Module 6.1.

Writing - DeepL
Essay and connecting words 1

A. Work in pairs. We are going to read an essay suggesting that studying abroad is a valuable experience for
university students. Discuss the following questions and complete the pro-con chart.
1. If you were going to complete a semester abroad, where would you go? Explain your answer.
2. Can you think of three reasons that a student should study abroad? Can you think of three reasons that
students should not study abroad?
PRO CON
1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

3. Do you think colleges and universities should modify their graduation requirements to include the
mandatory completion of at least one semester in a study-abroad programme? Why or why not?

B. You will be given the six paragraphs of this essay on studying abroad. Put them in the correct order and
see how well it fits the chart below presenting how an argument essay is usually organized (topic: why
should we recycle). In the text, find seven connecting words that either develop a point further or address a
counterargument and list them below.
Connecting words: ________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 1 Hook
INTRODUCTION Connecting information
Thesis
Paragraph 2 Support 1: Recycling saves energy.
• Creating glass from recycled glass uses 50 percent less
energy than making new glass
• Recycling one can of soda saves enough energy to run a TV
BODY
for three hours
Paragraph 3 Support 2: Recycling reduces air pollution.
• Using recycled products helps reduce the amount of
pollution in our air.
Paragraph 4 Restated thesis
CONCLUSION
Suggestion/opinion/prediction

C. Answer the following questions about the essay.

1. What is the writer’s thesis? Can you underline the thesis statement in the text?
2. What reasons does the writer gives for her viewpoint?
3. Can you come up with ways in which the writer could have made her point more convincing?
4. Does the last sentence in the conclusion offer a suggestion, an opinion, or a prediction?

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Adapted from K. S. Folse/T. Pugh (2015), Great Writing. From Great Essays to Research, Cengage Learning; G.
Cunningham/J. Bell (2009), face2face. Advanced, CUP.
D. Write with AI
Read the texts below and then summarise the information in a short paragraph in English. Please use,
contrastive connecting words (see below). Use only an online dictionary (OD) like reverso dictionary or
wordreference. Highlight the words that you had to look up.

Gentle parenting
There are no hard and fast rules as far as parenting goes. Contrary to what ‘experts’ would have parents
believe, parenting is mostly trial and error. There are no perfect parents, only those who have learned from
experience and research. Those who are deemed experts are so because they help others with the best
practices they have studied and discovered. As such, there is no perfect parenting style – each has its own
pros and cons – and Gentle Parenting is no exception. What are Gentle Parenting’s pros and cons?
Gentle Parenting’s use of teaching rather than punishing enables children to learn in a safe and comfortable
environment. Without the fear of being reprimanded, they can be themselves and follow their curiosity and
interests freely. They are not afraid to make mistakes as they see these as opportunities to learn. Children
learn that their actions are different from their person, and their mistakes do not define who they are as
people. This is an important skill to have in an increasingly stressful world. Knowing that if things do not go
their way, they can still persevere and try again will help children through many challenging situations
throughout their life. In children’s first relationships, parents or carers set the tone for how children will
view and be in other relationships in their lives. Gentle Parenting’s respectful approach where the needs of
the child are considered demonstrates to children to interact with others in a respectful manner. Being on
the receiving end of this considerate exchange establishes to the child the type of congenial interaction
that occurs in a healthy relationship. This positive view and experience of relationships enable them to
initiate and maintain good relationships themselves.
With respect to ‘cons’ or points against Gentle Parenting, I have found that it is more things that other
parents disagree with rather than something that can be hurtful to your children. It is mostly a difference in
preference – opposition to this parenting style. Let us have a look at some of the identified cons of Gentle
Parenting. Gentle Parenting requires a particular mindset of parents wanting to engage in it. This mindset is
one that is proactive – thinking of the end in mind for their child to guide their decision-making and
lifestyle. It can seem too involved and a more difficult way of raising children. Also, Gentle Parenting is not
an instant fix. It takes time and effort to correct and teach children consistently. It takes time to explain
why something is right or wrong, it takes time to listen to children explain what they are thinking. Results of
gentle parenting are not seen overnight but over time, through consistent effort. Gentle parenting is not a
rules-based method but rather an ethos or way of life that guides parents on how to go through parenting
with their children. It is not for parents who believe in punishment – emotional or physical.

