A good essay is:
Title: ____________________
Focused I.! Introduction
-The essay gets straight to the point and utilizes clear
A.! Introductory statement
arguments. The writing doesn't deviate from the given topic.
B.! Thesis statement: _____
-Never write something down without explaining its significance.

Organized I.! Body
The most successful writers don't make up the essay as they go
A.! First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence)
along. They consider the structure and the order in which they
1.! ____________________
will present their points before they start to write.
2.! ____________________
Supported 3.! ____________________
Good essays include points that can be supported by facts or by
B.! Second Supporting Idea (Topic
statements within the text that is being analyzed.
Sentence)
Lucid 1.! ____________________
Good essays use proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
2.! ____________________
General 3.! ____________________
Avoid writing statements about yourself. For instance, don't write
"I think" or "The point I will make today is..."
A.! Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence)
1.! ____________________
Step 1: Read the question
2.! ____________________
Read the question and try to understand important parameters:
3.! ____________________
- Type.
Decide what kind of essay is, opinion, compare/contrast, problem
I.! Conclusion
and solution, cause and effect, or a mixture.
A.! Closing statement
- Topic.
B.! Restate thesis: _______
Sometimes, your teacher or professor will give you a prompt that
you're required to use. If you do get an option to pick your own
topic, then choose something that you genuinely want to become
an expert about or something you feel passionate about discussing.
- Format.
The length of the essay, the way the pages are put together and the presentation all matter. Follow the rules
exactly as your teacher gives them to you so that you don't lose points.
- Audience.
With whom are you trying to communicate? Do you want to persuade your teacher, your peers or a college
admissions committee? You'll need to tailor your writing to the correct audience.

Step 2: Underline key words

Underline key vocabulary in the question and look for words like "explain," "identify," "analyze" or "define."
Break down the prompt into components. If you are to "identify" something and then "analyze" it, then write 1
paragraph identifying what's requested and a second paragraph analyzing what you identified.
Write synonyms of the key words that you have underlined. This will really save you a lot of time later on. It
will also help you to avoid repeating words and show that you understand the question.

Step 3: Get Ideas

- Decide if you are for or against the idea. Usually it is best to give both sides (for and against one
paragraph each) and then to give your opinion in the conclusion.
- Write a thesis statement for the entire essay. This statement should identify the point that you will make in
your essay. Make the thesis statement specific. Write "Ronald Reagan will always be remembered as a great
president because he ended the Cold War." Avoid writing "Everyone thinks Ronald Reagan is the best
president in history."
- Remember: you dont have to use ALL your ideas, discard ideas that dont support your main points. Adding
additional ideas will make your writing unfocused.
- Do not apologize for what you are saying. An essay is about your opinion.

Step 4: Decide Layout

You should decide on a layout. The easiest is 3773. That means four paragraphs: introduction (3 sentences)
one side (7 sentences), the other side (7 sentences) and the conclusion (3 sentences). This will give you 20
sentences. An average of about 12 words each, that is 240 words. Perfect!

Step 5: Write!
After you have written your plan, write your essay. Check for fragments, run-ons and comma splices.


 

 

 

 


 
One easy way to write the introduction for an argument or opinion essay is to write THREE sentences:
two about the topic
one thesis sentence
You can write either Situation or Opinion introductions. Theres not much difference between them.

Situation Introductions
Write two sentences to describe the two sides of the present situation. The third sentence the Thesis
sentence will describe what you are going do in your essay.
- Sentence 1: One side of the present situation
- Sentence 2: The other side of the present situation
- Sentence 3: Thesis: What you are going to do in your essay

Situation Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Thesis

Who should take In my country, most old Increasingly, however, many This essay will describe some of the
care of our old people live happily with their families cannot take care of their problems involved with taking care of
people? children parents old people, and discuss who should
be responsible.

Does Aid to Poor For the last fifty years, poor Some of this money has In this essay, I will discuss some
Countries Work? countries have been receiving improved lives, while much of it arguments for and against foreign
huge sums of money from has disappeared or made no aid.
rich donor countries. difference.

Should dangerous Every year, thousands of Because of this, many people are This essay will look at some of the
sports be banned? people are injured or killed in opposed to such sports, and want arguments for and against banning
sports such as boxing or them to be stopped or controlled. dangerous sports.
motor-racing.

Opinion Introductions
In this kind you give two opposite opinions in the first two sentences. The third sentence says what you are
going to do.
Situation Sentence for Sentence against Thesis

Does space Many people are excited about space However, others feel it is a This essay will look at some of
exploration benefit exploration. massive waste of money the arguments for and against
mankind? space exploration.

