Lesson 01.

Overview of Essay (A group of paragraphs)

<< Should be conducted in 4 paragraphs w/ 3 main parts >>
Structure (3 main parts)
1. Introductory paragraph
<< Câu quan trọng nhất là cu thesis cuối trong 3 câu (Câu 1 giới thiệu topic, câu 2 thu hẹp vào tiêu đề và câu 3 đánh giá vấn đề) >>
Có thể viết thành 2 câu:
- Paraphase lead-in sentence to introduce the topic of essay
- Thesis statement: Introduce the kind of the essay (required in the given question)
2. Body paragraph (Nên viết 2 đoạn, mỗi đoạn 5-7 câu)
- Body 01:
Topic sentence: Giới thiệu nội dung chính trong đoạn.
Supporting sentences: Develop topic sentence (Nên sử dụng các liên từ nối như Firstly, 2nd, …)
- Body 02:
Topic sentence: Giới thiệu nội dung chính trong đoạn.
Supporting sentences: Develop topic sentence (Nên sử dụng các liên từ nối như Firstly, 2nd, …)
3. Concluding paragraph (Có thể chỉ cần 2 câu)
- Use the signal words (In sum, In conclusion, To sum up, In summary, …)
- Restate the topic and kind of essay
 Lesson 02. Causes/Problems – Solutions
Causes – Reasons why something happens?
Problems – Negative effects/ Consequences/ Difficulties/ Challenges
Solutions – Find out the ways/ methods to solve/ tackle/ handle the problem.

Technique: Should give No. of solutions = No. of reasons << Good solutions >>
To find out the effective solutions, the writer should base on the prob/ causes discussed above.

I. Format of the question

Cause Problem Solution
1. Why does [sth/topic] 1. What are the problems/ consequences/ 1. What are the solutions/ ways given to
happen/cause/take place? difficulties/ challenges [sth/topic] solve/ tackle/ deal with the problem?
2. What are the causes/reasons for cause/lead to? 2. What can be done to solve the prob?
topic/sth? 2. How does [sth/topic] affect negatively 3. How/ what should [A and B] do to solve
3. Discuss the cause/reason why to [sth/topic] the prob? << A and B are the certain
[sth/topic] happening? 3. << Nếu đề bài đề cập rõ đối tượng >> objects >>
4. What are the main/ major factors/ The problem for A 4. In term of the solutions implemented
elements which cause/ lead to result in The consequence for B by A, …
sth/topic? 5. Regrading the role of B, B’s actions/
ways/ solutions, …?

II. Structure of the essay

1. Introduction (2 sentences)
 Paraphase the lead-in sentence to introduce the topic of the essay
 Thesis statement: Introduce the kind of the essay

Kind 01. Cause – Solution

*Sample:
- This essay shall discuss/ illustrate/ demonstrate the causes of/ reasons for [sth/topic] and give the potential/ suggested solutions/
ways/ methods to solve/ deal with the prob or at least reduce/ partly eliminate its effects.
 - After discussing/ examining the factors leading to [sth/topic], the solution to it/ this prob shall be given.

Note: “Shall” should only be used within the introductory, not body or conclusion.

Kind 02. Prob – Solution

*Sample:
- This essay shall discuss the prob/ consequences of [sth/ topic] and suggest/ recommend/ give the solutions to deal with it/ this/ the
prob.
- After the prob that [sth/ topic] leads to/ results are examined clearly, the solutions should/ shall be given.
2. Body (Block by block)
<< Block by block: all reasons in a block and all solution in a block (paragraph) >>
<< Point by point: Each reason comes along with a solution => 2-3 reasons => 2- 3 solutions => 2-3 paragraphs >>

Body 01a. Cause

- Topic sentence: show the number of reasons. Sample:

There are the/ [a digit] causes of/ reasons for [sth/topic] as follow
[sth/topic] is caused by/ resulted from the following reasons:
There are the main/ major factors/ elements which lead to/ cause [sth/topic]
A, B, C are the main factors leading to [sth/topic] << Nếu ngữ pháp tốt. Lưu ý, khi triển khai thì A, B, C phải cũng chung cấu
trúc ngữ pháp, VD: N cùng N, V-ing cùng V-ing >>
- Supporting sentences: Develop the topic sentence. Should use: Firstly, reason01. In detail, …. Secondly, reason02. In fact, … Lastly,
reason03. For example, … << Lưu ý phần này có thể tính 2.5 điểm cho các liên từ nối mạch lạc chuyển ý, chuyển đoạn. >>

