ESSAY WRITING

Types of texts and structure

 TYPES OF WRITING
Opinion essay
For and against essay
Formal /informal letter
Narrative
Description
Biography
Review
A news report
 Basic essay structure
There is a basic structure that applies for all of the
essays:

• INTRODUCTION (1st paragraph)

• BODY (next paragraphs)

• CONCLUSION (last paragraph)

The difference is the kind of information includes

in each part.
 It leads the reader from the general
• INTRODUCTION views on the analysed topics to the
specific theme of the essay. It
normally consists of a paragraph of two
sentences.

The body develops the topic. It may

• BODY have as many paragraphs as necessary.
Each body paragraph must be connected
to the following one with a logical link.

The conclusion always deals with

summing up the topic. It is one single
• CONCLUSION paragraph that may be similar to the
introduction but with different words. It
never includes new ideas.
HOW TO WRITE AN OPINION
ESSAY
• INTRODUCTION Introduce the topic/problem. State your opinion
clearly.
(I firmly believe that, In my opinion…)

Paragraph 1. Reason 1 + Example 1.

• BODY
Your viewpoint + reasons/examples. Give reasons and
offer an explanation, that is, give examples that support
your reasons & opinion (supporting examples,
arguments, facts…).
Paragraph 2. Reason 2 + example 2. You may also
introduce the opposing viewpoint and reasons/examples.
*(The number of reasons & examples will vary, depending on the
length of the task, but you have to include a new idea in each
paragraph)
(for instance, such as…)

• CONCLUSION Summarize and restate your opinion (use other

words).
(As far as I am concerned, As I see it, Personally…)
BASIC DON’TS IN WRITING AN OPINION ESSAY O Opinion (1st paragraph)
Do not use colloquial expressions.
Do not use short forms. R Reason (2nd paragraph)
Do not give personal examples.
Do not write about advantages or disadvantages or points for or against. E Example (3rd paragraph)

O Opinion (4th paragraph)

 1. CONTENT

A) Think about the ideas you have about the topic.

B) If it’s difficult, compare the situation with the situation in the past
(there is always a change you can consider)
C) Organise your ideas (positive/negative; pros/cons; now/before)
D) Add 3 parts to your essay: intro, body, conclusion
E) Make a draft to include everything previously mentioned.
 2. FORM

1. Differentiate three parts:

- intro (a question, an statement…) that calls the attention.
- BODY (2 paragraphs (pros/cons)
- CONCLUSION (summary) that close your arguments.
2. Correct use of verbal tenses
3. Use suitable vocabulary. Don’t use “I think” all the time, please!
4. Use intensifiers (amazingly, extremely, totally, partially…) to give movement to
your essay.
 EXAMPLES
“The teenage years are the best years of your life”. Do you agree? People often say that the
teenage years are the best years of your life. However, I do not agree with the statement.
Firstly, most teenagers have little independence. They have to do what they are told by their
parents and teachers. In addition, they usually do not have much money.
Secondly, teenagers may not have the responsibilities adults have, but they have other
worries. Teenagers have a lot of pressure form exams, which can determine the rest of their
life.
All in all, it is clear that teenagers have a lot of fun, but I strongly believe that the best years
of your life come when you are a bit older, with a job, money and the freedom to do what you
like.
 HOW TO WRITE A
FOR & AGAINST ESSAY
• INTRODUCTION Present the topic without giving your personal
opinion.

(Lately, recently, not only…but also…)

Paragraph 1. Write 2/3 advantages/arguments

• BODY FOR
Paragraph 2. Write 2/3
disadvantages/arguments AGAINST.
Support each argument with examples/facts.

(On the one hand…, on the other hand…)

Give a balanced summary/conclusion. You

• CONCLUSION can mention your opinion here.

