curso expresión escrita.pdf

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A partir del ao 2010 se modifica el formato de la prueba correspondiente a ladestreza EXPRESIN ESCRITAen el examen SLP, suprimindose la pruebade gramtica y cambiando ligeramente el formato de las tareas a realizar.

Con el fin de facilitar al personal que se examina a partir de este ao supreparacin en la destreza de expresin escrita del idioma INGLS de nivelsuperior (es decir, una vez que se ha obtenido el nivel SLP 2.2.2.2 o superior),la Escuela Militar de Idiomas de la Defensa (EMID) ha confeccionado estarecopilacin de material orientada al autoestudio (se incluyen las respuestas alas tareas) y como gua para afrontar el nuevo formato de examen con mayorxito.

Hay un total de 8 unidades didcticas. Cada unidad didctica se compone deuna serie de documentos. Para ms detalles lase el archivo An Overview ofUnits and Documents.

El orden aconsejado de utilizacin del material, dentro de cada unidad, es:1. Samples; 2. Structure; 3. Use of English; 4. Linking words; 5. Answers.

Dado que estas unidades didcticas se encuentran en la fase inicial deelaboracin, agradeceramos cualquier sugerencia de mejora al respecto y quenos informaran de cualquier imprecisin.

Deseamos que les sea de utilidad.Departamento de Lenguas Germnicas de la EMID


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AN OVERVIEW OF UNITS AND DOCUMENTS

UNIT 1 DESCRIPTIONSSamplesStructure

Use of EnglishLinking words

Answers

UNIT 2 ESSAYS (I) Introduction to essaysSamplesStructureLinking words

Answers

UNIT 3 ESSAYS (II) For and against essaysSamplesStructureLinking words

Answers

UNIT 4 ESSAYS (III) Opinion essays and prob lem-solut ion essays

a Opinion essaysSamplesStructureLinking words

Answers

b Problem-solution essaysSamplesStructureLinking words

Answers

UNIT 5 REPORTS and proposalsSamples- REPORT SAMPLE 1- REPORT SAMPLE 2- PROPOSALS SAMPLE 1

StructureUse of English

ModalsWish+ Past/Would


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SLP WRITING PAPER

The writing part of the SLP exam looks like this:

Select one excercise (out of three) TIME: 75 minutes

1. Write an essay about (Topic A) covering the following points:a)b)c)350 words

2. Write an essay about (Topic B) covering the following points:a)b)

c) 350 words

3. Topic CPart 1 ( Mandatory ) 100 words (it could be an informal letter, an article, a description,etc) related to Topic CPart 2 related to Topic C. Choose between Option A and B ,

Option A Write a letter/ report 250 words Option B Write a proposal/ article / . 250 words

You may do your Writing task on the computer or on paper.

As you see, there is an hour and fifteen minutes to do the exam, but the extension in words isalso longer now (a total of 350 words).- Remember to do a brainstorming of ideas and structure before you start writing.- Be aware of the structure you need for your writing.- Leave five minutes to review your work.

The first two exercises are as always, essays, but of 350 words.The third one is new. You will be asked to incluye recommendations, suggestions,

hypotheses, etc.Stick to the number of words required.

Theres no Grammar Test and this skill will be evaluated in your Writing Exam (be aware ofthe need of using a variety of structures).


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Description SAMPLES

SAMPLE 1 DESCRIBING A PERSONRead the following composition describing a person.

Describe a person you know well

When I began working at Hillcrest Nursery School three years ago, Iwas introduced to Sharon Dunn, the schools headmistress.

Her smart appearance and warm, friendly expression made me likeher immediately. She is a small-boned, smiling woman in her early fifties,with twinkling blue eyes and soft, silver curls. Although she dresses simplyshe always manages to look elegant.

She is a very fair-minded person who treats everyone at the schoolwith equal respect. Despite clasping her hands nervously when she is upset,she is actually very calm, which is shown by her ability to keep her temperin the most difficult situations. Her quiet voice and gentle, caring mannermake her very popular with the children.

Ms Dunn has no children of her own; however, she says that she feelslike a mother to all of the children in her school. In fact, she has no timefor family life, since she dedicates her life to her job. Besides taking careof various administrative tasks every day, she always takes time to talk tothe teachers and parents. In addition, she often holds meetings with theschools Board of Directors, as well as with staff and parents.

To my mind, Sharon Dunn is a dedicated professional who is awonderful role model, not only for the children but for the teachers, aswell.

EXERCISE 1: Match each paragraph with the correspondinginformation provided.

PARAGRAPHS

Paragraph 1Paragraph 2Paragraph 3Paragraph 4Paragraph 5

INFO PROVIDED

ConclusionIntroductionLife/lifestyle/beliefsAppearancePersonality/Behaviour

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SAMPLE 3 DESCRIBING AN EVENTHere you have two different models.

EXERCISE 2: What tenses have been used in each description of

events? Could you explain why the tenses are different in the twomodels?

MODEL A:Describe an annual event that you attended and explain why

you enjoyed it.

About a year ago I was invited to a Halloween party at the home of afriend. I was reluctant at first but I decided to go to help out with thearrangements.

On the afternoon of the party, I drove to my friends house with ahuge box of materials which I thought might be useful for thepreparations. The children were full of enthusiasm as they worked on theirmasks and costumes. But the best part of all was making the lanterns. I wasamazed at the imagination that the children showed when cutting grotesquefaces out of the hollowed-out pumpkins. The mood of anticipation was sointense that, by the time the last costume had been made, I was as excitedas the children.

By six oclock, the party was well under way and the house was full ofscreaming children, with me running around in a mask trying to scare them.At one point during the evening, prizes were awarded to the children whohad made the best costumes. Games were organized, including one wherethe children had their hands tied behind their backs while they tried topick apples out of a barrel of water using only their teeth. When the partyfinally ended, the children left in a noisy group, running ahead of theirparents and doing their best of any unfortunate passer-by.

Since those days I had never forgotten about Halloween, but thisparty gave me so much pleasure that now it is a regular fixture in my diary.I think everyone should have the chance to feel like a child at least once a

year.

MODEL B:Describe an annual event that takes place in an English-

speaking country.

Halloween, which takes place every year on 31 st October, is an

important event, particularly in America. It originated hundreds of yearsago when it was believed that on this night the souls of the dead came back

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and walked among the living. Today, it is treated light-heartedly andcelebrated mainly by children.

A certain amount of preparation is required of those who take part.Costumes and masks, typically of ghosts or witches, have to be made.Sweets are bought and parties are organized. Most importantly, a lantern ismade. This is done by taking a large pumpkin and cutting out the inside,which is then used to make a pie. Next, holes are cut out of one side in theshape of an evil face, and a candle is placed inside the lantern so that thelight glows through the eyes and mouth.

On the day itself, or rather in the evening, children wander aroundthe streets dressed in their costumes. The custom is for children to knockon doors in their neighbourhood and say Trick or treat. This means thattheir neighbours have to treat them to sweets or candies, otherwise theghosts and witches will play a trick on them. Usually the adults offerthem something, but if they fail to, then a practical joke might be played.This is usually something harmless such as putting shaving foam on theuncooperative neighbours window.

If a party has been arranged, then the lights are turned out and thechildren take part in a variety of activities. This might include anythingfrom telling ghost stories to dancing. Although the parties are based on arather frightening theme, the emphasis is, of course, on having fun. A

typical party game for Halloween is played by putting apples into a barrel ofwater and inviting the children to pick them up with their teeth. Specialdrinks are made, which are served with the traditional pumpkin pie.Many people enjoy Halloween as an excuse to dress up and have fun. It isunique in that its theme is essentially not a pleasant one. However, itremains popular and is eagerly anticipated every year by people of all ages.