Body 01b. Prob

*Sample:
 [On the one hand], [sth,topic] leads to/ results in/ causes the following prob. First of all, [prob 01]. In detail, [1-2 Develop sentence
(D.S)]. Next, [prob 02]. In fact, [1-2 D.S]. Finally, [prob 03]. For instance, [1-2 D.S].
 Body 02. Solution

<< Nên nhấn mạnh rất khó giải quyết, sau đó gợi ý solutions >>

 Version 01:
Topic sentence: emphasize that the prob is not solved easily, but there are the solutions to solve it.
Sample:
 Although [sth/topic] is not solved easily, there are the suggested/ potential/ effective solutions to solve/ deal with it
or at least reduce its effects.
 What is needed to do is a definite action
 In order to deal with the prob related to [topic], A and B should take actions (right now/ immediately).
Supporting sentences: First of all, … Next, … Finally, … << Phải chỉ rõ solution và nói được ai là người thực hiện, thực hiện
như thế nào. Có thể chỉ ra các evidence, nếu đoạn văn ngắn quá thì có thể thêm phần đánh giá >>

 Version 02: << wo/ the certain object >>

Sample:
 [On the other hand], there are some effective ways to solve the prob, or partly eliminate its effects. Firstly, [One thing
that should/would improve the situation is to do sth]. In particular, 1-2 D.S. Secondly, [what is needed to combat this
prob/ tackle this issue] is to do sth. In other words, [1-2 D.S]. Lastly, it is suggested that [sth/topic] could be done by
[some1]. The fact is that [1-2 D.S].

 Version 03: << w/ the certain object >>

Sample:
 In order to tackle this prob effectively, both the governments and individuals should take actions immediately. In term
of the governments’ actions/ solutions, [solution 01]. In detail, [1-2 D.S]. Besides, [solution 02]. In fact, [1-2 D.S].
When it comes to the role of individuals, [solution 03]. For instance, [1-2 D.S].
3. Conclusion (At least 2 sentences)
 Use the signal words: To sum up, To summary, All in all, …
 Restate the topic + the kind of essay.
 Give your comments (Advices): S.o should/ had better/ ought to + V-bare
 Sample:
 To sum up, [sth/topic] is not solved easily/ completely. However, I believe that if A and B take actions immediately to solve/ deal with
[sth/topic], [sth/topic] will be better.
All in all, unless the government and individuals/ we take actions right now to deal with the prob, the situation will be/ get worse.
III. Useful language
A. Expressions on Causes (A) and Effects (B)
- Using verbs:
A leads to/ results in/ causes B
B is caused by/ results from A
- Using nouns:
The cause of/ reason for B is A
The effect/ consequence of A is B
As a result of A, B happens.
- Using conjunctions:
Because/ As/ Since + clause 1, clause 2
Seeing that/ On the grounds that A happens, B occurs.
Because of/ Due to/ Thanks to + N phrases/ V-ing, clause 2
B is due to A
B. Expressions on giving advice
- Smb + should/ can/ may/ could + V-bare
- One option/ a good idea/ possibility is for smb to do smt. << smb = somebody, smt = something >>
- What is needed to combat this prob/ tackle this issue/ overcome the difficulty/ improve the situation/ reverse this trend + is to do smt
- One thing that would improve the situation is to do smt.
- What people should do about this is to do smt
- This situation could be improved if smb do smt
- It is suggested/ recommended that smb do sth/ smt sould be done (by smb)
- Eg: Solution 01: reduce the number of cars coming into cities + the government. => what is needed to combat traffic jam is to reduce the
number of cars coming into the cities. => One option is for the governments to reduce the number of cars coming into the cities.
Topic 01. Overpopulation in many cities has been a major issue. What are the causes of this prob? How can
governments solve this?
Brainstorm:

Topic: Overpopulation

Many cities = urban areas >< rural areas, suburban

Causes of prob => essay kind: cause – solutions

Governments => certain object

Outline Suggested
Overpopulation in many cities has been a major issue.
What are the causes of this prob? How can governments
solve this? => Overpopulation in the urban areas has
been a major issue. This essay will discuss causes of this
prob and give the solutions to deal with it.
Cause: Why does overpopulation happen in the cities?
1. Be due to the higher living standards compared to the countryside/
rural areas
The high quality educational systems (various kinds of schools:
international/ bilingual/ state schools) => city dwellers