(Finally, On the whole…)

HOW TO WRITE A NARRATIVE
 OPENING. Sets the scene with details of, time, place,
• INTRODUCTION atmosphere and characters.
(Firstly, in the beginning, at first…)

BODY. Develops the plot with details of events and

• BODY characters. Includes sequencing words.

(Secondly. Afterwards, at that moment, then, later,

suddenly… )

CLOSING. Ends the story with the

• CONCLUSION reason for what happened or the consequences
(Finally, eventually…)

Writing a narrative is like telling a story.

 1. THE CONTENT

a) Try to see the situation in your mind and think about the PLOT
b) Ask some questions:
- Think about the main character and his/her name.
- think about the main idea of the story.
- what did the character before that time you are writing about?
- what are they going to do afterwards?
- what is the MOST IMPORTANT FACT/POINT/MOMENT of the story?
- what/how is the end?
c) Make a DRAFT including all the info you have been previously thinking about.
 2. THE FORM
1. Verbal tenses
2. Short paragraphs
3. One paragraph------- one idea
4. Link the ideas. Use CONNECTIVE WORDS.
5. Use suitable vocabulary (adjectives, adverbs) to give movement to the
story.
It had been a long and rainy day…
It had been a long and rainy day. Michael had been working all day and was very tired and
hungry.(1) He decided to go and have dinner at a restaurant which was very near his
office.(2) He put his raincoat on, took his umbrella and headed to the street. (3) He walked
briskly to “Le Chezon”.(4)
The restaurant was half-full. As usual, he decided to sit at the bar and order some fish and
chips. The waiter, Paul, knew him and said: ‘Right away Sir’, while he served him the
usual beer. Michael had a first sip and looked around. (5)´Wow- he thought- that’s
Margaret- I haven’t seen her for ages’. (6)
Margaret had been his classmate at secondary school. She seemed to be having a drink
with a friend. She was calling the waiter, and suddenly saw Michael sitting at the bar. They
both smiled at each other. Michael went over to her to say hello. It was an exciting
encounter, and they were both very happy to see each other again.(7) As they talked they
came to realise that they had been working at offices which were very near for almost a
year. ‘That’s life – Michael Michael- unexpected things happen every day.’(8)
HOW TO WRITE FORMAL AND
INFORMAL LETERS (E-MAILS)
FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTERS- EMAILS
Typical first sentences
I am writing to ask for information about (your hotel, etc.).
ask about (an alarm clock I left in your hotel).
make a reservation ( for a double room...)
complain about ( the service I received...)
apply for ( the job you advertised in English Today).
Typical last sentences
I would be very grateful if you could send me further information
(about...)
Could you please send me an application form?
I enclose ( my CV / a colour photograph.)
Differences between Formal and Informal expressions when writing an email:
Formal Informal
Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr/Mrs (surname) Dear (first name), Hi, Hello
Beginnings Beginnings
 With reference to our telephone conversation  It was nice to hear from you
yesterday (about)  It’s been ages since I’ve heard from you
 Thank you for your email regarding..  How are you? Hope you and your family are
 I am writing on behalf of doing well
 I am writing to draw your attention to  I am writing to let you know

Making a request Making a request

 I would appreciate if you could • You don’t mind …ing (…) (for me), do you?
 I would be most grateful if you would • Do me a favour, will you?
 Would you be so kind and • Would it be possible for you to?
 I was wondering if you could • Can/Could I ask you to?

Apologising Apologising
 We apologise for any inconvenience caused  Sorry for any trouble caused
 Please accept our sincere apologies  We are very sorry
Complaining Complaining
 I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with  I’m fed up with (someone/something)
 I find it most unsatisfactory that  I am not happy with
 I’d like to complain about  I’m rather annoyed with

Endings Endings
• I look forward to hearing from you  Give my love to
• If you require any further information, please don’t  Hope to hear from you soon
hesitate to contact me  Just give me a call if you have any questions
• Please feel free to contact me if you have further
questions

