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Writing

Task 1

  • analysing a model Task 1 response to understand overall structure
  • learning about verb tenses, passive voice, and paraphrasing; and how to use them in Task 1

Look at topic and contents

  • Title
  • Location
  • Unit of measurement
  • Time
  • Categories

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Restate topic..overview and summary

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Properly divide topics for each paragraphs. Different paragraph for different category.

  • Conclusion not required

Common Grammar

Verb tenses

Usually simple present

Here are some common tenses that you may need to use in Task 1.

Simple Present
  • Used to describe a repeated action, or a fact or a truth.
  • In Task 1, you need it to write the introductory sentence. alt text
  • Process diagrams should also be described in simple present.
  • Also, some graphs may have no year. If this is the case, they should be described using simple present. alt text
Simple Past
  • Simple past is used to describe an event or state that happened once or repeatedly in the past.

  • In Task 1, you need it to describe a diagram, chart, table or graph when the time period is a specific and finished time in the past (for example dates in the past).

  • Example:

    1. Children in both countries did not spend a great deal of time using their computers in that particular year.

    2. The amount of bread purchased increased throughout the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s from 40 to about 70 kilograms per year per family.

Present Perfect
  • Present perfect is usually used in Task 1 to describe a trend from a particular time or period of time, that started in the past and continues to now.

  • In Task 1, this use of present perfect is particularly common with line graphs

  • Example:

    1. Since the construction of the freeway, the amount of housing in the town of Derry has risen.

    2. Over the past decade, the number of people in paid employment has fallen.

Future Forms
  • Future forms are used to describe predictions, plans or intentions in the future.
  • For Task 1, you need to use future forms if you are given a visual with predictions about the future.
  • When making predictions, future forms can be expressed in a number of ways.
  • Example:
    1. The rate of inflation will remain constant over the next 2 months.
    2. By 2050, a number of small islands are predicted to be under water.

Passive form

Passive voice is used in the following situations:

SituationExample SentenceExplanation
The agent is unknown.Stonehenge was built more than five thousand years ago.It is unknown who built Stonehenge.
The agent is implied.The students are assessed every 5 weeks.It is clear that the students are assessed by their teachers.
In certain academic contexts.The findings of the research will be included in the report.Instead of: They will include the findings of the research in the report.
In processesThe sodium hydroxide is first dissolved in water.The agent is not important.

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Paraphase

ByThisThat
Using synonymsbenefitadvantage
Changing sentence structureEven though the availability of online courses has increased in recent years, many students prefer traditional face to face learning.A large number of students favour traditional face to face learning even though online courses have become more widely available.
Changing sentence structureIn the fashion industry, when a new season begins, new styles are introduced.New styles are introduced when a new season begins in the fashion industry.
Changing word formsHigh fashion companies produce limited quantities of certain garments.High fashion companies limit the production of certain garments.
Using passive voiceGlobal brands produce low cost clothes.Low cost clothes are produced by global brands.

Visual Types

Line Graph

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Bar Graph

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Pie Chart

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Table

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Process Diagram

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Flowchart

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Maps

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Combinations

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Note: Be careful with categories

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Here age groups are the categories.

Language to Describe Graph

Increased, decreased, plummeted, fluctuated, declined, rocketed, surged, climbed, varied, rose by, has risen, leapt, sunk, expected, predicted

Vocabulary to show movement and speed

MovementVerb
UpwardsTo rise, to increase, to rocket, to grow
DownwardsTo fall, to decline, to decrease, to drop, to plummet
MovementNoun
Upwardsrise, increase, growth
Downwardsfall, decline, decrease, drop
SizeAdjective
Smallslight
Mediummoderate
Largeconsiderable, significant, substantial
SizeAdverbs
Smallslightly
Mediummoderately
Largeconsiderably, significantly, substantially
SpeedAdjective
Slowgradual, steady
Fastrapid, sharp, dramatic
SpeedAdverbs
Slowgradually, steadily
Fastrapidly, sharply, dramatically
Directionwords
Upwardsan upward trend
Upwardsa peak / to peak / to reach a peak
Upwardsa high point / to reach a high point
Downwardsa downward trend
Downwardsa modest drop
Downwardsa trough
Changea fluctuation / to fluctuate
Lack of changea plateau / to plateau / to reach a plateau
Lack of changeto remain stable
Lack of changeto remain constant
Lack of changeto remain steady
Lack of changeto remain the same

