Writing 2º Bachillerato

DESCRIPTIVE TEXTS

Description of a Place

1st paragraphName the placeName and location of the placeThe Isle of Skye is in the northwest of Scotland

2nd paragraphDescribe its physical characteristicsIt is known for its magnificent coast and its beautiful

Special features and points of interestNot many places to see but beautiful sights, splendid mountains and coast line

3rd paragraphAtmosphere of the placePeople culture and life styleHistorical detailsHow are people? What do they live on? Historical details ?

Conclusion

General conclusion about the place

The Isle of Skye is a great place to visit if you like to look at beautiful landscape and traditional way of living.

Model Composition 2 Brighton

Last year I visited the famous seaside town of Brighton, on the south coast of England. Everyone talks about the bad weather in England. However, a couple of hours after we arrived ,the sun came out and for the rest of our visit, we enjoyed beautiful summer days.

Brighton has a large beach covered with pebbles, and next to it a very attractive promenade and a long pier. The sea air always smells wonderful, and I spent hours lying in the warm sunshine , listening to the happy sounds of the children. I also visited the nearby palace, and spent time buying souvenirs and other items at the excellent shops in The Lanes.

It was a wonderful holiday. If you get the chance to visit Brighton, I certainly recommend you go.

OPENING

INCLUDES THE NAME AND THE LOCATION OF THE PLACE AND WHY IT IS SPECIAL TO YOU

BODY

A.A. PARAGRAPH 1PARAGRAPH 1

A. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

B. SPECIAL FEATURES (WEATHER, LIGHT, LANDSCAPE, MOUNTAINS ETC)

C. POINTS OF INTEREST (BUILDINGS, NATURAL SIGHTS ETC)

D. GOOD AND BAD POINTS

B.B. PARAGRAPH 2PARAGRAPH 2

A. ATMOSPHERE

A. SOUNDS AND SMELLS

B. THE PEOPLE

C. LIFESTYLE

D. HISTORICAL DETAILS

CLOSING

SUMMARISES GENERAL CONCLUSION ABOUT PLACE AS WELL AS OPINION

OPENING

INCLUDES THE NAME AND THE LOCATION OF THE PLACE AND WHY IT IS SPECIAL TO YOU

BODY

A.A. PARAGRAPH 1PARAGRAPH 1

A. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS (small, large, …)

B. SPECIAL FEATURES (WEATHER, LIGHT, LANDSCAPE, MOUNTAINS ETC)

C. POINTS OF INTEREST (BUILDINGS, NATURAL SIGHTS ETC)

B.B. PARAGRAPH 2PARAGRAPH 2

A. ATMOSPHERE

A. SOUNDS AND SMELLS (dirty, smelly, noisy)

B. THE PEOPLE (farmers, workers, quiet, calm , friendly..)

C. LIFESTYLE (hectic , slow )

D. HISTORICAL DETAILS

CLOSING

SUMMARISES GENERAL CONCLUSION ABOUT PLACE AS WELL AS OPINION (good and bad points)

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Application letter

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1. 17th June 20052. Teenstyle Fashions 212-214 Lord Street Manchester M3 8ED3. Yours faithfully,4. The Manager5. Flat 2 12 Caledonian Street Edinburgh ED6 8UD6. Hannah Brown7. Dear Sir or Madam,8. Reason for writing9. Qualifications andExperience10. closing, thanking willingless to go to Interviews etc.

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FORMAL LETTER

C/ Remedios, 12-10 B04002 Almería

Apdo Correos 759328017 Madrid

8th June 2006

Dear Sir / Madam,

I read your advertisement, and I would like to apply for the job.

I have always been interested in the hotel business. When I finished secondary school last year June, I spent several months in London Paris, so I now speak English and French fluently. I also know how to use a computer. Although I do not have hotel experience , I am very hard-working and willing to learn. Furthermore , I would be willing to move anywhere in SpainI would be very happy to attend an interview whenever it is convenient. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

Isabel López

Isabel López

Writer’s address

greeting

date

Addressee's address

REASON FOR WRITING

MAIN INFORMATION

THANKS AND

POLITE FINISH

CLOSING

1. Writer’s address

2. Addressees address

3. Greeting

4. Closing

5. Thanks and polite finish

6. Main information

7. Reason for the letter

8. Date

C/ Remedios, 12-10 B04002 Almería

Mr John BrownApdo Correos 759328017 Madrid

8th June 2006

Dear Mr Brown,

I read your advertisement posted in El Mundo (January31st) , and I would like to apply for the job.

