effect is that people cannot be
productive and efficient in their work.

YOUR TURN: Now write one different version of the thesis statement given.
(Part 1 and 2)
Online shopping has some negative effects on society. One effect is that consumers
spend more money. Another effect is that local or small businesses lose customers.
 _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

101
OPTION 2: Focusing on cause /on effect WITHOUT mentioning which specific causes
or effects will be explained in the body paragraphs.

Examples:

 There are two main causes of destruction of the rainforests.

 There are 2 important reasons for Istanbul’s traffic problems.
 Istanbul’s traffic congestion affects the city in 2 ways.
 There are two very serious medical consequences of cigarette smoking.
 Technological devices bring about some negative effects.

Which option of Thesis Statement is better in Cause/Effect Essays?

Students are expected to do their best while expressing themselves in
writing. Thus, thesis statements written as in Option 1 (a more complex
and clear thesis stament focusing on cause /on effect and mentioning
which specific causes or effects will be explained in the body paragraphs) create a
better impression on the reader. Yet, the thesis statements in Option 2 are also
correct.

Exercise: Write a thesis statement for each topic. Use a variety of sentence patterns.

1. Topic: The reasons you decided to learn English

Thesis statement: ________________________________________

2. Topic: The effects of forest fires

Thesis statement: ________________________________________

3. Topic: The effects of culture shock

Thesis statement: ________________________________________

4. Topic: the causes of obesity in children

Thesis statement: ________________________________________

102
Expressing cause-effect with SO/SUCH ……….THAT……
So is placed before a modifier, an adjective or an adverb, to intensify its quality or
manner.

so + adjective so + adverb
The meteor storm was so beautiful. The meteor storm passed so quickly.
Her voice is so good. She sings so well.

Such is placed before a modifier and noun to intensify the quality of the modifier.

such + noun phrase

It was such a beautiful meteor storm.
adj. noun

You have such a big and comfortable house!

adj. noun

So and such can be paired with that + a clause to express an effect (result) of the
remarkable situation mentioned in the main clause.

so….that

Cause: The taxi driver drove so slowly. The taxi driver drove so slowly that we
decided to get off and walk.
Effect: We decided to get off and walk.

Cause: Children were so tired. Children were so tired that they fell asleep
Effect: They fell asleep as soon as they as soon as they went home.

went home.

such……that

Cause: It was such a noisy room. It was such a noisy room that no one could
Effect: No one could hear the lecture. hear the lecture.

Cause: It was such a wet day. It was such a wet day that we couldn’t go
Effect: We couldn’t go out. out.

103
Attention!
So...that is used with quantifiers (many, much, few, little) even if there is a noun.
I have so many relatives that I don’t even know some of their names.
He has so much time that he can do whatever he wants.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences using so /such.............. that.

1. It was an easy exam. I finished it an hour early.

_________________________________________________________________
2. It was a horrible cake. I couldn't eat any of it.
_________________________________________________________________
3. The shoes were cheap. I bought 3 pairs.
_________________________________________________________________
4. The deal seems attractive. It would be ridiculous to say no.

_________________________________________________________________

104
MAIN BODY PARAGRAPHS

The topic sentence in each body paragraph (Paragraphs 2, 3 & 4) defines a specific cause
or effect to support the thesis.

All supporting details must relate to the cause/effect in the topic sentence. These details
can include explanations, descriptions, examples, facts or statistics. Each
developmental paragraph is devoted to one of the causes OR effects.

In this way, body paragraphs, each with its own topic sentence, mainly support the
thesis statement with their content.

Example: Check the essay topic below and examine the outline which shows how the
ideas are organized through main body paragraphs.

Thesis statement: Air pollution is caused by the following factors: exhaust gases from
cars, uncontrolled factory releases, and burning of low-quality coal for heating.

Main Body Par. /CAUSE 1: exhaust gases from cars

Sup. details: -government does not have enough control
-citizens are not conscientious

Main Body Par./CAUSE 2: uncontrolled factory gases

Sup. details: -no regular checks on gases released
-factories are inside the borders of residential areas

Main Body Par./CAUSE 3: burning of low-quality coal for heating (Optional

par.)
Sup. details: -no governmental control
-other forms of energy too expensive for the poor

Essay topic: What are the factors that lead to air pollution?

105
 Exercise: Now examine the outline of an effect essay below. Match the supporting
details on the right with the each main body paragraph.

Essay topic: What are the negative effects of alcoholism on people’s lives?

EFFECT 1: physical effects Supporting details

Supporting details:  violence, changes of behavior, and

 _______________________________ suicide
 _______________________________  alters the digestion of nutrients
 _______________________________  alters all your normal behaviors
 _______________________________  severe damage in the neurons
 increases anxiety and causes
EFFECT 2: psychological effects
depression
Supporting details:  gastritis and cirrhosis of the liver
 cancer in the stomach, kidneys, and
 _______________________________
liver
 _______________________________
 causes family and legal problems
 _______________________________
 _______________________________

106
WRITING TOPIC SENTENCES IN CAUSE/EFFECT BODY PARAGRAPHS

 Some buildings offer designated smoking areas indoors or outdoors. What are
these places like?
 Do you think it is good to have smoking areas in workplaces, hospitals, terminal
buildings, etc for workers? What are the positive and negative effects?

A. Read the outline and the body paragraphs of the effect

essay below. Pay attention to how the ideas are organized
through main body paragraphs.