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DESCRIPTION UNIT 1

Description STRUCTURE

1. Describing people

1.1. Structure of a composition describing a person

A composition describing a person should consist of:

a) an introduction giving brief information about who the person is,where/how you met him/her, how you heard about him/her.

b) a main body which may include description of such things asphysical appearance, personality/behaviour, manners and/or detailsof the persons life and lifestyle (hobbies, interests, everydayactivities, etc).

c) a conclusion in which you comment on why the person is ofinterest, express your feelings/opinion concerning the person, exceptfor some excerpts included in texts like reports, where subjectivity isnot desirable.

1.2 Points to consider

- To describe physical appearance , you should give details of theperson height/build, age, facial features, hair, clothing, etc. movingfrom the most general to the most specific details. E.g. Bill, who is inhis twenties, is quite tall and well-built, with thick black hair and piercingblue eyes. He is usually dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.

- To describe personality and behaviour , you can support yourdescription with examples of manners. E.g. Mark is rather unsociable,usually sitting silently in a corner observing others from a distance.

- To describe life, lifestyle and beliefs , you should talk about thepersons habits, interests, profession, daily routine, opinion, etc. E.g.Being both a university student and a part-time assistant in a supermarket,Janet has little time to go out in the evenings.

- Read carefully the title of the writing task in order to choose theappropriate verb tense. If the instructions ask you to describesomeone related to the present, e.g. Describe a person who is unusual

, you will describe the person using present tenses. If you areasked to describe somebody related to the past, someone who is no

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longer alive, or somebody you met some time ago e.g. Describe afamous person you met who was not as you expected , you will describethe person using past tenses.

EXERCISE 1: Read again the sample describing a person you knowwell and fill in the missing information in the plan:

INTRODUCTIONFirst met Ms Dunn at Hillcrest Nursery School,headmistress

MAIN BODY

Appearancesmart, warm, friendly expression, ___________________

_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

Personality/Behaviour _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

Life / Lifestyle/Beliefs _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

CONCLUSION _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

2. Describing places2.1. Structure of a composition describing a building or a

place

A composition describing a place/building would consist of:

a) an introduction giving brief information about the name andlocation of the place/building. If you are asked to describe a place ofyour choice, you could state here the reason for writing about it (e.g.what it is famous for, what makes it so special, etc.).

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b) a main body giving both general and specific details about theplace/building, usually moving from the general features to specificones.

i) when you describe a place, you should give the overall

impression by referring to landscape, buildings, landmarks, etc. andparticular details (sights to see, places to go, things to do).ii) when you describe a building, you should write about its

surroundings (e.g. situated, then give a detailed description of itsexterior and interior.

c) a conclusion in which you express your feelings or opinionconcerning the place or building or give a recommendation.


- Descriptions of places/buildings may include: factual informationsuch as age, size, colour, materials, etc (e.g. The temple, with 10- metre tall marble columns, was built in 800 BC ), details relating to thesenses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste) to suggest mood andatmosphere ( e.g. Visitors footsteps on the worn stone floors echothrough the cool, dark corridors, disturbing the tranquil silence ),opinions/impressions of the place or building (e.g. Tourists arefascinated by its air of mystery .)

- Each aspect of the description should be presented in a separateparagraph beginning with a clear topic sentence which willintroduce the main idea of the paragraph.

- The use of descriptive vocabulary , a variety of linking words and structures, as well as narrative techniques, will make thewriting piece more interesting.

- Note that descriptions of places/buildings may be included inseveral other types of writing tasks, such as reports, letters, articles

EXERCISE 2: Read the composition and fill in the plan below.

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INTRODUCTIONLocation, population, reason

MAIN BODY

General features _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

Particular details _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

CONCLUSION _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

2.3 Location verbs and preposition

- There are a number of verbs used to describe the location and/orsurroundings of a place. These may explain position (e.g. the oldhouse is situated next to/is surrounded by ); they may also give somesuggestion of movement (e.g. the road leads up to/winds past )and/or action ( e.g. the statue towers above/stands at the top of )

- These verbs are naturally used with prepositions andprepositional/adverbial phrases ( e.g. leads up to winds past stands at the top of, etc.)

3. Describing an event

3.1 Structure

A descriptive composition about an event would consist of:

a) an introduction in which you mention the name/type, time/date,place and reason for celebrating the event.

b) a main body in which you describe the preparations for the eventand the event itself

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Descriptions USE OF ENGLISH

1. Relative clauses

As relative clauses are used to expand the information of a person,place or object we have just mentioned, relative clauses are verylikely to appear in descriptions.

EXERCISE 1

Combine these sentences with a relative pronoun to form a singlesentence.

1. He consulted his bank manager. The bank manager told him itwould be unwise to take out a loan.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

2. Australian dollars and cents were introduced in 1966. They arecompletely different to the US notes and coins.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

3. Even young children can open bank accounts. They often maintainthem for the rest of their lives.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

4. Banks carry out extensive market research. The market researchtends to show that students are attracted by special offers and gifts.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

5. Mortgages are offered by most banks. Mortgages are special loans

for the purchase of a property. _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

6. There are several similarities between the old and new Australiancurrencies. One of them is the size of some coins.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

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7. I am very impressed with my bank manager. He is always veryfriendly and helpful.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

8. One day I had to do my banking with a new teller. I had neverspoken to her before.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

EXERCISE 2:

Correct the errors in the relative pronouns in these sentences

1. Something what worries me is the high interest rate on that loan.2. She is part of a business group, among who she is the only onewoman.3. Im opening accounts at two banks which interest rates are good.4. Its worth investing in people which business are doing well.5. The advertising manager whos proposal I like is coming to see metomorrow.6. Companies use celebrities which have high profiles to sell theirproducts.

2. Participles

Short sentences with the same subject may be joined withparticiples (-ing/-ed) or relative pronouns.

2.1 If we have a VERB IN THE ACTIVE the transformationwould be:

- Present -ing- Past having + P.P

a) The cottage stands at the top of a cliff. It faces out to sea.= The cottage, which stands at the top of a cliff, faces out to sea(passive)= The cottage, standing at the top of a cliff, faces out to sea(participle clause)

b) She was very rich. She could buy anything she wanted= Having been so rich, she could buy anything she wanted.

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2.2 If we have a VERB IN THE PASSIVE the transformationwould be:

- Present & past P.P.

The farmhouse was built in 1850. It is surrounded by fields.= The farmhouse, which was built in 1850, is surrounded by fields= The farmhouse, built in 1850, is surrounded by fields.

EXERCISE 3 (Description of places)

1. The castle dominates the skyline. It is built of local stone. _______________________________________________________2. The museum was opened in 1939. It is visited by thousands of

people every day. _______________________________________________________ _______________________3. The temple is surrounded by trees. It is difficult to see from adistance.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________4. Greater London covers 610 square miles. It is the largest city inBritain.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________5. The monument was erected in 1919. It is a memorial to those whodied in World War II.

_______________________

EXERCISE 4 (description of people)

She is so rich that she can buy anything she wants (PRESENT)= Being so rich, she can buy anything she wants

She was so rich that she could buy anything she wanted (PAST)= Having been so rich, she could buy anything she wanted

When he is seen from a distance, he resembles Paul Newman= Seen from a distance, he resembles Paul Newman

Monica, who was dressed entirely in red, entered the room.= Dressed entirely in red, Monica entered the room.

Rewrite the following sentences using participles

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1. Oliver, who was covered in dust, climbed down the ladder2. Veronica, who was tired out, could not go on with the journey3. Richard is so rude that he has no friends4. She is so intelligent that she can speak six languages

5. Frank is so absent-minded that he always forgets his car keys.6. Susan, who was laughing hysterically, couldnt speak.7. Paul, who was walking on crutches, left the room slowly8. Louise is so patient that she is cut out to be a teacher

3. Compound Adjectives

Compound adjectives are formed with:

a) present participles : a quick-acting officer, a hard-working doctorb) past participle : a stylishly-dressed woman, an open-heartedyoung man, a narrow-minded politician, a widely-known footballplayerc) cardinal numbers + nouns (noun after number is never inplural):a three-year-old boy, a six-foot tall mand) well, badly, ill, poorly + past participle : a well-intentionedfriend, an ill-mannered actress.