Words to describe quantity

to show less thanto show similar quantityto show more than
just underaroundjust over
well underapproximatelywell over
less thanaboutmore than
roughly
nearly

graph vocab Adverb formation rules

Adverb formation rules

AdjectivesRuleAdjectiveAdverb
ending in -icAdd –allydramaticdramatically
ending in -icAdd –allystrategicstrategically
ending in –le (with a consonant before it)Drop the -e and add -yconsiderableconsiderably
ending in –le (with a consonant before it)Drop the -e and add -ypossiblepossibly
end in –yDrop the -y and add -ilysteadysteadily
end in –yDrop the -y and add -ilyeasyeasily

Sentence 1 Verb + Adverb structure: From 2000 to 2004, the production of CDs increased dramatically.

Sentence 2 Noun + Adjective structure: From 2000 to 2004, there was a dramatic increase in the production of CDs.

Preposition

  • The number of flights from London to New York rose from 150 to 175 per week in December.
  • The number of flights from London to New York rose by 25 per week in December.
  • The number of flights from London to New York saw an increase of 25 per week in December.
  • There was an increase in the number of flights from London to New York from 150 to 175 per week in December.

Quantifiers

with countable nounswith uncountable nounswith both
manymuchmore, most
a majority ofa great deal of
a great number ofa little
severala large amount of
a large number oflittle, less, least
few, fewer, fewest

Example sentences:

Quantifiers with countable plural nounsQuantifiers with uncountable singular nouns
There were many jobs in 2019.There was a large amount of spending in 2018.
There were not many jobs in 2009 compared to 2019.There was a significant amount of spending in 2018.
A large number of government services were provided in 2018.There was little water available for the city in 2018.
Only a small number of government services were provided in 2018.There was not much water available for the city in 2018.
There were a significant number of services in 2018.
Note: Be careful with articles in noun

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Here decrease is a noun so it needs an article.

Note: Don't use adverb with strong verbs like rocket or plummet.

😁

Language for Maps and Processes

Language to describe Maps and Processes

Some sentences:

  • During the period from 2012-2015 the city was transformed, with the establishment of a shopping centre and the construction of two new schools.
  • The railway line was extended to the west.
  • The forest was cleared and replaced with a new residential area.
  • A row of trees was planted along the main road.
  • To the north of the city centre, there is a lake surrounded by trees.
  • The two antennae are located just above the eyes, on the top of the head.
  • In the first stage, water travels along a pipe.
  • Following this, the water is filtered in order to remove any impurities.
phrasedirectionobj/place
To thenorth, south, west, east, north-west, north-east, south-west, south-eastof… the river, road, building, station
In thenorth, south, west, east, north-west, north-east, south-west, south-eastof… the island, the city, the country, the town, the village
To describe sequenceTo provide reasons (why?)
initially, to begin, in the first stageto, in order to, so that
following this, next, then, after, subsequently, in turn, after which, from this point
finally, in the end, in the last stage
at this stage of the process, when, where, which
createmovechange locationarriveleavemixcollectrotate
generatemovetransfer, take from/toarriveleavemixcollectrotate
producerunpour (into)reachescapecombinestoreturn
createflowtransport, place (in)enter, go intoremove (from), take out (of)--spin
Direction Example:

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Paragraph Structure

Ask yourself questions:

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Structure of Introduction and Overview

Introduction and Overview

Introduction

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Overview

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alt text Introduction

The chart illustrates the popularity of different holiday types in 2018 in Australia, New Zealand, China, and South Korea.

Overview

Overall, the strongest preference came from New Zealand and was for hiking holidays, while the lowest response came from Australia for stay at home holidays.


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Don't forget unit. alt text alt text alt text


Structure of Body Paragraphs

Body Paragraphs

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Use of time markers

Language Focus:

Clause


To begin (sequence), an application to vote via post must be requested and (addition) then (sequence) completed. This can be done on paper or online. Following this (sequence), those who have applied for a postal vote receive their ballot paper two weeks before (time) the election. The ballot paper is sent to the address specified by the recipient.

