riz Writing: Essays | Ancssay is apiece of formal writing which discusses a particular topic. ‘There are three main types of essays. + Forsand-against essays present the points in vour of atopic as well fas the points agninst il, Bach point is supported by justifications, ‘examples and/or reasons, This essay usually ends with @ well-balanced consideration of the points discussed, The writer's opinion may be stated inthe conclusion. * Opinion essays present the writer's opinion on a specific topic, clearly stated and supported by reasons and/or «examples. The opposing viewpoint can also be included before the closing paragraph, together with an argument that shows itis an unconvincing one, The writer's opinion is stated in the introduction and the conclusion. + Essays providing solutions to problems state a certain problem and mention several possible solutions and the expected results or consequences. The writer's opinion is normally stated in the conclusion, Points to consider * A good essay should consist of well developed paragraphs which cleatly illustrate each point we make. * Each main body paragraph should stat with a topie sentence, ic. a sentence which summarises the main idea of the paragraph, followed by supporting sentences which justify what has been presented in the topic sentence, + Since essays are mainly formal in style you need to use formal expressions, formal linkers, impersonal tone, ‘and passive structures. e.g. Competition has long been the driving force behind improvements in areas such as world trade and sports performance. However, much can be said against the desire to always come frst. Avoid using short forms (I'm), personal language (J am sure) and everyday colloquial expressions (once in a while, a Pain inthe neck). 'W You can start your essay with a quotation to attract the reader's attention... to light” (Alian Bloom) 'W_Before writing an essay you need to brainstorm fr ideas related to the topic. Then, group your ideas, crossing out any inrelevant ones, and put them ina logical order. lucation isthe movement from darkness {forand- > Paragraph 1 Paragraphs 2 and 3: p Paagaph against introduce the arguments in favour & justifications/ well-balanced topic examples; arguments against & summary of | ' justifications/examples the topic i opinion > Paragraph t: > Paragraphs 2 to 4%: Paragraph 5: introduce the 'st viewpoint & reasons/examples; 2nd well-balanced | topic & state viewpoin & reasons/examples; summaryof | your opinion opposing viewpoint & the topic, | : clearly reasons/examples restate opinion . , | solutions to )> Paragraph 1: > Paragraphs 2 to 4% Paragraph S: | Problems state problem suggestions and results/ consequences. summarise & its probable ur opinion | causes) * The number of main body paragraphs Your opinion “| depends on the number of viewpoints) suggestions you make | 86| MODULE 3 Escaneado con CamScanner‘essay each is. Which words helped you decide? 1 You have had a discussion in your English class about online newspapers. Your English teacher thas now asked you to write an essay using all the notes and justify the arguments (140-190 words), “What are the advantages and disadvantages of reading a newspaper online?” Write about: 1) cost, 2) paper, 3). your own idea. 2. Governments often try to discourage people from giving money to homeless people. What is your opinion? “Should we give money to homeless people cr not?" Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view (140-190 words). Write about: 1) volunteering, 2) donating to charity 3)... + your own idea. 3. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay using al the notes and justify the arguments (140-190 words). "What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a pet?” Write about: 1) company, 2) cost, 3) . . your own idea. \ 4 Crimes such as burglaries, car theft and muggings hhave recently increased in your area. What can be done about this? Write an essay for your English teacher suggesting ways in which crime might be reduced in your area (140-190 words). Write about: 1) police, 2) neighbours, 3) ...... your own idea. 5 You have just had a discussion in your English class about education. Now your teacher would like you to write an essay usingaall the notes and give reasons for your point of view (140-190 words). "Everyone shold have o urvey eduction Do you ee? Write about: 1) career, 2) cost, 3)..... your own idea. 6 You have been doing a project at school about social problems. Now you have to write an essay for your English teacher using all the notes and describe the expected results for your suggestions (140-190 words). "There are alot of lonely people in our town. What can be done to help them?" Write about: 1) social events, 2) clubs, 3)... your own idea. in Ex. 1. “The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” Mother Teresa (nun and humanitarian) “Ail crime is a kind of disease and should be treated as such.” ‘Mahatma Gandhi (Indian leader) : “Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” George Eliot (English author) #1 | “1 think everyone should go to college and get a degree and then spend six months as a waiter and six months as a taxi driver. Then they would really be educated.” Al McGuire (basketball coach) | (EJ “You can't get rid of poverty by giving | people money.” | [21] “The internet is so big, so powerful and | pointless that for some people itisa | complete substitute for life.” | Andrew Brown (English journalist & author) Now read these quotations. What topic does each refer to? Discuss in pairs. Justify your answers. QUOTATIONS 1 “Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world’s work, and the power to appreciate life” (Brigham Young) 2 "Areal friend is one who walks in when the rest of| the world walks out (Anon) 3 “Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising” (Mark Tivain) 4 "Without words, without writing and without books, there would be no history, there could be| no concept of humanity.” (Hermann Hesse) 5 “The best and most beautiful things in the world can not be seen or even totiched ~ they must be felt with the heart." (Helen Keller) mooute s | € Escaneado con CamScannerOme Writing: Essays * Model Analysis 1) Read the rubric, then read the two models. Which model is more appropriate? You have had a class discussion on the following: “Should we give money té homeless people?” Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay ‘expressing your opinion. Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view (140-190 words). Write about: 1) donate to 2c on) [peony ne (your own idea). b) Which contains: * clear paragraphs? * formal language? * short forms? * mild language? + impersonal tone? * everyday language? strong personal language? * formal linkers? * Useful Expressions and Linking Words/Phrases + tolist and add points: In the fist place, To startfoegin with, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally, Lastly, In addition (to this), Furthermore, Moreover, Besides, ete. + to introduce or list advantages: The main/fist/ most {important advantage of .., One/Another/An additional advantage of... One point of view in favour of... Its, often suggested/believed/argued that .., Some/Maay people suggest/feel argue that .., Some/Many people are in favour offare convinced that ..., Some people angue that. etc. + toiintroduce or list disadvantages: The main/ most important disadvantage/drawback of ..., One/ Another/An additional disadvantage of ..., One point/argument against ..., Some/Many people are against. etc to introduce examples/reasons/results: for example/ instance, such as, like, in particular, therefore, for this season, because, as, since, asa result, et, to show contrast: On the other hand, However, yet, still, but, Nonetheless, Nevertheless, Although, Even so, Even though, Despite/In spite of (lhe fact that), ete. + to introduce a conclusion: In conclusion, ‘To conclude/sum up, All in all, All things considered, ‘Taking everything into account/consideration, ee. Look at the wards in bold in Model A. Which: list points? concludet introducé’examplest add points? make contrasting points? Replace them with other appropriate words or phrases. RAL annie {aoe 4) { | To conclude, it seems to me that itis more responsible to give ‘The American journalist P J O'Rourke once said, “You can't get 1d of poverty by giving people money." Pethaps not, but what about the homeless? Should we give money to them or not? In my view, there are more effective ways of helping the homeless. ‘To start with there is no way of knowing what the money will bie used for. I has been found, for example, that giving egsh to someone may simply fuel drug or alcohol addiction. Moreover, itis impossible to know whether the perso asking for money is truly in need of help or not. In addition to this, it would be much better to donate money for time to charities that help the homeless. These organisations have a great deal of experience in dealing with the homeless and will know the best ways to help individuals 0 find housing, for exiimple, or work. (On the other hand, opponents ofthis view say that people should {eel free to give to homeless people. If people stop giving, the ‘beggars will simply tum to crime in order to get money. Being homeless, however, does nt necessarily make someone a criminal ‘money to homeless charities. At the end of the day, however, itis ‘upto the individual to decide whether they will give directly to 2 homeless person or not. . ‘As a man called P J O'Rourke said, “You can’t get rid of, poverty by giving people money.” But what's this got to do with the homeless’ I'm certain that there are better ways to help homeless people. Who knows what a homeless person will spend the money you give to them on? They might just buy drugs and alcohol with it and some of them perhaps don’t even need any help, anyway. [think its beter to give money or time to charities instead of to ‘homeless person you see inthe street. They know what they're doing and know how to find houses and work for homeless people. But some people don’t agree with this. They think it's up to themif they want to give money to homeless people. They think that if they don’ give, the beggars will just commit crimes to get money. Not all homeless people are criminals, though, W's definitely better to give money to charities and not to homeless people on the street. I think it's up to you though to decide if you want to give to homeless people or not. Escaneado con CamScanner* Techniques for Introductions and Conclusions In order to grab the reader's attention and make them want to continue reading, the first paragraph should: ‘start with an objective statement. e.g. It argued that Parents are often to blame when students behave badly at school. b_ make reference to a strange scene or situation. eg. The Internet will soon allow us to ‘walk’ through 3D websites © address the reader directly. e.. Has it ever occurred 10 you that children may one day be taught by robots instead of teachers? 4. start with a quotation or rhetorical question (question which requires no answer), €g. Can you imagine world without crime? € start with a problem that needs a solution. e.g. More ‘and more animals are losing their habitats. ‘Match the introductions to the conclusions. each? Trt T[_] When was the last time you did something to help someone less fortunate than yourself? In my view, wwe are all responsible to help ease some of the social problems in our society. As Dr. Seuss stated, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. I's not.” thas been said that there will soon be no need for students to take pens and paper to school as they will all be provided with their own personal laptops. Is it a sensible idea, however, to let technology completely take over in the classroom? 3]_] Have you ever considered what would happen if advertisements for junk food were totally banned? Undoubtedly, there would be many advantages to doing this, but there are several possible disadvantages, too, 4[_] Imagine entire major cities such as San Francisco being totally submerged under water as a direct + result of melting polar ice. According to some, this is exactly what will happen if we don't solve the problem of global warming. So what can we do about this? | a onic ® ahh der. Writing: Essays ‘The last paragraph should: give the reader something t0 cot e.g. Life would be much easier if. summarise the essay. ¢¢. To sum up, h end with a quotation or a rhetorical question. eg. “Progress is a comfortable disease.” (E. E. Cummings) or ‘What does the future hold for us i end with an objective statement. e.g. It is widely believed that educating young people about nutrition and exercise is the only way to improve the health of ‘our nation, Which techniques (a-i) from the theory box are used in Conclusions JA. All things considered, I believe that itis a good idea to let computers play a major role in teaching in the classroom, {As Nicholas Negroponte once said, “Computing is not about computers any more, Its about living.” ion, I believe that social problems are the responsibility of every citizen, Afterall, wouldn't you be grateful for help if you were suffering due to poverty, homelessness or family problems? C To summarise, there are many things we can do to help reduce the effects of rising world temperatures. eshaps you should consider the things that you as an individual can do. D All in all, there would be both advantages and slsadvantages to totaly banning advert for junk food. ‘What is clear, however, is that obesity is becoming ‘more and more of a problem in society and lasting solations will ave to be found soon, What techniques has the writer of Model A on p. 88 used to start/end his essay? Write your own introduction and conclusion using a different technique. mooute s | 89 Escaneado con CamScanner