I have always been interested in the hotel business. When I finished secondary school last year June, I spent several months in London Paris, so I now speak English and French fluently. I also know how to use a computer. Although I do not have hotel experience , I am very hard-working and willing to learn. Furthermore , I would be willing to move anywhere in SpainI would be very happy to attend an interview whenever it is convenient. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for considering my application

Yours sincerely

Isabel López

Isabel López

If we know the name of the person

we are addressing

We use sincerely in the closing

Experience

Qualifications

Qualities

Availability

C/ Remedios, 12-10 B04002 Almería

CAMP UNIVERSEP.O BOX 676HarrogateN. YorksUK

8th June 2006

Dear Sir /Madam,

I believe that I will be able to make a positive contribution to the group and to the camp itself. I look forward to receiving and invitation for an interview.

Yours faithfully

Isabel López

David Serra

I have just learnt that you are looking for participants for the intenational Youth Camp in Sydney, and I would like to apply.

I am 17 years old and live in Salamanca. I am the editor of our school’s newspaper and I always write the articles about culture, especially music and cinema. As you can see from my letter, I’ve got a good knowledge of English. Moreover, I have friends from all over the world whom I have met through the Internet.

1. The address of the person who will receive the letter

2. David’s address

3. The reason for the letter

4. The date the letter was written

5. The greeting

6. The closing

7. The main information

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Sender’s Address Street Postal code and City DateAddressee’s AddressName and surname/PositionStreet Postal code and CitySalutation: Dear Sir/Madam/Sir or Madam, Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Surname1st Paragraph: Reason for writingI am writing in connection with…I would like to apply for the job/position of …I am writing to apply for the post of …I think I could possibly fit your requirements. 2nd Paragraph: Qualifications and experience. As you can see from my CV, I have finished/completed a degree in…/ I have had 6 years experience as …I am … old and was educated at ….. school.On leaving college I …My qualifications include …For the last six years I have been working as …I can speak …. fluently. I know a little … (language). Paragraph 3: Express wish to be contacted and given job opportunityI would be happy to attend an interview at a time convenient for you.I would be most grateful if you could send (information) about… / tell …I would gradly answer any request for further information.Thank you for your consideration.I look forward to hearing from you (soon). I look forward for your replyYours faithfully/yours sincerely, Signature Your name and surname

(Enc. CV)

Requesting information letter

Isabel TorrenteC/ Remedios, 12-10 B

04002 Almería

Mr Edmund Wilson20 Fox Hollies RoadCanterbury, C5 7UREngland

8th June 2006

Dear Mr Wilson,

I am writing in response for your advertisement for a summer school in England which I saw in El País (April29th) . I would be grateful if you could give some informationabout it.

Thank you in advance for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future

Yours sincerely

Isabel López

Isabel Torrente

First of all, I am interested in conversational English so I would be grateful on information regarding the type of conversation offered. I would also appreciate information on the length of the courses and size of the classes.

Secondly, I would like to know the total cost of the course and whether accommodation and food are provided

•Opening

•Introduction

•Body

•Conclusion

•closing

1. Ask for information about the course

2. The reason for the letter

3. Thanks Mr Wilson

4. Ask for information about the price

FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY

IntroductionIntroductionState the topic in an impersonal way

Arguments for

Arguments against

ConclusionConclusionSummary + conclusion

Yes they are equal (for)

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No they are not (against)

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•Yes, Women Are Now Equal To Men.

•Many governments have both male and female representatives. •Many companies are now owned or managed by women. •A lot of progress has been made since the 1960s. •Television series now portray women as successful career makers. •Men now share in the raising of children and household responsibilities. •Many important laws have been passed to ensure equality in the workplace. •In many places, a married couple can choose whether the man or the women takes leave from work to look after the newly arrived baby. •People aren't discussing equality anymore. It has become a reality. •Have you ever heard of Margaret Thatcher?

•Excuse Me? Women Still Have A Long Way to Go Before They Are Equal To Men.

•Women still earn less than men in many work situations. •Women are still portrayed in a superficial manner in many television shows. •Look at international sporting. How many professional female leagues are as successful as their male counterparts? •Most governments still are made up in their majority of men. •We are having this debate because women are not equal. Otherwise, there would be no need to discuss the matter. •Women are often not given enough responsibility based on the possibility that they might become pregnant. •The amount of sexual harassment suits have increased over the past 10 years. •Hundreds of years of history can't have been changed in a mere 30 odd years. •Have you ever watched Bay Watch?

