Coherence & cohesion
basically means: Was it understandable? Do your ideas link one another? Did ideas flow from one to the next? Did sentences connect from one to the next, paragraph to paragraph and the essay as a whole?
Lexical resources
basically means: vocabulary –Did you use good high words, a variety of words? Did you repeat words? Did you use appropriate words? Did you use them correctly?
Grammatical range & accuracy
basically means: How are your verbs? How is your subject and verb agreement? How are your articles, prepositions, your punctuation, your sentence variety and sentence structures?
Introduction
Clearly state whether you agree or disagree
I agree that…
I disagree with the idea because…
In my opinion, this statement is not true as…
Personally, this belief is questionable as…
This essay will argue against this idea using…
To what extend – somewhat, completely, not at all, indeed, etc.
Body paragraph 1 – reason 1
Body paragraph 2 – reason 2
You can include a concession argument in either or both paragraphs, though it is recommended you do it in paragraph 2 and maintain focus on your argument
Do not discuss both sides of the argument equally - make sure your choice is clear
BODY: Para 1 – focus on your choice (if support, say why, give benefits, pros)
Para 2 – look at the other side (if support the situation, explain the costs of not supporting it, the cons (avoid the concession)
Introduction
Present the topic
Present two details that answer the specific question
What are some sources of pollution that can be prevented or lowered?
Some of major polluters are emissions from cars, as well as poisonous chemicals dumped into rivers by manufacturing plants. These can be tackled in several ways, including improved public transportation, and high penalties for corporations that endanger lives.
Describe the source
Detail the actions
to fight these
No opinion statement
necessary
Objective – not an opinion, without the self
Subjective – includes the writer’s own ideas, opinions, views, beliefs.
Compare/ contrast,
advantages/ disadvantages
Discuss both sides of the issue (sometimes choose one over the other, or say why both equally relevant)
Intro
If not asked to choose one, then no opinion needed: this becomes a descriptive essay
Mention the two choice, mention that the issue has advantages and disadvantages
If asked to choose, say above + your opinion (+ reason)
Body 1 – compare/ contrast one aspect
Body 2 – compare/ contrast another aspect
Body 1 – compare with a lean towards choice
Body 2 – support choice with fully developed, focused argument
I agree that education is the single
most important factor in the development of
a country because …
Paraphrase = change words,
sentence structures. Keep meaning!
Paraphrase
ESSAY:
Paraphrase = change words,
sentence structures ! Keep meaning
Synonyms
schooling
aspect
advancement
evolution
nation
significant
essential
element
Sentence
structure
Verb
Noun
Adjective
The most essential element of
a nation’s development is education
ESSAY:
Although many would argue that the economy is the most important factor in nation-building, I think education has a far greater impact
Some people’s opinion
Two parts of the rubric
The question is: “Should the government censor the media to try to reduce this phenomenon.”
parents
home life
peer pressure
video games
parents
education
guns
responsibility
influence
Yes
No
Protect citizens
Censorship
Can’t control everything
Jobs + education
Parents’ role
Youth violence is a shared social problem.
Topic sentence – general idea, no reasons, no details, no arguments
Many people thus propose that governments need to tackle this issue by controlling the media, whom people see as responsible for inciting this violence through films and television
While youth are undoubtedly swayed by external influences, I disagree that it is a government’s obligation to censor the entertainment industry; rather, it is up to society itself to handle the matter.
Because of the media
there is violence in society
Combine opinion and
reason into one
General reason that you will
develop in the body paragraph
One paragraph
has one central
idea
In other words…,
I want to expand the central idea
Concrete example
( You Tube)
Therefore…
Change focus, prepare for the next paragraph
You must have a transition to your next body paragraph, because you are shifting focus.(however, another reason, except)
A topic sentence
Another shift –
Who has responsibility?
A horror film is a
concrete example
1–2 sentences
Restate your
thesis
Don’t use I or
me or my
Your opinion (clearly expressed) – in a statement;
highlight your reasons
General
Theses
Is it better to live in the city or in the country?
Deciding where to live is one of life’s more difficult choices. One may opt for life in the country, or in the city. In my opinion, life in the city is more advantageous due to the fact/ because the city offers better economic and social opportunities.
Topic
Great changes require a powerful hand to guide them and push them forward. Governments have the power and influence of the law to support them. Moreover, they have the access to means with which to enforce the law and punish offenders. Individuals and corporations that pollute our air and waters will not stop doing so as long as they can profit from this action and do not fear consequences. A steel producers, for instance, will not cease dumping waste in nearby river if it does not affect its bottom line. Taxing this company, on the other hand, might make it change its way of doing business. Yet, it is the very question of costs that limits anyone but the government to act against pollution.
