HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY?

Essays consist of three main parts: an introductory paragraph (introduction), the body which is made up
of paragraph(s) to develop and support the main topic, and a concluding paragraph (conclusion).

1. The introduction: It usually consists of two 2. The body:

parts: general statements and a thesis statement. Body paragraphs in an essay develop the thesis
statement by explaining, discussing or proving the
 The thesis statement:
thesis statement and giving examples. There is no
The thesis statement has two main parts: the topic
and the controlling idea. The topic is the subject of specific number for body paragraphs in one essay.
the essay. The controlling idea is the writer's attitude The number has a lot to do with the topic discussed.
or opinion about the topic. It MUST include the (In an opinion essay, the body paragraphs must
topic and controlling idea clearly. You CANNOT include reasons to support your opinion. Each
just write "I agree for two reasons". reason must be accompanied by examples and/or
evidence.)
(In an opinion essay, the thesis statement is simply
your opinion or position.) __________________________________________
Example:
Smoking is hazardous to a person's health for two 3. The conclusion:
reasons. This is the last paragraph of the essay. It must start
by concluding phrases like in short, in conclusion, to
Rules for the Thesis Statement conclude, to sum up, to summarise, etc. It plays the
a. A thesis statement should be expressed in a vital role of ending the discussion and giving the
complete sentence. reader the logical conclusion. It is also important
because it should give the reader a clear idea of what
b. A thesis statement should be a statement and not
the main points of the essay were.
a question.
The conclusion in an opinion essay must restate your
c. A thesis statement should not simply announce the position in different words (a restatement of the
topic of the essay; it should state the controlling thesis statement). It can also include a summary of
idea.
the main points in the body paragraphs or a final
d. A thesis statement should clearly show they type comment.
of the essay.

Important notes:
 Assessment:
a. Cohesion and coherence: The essay must be clear, organized and easy to follow.
Cohesion: Forming a whole unit by connecting the essay's ideas
Coherence: being logical, consistent and able to be understood
b. Lexical resource: The writer should use a range of vocabulary and expressions accurately
and appropriately. Do NOT copy the same words in the question except key words.
c. Grammatical range and accuracy
d. Task response:
 How well the writer can make and develop their position or argument.
 How they support their argument with evidence and examples.
 How comprehensive their response is.
 Essential details:
1. Pay attention to capitalization, punctuation and grammatical errors.
2. There is NO need for a title and DO NOT re-write the question of the task.
3. Use left and right margins.
4. Leave a blank line between paragraphs.
5. Do NOT use "I", "you" or "we" in academic writing because they make your essay less formal.
You can use "I" in the thesis statement of an opinion essay only, but it is not necessary.
6. Don't use contractions such as "don't", "aren't" or "can't". Use full forms.
7. You mustn't use abbreviations and informal words such as "advert", "etc" or "gonna".
8. You must connect your ideas with linkers (linking words).

Some general linking words and phrases

Language Join two clauses in one sentence. Join two separate sentences.
function
Cause/effect because & so Therefore & thus
 Example:  Example:
1. I stayed at home last night because 1. Watching too much television can negatively
it was raining. impact children's personalities and their progress
2. It was raining last night, so I stayed in school. Therefore, parents should know what
at home. programs their children watch.
2. Watching too much television can negatively
impact children's personalities and their progress
in school. Thus, parents should know what
programs their children watch.
Opposition but, although & even though However, nevertheless & nonetheless
 Example:  Example:
1. I want to go to the party, but I am so 1. Some people believe that letting children watch
tired. television from a young age is necessary.
2. Although/Even though I'm so tired, However, television can be a bad influence on
I want to go to the party. children for two main reasons.
3. I want to go to the party 2. Some people believe that letting children watch
although/even though I'm so tired. television from a young age is necessary.
Nevertheless, / Nonetheless, television can be a
bad influence on children for two main reasons.

Addition and Moreover, furthermore & in addition

 Example:  Example:
1. I love ice cream, and she loves 1. Texting while driving is dangerous and could lead
chocolate. to countless horrifying accidents. Moreover, /
Furthermore, it is illegal in most countries
around the world.
2. Texting while driving is dangerous and could lead
to countless horrifying accidents. In addition, it is
illegal in most countries around the world.