OPENING

FOR

AGAINST

CONCLUSION

Those who believe that menPeople who believe ..

On the one hand

Those who believe that….People who believe that……….usually say…..

On the other hand

In short, In conclusion, summing upI personally believe…

Some people think that women are equal to men. However, others believe that there is still a long way to go before men and women have the same opportunities in life.

Some people think that women are equal to men. However, others believe there is still a long way to go before men and women have the same opportunities in life.

On the one hand, those who believe that men and women have equal opportunities in life claim that in the past thirty years women’s life has improved substantially . For instance, today women can choose whether to stay at home and raise their children or work. In the past this was unthinkable . Moreover, many women today hold post of responsibility not only in the business world, but also in politics. More and more women are becoming ministers or secretaries or even Prime Minister in countries all over the world.

On the other hand, those who believe that women are not yet equal, affirm that, although women can choose whether to work or not, quite often, employers do not take on women in case they get pregnant. In addition, it is also a fact, that many women get paid less than men in cases where the jobs and the responsibilities are the same.

All in all, women today have more job opportunities than in the past. However, still today they are discriminated by many employers . I personally believe that , although a lot has been achieved in recent years, there is still much do as far as women’s equality with respect to men.

It is a well known fact that more and more women are entering the job market nowadays. Some people think that women have the same job opportunitieswhen they enter this market. However, others think that the situation is not as simple as it might seem.

Those who believe that men and women have equal opportunities in life claim that in the past thirty years women’s life has improved substantially . For instance, today women can choose whether to stay at home and raise their children or work. In the past this was unthinkable . Moreover, many women today hold post of responsibility not only in the business world, but also in politics. More and more women are becoming ministers or secretaries or even Prime Minister in countries all over the world.

Those who believe that women are not yet equal, affirm that, although women can choose whether to work or not, quite often, employers do not take on women in case they get pregnant. In addition, it is also a fact, that many women get paid less than men in cases where the jobs and the responsibilities are the same.

All in all, women today have more job opportunities than in the past. However, still today they are discriminated by many employers . I personally believe that , although a lot has been achieved in recent years, there is still much do as far as women’s equality with respect to men.

Useful expressions

• On the one hand …• Some people believe

…• Those who are in

favour of…• One aspect of the

issue is …• One advantage is …

• On the other hand• Other people believe

…• Those who are

against …• Another aspect of the

issue is …• Another advantage

is…

SUMMARIES

TIPS ON WRITNG SUMMARIES

• INCLUDE ONLY THE MOST RELEVANT INFORMATION

• IDEAS ARE ORGANISED IN ONE PARAGRAPH• LANGUAGE IS SIMPLE• DON’T GIVE UNNECESSARY DETAILS OR

PERSONAL OPINIONS• UNDERLINE THE MAIN IDEAS IN THE ORIGINAL

TEXT • IN A TEXT EACH PARAGRAPH USUALLY REFERS TO

AN IDEA. TRANSFER EACH OF THOSE MAIN IDEAS TO A GRAPHIC ORGANIZER BEFORE YOU START WRITING YOUR SUMMARY

SummaryParagraph 1• We are all exposed to piped

music whether we like it or not.Paragraph 2• This music is played in many

public places such as bus stations, or shops.

Paragraph 3• This music is annoys many

people . • The replaying of the same

music irritates many peopleParagraph 4• This might be a way of control

as it may have a subconscious effect

We are constantly exposed to piped music whether we like it or not. This music is played in many public places such as bus station or shops. Many people are annoyed by this music and quite often the repetitive replaying of music of this type can became irritating. In addition, this piped music might be a form of control as it may have a subconscious effect on us

SummaryParagraph 1• ____________________

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Paragraph 2• ____________________

_______________________________

Paragraph 3• ____________________

______________Paragraph 4• ____________________

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OPINION ESSAY

Opinion EssayOpinion Essay

STATE THE TOPIC AND YOUR OPINION

JUSTIFY YOUR OPINION WITH FACTS REASONS AND EXAMPLES

NEW IDEA NEW PARAGRAPH

RESTATE YOUR OPINION

MAYBE OFFER A SOLUTION OR INCLUDE A WARNING

While some people claim that women today are as discriminated as they were one century ago, in my opinion, women today are equal to men and have the same rights or even more than men

Some people say that there is still a long way to go before men and women are equal, however, many laws have been passed to ensure equality. For instance, today, both men and women can take maternity leave when they have a child

A lot of progress has been made since 1960s and a lot of governments have chosen women as their main representatives. This was the case in Britain, where Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady, became Prime Minister in the 1980s. More recently, in Germany Angela Merker, has became the first women president in the history of the country. In addition, Zapatero, Spain’s Prime Minister, created a government where half of its components were women and this I personally believe is an important advance towards equality.