EXERCISE 5: make compound adjectives to describe the following

1. A baby who is crying constantly2. A speaker who has prepared thoroughly3. Students who are organized well4. A girl who has curly hair5. A boy who has brown eyes6. A basketball player who is 42 years old7. An artist who is dressed in funny clothes8. A child-minder who has been specially trained

9. A man who has a short temper10. A man with one leg11. A dentist who has gentle manners

4. Modal verbs: logical assumptions

Very often when we describe, we make assumptions about the peopleand things we are describing (age, origin, date when something wasbuilt ). As we are not sure about the specific data, we make theselogical assumptions based on what we see, hear, and we use modalverbs for this purpose.

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Must = Im sure/certain that something is true. Must is used inaffirmative sentences and expresses positive logical assumptions.e.g. He must be in his fifties. (Positive: I am sure he is)

Cant/Couldnt = Im sure that something isnt true, real. Cant andCouldnt are used in negations and express negative logicalassumptions.b) This aircraft cant be faster than a jet (Negative: I am sure it isnt)

EXERCISE 6:

Complete the sentences using must or cant as in the example1. Im sure this cathedral was built in the Middle Ages

The cat hedr al must have been bui l t i nt he Mi ddl e Ages2. Im certain he doesnt know how to fly a planeHe _____________________________________________________3. Im certain the troops have moved to the southern part of the cityThe troops ______________________________________________4. Im certain my subordinates have never received any training onthat issue before, they have no clue of how things workMy subordinates __________________________________________

_______________________________________________________5. Im certain shes suffered a lot in her lifeShe ____________________________________________________

4. Modal verbs: ability

Modal verbs expressing ability are not intrinsically linked todescriptive functions. Nevertheless, as this ability function could bepresent in descriptive patterns such as autobiographies, we havedecided to include them in this section.

Can is used in the present and future. Could is used in the past. Weuse be able to to form all the other tenses.

- Can=be able to: ability in the presente.g. The major can speak 5 languages- Will be able to: ability in the futuree.g. When we graduate from the Academy we will be able to recover our

personal independence- Could=was able to: ability in the past (REPEATED PAST ACTION)

e.g. I could run faster when I was in the Academy

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- was/were able to = managed to do something: ability in the past(SINGLE PAST ACTION)e.g. Although it was dark, we were able to find our way -We normally use could with verbs of the senses.

e.g. We could see they were planning an ambush.-In negations we can use couldnt or wasnt/werent able to withno difference in meaning.e.g. I couldnt/wasnt able to make it on time to see the Coliseum

EXERCISE 7

1.- Fill in the gaps with c a n , ca n t , c o u l d , c o u l d n t orw a s / w a s n t a b l e t o .

1. I had my hands full, so I coul dn t / wasn t abl e t o open the door.

2. When I was young I .. stand on my head.3. Although he felt ill, he finish all the paperwork.4. Tony is clever. He .. speak three languages.5. I . afford that bag. Its too expensive.6. Although it was dark, he find his way through the

woods.7. I heard his voice calling me, but I . see him.8. Were busy tonight, so we . come to the party.9. When I entered the house, I . smell fresh bread

baking.10. I . drive a car. I learnt when I was eighteen.


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Descriptions LINKING WORDS

1. Explaining impressions . Expressing impressions caused by

the people/places/events that we are describing is quite a commonpractice. However, there are some writing tasks, like reports, wheresubjectivity and emotion must be avoided.

- is the first thing one notices A huge statue of a lion is the first thing one notices upon entering thetemple- The most noticeable/outstanding/impressive feature (thing)of The most noticeable/outstanding feature of the place is its golden dome.

STRONG FEELINGS (from an impersonal point of view):

- The thing which makes the strongest/most enduringimpression is (can be used in the past as well)The thing which makes the strongest/most enduring impression is thehospitality of the locals.- .. makes an immediate/enduring/lasting impression on(can be used in the past as well)

Paris makes an immediate/enduring/lasting impression on all who visit it,since it is such a glamorous city.- One cannot help but be impressed/moved/struck by One cannot help but be impressed/moved/struck by the natural beauty ofthe region

STRONG FEELINGS (from a personal point of view make sureyou know when to use these expressions as such emotional languagemight not match many description tasks provided )

- I was immediately struck by .I was immediately struck by the staggering number of huge skyscrapers. - ..confirmed my initial impression The filthy, congested streets confirmed my initial impression that it was anunpleasant city.

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EXERCISE 1: Rewrite the sentences using the words in bold withoutchanging the meaning.

1. When visiting Paris, one particularly marvels at the incredible

architecture of the Pompidou Centre.e.g. When visiting Paris, one cannot

but marvel at the incredible

2. What impressed me most about the entire building was thelavishly-decorated reception hall.strongest

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

3. The first thing that one notices about the city is that there are somany well-preserved medieval buildings.noticeable

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

4. What strikes visitors to Mykonos most is the perfect combination ofglamour and tradition.immediate

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

2. Expressing comparison.Expressing comparison is another function which is likely to appearwhen describing.My best friend is as intelligent as , more intelligent than, twice as intelligent as , less intelligent than me

To compare places or buildings you can use:

a) (just/nearly) as .. (positive degree) as . e.g. Inthose days the main streets were just as congested as they are today.

b) the same as.. e.g. The cottage was the same as it had beenfifty years before.

c) (relatively/considerably) less . (positive degree) than. e.g. The new buildings are considerably less ornate than the oldones.

d) (much/far/considerably) more + adjective/adverb +than e.g. The northern area is more picturesque than the eastern area.

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e) (by far) the most + adjective e.g. Hill Manor is by far themost elegant hotel in the region.

f) comparative + and + comparative e.g. The streets arebecoming dirtier and dirtier

g) the comparative ..., the + comparative e.g. The furthersouth you travel, the warmer it becomes.

EXERCISE 2:Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning:

Example:

The castle was renovated and is now much more impressive than any otherin the region.

Af t er bei ng r enovat ed, t he cast l e i snow by f ar t he most i mpr ess i veone/ cast l e i n t he r egi on1. Some of the archaeological sites are fascinating, whereas the museumsare rather uninteresting.The museums are not today ________________________________

_______________________________________________________2. The shopping center in Harries Road has many more shops than the onein Bridge Street.The shopping center in Bridge Street hasnt got _________________

_______________________________________________________3. As the population of the city grew the number of schools and hospitalsbeing built decreased.As the population of the city grew, so _________________________

_______________________________________________________4. The Anderson Sports Centre has better equipment than the PollockCentre.The Pollock Centre is not ___________________________________

_______________________________________________________5. The layout of our old flat was very impractical in comparison to thelayout of the new flat.The layout of our new flat is far ______________________________

_______________________________________________________6. As the traffic of the city increases, the city centre becomes morecongested.The more traffic there is, ___________________________________

_______________________________________________________


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DESCRIPTION UNIT 1

Description ANSWERS

Samples - ANSWERS

EXERCISE 1:

Paragraph 1 IntroductionParagraph 2- AppearanceParagraph 3- BehaviourParagraph 4 Life/lifestyle/beliefsParagraph 1- Conclusion

EXERCISE 2:

In Model A, past tenses have been used because it is a description ofan event in the past. In Model B, however, present tenses are used todescribe annual event.

Structure- ANSWERS

EXERCISE 1.

INTRODUCTIONFirst met Ms Dunn at Hillcrest Nursery School, headmistress.

MAIN BODY- Appearance

smart, warm, friendly expression, early fifites, twinkling blue eyes,soft, silver curls, dresses simply, looks elegant.

- Personality/BehaviourVery fair-minded; treats everyone with equal respect; clasps herhands nervously when upset; very calm, keeps her temper in themost difficult situations; quiet voice; gentle; caring manner.

- Life / Lifestyle/BeliefsFeels like a mother to all children; no time for family life; dedicatesher life to her job; takes care of various administrative tasks; talks toteachers and parents; holds meetings with Board of Directors; staffand parents.

