Activity Type: WRITING TIPS

Branch: CAMPO GRANDE

Level: FCE
Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Writing an essay / discursive composition

AN ESSAY should be well-organised, with an introduction, clear development and an appropriate conclusion.
The main purpose of the task is the development of an argument and/or discussion of issues surrounding a
certain topic. Candidates will usually be expected to give reasons for their opinions. Essays need to present
an argument and give reasons for this. They should give opinions and to agree or disagree in a formal or
neutral register. Candidates are free to agree or disagree with the statement in the task, or discuss both
sides. Effective planning and paragraphing is important in essay writing, as is the correct use of appropriate
linking words and phrases.
Useful language:
Opening phrases Although it is true that , we must remember that
People (sometimes) claim that … but I feel that It could be argued that … However, I would like to
It is often said/argued that ... point out that ...
However, it seems to me that ... Despite all the arguments, I still feel that ...
It is a fact that ... It may be true that ... , but all too often ...
Over the past few months/years, it seems that … In no way can I agree that ...
Recently, we have all become concerned that … Surely it is completely unacceptable that ...
Nowadays, we are all realising that ...
Explaining/Expanding ideas and giving examples
In the past, people used to …, but now ...
This means that ...
These days, it seems that ….
This is largely due to
Listing arguments For example/For instance...
Firstly/In the first place / To begin with, … In other words,...
Secondly/A second area to consider is … Take, for example, the situation in ...
Another point to remember is ...
Concluding
Last but not least, ...
All things considered, it can be concluded that
In addition, / Furthermore, / Moreover,
Taking these points into consideration, I would say
Expressing and supporting your opinion: that
I believe/do not believe that ... (because) ... To sum up, / In summary, / Finally,
Personally I feel that ... Let me explain why. Given these facts
In my opinion, ... Just consider ... In conclusion,
As I see it, … The reason is ... To conclude,
It seems to me that… This is because ...
I would argue that for the following reasons.
I feel very strongly that ...
I am convinced that ...
I am of the opinion that ...
I am very much in favour of/against ...
I am completely opposed to ...
The reasons why I believe that ... are as follows.

Evaluating ideas, Dismissing contrary arguments

I think it is true that ...
I totally disagree/agree with the point that…
It is questionable whether …
I am sure/I doubt whether …
It is true that ... On the other hand, ...
While nobody can deny that ... , I would like to
point out that …
I agree that …However, ...
Helpful tips:
No sentences beginning with:
“And” - use “Additionally”
“But” - use “However”
“So” - use “Therefore”
“Well” - use nothing!
Write out numbers.
Be concise. Omit unnecessary words.
Be consistent with grammar.
No two sentences beginning with the same word.
No abbreviations, slang or contractions.
Check for capital letters and ending punctuation.
Vary your vocabulary to make your writing
more interesting. Activity Type: WRITING TIPS
Branch: CAMPO GRANDE
Level: FCE
Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Writing an essay / discursive composition

AN ESSAY should be well-organised, with an introduction, clear development and an appropriate conclusion.
The main purpose of the task is the development of an argument and/or discussion of issues surrounding a
certain topic. Candidates will usually be expected to give reasons for their opinions. Essays need to present
an argument and give reasons for this. They should give opinions and to agree or disagree in a formal or
neutral register. Candidates are free to agree or disagree with the statement in the task, or discuss both
sides. Effective planning and paragraphing is important in essay writing, as is the correct use of appropriate
linking words and phrases.
Useful language:
Opening phrases I am convinced that ...
People (sometimes) claim that … but I feel that I am of the opinion that ...
It is often said/argued that ... I am very much in favour of/against ...
However, it seems to me that ... I am completely opposed to ...
It is a fact that ... The reasons why I believe that ... are as follows.
Over the past few months/years, it seems that …
Recently, we have all become concerned that … Evaluating ideas, Dismissing contrary arguments
Nowadays, we are all realising that ... I think it is true that ...
In the past, people used to …, but now ... I totally disagree/agree with the point that…
These days, it seems that …. It is questionable whether …
I am sure/I doubt whether …
Listing arguments
It is true that ... On the other hand, ...
Firstly/In the first place / To begin with, …
While nobody can deny that ... , I would like to
Secondly/A second area to consider is …
point out that …
Another point to remember is ...
I agree that …However, ...
Last but not least, ...
Although it is true that , we must remember that
In addition, / Furthermore, / Moreover,
It could be argued that … However, I would like to
Expressing and supporting your opinion: point out that ...
I believe/do not believe that ... (because) ... Despite all the arguments, I still feel that ...
Personally I feel that ... Let me explain why. It may be true that ... , but all too often ...
In my opinion, ... Just consider ... In no way can I agree that ...
As I see it, … The reason is ... Surely it is completely unacceptable that ...
It seems to me that… This is because ...
Explaining/Expanding ideas and giving examples
I would argue that for the following reasons.
This means that ...
I feel very strongly that ...
This is largely due to
For example/For instance...
In other words,...
Take, for example, the situation in ...
Concluding
All things considered, it can be concluded that
Taking these points into consideration, I would
say that
To sum up, / In summary, / Finally,
Given these facts
In conclusion,
To conclude,
Helpful tips:
No sentences beginning with:
“And” - use “Additionally”
“But” - use “However”
“So” - use “Therefore”
“Well” - use nothing!
Write out numbers.
Be concise. Omit unnecessary words.
Be consistent with grammar.
No two sentences beginning with the same word.
No abbreviations, slang or contractions.
Check for capital letters and ending punctuation.
Vary your vocabulary to make your writing
more interesting.