Do Athletes Deserve Everyday, we read about new record Others believe that our This essay will look at some of
Their High Salaries? contracts and salaries earned by sports heroes deserve every the arguments for and against
sportsmen and women. Some people penny. the high salaries of athletes.
do not agree with these huge payments

Should dangerous Every year, thousands of people are Because of this, many This essay will look at some of
sports be banned? injured or killed in sports such as boxing people are opposed to such the arguments for and against
or motor-racing. sports, and want them to be banning dangerous sports.
stopped or controlled.

As well as situation or opinion introductions, you can use the following variations:
Past and Present: One sentence about the situation in the past, one about the situation today.
Here and Elsewhere: One sentence about the situation in one place, one sentence about the situation or
problem in another place.
You and Other People: One sentence about what most people do or think, one sentence about what you
believe, or do, or feel.

Finally, if you are having problem thinking about an introduction, leave some space (enough for three or four
sentences) and write or type it later AFTER you write the body or conclusion.


 

 

 

 


 
-While youre writing the body think about length: don't write pages if 5 paragraphs are required.
-Avoid sweeping generalizations. Statements such as "Sth is the most important problem facing the world
today," can cause your reader to dismiss your position out of hand if he/she disagrees with you. On the other
hand, "Sth is a significant global problem" is more accurate.
-Don't use "I" statements such as "I think." Likewise, avoid the personal pronouns "you," "we," "my," "your" or
"our". Simply stating your argument with supporting facts makes you sound much more authoritative. Instead
of writing, "I found Frum to have a conservative bias," tell the reader why your statement is true: "Frum
displays a conservative bias when he writes..."
Use paragraphs!
Students who dont have paragraphs fail! The body of the essay should ALWAYS be divided into paragraphs.
Never write just one long paragraph.
- Why? The white space makes your essay easier to read. Having paragraphs shows that you have
(probably) put related ideas together.
- How many paragraphs in the body? Either two paragraphs (3773) or three (35553).
Use TWO paragraphs (3773) if you are giving both sides of the argument or situation one paragraph for,
and one against (or the opposite).
Use THREE paragraphs if you are only giving one side, this means that you have to agree or disagree in all
three paragraphs.
Write a topic sentences for each paragraph
Write a sentence that gives your point of view for each paragraphs and make sure the sentences directly
relate to the paragraph's topic sentence. State the supporting point. Then, state why the point is important.
Never write something down without explaining its significance.
Write the concluding statements for each paragraph.
Restate the argument that you made in your topic sentence.


 
The Conclusion is the end of the essay. It is a short paragraph about THREE sentences. It often has the
same idea as the Introduction, only in different words.
A good conclusion will:
rephrase the question
summarise the main ideas
give your opinion, if you havent given it already
look to the future (say what will happen if the situation continues or changes)
The conclusion will NEVER add new information.

Situation Conclusion Statement

Should we test products on I agree that we need to make sure that animals who are used for testing new products have
animals? the minimum of suffering. However, I am convinced that animal testing is necessary, and that it
will continue to benefit humans in new and wonderful ways.

Should we beat children? In conclusion, physical punishment can be a useful method of discipline. However it should be
the last choice for parents. If we want to build a world with less violence we must begin at
home, and we must teach our children to be responsible.

Who are the better parents I think this is not an either/or question. Both men and women have strengths and skills that are
men or women? important for childrens psychological growth. We need to ensure that both parents play an
important role in the family in order to give children a good start in life.

Who learns quicker adults Finally, I feel that we cannot generalize about children or adults being better learners. It
or children? depends on the situation and the motivation of the person, and the level of enthusiasm he or
she has for learning.

Should dangerous sports be In summary, our society would be healthier if more people took part in sports of all kinds. We
banned? should continue to try to prevent accidents and injuries. However, we should also ensure that
sports are challenging, exciting, and, above all, fun.


