Writing paragraph A Step by step guide

Topic: Some people believe that CCTV is an effective solution to deter criminals. Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of CCTV.
M bi ca 1 bn kha trc nh sau:
"As a result of ever-increasing figures of crime in many countries (such as the US and the UK), CCTV cameras
have been used as a deterrent. Whether this solution is effective yet remains questionable. This essay will
provide a detailed discussion of its benefits and drawbacks."
M bi ny tt v n gii thiu ch r rng v tr li c cu hi.
Phn tch on 1 - Advantages of CCTV
1. Topic sentence:
Key words: CCTV cameras, useful device, deter criminal offenses, increase work proficiency
CCTV = modern devices, tracking devices, supervision/detection equipment
Deter = discourage, prevent, stop
Increase = boost, enhance, better, further (used as a verb)
Proficiency = effiency/productivity
Use = employ, apply, install
Building: CCTV cameras constitute an useful device to deter criminal offences and increase work
proficiency
Expanding: CCTV cameras have long proved its effectiveness in deterring criminal offences in social
context and increasing/ensuring work proficiency/efficiency at work or at school.
Expanding: Mentioning/In terms of their advantages, (26 28 words)
Supporting idea 1: crime rates reduce if tracking devices are employed
Elaborating: offenders break-in cases for free-guarded houses outnumber the counterparts. the presence of
security systems will discourage criminals: fear of their actions/crimes being detected and recorded
undeniable evidence to convict them in court.
Writing: Firstly, the crime rates will reduce if tracking devices are employed.
Expanding: firstly, the crime rates will reduce if tracking devices are employed in public places or
private houses.

 More complex: Firstly, a resultant reduction in the crime rates will be evident should tracking devices be
employed/installed in public places or private houses.
Sub-supporting 1: Offenders break-in cases for free-guarded buildings are much higher than the counterparts.
Linking and expanding: The fact shows that offenders break-in cases for free-guarded buildings are
much higher
Or: the fact shows that/According to the governments source, offenders break-in cases for freeguarded buildings outnumber the counterparts.
Next sentence: As a result/accordingly, the presence of a security system will discourage criminals who are in
fear of their crimes/actions being detected and recorded in clips or videos. Thanks to them, the police will have
undeniable evidence to convict these offenders in court.
Supporting idea 2: For the latter purpose, students at school and employees at work are likely/tend to be
distracted from their main tasks and do private things such as kidding around or surfing the Internet. If they are
aware they are being watched/supervised by CCTV cameras, the chances are that they minimize these cases
and focus on their work.
Overall, a new paragraph is like this:
CCTV cameras have long proved its effectiveness in deterring criminal offences in social context and
increasing/ensuring work proficiency/efficiency at work or at school. Firstly, a resultant reduction in the crime
rates will be evident should tracking devices be employed/installed in public places or private houses. The fact
shows that offenders break-in cases for free-guarded buildings outnumber the counterparts. As a
result/accordingly, the presence of a security system will discourage criminals who are in fear of their
crimes/actions being detected and recorded in clips or videos. Thanks to them, the police will have undeniable
evidence to convict these offenders in court. For the latter purpose, students at school and employees at work
are likely/tend to be distracted from their main tasks and do private things such as kidding around or surfing the
Internet. If they are aware they are/of being watched/supervised by CCTV cameras, the chances are that they
minimize these cases and focus on their work. (band 8)
Practice:
Nowadays celebrities are more famous for their glamour and wealth than for their achievements, and
this sets a bad example to young people.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Life is wonderful Jason Mraz

Write no more than THREE words for each gap
It takes a crane to build a crane

It takes __5__ to make it dawn

It takes two floors to make __1__

And it takes a day to make you yawn brother

It takes an egg to make a hen

And it takes some old to make you __6__

It takes a hen to make an egg

It takes some cold to know __7__

There is __2__ to what I'm saying

It takes the one to have the other

It takes a thought to make a word

And it takes no time to __8__

And it takes __3__ to make an action

But it takes you years to know what love is

It takes some work to make it work

It takes some fears to make you trust

It takes some good to make it hurt

It takes __9__ to make it rust

It takes some bad for __4__

It takes the dust to have it polished

La la la la la la la life is wonderful

It takes __10__ to make sound

Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle

It takes a loss before you found it

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful

And it takes __11__ to go nowhere

Al la la la la

It takes a toll to make you care

It takes __12__ to make a mountain

Mini-listening - Write only ONE word for each gap

From plan to paragraph

In some parts of the world it is becoming popular to research the history of one's own family. Why
might people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative development?
Here's the plan I wrote for the first main body paragraph:

Paragraph 2: Why might people want to research family history?

various different reasons

to know more about themselves and their roots, where they come from, whether their ancestors had
similar personality traits

because the Internet makes it easier to do this research, we hear about others who have done it, there
are advertisements to encourage us

out of curiosity e.g. we might secretly hope that we have a famous or wealthy ancestor

Here's a full paragraph using the ideas above:

