This is the only step that helps a person to achieve perfection. It is interesting that the word "essay" came into the Russian language from French, but it has a Latin history. The French word "essai" can have several translation options, "experience", "trial", "sketch".
So, an essay is an essay of a given volume and often a free composition, but if we are talking about an essay in English, then you need to adhere to a clear plan, it all depends on the type of essay. The main features of the essay are the availability of comprehensive information on a specific topic, the expression of individual opinions, as well as counterarguments.
It is important for schoolchildren to learn how to write essays in order to easily cope with the tasks on the exam, and later to be able to present themselves and describe their achievements to a potential employer.
The main purpose of the essay is to develop the skills of independent creative thinking and written expression of thoughts.
And if you have already learned how to correctly express thoughts, then it is quite difficult to structure information, as well as highlight connections and illustrate everything with examples. That is why such an essay as an essay in English is submitted to the exam.
Essays in English examples
Electronic books versus printed books. Who will be the winner in future?
Recent researches have shown that the quantity of readers of printed books is constantly reducing. Electronic books are becoming the most popular way of getting information. But despite of their certain advantages many of us prefer acquaintance with fresh printed volumes. Will electronic books replace printed ones?
I am convinced that the growing number of readers will be absolutely happy to get an e-book as their birthday present. First of all, electronic versions can store thousands of books at the same time. Besides, there will be no need to go shopping for every new book because people can do buy it at one click.
On the other hand, there are a lot of people who are not ready to replace printed books because they are better for human eyes. Moreover printed books are much easier to read because of no need in electricity supply. Nowadays less people are ready to buy books because of its expensive price but printed books are still the reminding of a miracle that each of us can easily touch and breathe in.
Summing up all the above, I think both books variants will happily coexist in future, it means that it will be possible to enjoy fresh printed books as well as easily download electronic ones into your gadget.
E-books versus printed books. Who will be the winner in the future?
Recent studies have shown that the number of readers of printed books is constantly decreasing. Speaking of e-books, they are becoming the most popular way to get information. But, despite their certain advantages, many of us prefer acquaintance with freshly printed books. Will e-books replace printed books?
I'm sure a growing number of readers will be absolutely delighted to receive the e-book as a birthday present. First, electronic versions can store thousands of books at the same time. In addition, there will be no need to go shopping for each new book, because you can buy it in one click.
On the other hand, there are many people who are not ready to replace printed books because they are better for the eyes. Plus, printed books are easier to read as they don't need power. Today, fewer people are willing to buy books because of the high price tag, but printed books are still a reminder of a miracle that each of us can touch and breathe.
To summarize the above, I believe that both versions of books can happily coexist in the future, which means that it will be possible to enjoy printed books as well as easily downloading an e-book to your gadget.
Essays for and against in English
As for the essay "pros and cons", it is important to clearly express two opposing opinions - as well as express your own opinion about the problem. For example, if we are talking about studying several foreign languages at school. It is worth starting by posing the problem:
Nowadays people are keen on many different languages to survive in the fast moving world. Therefore people send children to schools to learn as many languages as possible. However, is it good to get knowledge of several languages at the same time?
The problem is clear - is it good to learn several languages at the same time. Next, we express our own opinion regarding the set situation. Firstly, foreign languages broaden our world view giving us the opportunity to speak without fears. Secondly, every new language is the perspective to know a new culture and to find a good job. Moreover, every new language helps to think more quickly and to learn faster.
Now it must be emphasized that there are also negative aspects of learning several foreign languages at the same time.
On the other hand, learning several languages can be confusing, especially if talking about languages of the same group. Some languages contain many rules while others many have exceptions. All this can lead to misunderstanding of new languages as well as the native one.
Now is the time to summarize. Being a person of a modern society, I would like to say that the knowledge of many languages is a beneficial advantage. However, people should learn their native language first before starting several ones at the same time.
This may look like an example of an essay in English for the exam.
Learn English using the online service Lim English and it will not be difficult for you to write an essay. You can start training.
First of all, your English essay should cover ALL aspects of the assignment, and it should also be written in an appropriate (neutral) style. It should be logically divided into paragraphs and correspond to the plan proposed in the assignment.
In order not to get confused in the process of writing your essay, you need to spend 5-7 minutes thinking about the plan and preparing all the arguments. Traditionally, we will divide the essay into five paragraphs.
Paragraph 1. Introduction
There must be a statement of the problem. Since the statement of the problem has already been set out in the assignment, your task is to correctly retell it. Precisely to RELATE, not to paraphrase.
Instead of banal “Some people think, ... Others think, ..." can be used:
Some people claim that ..., while others argue that ...
After you have described the essence of the problem, you can ask the question directly, which you will answer in your essay. For example:“What is better: ... or ...?”, “What should we do: ... or ...?”
The last sentence of your opening paragraph should be the purpose of your essay. This can be done, for example, like this:
In this essay I will try to look upon this issue.
In this essay I will try to express my opinion on this issue.
In this essay I would like to express my point of view on this issue.