The next part of the process (sequence) involves completing the ballot paper. To do this (details of how), the person casting the vote needs to fill in the ballot paper in the presence of a witness who signs and dates the paper. Once (sequence) this has been finalised, the next step (sequence) is casting the vote. In this step, the voter chooses the candidate they prefer by ticking the appropriate box. Finally (sequence), after (sequence) the vote has been cast, the ballot paper is placed in a prepaid envelope and (addition) posted.


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alt text alt text alt text My: The number of Indian students has risen sharply from around 5000 to 15000 over the course of 40 years. There was a steep increase in the admission of students from Nepal since 2010, with a growth rate of 4.5 times in the last 10 years. Vietnam, whose students used to be the majority in 1980 enrollment, also experienced a sharp rise in enrollment, with 10000 of its students enrolled in 2020.

There was relatively nominal improvement in the enrollment of students from Colombia, with only 1500 students joining in 2020. In contrast, approximately 7500 students from Indonesia decided to study at De La Salle University in that year, which is around 7000 more than the number of students who came to the University in 1980.

Note: For diagrams, you need to describe all the steps.

Diagrams should be described in the same order as they occur. Describe the first half of the visual in the first body paragraph and the second half in the second body paragraph.

Graphs terminologies

wordssynonyms
makes upaccounts, comprises of, fall into
subsequently
risesurge
across various categories
corresponding
converselyin contrast
generatingtotaling
undergo/experience change
to identify a trend
rising living standards
a sharp rise
to reach a peak
to experience a decline
to rise markedly
to drop significantly
the figures revealit can be seen

Practice

Barchart

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The given chart illustrates the percentage distribution of the Australian population in cities and regional centers based on mean annual earning categories: low, lower middle, middle, and high incomes. Overall, the majority of people in both regions fall into the middle and lower middle income groups, while those with low and high incomes constitute relatively smaller percentages.

In cities, the largest income group is the middle average yearly income group, comprising 35% of the population. The lower middle group is the second largest, at 30%, followed by the high income group. In contrast, the low-earning group, with an annual average income of $40,000 or lower, accounts for the smallest percentage, around 13.5%.

In regional centers, the largest group is the lower middle income group, representing approximately 34% of the region's population, while those in the high income category make up only 15%. Moreover, the second and third largest income groups are the middle and low income groups, with about 24% and 22%, respectively.

Line graph

alt text The line graph presents information about how much food was consumed in Australia from 1950 until 2010 in five categories of food. Overall, by 2010, consumption had increased in all food categories except for meat, which had declined.

The greatest increase over the 60-year period was in fruit consumption, which grew from 80 kilograms per person in 1950 to 140 kilograms in 2010, despite a drop in consumption in 1970. Consumption of vegetables and bread also went up, both by about 20 kilograms per person between 1950 and 2010. However, these food categories also saw significant fluctuations in consumption throughout the period. While seafood consumption also grew between 1950 and 2010, the change was minimal compared with fruit, vegetables and bread, with an increase of only a few kilograms per person.

In contrast to the other four food categories, meat was the only food that Australians ate less of in 2010 compared with 1950; with a decrease from about 110 kilograms in 1950 to 80 kilograms in 2010. However, it is notable that meat consumption did experience a slight rise in 1970 and a surge in 1990 when it reached a peak of almost 120 kilograms before a sudden drop in the year 2000.

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Pie Chart

alt text The two pie charts provide details about exports both from Vietnam to the US and from the US to Vietnam in millions of dollars. Overall, the most lucrative export from Vietnam to the US is coffee while for the US its biggest export to Vietnam is Aircraft parts.

In decreasing order, the five main exports from Vietnam to the US are coffee, fruit and vegetables, seafood, rice and garments. The two largest of these are coffee, and fruit and vegetables, which are worth $23 million and $16 million respectively. The other products are all worth significantly less, with seafood and rice both at around $4 million and garments making up $2 million. Another $2 million comes from other unnamed exports.