Essay topic: What are the negative consequences of smoking

areas in workplaces?

OUTLINE

Thesis statement: Smoking areas in workplaces have had surprising negative

consequences for employees.

Main Body Par. /EFFECT 1: Disturbing -both physically and visually

Supporting Details: --drop their cigarette butts on the ground

-- heavy smoke at the entrances

Main Body Par./EFFECT 2: negatively change employees’ behaviours

Supporting Details: --not fair to others who must do extra work

--some nonsmokers become smokers

107
BODY PARAGRAPHS

First negative effect is that ………..smoking areas are disturbing both

physically and visually…….. If the smoking area is not inside the building, smokers have
to go out of the building to smoke. Most of the time, they prefer standing at the entrances
of the buildings to have their cigarette. After they finish smoking, they simply drop their
cigarette butts on the ground, which causes a visually disturbing image. Besides, people
coming in and out of the building are disturbed by the heavy smell of that smoke at the
entrance.

Second effect of smoking areas is that……they negatively change employees’

behaviours…... Most smoking areas are outside the buildings, so going out of the
building and coming back to the office take more time than giving a short coffee or tea
break. For this reason, smokers’ breaks are naturally longer or more frequent and this is
not fair to the non-smoking employees, who usually take only 5 minute-break and come
back to work right away. Furthermore, if nonsmokers take breaks with their smoking
friends, it is likely that they are exposed to second-hand smoke and their health is
negatively affected by it. Interestingly, there are many nonsmokers who become
smokers after spending some time with their smoking friends.

B. What are the topic sentences of the 1st and the 2nd body paragraph? Before
writing, examine the topic sentence examples below.

Body Paragraph 1

The first cause of ……………… is …………………..

The first effect of …………………is ……….…………

First cause of………….. is that ………………………………………

First effect of…………..is that…………………………………………

One of the main factors is that………………………………………

One of the most important effect is on …………………………

Firstly, …….. affects………………………………………………………

First of all, ………………………………………..………………………….

108
Body Paragraph 2

The second effect is ……………………………………….

The second reason is ……………………………………….
The second effect is that ……………………………………….
The second reason is ……………………………………….
Another factor is ……………………………….
Another cause is that ………………………………………………………..
Another effect is ……………………………………………..
Another result of ……………………………. is that …………………………………….
Secondly, it affects……………………………………………………………………………
Secondly, ………………………………………………………………………………………..

What are the topic sentences of the 1st and the 2nd body paragraph? Now write
your own versions of topic sentences for the body paragraphs.

 First negative effect is that _______________________________________________

 First negative effect is ___________________________________________________
 Firstly, ____________________________________________________________________

 Second effect of smoke-free zones is that _____________________________

_______________________________________________
 Second effect is ____________________________.
 Secondly, ___________________________________.

ONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

1. The concluding paragraph begins by restating your thesis statement.

2. Next, it summarizes the main ideas and discusses your opinion about them.
3. Then, it may
 evaluate or reflect on the ideas presented.
 give advice or express feelings.
 give an opinion.
 have a prediction.
 give a warning.

109
As in the other essay types, you should start your conclusion paragraph with the
following transition phrases:

 To sum up,
 All in all,
 In conclusion,
 All things considered,
Exercise: Which technique does the writer use at the end of the conclusion paragraphs
below?
1.
In conclusion, inventions are meant to be beneficial for human beings as long as
we know how to benefit from them. TV is one of such inventions that need to be used for
the right purpose only – being educated and entertained for a reasonable period of time.
If we are aware of the adverse physiological and psychological effects of watching too
much TV, we may, then, be safe from or at least reduce the negative consequences.
(____________________________)
2.

In summary, the invention of the printing press resulted in many more books
being produced, and a steady rise in literacy. Printed texts became an easy way to
spread information to many people quickly and cheaply. In the next fifty years, the
number of books grew dramatically. Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press marked
an important turning point in history because he changed the lives of people in Europe
and eventually the lives of people all over the world forever. We owe him greatly.
(____________________________)

110
WRITING PRACTICE 4: FACTORS THAT LEAD TO SUCCESS

STEP 1: BRAINSTORMING

Look at the pictures and answer the questions accordingly.

1. Who are these people? Do you know any of them? ___________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________
2. What do they have in common? _____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________.
3. What do you think makes them successful?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
4. Why is money a common symbol of success?
_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
5. How would you define success? _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6. What is your biggest success in life? ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

STEP 2: READING
READING 1

Note to the Teacher: Students are expected to read the texts (Reading 1 & 2)
and find the core ideas in the text before coming to the lesson.

111
 7 Life-changing Lessons from Stoicism-the Philosophy of Success
For those of us who live our lives in the real world, there is one branch of philosophy that is
created just for us: Stoicism.

What is Stoicism?

Stoicism was founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in

the early 3rd century BC, but was practiced by
philosophers like Cicero, Epictetus, Seneca and Marcus
Aurelius. The philosophy claims that virtue (such as
wisdom) is happiness and judgment should be based on
behavior, rather than words. It states that we cannot
control and rely on external events; we can only control
ourselves and our responses.

Stoicism has just a few central teachings. It reminds us of how unpredictable the world can
be. How short our moment of life is. How to be determined and strong, and in control of
yourself. It states that the source of our dissatisfaction is our impulsive dependency on our
reflexes rather than logic.