General topic:
Pollution
Question:
Who is responsible to fix it? – Government is responsible
3 reasons: power, cost, credibility
In the introduction power is the first, so in the first paragraph I will talk about power
Finally,…
Lastly,…
All in all,…
As I have discussed above,…
Dos
Keep it short – 1-2 sentences
Keep it simple – boring is good!
Restate the thesis – opinion to opinion, outline to outline
Restate highlights – main points, reasons/ arguments, advantages/ disadvantages, etc.
Write a conclusion!
Don’ts
Introduce any new idea – can’t elaborate, confuses the reader, weakens the main arguments
You can add the points for future studies or actions related to the topic, but be general and relevant (should, ought to, requires further…, etc.)
Use a personal pronoun (I, me, my) – you already did this in the introduction
Overwrite – keep it short and simple
Experiment with language – do this in the body!
While I agree for the most part that no individual can make a great impact through one vote, I also believe that mobilizing an entire segment of the population can make all the difference in the world.
Body paragraph 1: Why it is in everyone’s interest to vote
Body paragraph 2: The danger(s) of not voting
To conclude, no one on its own can change the status quo; however, every single vote can add to a collection of votes and garner a powerful tool to keep fringe elements at bay and to make politicians listen up and act.
Introduction
Conclusion
There is/ there are:
There are many issues that students face at university.
Students face many issues at university
Really, very, a lot, so A lot of time is wasted.
Much time is wasted.
Passive vs Active The war was won by the French.
The French won the war.
Weak verbs vs Strong verbs He gave assistance to my friend
He assisted my friend.
2. Don’t force words into the writing/speaking (must be “natural”):
potentate = ruler, dictator
Be 100% sure of meaning
and usage
Doctors often prescribe Tylenol to patients with broken bones as a way to mitigate the pain.
The company offered customers various promotions in order to mitigate the steep decline in sales following the failed product launch.
The retail manager decided to mitigate prices so as to attract more customers.
Even the toughest potentate understands the power of numbers.
POTENTATE (n) = ruler (king, dictator, etc.) who rules with power, strength
POTENT (adj.) – powerful, strong
DISCOUNT(v) = 1. to lower, reduce (prices, fees, etc.)
2. To underestimate, not take smth/ smb into account
Head office decided to discount the entire autumn collection to stimulate sales.
Companies that aim their advertising at older shoppers and discount the purchasing power of teens and young adults, are potentially losing millions in sales.
Vocabulary: collocations
Conduct – an experiment/ an investigation/ an audit/ business/an interview/ one’s affairs;
Complete/ Finish – a task/ one’s homework/ the mission/ the project;
Execute – an order/ a command/ justice/ the plan/ a maneuver/ a task/ well/ executed;
Perform – one’s duties/ a task/ an operation/ surgery/ a function/ one’s work/ well;
Carry out – one’s duty/ the task/ the orders/ the plans/ repairs;
Commit – a crime/ fraud/ suicide/ adultery/ an injustice.
Do, make, give, take, have
MAKE a reservation AT a hotel
HAVE a reservation ABOUT something
Without reservations
Collocation: without doubts, without hesitations
LESS COMMON USES OF EVERYDAY WORDS
TO FAIL – not succeed
A FAIL IN – a weakness
FAILING (THAT, SOMETHING) – preposition def.: in the absence of… (smth, that was offered or presented first)
E.G. “It is imperative that local authorities enforce this law to its full extend; failing that, the epidemic will only grow beyond control.”
RESORT (TO) – V/N def.: to do smth when no other options are available (to – the only option); n.: final option.
E.G. “Jim will keep trying to get into college, but if he absolutely cannot, his last resort will likely be technical college.”
RESORT (n) – luxury vacation spot
LESS COMMON USES OF EVERYDAY WORDS
FREQUENT – (adv.)
often, regularly
SHOULDER (v.) – Def.: to assume, take on, carry (smth physical
or abstract
E.G.: "Some people argue that children who refuse
to shoulder the responsibility of caring for their
elderly parents should have to pay more taxes if
this care falls to the government to oversee.”
SHOULDER – part of
the body
Shoulder the cost(s)
the responsibility
the blame
the burden
ARM (v.) – Def.: equip/prepare with weapons/ tools
E.G.:" What makes Heather a great negotiator is not
just her tenacity but the fact that she armed herself
with endless amounts of data so as outperform her
adversary. “
Armament(s) – weapons
weaponization
Armed with = have
COUNTER (adj./ v.) – Def.: opposite, contrary, opposing, oppose,
disagree with, return an attack
E.G.: “Arguments that are not well-presented are easy
to counter, thus they are weak and consequently make
entire essay score lower. “
Counter (n) – like table top, but long and narrow
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