For US exports to Vietnam, aircraft parts bring in substantially more money than all other categories, at $72 million. After this, the next largest exports are other and machinery at $35 and $30.5 million respectively. The exports which provide the least money are fertiliser, cotton and cars which are all below $17 million.

megtp: The pie chart illustrates the exports between the US and Vietnam across various categories and their corresponding monetary values in millions of dollars. Overall, Vietnam's major export to the US is related to food consumption, primarily coffee, while Vietnam imports aircraft parts as its primary goods from the US.

The export of coffee to the US generates $23 million for Vietnam, making it the largest export. The second-largest export category for Vietnam is fruits and vegetables, yielding $16 million. Conversely, seafood and rice exports contribute less to the economy, generating $4.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Garments and other categories each account for $2 million.

On the other hand, the US primarily sells aircraft parts to Vietnam, amounting to $72 million in revenue. Other categories contribute less than half of this amount, totaling $35 million. Machinery is the third-largest export, generating $30.5 million, followed by fertilizers with $16.5 million and cotton with $12 million. The revenue from car exports constitutes the smallest portion of US export revenue to Vietnam, totaling only $6 million.

Flowchart

alt text The diagram illustrates the steps involved in a company’s HR recruitment process. Overall, it explains the process for applications and selection of a successful candidate.

The first part of the process involves posting the job advertisement and collecting applications. To commence, the company creates a list of requirements for the job and then publishes these online. Those who want to apply for the job then need to download, complete, and submit the job application form. Subsequently, all of these applications are then assessed.

In the next stage of the process, the company chooses which applications will progress to the next stage. Those who are unsuccessful are sent an email notifying them of this, while successful applicants are invited to attend an interview. After the interview, one successful candidate is chosen by the company as well as a runner-up. All other candidates are sent an email to tell them that they have not received the job. Finally, the winning candidate is offered the position.

Map

alt text This map illustrates the changes that have taken place in a town called Stromer between 1995 and now. Overall, it is clear that there has been significant development in the town, with a large increase in the number of roads and buildings.

In 1995, the land around the town of Stromer was made up of large areas of forest in the north and a substantial portion of farmland in the south-east. There was only one main road which ran through the centre of the town with a small commercial area and residential blocks to the north-west and south-east of the shops.

In contrast, the current map of Stromer includes significantly more buildings, including shops, houses, apartments, a school and an airport. The area of farmland that can be seen in 1995 has shrunk considerably and the amount of forest land is also much smaller. An airport has been constructed in the northeast, where there was once forest in 1995, and in the centre of the town a school has been built. Around the school, a number of new shops have been established in areas which used to have forest or farmland and, in the north and south, new apartment buildings have appeared.

To check

writing1

Task 2

Write in neutral, formal style.

What to include?

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  • Topic Word - Broad topic - 🟡
  • Limiting word - Specific words - 🔵
  • Instruction words - 🟢
Common Topics

Animals and The Environment

  • The spread of urban areas has led to deforestation and has caused many animal species to become endangered. Environmental groups are urging governments to protect these animals. What are the benefits of protecting animals? What can governments do to protect animals?

  • Zoos around the world provide people with the opportunity to enjoy and learn about animals that they do not usually have the chance to see. However, despite these benefits, it is unkind to keep animals in zoos. Do you agree?

  • During the last century, the phenomenal popularity of cars has meant that the world’s environment is now at risk. Some scientists, for example, claim that motor vehicles have been responsible for the temperature of the world rising by several degrees during the last few decades. What motivates people to buy cars and what can we do to stop people from buying them?

  • The world is consuming natural resources faster than they can be renewed. Therefore, it is important that products are made to last. Governments should discourage people from constantly buying up-to-date or fashionable products. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Health and Exercise

  • Compared to our parent’s generation, life has become much more stressful. As a result, stress-related illnesses are on the increase around the world. Why is stress such a problem in the modern world and what do you think can be done to overcome the problems caused by stress?

  • Traditional medicine, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies, is very popular in some countries. Those who practise traditional medicine claim that it is better than modern medicine in maintaining and improving health. Do you agree or disagree with this point of view?

  • More children are becoming overweight. Therefore, daily physical education classes should be compulsory in primary and secondary schools. To what extent do you agree?