What does Stoicism say about success in life?

Stoicism goes hand-in-hand with success because of its emphasis on self-mastery.

The key to happiness and a fulfilled life was found in responding—not reacting- to the events
in the external world. Stoics think that although we can’t control what happens to us in life,
we can certainly control our response. Responding requires being mindful, aware, and in
charge of your emotions and behaviors. In any event, we can choose to perceive it in a
productive way, or a destructive way. Stoics chose to see the glass always half-full.

Here are 7 lessons from Stoicism that will hopefully bring positive changes to your life.

1. Think About Thinking

Stoicism taught a clear distinction between your

thoughts and your behavior. It’s that old motto:
think before you act. The mindless person acts
without thinking. The ability to pause, and
assess a situation before responding is
important—that’s the sign of a healthy Stoic
mind. Only a healthy attentive mind can filter
and get rid of unhealthy thoughts, and

112
ultimately, unhealthy behaviors.

The next time you run into something unexpected, pause for a moment—ask yourself: What
just happened? How am I going to respond? Create a break between your thoughts and your
actions.

The core idea: ……………………………………………..………… (Answers may vary.)

2. New Day, New Beginnings

Stoics think that each day brings exciting opportunities.

Remember. One single event, a single conversation can
completely change the direction of your life.

On the other hand, an awful day doesn’t have to be an

awful week. What’s done is done, there’s no point in crying
over spilt milk1. The Stoics advise us not only to see the
whole, but also to see the pieces that make up the whole; to
put things in a box and take out the trash when needed. A new day, a clean slate2.

The core idea: ……………………………………………..……………. (Answers may vary.)

3. Purposed Action

The Stoic wakes up and knows exactly what they want out
of their day. They have a clear destination and clear goals.
The emphasis isn’t only on human action and being busy,
but on being productive. There’s a big difference between
the two. You can be busy and get things done, but none of
those things may bring you closer to your goal.

You can sail all day, and end up right where you started.
Know your port—your destination—and make sure your
actions are directed toward that point.

The core idea: ……………………………………………..………… (Answers may vary.)

1
There’s no point in crying over spilt milk (idiom): It is meaningless to get upset or regret over something that
has already happened or cannot be changed.
2
a clean slate/sheet (idiom): a state in which you are starting an activity or process again, not considering
what has happened in the past at all.

113
4. You’re Already There

Almost everyone will agree that achievement and success

bring happiness. Wrong. It’s happiness that brings success:

“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious

dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with
hopes or fears but to be satisfied with what we have, which is enough. The greatest
blessings3 of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is happy with his
share, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.” — Seneca

What the Stoics knew for centuries, science has recently discovered. According to Harvard
Psychologist Shawn Achor’s research, professionals from various careers took part in a
gratitude practice at the start of their day. They performed much better than those who
didn’t do the gratitude exercises. Achor showed that starting with a positive mindset brings
greater results than starting at neutral.

Happiness should never come at the finish-line of anything, but rather as the starting block.

The core idea: ……………………………………………..………… (Answers may vary.)

5. Follow the Natural Flow

Ambitious people live ten years in the future. We’re

never where we want to be, and patience isn’t our
strongest virtue. Stoicism not only taught living
according to our inner flow, but also to the external
flow of life.

Everything has its season—we can’t expect to be

harvesting in winter. And we all know it takes 10-years
to become an overnight success.

Constantly trying to find shortcuts will send you round in circles. Just like a great movie,
follow the storyline, rather than walking in mid-way.

The core idea: ……………………………………………..…………….. (Answers may vary.)

3
blessing: something that you have which is good because it improves your life or makes you happy.

114
6. Authenticity

It’s so important to have mentors and role-models. But if you

imitate your role-models, you can easily become a second-rate
product. The leopard can’t change its spots, but at the same
time, you can always teach an old dog new tricks4.

Practically, it means accepting your unchangeable characteristics and improving your

uniqueness. Learn what your gifts and talents are, and use them. Search for change in order
to grow into the best version of you. Do not become more like someone else.

The core idea: ……………………………………………..………… (Answers may vary.)

7. Make Peace with Death

Not something we like to talk about, but if

there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s
the certainty of death. Whether we realize it
or not, death is the source of all our fears. Our
fight/flight mechanisms work to preserve life,
to run away from death. But it often comes to
the surface way before death even enters into
the picture—and prevents us from doing what
we’re passionate about, but afraid of.

The fear of death is the greatest form of slavery. Stoicism encouraged seeing death as a
natural part of life, to look death in the face, see it as normal, and be freed from its fear.

The core idea: ……………………………………………..………… (Answers may vary.)

Exercise 1: In groups of 3 or 4, go over the text again and complete the table below. Share
your answers with the class.

4
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks (idiom): used to say that it is very difficult to teach older people new
skills or to change someone's habits or character.

115
Life-changing lessons from
Stoicism

Lesson 1: Think before you act.

Lesson 2: Don’t get discouraged by

one single event. Start over every
day.

Lesson 3: have clear goals.

Lesson 4: be positive

Lesson 5: wait for the right time

Lesson 6: be yourself

Lesson 7: live like there is no

death

Exercise 2: Examine the definitions of important words from the text and their example
sentences. Pay attention to how they are used in a sentence. Then write your own
sentences for each one. You can get help from online English-English dictionaries.