CONCLUSIONOpinion: a dedicated professional, a wonderful role model.

EXERCISE 2:

INTRODUCTIONLocation, population, reason (city of extreme contrasts).

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MAIN BODY- General features: streets filled with activity/noise, pavements,

crowded narrow alleyways, variety of exotic sights and smells,chaotic cramped city centre, parks with cool streams, shrines,chirping birds, tranquil mountains, towering skyscrapers, hugemodern ships, little Chinese junks

- Particular details: bright neon lights, state-of-the-artcomputer technology, hand-made silk suits, fish and bird markets,silvery fish, brilliantly-coloured squawking parrots, Jade Market,intricately-carved pieces, Chinese icons, Buddhas and dragons, citysnightlife, karaoke bars

CONCLUSION- Comments: harmony despite contrasts, pleasant atmosphere,

unique experience

- Recommendation: well worth visiting

EXERCISE 3:The Park Festival was awaited with anticipation. Some articles werepublished about the arriving musicians by the local newspaper, andhotel rooms which had been booked by the local council were fillingup fast. On the first night, the park was packed with people and thefirst act was introduced by the mayor. During the weekend modernand traditional jazz and blues were performed by over twenty-foursoloists and bands. Everyones spirits were lifted by everyone.

.Linking words- ANSWERS

EXERCISE 1:1. The thing about the entire building which made the strongestimpression was the lavishly-decorated reception hall.2. The most noticeable thing about the city is its many well-preservedmedieval buildings.3.What makes an immediate impression on visitors to Mykonos is theperfect combination of glamour and tradition.

EXERCISE 2:1. as fascinating/interesting as some of the archaeological sites.2. .as many shops as the shopping centre/one in Harries Road.3. . Did the number of schools and hospitals being built.4. as well-equipped as the Anderson Sports Centre.5. more practical than the layout of our old flat/one.6. the more congested the city centre becomes.

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Use of English- ANSWERS

EXERCISE 1:

1 He consulted his bank manager, who told him it would be unwiseto take out a loan.2 Australian dollars and cents, which are completely different fromthe US notes and coins, were introduced in 1966.3 Even young children can open bank accounts, which they oftenmaintain for the rest of their lives.4 Banks carry out extensive market research which / that tends toshow that students are attracted by special offers and gifts.5 Mortgages, which are special loans for the purchase of a property,are offered by most banks.6 There are several similarities between the old and the newAustralian currencies, one of which is the size of some of the coins.7 I am very impressed with my bank manager, who is always veryfriendly and helpful.8 One day I had to do my banking with a new teller who I had neverspoken to before.

EXERCISE 2:

1. Something that worries me is the high interest rate on that loan.2. She is a part of a business group, among whom she is the onlywoman.3. Im opening accounts at two banks whose interest rates are good.4. its worth investing in people whose businesses are doing well.5. The advertising manager whose proposal I like is coming to see metomorrow.6. Companies use celebrities who have high profiles to sell theirproducts.

EXERCISE 3: (description of places)

1. Dominating the skyline, the castle is built of local stone.2. Opened in 1939, the museum is visited by thousands of peopleevery day.3. Surrounded by trees, the temple is difficult to see from a distance.4. Covering 610 square miles, London is the largest city in Britain.5. Erected in 1919, the monument is a memorial to those who died inWorld War I.

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EXERCISE 4: (description of people)

1. Covered in dust, Oliver climbed down the ladder.2. Tired out, Veronica could not go on with the journey.3. Being so rude, Richard has no friends.4. Being so intelligent, she can speak six languages.5. Being so absent-minded, Frank always forgets his car keys.6. Laughing hysterically, Susan couldnt speak.7. Walking on crutches, Paul left the room slowly.8. Being so patient, Louise is cut out to be a teacher.

EXERCISE 5:

1. a constantly-crying baby2. a thoroughly-prepared speaker

3. well-organised students4. a curly-haired girl5. a brown-eyed boy6. a 42-year-old basketball player7. a funnily-dressed artist8. a specially-trained child-minder9. a short-tempered man10. a one-legged man11- a gentle-mannered dentist

EXERCISE 6:

2. He cant know how to fly a plane3. The troops must have moved to the Southern part of the city4. My subordinates cant have received before any training on5. She must have suffered

EXERCISE 7:

2. could/couldnt3. was able to4. can5. cant6. was able to7. couldnt/wasnt able to8. cant9. could10. can

Main SOURCE for this compilation:

Evans, V. Successful Writing Proficiency . Ed. Express Publishing,Berkshire 1998

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.. CAE Gold. Ed. Oxford .. Dooley, J. & Evans, V. Grammarway 3. Ed Express Publishing, Faltaao


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2

important than other considerations, such as health and happiness, whichsome people consider to be of greater significance.

To begin with, it is often argued that having money enables people toexert influence over others. Wealthy businessmen, for example, are oftenthe most highly respected members of society, and business tycoons areoften consulted by world leaders, who then make policies which affect thewhole population. As a consequence, money can be seen as the single mostimportant factor in daily life.

Secondly, from the point of view of the individual, money is vital forsurvival. Western society is structured in such a way that, without money,people are deprived of the means to obtain proper nutrition and healthcare. Furthermore, in some cases where state benefits are inadequate, theinability to pay heating bills can indeed become a matter of life and death.This is clearly illustrated by the fact that, according to Social Services,the majority of deaths due to hypothermia each winter occur among low-income groups.

On the other hand, many people claim that one of the factors in lifewhich is undoubtedly of greater importance than money is health. As IzaakWalton said, health is a blessing that money cannot buy. What is more,money is of little consolation to those who are suffering from healthproblems. Despite the fact that money can pay for the best medical care

available, this is not a guarantee of a longer life.In addition, most people would agree that personal happiness easilyoutweighs money in importance. Even if an individual is extremely rich, thisdoes not necessarily lead to happiness. In some cases, the contrary is trueand vast wealth brings with it a whole range of problems and insecurities.Genuine happiness cannot be bought and is usually independent of financialstatus.

On the whole, although there are those who would rank money as thesingle most important thing in life, the vast majority would disagree.

Money, they argue, has an important part to play but perhaps the worldwould be a more harmonious place to live in if this were kept in proportionand society put more emphasis on moral issues.


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1. Structure of an argumentative essay

The argumentative essay must have:

- an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the topicto be discussed

- a main body in which points are clearly stated in separateparagraphs and exemplified or justified- a closing paragraph summarising the main points of the essay(but changing the wording), in which you state/restate youropinion, and/or give a balanced consideration of the topic

EXERCISE 1 : Identify the three parts in the samples about Money isnot the most important thing in the life.

1.a Introduction

A good opening paragraph captures the interest of the reader andstates why the topic is important.

A good introduction provides some background information about thetopic, reveals the motive for arguing it or shows that there is acommon difference of opinion or controversy about this topic.

EXAMPLE 1:

A spate of recent murders at American schools has proved the issue of gunownership to be a very controversial one. While some believe that privateindividuals should not be allowed to own guns, others maintain that gunownership is an important personal right. (44 words)

EXAMPLE 2

Censhorship is an issue which frequently generates a great deal of heated

debate, with supporters maintaining that it is vital in order to protectsociety, whilst opponents claim that it is an unjustifiable restriction ofpublic access to information . (38 words)

EXAMPLE 3:

We can scarcely turn on our televisions or pick up a newspaper these dayswithout being confronted with yet another depressing news item about theenvironment . (26 words)

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EXERCISE 2: Which strategy or strategies have been used in theintroduction of Model Essay B?

A good introduction will capture the interest of the reader and often

one of these 3 strategies is used. Sometimes introductions start witha catchy sentence. This may make reference to an unusual or strikingidea/scene/situation or could also be a quotation or a thoughtprovoking statement.

EXERCISE 3: Look at the quotations and the essay subjects below.Which quotation would be most relevant to each of the topics?

