ESSAYS

An ESSAY is a short piece of writing on a particular subject, which gives

the author’s own argument or point of view.

But you won’t state your personal opinion at the beginning, since you will
use impersonal sentences, often in the passive voice: It is believed…, It is
thought…, It is said…, People often believe that…, Many people agree
on…

You have to organise your writing clearly into 5 paragraphs.

Paragraph 1: introduce the topic, make it appealing, you can present two
different views here, or just say what is thought in general and state that
other people may think differently.

Paragraph 2: discuss the first point that is given to you. Use linking words!!

Paragraph 3: discuss the second point that was given to you. More linking
words!!

Paragraph 4: discuss the third point that you have to come up with.

Paragraph 5: summarise your opinion at the end in the conclusion. Here

you can express a more personal opinion, not before.
 TIPS

-Use for the first four paragraphs a sentence that states clearly the topic or
point you will discuss and then bring the different opinions and examples.
For example: “Concerning money, using public transport is a lot cheaper
than owning a car”. And then you explain why and give reasons for your
point of view.

-Read the question carefully and look at the notes, so you know exactly
what you have to write about. The notes give you two points you have to
write about, and you must add a third point of your own. This third idea
must be different from the other two, and cannot simply be your conclusion
at the end of the essay. Write a brief plan so you know what to include in
each paragraph.

-The register should be neutral or semi-formal. Try to consider both sides

of the argument objectively and write a balanced essay. It is a good idea to
wait until the concluding paragraph to express your personal opinion.

-Use linking words and a variety of grammar structures and a wide range of
vocabulary.

-In the exam, examiners will take the following criteria into account, so
bear these in mind while you are writing: CONTENT (content should be
relevant to the task, all the points should be covered and the target reader
must be informed), COMMUNICATIVE ACHIEVEMENT (means being
able to communicate ideas in an effective way while holding the target’s
attention), ORGANISATION (the text must be well organised and
coherent) and LANGUAGE (a good range of vocabulary and of
grammatical forms).
USEFUL PHRASES

INTRODUCING EXPRESSING DISCUSSING ADDING GIVING CONCLUSION

THE TOPIC OPINIONS PROS AND ARGUMENTS EXAMPLES
CONS and
EXPRESSING
RESULT
-Some people -In my -On the one -In the first -For example/for -Overall, my
believe… opinion,… hand,…/On place,… instance,… personal
the other opinion is…
-Many people -From my -Last but not -One example
hand,…
think… point of least,… of… is… -To conclude,
view,… -Although…,
-Most people -Furthermore, -…such as… -On balance,
would agree -It is certainly -However,…
-Moreover, -…like… -All in all,
that… true that…
-Whereas…
-In addition, -Consequently, -To sum up,
-Nowadays, it is -I feel strongly
-While…
believed… that… -As regards…, -As a result, …
-In spite of…,
-I strongly -Concerning… -Therefore,…
believe that… -Despite…,
-…as well as…
-As far as I am -Nevertheless,
-Besides…
concerned, … -Still, …
-Apart from
-..., yet… that,…