1. bring (v.): to make a particular The strikes are expected to bring chaos.
situation exist, or cause a Efforts to bring peace to the region were not successful.
particular feeling The decision brought him great relief.

Your sentence: …………………………………………………………

116
2. dependence (n.): the state of
depending on the help and
support of someone or
something else in order to exist
or be successful
3. mindset (n.): someone’s
general attitude, and the way in
which they think about things and
make decisions
4. perceive (v.): to understand or
think of something or someone in
a particular way
-to notice, see, or recognize
something
5. remind sb of sb/sth (phr.v.):
to seem similar to someone
something else, and make
someone think of sb/sth.
The financial dependence of some women on men makes
the men feel superior.
We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
The clinic treats people affected by drug dependence.
Your sentence: …………………………………………………………
The company seems to have a very old-fashioned mindset.
The book accurately captures the mindset of a teenage girl.
These mindsets are becoming less useful, but they are still
used.
Your sentence: …………………………………………………………
Even as a young woman she had been perceived as a future
chief executive.
Cats are not able to perceive colour.
Many students perceive that on-the-job training is more
important than college.
Your sentence: …………………………………………………………
I never wear grey because it reminds me of my old school
uniform.
You remind me of someone I used to know.
The landscape reminded her of Scotland.
Your sentence: …………………………………………………………
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READING 2
Note to the Teacher: Students are expected to read the texts (Reading 1 & 2)
before coming to the lesson.

Characteristics of Successful People5

People who get ahead in life often exhibit certain traits and characteristics.
Success is a great feeling, knowing that you reached your goal. That you won the race.
Earned the promotion. Passed the test. Climbed the mountain. We have all, at one point or
another, succeeded at something. And most of us would like to keep succeeding in the
future.
While different people in different professions and at different stages of their lives might
measure success differently, those who are regularly successful tend to share certain
characteristics with one another. If you want to be regularly successful too, it’s a good idea
to cultivate those traits within yourself. The most significant of them include:
 Passion
If you want to reach your goals, it helps to care a lot about what you’re doing. Passion can be
energizing, and it can help push you through the more difficult moments. But passion can’t
be faked. You have to truly feel that what you’re doing is necessary and/or deeply
meaningful.
 Optimism
The biggest successes often start out as fantastical goals. In some cases, those goals have
seemed so out there (such as landing a man on the Moon) that others have called them
impossible. Without a sense of optimism and a belief in themselves, those who have
achieved the most might have achieved nothing.
 Persistence
Every successful person has experienced failure—multiple times, and in multiple ways. What
separates them from the rest isn’t that they fail less; it’s that they persist more. When faced
with a setback—even a large one—those who succeed don’t let it stop them from continuing
forward.

5
* taken from https://www.waldenu.edu/resource/qualities-of-successful-people

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  Creativity
From the arts to the sciences, those who have a capacity to think originally have a greater
chance of success. When faced with an obstacle to your goal, don’t just go through a
checklist of ways to solve the problem. Try thinking of the problem—and its possible
solutions—in an innovative way.
 Self-Discipline
Everyone procrastinates. And everyone has some bad habits, however minor. But those who
are continually successful never let distractions overtake them. Instead, they have the
discipline to force themselves to keep at it, even when they feel the urge to do something
less important.
 A Desire to Improve
Successful people don’t consider themselves to be perfect. Even if they have great
confidence in their abilities, they still work to improve, identifying where they have
weaknesses and doing what they need to do to strengthen themselves.
 A Commitment to Learning
One thing you’ll note if you talk to a highly successful person is they often have an amazingly
detailed knowledge of their field. And many have an incredible knowledge of other fields as
well. That’s because a good portion of success is understanding the ins and outs 6of what
you’re trying to do, and the world at large.

Exercise 1: Discuss the questions in groups/pairs.

1. Which one of these characteristics do you think is the
most important one to achieve success? Why?
2. What personality traits can help a person overcome
failure?
3. Do you think luck is also an important factor? Does it
affect your chances of success? How much luck do you think is involved in success?
4. Do you think people focus too much on appearing to be successful? Is success
important to people?

Exercise 2: Match the definitions with the highlighted words in the text.

6
ins and outs: all the exact details of a complicated situation, problem, system etc.

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1. have confidence in (v) __ a. something that makes it difficult to achieve something
2. persist (v) ____ b. to delay doing something that you ought to do
3. obstacle (n) ____ c. to happen suddenly and have a strong/bad effect on you
4. face (v) ____ d. to have a strong wish or desire
5. procrastinate (v) ____ e. to continue to do something, although it is difficult
6. distraction (n) ____ f. to trust someone or something
7. feel an urge (v) ____ g. to deal with sth
8. overtake (v) ____ h. something that stops you paying attention to what you
are doing

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences below using one of the given words/phrases.

distraction feel an urge overtake have confidence in persist obstacle

1. Society's attitudes about women hinder any real progress toward equality.
……………………………………………..………………………………………………………..…………____.
2. In spite of financial problems, she didn’t give up pursuing her mad idea.
3. ……………………………………………..………………………………………………………..…………____.
4. I prefer studying in the library for my exams as there are many things that cause me
to lose concentration at home.
……………………………………………..………………………………………………………..…………____.
5. Because of biased news, the society does not trust news agencies anymore.
6. ……………………………………………..………………………………………………………..…………____.
7. I desperately want to have a cigarette after big arguments.
8. ……………………………………………..………………………………………………………..…………____.
9. After the loss of my dog, a feeling of infinite sadness strongly affected me.
……………………………………………..………………………………………………………..…………____.