There are various reasons why people might decide to trace their family histories. One explanation may be that
they would like to know more about themselves, in terms of their roots, where they come from, or whether their
ancestors had similar personality traits. Another factor could be that it has become so much easier to carry out
genealogical research using the Internet. We hear about people who have studied their family trees, and there
are even advertisements to encourage us to use genealogy websites. Finally, it may be that people are simply
curious to find out whether they have any famous or wealthy ancestors.
Example of Firstly, secondly, and thirdly paragraph
Three main factors are affecting health in modern societies. One problem is the lack of awareness among
many people of the negative consequences of an unhealthy diet. This is made worse by the prevalence of fast
food and processed food, which are full of fat, salt and sugar. Another key factor is the changing trend in
lifestyles. For example, childrens hobbies now involve much less outdoor activity, and adults are less active as
jobs have shifted towards sedentary office work instead of manual labour. In addition to this, time-saving
technologies, such as cars, elevators, dishwashers and washing machines, have made people lazier.
Idea, explain, example method
The "idea, explain, example" format is a good way to organise your main paragraphs. Start with the main idea
of the paragraph, explain it in more detail, then give an example.
Some art projects definitely require help from the state. In the UK, there are many works of art in public
spaces, such as streets or squares in city centres. In Liverpool, for example, there are several new statues and
sculptures in the docks area of the city, which has been redeveloped recently. These artworks represent
culture, heritage and history. They serve to educate people about the city, and act as landmarks or talking
points for visitors and tourists. Governments and local councils should pay creative artists to produce this kind
of art, because without their funding our cities would be much less interesting and attractive.
I think this is a good way to organise a paragraph. However, it's best not to use the same structure twice in one
essay. Compare the two paragraphs below. How did I structure the second one to avoid repeating "Firstly,
Secondly, Finally"?

It is true that almost everyone faces a situation when they are forced to change at least once in their life.
Although some people change for some reasons, others resist to novelty = changes on grounds of stress and
worry./stressful experiences.
In conclusion, despite its necessity of changes in some peoples lives, some encounters would make people
lead a stable lifestyle.
Need to change
First main paragraph
There are good reasons why some people feel the need to make significant changes to their lives from time to
time. Firstly, any new situation that a person encounters can be an opportunity to learn and grow as a person.
A new job, for instance, might present challenges that push the person to adapt, acquire new knowledge, or
add to his or her skill set. Secondly, a change can represent a break with the past and an old routine which
has become boring and predictable. Finally, as well as making life more fun and interesting, new experiences
can be good for our physical and mental health.
Second main paragraph
On the other hand, it is understandable why people might avoid change. Whenever people are forced to
change their lifestyles, jobs or even to move house, they are likely to experience stress and worry as they try to
adapt to the new situation. By contrast, we feel comfortable and confident when we stay with what we know.
The decision to persist with a course of action or stick to one chosen path often leads to greater success in life.
For example, by staying in the same job for many years, a person can become an expert in his or her field,
which will lead to better opportunities for promotions and career progression.
From plan to paragraph
In some parts of the world it is becoming popular to research the history of one's own family. Why
might people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative development?
Here's the plan I wrote for the first main body paragraph:

Paragraph 2: Why might people want to research family history?

various different reasons

to know more about themselves and their roots, where they come from, whether their ancestors had
similar personality traits

because the Internet makes it easier to do this research, we hear about others who have done it, there
are advertisements to encourage us

out of curiosity e.g. we might secretly hope that we have a famous or wealthy ancestor

Here's a full paragraph using the ideas above:

There are various reasons why people might decide to trace their family histories. One explanation may be that
they would like to know more about themselves, in terms of their roots, where they come from, or whether their
ancestors had similar personality traits. Another factor could be that it has become so much easier to carry out
genealogical research using the Internet. We hear about people who have studied their family trees, and there
are even advertisements to encourage us to use genealogy websites. Finally, it may be that people are simply
curious to find out whether they have any famous or wealthy ancestors.

Sample essay
Nowadays celebrities are more famous for their glamour and wealth than for their achievements, and
this sets a bad example to young people.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
It is true that some celebrities are known for their glamourous lifestyles rather than for the work they do. While I
agree that these celebrities set a bad example for children, I believe that other famous people act as positive
role models.
On the one hand, many people do achieve fame without really working for it. They may have inherited money
from parents, married a famous or wealthy person, or they may have appeared in gossip magazines or on a
reality TV programme. A good example would be Paris Hilton, who is rich and famous for the wrong reasons.
She spends her time attending parties and nightclubs, and her behaviour promotes the idea that appearance,
glamour and media profile are more important than hard work and good character. The message to young
people is that success can be achieved easily, and that school work is not necessary.
On the other hand, there are at least as many celebrities whose accomplishments make them excellent role
models for young people. Actors, musicians and sports stars become famous idols because they have worked
hard and applied themselves to develop real skills and abilities. They demonstrate great effort, determination
and ambition, which is required for someone who wants to be truly successful in their chosen field. An example
is the actor and martial artist Jackie Chan, who has become world famous through years of practice and hard
work. This kind of self-made celebrity can inspire children to develop their talents through application and
perseverance.
In conclusion,