In this essay I will try to answer this question.(This is the simplest option, if it will be difficult for you to remember the previous two, remember it)
Paragraph 2. Your opinion
It is most logical to start this paragraph with the statement of your position on this issue. Useful phrases (be sure to follow this punctuation!):
In my opinion, ...
From my point of view, ...
To my mind, ...
Personally, I think that ...
I'm certain that ...
As far as I am concerned, ...
Next, you need to give 2-3 arguments confirming your point of view. Arguments can be any, if you interpret them correctly. That is, such that it would be difficult to argue with them (within reasonable limits, of course).
Advice: It is better to give 2 arguments and justify them in detail and give examples to support them than 3 short and incompletely disclosed ones. Remember that the number of words in an essay is limited.
Here we should not forget about the means of logical connection of sentences. The first argument is a good place to start with:
Firstly, ...
To start with, ...
To begin with, ...
First of all, ...
After you have formulated the first argument, you need to confirm it and / or give an example in support. Here are the simplest models for how to do this:
Because ...
... That is why ...
... For example, ...
If you started with a word"Firstly, ..." , then the second argument should start with the word Secondly,. If the first argument came with the phrases “To start with, ...”, “To begin with, ...”, then the second can be started with the following words:
Moreover, ...
Furthermore, ...
Besides, ...
In addition, ...
The second argument must also be supported by example or evidence.
Paragraph 3. Opposite opinion
You will begin a paragraph by stating an opposite opinion on the proposed topic or question. You can do it like this:
Others believe that ...
Some people argue that ...
However, some people think that ...
This is followed by 1 or 2 arguments confirming the opposite opinion. I advise you to initially think of two. And how much to write in the end: 1 or 2 - decide in the process, based on the resulting size of your essay.
Advice: You will then have to dispute the opposite arguments, therefore, coming up with them initially, think over how you will dispute them. If you have nothing to argue with the invented argument, it is better to immediately replace it with another, so as not to do it while writing the essay. It is also limited!
Tip: When challenging arguments, you must not repeat anything written in the second paragraph. So if you can't come up with a counterargument without repeating yourself, try coming up with something else. Alternatively, you can think of other pros while the essay is not yet written. In any case, it is better to think it over initially, while you are drawing up the outline of the essay, rather than during the writing process!
Paragraph 4. Your counterarguments
The point of this paragraph is to explain why you disagree with the opposite opinion. You can start a paragraph, for example, with a sentence:
I can’t agree with this opinion because ...
I'm afraid I can’t agree with this idea because ...
ATTENTION: if you gave two arguments in the previous paragraph, then both must be refuted. You can differentiate them with the following phrases:
As for ...,
Speaking about ...,
As far as ... is concerned,
Tip: When refuting opposing arguments, it is best to suggest ways to solve them, rather than prove them incapable. For example, if someone thinks that pets are dangerous, then there is no need to claim that they are, in fact, harmless. It is better to turn this disadvantage into dignity, saying that, on the other hand, they are excellent guards in country houses.
Paragraph 5. Conclusion
The most common mistake many students make: in the conclusion, they simply express their opinion. This is not enough. After all, the conclusion applies to the entire essay, not just the second paragraph.
Thus, in the conclusion, you need to summarize everything that was said in the essay and express your point of view. You can also give your recommendations on the existing problem. Most importantly, there should be no new information in the conclusion.
In conclusion, ... To sum up, ... To conclude, ...
Further, we let the reader understand that there are two points of view on this problem, and despite the opposite point of view, we still stick to ours. For example, this can be done according to the following scheme:
Despite the fact that ..., I'm convinced that ...
Taking into consideration different opinions on this issue, I believe that ...
Language design of the essay
After you have written the USE essay in English, be sure to review it again for possible errors. From my experience of the most common mistakes, I advise you to pay attention to the following things:
Run each noun separately. If a noun is countable and is in the singular, there must be an article in front of it! Most likely, you should have it undefined (but see for yourself from the context).
Go over all the introductory words and phrases and make sure there are commas after them. On the other hand, there should not be a comma before the word 'that':“I think that ...”, “Others believe that ...”.
If the subject is expressed by the 3rd person singular ( he / she / it ), do not forget to add the ending -s to the verb!
As for the "smart" words, a separate conversation. There is a separate item in the assessment criteria: Vocabulary. Believe me, it's better not to use a smart word than to use it incorrectly and get minus points for it.
Advice: If you do not know a lot of "smart" vocabulary, cram it into the phrases you memorized in advance to the maximum. For example, instead of the banal “for example”, you can use “for instance”; instead of “I think” use “I believe / suppose / presume”. That is, in fact, you need to come up with vocabulary that you can definitely use in your essay in English, no matter what topic you come across.
Writing an essay in English is a standard task on the exam. It is for this work that the greatest number of points is awarded, tk. the task itself is not an easy one. Even in their native language, not everyone will be able to competently and consistently express their thoughts on a certain topic. What can I say if you have to do it in English.