STEP 3: WATCHING A VIDEO

Now, watch the videos of Richard St. John, a marketer and a success analyst titled:

1. “The 8 Traits Successful To watch the videos, go to

People Have in Common” http://richardstjohn.com/videos/
2. “Success is a Continuous
Journey” To read his profile, you can go to
https://www.ted.com/profiles/1792 .

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You can also check the videos on the same page titled:

 “Why it pays to work

hard”
 “The Power of Passion”
 “The Importance of
Focus”

STEP 4: GROUP DISCUSSION

After watching the 1st and 2nd videos, work in groups and answer these questions.

Questions Answers

1. About the first video “8 Traits

Successful People Have in
Common”, how did Richard St. John
create this list of “8 traits of
Successful People”?

2. In the second video, why does the

speaker define success as a
continuous journey?

3. Which step that the speaker talks

about is the most difficult to
sustain? Explain your reasons.

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STEP 5: WRITING A CAUSE ESSAY (GROUP WRITING ACTIVITY)

Make groups of 3-4 and choose ONE of the topics below. Write a cause essay of at least 250
words explaining your ideas in a well-organized way.

 “What are the factors that make people successful in life?”

 “Why are some people more successful than the others?”
 “Why do people want to achieve success?”
Before starting your first draft, you need to organize your ideas with the help of an outline.

Pick your topic and prepare your outline in the space provided. You can write in short notes.

Sample for Outline & Essay:

In groups of 3-4,

 prepare an outline for your essay,

 write your ideas in short notes in your outline,
 write your essay in the space provided,
 get feedback from your instructor & other groups.

GROUP 1
MEMBERS

OUTLINE

Thesis statement

Cause 1 & Write your ideas in small notes.

supporting ideas

Cause 2 & Write your ideas in small notes.

supporting ideas

Conclusion Write your ideas in small notes.

WRITE YOUR ESSAY HERE.

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123
124
ESSAY WRITING PRACTICE 5: POSITIVE EFFECTS OF ART ON PEOPLE

STEP 1: Warm-up

Some forms of Visual Arts

 Are you interested in any of these visual arts?

▪ ceramics ▪ Applied art (embroidery, book illustrations,

▪ calligraphy industrial design, fashion design, internal
▪ collage design, architecture, decorative arts, pottery,
▪ drawing etc.)
▪ graffiti
▪ installation ▪ Crafts (textile, papercraft, woodcraft, pottery,
▪ painting glass, jewelry, etc.)
▪ performance art
▪ photography
▪ sculpture

 Think about the activities you do to relieve your

anxiety or stress and explain how art “washes away
the dust of your everyday life".

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STEP 2: READING 1

Exercise 1: You will see a dialogue between two college students, Anna and Nikki. Look at the
questions below and put them into the correct places in the dialogue.

Note to the Teacher: The students are expected to read this dialogue before coming to
the lesson. In case they haven’t read it, you can assign 2 or more students to read the
dialogue aloud in the lesson.

a. How often do you visit art galleries?

b. Are you good at art?
c. Do you think art classes are necessary? How do
they affect children’s development?
d. What benefits can you get from painting as a
hobby?
e. What kind of paintings do people like?
f. Do you like art?
g. Is it easy to learn how to draw?
h. What kinds of things do you like to draw?

Anna: (1) ………………………………………………..…………………………

Nikki: I have a lifelong passion for art since I was a child. Besides the official art class in school, I also
joined a drawing class in The Children’ House. It contributed a lot to my drawings. That drawing class
is the main reason for my passion towards art. It also affected me in different ways. As well as
boosting my drawing skills, my capacity of memory, concentration and attention also increased.

Anna: (2)… ………………………………………………………..……………………………

Nikki: I am not one of those people who can make some masterpieces, but I would say I am pretty
fine at it. My teachers at school were very pleased with my drawings, so I participated in some
drawing competitions. I was also an active member of an art club during my high school days.
Because of my busy work schedule, I cannot draw as often as I used to do.

Anna: (3)…………………………………………………………….……………………………………

Nikki: Yes, definitely. Learning arts, especially at a young age, is good for children. It helps stimulate
children’s cognitive development and encourage them to think outside the box. Because they’re still
little, their ideas are very fresh and lovely. Creating art trains them to concentrate on details and pay

126
more attention to their environment. Art also helps improve the quality of their life by enhancing
communication, brain function, social interaction and sensory stimulation.

Anna: (4)…… …………………………………………………………………………

Nikki: In my opinion, people love hanging landscape paintings at home. The beauty of mother
nature eases people’s mind after a long day at work. Another style of drawing that most people like
is portrait. It could be portraits of someone important to them or even their lovely pets.

Anna: (5)…… … …………………………………………………………………………

Nikki: I think stress relieving effect comes first. Colors in some ways reflect our thoughts and
emotions very well. Thus, they somehow stimulate our body to defend itself against our negativity.
For me, the most interesting thing about painting is that you never have an idea about the harmony
of the colors until you actually try.

Anna: (6)…… … …………………………………………………………………………

Nikki: To tell you the truth, not very often. I have been to some art galleries in different countries. Of
all those art galleries, the Digital Museum in Tokyo is my favorite because it is futuristic,
extraordinary, creative and dreamy.