A. Youre either part of the solution or youre part of the problem (EldridgeCleaver)

B. A mother never realises that her children are no longer children (HoolbrookJackson)

C. One machine can do the work of 50 ordinary men. No machine can do the workof an extraordinary man (Elbert Hubbard)

D. Education is what survives when what has been learnt is forgotten (B.F.Skinner)

E. It is the familiar that usually eludes us in life. What is before our nose is whatwe see last (Professor W. Barrett)

----------------------

1. Too much emphasis is placed on educational qualifications What are yourviews?

2. Teenagers have an important contribution to make to society. Discuss

3. Its everybodys responsibility to protect the environment. Discuss

4. People today take material comfort for granted. Do you agree?

5. As technology advances, humans are becoming redundant. Discuss theproblem and suggest what might be done to remedy the situation.

1.b Body

Each subtopic should be presented in a separate paragraph. A well-developed paragraph contains these two parts:

a clear topic sentence which summarises the contents of the

paragraph

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a clear justification, explanation or support of the pointpresented

1.b.1 Constructing the arguments topic sentence

A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in a general way whatidea or thesis the paragraph is going to deal with. Although not allwriters start their paragraphs with a clear-cut topic sentence, this isan easy way for non-native professional writers to make sure thereader (the grader) follows the argument in the composition .

EXAMPLE 1:

One of the main arguments in favor of advertising is that it generates

wealth for a country. Taxes are paid on goods sold and this helps governments to pay for essential services such as education and healthcare. Moreover, the number of jobs created for producing, marketing andservicing these goods helps to reduce the unemployment problem, which isalso a great advantage for a countrys economy.

EXAMPLE 2

The lives of old people could be improved if attempts were made toaddress the problem of social isolation which so many of them face. Ifwe organised trips for the elderly to community centres, visits fromsocial workers or free bus passes to provide pensioners with greatermobility, the problem of lonelines would be alleviated

1.b.2 Supporting ideas /examples

Ideas introduced in topic sentences must be developed or justified,otherwise our argumentation will be weak. Similarly, the supportingideas must always be related to the idea expressed in the topicsentence. Keep just one main idea to one paragraph and develop it.

Avoid personal examples (e.g. In my school ) and rather use generalstatements and make references to other sources (e.g. Experts have

proved that) to provide the essay with a more professionalappearance.

Do not use very emotional language to support your ideas (e.g.I absolutely detest people who . ). Do not express personal opinions toostrongly (e.g. I know ); instead use milder expressions (e.g. It seemsto me that ).

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1.c Conclusion

A good conclusion does some or all of the following: rephrase the question summarize the main ideas give your opinion, if you haven't given it already look to the future (say what will happen if the situation

continues or changes)

Supporters of gun ownership claim that these weapons have been part ofour life for centuries. Nevertheless, the problems of increasing crime andfamily conflict in todays society make gun ownership difficult to accept.Handguns are too dangerous to be made freely available to just anyone whowants them.

A good conclusion DOES NOT add new information. Never add a newidea just because you have thought of it at the end! Consider linkingyour conclusion to your introduction to establish a sense of balance.Frame your discussion within a larger context or show that your topichas widespread appeal.

Finish with a strong sentence. The conclusion is the last part of theessay and it is the part that the reader/tester may remember most.

2. Style

Compositions must be written in formal style.

DOs

passive voice, impersonal constructions e.g. It is argued

that, It is a common belief that a range of advanced vocabulary e.g. heated debate

concerning this controversial issue

formal linking words e.g. furthermore, nonetheless, however

sentences with a certain degree of complexity (butwithout too many subordinates e.g. Although it is widely acceptedthat compulsory military service is beneficial to a countrys ability todefend itself, a closer analysis of military efficiency suggests that it isadvanced weaponry which plays a crucial role in todays conflicts.

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DONTs

- DONT USE short forms ( e.g .Im, isnt) - DONT USE colloquial expressions ( e.g lots of, a pretty big

thing)- DONT USE simplistic vocabulary (e.g. Experts say they think

this is bad, )- DONT USE simple linking words (e.g. and, but, so ) except

for variety - DONT USE a series of short sentences (e.g. Many people

think so. They are wrong )- DONT USE too long sentences- DONT USE pompous or high-sounding sentences (such as

introduction or closing expressions) that you have learned byheart and that you might use almost like a template. Thecontrast between the style of these memorized sentences andthe rest of the composition (which shows what the real level ofthe writer is) will doubtlessly bring the trick to light, which willundoubtedly affect the resulting mark.

EXERCISE 4: Read the following excerpts and find examples of eachof the features of formal and informal style listed above.

Excerpt A

A matter of considerable controversy at present is the issue of whetherworks of art should remain in their country of origin, or rather the owners of suchworks should be allowed to sell them to collectors abroad, thus depriving thecountrys population of a vital part of its cultural heritage. Strong arguments existin support of both sides of this debate, which implies that it is worth examiningboth points of view before reaching any conclusions.

Should such sales be permitted, it is argued that the country of origin wouldlose pieces of art which rightfully belong where they were created. In addition,works of art which were created to be viewed in a certain setting, or as part of aparticular structure, lose a great deal of their artistic impact when removed fromthis context. Venus de Milo, an ancient statue of Aphrodite, is a clear case in point:this conspicuous example of the Hellenistic sculptural tradition, carved in 150 BCand found on the Aegean island of Melos in 1820, is now decorating nothing moreinspiring than a room at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Excerpt B

People argue a lot nowadays about whether or not works of art from onecountry should be sold to another. I dont think they should be. If they are, thenthe people of the country of origin lose out on the chance to see stuff that reallybelong to them. This just isnt right. Its a problem, too, when you see works of art

in the wrong place. I mean, the Parthenon friezes look boring the way they showthem in the British Museum. Thats just not where they belong. But if you could seethem on the Parthenon, theyd look great.

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3. Brainstorming technique: the discussion clock

- When considering a topic you may refer to the discussion clock,

which will help you think of ideas when planning your essay.

- Referring to the discussion clock is a useful brainstormingtechnique, as it helps you examine a topic from various viewpointsand decide on ideas/points to include in your essay.

- Keep in mind that a topic may not relate to all the aspectspresented in the discussion clock.

- Remember that for each viewpoint you have thought of, there isusually an opposing argument. Think of the opposing argumentswhen planning your essay.

Psychological Personal Religious

HealthScientific

Historical Artistic

Moral Economic

Political Educational Social

EXERCISE 5: Read the points below and looking at the discussionclock identify the aspect each viewpoint relates to.

1. As far as .. is concerned,allowing cigarettes to be advertised is extremely damaging, sincecigarette smoking causes cancer and heart problems, as well asaffecting unborn babies.

2. From a .. standpoint, it maybe argued that the individual faces such problems as depression,

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EXERCISE 1: Complete the text below using words/phrases from thetables above where solid lines relate to the first table above anddotted lines relate to the second.

______________ of TV ... that it exposes us to too muchviolence and, as a result, we become less sensitive to real-lifeviolence. They also . that schoolchildren neglecthomework and have problems concentrating in class as a result ofspending too much time glued to the box. Finally, ____________.. that television has turned many of us into over-weight,unfit "couch potatoes".

_______________________, on the other hand, .. that

it is a blessing for lonely, elderly or housebound people. Furthermore,they .., it does not simply entertain; it can be veryeducational as well. Another argument _____ _________ of TV isthat it sometimes plays an important role in fundraising for disasterrelief and various charities. For example, the "Live Aid" rock concertin 1984 raised millions of pounds for victims of the Ethiopian famine.

2. Sequencing

2.1. To list points in a specific sequence

Beginning: To begin/start with, Firstly, First of all, In the firstplace, the Home Secretary will make an introductory speech.Continuing: Secondly, Afterwards, Then, the Prime Minister willspeak.Concluding: Finally, Lastly, Last but not least, the Chancellor ofthe Exchequer will announce the new budget.