All in all, we can affirm that significant progress has been made to ensure equality between men and women. Both the private and public sectors are working hard towards this reality which I clearly believe has become a reality today. Nevertheless, I strongly agree, with those who think that much more could be done in the future.

ARE MEN AND WOMEN EQUAL TODAY?

Opinion EssayOpinion Essay

STATE THE TOPIC AND YOUR OPINION

JUSTIFY YOUR OPINION WITH REASONS, FACTS AND EXAMPLES

NEW IDEA NEW PARAGRAPH

RESTATE YOUR OPINION

MAYBE OFFER A SOLUTION OR INCLUDE A WARNING

All in all,

.

TITLE “WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOU WHEN YOU ARE A TEENAGER?

Useful expressions

• In my opinion• In my view• As I see it• I strongly believe• I strongly feel• I am in favour of• I am against• I agree with

• I disagree with• It is clear to me that• Obviously• Possibly

BIOGRAPHIES

INTRODUCTION

THE CHARACTER: WHY IMPORTANT, PLACE AND DATE OF BIRTH: PERHAPS SOMETHING ABOUT HIS CHILDHOOD

BODY

RELEVANT INFORMATION IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

•EDUCATION

•CAREER

•ACHIEVEMENTS

CONCLUSION

SUMMARISES AND LEAVES STRONG IMPRESSION

1ST PARAGRAPH

2ND PARAGRAPH

3RD PARAGRAPH

IN ONE PARAGRAPH

Martin Luther King ,who devoted his life to fighting social injustice, was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929. Later, he moved to Alabama where he worked as a minister and lived with his family. In his non-violent struggle for social, economic and political equality for the black community in the USA, he organised boycotts and protest marches. Martin Luther King became an international hero and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1964. Four years after that, he was assassinated . The third Monday in January is the day when people in the USA remember his achievements and his famous speech.

IN SEVERAL PARAGRAPHS

Wan Dan was a student leader in the fight for democracy in China. He first became famous when he led student demonstrations in the Tiananmen Square movement

In 1991, Wang was sentence to four years in prison for counter-revolutionary propaganda, but was released two years later. After that, he was arrested on several occasions. Finally, he was charged with conspiring to subvert the government, and sent to jail for 11 years.

After serving two years in prison, he was released because of ill-health , on condition that he leave the country. Wang Dan now lives in the USA and has completed his Master’s degree in history at Harvard University

Model Biographyone paragraph

Alexander Graham Bell was born in Scotland in 1847. He went to Canada in 1870 and then eventually to America where, in 1872, he opened a school to teach teachers of the deaf. Bell soon became a professor at Boston University where he studied the science of speech. He spent much of his time trying to discover a way in which people could talk to each other over long distances. Then , in 1876, Bell invented a telephone that worked. The first person he spoke to was man named Watson who worked with him in his laboratory. The first words that were ever spoken on a telephone were, “Watson, I want you.” The age of communication had finally begun!

Martin Luther King - Biography

• Martin Luther King , an American Minister and civil rights leader, who was the son of a Baptist pastor, was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929. He married Coretta Scott and had four children.

• He graduated from Morehouse College in 1948. Soon after he organized civil rights activities first in the south and then nationwide. Because of this he was arrested several times between the 1950s and 1960s

• The turning point of his career was in 1963 when he organized a protest demonstration that brought him worldwide attention. In August of the same year MLK participated in the organization of a March in Washington where he gave his famous speech “I have a dream. Soon after, in 1964 he would receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

• Martin Luther King wrote many books related to Civil Rights for black people. Unfortunately, in 1968, he was shot and killed while standing on the balcony of a motel . Today this motel has become a Civil Rights Museum

• Summing up, we can affirm that MLK is probably one of the most outstanding characters of the twentieth century. His peaceful fight for black people’s human rights drastically changed the American Civil Rights scenario in the years to come.

PRESENTATION

EDUCATION

CONCLUSION

CAREER

ACHIEVEMENTS

ACHIEVEMENTS

BiographyMohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi was born in India, in 1869.