Put your paragraph in a machine translation system and translate it to your own first language. Make any
changes to the text to make it OK. Then put it back in the system to get an English text.
Compare this text to your paragraph and see if you can use it to correct some of your mistakes or use some
of DeepL’s phrasings to make your text more fluent. Highlight in a different colours the passages that you
modified.
In groups of two, compare your paragraphs and discuss briefly if you thought the experience of using DeepL
was worth it. Discuss with your partner who used another AI tool and discuss the best way to include these
tools when you want to learn a language.

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E. CONNECTING WORDS
Read this argument essay and circle the correct transition words of phrases.

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THEORY.

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PRACTICE.
Exercise 1. Fill in the gaps with theses connecting words/phrases. Sometimes there is more than one
possible answer.
also as well what’s more besides too not only
1. She’s been running the company since November. She’s got three children to look after, …………… .
2. Chinese food is very tasty. It’s quite cheap, ……………….. .
3. The problem we were set was extremely difficult to solve. …………………….. , we didn’t have much
time to do it.
4. The traffic is really heavy at this time of day. The roads are ……………… extremely icy, so be careful.
5. The village is …………….. remote but totally inaccessible by road.
6. I haven’t got any change on me. …………………….., you already owe me money from last time.

Exercise 2. Fill in the gaps with theses connecting words/phrases. Sometimes there is more than one
possible answer.
although even though whereas however but
1. ……………… I never bother to lock my car, I know I should.
2. I never bother to lock my car, ……………………….. I know I should.
3. …………………… Jane always helps, her brother never does.
4. …………………… Jane says she’s willing to help, she rarely does.
5. …………………… I like cats, I prefer dogs.
6. I like cats. …………………………, I prefer dogs.
7. Frank is very athletic, …………………………. His brother isn’t.
8. Franck is very athletic. …………………………….. , his brother isn’t.

Exercise 3. Choose the correct connecting word. Sometimes both answers are possible.
1. This coat is so old, despite/but it’s still my favourite.
2. In spite of/Although it was freezing, they went for a bike ride.
3. Nonetheless/In spite of the fact that he was ill, he went to work.
4. I’m not hungry. Nevertheless/However, I will have one of those cakes.
5. He only got 50% in his exam, but nevertheless/however that’s better than last year.
6. Despite/Although being late, they allowed us into the theatre.
7. In spite of/Although the weather, we had a great time.
8. Despite/In spite of all their hard work, they failed to make the deadline.
9. I told him not to phone. Nevertheless/Even though, he did.

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Exercise 4. Tick the correct sentences. Then correct the mistakes.
1. The colours need to be bolder so as to make the design stand out.
2. In order the campaign to be a success, we must increase our budget.
3. So that we can meet our deadline, we’d appreciate your ideas by tomorrow.
4. I’d like to do a copywriting course so to go into adverstising.
5. I’ll send you some possible slogans in order you can decide.
6. We have done research to see which adverts are the most popular.

Exercise 5.Choose the correct connecting words in the sentences.

1. Unless/In case ex-prisoners are giving help, they are likely to re-offend.
2. We must act now, unless/otherwise the prison population will double.
3. Ex-prisoners should be helped financially, as long as/unless there is enough money.
4. Prisoners can become responsible citizens, otherwise/providing we allow them to.
5. Imagine/Whether the governor is right or wrong, there are many who disagree.
6. Supposing/Otherwise the prisoners aren’t well enough to work, what happens then?

Exercise 6. Rewrite these sentences in two different ways using the two words in brackets. Change the
words and word order if necessary.
1. He’s very determined. That’s why he’s successful. (due to; because)
His success is due to his determination.

He’s successful because he’s very determined.

2. Mary’s racket was broken. I lent her mine. (so; because)

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. My Spanish is really bad. He didn’t understand me. (as a result; because)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Visibility was poor. There were several road accidents. (because of; consequently)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. You don’t want to help. I’ll do it myself. (since; as)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
6. There were terrible floods. They lost all their crops. (therefore; because of)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
7. The weather was bad yesterday. I didn’t go climbing. (owing to; because)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
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 Writing task

Choose one of the topics below and write an argument essay giving your opinion and supporting it with
arguments.

TOPIC 1. In most places, the minimum driving age is between 16 to 18, and drivers can keep their licenses
as long as they are good drivers. Do you think there should be a maximum age after which a person can no
longer keep a driver’s license?

TOPIC 2. Should parents send their children to a school that gives instruction in more than one language?

TOPIC 3. Should lawyers work hard to defend a client they think is guilty?

Write at least 300 words and upload your essay on Moodle by Monday February 13, 2023.