1. DO NOT START A SENTENCE WITH "AND", "BUT" & "SO".

Some important linkers for Opinion Essays:

Expressing opinions In my opinion, / In my view, / It is clear that,

Expressing contrast Although / Even though/ However, / On the one hand, …….. On the other hand, /
Sequencing linkers and First, / Second, / Firstly,/ First of all,/ Moreover, / In addition, / Furthermore,/ also
adding ideas / Finally, / Lastly,
Expressing facts or It is a well-known fact that …/ In fact, / For example, / For instance, / It is clear
examples that,/ Research has shown that/ A study has shown that…

Opinion (Agree-Disagree) Essay Sample

 Television is harmful to children. Do you agree or disagree?

Over the past forty years, televisions have become standard pieces of equipment in most homes, and
watching television has become a standard activity for most families. Children grow up watching
television in the morning, in the afternoon and often in the evening as well. Although there are excellent
programs for children, a lot of people feel that television may not be good for children. In fact, television
can be a bad influence on children for two main reasons.

First, many programs are too violent for children to watch. For example, there are countless stories about
crimes and criminals on television. People are killed with guns, knives and even cars in many television
programmes. Some children might think that these things could happen to them at any time. As a result,
they can become frightened and paranoid. On top of that, it is a well-known fact that children are highly
impressionable. Therefore, they might begin to think that violence is a normal part of life because they see
it so often on television. They may even begin to copy the violence they see and hurt themselves or their
friends.

Second, television can affect children’s reading ability. Reading requires skills and brain processes that
watching television does not. A new study has shown that if children watch television for too many hours
each day, they will not be able to practice the skills they need to learn how to read or even speak in the
case of toddlers. Thus, it is very important to avoid leaving young children in front of televisions for long
hours while the parents work or do some house chores. In fact, most child-care books advise parents to
give children picture stories to entertain them since they are much more beneficial and useful than
watching TV.

In conclusion, watching too much television can negatively impact children's personalities and their
progress in school. Therefore, parents should know what programs their children watch. They should also
turn off their televisions while their children are studying.
OUTLINE: Television is harmful to children.

INTRODUCTION: at least 3 sentences

Method 1: Method 2:
General statement: General statement:
Over the past forty years, televisions have become Over the past forty years, televisions have become
standard pieces of equipment in most homes, and standard pieces of equipment in most homes, and
watching television has become a standard activity for watching television has become a standard activity for
most families. family members of all ages.

More specific statements: The opposing opinion:

Children grow up watching television in the morning, in It is often held that allowing one's child to watch
the afternoon and often in the evening as well. Although television is advantageous.
there are excellent programs for children, a lot of people
feel that television may not be good for children.

The thesis statement: The thesis statement:

In fact, television can be a bad influence on children Nevertheless, television can detrimentally affect
for two main reasons. children for two main reasons.
.
LEAVE AN EMPTY LINE

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: (4 to 5 SENTENCES)

Reason 1: First, many programs are too violent for children to watch.

Example: For example, there are countless stories about crimes and criminals on television. People are killed
with guns, knives and even cars in many television programmes.

Explain: Some children might think that these things could happen to them at any time. As a result, they can
become frightened and paranoid. On top of that, it is a well-known fact that children are highly impressionable.
Therefore, they might begin to think that violence is a normal part of life because they see it so often on television.
They may even begin to copy the violence they see and hurt themselves or their friends.
LEAVE AN EMPTY LINE

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: (4 to 5 SENTENCES)

Reason 2: Second, television can affect children’s reading ability.

Explain: Reading requires skills and brain processes that watching television does not.

Evidence/Example1: A new study has shown that if children watch television for too many hours each day, they
will not be able to practice the skills they need to learn how to read or even speak in the case of toddlers. Thus, it is
very important to avoid leaving young children in front of televisions for long hours while the parents work or do
some house chores.

Evidence/Example 2: In fact, most child-care books advise parents to give children picture stories to entertain
them since they are much more beneficial and useful than watching TV.

LEAVE AN EMPTY LINE

CONCLUSION: (2 or 3 sentences)

Concluding phrase, + summary Concluding phrase, + summary/restatement of the

To summarise, the content of many television thesis statement + final comment
programmes may make children develop violent In conclusion, watching too much television can
behaviours and hinder their ability to read. Therefore, negatively impact children's personalities and their
watching too much television can negatively impact progress in school. Therefore, parents should know what
children's personalities and their progress in school. programs their children watch. They should also turn off
their televisions while their children are studying.