Academic Writing & Speaking Course

WRITING LESSON 1

 Structure of Task 2 essay

Lesson focus  Paraphrasing Technique
 How to find and develop ideas for difficult topics

I. STRUCTURE OF TASK 2 ESSAY

* Strategy:

- Planning : …. mins
- Writing : …. mins
- Revising : …. mins
* Structure:

Background sentence
Introduction
Thesis statement

Body 1 Topic sentence

Body
Idea 1
(………………….)
Body 2

Idea 2
(…………………..)
Conclusion

* Introduction

- Background sentence: Introduce the topic of the essay by paraphrasing the task.

- Thesis statement

- Address the task: give personal opinion (agree/disagree or advantages/

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Disadvantages,…)
- Give brief description of the main body.

* Useful expressions for the introduction:

Background sentence
- …. has gained popularity/become increasingly popular/been on a significant increase in
recent years.
- The topic of … has aroused public concern.
- The question of whether ... has become a matter of debate/ matter of concern/a
controversial issue.
- People have different views about…
- While some people believe that ….., others claim that …..
- Some people advocate …. However, others are of the opinion that…
Opinion
- In my opinion / In my view /
- From my viewpoint/ From my perspective, …
- Personally, …
- I believe/ I hold a belief that …

II. PARAPHRASING TECHNIQUE

* Definition:

“Paraphrase is the use of different words to express the same idea.”

(Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS)

Methods of Paraphrasing

Active - Dummy -
Synonyms Word forms
Passive Subject

Example:

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Government should invest more money in science education rather than other
subjects to develop the country. Do you agree or disagree?

Step 1:

Original words or phrases Synonyms/ Word form

….………………………………………….. ….…………………………………………..
….………………………………………….. ….…………………………………………..
….………………………………………….. ….…………………………………………..
….………………………………………….. ….…………………………………………..
….…………………………………………. ….………………………………………….
….………………………………………….. ….…………………………………………..

Step 2:

Active - Passive

..………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Dummy Subject: It is necessary for …

..………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Exercise 1: Write the introduction for the following task using different paraphrasing
techniques.

1. Some people say that the experiences a child has before starting school have the
biggest influence on their future life. Others say that experiences as a teenager,
especially at school, are more influential. Discuss both views and give your own
opinion.

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__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

2. Nowadays young people are admiring media and sports stars, even though they
do not set a good example.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

3. In many countries, government spent a large amount of money on improving

Internet access.
Why is it happening and do you think it is the most appropriate use of government
money?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

4. Many people say the gap between rich and poor people is wider, as rich people
become richer and poor people grow poorer.

What problems could this situation cause and what measures can be done to address
those problems?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
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5. Some people think news has no connection to people’s lives. So then it is a waste
of time to read the newspaper and watch television news programs.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

6. Some people believe that international trade and communication with other
countries is a positive trend, while others think it is harmful to nations and they
might lose their identities.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

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FREQUENTLY-USED SYNONYMS
Vietnamese
Synonyms Word form
meaning

people the public individuals citizens n nhiều người

the young youth youngsters juveniles n thanh niên, người trẻ

the old the elderly senior citizens the aged n người cao tuổi

workers employees staff clerks n nhân viên

rival competitor opponent adversity

n đối thủ
contender

trait feature attribute characteristic quality n đặc điểm

outcome result consequence n kết quả

lack shortage insufficiency n sự thiếu hụt

benchmark standard criterion n tiêu chuẩn

great enormous considerable significant adj nhiều, đáng kể

practical feasible workable usable adj thiết thực, khả thi

important essential crucial critical key

adj quan trọng
pivotal

produce generate create trigger pose

v tạo ra
engender

solve resolve settle tackle handle

v giải quyết
address deal with cope with

use utilise employ exploit harness v sử dụng

support sponsor back up subsidise finance v hỗ trợ

improve promote enhance strengthen

v cải thiện, nâng cao
facilitate boost

change shift alter transform convert v thay đổi

highlight emphasise underline underscore

v nhấn mạnh
pay/draw attention to

bỏ qua, xem nhẹ,

ignore neglect overlook underestimate v
không để ý

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III. HOW TO FIND AND DEVELOP IDEAS FOR DIFFICULT TOPICS

* How to find ideas to write?