  • Many people eat fast food regularly. Why is this the case?

  • Some people think that going to the gym is one of the most important factors in achieving good health. Do you think that people can be healthy without going to the gym? What other factors contribute towards good health?

  • Some people argue that it is better to exercise alone. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Education

  • Online courses have been welcomed as a great opportunity by many students, other students see these courses as a poor substitute for classroom teaching. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course?

  • Universities are becoming increasingly expensive to operate. In some countries, money from taxation has met these costs. However, this is not always enough to maintain the quality of universities. What problems can occur when universities do not have enough money? Suggest alternative ways that universities can be funded.

  • Increasingly large numbers of students are undertaking their higher education in other countries. Despite problems such as the financial cost and the difficulty of studying in a foreign language, the benefits of studying overseas are often thought to be greater than the difficulties. To what extent do you agree?

Government and Society

  • People are living much longer than before, and this creates enormous pressure on government services. What are some of the effects of a much larger, older population and what can governments do to deal with this problem?

  • Some governments provide financial assistance for retired, unemployed and disabled citizens. In other countries, families provide support for these people. Discuss both systems and give your own opinion.

Law and Order

  • Teenage offenders should be treated in the same way as adult criminals. Do you agree?

  • Many governments have laws that ban the sale and use of hard drugs like heroin and cocaine, yet they allow people to freely buy other more socially acceptable drugs like tobacco and alcohol. Laws that prohibit the sale and consumption of ‘hard’ drugs should be applied to other more widely tolerated drugs such as tobacco and alcohol. What is your opinion?

Transport

  • Public transport should be free. To what extent do you agree?

Science and Technology

  • Some people say that the Internet is responsible for destroying social skills of teenagers and young adults. Why do you think the Internet is seen as dangerous in this way and what can we do to ensure that it does not harm the social development of teenagers and young adults?

  • The benefits of computers in modern society far outweigh the disadvantages. What is your opinion?

  • Soon it may be scientifically possible to clone humans. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Travel, Tourism, and Migration

  • Over the past few decades, international travel has become more affordable and many people now choose overseas holidays. As a result, tourism is becoming a profitable industry in many countries. However, despite the benefits, tourism can also create problems. What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism?

  • Many people choose to have a holiday in their own country rather than going overseas. What are the advantages and disadvantages of holidaying in your own country?

  • Every year large numbers of people migrate from one country to another for different reasons. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of migration for the individual and for society as a whole.

Globalisation

  • Due to the influence of world-wide media such as television and computers, the gap between cultures is narrowing. The introduction of this global culture is of great benefit to the world. To what extent do you agree with this point of view?

  • Citizens of all developed countries should be forced to give a percentage of their income to citizens of poorer countries in order to assist them with basic needs. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Language and Culture

  • It is inevitable that as technology develops traditional cultures must be lost. Technology and tradition are incompatible – you cannot have both together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Art

  • Governments spend large amounts of money on art that not all people enjoy. This money could be better spent on things that benefit the majority of the population. Do you agree?

Business and Money

  • Some people think that success is mainly measured by how much money a person has. To what extent do you agree?

Sport

  • Many people argue that the Olympic Games have significant benefits for the host country while others believe they are a waste of money. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

TV, Music, and Media

  • Children are now watching more television than they have ever done before. What are the possible risks and the benefits of this?

Family and Relationships

  • In many traditional societies, caring for the children is only the mother’s responsibility. More recently, some people have argued that the father’s role should be as important as the mother’s role. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • In some parts of the world, the popularity of taking a personal DNA test is increasing. Why do some people want to do this? Is this development positive or negative? Give reasons for your answer.

Communication

  • Some people say that the Internet is bringing people together by making the - world smaller. Do you agree that the Internet is making it easier for people to communicate with one another?

Urban Areas

  • Across the world, cities are growing rapidly. What are the main problems associated with crowded cities?

Every year, many people move to large cities to live and work. This is one of - the biggest problems in the world today. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Most major cities around the world continue to grow at a phenomenal rate due to the massive increase in population. This has led to a general decline in the quality of life in city areas as the environment becomes more crowded and polluted. Give some reasons why this growth has occurred and suggest some practical solutions to this problem.