Signing off Signing off

 Yours sincerely (Dear + name)  Lots of love
 Yours faithfully (Dear Sir/Madam)  All the best
 Best wishes
 FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTERS
A good letter should consist of:
1. an appropriate greeting (Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Kathy, Dear Mr Brown)
2. an introduction clearly stating the reason you are writing
3. a main body in which the subject is developed. Begin a new paragraph for each main point
4. a final paragraph in which you sum up the topic or express your wish for something to be done
5. an appropriate ending (Yours/Best wishes, + first name, Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully, + full name).
STYLE IN LETTERS
The characteristic of formal style in letters are:
6. The greeting (Dear Mrs Lee, Dear Sir,)
7. Frequent use of the passive
8. Formal language ( complex sentences, non-colloquial English)
9. No abbreviated forms
10. The ending (Yours sincerely,/Yours faithfully)

The characteristic of informal style in letters are:

11. The greeting (Dear Alex, Dear Dad)
12. Informal language and style (idioms, colloquial English)
13. Abbreviated forms, pronouns omitted
14. The ending (Yours/Love/Best wishes/Regards, Anthony)

REMEMBER!!!
Informal (friendly) letter have only one address (yours) whereas formal letters have two (yours and the
recipient's)
HOW TO WRITE A DESCRIPTION
• INTRODUCTION OPENING. Includes the name and location of the
place/object/person…
(…)

BODY. Describes physical characteristics, special features

• BODY and points of interest.
(e.g. description of a place: also describes the atmosphere,
the people, the culture. It includes historical details, tourism,
sounds, smells and personal feelings about the place).
Writer uses as many adjectives as possible.

(Adjectives, adverbs)

CLOSING. States a general conclusion about the

• CONCLUSION place/object/person…, as well as the writer’s personal
opinion or attitude. (When talking about a place or object,
it can also include a recommendation)

(…)
HOW TO WRITE A BIOGRAPHY
 OPENING. The opening sentence introduces the person.
• INTRODUCTION Write the name, date of birth and nationality of the person.

BODY. The information is organised in chronological order.

• BODY The connectors of sequence show the order in which events
happened.
Relative pronouns and conjunctions are used when possible
(e.g. Alexander Graham Bell, who was born in Scotland in 1847,
went to America where, in1872, he opened a school to teach
teachers of the deaf).
Make a list of details about the person.
Make a list with adjectives you want to use and connectors of
sequence, result, addition and example.
If you write about a person who is still alive, use the present
perfect tense to talk about things s/he has done in her/his life.
(Later, in (year/season/month…), on (specific date), before,
when…, in order to, so that… )

CLOSING.
• CONCLUSION (Eventually, finally…)

When we write a biography, we want to give important information about a person in chronological order.
William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon where
he attended King’s New School. At 18 he married 26 year old Anne. They had a
daughter named Susanna, and a set of twins named Hamnet and Judith.
Shakespeare was part of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a leading acting
troupe in London at the time. From 1594, they were the only company that
performed his plays. He was a playwright and an actor in his own plays. In 1599,
the company built their own theatre by the Thames river – and called it the
Globe. He wrote poetry, comedies, tragedies and historical plays. The themes
of his plays were usually love, power and friendship. He wrote tragedies like
Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, Romeo and Juliet. But he dealt with history too: he
got inspiration from historical events and wrote Henry V, Julius Caesar, King
Lear. He created very realistic characters: his comedies, tragedies and plays are
in fact still performed today.
William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, and was buried two days later in
the chancel of Holy Trinity Church where he had been baptized exactly 52 years
earlier.
EXTRA

