Are you writing in order to argue, convince or inform?
IDEA
KEY WORDS
MAIN POINTS SUPPORTING POINTS
PLAN
Step 2 Brainstorm
What general ideas, views, facts, people, specific examples, figures do you associate with the topic of your essay?
Step 3 Classification
Which of them are main points (e.g. arguments for/against) which are support points?
Are all main and supporting points related to the topic?
Step 4 Planning and Organization
Connect and arrange the main and supporting points
WRITING AN ESSAY
Step 1
· Every good essay has a strong opening paragraph, in order to grad the readers’ attention and make them want to continue reading. This is usually a three- or four-sentence paragraph in which:
Address the reader directly, e. g. “Has it ever occurred to you that…”
Start with a quotation or thought-provoking statement, e.g. “you have to have some order in a disordered world!”
Start with a rhetorical question (question to which no answer is expected), e.g. “What does the future hold for us?”
Refer to an unusual idea, e.g. “ A watch style monitor will soon allow everyone to keep in touch with…”
Step 2
The body of an essay should consist of two/three paragraphs that develop the general topic (i.e. discuss the problem).
Each developmental paragraph should have a topic sentence.
The topic sentence should support the controlling idea mentioned in the introduction.
All the ideas in each paragraph must be related to the topic sentence.
Step 3
Concluding paragraph should restate but not simply repeat the topic sentences. It should also include your own opinion, or preference, make a prediction or give a solution.
You may use the following techniques:
Conclude with the statement that sums up your essay, e.g. “To sum up…”
Give the reader something to consider, e.g. “Life would be more convenient, if…”
State a personal opinion, e.g. “ In my view…”
Finish with a question (for example, ask a rhetorical question)
Step 4
Reading and checking over the essay
Make any minor corrections in spelling and grammar that will make your essay clearer.
WRITING AN ESSAY
Step 1
Writing the opening paragraph
The crime rate in many cities is rising alarmingly. Some people have the idea that violent T.V. programmes are the cause of real crime. However, many others disagree that T.V. violence can be blamed for this rise. Both sides of the question of whether T.V. may or may not be to blame are supported by good reasons.
The first sentence introduces the general topic of the crime rate rising alarmingly, by making a general statement.
The second sentence narrows the general topic down to a specific question of violent T.V. programmes.
The second and the third sentences restate the specific question.
The last one gives the controlling idea that T.V. may not be to blame (i.e. both sides of the question are supported by good reasons).