Anna: (7)……… …………………………………………………………………………

Nikki: My main inspiration is Japanese manga. One possible reason for that is manga seems more
suitable for my level. I have a big collection at home and as I sometimes go through it, I can see how
much I’ve improved.

Anna: (8)…… … …………………………………………………………………………

Nikki: I think it's challenging for a lot of people. In order to succeed in drawing or arts in general, one
must have talent. Then the long-term commitment to arts comes. It requires extreme practice and
high patience.

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Exercise 2:

a. Look at the words in bold in the dialogue. Guess their meaning and match them to their
definitions.

1. ____ to have a passion for sth. (v) (a) a work of outstanding artistic skill

2. ____ masterpiece (n) (b) scenery, a large area of land

3. ____ to participate in (v) (c) to be enthusiastic about sth

4. ____ to stimulate (v) (d) to think creatively

5.____ cognitive development (n) (e) to join

6.____ to think outside the box (idiom) (f) to make someone feel less worried about
something

7. ___ landscape (n) (g) the hard work and loyalty that someone
gives to an organization, activity etc

8. ____ to ease so’s mind (h) to raise levels of physiological or nervous

activity in (the body or any biological system)

9. ____ commitment (n) (i) the construction of thought processes,

including remembering, problem-solving, and
decision-making, etc.

b. Now, re-write the given sentences about art using one of the VERBS in Exercise a above.

1. People who are very interested in drawing can learn to draw if they practice enough.

_______________________________________________________________________

2. You start to think creatively while trying a variety of drawing techniques in our studio.

_______________________________________________________________________

3. The atmosphere at our Arts Studio will definitely help you to get away from your worries.

_______________________________________________________________________

4. Looking at beautiful paintings enhances communication between various parts of your

brain.

_______________________________________________________________________

128
Exercise 3:

a. Highlight the expressions/verbs expressing cause and effect in the dialogue and write them into
the table below.

so help thus

because affect….in many ways contribute to

because of the main reason for one possible reason for that is…

b. Fill in the blanks by using 5 of the expressions/verbs that you highlighted in Ex. a.

1. Art can boost a person’s self-confidence _____________ it gives them a sense of success.
2. Doing something productive_____________to people’s health and well-being.
3. Creating art _____________you learn to “see” by concentrating on detail and paying more
attention to your environment.
4. Painting, sculpting, drawing, and photography are relaxing hobbies that can lower your stress
levels, _____________ creating art can take your mind off life’s many stresses, at least
momentarily.
5. Art _____________culture and society _____________. It promotes communication
between cultures, preserves history and changes people’s opinions.

c. Fill in the blanks to make meaningful sentences. (OPTIONAL)

1. ……………………………………..affects…………………………..in many ways.

2. Art …………………………………………..because……………………………………………..
3. …………………………………………………so…………………………………………………………
4. …………………………………………………..helps …………………………………………………
5. …………………………………………………..contributes to…………………………………….

Exercise 4:

Rewrite the following sentences using the words/phrases in the box. Make the necessary changes
without changing the meaning of the sentence.

129
 influence so that have a positive impact on

therefore may lead to in addition to

1. Because of my busy work schedule, I cannot draw as often as I used to do.

I have a busy work schedule; _____________, I cannot draw as often as I used to do.

2. Learning arts, especially at a young age, is good for children.

Learning arts, especially at a young age ___________________children.

3. As well as improving my drawing skills, my capacity of memory, concentration and attention

also increased.
_____________to my drawing skills, my memory, concentration and attention span also
improved.

4. Art also helps improve the quality of their life.

Art may also _____________improvement in the quality of their life.

5. The art classes that I attended during my childhood years affected me in different ways.
The art classes that I attended during my childhood years i_____________ me in different
ways.

6. In order to succeed in drawing or arts, one must have talent.

One must have talent _____________they could succeed in drawing or arts.

Exercise 5 (OPTIONAL): Now have a group discussion on the questions below and complete the
sentences with your own ideas.

“Do you think art classes are necessary?”

1. Yes, definitely. _____________________________________________________.

No. Not necessarily. _________________________________________________ .

2. ________________________so that____________________________________.

3. __________________________________________________________________.

“How do art classes affect children’s development?”

1. They can contribute to_______________________________________________ .

2. They may lead to____________________________________________________.

3. __________________________________________________________________.

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STEP 3: READING 2
Read the article about the benefits of art on people’s physical and psychological health.

The Positive Power of Art on Our Health

Posted by Ms. Margaret Weisbrod Morris, Feb 14, 2018

You might be surprised to know that the arts

and health have over 100 years of partnership.
Visual art, music, dance, drama, creative
writing, and theater have been used for
decades to enhance individual experience in
hospitals, mental health treatment centers,
senior care facilities, emergency rooms, and
more. Wherever people are in crisis—health or
otherwise—creative activities are found.

In 2010, the American Journal of Public Health published a review called “The Connection Between
Art, Healing, and Public Health.” It overviews the impact of art on our emotional and physical *well-
being.