HOW TO WRITE A SUMMARY

 Write a summary of 50 words

The Internet
The Internet is an international information network. In fact, this is where the name
Internet comes from. Today, from a computer which is attached to the Internet, you
can do research in a library in one country, talk to an expert on a certain topic in a
second country and send your own information to a third country almost anywhere in
the world. At present, approximately 250 million people are connected to the Internet
and this number is growing every day.
The Internet was “born” in the 1970s in order to help the American army. Soon after
the Internet was created, scientists, schools and research departments wanted to
connect to it as well. Soon, the Internet became an international network. It now
reaches over 200 countries across the world.
Many families are connected to the Internet at home. These families can read their
favourite magazines and newspapers, find information for personal and school
projects and “talk” to people all over the world. Are you thinking of connecting up to
the Internet? It’s a good idea – there are so many things for you to do.
WHAT TO DO

a) After reading the text you have to underline the most important
information. (Start highlighting the topic sentence)
b) Ideas are organised into one cohesive paragraph (connectors).
c) The language is simple.
d) There are no unnecessary examples, details or personal opinions.
e) Use your own words. Don’t use the same as in the original text.
f) Don’t use more than 50 words.

WHAT NOT TO DO
Avoid unnecessary words o “This chapter discussed…” o “I am going to
tell you about…” Let the author speak.
Keep yourself out of it. Don’t say anything like this: o “To me, the most
interesting…” o “I was surprised to learn that…” Statements like these
indicate a personal RESPONSE. They do not belong in a SUMMARY.
 Write a summary of 50 words

The Internet
The Internet is an international information network. In fact, this is where the name
Internet comes from. Today, from a computer which is attached to the Internet, you
can do research in a library in one country, talk to an expert on a certain topic in a
second country and send your own information to a third country almost anywhere in
the world. At present, approximately 250 million people are connected to the Internet
and this number is growing every day.
The Internet was “born” in the 1970s in order to help the American army. Soon after
the Internet was created, scientists, schools and research departments wanted to
connect to it as well. Soon, the Internet became an international network. It now
reaches over 200 countries across the world.
Many families are connected to the Internet at home. These families can read their
favourite magazines and newspapers, find information for personal and school
projects and “talk” to people all over the world. Are you thinking of connecting up to
the Internet? It’s a good idea – there are so many things for you to do.
 MODEL SUMMARY

The Internet is an international information network which was

created in the 1970s to help the American army. However, soon after,
scientists, schools and research departments began to connect it as
well. Consequently. The Internet now reaches approximately 250
million people in more than 200 countries around the world.
HOW TO WRITE A REVIEW
 OPENING. Include basic information of the film/book (the
• INTRODUCTION title, the author, the main characters and the setting)
(the story is set in…, it was written by…; It is a thriller/a
romance/science-fiction novel written by…; it’s one of the
author’s best/worst novels… )

BODY. Description of the characters and the plot

• BODY (use adjectives: mysterious, powerful, interesting,
fascinating…) . Do that dividing the information into 2
paragraphs. Remember to include the strong and
weak points.
(I couldn't wait to turn the pages, I found the characters…)

CLOSING. Include your opinion and

• CONCLUSION recommendations .
(I highly recommend this book; If you enjoy a novel
that…, you will love…)
HOW TO WRITE A NEW´S REPORT
 OPENING..
• INTRODUCTION
(…)

BODY..
• BODY

(… )

CLOSING.
• CONCLUSION
(…)
 GENERAL TIPS

1. Decide what type of text you have to write:

opinion/for-against/narrative/description/review/
2. Brainstorming: write all the possible ideas about the topic
3. Decide which ones you are going to keep and cross out the others
4. Group the ideas according to the topics and organise the groups (paragraphs) in a
logical order (introduction- body- conclusion)
5. Write a draft ( don’t care about spelling, grammar etc. at this stage)
6. Content: Check originality, opening sentences in each paragraph, clear and relevant
ideas, giving details, examples, use of connectors to link ideas
7. Form: Check grammar and spelling, word order, punctuation and capital letters.
8. Write the final essay with clear handwriting, checking margins and clear separation
of paragraphs.
9. Use a formal style (do not use short forms, colloquial expressions…)
THE DISCUSSION CLOCK