C1 Advanced

Writing an
Essay
 Before you begin
Take some time to read the task
instructions.
Identify all parts of the question,
underlining which parts are obligatory
and noting which parts are optional.
Let’s take a look at an example question!
Remember, you don’t have to use the
opinions expressed in the box, but they
may help you to get the ball rolling. Also,
you only have to talk about two of the
options given, not all three.
Make a plan
Take a few minutes minutes to lay out your ideas.
Make a pros and cons list for each of the three options and
then decide which two you feel most confident with.
Structure your essay

The essence of a good essay is a clear structure.

Introduction
Here you want to introduce the topic in your own
words.
Your first line should also grab the reader’s attention,
then you should paraphrase the question.
Finally, try using a statistic or a rhetorical question.
This will make them want to read on, right?
Paragraph 1
Discuss the first option you’ve chosen.
Include a good topic sentence and remember to give
reasons for your answer.
Describe some of the advantages, and even some of
the disadvantages too.
This will give a well-balanced argument.
Paragraph 2
Here’s where you introduce the second option.
Again, try to present both sides of the argument and
give reasons for your ideas.
Gradually work towards the conclusion.
Conclusion
State your final opinion.
This should be a summary of the rest of the essay and
point clearly to which option you think is the most
important.
Do not introduce any new arguments at this stage.
The conclusion is where you tie up any loose ends.
Language
This is an advanced piece of writing, so make sure
your choice of language reflects it. You will get marked
for accuracy, however, occasional errors can still be
present as long as they do not impede understanding.
So don’t play it too safe. This is your opportunity to
show what you can do, so take some risks and have
fun with it!
Vocabulary
In the writing paper you should use a range of
vocabulary, including less common lexis.
Brainstorm some vocabulary related to the topic. Take
your time to think of nouns and compound nouns that
you know at C1 level.
Really let your vocabulary sparkle.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
No one likes a advantage = benefit, positive, upside
disadvantage = downside, drawback
broken record.
effect = influence, impact, result, outcome
Find synonyms for
problem = issue, challenge, difficulty, obstacle, setback, complication
simple words. You
important = valuable, essential, beneficial
want to use a
expensive = costly, dear, high-priced, extortionate
variety of cheap = inexpensive, affordable, economical
language and try big = great, large, sizeable, considerable, wide, vast
not to repeat small = slight, tiny, little
yourself too much. Quick tip: Visit Thesaurus.com to study more synonyms
Grammar
Experiment with • Participle clauses (Knowing she loved reading, Richard bought her a book.)
different grammatical • Conditionals (If I had known she liked reading, I would have bought her
forms. At this level the book)
you’re expected to • Modal verbs (He must've known I love reading).
have a good grasp on • Passive with reporting verbs (It is said that she loves reading.)
the grammar. You
should use a range of • Inversion (She rarely reads books - Rarely does she read books.)
simple and complex • Cleft sentences (What they like is reading. It is reading (that) they like.)
grammatical forms • Comparatives (The faster you read, the more interesting it gets.)
with control and
• Relative clauses (Rachel, who we met yesterday, lives in this
flexibility. neighbourhood.)
Useful expressions
To make your Introduction:
It is often said that…
Contrasting:
In contrast…
essay flow it’s Many people feel that…
We live in an age when..
On the other hand…
Alternatively…
best to use More and more… However…
some key Introducing & Addition: Conclusion:
phrases. These Firstly, secondly, thirdly…
On the one hand…
All things considered…
As far as I’m concerned…
will link all your In addition… In light of the above…
What is more…
ideas together,  
Examples:
and help it For example…
sound formal. For instance…
As a case in point…
 
What the examiners are looking for
When writing your essay, bear in mind what you’ll be marked on:
1) Content
Have you answered all parts of the question? Is everything relevant to the question?
2) Communicative Achievement
Is the style and tone appropriate? Remember it should be semi-formal and neutral.
3) Organisation
Does it follow a logical order? Have you used paragraphs and linking devices?
4) Language
Are you using a variety of grammar and vocabulary? Is it accurate?
Check (most frequent mistakes)
• spelling
• subject + verb agreement (he plays)
• singulars / plurals (sheep, knives etc.)
• articles (a/an, the, 0)
• question formation
• variety of tenses
• dependent prepositions (in, at, with, etc. preposition phrases)
Check (most frequent mistakes)
• spelling
• subject + verb agreement (he plays)
• singulars / plurals (sheep, knives etc.)
• articles (a/an, the, 0)
• question formation
• variety of tenses
• dependent prepositions (in, at, with, etc. preposition phrases)
Some final tips
•Do not use contractions (I’m, they’re, we’re) as this is a formal
writing.
•Don’t use first person pronouns (I, my, our, us).
•Practise under timed conditions.
•Use model answers to practise fixed expressions.