In general, studies in this review found that creative activity:

▪ has a positive impact on our sense of hope, self-worth, and well-being

▪ improves our sense of connectedness and widens our social networks
▪ decreases depression and anxiety and reduces stress

Its benefits to our physical health are extraordinary as well. Creative activity:

▪ improves cell function

▪ boosts brain function and memory
▪ boosts the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine
▪ decreases the need for medications and treatment in hospitals
▪ decreases length of hospital stays / speeds overall recovery time
▪ is associated with longevity

The most surprising benefit is that creative activity has a direct impact on our brain. It promotes the
growth of neurons and boosts the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is the

131
neurotransmitter known as your body’s natural antidepressant, and is associated with feelings of
happiness and well-being. Neurons, the cells that build the nervous system and transmit information
throughout the body, absorb dopamine. Apparently, creative activity doubles your potential to feel
happiness and a sense of well-being, leading to a greater overall health and individual health
outcomes. For people who practice an art form regularly, and know what this feels like, this might be
a bit obvious. However, we now have research that explains how and why we feel so great when we
make art.

For these reasons, authorities must take action. Arts organizations, school art programs, concerts,
festivals, museums, and libraries must be everywhere. Everyone should have access to creative
activities, arts education, and arts experiences. The more people that have access to these benefits,
the better—and healthier—we all are.

* well-being: the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy

Reference: Weisbrod Morris, Margaret. "The Positive Power Of Art". ARTS Blog, 2019,
https://blog.americansforthearts.org/2018/02/14/the-positive-power-of-art. Accessed 17 Jan 2019.

Exercise 1: Examine the table showing 5 important words & phrases from the text. Then check an
English-English dictionary for each word/phrase and find one more example sentence for each. Write
your sentences in the space provided.

have a direct impact on Creative activity has a positive impact on our sense of hope, self-
worth, and well-being.
+ noun/noun phrase
Creative activity has a direct impact on our brain.

Your example sentence: ……………………………………………

boost + noun Creativity boosts brain function and memory.

Creativity boosts the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Your example sentence: ……………………………………………

132
to be associated with + Dopamine is associated with feelings of happiness and well-
noun being.

Your example sentence: ……………………………………………

double your potential Creative activity doubles your potential to feel happiness and a
to + verb sense of well-being.

Your example sentence: ……………………………………………

It promotes the growth of neurons.

promote + noun
Your example sentence: ……………………………………………

Exercise 2: Fill in the chart that summarizes the physical and psychological effects of art on people
and the author’s final message about the use of art in health.

Positive
impacts of art
on our
psychological
health

133
 Positive
impacts of art
on our
physical
health

Author’s final message

-Arts organizations, school art programs, concerts, festivals,

museums, and libraries must be everywhere.

-Everyone should have access to creative activities, arts education,

and arts experiences.

-The more people that have access to these benefits, the better—and
healthier—we all are.

134
STEP 4: WATCHING A VIDEO

Note to the Teacher: The students are expected to watch this video before coming to the
lesson. In case they haven’t watched it, you can play it in the lesson.

Exercise 1: Philosopher Alain de Botton gives his top five reasons why art is so important for
humanity. Watch the video and write down his top five reasons and notes for each reason in the
table.

What is art for? Alain de Botton's animated guide

Philosopher Alain de Botton gives his top five reasons why art is such a vital force for
humanity. (Duration: 5.54)

Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVlQOytFCRI

Top 5 reasons of Alain de Botton How he explains these reasons

Example: Sample Answer:

1.Art keeps us hopeful. Art shows pretty things and prettiness is an emblem of
hope.

2.Art _____________..

3.Art _____________..

4.Art helps us to _____________.

5.Art is propaganda for _______

_____________.

135
OPTIONAL VIDEO ACTIVITIES

For more thoughts on the benefits of art and the importance of art education, watch the videos on
the following links. Make sure you take notes while watching.

How art can help you analyze - Amy E. Herman

Can art save lives? Not exactly, but our most prized professionals (doctors, nurses, police officers)
can learn real world skills through art analysis. Studying art like René Magritte's Time Transfixed can
enhance communication and analytical skills, with an emphasis on both the seen and unseen. Amy E.
Herman explains why art historical training can prepare you for real world investigation. (Duration:
4.49)

Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubEadhXWwV4

Why Study Art? | TateShots

Leading artists, actors, filmmakers, architects and choreographers state why art should be on the
curriculum. Watch their responses. (Duration: 3.54)

Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKjkx6PzajE

Art Speaks

Various experts talking about the importance of art education (Duration: 4.31)

Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBymeUm52pU

STEP 5: WRITING A CAUSE/EFFECT ESSAY (INDIVIDUAL WRITING ACTIVITY)

You have brainstormed for ideas about art in general, read texts
about positive effects of art on our health, shared ideas with your
class and watched videos about the benefits of art and the
importance of art education. Now, you are going to write an
essay of at least 250 words answering ONE of the questions
below..

 What are the positive effects of art on people?

(Effect Essay)

136
  Why is it necessary to teach art in primary schools?
(Cause essay)
 What are the consequences of studying fine arts at
university? (Effect essay)
 How do art classes affect children’s development?
(Effect Essay)

OUTLINE
Thesis statement

Cause / Effect 1 & Write your ideas in small notes.

supporting ideas

Cause / Effect 2 & Write your ideas in small notes.

supporting ideas

Conclusion Write your ideas in small notes.

WRITE YOUR ESSAY HERE.

137
138
SELF-EDITING CHECKLIST

Use the checklist below to revise your essay.

CONTENT √ or X

My essay’s introduction goes from general to specific.