He studied law in England and in 1893 went to live in South Africa, where he worked as a lawyer. To protest discrimination against Indians in South Africa, Gandhi introduced passive resistance between 1907 and 1914.

He returned to India in 1914 to fight for the poor. In 1919 , he organised the first campaign of non-violent resistance against the British. He was put in prison for two years for conspiracy

In 1924, Gandhi became President of the Congress Party, which became the Indian National Congress. This party fought for independence by means of non-violent non-cooperation. In 1942, Gandhi led a nationwide campaign against the British. He was imprisoned once again.

In 1947, India gained independence from Britain. Gandhi was assassinated a year later

SUMMARISING THE PLOT OF A FILM

SUMMARISE THE PLOT OF ANY FILM YOU HAVE SEEN ABOUT A HEROINE OR HERO

The film tells the story Robin Hood, who returns home from the Crusades to find the evil Sheriff of Nottingham ruling the area where he used to live. In order to help the poor, Robin Hood, who is himself and aristocrat, becomes a bandit.

Together with a small group of friends, Robin Hood gets rid of, and eventually kills , the Sheriff of Nottingham. Furthermore, he helps the people of the area by stealing form the rich and giving to the poor. Of course, he also falls in love with the beautiful heroine, Maid Marian. In the end, Robin Hood and his people succeed and defeat the evil leaders.

This film is a very popular Hollywood classic, probably because people love films in which the hero struggles for justice, and good triumphs. The actors are really convincing , the music is very romantic and the special effects are amazing.

Robin Hood – The Prince of Thieves

Structure in order to summarise a film

TYPE OF FILM

One of my favourite films is “Lord of the Rings”. It is an adventure film which illustrates the fight between good and evil as well as the fragility of human nature.

PLOT

In the film, Frodo and other Hobbits, start their journey to Mordor in order to destroy a ring . The evil forces want to get hold of the ring too so throughout their journey they are constantly threaten by evil forces. In the end, Frodo achieves his goal and good triumphs above evil.

MAIN FEATURES OF THE FILM AND OPINION

The movie is amazing as it very faithfully recreates the settings and characters portrayed by Tolkien’s novel. The special effects are amazing, the characters are really handsome and the music is really good.

NARRATIVE TEXTS

OPENING

BODY

ENDING

EVENT 1

EVENT 5EVENT 4

EVENT 3EVENT 2

EVENT 6

WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN WHY

OPENING

BODY

ENDING

EVENT 1

He makes sure it’s safe

EVENT 5

He was asked to identify the criminal in a line-up

EVENT 4

The policeman decided he was telling the truth

EVENT 3

The policeman listened

EVENT 2

He described what happened

EVENT 6

WHO

Struthers

WHAT Went to Police Station

WHERE

Police StWHEN

WHY

Report Stabbing

Speculative and hypothetical writing

• In reflective writing you may be asked to speculate about the future, or about a hypothetical situation. For example, you may be asked to comment on whether you would like to practise in a rural area in your future career.

use of 'would' when speculating about the future.

• Although my rural placement was a very positive experience, I would not like to work in the country when I first graduate. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, being a country doctor is more challenging – you do not have the support networks available in the city, so you have to cope with many different situations. Also, you have less privacy. In the country I would have to behave as the local doctor all the time, 24 hours a day. There would not be an opportunity to just be myself and not worry about what people think. Living in the country I would be far away from my family, and might feel lonely for that reason. Finally, I would have to focus on general practice, whereas my interest lies in more specialized areas of medicine.

WRITING A BOOK REVIEW

• You should try to write a strong introductory sentence that grabs your reader's attention. Somewhere in your first paragraph, you should also state the book's title (italicized), the topic, and the author's name.

• First Paragraph Example: The Red Badge of Courage , by Stephen Crane, is a book about a young man growing up during the Civil War. Henry Fleming is the main character of the book. As Henry watches and experiences the tragic events of the war, he grows up and changes his attitudes about life.

• Body• Before you get started on the body of the report, take a

few minutes to jot down some helpful information by considering the following points.

• Did you enjoy the book? • Was it well written? • What was the genre? • (fiction) Which characters play important roles that relate

to the overall theme?

• Is this book a part of a series? • What is the writing style? • ETC…

• Conclusion

• As you lead to your final paragraph, consider some additional impressions and opinions:

• Was the ending satisfactory (for fiction)?

• What interesting or notable facts do you know about the author?

• Would you recommend this book?