Advanced Essay Writing

By
Sumona Sharmin
 Structure of an Essay

1. Introduction
Present and develop the essay question in your introduction

2. Main content: Paragraphs 1-2

Describe the first point/argument from the notes (most important)
Describe the second point/argument from the notes.

3. Conclusion
A summary of what you have said.
 How to Write an Essay

If you have two main points to make, you can give your essay a
clear structure by dividing it into four paragraphs by following 3
parts of essays. For Example:
1. Introduction: Paragraph 1
2. Body/ Main Content: paragraph 2 (explaining point 1)
&
Paragraph 3
(explaining point 2)
3. Conclusion: paragraph 4
 1. Introduction

The first paragraph of an essay provides the introduction. It states what is to

be discussed and why. Your main points are briefly introduced. This
paragraph need not be lengthy.
Topic: ‘Promoting health and Fitness to Youth’
An example is given below
Introduction: We often hear about the many benefits of health and fitness.
However, less often do we hear concrete suggestions for how to improve
participation rates, particularly among young people. In this essay I will
discuss two possible actions that governments could focus on in order to
promote health and fitness to youth today. (main points are briefly
introduced.)
2. Main Content: Paragraph 1

Paragraph 1
In this paragraph, more background information is provided in greater
detail. Your first, often the strongest main point is expanded upon. Bring
in and refute any arguments against your point of view.
An example is given below

Paragraph 1: The first possible action is to improve physical education

teaching in schools. Local students have at times complained that…
(Describe the first point/argument from the notes- Background
informatiom))
2. Main Content: Paragraph 2

The second paragraph provides your second key point, lying it into
the theme of your essay. Again, bring in opposing points of view and
support your second key point with Information and background.

Example:
Paragraph 2: A second option would be to attempt to change the
overly competitive attitudes that seem ingrained in many of the
sports… (Describe the second point/argument from the notes)
3. Conclusion

The final paragraph is used to summarise or conclude your essay.

It shows how the two key points you have presented compare or
relate to each other. It also clearly re-states your initial position from
the introductory paragraph.
Example:
Conclusion: In summary, either approach would be a step in the
right direction. In my view, it would be wise to prioritize dealing
with reducing competitiveness first because I believe it would help
young people feel better about the sports they already do. They
could then, in turn, influence their friends to join in.
 TIPS

• ANSWER THE QUESTION.

• PLAN your essay.
• REVISE your essay to correct mistakes.
• The final paragraph is the best place to express your opinion
clearly
• Add quotations, statistics, facts. examples and other relevant data
to support your points.
 TIPS

• The tone and register can be formal or semiformal depending on

your treatment of the topic. If your essay is written in a formal
register, only bring in informal expressions when you use a direct
quotation to support your argument.
• Punctuation is important in essays and can be a powerful tool for
expressing subtle or emphatic points. Short sentences make for a
peachy style but get irritating if they are over-used, long
sentences need careful use of commas, semi-colons and desires to
achieve flow and rhythm.
 Writing Checklist

After writing your text, you can check it yourself using the writing checklist below.
How to do that? Simply check your text/email by answering the questions one by one:

 Content
• Have I covered all the key information required by the task?
• Have I written only information which is relevant to the task?
• Have I developed the basic points in the task with my own ideas?
 Communicative Achievement
• Have I achieved the main purpose(s) of the text (for example, explaining, persuading,
suggesting, apologising, comparing, etc.)?
• Have I used a suitable mix of fact and opinion?
• Have I used a suitable style and register (formal or informal) for the task?
 Writing Checklist

 Organisation
• Have I used paragraphs appropriately to organise my ideas?
• Have I used other organisational features appropriately for the genre of the text (for example, titles,
headings, openings, closings, etc.)?
• Is the connection between my ideas clear and easy for the reader to follow? (For example, have I
used appropriate linking words, pronouns, etc. to refer to different things within the text?)
• Are the ideas balanced appropriately, with suitable attention and space given to each one?
 Language
• Have I used a wide range of vocabulary?
• Have I avoided repeating the same words and phrases?
• Have I used a range of simple and more complex grammatical structures?
• Have I correctly used any common phrases which are relevant to the specific task or topic?
• Is my use of grammar accurate?
• Is my spelling accurate?
 Useful Phrases, Words & Expressions

If we learn several expressions/words for each paragraph in each type of text that could be on your exam, you will certainly
be able to create a very consistent essay with a perfect structure
To start essay: Introduction
 It is often said that …
….is a hotly-debated topic that often divides opinion.
….is a topic that is often discussed but rarely solved.
 Many people feel that …
We live in an age when many of us are…
More and more families/people are choosing to …
The trend nowadays is towards +ing
 Over the past/last ten years or so, …
 Recent research indicates that the number of …is increasing.
 Statistics indicate that—
 Topic sentences
 First Paragraph
…. clearly/undoubtedly has an impact on…
It is common knowledge that… plays a crucial role in…
It is undoubtedly the case that…
There is little doubt that…
… is widely believed to contribute to…
It is generally considered that…
Recent research suggests that…
Studies have shown that… has an impact/influence on…
Few people would contest/dispute the fact that…
 Second Paragraph
Another factor to consider is…
On the other hand/In contrast…
It is often claimed that…
All the evidence suggests that…
 Stating your opinion
As I see it,
It seems to me that ………… I would also say that ….
I am convinced that ……………
I am inclined to believe that ………………
There is no doubt in my mind that ………………
One of the drawbacks of ……. is ……….
However, one of the benefits is that …………
 Changing topic
As regards the causes for this, …………..
Concerning the causes for this, ………
As for the causes, ……
 To conclude an essay: Concluding

 In light of the above,

Taking all this into consideration/account,…
As far as I am concerned, / in my opinion, / as I see it, etc.
… is the most effective way to… due to the fact that…
Despite the fact that… undoubtedly plays a role in… I firmly
believe that… is more effective due to the fact that… its
advantages outnumber/ outweigh those
All in all it seems to me that ………..
The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that …………………..
All things considered! ………….
On balance! , tend to believe that …………
The world would surely be a better place to live in if …………..
Thank you