So what is an essay? An essay is a short essay, the purpose of which is to convey individual impressions and thoughts on a specific issue. It is such a creative task as writing an essay that makes it possible to characterize you as a person, to show your worldview, your knowledge, your potential.
As you already understood, writing an essay in English requires a fairly high level of language proficiency. this task can be called creative, you must learn to express your point of view and develop a given thought. This art is quite possible to master, especially if you follow the plan discussed below. I will give you a couple of very useful tips for writing essays in English that will help you more than once.
Essay structure
An essay in English should include three semantic parts: introduction, main part and conclusion.
Introduction
In the introduction, you must clearly identify the key topic-problem, which, in fact, you will discuss further. That is, to begin with, you must communicate the topic of the essay, paraphrasing it using synonyms of keywords. You must show that you understand and comprehend the topic.
It is also necessary to point out that there are conflicting opinions about this problem, and indicate which position you take. In doing so, it is best to use impersonal constructs to emphasize objectivity.
The introduction may contain some commentary on the topic. This could be the definition of a key concept or your explanation of how you understand the topic. You can list exactly which aspects of the topic you will be looking at and why.
So, a well-written introduction should give a clear idea of what will be discussed in the main part. To formulate it beautifully and correctly, use the following phrases that indicate the direction of your thoughts:
- Now I would like to express my point of view on the problem of ... - Now, I would like to express my opinion about ...
- This essay deals with ... - This essay examines ...
- This essay will examine ... - This essay will examine ...
- This essay will analyze ... - This essay will analyze ...
- Many people think ... but others do not agree - Many people think that ..., but others disagree
- Let us consider what the advantages and disadvantages of ... are - Consider what are the advantages and disadvantages ...
- Let’s consider some pros and cons of it - Let's consider some pros and cons of (this)
- Let us start by considering the facts - Let's start by considering the facts
- Let us start by considering the pros and cons of it - Let's start by considering the pros and cons of (this)
- It is generally agreed today that ... - Today it is generally accepted that ...
You can also use expressions that define the plan for your work:
- The essay is divided into three main sections - The essay is divided into three main sections
- The third part compares ... - The third part compares ...
- Finally, some conclusions will be drawn as to ... - In the end, some conclusions will be drawn about ...
Main part
In the main part, you should also provide several opposing opinions that disagree with your personal opinion, and tell why you disagree with them. Everything should be reasoned and supported by examples.
All information in the main part should be logically separated (i.e. the text is divided into paragraphs). You should think carefully about the structure of your essay and correctly summarize the main part.
The following phrases can be used in the main part when thinking about a problem and arguing for your point of view:
- To begin with ... - Let's start with the fact that ...
- You can ... - You can (You can) ...
- Firstly,… / Secondly,… / Finally,… - Firstly,… / Secondly,… / Finally,…
- The first thing that needs to be said is ... - First of all, it should be said that ...
- One argument in support of ... - One of the arguments in support of ...
- One should note here that ... - It should be noted here that ...
- First and foremost ... - First of all ...
- It is often said that ... - It is often said that ...
- It is true that… / clear that… / noticeable that… - It is true that… / It is clear that… / It is noteworthy that…
- The second reason for ... - The second reason ...
- Another good thing about ... is that ... - Another good thing ... is that ...
- For the great majority of people ... - For the vast majority of people ...
- We live in a world in which ... - We live in a world in which ...
- It is a well-known fact that ... - It is well known that ...
- It is undeniable that ... - It cannot be denied that ...
- A number of key issues arise from the statement. For instance, ... - This statement raises a number of key issues. For example, …
- First of all, let us try to understand ... - First of all, let's try to understand ...
- One of the most striking features of this problem is ... - One of the most striking features of this problem ...
- What is more, ... - Moreover, ...
- The public in general tend to believe that ... - The public in general tends to believe that ...
- Besides, ... because it is ... - Besides, ... because ...
- Doubtless, ... - Undoubtedly, ...
- It is (very) clear from these observations that ... - From these observations it is (absolutely) clear that ...
- One cannot deny that ... - It cannot be denied that ...
- Another way of looking at this question is to ... - To look at this problem from the other side, you have to ...
- On the other hand, we can observe that ... - On the other hand, we can observe that ...
- If on the one hand it can be said that ... the same is not true for ... - And if, on the one hand, we can say that ..., the same cannot be said about ...
- The other side of the coin is, however, that ... - However, on the other hand, ...
- One should, however, not forget that ... - Nevertheless, one should, however, not forget that ...
- One should, nevertheless, consider the problem from another angle.
- On the other hand, ... - On the other hand, ...
- Although ... - Although ...
- Besides, ... - Besides, ...
- Moreover, ... - Moreover, ...
- Nevertheless, one should accept that ... - Nevertheless, it should be admitted that ...
- Furthermore, one should not forget that ... - Moreover, one should not forget that ...
- In addition to ... - Besides that ...
- However, we also agree that… - However, we also agree that…
Phrases expressing personal opinion:
- In my opinion this subject is very controversial - In my opinion, this subject is controversial
- In my view ... - In my opinion, ...
- To my mind ... - In my opinion, ...
