Essay writing


Writing the independent task essay:
Types of Questions


1. Agree/ Disagree - This type of question lists an opinion and asks if you agree with it or not, then explain by giving reasons/details and/ or examples.

2. Choice/ Preference - This type of question lists two options and asks you to take a side, then explain your choice giving REASONS and examples if asked in the question.

3. Compare/ Contrast - You need to compare and/or contrast 2 or more

things/views

4. Advantages and Disadvantages – Usually you need to discuss both sides.

5. If/What - What will do you in a certain scenario?

6. What/How - Answer the topic question then explain your answer.

7. Why - Answer the topic question then explain your answer.




The Introductory Paragraph







The FUNNEL






What does the funnel mean?


  1. GENERAL or INTEREST

  2. LIMITING introduce topic

  3. THESIS or ORGANIZATION sentence.
















Analysis of introductory paragraphs


1) Promotions based on seniority and based on performance


The promotion system is an important tool for enterprises and organizations in order to obtain good results and to manage human resources. It is mainly relevant for motivating workers, and I think managers should pay attention to this aspect, and should not give promotions randomly. Promotions can be based on seniority and on performance, both of them present some advantages.





2) Has the ease of cooking improved life?


Recent technological advancements have changed the way

people live radically; also, they have made food easier to prepare

- fast foods and preserved foods are everywhere. The

days when cooking of food was a major errand of the day

have long become the past. Nowadays, it's only a matter of

minutes to cook food; however, this improvement does not

come without a price.



3) Books and experience

Books are considered to be the source of all knowledge, but

all that one learns through a book is only of theoretical nature

in the form of ideas and concepts. It is essential to utilize

them in a real environment and experience the knowledge

that is learned from books.




  1. Good leaders


Early in the history of civilization, the peoples that first inhabited our planet earth naturally chose a person to lead them, who was usually the strongest and the smartest of the group. They felt the need of guidance, and so what we call leadership came to be. A leader is someone who outstands in a community and always has the support of his or her people. However, can we say that the leader is acting in the right way? How can we make sure that this person we follow is a good one?








FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO WRITE YOUR ESSAY:


1) DECODE the question: break the exam question into parts. Write down the KEY words or phrases in the question such as the main topic to write about, and the word reason or detail or example. These words are very important because they directly tell you which supporting points you must include to sustain your main idea or topic statement.


2) OUTLINE the essay. Think of a the organization of the four-paragraph essay in FOUR sentences or phrases. Produce a chart with phrases or sentences for the thesis-which is YOUR ANSWER to the QUESTION- in the INTRODUCTION-The main idea of the whole essay. 


  • topic sentence(reason 1) in SP1 (SP = support paragraph)
  • topic sentence (reason 2) in SP2


restated thesis (THE ANSWER) in the CONCLUSION


OUTLINE:


  • Introduction: THESIS

  • SP1-(reason 1) This will be the first sentence of the first paragraph. 

  • + Detail and/or example

  • SP2-(reason 2) This will be the first sentence of the second paragraph. 

  • +detail and/or example

  • Conclusion: restated THESIS 

Example:


Some people prefer  to work in groups on projects, while other people prefer to work alone. What are the advantages of each, and which do you prefer? Use reasons and examples to support your response. 



BRAINSTORMING (YOUR CLOUD) 


Working in groups: interact with others/ learn from others/cooperative work 

Example: your own experience working in groups at school (university


Working alone: Doing your work when, where and how you want. 

Example: Your own experience in this case. Sometimes you can mention a general situation that works just as an example


Outline:


  • Thesis: advantages of working in groups: learn from others

Cooperative work, and advantages of working alone: Do work how you want/where you want/ 


  • SP1 reason: You learn from others.

How each member cooperates.


  • SP2 reason: /you do work alone when, where and how you want.


  • Conclusion: Rephrased THESIS

Working with others is advantageous / Doing it alone can have its benefits. 


PRACTICE WITH THESE ESSAY QUESTIONS: 

Read the essay questions and then brainstorm for ideas in less than 5 minutes to be able to make an outline of what organization pattern you will use to organize the paragraphs: intro, SP1, SP2, ...conclusion. 


1) What famous place would you like to visit? Use reasons and details to support your response.


2) If you could change one important thing about your country, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. 


3) Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?


Actions speak louder than words


Use specific reasons and examples to support your response. 


4) Compare yourself today and yourself five years ago. In what ways are you the same or different? Use specific EXAMPLES to support your response. 


5) Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People pay too much attention to the less important things in life and fail to see the larger issues. Use specific reasons and details to explain your opinion. 


6) Which do you feel is more important in your life: security or freedom and independence? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion. 


7) What is the best age to marry? Use reasons and examples to support your response. 


8) Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the help of technology, life is easier today than in the past. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. 

9) Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A problem shared is a problem solved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. 


10) Some music is very inspirational. Other music seems boring and meaningless. Which type of music do you listen to and why do you think some music forms are much more popular than others? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.