Essay

Features

§  Formal  wri*ng  §  O.en  discusses  an  issue,  a  situa*on  or  a  problem.  

Types

1.   For  and  against  essays  

2.   Opinion  essays  

3.   Essays  sugges6ng  solu6ons  to  problems  

For and against essays §  Presents both sides of an issue, discussing points in favour

as well as those against.

§  Each point should be supported by justifications, examples and/or reasons.

§  The writers own opinion should be presented ONLY in the final paragraph.

Opinion essays §  Presents the writers opinion concerning the topic,

supported by reasons and examples.

§  The opposing viewpoint (along with an argument to show how unconvincing it is) should be included in a separate paragraph before the closing one.

§  The writer’s opinion should be stated in the introduction and restated in the conclusion.

Essays suggesting solutions to problems

§  Problem(s) associated with a particular issue are analysed and possible solutions are suggested together with any expected results.

§  The writer’s opinion may be mentioned, directly or indirectly, in the introduction or in the conclusion.

A good essay should consist of: a)  An introductory paragraph in which you clearly

state the topic to be discussed,

b)  a main body, in which points are discussed, and justified, and

c)  a closing paragraph summarsing the main points of the essay, and where you state your opinion.

For and against opinions Problems and solutions

Introduction Para 1: State topic (without

stating your opinion)

Introduction Para 1: State topic & your

opinion

Introduction Para 1: State the problem

& its causes/ effects

Main body Para 2: Arguments for &

justification, examples, reasons. Para 3: arguments against

&justifications, examples and reasons.

Main body Para 2: viewpoints & reasons/ examples

Para 3: opposing viewpoint & reason/ example

Main body Para 2 & 3

Suggestions & expected results

Conclusion Final para: summary or opinion

Conclusion Final para: summarise/

restate your opinion

Conclusion Final para: summarise/

your opinion.

Do’s and Don'ts You should You should NOT

§  Use formal, impersonal style

§  Use topic sentences

§  Write well-developed paragraphs, giving reasons/ examples

§  Use generalisations

§  Use sequencing

§  Make references to other sources

§  When using quotations make sure to identify the sources

§  Use short forms, colloquial language

§  Use very emotional language

§  Express opinions too strongly

§  Use over generalisations

§  Refer blindly to statistics without accurate references to their source

§  Use clichés

§  Use personal examples

Time fixers §  Since §  In the past §  Until now §  For the past few

years §  Recently §  nowadays

Generalisations §  Many §  a vast majority of §  A huge number of §  In many cases §  Hardly any §  A small minority of §  Quite a few

Suggestion phrases §  I would suggest

that… §  It would be a

good idea if… §  It is high time

that…

Support phrases §  This means that… §  As a result… §  This may lead to… §  Consequently… §  Therefore… §  …which means that..

Phrases to join similar ideas §  Furthermore §  Moreover §  Besides §  Not only…but also §  …as well as… §  Additionally §  In addition to

Phrases to join contrasting ideas §  However §  On the contrary §  In contrast to §  Nevertheless §  although

Phrases to give examples §  for example §  For instance §  Namely §  such as §  that is,

Phrases to express opinion and arguments §  As far as I am

concerned §  It seems to me that, §  It can be argued that §  One of the main

arguments against/ in favour of