writing essays

1. Writing better
essays

2. An essay
 Argumentative
 Formal
 Context is usually academic.
Audience is a teacher
@rparranunez

3. How to write an essay
1. Read the task
2. Prepare an outline or diagram of
your ideas.
A. Write the main points
B. Write the subpoints
3. Write the introduction.
4. Elaborate the body
5. Write the conclusion.
6. Read it and check
@rparranunez

4. Parts of an essay
 INTRODUCTION (1 PARAGRAPH)
 Introduces the topic
 Indicates how the topic is going to be
developed
 Contains a thesis statement
 Is inviting: makes the reader want to
read
@rparranunez

5. The effect of technology on
the human memory (EX 1)
 Hello my name is X. In this essay I am
going to talk about the effects of
technology on the human memory.
This is a very controversial topic and
there are many different points of
view.
@rparranunez

6. The effect of technology on
the human memory (EX 2)
Is the use of new technologies
affecting the way the human brain is
developing? There is no doubt that
digital devices and online information
have helped decrease the amount of
information which needs to be stored
in our brain. Will this be negative in
the long run?
(44 words)
@rparranunez

7. What not to do
 Apologize. Never suggest that you don't know what
you're talking about or that you're not enough of an
expert in this matter that your opinion would matter.
Avoid phrases like the following:
In my humble opinion . . .
I'm not sure about this, but . . .
 Announce your intentions. Do not flatly
announce what you are about to do in an essay.
In this paper I will . . .
The purpose of this essay is to . . .
Get into the topic and let your reader perceive your
purpose in the topic sentence of your beginning
paragraph.
@rparranunez

8. BODY
 Is there a magic number of paragraphs?
YES2- 4 paragraphs
 If you are defending an opinion 1st
paragraph strongest point, 2nd weaker,
3rd weakest
 If it is a pro-con essay as many
paragraphs as pros/cons- balanced
 If there are several questions – 1
paragraph per question
 Whatever the essay try to have at least
3 ideas
@rparranunez

9. And a few micro-ideas (Is
education being devalued?)
 People have several arguments against the
need for degrees. They say that having so
many graduates devalues a degree. People
lose respect for the degree holder. It is also
claimed that education has become a rat race,
since graduates have to compete for jobs even
after years of studying. Another point is that
studying for such a long time leads to learners
becoming inflexible. By that I mean that they
know a lot about one narrow subject, but are
unable to apply their skills. Employers, on the
other hand, prefer more flexible and adaptable
workers.
How many
ideas here?
@rparranunez

10. And three micro-ideas (Is
education being devalued?)
IDEA 1
They say that having so many graduates
devalues a degree.
Example, Explanation,
or supporting detail
People lose respect for the degree holder.
IDEA 2
It is also claimed that education has become
a rat race,…
Example, Explanation,
or supporting detail
…since graduates have to compete for jobs
even after years of studying.
IDEA 3
Another point is that studying for such a long
time leads to learners becoming inflexible.
Example, Explanation,
or supporting detail
By that I mean that they know a lot about one
narrow subject, but are unable to apply their
skills.
@rparranunez

11. CONCLUSION
 One paragraph
 End on a positive note
 Provide food for thought
 Be creative
IT IS, WITH THE INTRODUCTION,
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF
THE ESSAY.
@rparranunez

12. Example (memory and tech)
Finally, we must admit that new technologies
have proven themselves to be outstanding
ways to provide both comfort and effectiveness,
although there is no doubt that our own creative
mind cannot be replaced. In fact, having
information at hand will probably have a
positive effect on the development of our brain,
since it will not have to “waste” so many
neurons for storing simple information.
Therefore, the function of our mind will move
from being a mere storage unit to becoming a
thinking device. @rparranunez

13. Some more tips

14. Avoid unnecessary words
 Call of Duty, which is, in my opinion,
the best and the most important
videogame of the last years of the last
century in all the world…
 Call of Duty, probably one of the most
renowned videogames of all times…
@rparranunez

15. Antecedents
 Videogames playing implies
responsibility, both on the parents and
the players´sides. They can
sometimes be too permissive.
WHAT IS THEY?
Possible answers:
-Videogames
-Parents
-Players
MAKE SURE
PRONOUNS
HAVE A
CLEAR
ANTECEDENT
@rparranunez
Use THE LATTER,
THE FORMER

16. Language needs to be
formal
 Lots of people think that people commit
crimes because they are addicted to
drugs. They steal things to sell so they
can buy more drugs. This is a bit true but
not all crime is committed by drug
addicts. Other things cause crime too.
Due to the fact
that…
Nevertheless/
Nonetheless
In order to
Lead to Feed their habit. A life of crime
Partially It is widely
believed that…
It is simply not the
case that…
Take into account Other factors@rparranunez

17. Language needs to be
formal
 It is widely believed that drug
addiction leads to a life of crime. All
the evidence suggests that drug
addicts steal in order to feed their
habits. This may be partially true;
nevertheless, it is simply not the case
that all crime is committed by drug
addicts. Other factors must be taken
into account.
@rparranunez

18. Your task

19. Version A
 Write an essay in response to …
 Check it with the self-assessment
sheet
 Task
 Content
 Coherence
 Spelling
 Grammar
 Vocabulary
 Hand it in on November 2@rparranunez

20. Version B
 I´ll give you feedback  you make
changes and produce Version B
 Your grade will be the average of A &
B (0.5*A+0.5*B)
 Give me back BOTH VERSIONS A
and B on the agreed date.
@rparranunez

21. A sample

22. SAMPLE TASK
 The Internet has had a huge effect on
our lives. Some people say that it has
made the world smaller by bringing
people together. Do you agree that
the Internet is making it easier for
people to interact with one another?
What disadvantages are associated
with Internet communication?
@rparranunez

23. UNDERSTAND TASK
 Target reader
 How many questions?
 Formal or informal language?
 Abbreviations (OMG, BFF, FYI…)
 Slang ( The Internet has some really
cool stuff)
 Contractions (People don´t wanna
spend lots of time online)
 Impersonal contructions (It is
believed, it is argued…)
 Passive voice@rparranunez

24. SAMPLE ESSAY
 Read sample essay and:
 Underline all connectors
 Classify them into: Additives,
Contrastive and Conclusive
 Underline topic sentences and find 3
supporting arguments for each
 Find examples of passive voice
@rparranunez

25. @rparranunez

26. GOOD LUCK
>>> Write an essay for
exam task page 27
@rparranunez