My essay contains detailed and relevant reasons and supporting ideas.
My supporting ideas and further details explain or prove my thesis statement.
I have examples to expand my ideas.
All sentences are about the topic. There aren’t any irrelevant sentences in my
essay.
My essay meets the word limit.
ORGANISATION
My thesis statement expresses my opinion.
My second paragraph is about my first reason.
My third paragraph is about my second reason.
I supported my reasons with relevant justifications.
My fourth paragraph includes the opposing views with my refutation.
I summarize my points and give final comments in my concluding paragraph.
I use appropriate connectors (firstly, secondly, however, in addition,
therefore...etc.).
The ideas are connected.
My sentences are in a logical order.
GRAMMAR & PUNCTUATION & SPELLING
I use newly learnt grammar structures.
I use newly learnt grammar structures accurately.
I use punctuation marks appropriately.
I spell words correctly.
LEXIS
I use newly learnt words, phrases and collocations.
I use newly learnt words and collocations accurately.
Things I did well in this essay:

Things I will improve in my second draft:

139
PEER EDITING CHECKLIST

Now, read your partner’s essay, and use the Peer Editing Checklist below to give feedback.

CONTENT YES (√) or NO (X)

/Comments
Do you understand everything in the essay?
Are there enough explanations and examples for each
viewpoint?
Are there any irrelevant sentences in this essay?

What would you like to add to the content of this essay?

ORGANISATION
Are there general sentences and a thesis statement in the
introduction paragraph?
Are the sentences connected to each other?
Does the concluding paragraph summarize the writer’s ideas?
Are there any final comments in the conclusion?
GRAMMAR&PUNCTUATION&SPELLING
Are there any grammatical errors?
Are there any punctuation & spelling errors?
LEXIS
Do you think there is a wide range of words in this essay?
Which words would you like to add to this essay?

140
 Extra Topics for Opinion Paragraph
1. “Internet has destroyed communication among friends and family.” Do you agree or
disagree with the statement? Write an opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.
2. “Posting personal videos online is a bad idea.” Do you agree or disagree?
3. What are the three most important qualities of a perfect workplace? Write an Opinion
Paragraph.
4. Do you think owning a pet is beneficial for kids? Write an Opinion Paragraph.
5. “Online shopping is the best way to shop nowadays.” Do you agree or disagree with the
statement? Write an opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.
6. “Wearing uniforms should be mandatory.” Do you agree or disagree with the statement?
Write an opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.
7. “Living in a dormitory is the best option for university students.” Do you agree or disagree
with the statement? Write an opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.
8. “Playing video games has a lot of benefits for children.” Do you agree or disagree with the
statement? Write an opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.
9. “Credit cards have a lot of advantages.” Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Write
an opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.
10. “Travelling is more important than reading books in order to broaden your mind.” Do you
agree with the statement? Write an Opinion Paragraph explaining why you agree or disagree.
11. Some people prefer spending their money as soon as they earn it. Others think it is better
to save their money for the future. Which one do you think is better? Write an Opinion
Paragraph.
12. What are the three most important qualities of a good university? Write an Opinion
Paragraph.
13. “Joining a gym has more advantages than working out at home.” Do you agree or disagree
with the statement? Write an opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.
14. “Travelling alone is a challenging activity.” Do you agree or disagree with the statement?
Write an opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.
15. “Renting a flat is the best option when you are on holiday.” Do you agree or disagree with
the statement? Write an opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.
16. “The best option for a relaxing holiday is to go to all-inclusive holiday resorts.” Do you
agree or disagree with the statement? Write an opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.
17. “Life will be better in the future.” Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Write an
opinion paragraph explaining your opinion.

141
 18. “Metrobus is not an effective solution to the public transportation system of Istanbul.” Do
you agree or disagree? Write an Opinion Paragraph.

EXTRA WRITING TOPICS FOR CAUSE ESSAYS

1. What are the causes of overpopulation in big cities?

2. What causes poverty in Turkey?

3. What causes Google to be the most popular search engine?

4. What are the causes of telling lies?

5. What causes racism?

6. What are the causes of deforestation?

7. What are the causes of traffic accidents?

EXTRA WRITING TOPICS FOR EFFECT ESSAY

8. What are the positive effects of growing up in a crowded family on children?

9. What are the social effects of everyone on the planet having cell phones?

10. What are the effects of homeschooling on children?

11. What effect does exercise have on the body?

12. What effect does cell phone use have on teenagers?

13. What effects does increased use of technology have on health?

14. What are the effects of telling lies?

15. What are the effects of overpopulation in big cities?

142
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Fellag, L. R. (2004) Write Ahead Skills for Academic Success 2. New York: Pearson.
Evans, V. (2006) Successful Writing Upper-intermediate. Berkshire: Express Publishing.
Oshima, A. and A. Houge. (2006) Writing Academic English, Fourth Edition. New York:
Pearson Longman.
Evans, V. (2008) Successful Writing Intermediate. Berkshire: Express Publishing.
Blanchard, K. and C. Root. (2010) Ready to Write From Paragraph to Essay, Third
Edition. New York: Pearson Longman.
Evans, V. and J. Dooley. (2014) On Screen 3, Berkshire: Express Publishing.
Evans, V. and J. Dooley. (2014) On Screen B1, Berkshire: Express Publishing.
Evans, V. and J. Dooley. (2014) On Screen B1+, Berkshire: Express Publishing.
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