How to write an essay
FCE writing
What is an essay?
• An essay is an opinion writing with which
+) we analyse a topic, a situation or an issue from different points of view.
+) we provide different arguments and express our opinion about it.
+) For this reason, an essay must have the following features:
- Purpose(What we usually do with an essay is to analyse and assess a topic)
- Style (serious or controversial issue, an essay is written in a formal style)
- Structure (an essay must present a defined structure.)
- Opinion(It is advisable to remain impartial throughout your writing and give your
opinion only in the last paragraph, as a conclusion)
- Coherence (follow a logical order and be well connected with appropriate linkers)
How to organize an essay
• Introduction: it introduces the topic in a general way and it leads to
the second paragraph (first idea). The introduction consists of
background knowledge of the topic and the topic sentence.
• Paragraph 2: it deals with idea 1. ( topic sentence and developing
sentences: giving examples or factual information to prove for the
idea)
• Paragraph 3: it deals with idea 2.
• Paragraph 4: it deals with idea 3.
• Conclusion: we express our opinion to conclude and summarise the
essay.
Some expressions using to connect the
paragraphs
• Introduction
- Nowadays / Thanks to the introduction of …… / With the development of ……
- As can be seen from the fact, ……….
• Body
- One of the things that
- To start with / to begin with …..
- Moreover / In addition / What’s more
- In the last few decades,
- For this reason,
- First, / Second, / Third,
- By doing so,
- For example,
• Conclusion
- In conclusion / to sum up / in short / generally
- Finally
Types of essay in FCE
• There are two common types of essays: solution essay and opinion
essay
• It is true that environmental pollution has been a serious problem for a long
time. However, there are some effective ways for young people to protect
and improve their local environment.
• To begin with, waste can be recycled into useful materials to use again. The
simple solution is therefore to collect plastic bottles, steel cans and
newspapers on the streets. Additionally, the young can cooperate with
recycling factories to classify different types of waste to recycle.
• Secondly, teenagers can choose other means of transport instead of cars.
They can use bicycles or even walk to school, which not only improves their
health but also the environment. Furthermore, they can encourage their
friends and families to get rid of cars.
• Last but not least, trees can reduce air pollution effectively by absorbing
carbon dioxide (CO2). For that reason, trees should be planted more in the
forests, on the streets and in the parks. Besides, young people should work
together to take care of trees on a regular basis.
• As long as the young take immediate actions to tackle environmental issues,
I believe that their areas will become a better place sooner or later.
(192 words, score 180+)