Question types

Qns Type idp

https://ielts.idp.com/nepal/prepare/article-ielts-writing-task-2-8-steps-to-band-8

Question typeHow many paragraphs?Paragraphs
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?4/51. Introduction
2. Reason why I agree/disagree
3. Another reason why I agree/disagree
4. Concession paragraph reason why I don’t agree/disagree
5. Conclusion
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.51. Introduction
2. One view
3. Other view
4. Your opinion
5. Conclusion
Why is this so? Give reasons for this and solutions?51. Introduction
2. Reason why it is so
3. Reasons for this
4. Solutions for this
5. Conclusion
Do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages?41. Introduction (more advantages)
2. Advantages (3)
3. Disadvantages (2)
4. Conclusion
Why is this so? What effect does it have on the individual and the society?51. Introduction
2. Why this is so
3. Effect/s on individual
4. Effect/s on society
5. Conclusion
Qns Type IELTS online

Opinion Question

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Question Instruction Examples

  • To what extent do you agree?
  • To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  • Do you agree or disagree?
  • What is your opinion?
  • Is this positive or negative?
  • Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
  • Are there more advantages or disadvantages?
  • Are there more befits of risks?
  • Do you think…?

Thesis Statement Examples

  • In my opinion,…
  • This essay will argue that,…
  • I believe…
  • I think…

Discussion Question

  • give overall opinion, recommendation or prediction in conclusion

alt text Question Instruction Examples

  • Discuss both views.
  • Discuss both sides.
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages?
  • What are the benefits and risks?

Thesis Statement Examples

  • This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of…
  • I will describe the benefits and risks of…

Discussion with opinion Question

alt text Question Instruction Examples

  • Discuss one side.
  • Discuss the other side.
  • Give your opinion.

Note: Your thesis statement should include both sides as well as an opinion. Thesis Statement Examples

  • This essay will discuss both sides and argue that…
  • Although…has advantages, I believe that the disadvantages are greater.
  • Some believe that…; however, in my opinion,…

Problem Question

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  • causes, problems (effects) and solutions
  • give overall opinion, recommendation or prediction in conclusion

Question Instruction Examples

  • What issues does this problem lead to?
  • How can the problem be addressed?
  • What effects is this having on young people?
  • What problems arise from this?
  • What are the reasons for this problem?
  • How can this problem be tackled?
  • What are the causes of this problem?
  • Why is this problem happening?
  • What measures can be introduced to limit screen time amongst young people?
  • What potential problems could this cause?
  • What measures can be taken to solve this problem?
  • What problems result from young people overusing screens?
  • How can this situation be improved?

Two-part question

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Paragraph Structure

Structure of Introduction

Background 🟡: General and narrow down to specific question (shift)

Thesis 🔵: Refer to the question instructions

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Question

Many people argue that the Olympic Games have significant benefits for the host country while others believe they are a waste of money.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Response: The Olympic Games are a famous sporting event held every four years, and thousands of athletes from different countries participate. Thus, leading up to the event, there is significant preparation to be done by the host country. Although this preparation is expensive, I believe that overall, the Olympic Games are beneficial for the host country.

Breakdown
SNQuestion PartsIntroduction Parts
A…the Olympic Games…The Olympic games are…
B…have significant benefits for the host country……are beneficial for the host country.
C…while others believe they are a waste of money.Although this preparation is expensive…
DDiscuss both sides and…[Side 1] Although this preparation is expensive,… [Side 2] …overall, the Olympic Games are beneficial for the host country.
E…give your opinion.…I believe that overall, the Olympic Games are beneficial for the host country.

To check

checkWriting2Intro

Question

The spread of urban areas has led to deforestation and has caused many animal species to become endangered. Environmental groups are urging governments to protect these animals. What are the benefits of protecting animals? What can governments do to protect animals?

Response: The number of animal species in danger of extinction(nominalization) has considerably increased over the last few decades. Therefore, it is vital that protection measures are taken(passive) before more animals become extinct. This essay will outline some benefits of protecting animals and suggest ways in which governments can protect them.