 

 

 

 


 

 
1) -Correct errors related to grammar, punctuation and spelling. Consult a style book if you are unsure how
to properly use quotation marks, colons, semicolons, apostrophes or commas. Avoid using exclamation
points to emphasize your statements.
-Look for mistakes involving than/then, your/you're, its/it's, etc. Make sure you know how to use apostrophes
correctly.
-Look for mistakes involving general punctuation. Check for run-on sentences, commas and periods inside
quotation marks, as well as sparely-used dashes, colons, and semi-colons.
2)-Remove any repetitive or unnecessary words. Vary your language with the help of a thesaurus. Also,
consult a dictionary to make sure that you're using unfamiliar words correctly.
-At the same time, try to keep your language short, sweet, and to the point. A thesaurus is a great tool, but
don't just use big words to sound fancy. The best essays are clear, concise, and easily understood by a wide
audience.
-Focus on writing killer verbs for sentences. Verbs communicate the action in a sentence and drive the
action. A great verb can be the difference between a bland sentence and a beautiful one.
-Use adjectives lightly. Adjectives are great descriptive words, but when used indiscriminately, they can
burden an essay and make it less readable. Try to let the verbs and nouns do most of the heavy lifting before
you focus on adjectives.
3)-Avoid colloquial (informal) writing. Do not use contractions or abbreviations (e.g., don't, can't, won't,
shouldn't, could've, or haven't). Your essay should have a serious tone, even if it's written in a light or lyrical
style.
4)-Analyze how your essay flows. Does each sentence lead smoothly to the next? Does each paragraph flow
logically to the next? Good connections will help your ideas to flow:
When events happen in sequence: I first started to realize that I was in the minority when I was in middle
school...My realization was confirmed when I proceeded to high school.
If sentences elaborate on each other: Plants need water to survive...A plant's ability to absorb water depends
on the nutrition of the soil.
When an idea contrasts with another idea: Vegetarians argue that land is unnecessarily wasted by feeding
animals to be eaten as food...Opponents argue that land being used for grazing would not be able to be
used to create any other kind of food.
If you're relaying a cause and effect relationship: I will be the first person in my family to graduate from
college...I am inspired to continue my family's progress through the generations.
When connecting similar ideas: Organic food is thought to be better for the environment...Local food is
believed to achieve the same goals.
5)-Cut out information that's not specifically related to your topic. You don't want your essay to ramble off
topic. Any information that doesn't directly or indirectly support your thesis should be cut out.
6)-Rewrite any problematic body passages. If needed, rearrange sentences and paragraphs into a different
order. Make sure that both your conclusion and introduction match the changes that you make to the body.

Writing an Essay: linkers

Listing points Firstly, In the first place, To begin/start with, On the one hand, Secondly,
Thirdly, Finally, Last but not least, One advantage of.. is, One disadvantage
ofis
Adding more points In addition to this, Furthermore, moreover, What is more, also, Apart from this,
besides, Another point worth mentioning is, On the other hand, Besides,
both and, A further advantage ofis
Giving an example For example, such as, particularly, especially, take for instance.

Presenting the other side of the Contrary to what most people believe, As opposed to the above ideas, Some
argument people argue/believe, claim that, Many people consider,
Emphasizing In fact, As a matter of fact
Expressing result or consequence Therefore, In this case, For this reason, Consequently, As a result

Summing up In conclusion, To sum up, All in all, On the whole, All things considered, Taking
everything into account
Giving your opinion In my opinion/view, Personally, From my point of view, I am in favour of, My
belief is that , I (strongly) believe, I think, It seems to me that, etc.


 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 
An article
is a piece of writing usually intended for publication in a newspaper, magazine or journal
is written for a wide audience, so it is essential to attract and retain the readers attention
may include amusing stories, reported speech and descriptions
can be formal or informal, depending on the target audience
should be written in an interesting or entertaining manner
should give opinions and thoughts, as well as facts
is in a less formal style than a report
An article can
describe an experience, event, person or place
present an opinion or balanced argument
compare and contrast
provide information
offer suggestions
offer advice
A realistic article should consist of
1. an eye-catching title which attracts the readers attention and suggests the theme of the
article. (Think about why you read a magazine or newspaper article recently - what made
you read it?) Articles can also have subheadings before each paragraph.
2. an introduction which clearly defines the topic to be covered and keeps the readers
attention.
3. the main body of two to five paragraphs in which the topic is further developed in detail.
4. the conclusion - summarising the topic or a final opinion, recommendation or comment.
REMEMBER
Before you begin writing it is important to consider:
where is the article going to appear - in a newspaper or magazine?
who are the intended readers - a specific group such as students or teenagers, or adults in
general? Know your audience. Are you writing for a beginner, an intermediate, or an advanced audience?
For example, if you are writing an article about "Creating PowerPoint Slides," are your readers new to
PowerPoint, or business people looking for advanced tips? Having a good grasp on who will be reading your
article can help you orient the information and the tone so that it's as useful as possible.
what is the aim of the article - to advise, suggest, inform, compare and contrast, describe, etc.?
These three points are the deciding factors in the layout of your article, its style, language and level
of formality.