- To my way of thinking… - In my opinion,…
- Personally I believe that ... - Personally, I believe that ...
- I feel strongly that ... - I am firmly convinced that ...
- It seems to me that ... - It seems to me that ...
- As far as I am concerned ... - As for me, ...
You can support your opinion with the opinion of some experts:
- Experts believe that ... - Experts believe that ...
- … Say that… -… they say that…
- … Suggest that… -… suggest that…
- … Are convinced that… -… are convinced that…
- ... point out that ... - ... note that ...
- ... emphasize that ... - ... emphasize that ...
- Perhaps we should also point out the fact that ... - Perhaps we should also point out the fact that ...
- According to some experts ... - According to some experts, ...
- One must admit that ... - I must admit that ...
- It would be unfair not to mention that fact that ... - It would be unfair not to mention the fact that ...
- Which seems to confirm the idea that ... - Which seems to confirm the idea (of) that ...
- We cannot ignore the fact that ... - We cannot ignore the fact that ...
- From these facts, one may conclude that ... - From these facts, we can conclude that ...
- One cannot possibly accept the fact that ... - It's hard to come to terms with the fact that ...
- The most common argument against this is that ... - The most common argument against this is that ...
- Thus, ... / Therefore, ... - Thus, ... / Therefore ...
Conclusion
The conclusion is the final part of your essay. In conclusion, you must summarize the stated reasoning, that is, draw a conclusion and confirm your point of view. Depending on the topic of the essay, it may be appropriate to give a solid or streamlined answer to the question posed by the topic. Alternatively, you can clarify the perspectives and implications of a given problem.
In conclusion, you must express your opinion, which is supported by the arguments discussed earlier. In conclusion, it is usually appropriate to list the main ideas of the essay. In this case, you need to refer to the introduction and draw parallels. But don't repeat yourself word for word, use a different wording.
In the conclusion, there may be a question suggestive of further thought, a quote, a bright spectacular image (of course, if it is appropriate). Alternatively, in the conclusion, you can offer a solution to the problem under discussion, make a forecast of the results or consequences, call for action.
The conclusion is the most important part of the essay. After all, it is in the conclusion that the whole value of your work lies, where you summarize your reasoning. In it, you demonstrate how seriously you approached the consideration of a given topic and how much you are generally able to independently reason and draw conclusions.
Special phrases will help you to help you express your thoughts consistently:
- In conclusion ... - Finally ...
- On the whole ... - In general ...
- To conclude ... - In conclusion ...
- To sum up ... - So ...
- All in all ... - In general ...
- All things considered ... - All things considered ...
- Finally ... - Ultimately ... (In conclusion ...)
- Lastly ... - In conclusion ...
- In conclusion, I can say that although ... - In conclusion, I can say that, although ...
- Taking everything into consideration ... - Taking everything into consideration ...
- Taking everything into account ... - Taking everything into account ...
- So it’s up to everybody to decide whether ... or not - So everyone must decide for himself ... whether ... or not
- The arguments we have presented… suggest that… / prove that… / would indicate that… - The arguments we have presented… suggest that… / prove that… / indicate that…
- To draw the conclusion, one can say that ... - Summing up, we can say that ...
- From these arguments one must… / could… / might… conclude that… - Based on these arguments, it is necessary… / it is possible… / one could… come to the conclusion that…
If you have already written the main part of the essay, then it should not be difficult to draw up a conclusion. At the same time, I would like to list the most serious mistakes that simply cannot be made in the conclusion of an essay:
1. You cannot put forward completely new ideas in the conclusion. It just doesn't make sense. If they are really important, they should be included in the body.
2. Never use an excuse. You must be confident in your statements. Don't use phrases like:
- I may not be an expert - I may not be an expert
- At least this is my opinion - At least I think so
3. Do not focus on too small and insignificant details. Your task is to take stock and draw conclusions.
4. In no case should the validity of the previous arguments in the body be refuted.
Volume of sections
The length of each of the sections may vary depending on the assignment and the topic of the essay. In any case, at least half of your essay should be the main body. The following ratio can serve as a general idea of the volume of each section:
- Introduction - 10 - 25% of the total
- The main part - 50 - 80% of the total volume
- Conclusion - 10 - 25% of the total
Useful introductory phrases
- Moreover ... - Moreover ...
- Most of all ... - Most of all ...
- It is important to note that ... - It is important to note that ...
- It is important to remember that ... - It is important to remember that ...
- An important point is that ... - It is important that ...
- Аt the moment, ... - At the moment, ...
- In conclusion,… - In conclusion,…
- After all, ... - In the end, ...
- In any case,… / Anyway,… / Either way,… - In any case,…
- Actually, ... - Actually, ...
- Firstly, ... - Firstly, ...
- Instead of… - Instead of…
- In the first place, ... - First of all, ...
- From time to time, ... - From time to time, ...
- Аs a result of ... - As a result ...
- Indeed, ... - Indeed, ...
- In order to ... - In order to ...
- I must admit, ... - I must admit ...
- In other words, ... - In other words, ...
