HOW TO WRITE ESSAYS

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HOW TO WRITE ESSAYS

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Understanding the core challenge
Deciphering essay questions
At its heart, an essay exam tests your ability to answer specific questions within a limited timeframe. Success hinges on a clear understanding of the question’s demands.
Discussion essays
Requires you to present and evaluate different viewpoints on a topic.
Opinion essays
Asks for your stance on a subject, backed by strong reasoning

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Problem & Solution
Identify an issue, explain its causes, and propose viable solutions.
Two-Part Questions
Address two distinct aspects of a single topic.
Knowing the essay type helps you structure your response effectively.

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The 40-minute blueprint for success
You typically have 40 minutes per essay. Strategic time allocation is crucial to maximize your output and ensure a well-structured response.

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10 mins: Deconstruct & plan
Carefully read the question, highlight keywords, and outline your essay structure.
6 mins: Brainstorm ideas
Generate key arguments and supporting points for each body paragraph.
24 mins: Draft your essay
Write your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

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Crafting a powerful introduction
Your introduction is the roadmap for your reader. Aim for two concise sentences that immediately address the prompt.
Provide a clear, overarching answer to the question. This is your essay’s main argument.
Sentence 1: Paraphrase the statement
Rephrase the essay question’s core statement in your own words. This demonstrates understanding.
Sentence 2: General answer (thesis)

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Developing robust body paragraphs
Topic sentence
Cleary state the main idea of the paragraph
Argument 1
Present your first supporting point.
Explanation 1
Detail and clarify Argument 1 with evidence or examples.
Argument 2
Introduce a second supporting point.
Explanation 2
Elaborate on Argument 2, further solidifying your point.

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Crafting an impactful conclusion
Reiterate main points
Briefly summarise the key arguments presented in your body paragraphs
Paraphrase general answer
Rephrase your introduction’s thesis statement, offering a fresh perspective.
Final thought
End with a concluding remark that provides closure or broadens the discussion.

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Deep dive:
Two-part essay questions
1. One topic, two questions
You’ll be given a general topic followed by two specific questions you need to answer.
2. Two general answers
Your introduction should provide a general answer for both questions.
3. Dedicated body paragraphs
Allocate one body paragraph to answer the first question and another to address the second.

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Structuring two-part essays
1. Introduction
Opening statement, paraphrase topic, general answers for both questions.
2. Body paragraph 1
Fully answers the first question, using the argument-explanation model.
3. Body paragraph 2
Fully answers the second question, following the same model.
4. Conclusion
Summary of main points and paraphrased general answers.

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Example: Economic progress & beyond
«Economic progress is often used to measure a country’s success. However, some people believe that other factors are more important. What other factors should be considered when measuring a country’s success, and why are they important?»

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Topic
Measuring a country’s success.
Question 1
What other factors should be considered?
Question 2
Why are they important?
This example clearly demonstrates how a two-part question dissects a single topic into distinct queries.

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Crafting your blueprint: Planning the essay structure
A well-structured essay is a well-argued essay. Plan your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion to create a logical flow. A clear outline ensures you address all aspects of the prompt systematically.

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The art of paraphrasing: Setting the stage
Original topic
«Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?»
Effective paraphrase
«It is true that new technologies have had an influence on communication between people.»

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Answering the prompt: Your thesis statement
«Technology has affected relationships in various ways.»
Addressing the first question
«In my opinion, there are both positive and negative effects.»
Addressing the second question

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Body paragraph 1: Impact of technology on relationships
Business & global connectivity
Telephones and the Internet facilitate seamless interaction between business professionals across different countries, eliminating the need for physical meetings and fostering global collaboration.

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Education & remote learning
Services like Skype and other video conferencing tools have revolutionised student-teacher relationships, enabling video lessons and remote instruction regardless of geographical location.
Social & community building
Social networks like Facebook allow individuals to forge new friendships and connect with like-minded people, creating virtual communities based on shared interests.

