Writing Lesson 5: People

Writing Lesson 5: People

Writing Part 1

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​Writing Part 1: Essay​

​1 Question. 20 Marks.

In Writing Part 1 you write an essay in which you discuss a question or topic. You are given

• three areas to consider and you must discuss two of them

• three opinions which you can use if you wish.

This part tests your ability to develop an argument or discussion, express your opinions clearly and support your ideas with reasons and examples.

Finding key ideas

​Work in small groups

• Discuss each of the methods and whether or not you agree with the opinions expressed in the seminar.

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• During your discussion, express your own opinions on the methods and give reasons for your opinions.

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• Take notes on the main ideas which arise during the discussion.

Breakout rooms activity (7 mins)

​Do you think the following sentences are true (T) or false (F)? Why?

Multiple Choice

You must discuss all three methods.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

You must decide which is the best method.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

You must say whether you agree or disagree with the opinions expressed.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

lf you use any of the opinions, you should express them in a more formal style.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

When you express your opinion, you should say why you hold that opinion.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

You can expand the topic to talk about other issues related to work that interest you.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

You can write your answer using a bulleted list of points instead of formal paragraphs.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The task contains a word limit, but if you write 300 words you will get higher marks.

• True

• False

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Work in pairs. Discuss these questions.

• Why is it important to underline the key ideas in the writing task?

• Why should you write a plan before you write your essay?

• Did Cristina follow her plan exactly?

• Has she dealt completely with the instructions in the writing task?

• What words and phrases does she use in her essay to introduce her opinions?

• To what extent do you agree with Cristina’s point of view?

• Why is it important to make your opinions clear in an essay?

Breakout rooms activity (10 mins)

​Telegram group activity

When you write, it is important that each paragraph should cover a different aspect of the subject and that sentences should be linked together using clear references. What do the underlined reference words in Cristina’s essay refer to?

Breakout rooms activity ( 7 mins)

​Writing reference

​Essays

An essay is a piece of academic writing, produced for a teacher or lecturer, in which you have to discuss issues Connected with a topic. You may previously have discussed this topic in class. You should express your opinions on the topic and the reasons for them.

​Exercise 1

Look at this writing task. Underline what you consider to be the main points and then answer the questions.

Discussion

• Do you agree, on the whole, that governments have a role to play in encouraging people to take more exercise? if you do, what is your main reason? if not, why not?

• How could education be used to achieve this aim?

• Who should be targeted by an education programme? Children? Adults?

• Where should this education take place? In school? On TV? Online?

• What kinds of facilities could be made free?

• How do you think employers and employees would react to the idea of 'exercise time at work?

• Do you agree or disagree with any of the three opinions expressed?

​Exercise 2

Which two of these three plans are appropriate for the task in Exercise 1? What are the problems with the other plans?

Plan 1

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Para 1: Introduction: the importance of taking exercise — otherwise, heart problems. obesity

Para 2: People of all ages need facilities that are freely available

Para 3: Idea of introducing exercise classes in schools — problems, why it won't work

Para 4: Conclusion: providing free facilities is the best thing governments can do

​Plan 2

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Para 1: introduction: the general consensus on exercise and the idea of a government role to play

Para 2: How schools can do more to help solve the problem — more PE and sport

Para 3: The part parents might play in supporting these initiatives

Para 4: Benefits of more free facilities, e.g. swimming: pools, bike paths

Para 5: Conclusion: why education is more important

​Plan 3

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Para 1 introduction: the exercise I did as a child and how it has benefited me

Para 2: Teaching young people about exercise: inadequacies in the current education system

Para 3: Advantages of having free exercise facilities

Para 4: Exercise time at work — impractical: loss of productivity

Para 5: Conclusion: need for better education and free facilities

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Tips

When you write an essay you need to make sure that the argument you are making is clear to the reader. This means that paragraphs should follow on clearly from each other and that sentences within paragraphs should be linked in a logical, easy-to-follow sequence. Below are some of the ways you can help the reader to follow your thinking. Examples are from the sample essay.

Sentences which guide the reader

Include sentences or phrases that act as signposts to guide the reader through your essay. These often come at the beginning of a paragraph.

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I shall consider two of the proposed methods.

Probably the most important action would be...

It has been suggested that...

In view of the above arguments, I believe...

Linking words and phrases

In addition to publicising the benefits of regular

exercise, this would...

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This seems excellent, but in practice I am doubtful.

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It is based on the assumption that exercise costs money, whereas in fact walking and cycling are free.

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Therefore, in my opinion, providing expensive facilities is unnecessary.

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Governments should introduce education programmes because...

​Pronouns and other reference words to avoid repetition

This, combined with a poor diet ...

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In my view, for this to be truly successful, ...

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If parents took part, they would be supporting what their children were being taught.

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In view of the above arguments...

​Lexical links​

Lexical links include synonyms, near synonyms and words from the same root.

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governments should act - the most important action governments could take

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benefits of regular exercise — used to following an exercise regime

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get young people used to following — what their children were being taught

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a programme aimed at adults — if parents took part

​Exercise 4

Rewrite the second sentence using reference words or synonyms to avoid repeating the words in bold.

Open Ended

When you engage in physical exercise, you burn calories. The more intense the physical exercise, the more calories you burn.

Open Ended

Do you need to relax after a stressful day at work? You can relax after a stressful day at work by taking regular exercise.

Open Ended

Exercise can be fun. Exercise gives you a chance to unwind, by engaging in activities that you find fun.

Open Ended

Find an activity you enjoy, and just do it. If the activity bores you, try something new.

Open Ended

Vigorous aerobic activity means you're breathing hard and fast. if you’re breathing hard and fast, you won't be able to speak more than a few words.

​See you next week!