ESSAY
Hints
[PLANNING]
- Use the task input to help you plan but try to avoid copying phrases from the input in
Part 1. Use your own words.
[INTRODUCTION and CONCLUSION]
- Effective introductory and concluding paragraphs - In the introduction, state the topic
clearly, give a brief outline of the issue, saying why it is important or why people have
different opinions about it.
- DO NOT express your opinion at the beginning of your essay (develop you essay in such
a way that it guides the reader to the conclusion you draw).
- DO give your opinion in the final paragraph.
[SECOND and THIRD PARAGRAPHS]
- Structure your argument. - Each new paragraph has one main idea, stated in a topic
sentence.
- Include relevant details to support the main idea: these might include examples, rhetorical
questions (do no overdo it), controversial or surprising statements... If you include a
drawback, give a possible solution, too.
[GENERAL]
- DO use a relatively formal register and an objective tone. Do not be too emotional.
- Remember to use linking adverbials to organise your ideas and to make it easy for the
reader to follow your argument.
- In the exam, allow yourself time to check your grammar, spelling and punctuation
thoroughly.
Linking words and phrases
Present your ideas clearly. Use connectors to link your ideas
Make sure you know how to use connectors appropriately (register, punctuation...). If you have any
doubts, you should use a good dictionary to check.
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 / nevertheless / in spite
of / despite
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 describe a consequence: Consequently / as a result / therefore / so / thus / for this reason
/ that is why
To conclude the topic: In conclusion / to sum up / in short / all in all
Introduction To begin with/ Firstly,
First of all I would like to consider…
The first thing (I would like to consider) to be considered is…
Nowadays, it seems that…/ In recent times…
Contrasting arguments Paragraph 1
On one hand, it could be said that…
Despite the fact that …/ In spite of…
Although it could be said that…
It is often thought that…
Paragraph 2
On the other hand, it could be argued that…
Although it appears that…
Apart from that…
What is more, …
It would seem, however, that…
Conclusion
To sum up,/ In conclusion,
Because of / As a result of this / Owing to / As a consequence of
Therefore, in my opinion,
On this basis, I can conclude that