2.2. To add more points to the same topic

- Besides (this, that),/ In addition to this,/Furthermore,/ Moreover,/ What is more,/Apart fromthis(that) your choice of career is a fundamental decision which willinfluence the rest of your life.- Not only is your choice of career a fundamental decision, but it isalso one that will influence the rest of your life. (note the inversion) - Your choice of career is both a fundamental decision and something that will influence the rest of your life.- There is another side to the issue/question/argument of

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2.3. To conclude

Finally, Lastly, All in all, Taking everything into account/consideration, All things considered, In conclusion, On

balance, For the above mentioned reasons, Therefore I feelthat, To sum up, it is unlikely that there will be peace in allcountries of the world concurrently

3. To SummariseIn short, Briefly, To put it briefly, his performance on stage wasfantastic.

4. To make contrasting points

On the other hand, it may be said/argued/claimed thatHowever, Yet,Nonetheless, others oppose this viewpointNevertheless, many people (strongly) disagreeEven so, claim/feel/believe this

argument is incorrect/misguided

although, though, even though, while, whilst, whereas,despite/in spite of (the fact that), regardless of the fact that

Opponents of argue/believe/claim thatThe fact that contradicts the belief/idea thatWhile it is true to say that..., in factWhile/Although..., it cannot be denied that...

EXERCISE 2 : Join the sentences using the words/phrases given inbrackets.

1. Pets can prove to be good companions. They teach children asense of responsibility. (not only)

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________2. Many people nowadays decide to open their own business. A slumpin the economy has resulted in the closure of many small business.(even though)

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

3. Computers are time-saving devices. They can do things whichpeople could hardly do before. (apart from)

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_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________4. Living in the countryside can be beneficial for your health. Someessentials are not so easily available in the country as in the city.

(despite) _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________5. Voting gives you a voice in the decisions of the government. Itgives you a feeling of belonging to a larger community. (not tomention that)

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

EXERCISE 3: Read the items below and say whether the second

sentence presents an additional or contrasting point. Then join thesentences using words/phrases from the table.

1. Alternative medicines treat the symptoms of a disease.Conventional medicines treat the underlying cause of a disorder.

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

2. Alternative medicine makes use of natural products rather thandrugs. Alternative medicines are not tested on animals.

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

3. Conventional doctors have recognizable and respectedqualifications. Conventional treatments are widely available toeveryone.

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

4. People trust conventional treatments because they are testedscientifically. People are often suspicious of alternative methodswhich sometimes rely on a trial and error technique.

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

5. Alternative treatments cause few or no side-effects. Conventionaltreatments can cause severe side-effects.

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

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4. To give examples

- For instance / for example, by establishing day-care centresacross the country, working mothers can be encouraged to resumetheir careers.- By providing incentives, such as / like day-care centres workingmothers are encouraged to resume their careers.- If working mothers are to resume their careers then the provision ofincentives particularly / in particular / especially day-carecentres is essential.

5. To emphasize a point

Indeed, / Naturally,/ Clearly,/ Of course,/ Needless to say,/Obviously, the scheme was bound to fail due to insufficient funds.

6. To clarify / rephrase a point

In other words, / That is to say, / To put it in another way, /This means that if you drive more carefully you are less likely tohave an accident.. which means that if you drive more carefully, you are less likelyto have an accident.

7. To make partially correct statements

Up to a point, To a certain extent/degree, To someextent/degree, In a sense, In a way, To a limited extent this istrue, but computers will always need human imput.

8. To express reality

It is a fact that, In effect, In fact, As a matter of fact, The fact

of the matter is (that), Actually, In practice, Indeed, smokingover a period of time will seriously increase the risk of heart disease.

9. To make general statements

As a (general) rule, By and large, Generally, In general, On thewhole, countries nearer the equator have warmer climates.

EXERCISE 4: Fill in the gaps using words/phrases from the list. Some

words / phrases can be used more than once.

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Up to a point, especially, indeed, this means, needless to say, ingeneral, in fact, the fact that, obviously, example.

1. ____________________ people have mixed feelings about the

effects tourism has on a country.2. Most people believe that computers always make life easier, but ______ ____________, the opposite is sometimes is true since they oftencause problems when they break down.3. _____________________ testing products on animals is cruel, butit is difficult to find a suitable alternative.4. A typical ____________________ of the benefits of country life isthe fact that there is very little pollution from traffic.5. _____________________ more and more zoos are closing down

shows that fewer people agree with keeping animals in captivity and,therefore, do not want to visit them any longer.6. Using public transport can be a nuisance, ___________________when buses and trains are late during rush hour periods.7. Advances in medical science mean that cures have been found formany diseases. _______________________ people live longernowadays.8. ___________________, most people agree that more effortshould be made where the recycling of materials is concerned.9. More and more women are going back to work after the birth oftheir children and _______________________ they have to findsomeone to look after the children during the day.


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Introduction to essays SAMPLES

Exercise 1: the good model is B

Reasons why Model A is not a good one:

- short forms e.g. theres- informal/colloquial language e.g. I finished with him; money isgreat- very emotional language e.g. unbearable and not worth living- personal opinion expressed too strongly e.g. I know theyre wrong- over-generalisation e.g. all people can afford to buy- blind references to statistics e.g. statistics show - clich e.g. money is great while it lasts- personal examples e.g. When my father was - simple linking words e.g. Also; So; But- simplistic vocabulary e.g. . many things make people happy

Reasons why Model B is good:

- formal, impersonal style e.g. Money is certainly something - passive voice e.g. is often discussed- impersonal constructions e.g. it is highly debatable- linking words/sequencing e.g. In addition, On the otherhand/secondly

- each paragraph has a clear topic sentence e.g. To begin with, it isoften- each point is accompanied by a reason/example generalizations-e.g. business tycoons- reference to other sources e.g. according to Social Services, .- quotation and source e.g. As Izaak Walton said, health is ablessing that money cannot buy.

Introduction to essays STRUCTURE

EXERCISE 1:Samples A & B:

Introduction: 1 st paragraphBody: 2 nd 5 th paragraphConclusion: last paragraph

EXERCISE 2:

It reveals the motive for arguing it : Hardly a day goes by without thesubject of money being raised in most peoples lives

It shows that there is a common difference of opinion orcontroversy about this topic. it is highly debatable whether it is more

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important than other considerations, such as health and happiness, whichsome people consider to be of greater significance.

EXERCISE 3:

1-D (opinion)2-B (for and against)3-A (for and against)4-E (opinion)5-C (solution/problem)

EXERCISE 4:

Excerpt A- formal characteristics:

- Passive voice, impersonal constructions (should be allowed/strongarguments exist)- A range of advanced vocabulary (a matter of considerablecontroversy)- Formal linking words/phrases (thus/in addition)- Complex sentences with a variety of linking words (A matter of itscultural heritage)-Inversion (should such sales be permitted)

EXERCISE 5:

1. health2. personal/psychological3. economic4. artistic/educational5. educational

Introduction to essays LINKING WORDS

EXERCISE 1

EXERCISE 2 (suggested answers but not the only possible ones):

1. Not only can pets prove to be good companions, but they also teach children a sense of responsibility.

2. Many people nowadays decide to open their own business eventhough a slump in the economy has resulted in the closure of manysmall business. (or: Even though a slump in ., many people .)

3. Apart from being time-saving devices, computers can do thingswhich people could hardly do before.

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3

4. Living in the countryside can be beneficial for your health, despite the fact that some essentials are not so easily available in the countryas in the city. (or: Despite the fact that some .)

5. Voting gives you a voice in the decisions of the government, notto mention that it gives you a feeling of belonging to a largercommunity.

EXERCISE 3 (Suggested answer but not the only one possible):

1. (contrasting point). Alternative medicines treat the symptoms of adisease, while conventional medicines treat the underlying cause ofa disorder.

2. (additional point) In addition to making use of natural productsrather than drugs, alternative medicines are not tested on animals.

3. (additional point) Not only do conventional doctors haverecognizable and respected qualifications, but conventionaltreatments are widely available to everyone as well .

4. (contrasting point) Whilst people trust conventional treatmentsbecause they are tested scientifically, they are often suspicious ofalternative methods which sometimes rely on a trial and errortechnique.