Structure of Body Paragraphs

Body Paragraph = Topic sentences + Supporting sentences

1. Topic sentences

  • Introduce paragraph's main idea
  • Link paragraph to the thesis statement
  • Link body paragraphs together eg: Nevertheless, However :::note Demo

Thesis statement The following essay deals with the advantages and disadvantages of online courses.

Topic sentence for body paragraph 1: Online study provides the advantages of a flexible learning alternative for students.

Topic sentence for body paragraph 2: Despite the advantages, online courses are not appropriate for all students and subjects due to the limitations of technology. :::

2. Supporting sentences

Support main idea in the topic sentence by providing following: Evidence, Example🟡, Explanation(Development)🔵

Demo

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Structure of Conclusion

  • Linker: start with a linker that signals it is the conclusion.
  • Thesis restatement: restate your thesis (from the introduction).
  • Main ideas: summarise your main ideas.
  • Final comment: provide a final comment that gives an overall opinion (optional).

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Demo

Question Many people argue that the Olympic Games have significant benefits for the host country while others believe they are a waste of money.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Conclusion Paragraph: In conclusion, even though there are high costs associated with the lead-up to hosting the Olympic Games, it is still beneficial for the host country both in the short-term and long-term as it promotes tourism and provides jobs for local people.

Linker: In conclusion,…

Thesis restatement: … even though there are high costs associated with the lead-up to hosting the Olympic Games, it is still beneficial for the host country…

Main idea 1: …there are high costs associated with the lead-up to hosting the Olympic Games…

Main idea 2: …it is still beneficial for the host country both in the short-term and long-term as it promotes tourism and provides jobs to local people….

Final comment: The conclusion may also include a final comment which provides an overall opinion or evaluation. However, since this conclusion already includes an overall opinion, this part has been omitted.

Analysis of Conclusion

Comparing intro with conclusion

1. Similarities

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2. Differences

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Comparing body with conclusion 1. Similarities

1. Similarities

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2. Differences

Only the main ideas from the body paragraphs are summarised in the conclusion, and you can see above that most of the details in the supporting sentences are omitted.

Be careful

You should not include new information in your conclusion.

Repetition and Lexical Chains

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Model Questions

Opinion Question Discussion Question Discussion with opinion Question Problem Question Tow-part Question

Hedging

Hedging is the use of language which makes your writing more cautious and more precise. It responds to questions such as:

  • how many?
  • how often?
  • how probable?
Formeg
Impersonal Phrasesit is widely accepted that …, it is widely believed that …, it is argued that…,it is widely accepted that....
Modal Verbsmight, could, can, may, should, would*, must*
Quantifiersall*, most, a large number of, many, some, a small number of, none*
Adverbs of Degreesomewhat, partially, significantly
Adverbs of Frequencyalways*, usually, commonly, sometimes, often, never*
Adjectives of Probabilityunlikely, possible, probable, uncertain, likely, certain*
* these examples both express a high level of certainty or commitment.

Note

Nominalisation

Nominalisation is the process of changing verbs & adjectives into nouns. This is a typical feature of academic writing as it makes writing more concise and creates noun-phrase grammatical structures.

changing intoverbnoun
into its gerund form…when they watch TV’‘Watching TV…’.
ts noun form‘They learn to appreciate the environment…’‘Appreciation of the environment…’
into a different noun‘They can learn many things…’‘The acquisition of knowledge…’.
refuserefusal
Nominalisation

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Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence and Cohesion

Cohesion:

  • Reference word. eg;Pronouns, this, that
  • Repeated words/ideas. Use of synonyms
  • Transition signals.
  • Substitution. eg. doing so, the one
  • Ellipsis Leaving out words (because the meaning is clear)

Coherence:

  • well organized
  • clear thesis statement, topic sentence, summary

Signpost

Signpost

Lexical resource

Use precise, avoid vague vocabulary

Here is an example of limited and adequate vocabulary at a sentence level:

Limited: When people go to the gym, they can feel good and happy.

Adequate: When people exercise at the gym, they usually feel healthier and more positive.

As you can see, the limited sentence uses simple vocabulary (go, good, happy) while the adequate sentence uses less common and more precise vocabulary (exercise, healthier, more positive).