- It makes sense (to) ... - It makes sense ...
- It seems that ... - It seems that ...
- In short,… / In a nutshell,… - In short,… / In short,…
- Besides, ... - Besides, ...
- Luckily, ... / Fortunately, ... - Fortunately ...
- Unfortunately, ... - Unfortunately, ...
- In addition, ... - Besides, ...
- By the way, ... - By the way, ... / By the way, ...
- I should ... / I had better ... - I should ...
- It may seem that ... - It may seem that ...
- Finally,… - Finally,…
- In fact, ... / Actually, ... - In fact, ...
- As far as I know, ... - As far as I know ...
- Аs far as I can judge, ... - As far as I can judge, ...
- It doesn’t matter that ... - It doesn’t matter that ...
- It is not surprising that… / It is no great surprise that… - It's not surprising that…
- But other than that, ... - But other than that ...
- However,… - However,… / Nevertheless,…
- It turned out that ... - It turned out that ...
- Frankly speaking, ... / To tell the truth, ... - Frankly speaking, ... / Honestly, ...
- In my opinion, ... - In my opinion, ...
- To tell the truth, ... - To tell the truth, ...
- As a matter of fact, ... - In fact, ...
- First of all,… / Above all,… - First of all,…
- It is self-evident that ... - It goes without saying that ...
- It goes without saying that ... - It goes without saying that ...
- It should be noted that… - It should be noted that…
- I advise you (to) ... - I advise you ...
- On the one hand, ..., on the other hand, ... - On the one hand, ..., on the other hand, ...
- Also, ... - Also ...
- As well as ... - As well as ...
- Meanwhile,… / Meantime,… - Meanwhile,…
- It is well known that ... - It is well known that ...
- As for ... / Concerning ... - As for ...
- It can mean, that ... - This can mean that ...
- I would rather ... - I would rather ...
- I would like to ... - I would like to ...
- I think, ... / I believe, ... / I guess, ... - I think ... / I believe ... / I believe ...
In order not to worry about the clarity of your essay, you must have a clear outline and a deep understanding of the material. Try to use simple phrases, no abstruse expressions. This way you can avoid a lot of mistakes in English. Without overusing complex expressions, you should also avoid abbreviations or slang.
Remember the difference between writing and speaking. Use as many adjectives and adverbs as possible to make your essay colorful and expressive. In general, you should clearly and clearly state the main ideas and problems of your essay so that the reader can follow your train of thought without being distracted by unnecessary reasoning.
Ideally, you should aim to be completely free of grammar and spelling errors. The general structure, paragraphing, punctuation - everything must be done correctly in order to help the reader feel your reasoning. Here are some tips for writing an essay:
1. Use an academic writing style
- Avoid very categorical judgments and generalizations.
- Avoid personal pronouns if possible.
- Prove what was said with quotes and data, indicating the source.
- Respect for gender equality: When it comes to abstract personality, use person instead of man. It is also better to use the pronoun they instead of he or she.
- Try to use phrases based on a noun rather than a verb. For example, instead of "Crime was increasing rapidly and the police were becoming concerned," write "The rapid increase in crime was causing concern among the police."
2. Do not use elements of colloquial speech
- Instead of abbreviations don’t, they’re, it’s, etc., always use the full form
- Eliminate slang and colloquial expressions. For example: kid, a lot of / lots of, cool.
- Don't stray from the topic.
- Use one-word synonyms instead of phrasal verbs (get away with, get off, put in).
- Avoid overly general words (all, get, thing). Be specific and precise.
- Do not overuse exclamation marks, parentheses, avoid direct questions.
3. Strive to impart objectivity to the text.
- The use of impersonal constructions is encouraged (It is believed that., It can be argued that ...).
- Use passive voice if you do not need to specify the performer of the action (Experiment had been conducted).
- Use non-categorical verbs (suggest, claim, suppose).
- To avoid personal judgments, but to show your attitude to the issue, you can use adverbs: apparently, ideally, arguably, unexpectedly, strangely.
- To soften the categoricalness, use the modal verbs could, would, may, might.
- To avoid generalizations, use qualifying adverbs: some, a minority of, several, many, a few.
4. Coherence of the text
In order for your essay to be pleasant to read, in addition to the fact that the thoughts in it must be expressed consistently, the transition from one thought to another must be smooth, one must, as it were, flow from the other. You need to maintain consistency and guide the reader. The introductory and connecting phrases discussed above will help you with this. they can perform various functions. For example.
The last task in the written part of the exam in English is essay writing... The size of the essay should be 200-250 words, and its structure should be as follows: introduction (with the wording of the problem), own opinion (including 2-3 arguments), the opposite opinion on the problem (including 1-2 arguments), the reason for disagreeing with the opposite opinion and conclusion. When performing this task, you can use ready-made essays in English which are presented below.