5. (contrasting point) Alternative treatments cause few or no side-effects whereas conventional treatments can cause severe side-effects.

EXERCISE 4:

1. Needless to say / In general / In fact / Indeed,2. in fact3. Obviously

4. example5. The fact that6. especially7. This means (In general)8. In general/In fact/Indeed/Obviously9. this means


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For & Against Essays - SAMPLES

For & Against essays present both sides of an issue, discussingpoints in favour of a particular topic as well as those against, or theadvantages and disadvantages of a particular question. Each pointshould be supported by justifications, examples, and/or reasons.

Model 2: Censorship is necessary in modern society. Discuss

Censorship is an issue which frequently generates a great deal ofheated debate, with supporters maintaining that it is vital in order toprotect society, whilst opponents claim that it is an unjustifiablerestriction of public access to information.

Firstly, all countries have secrets which must be safeguarded forreasons of national security. For instance, if an enemy country were toacquire such highly sensitive information, the effects could becatastrophic. Consequently, governments have to have the power to restrictaccess to information concerning areas such as the armed forces orparticular aspects of foreign policy.

Secondly, it is often argued that censorship is necessary to prevent

the broadcast and publication of obscene material which is consideredoffensive or harmful to public morals. Many people feel that, withoutcensorship the public would be constantly subjected to material that themajority would find offensive. For this reason, the government has a dutyto impose certain restrictions on the mass media by censoring films andtexts which contain explicit scenes of sex, violence or foul language.

In contrast, opponents of censorship point out that when it is abusedby governments, censorship becomes an instrument used to misinform

society and maintain power. In order to control the flow of informationwhich reaches the public, repressive regimes try to put constraints on themedia, thus denying citizens the right to information owing to the fact thatgovernments believe it may lead them to seek greater freedom.

Furthermore, it is generally felt that mature adults are able to makeinformed choices about what they watch, read and listen to and should,therefore, be permitted to make their own decisions. For example, somecomedians make use of offensive language and taboo subjects in their

performances. Critics of censorship argue that the only people who willwatch or listen to such material are adults who have made a conscious

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2

decision to do so. Thus, it is unjust to censor material like this since it isnot forced upon people who may subsequently be offended by it.

All things considered, it can be concluded that a certain degree ofcensorship is always necessary. The best course of action would be toattempt to achieve a balance between the requirements of the country andthe public on the one hand, and individuals rights on the other.

EXERCISE 1: Read the model above and write down the topic of eachparagraph in the outline plan below. Underline the linking words.What aspects of the Discussion clock do the points included relateto?

- INTRODUCTIONo Summary of the topic

- MAIN BODYo ________________________________________________

________________________________________________o ________________________________________________

________________________________________________o ________________________________________________

________________________________________________o ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

- CONCLUSIONo ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

EXERCISE 2: Underline the linking words

EXERCISE 3: What aspects of the discussion clock do the pointsincluded relate to?


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1. For & Against Essays - STRUCTURE

A For & Against essay presents a formal piece of writing in which atopic is considered from opposing points of view, discussing points infavour as well as those against, or the advantages and disadvantagesof a particular question. Both sides of an issue must be presented in afair way by discussing them objectively and in equal detail by using

justifications, examples, and/or reasons.

1.2 Structure

a) INTRODUCTION

Paragraph 1: state the topic (summary of the topic withoutgiving your opinion).

b) BODY

Paragraphs 2&3: arguments FOR & justifications, examplesand/or reasons

Paragraphs 4&5: arguments AGAINST & justifications, examplesand/or reasons

c) CONCLUSION

Final paragraph: balanced consideration OR your personalopinion. It is desirable to leave the paragraphs whose view yousupport right before the final paragraph. This way your final opinionwill seem more supported (e.g. if you support the for view, start thebody of the composition by mentioning the against arguments).


- Before you start writing your essay you should make a list of thepoints for and against

-Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence which summarisesthe topic of the paragraph

e.g. in addition, many people feel reading is a relaxing andworthwhile activity.

- Do not use informal style (e.g. short forms, colloquial language,

etc.) or strong language to express your opinion (e.g. I know , etc).

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2

Express your opinion in a non-emotional way (e.g. It seems that, Itherefore feel, .etc.)

Note: although these are balanced arguments, if you feel that

either the for or the against side is stronger and should be supported,this side should be presented in paragraphs 4&5, thus leading thereader to your conclusion.

MAIN SOURCE:

Evans, V. Successful Writing Proficiency. Express Publishing. London1998


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Essays II LINKING WORDS

1. To list advantages

- One/Another/A Further/An additional (major) advantage of... is- The main/greatest/first advantage of is

2. To list disadvantages

- One/Another/A further/An additional (major) disadvantage/drawback of... is...- The main/greatest/most serious/first disadvantage (drawback)of... is- Another negative aspect of... is

3. To introduce points/arguments for or against

- One (very convincing) point/argument in favour of/against...- A further common criticism of.../It could be argued that

often claimed/suggested/It is widely argued/maintained/ that...

generally felt/believed/held

claim/suggest/argue/feel/hold that...maintain/believe/point out/agree that

Some/Many advocate (+ing/noun)/support the view thatMost people/Experts oppose the view thatScientists/Sceptics/Critics in favour of/against

are of the opinion that/convinced that...opposed to

it is a well-known fact that living in the city is harmful to ones health. Yet ,however, nevertheless, but, even so, still, nonetheless, a lot ofpeople move to the city every year in search of a better future.

Although, Even though, Regardless of the fact that, In spite of thefact that, Despite the fact that, While it is a well-known fact that livingin the city is harmful to ones health, a lot of people move to the city everyyear in search of a better future.

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EXERCISE 1:Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning of thesentences before.

1. It is widely maintained that recycling some products reduces the amountof damage we do to the environment.Most people advocate __________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

2. Some people still oppose the view that mothers can be career womentoo.Some people feel ______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

3. One argument against nuclear testing is that it has long-lasting effects

on surrounding areas.Sceptics point out that _________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

4. It is generally held that harsher punishments for criminals would resultin a decrease in the criminal rate.Many people support ___________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

5. Critics often argue that the use of computers is reducing levels of

literacy.A further common _____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________

EXERCISE 2:Fill in the gaps using words and expressions studied above.

1. Some people support the _________________ that the wealthiercountries of the world should support the less developed countries.

2. One major _________________ of using public transport is that it canget very crowded during busy periods.

3. Environmentalists _________________ banning the use of cars in thecity centre.

4. Another negative __________________ of keeping pets is thatveterinary bills can be extremely expensive.

5. It is widely ____________________ that nuclear weapons should bebanned world-wide to eliminate the threat of nuclear war.

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6. A _________________ advantage of owning a mobile phone is that onecan contact others from almost anywhere.


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For & Against Essays SAMPLES

EXERCISE 1:

- INTRODUCTIONo Paragraph 1: Summary of the topic

- MAIN BODYo Paragraph 2: (FOR) National security (e.g. military

secrets)o Paragraph 3:(FOR) Restrictions on offensive materialo Paragraph 4: (AGAINST) Repressive governments abuse

censorshipo Paragraph 5: (AGAINST) Adults should have the freedom

of choice- CONCLUSION

o Paragraph 6: Balanced consideration of the topic (achievebalance between requirements of country and individualsrights)

EXERCISE 2:

Paragraph 1: WhilstParagraph 2: Firstly, For instance, ConsequentlyParagraph 3: Secondly, For this reasonParagraph 4: In contrast, ThusParagraph 5: Furthermore, Therefore, For example, ThusParagraph 6: All things considered

TASK 3:Aspect of the discussion clock related to:Political, moral, social

For & Against Essays LINKING WORDS

EXERCISE 1:

1. Most people advocate recycling some products in order to reducethe amount of damage we do to the environment.

2. Some people feel that mothers cannot be career women too.

3. Sceptics point out that nuclear testing has long-lasting effects onsurrounding areas.

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4. Many people support the view that harsher punishments forcriminals would result in a decrease in the crime rate.

