Writing an Essay for FCE

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FCE Writing

Essays

BRAINSTORMING AND ORGANISING YOUR IDEAS

You can improve your writing by brainstorming ideas and then organising them before you begin writing.

Today's tip: ALWAYS MAKE A PLAN BEFORE STARTING YOUR WRITING ASSIGNMENT

The exam 

'Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay. Young people these days tend to be less interested' in their health. Do you agree?'

NOTE: An essay is always written for the teacher, it should anwer the question by addressing both content points and providing a new content point of your own. 

The essay should be....

Well organised with an introduction and an appropriate conclusion and should be written in an appropriate register and tone (relatively formal and objective tone).

While it is possible to argue one point of view (agreeing or disagreeing), it is probably easier to have a balanced discussion comparing advantages and disadvantages or ideas for and against.

How to write the essay.

• Read the essay question and prompts VERY carefully. Then you will know what you have to do. 
  
• It is important to keep the focus of the question and that ALL your ideas and opinions are relevant to the question.
• Support your opinions with reasons and examples.
• Think of a third idea of your own.
• Ideas need to be expressed in a clear and logical way.

It is advisable to use 5 paragraphs

1. Introduction
   
2. Prompt 1 topic + reason(s)/example(s)
3. Prompt 2 topic + reason(s)/example(s)
4. Prompt 3 topic + reason(s)/example(s) (own idea)
5. Conclusion (you should include your opinion here)

Remember: 140 - 190 words

Exercise:

Now that you know this, return to the essay you wrote. Make sure you divide it into 5 parts by using a blank/white line between each topic, including introduction & conclusion.

• Did you argue 3 parts?
• Did you use linking adverbials?
• Did you write a good introduction and conclusion?
• Don't forget to use the example essay!

Rewrite your essay.

Now you need a great introduction

It's often difficult to start writing, because you don't know what to say in the first sentence.
1st sentence is really important, it's the reader's introduction to you.
How could you get their attention?
One way to get their attention is to ask a question.

THE INTRODUCTION SHOULD BE QUITE SHORT AS OTHERWISE YOU WON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME/WORD COUNT TO DEAL WITH THE REST OF THE TASK

Essay linking words and phrases

• To express personal opinions: In my opinion, I believe that, I feel that/ it seems to me/ in my view/ as I see it / I think/ personally. 
• To show purpose: to / in order to / so as to / so that
• To list ideas: Firstly/secondly/ finally/ In the first place/Lastly
• To contrast ideas: However/ although/ in contrast/ whereas/ but/ nethertheless / in spite of / despite. 

Essay linking words and phrases (continued)

• To describe a cause: Because/ since/ as/ due to
• To show a sequence: First of all/ then / after that / eventually/ in the end / finally
• To add information: In addition / moreover / what is more / besides / too / furthermore / and
• To conclude the topic: In conclusion / to sum up? in short / all in all

https:

The Conclusion

Never introduce a new topic in the conclusion!

Use it to wrap up what you have already said and to EXPRESS YOUR OPINION.

Tomorrow: 

We will write the essay during our online class.

To prepare: 

• Make sure that you have made a plan (this was h/w from last week's lesson) - If you are not happy with your plan then adapt it. 
• Read through this lessonUp and today's notes. 
• Take another look at p.165 in the writing file.