List of ready-made essays
FOOD
1. Some people say that fast food has a bad effect on our health.
2. Some people say that genetically modified food is hazardous to health.
3. Some people think that there are many benefits of being a vegetarian.
4. Some people think that organic food is healthier than conventional food.
5. Some people believe that the only way to lose weight is following a weight loss diet.
6. Some people think that we should eat at home.
FASHION
7. Some people believe that it is important to look nice and to follow fashion.
8. Some people think that clothes help them show who they really are.
9. Some people think that schoolchildren should wear school uniforms.
10. Some people say that there should not be any rules about the clothes people can wear in the workplace.
11. Some people say that wearing fur is unacceptable.
12. Some people think that tattoos and piercing make them more attractive.
TRAVEL & TOURISM
13. Some people think that tourism ruins everything that it touches.
14. Some people say that school trips are beneficial for students.
15. Some people say ecotourism benefits the environment and local people.
16. Some people think that the best way to travel in a town or in a city is on foot.
17. Some people say that cars have improved our lives in a number of ways.
18. Some people say that traveling by plane is very convenient.
19. Some people say that taking public transportation is a convenient option for traveling.
20. Some people say that hitchhiking is the best way of traveling.
21. Some people say that traveling to exotic countries is an exciting experience.
22. Some people think that international travel has a lot of benefits.
23. Some people say that the best way to travel is by train.
24. Some people say that the best way to travel is by ship.
25. Some people choose to travel abroad to receive medical care.
FRIENDSHIP & LOVE
26. Some people say that having friends is important for everyone.
27. Some people think that you can have only one true friend.
28. Some people think that only those who have much in common can become friends.
29. Some people think that nothing can ruin a true friendship.
30. Many people think that love makes a person happy.
31. Some people think that jealousy is a very destructive emotion.
MONEY
32. Some people think that only those who earn a lot of money can be happy.
33. Some people think that pocket money teaches teenagers to be responsible.
34. Some people say that making money with the Internet is reality.
35. Some people say that teenagers should work to earn money.
LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES
36. Some people say that having a hobby is important for everyone.
37. Some people say that playing computer games is the best way to spend your free time.
38. Some people believe that teenagers should not be given too much free time.
39. Some people think that reading is a waste of time.
40. Some people think that collecting various things is a waste of time and money.
EDUCATION
41. Some people say that online education is an excellent alternative to traditional education.
42. Some people think that homeschooling is an excellent alternative to traditional education.
43. Some people think that self-education is not very effective.
44. Some people think that if you want to get a good education, you should go abroad.
45. Some people think that boys and girls should study separately at different schools.
46. Some people think that the most important thing for a teacher is to make studying enjoyable for students.
47. Some school-leavers think that university is not for them and choose not to go.
48. Some people think that computers may replace teachers in the future.
49. Some people believe that exams are the best way to check the student’s knowledge.
50. Many people think that homework is essential for every student.
51. Some people believe that students should be allowed to choose the subjects they want to study.
52. Some people think that grades encourage students to learn.
53. Some people think that students will use computers instead of textbooks in the future.
54. Some people think that creativity is an essential ability which must be taught at school.
55. Some people think that punishment should be used in class to achieve discipline and to make students study hard.
WORK & CAREER
56. Some people say that having jobs can be of great benefit to teenagers.
57. Some people say that they would prefer to work at home.
58. Some people think that it is more important to get satisfaction from your work than to earn much money.
59. Some people think that in any occupation discipline is more important than talent.
60. Some people think that young people should follow in their parents ’footsteps when choosing a profession.
61. Some people change their jobs every few years.
62. Some people think that it is better to work abroad.
63. Some people believe that they will be successful and happy only if they work much.
64. At present, there is no difficulty in finding a good job.
65. Some people think that there is nothing worse than being unemployed.
66. Many people believe that it is important to develop teamwork in the workplace.
67. Some people prefer to work for themselves or to own a business.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
68. Some people think that modern technologies make life more convenient.
69. Some people say that cell phones have changed our lives for the better.
70. Some people say that using mobile telephones must be prohibited in school.
71. Some people believe that all teenagers should have a cell phone.
72. Some people think that the Internet has more drawbacks than advantages.
73. Some people think that children should spend less time surfing the Net.
74. Some people say that the Internet has improved the effectiveness of education.
75. Some people say that social networking sites offer considerable advantages.
76. Some people believe that there are real risks to dating via the Internet.
77. Some people think that online chatting cannot substitute for face-to-face communication.
78. Some people prefer writing traditional paper letters to using e-mail.
79. Some people think that cloning opens up new opportunities.
80. Some people are worried about computers and robots doing the same things that people can do.
81. Some people say that a virtual field trip can be a good alternative to a traditional field trip.
THE ARTS
82. Some people say that the theater is likely to disappear.
83. Some people think that graffiti is vandalism.
84. Some people believe that dancing can be of great benefit to children.
MUSIC
85. Some people believe that listening to music has good effects on everyone.
86. Some people think that rap music has a bad influence on teenagers.