5. A further common criticism of computers is that their use is

reducing levels of literacy.

EXERCISE 2:

1. view2. drawback/disadvantage3. advocate4. aspect5. held/maintained/believed, etc.6. further


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Opinion Essays SAMPLES

In an opinion essay you will state your opinion on a topic.

EXERCISE 1: Read the model below and complete the paragraph planbelow identifying the topic of each paragraph. Has an opposing viewbeen included, and if so, in which paragraph?

Throughout this century, the role of women within society haschanged, and the majority of people feel that this change is for the better.More women work than ever before, and it is accepted in Western culturethat many women now have careers. Nonetheless, in my opinion there isstill a great deal of sexual discrimination against women within society, and

the belief that sexual equality has been achieved is not altogetheraccurate.To begin with , many women find it very difficult to return to work

after having children. The main reason for this is that there are rarely anyprovisions made for childcare in the workplace and, in these cases, womenare forced to find someone to look after the children while they are atwork. Obviously, this can prove to be a time-consuming and expensiveprocess, yet it must be done if mothers are to be able to resume theircareers.

Secondly, the traditional views of the position of women withinsociety are so deeply ingrained that they have not really changed. Forinstance, not only is the view that women should stay at home and lookafter their family still widely held, but it is reinforced through images seenon television programmes and advertisements. An example of this is thatfew men are ever seen doing housework on television, since this istraditionally thought of as a womans job.

Thirdly, since families often need two incomes in order to enjoy agood standard of living, a woman finds herself doing two jobs: one at home

and one at the office. So, it could be said that a womans position has, infact, deteriorated rather than improved, with the result that women carrythe burdens of equality but get none of the benefits.

In contrast , there are some people who claim that the problem ofsexual discrimination no longer exists. They point out that women do, afterall, have legal rights intended to protect them from discrimination. Inaddition , a few women are now beginning to reach top positions as judges,business leaders and politicians, while a number of other previously all-maleprofessions are opening their ranks to women. Nonetheless , these examplesare not the norm and discrimination is still very much with us.

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Taking these points into consideration , I would say that the positionof women has improved only slightly. While rules and laws have changed, itis the deep-rooted opinions of people within society which are taking alonger time to evolve. Needless to say , until these attitudes have changed,sexual discrimination will remain a problem which we all need to face andfight against.

8.9.10.11.12.

- INTRODUCTIONo Summary of the topic clear statement of opinion

- MAIN BODYo ________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

o _________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

o _________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

o _________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

- CONCLUSIONo _________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________


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1. Opinion Essays - STRUCTURE

An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing where your opinion on atopic is stated. This opinion must be stated clearly, giving various

viewpoints on the topic supported by reasons and/or examples.

1. An introductory paragraph in which you state the topic and youropinion.

2. A main body which consists of several paragraphs, eachpresenting the viewpoint supported by reasons. You also include afinal paragraph presenting the opposing viewpoint and reason whyyou think it is an unconvincing viewpoint.

3. A conclusion in which you restate your opinion using differentwording.

EXERCISE 1: Read the main body of the essay below on the topic: State benefits should be available to all Do you agree? Read thebeginnings and endings and say which of the 3 strategies used tomake introductions more interesting are present here.

A man wakes up and sees well-shod feet rushing within inchesof his face. His filthy sleeping bag is damp, and the sodden cardboardbox which shelters him is about to collapse. Yet, he cannot afford areal home and state benefits are not available to him. This situation isnot uncommon although, in my opinion, such unfortunate peopleshould all be eligible for financial aid.

A man wakes up and sees well-shod feet rushing with inchesof his face. His filthy sleeping bag is damp, and the soddencardboard box which shelters him is about to collapse. Yet, hecannot afford a real home and state benefits are not available tohim. This situation is not uncommon although, in my opinion, suchunfortunate people should all be eligible for financial aid.

A man wakes up and sees well-shod feet rushing within inchesof his face. His filthy sleeping bag is damp, and the soddencardboard box which shelters him is about to collapse. Yet, hecannot afford a real home and state benefits are not available tohim. This situation is not uncommon although, in my opinion, suchunfortunate people should all be eligible for financial aid.

Have you ever wondered what it must be like to wake up ona cold pavement, knowing that you will have to spend the daywandering from place to place, penniless and hungry? Forthousands of people in the western world this is an everydayexperience although in my opinion, it does not have to be thatway if the state administers benefits properly and fairly.

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George Bernard Shaw once wrote, The greatest of evils andthe worst of crimes is poverty. The question is why the homeless,the disabled and the elderly should be treated like criminals by thestate rather than be given the help and services they rightfully

deserve. I believe that all people in need should be given help andsupport by the state.

In the first place, I think it is wrong to deny state benefits to anyperson in need. It seems to me totally unfair that a homeless personshould be denied state benefits simply because he or she has no fixedaddress. In effect , the homeless person is being punished for beinghomeless, whereas state benefits would allow that person to find andmaintain a home.

In addition , it is not only the homeless who suffer from lack of stateaid but the handicapped are also neglected. Although all disabled people areentitled to state benefits, many are unaware of the range and variety ofbenefits they could be receiving in order to improve the quality of theirlives. This is a result of the complexity of the state system and the lackof clear information about benefits. It appears that these people aresuffering for the simple reason that the state does not care enough tomake information freely available to those who are clearly in need offinancial help.

Furthermore, the elderly are another sector of society who sufferboth from lack of information and lack of concern. It is often the case thatmedical benefits are denied simply because a person is not visibly ordramatically ill, whereas in fact this person is in need of additional benefitsin order to maintain a reasonable level of health. Such people obviously deserve to receive all the benefits they are entitled to.

There are those who argue, on the other hand, that many peoplereceive state aid although they do not deserve it. It is true that there issuch a problem. Certain people take advantage of the system by registeringfor benefits in more than one country, or claim to have dependents who donot even exist. It is my belief that it is the responsibility of the state toimpose tighter controls so that only those who are truly in need of benefitsreceive them.

EXERCISE 2: List the viewpoints presented and the justifications orexamples.

EXERCISE 3: Replace the bold type words or phrases with other

synonymous ones.

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MAIN SOURCE:Evans, V. Successful Writing Proficiency. Express Publishing. London1998

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Opinion Essays LINKING WORDS

1. Useful expressions for giving opinions:

To my mind/To my way of thinking, It is my (firm) belief/opinion/view/conviction (that)...In my opinion/view...I (firmly) believe thatI am (not) convinced that...I (do not) agree that/withIt strikes me that...I am inclined to believe thatIt seems/appears to me that...As far as I am concerned,

EXERCISE 1 : Look at the following skeleton sentences and decidewhether you agree or disagree with each statement. Then, give youropinion on each, using expressions from the above table andexpanding the sentences.

1. television/have/negative effect/society2. carry out experiments/animals/be/morally wrong3. wildlife parks,/if/be/managed properly,/can help/protection/certainendangered species

4. real problem/be/lack/public awareness/and/not/lack/recyclingfacilities5. more responsibility/one/have/less freedom one/enjoy6. only alternative/some poor people/be steal

EXERCISE 2: Read again the text about the role of women andreplace the linking words or phrases in bold with other synonymousones.

1.

2.3.8.9.10.11.12.

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Opinion essays SAMPLES

EXERCISE 1:

Main Body

Viewpoint 1: Difficult for women who have children to resume careerViewpoint 2: Traditional views (ie. Woman as housewife) unchangedViewpoint 3: Woman does two jobs = worse positionOpposing viewpoint: legal rights, (a few) top jobs for women

Conclusion

Summary/restatement of opinion

EXERCISE 2:

5 th paragraph

Opinion essays STRUCTURE

EXERCISE 1 :

Beginnings :

1. reference to unusual/stricking scene2. addresses reader directly3. use of quotation

Endings :A. summarises/restates opinionB. rhetorical questionC. give reader something to consider (thought-provoking statement)

EXERCISE 2.

Viewpoint 1: unfair a homeless person is