ESSAY- Structure

INTRODUCTION

Thesis statement

Topic sentence

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Topic sentence. ____

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Topic sentence. ____

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________________ CONCLUSION

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+ USEFUL PHRASES

It must be recognized / said that …… . However / nevertheless, …….

It is said / believed / thought …… Nonetheless,…

While

For instance,…. On the one hand…… On the other hand……

For example,…..

……. such as ……

…….. like ………

On balance, …….

To conclude, …….

Taking into consideration / Considering the above paragraphs / The items previously mentioned….

…… the previous considerations should / must be taken into account.

….in order to / so as to …… / if ……….

…….. it is definitely …….. that

……… it is absolutely ….. that

Task 1 Choose the best linkers in the essay about mobile phones.

MOBILE PHONES: Should they be banned in public places?

Society has mixed feelings about the use of mobile phones in public places like restaurants and cinemas.
Whereas/However they were almost unknown twenty years ago, these days they are part of everyone’s life,
and the world would now feel a strange place without them.

One of the strongest arguments in favour of banning mobile phones is the annoyance they cause other people.
Although/Despite audiences are always asked to turn off their mobiles when they go to the cinema, you can
be sure that the film you are watching will be interrupted by the sound of at least five ringing tones!
Therefore/What is more many people insist on continuing their conversation, in spite of/even though
hundreds of people can hear them. For this reason, /Besides many people would welcome a ban on mobile
phones in places where they might irritate others.

On the other hand, /Although there are a number of arguments against such a ban. It is really difficult to stop
users bringing their mobile phones into public places, and however/therefore it would be virtually impossible
to enforce any ban. Some would see this as an infringement of their rights, even though/while other people
would say they need them in case of an emergency. And despite/besides being asked to turn their mobile
phones off, some people insist on leaving them on, or simply forget to silence them. Perhaps the most
important point is that, although/in spite of all the disadvantages, many people these days simply feel that
they are not able of living without their mobile.

It seems to me that a ban on mobile phones would be pointless. A way round any ban will always be found.
Nevertheless/Although their use should be discouraged in places like restaurants, unless it is absolutely
necessary. People should be made aware that it is very bad manners to use them at certain times. However,
/Furthermore, there will always be someone who thinks their call is much more important than other people’s
peace and quiet.

Task 2 Choose the more formal discursive phrases to complete the paragraphs. Then decide if they are
part of the introduction, development of arguments or conclusion of the essay.

1- It is now considered highly likely that / People say that our fossil fuel resources will run out in the
next 100 years. So / This means that countries will soon have to develop other sources of power.

2- Even though /Though growing up in a big family can be challenging, it may be a blessing in
disguise. First / In the first place, children in a large family are always surrounded by a lot of
 people. For instance, /An example is children in big families are never short of people to socialize
with. So / Therefore they tend to develop better social skills than those in small families.

3- To conclude / To finish, by encouraging people to use public transport and reducing the number of
cars that enter the city center, traffic jams could soon be a thing of the past.

4- In addition to this / Also giving kindergarten students foreign language lessons teaches them about
diversity. For example, / Like when they learn that people in foreign countries speak other languages
and have different cultures. As a result, /So students learn to respect other cultures at a young age.

5- The heavy traffic in our city is a problem that needs to be urgently addressed, because/ as it is causing
considerable air pollution as well as /and a great deal of stress for drivers.

6- When you think about everything / All things considered, the best way to solve the problem of
littering is by putting more bins in the streets and introducing fines to those who are caught throwing
rubbish on the ground. By following these measures, I really think/I firmly believe that there would
be less litter in our streets and the town would become a nicer place to live in.

7- On the other hand, / But there are some drawbacks to studying online. One of them is the fact that
online courses give you greater flexibility. For instance, / An example is you can study at your own
pace and whenever suits you. This way / As a consequence, people who work or have children can
find the time to further their education.