1. Analyze under human-centred perspective

International travel is becoming cheaper, and countries are opening their doors to
more and more tourists. Do the advantages of increased tourism outweigh its
disadvantages?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

2. Divide the topic into smaller aspects

Individuals can do nothing to improve the environment; only governments and large
companies can make a difference. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Many people use distance-learning programmes (study material, post, TV, the
Internet, etc.) to study at home, but some people think that it cannot bring the same
benefits of attending college or university. To what extent do you agree or disagree
with this option?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

3. Define the key words in the task

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Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising
and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in
other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others
think it is unfair. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

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* How to develop ideas in a paragraph?

Type Linking words/Structure

 Because/ since/ as + clause

 Because of/Due to + Noun phrase
Cause – result  Lead to/result in sth (v)
 Therefore/ as a result/ thus/ as a
consequence/consequently,…

 In general: in comparison, compared to

 Similarly,…
Comparison
 In contrast/ nevertheless/ however/ on the other
hand

 Such as/namely + N
Example
 For example /for instance,…

 Although/Though/Even though + Clause

Concession
 Despite/in spite of + Noun phrase

Purpose  In order to do sth,…

 0: if + clause (simple present), main clause (simple

Hypothesis present)
 1: if + clause (simple present), main clause (will)

USEFUL PHRASES

Phrase Vietnamese meaning Example

improve people’s living cải thiện mức sống The global trade has improved people’s
standard của người dân living standard.

Modern science and technologies

boost economic đẩy mạnh phát triển
largely boost economic development
development kinh tế
worldwide.

Higher education must keep pace with

keep pace with sth theo kịp, bắt kịp the fast-paced development of modern
science.

make the most of sth tận dụng điều gì We should make the most of new

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technology to improve productivity.

giảm căng thẳng, Regular exercise can relieve stress and

relieve stress/ burden
gánh nặng reduce fatigue.

Nowadays, people must learn to reach a

reach the balance đạt được sự cân bằng
healthy balance between work and
between A and B giữa A và B
family time.

Generally, most crimes stem from poor

stem from sth bắt nguồn từ
education and poverty.

The government should give top

give priority to sth ưu tiên việc gì priority to meeting people’s basic needs,
such as housing and medical care.

raise the public’s nâng cao nhận thức xã The government should raise public’s
awareness of sth hội về điều gì awareness of conserving water.

The government should enact laws to

enact laws ban hành luật
protect endangered wild animals.

be worth doing đáng làm

Graphic reproduction of magazines is

be superior to sth tốt hơn điều gì
superior to that of newspapers.

dễ bị tổn thương trước Children may be vulnerable to offensive

be vulnerable to sth
điều gì images on the media than adults.

Modern people are becoming obsessed

be obsessed with sth bị ám ảnh
with material wealth.

It offers a theory of education consistent

be consistent with sth nhất quán với with the aims of modern-day nursing
practice.

Economic development can be

be compatible with sth thích hợp với điều gì compatible with environmental
protection.

Radio and TV, in many circumstances,

are not competitive but complimentary
be complementary to sth bổ sung cho
to each other, and serve different people
for various purposes.

Parents cannot be indifferent to

be indifferent to sth thờ ơ với
children’s leisure activities.

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Exercise 2: Develop the topic sentences below by using learned techniques.

1. Technology has made shopping easier due to convenience.

….………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Some individuals feel technology has made shopping more difficult due to a number of
reasons.

….………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. I believe that national news is more important than international news for a number of
reasons.

….………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Some people might think that students studying abroad would be faced with problems
relating to language and culture.

….………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. It is necessary for the government to provide care and financial aid for retired citizens
because they all have made certain contributions to society

….………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

6. Advertisements are a powerful tool of competition for companies.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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