87. Some people say that they are used to working or studying to the sound of music.
FILMS
88. Some people think that watching movies is beneficial to everybody.
89. Some people are fond of 3D films.
BOOKS
90. Some people prefer watching a film version to reading a book.
91. Some people say that electronic books are going to replace paper books in the future.
92. Some people say that we do not need public libraries any more.
93. Some people say that reading detective stories is just a waste of time.
SPORTS, HEALTH & BEAUTY
94. Some people say that weight loss diets can be very harmful.
95. Some people say that it is important to exercise regularly.
96. Some people say that extreme sports are too risky.
97. Some people believe that children should be encouraged to go in for sports.
98. Some people dream of becoming professional athletes.
99. Some people say that one should go to a fitness club to be healthy and slim.
100. Some people think that surfing is rather risky.
101. Some people think that parkour is not for everybody.
102. Some people think that physical attractiveness is important for everyone.
103. Some people think that plastic surgery can help them to become more attractive and happier.
FAMILY PROBLEMS
104. Some people prefer to have only one child.
105. Some couples choose not to have children.
106. Some people choose to build a family through adoptions.
107. These days, some people adopt children from overseas.
108. Some people believe that adult children should not live with their parents.
109. Some people think that couples should not marry young.
110. Some people say that it is wonderful to have a sibling.
111. Some people believe that grandparents should take an active part in their grandchildren's upbringing.
GLOBAL PROBLEMS
112. Some people say that overpopulation is a major problem for the human race.
113. Some people think that stress can ruin one's life.
114. Some people continue smoking in spite of all warnings.
115. Some people believe that the problems caused by gambling are very serious.
116. Some people say that capital punishment should be allowed.
117. Some people believe that the lives of the disabled are much easier nowadays.
MASS MEDIA
118. Some people say that there is nothing better than watching TV.
119. Some people believe that watching TV can have harmful effects on children.
120. Some people think that reality TV shows are enjoyable and bring many benefits to the audience and the actors.
121. Many people watch soap operas because they find them enjoyable and realistic.
122. Some people say that print media will disappear in the future.
123. Some people say that radio is not as popular as it used to be.
SHOPPING
124. Some people say that shopping is interesting and enjoyable.
125. Some people say that shopping malls have advantages over small shops.
126. Some people say that our lives would be better if we bought fewer goods.
127. Some people say that online shopping is an excellent alternative to traditional shopping.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
128. Many people say that it is important to recycle waste.
129. Some people believe that going green has a lot of benefits.
130. Some people prefer hybrid cars to traditional cars.
131. Some people think that there are many reasons to promote carpooling.
YOUTH PROBLEMS
132. Some people say that modern teenagers are carefree.
133. Some people are worried about the strong influence of peer groups on teenagers.
134. Parents have many concerns about their teenagers dating.
135. Some parents think that teenagers should not be given much independence.
ANIMALS
136. Some people believe that animals should not be taken from their natural surroundings and put into zoos.
137. Some people think that keeping exotic animals as pets is an interesting experience.
138. Some people think that keeping pets is a waste of time and money.
139. Some people object to animal testing.
140. Some people think that virtual pets can replace real pets.
MISCELLANEOUS
141. Some people think there are a lot of benefits of living in a big city.
142. Some people believe that learning foreign languages is a waste of time.
143. Some people say that the English language should be learned in England.
144. Many people dream of being famous someday.
145. Time management skills are important for success.
146. Some people do not care whether they buy pirated or legal CDs and DVDs.
147. Some people think it is important to be honest in any situation.
148. Some people say that ambitiousness is the key to success and happiness.
149. Some people think that we should use critical thinking rather than trust intuition.
150. Some people say that nonverbal messages improve communication.
The assignment contains a certain statement. You need to write an essay-reasoning in which you express your own opinion regarding this statement (opinion essay).
WRITING AN ESSAY IN THE USE 2017 IN ENGLISH
The essay should be clearly structured and include the following parts (each begins with a new paragraph):
- Introduction. Here you should indicate the problem indicated in the assignment. It is important to rephrase it, not rewrite it word for word. For example, the task "In order to get a good adecation one should go abroad" can be reformulated as follows: “Nowadays, the problem of studying abroad causes great argument and controversy” ... You should also supplement this thesis with a small commentary-explanation. You can end the introduction with a rhetorical question.
- Expressing your own opinion. In this paragraph, it is necessary to briefly reflect your personal attitude to this problem and back it up with 2-3 detailed arguments. It is important that the arguments are convincing, succinct and logical. Arguments are entered using universal linking words and phrases.
- Expressing the opposite opinion. The third paragraph of the essay should contain the opponent's point of view. This thesis also needs to be supported by 1 or 2 arguments. It is important that the opponent has 1 fewer arguments (that is, if you have three arguments in the 2nd paragraph, you should have two in the 3rd paragraph), because our goal is to prove that we are right.
- Disagreement with the opinion of opponents. Here you should refute the opponent's opinion, express your disagreement and back it up with 1-2 counterarguments. Remember that you are giving counterarguments to the arguments of your opponent, their number should be the same (2 of the opponent's arguments = 2 of your counterarguments).
- Conclusion. The last paragraph should contain a generalized conclusion regarding the issue under discussion, which is also complemented by a commentary. You can use a generic phrase that will make the reader think about the problem.