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Body paragraph 2: The dual nature of technological influence
Positive developments
Negative consequences

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Positive developments
The ease of communication via email, phone, or video has dramatically improved cooperation between individuals in different countries, making interactions almost as effective as face-to-face meetings.
Enhanced global collaboration
Increased efficiency in communication
Benefits in both work and social contexts

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Negative consequences
Conversely, the widespread availability of new communication technologies can inadvertently lead to social isolation and discourage genuine real-world interaction.
Substitution of virtual for real friendships
Potential for reduced face-to-face engagement
Risk of superficial relationships

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Key Takeaways for Timed Essay Success
Check & Edit
Always allocate time to review your essay for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, punctuation, and clarity. Ensure your arguments are well-supported and flow logically.
Plan Your Structure
Before writing, outline your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. A clear plan ensures coherence and helps you stay on topic.

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Key takeaways for timed essay success
Generate & organise ideas
Spend crucial pre-writing time brainstorming relevant points and evidence. Organise these thoughts into a logical flow that supports your thesis.
Analyze the question
Carefully break down the prompt, identifying all its components and requirements. This prevents you from misinterpreting the question and ensures you address every part.

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Understanding the four-part essay structure
Introduction
Paraphrase the topic and provide a general answer to the essay’s questions.
Body paragraph 1
Address the first question in detail, presenting supporting points.
Conclusion
Reiterate your main answer, paraphrasing what was stated in the introduction.
1
2
3
Body paragraph 2
Address the second question in detail, offering further analysis.
4

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The importance of practice and understanding the question
Consistent practice is the cornerstone of improving your writing skills for academic exams. The more you write, the more comfortable and proficient you will become. This particular question type is quite common in exams, so frequent practice is highly recommended.
Always ensure you fully understand each part of the question before you begin writing. Some students mistakenly write body paragraphs that are unrelated to the prompt, which can significantly impact their score. Directly answer the question and stick to the given topic.

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Why a four-paragraph structure is Essential
For essays requiring a minimum of 250 words, a four-paragraph structure provides an optimal framework for organising your ideas. This division into Introduction, Body 1, Body 2, and Conclusion helps in creating a coherent and cohesive argument.
This structured approach enhances the clarity of your writing and makes it easier for the examiner to follow your points. It ensures that all aspects of the question are addressed systematically, contributing to a well-rounded and persuasive essay.
A clear structure reflects thoughtful planning and contributes significantly to a higher score.

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Assessment criteria: What examiners look for
01
Task achievement
How well you address all parts of the prompt and develop your answer with relevant, well-supported ideas.
02
Coherence and cohesion
The logical flow of your ideas, the organisation of your paragraphs, and the effective use of linking words and phrases.
03
Lexical resource
The range and accuracy of your vocabulary, including the use of less common words and collocations.
04
Grammar range and accuracy
The variety of grammatical structures you use and how accurately you apply them.

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The most important part
Brainstorming
Quickly list all related ideas.
Reading widely
Explore diverse academic texts.
Connecting concepts
Link ideas to form cohesive arguments.
Engaging with a variety of topics and academic articles in English can significantly broaden your knowledge base and provide you with a wealth of ideas to draw upon. This exposure will help you articulate complex concepts with ease.

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Practice question: The internet and information control
To solidify your understanding and practice the techniques discussed, here is a practice question for you to work on at home. This question follows the same structure as those you might encounter in your exams.
The Internet is a good source of information and has opened up opportunities for people all over the world. Is all information reliable online? What could be done to control information online?
As you can see, this question presents a statement followed by two distinct questions. Your essay should address both of these questions thoroughly, following the four-part structure we have outlined.

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Breaking Down the Practice Question
Statement to Consider
«The Internet is a good source of information and has opened up opportunities for people all over the world.»
Question 1
«Is all information reliable online?» (Requires a ‘yes/no’ stance with justification).
Question 2
«What could be done to control information online?» (Requires proposing solutions or measures).

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