General Tips

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Plan your composition by writing a few outlines. It is recommended to

use a list in order to write the main idea and supporting details.
Make sure you understand the subject and write exactly whats
required.
Write 4 paragraphs. Leave an empty line between paragraphs.
Leave margins of 2 cm on each side of the page for remarks.
Clear handwriting! Write in ink only black or blue. If you type your
essay, leave double space between the lines.
Your sentences must be short and clear; not longer than one and a
half lines.
Use sentence connectors to connect sentences and paragraphs.
Start each sentence with a CAPITAL LETTER and end it with a full
stop (.)
Pay attention to grammar. Decide in advance what time frame you
want to use (past or present) so you wont mix tenses.
Make sure your ideas are clear to you and your readers.
Structure of your composition :
a. First paragraph introduction of the topic you are going to write
about.
b. Body of the text (2 paragraphs in the middle) should contain
explanations, details, examples or descriptions related to your
subject.
c. Last paragraph summary or conclusion of your composition.
Each paragraph should have a key sentence at the beginning. It
should tell the reader what the paragraph is about.
After you finish writing, read your composition again in order to
make sure that what you wrote is clear and to correct your mistakes.
Check your dictionary for spelling.

Each paragraph in an opinion essay should contain:

This1:Introduction.Getthereader's
model can help
Paragraph
attention.Introduceyourmainideaand
controllingstatement.Thereadershouldknow
fromthebeginningwhatyouaregoingto
discuss.

Paragraph 2:Statethefirstmainpoint(topic
sentence).Statethesupportingdetail(s),such
as,explanations,examples,argumentsorfacts
tosupportyourargument.

Paragraph 3:Statethesecondmainpoint
(topicsentence).Statethesupporting
detail(s).Makesurethatyourargumentsare
relatedtothemainideayouintroducedto
yourreaderinthebeginning.

Paragraph 4:Conclusion.Restateyourmain
idea.Restateyourmainpoints.Leavethe
readerwithagoodimpression.Thatis,your
readershouldfeelthatyouhavepresentedyour
ideasclearlyandgrammatically.

This template can help you with your own essay of

opinion.

Manypeopleclaimthat__________________________________.In my opinion,
theoppositeistrue/agoodideaforafewreasons.
First,________________________________________________________________
For example,______________________________________________________.
As a result,____________________________________________.
Second,_____________________________________________________________.
That is,_____________________________________________________________.
Therefore,__________________________________________________.
In conclusion,Istronglybelievethat____________________________________
_______________________________.
Each paragraph in a for and against essay should contain:

Paragraph 1:Introduction state the

issue you are going to discuss.

Paragraph 2:Argumentsfor write a list

of points to support the statement in the
question

Paragraph 3:Argumentsagainst
write the points which oppose the
statement.

Paragraph 4:Conclusion write a

summary and present your opinions.
Takeastandonlyattheend!

This template can help you write your own for and against
essay!
______________isa controversial issue.Somepeoplesay____________________,
whileothersclaimthat________________________________________.
On the one hand,____________________________________________________.
For instance,______________________________________________Therefore,
_____________________________________________________.
On the other hand,_____________________________________________.So
________________________________________.In addition,
__________________________________________________.
In conclusion,______________hasbothadvantagesanddisadvantages.YetIfirmly
believethattheadvantagesoutweighthedisadvantages.

THE FOLLOWING PHRASES WILL HELP YOU BEGIN YOUR

PARAGRAPHS:

Opening
Paragraphs

Middle
Paragraphs

Closing
Paragraphs

is a phenomenon
which demands our
attention. In my
opinion, .
Many people believe
that In my opinion, it
is true / the opposite is
true for a few reasons.
There are some factors
which must be taken
into account
Lately, we have become
increasingly aware of

First, its essential to

remember that

In conclusion, never
have I been more
convinced that

To begin with, its worth

mentioning that

All things considered, I

strongly believe that.

First and foremost, it is

important to state
that
Opponents /
Proponents of take
a different view
about
On the one hand, .

To sum up, as I have

mentioned above, I am
totally convinced that
To conclude, it is
necessary to remember
that / It is essential
/ It is vital
In conclusion, bearing
this in mind, I
unequivocally believe
that

When discussing the

issue of I firmly
believe that In this
essay, I'll point out
arguments which
support my opinion.
In my point of view /
Personally / In my
opinion/ As I see it
is a controversial
issue. Some people
claim. while others
believe
(I tend to agree with the
former / the latter).

On the other hand, ..

Another point that

should be taken into
consideration is (that)
..
A further argument
against / in favor of
is..

One/Another commonly
heard objection to this
argument is

All in all, the

advantages outweigh
the disadvantages
Therefore, I'm quite
certain that ..
Finally, after
considering the pros
and cons I think that

To sum up, in
light of the
arguments
presented
above, I tend to
agree with

USEFUL CONNECTORS FOR WRITING

PURPOSE
To add points on the

EXAMPLES
And, in addition to, moreover, besides,

same topic
To describe similarity
To express contrast

furthermore, also, too

Similarly, likewise, in the same way
But, however, nevertheless, yet, still,
although, even if, even though, in spite of,

To introduce opposing

despite
On the one hand on the other hand, in

points

contrast, contrary to, it can also be argued

To describe cause or

that, there are people who say that

Because (of), since, due to, for this reason,

reason

that is why, one/another reason for is

To describe a result

So, therefore, consequently, thus, as a result

To state a purpose
To make general

(of),
in order to, so that, so as to
In general, generally, on the whole

statements
To give examples

For example, for instance, such as, like,

particularly, in particular, especially,

To describe reality
To express personal

specifically
In fact, as a matter of fact, actually
In my opinion, I (strongly / firmly) believe/

opinions
To list points

think/ feel (that)

To begin with, in the first place, first of all,
first/ firstly, secondly, thirdly, after that, then,

To conclude

next, finally
In conclusion, to sum up, in short, all in all, all

To show time

things considered,
When, while, before, after, until, as soon as,

To show sequence

by the time
First, at first, in the beginning, next, then,
later, earlier, meanwhile, after that
afterwards, at last, finally, eventually, in the

To rephrase
How Your Writing is
Marked
Content and
Organization
8
Vocabulary
8
Language Use
16
Mechanics
8

end
In other words, that is, namely, that is to say
Explanation
* Express yourself clearly. Make sure you
answer the question as required.
* Write relevant and well organized
information include main ideas and
examples.
* Use rich and varied vocabulary dont
repeat yourself! Use appropriate register
you dont write to your friend, so dont use
slang or inappropriate words.
* Use basic and advanced language
structures correctly (conditionals, perfect
tenses, passive, reported speech,
connectors, prepositions, modals, etc.)
* Good spelling.
* Capital letters at the beginning of a
sentence.
* Correct punctuation - , : ?.
* Clear paragraphing it is clear where a
paragraph begins and where it ends. Short
and clear sentences dont write run-ons!