Below is a table with examples of introductory words and phrases.
ESSAY STRUCTURE IN THE USE 2017 IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE
| Paragraph | Offer | Sample | ||||
| 1. Introduction | Problem identification | Nowadays, | the problem of… causes great argument and controversy. | |||
| In today’s world, | ||||||
| the issue of… is considered to be a matter of common concern / the main concern of… | ||||||
| Comment on the problem | Some people believe that… while others think… | |||||
| On the one hand, ... on the other hand .... | ||||||
| A rhetorical question | Where is the truth? | |||||
| Who is right? | ||||||
| 2. Expressing your own opinion | Thesis | In my opinion, ... | ||||
| As for me, I believe that ... | ||||||
| My personal view is that ... | ||||||
| 1 argument | To begin with, | |||||
| To start with, | ||||||
| Firstly, | ||||||
| 2 argument | What is more, | |||||
| Furthermore, | ||||||
| Secondly, | ||||||
| 3 argument | Finally, | |||||
| Additionally, | ||||||
| Thirdly, | ||||||
| 3. Expressing the opposite opinion | Thesis | However, there exists another point of view on this issue. | ||||
| Nevertheless, one can consider this problem from another angle. | ||||||
| 1 argument | First of all, | |||||
| The first thing to be considered is ... | ||||||
| 2 argument | Another fact is that ... | |||||
| Besides, | ||||||
| 4. Disagreement with the opinion of opponents | Thesis + 1st counter-argument | Despite my respect for this opinion, I cannot share it because ... | ||||
| Nevertheless, I cannot agree with this statement, because ... | ||||||
| 2nd counterargument | Moreover, one should not ignore the fact that ... | |||||
| Finally,… | ||||||
| 5. Conclusion | Output | In conclusion, | I would like to say that | the problem of… is still to be discussed. | ||
| Taking into consideration all mentioned above, | It is impotant to understand… | |||||
| A comment | As far as I am concerned, the point is to ... | |||||
USE 2017 IN ENGLISH. UNIVERSAL ESSAY TEMPLATE
Nowadays, the problem of… causes great argument and controversy. Some people believe that… while others think…. Who is right?
In my opinion,…. To begin with,…. What is more,…. Additionally,….
However, there exists another point of view on this issue. First of all,…. Besides,….
Despite my respect for this opinion, I cannot share it because…. ….
In conclusion, I would like to say that the problem of ... is still to be discussed. As far as I am concerned, the point is to ...
SAMPLE ASSIGNMENT AND READY ESSAY USE IN ENGLISH
- Comment on the following statement:
In order to get a good adecation one should go abroad.
What is your opinion? Write 200-250 words. Use the following plan:
- make an introduction (state the problem)
- express your personal opinion and give 2–3 reasons for your opinion
- express an opposing opinion and give 1–2 reasons for this opposing opinion
- explain why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion
- make a conclusion restating your position
Nowadays, the problem of studying abroad causes great argument and controversy. Some people think that one can get a better education only in another country, others believe that it is possible to study at home. Where is the truth?
In my opinion, studying abroad is more advantageous because one can gain useful experience. To begin with, it can have a positive impact on students' self-discipline as youngsters become more initiative and acquire quickness in comprehension. Moreover, it gives them a chance to learn more about the culture of the other country and improve their language skills. Additionally, it is a splendid opportunity to make new friends.
However, there exists another point of view on this issue. First of all it is very expensive to study abroad. Moreover, one should not ignore the fact that, children have to adapt to many things, thus, it can be stressful for them.
Despite my respect for this opinion, I cannot share it because there are a lot of exchange programs wich are funded by government, therefore, students can study abroad for free. Besides, a person should learn to cope with stress if he or she would like to go the university to broaden their mind.
In conclusion, I would like to say that the problem of studying abroad is still to be discussed. I believe that one should analyze and compare all pros and cons before making a proper decision where to get an education.
RULES FOR WRITING ESSAYS IN THE USE
- Count the words
It is imperative to keep within the given volume: 200-250 words (a deviation of 10% in both directions is allowed, i.e. 180-275 words). If there are ≤179 words in the essay, then 0 points are given for the task. If ≥276 words, then only the first 250 words are checked. Remember that 1 word is everything between two spaces. Hyphens (-) and apostrophes (') are not spaces, therefore words from the category world's, open-minded, UK are counted as one word. Practice writing letters on exam forms - this way you will learn how to determine the number of words by eye and will spend less time counting them.
- Write in a formal style
Abbreviations cannot be used (only full forms I am, cannot), as well as start sentences with informal linking words well,also, but). Use impersonal forms of the verb ( one should). A rich vocabulary and a variety of grammatical and syntactic structures demonstrates a high level of knowledge of the English language.
- Time it right
Give yourself 40 minutes to complete this task: 20 minutes for a draft, 15 minutes. for a clean copy and 5 min. on word counting and checking. Be sure to check your essay before submitting!
Believe in yourself and everything will work out! Good luck!
