Writing Project Workbook

Fall 2015, Quarter 2

An Opinion Essay

Online Social Networking

Student Name __________________________________________________

Student Number __________________________________________________

Section __________________________________________________

Teacher’s Name __________________________________________________

Level 3 Writing- UFP English

The Writing Topic Prompt

This is the essay prompt:

Simplified Version of Project Essay Format

Introduction

General statement

Essay topic

Thesis statement (with opinion)

First Body Paragraph (containing reasons why you agree)

Topic Sentence

Reason 1 + Support

Reason 2 + Support

Second Body Paragraph (containing reasons why you disagree)

Topic Sentence

Reason 1 + Support

Reason 2 + Support

Third Body Paragraph (containing reasons why you disagree)

Topic Sentence/Your Opinion

Summary of reasons

Concluding Sentence

Conclusion Re-statement of the thesis statement

Summary of all the main reasons of the essay

Final statement

Some people believe that online social networking is a great way for people to communicate.

However, others feel that it is not.

Discuss the reasons for both points of view and give your own opinion. You must write at least 250 words.

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Model Essay

Technology has changed our world a lot since the days of our parents. One of the biggest developments is the way in which we communicate with mobile phones. Many people agree that mobile phones are important in our life. However, some people think that mobile phones are not always used in a good way. I believe up to a point that mobile phones are a good thing and in this essay, I will discuss both sides of the argument.

On one hand, there are several reasons why mobile phones are a good thing. The most important one is that they help to bring people together more. People can talk to each other from almost anywhere in the world. An example is that people who work abroad can still talk to their families back home any time they like. As a result, mobile phones have made the world a smaller place. Another reason is that mobile phones can help people in dangerous situations. For example, if tourists have car problems in the desert, they can use their mobile phones to call for assistance, so mobile phones can keep people safe.

On the other hand, there are reasons why mobile phones are not a good thing. The main one is that they are very noisy in public places, such as in restaurants or movie theatres. As a result, many people have been disturbed by a loud mobile phone. For instance, a pop tune can be annoying when it is very loud and coming from someone’s mobile phone next to you. Because of this, movie theatres ask their customers to turn off their phones. In addition, some people use their mobiles too much and fail to focus on their work or studies. An example of this is some students who spend too much time texting their friends. When they do this, they have less time for their school work. Consequently, they may get bad grades in school.

In my opinion, I agree to a certain extent that using mobile phones is a good thing. This is because although mobile phones help to bring people together more and are useful in emergency situations, they can be a problem because they disturb other people and it may be a distraction. Therefore, we should try to use such technology in a sensible way and respect the wishes of others.

In conclusion, technology has had a major impact on our world, and mobile phones have become central to our daily lives and communication. We cannot rid ourselves of them, but we should find a balance between this technology and basic courtesy and personal responsibilities.

Word count 401

Mobile phones are the most common form of technology seen anywhere in the world. Many people think they are a good thing, but some believe they are not.

Discuss the reasons for both points of view and give your own opinion.

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MODEL ESSAY ANALYSIS

1. What is the TOPIC of the essay?

2. How many PARAGRAPHS are there in the essay? What are the names of each paragraph?

3. Write the THESIS STATEMENT from the essay here.

4. Write the TOPIC SENTENCES of each body paragraph here. What is the purpose of a topic sentence?

5. What are the TWO MAIN REASONS that the writer uses to support his/her opinion about why mobile

phones are a good thing?

6. What are the TWO REASONS that the writer uses to support his/her opinion about why mobile phones are

not a good thing?

Look at the model essay and answer the following questions.

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7. After each reason, the writer adds more SUPPORT. What are the different kinds of support the writer uses?

8. In the last paragraph, what does the SUMMARY contain?

9. What kind of FINAL STATEMENT does the writer make in the conclusion?

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Example of Outline

Introduction

General Statement: Technology has changed our world

Essay topic: mobile phones

Thesis: I believe up to a point that …. in this essay, discuss both sides of the argument

Body Paragraph 1

Topic Sentence: reasons why mobile phones are a good thing

Reason 1: help bring people together

Support: example – people working overseas result – mobiles make world smaller

Reason 2: help people in danger

Support: example – car problems result – safe

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Body Paragraph 2

Topic Sentence: reasons why mobile phones are not a good thing

Reason 1: noisy in public places

Support: example – some people use it to play loud music result – disturb people

Reason 2: too much use, not focused on work/study

Support: example – students texting too much result – bad grades

Conclusion

Paraphrase the thesis statement: I agree to a certain extent…

Summary of main reasons:

bring people together + help people in danger, noisy + makes people unfocussed

Final Statement: use mobile in a sensible way, respect others

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English Level 3 WritingWriting Project

Outline

Quarter 4, Spring 2015Online Social Networking

You have 100 minutes in class to complete this.

Using the information from your readings, Internet research and brainstorming, create an outline for your essay. You should write in note form.

Student Name _________________________________________________

Student Number _________________________________________________

Section _________________________________________________

Teacher’s Name _________________________________________________

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The Writing Topic Prompt

This is the essay prompt:

Complete the table below with ideas from brainstorming, the readings in the project iBook and from some of the links that you have followed.

Reasons why online social networking is a good thing

Reasons why online social networking is not a good thing

Some people believe that online social networking is a great way for people to communicate.

However, others feel that it is not.

Discuss the reasons for both points of view and give your own opinion.

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WRITING PROJECT OUTLINE

Introduction

General Statement:

Essay topic:

Thesis:

Body Paragraph 1Topic Sentence:

Reason 1:

Support:

Reason 2:

Support:

Concluding sentence:

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Body Paragraph 2Topic Sentence

Reason 1:

Support:

Reason 2:

Support:

Concluding sentence:

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BODY PARAGRAPH 3

Topic Sentence

Reason 1:

Support:

Reason 2:

Support:

Concluding sentence:

Conclusion

Re-statement of the thesis statement:

Summary of main reasons:

Final Statement:

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English Level 3 WritingWriting Project

First Draft

Quarter 4, Spring 2015Online Social Networking

You have 100 minutes in class to complete this.

Using the information from your outline, create a first draft for your essay. Review the feedback given to you from your teacher. You should write on alternate lines.

Student Name _________________________________________________

Student Number _________________________________________________

Section _________________________________________________

Teacher’s Name _________________________________________________

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First Draft

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English Level 3 WritingExam

Writing Project

Final Version

Quarter 4, Spring 2015Online Social Networking

You have 100 minutes in class to complete this.

Using the information from your first draft, create a final version of your essay. Review the feedback given to you from your teacher. You do not need to write on

alternate lines.

Student Name ______________________________________________________

Student Number ______________________________________________________

Section ______________________________________________________

Teacher’s Name _______________________________________________________

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Final Version

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