Determine the information you are going to use and organize your ideas carefully into paragraphs.
Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence.
The article could be formal, semi-formal or informal, depending on your intended audience.
Use vocabulary and descriptive language appropriate for the article. Linking words and expressions,
and a variety of vocabulary will only improve your work and make it more interesting.
DO NOT use over-personal or over-emotional language or simplistic vocabulary.
DO NOT talk about yourself. You are writing for the general public, not a close circle of friends.
Your opinions are only interesting to other people if you can make them amusing, justify them or
explain them.

A title is absolutely necessary when writing an article, and should be a concise summary of the
information which is going to follow in the article. In other words, the main topic of the
article should be stated in the title.
Stimulating the readers interest is also essential - if the title looks uninteresting, why would anyone
read it? There are various ways to achieve this. For example, if you are writing a description of a
place, using adjectives can enhance the attractiveness of the place, before the reader begins reading
the article, e.g. The Tranquillity and Peace of an Island that Time Forgot. If the task involves
proposing a solution to a problem or your opinion, and so on, you can address your audience directly,
e.g. What You Need to Do to Be Successful, or use a question such as Is Learning English Really
Necessary Today? for the title.
In more formal articles, it is more common to just summarise the
topic in a short statement, e.g. Laughter Can Improve Our Health. The title should not be too long
and should mirror the style of the article - formal or informal.


 

 

 

 


 
To ensure unity in a paragraph, it is necessary to group sentences around a main idea. This
means that it is necessary to begin by finding a theme or Topic Sentence which sums up the
main idea of the whole paragraph. The best position for this sentence is normally at the
beginning of the paragraph, but it need not always be there. Sometimes there is no Topic Sentence,
but only a topic or main idea around which the paragraph is written. However, it is preferable when
writing an article to place the Topic Sentence at the beginning to help the reader to quickly
comprehend the topic of the whole paragraph and minimise the likelihood of losing the theme
altogether.
.

 

 
It can now be seen that in order to write a good article you need first to find the theme or topic
sentence which summarises what you are going to write about, and then make a plan. This strategy
will enable you to write quickly and clearly, help you think of a title more easily and your work will
have cohesion.
Using this method gives the topic sentence of each paragraph and connects it to the other paragraphs.
These topic sentences can be made into one paragraph and then developed to form a whole article.
Conversely, these topic sentences, when taken together, can be used to cut down the entire article
into a one-paragraph summary of the whole piece.


 

 
1- Decide on the length of the article. Keeping a length in mind can help you decide what needs to be
included in your article and what can be left out.
2- Write an outline (optional). Not everyone writes an outline, but it can be helpful for organizing your
thoughts. Start with an introduction that leads to the main point, at least 3 body paragraphs, and a
conclusion.
3- Write the rough draft of the article as follows:
Tell your readers what you are going to tell them. This is your introduction. For example: This article explains
how to create a PowerPoint slide presentation. It covers the following information: choosing a theme,
creating a title slide, and creating topic slides. The information in this article is written for a beginner. The
author assumes that you have never used PowerPoint.
Tell your readers what you promised to tell them. In this section you tell them how to choose a theme, create
a title slide, and how to create topic slides.
Recap for your readers what you just told them. For example: This article taught you how to create a
PowerPoint slide presentation. You learned how to choose a template, how to create a title slide, and how to
create topic slides.
4- Proofread your article. Read over your article aloud to make sure what you've written makes sense. Keep
an eye out for misspellings or poor grammar, and double-check your facts.
5- Proofread your article again. This time, delete any unnecessary or contradictory information. The only time
you should have information that doesn't support your topic is if you're doing a "point-counterpoint" piece.
Eliminate anything that is just taking up space. Don't fill your work with fluff.
6- Rewrite the article as often as it takes. Once you've rewritten it, ask a trusted friend or family member to
read the piece and offer you constructive feedback. Rewrite again.
7- Make sure your article answers five "w" and one "h" questions: who, why, where, when, what and how.


 

 

 

 


 
- Rules for Writing Formal Letters in English
In English there are a number of conventions that should be used when writing a formal or business letter.
Furthermore, you try to write as simply and as clearly as possible, and not to make the letter longer than
necessary. Remember not to use informal language like contractions.
Addresses
1) Your Address Your Address
Your address, but not your name, usually goes in the top right hand corner. You In The Top
would not The Address Right Corner
usually include your telephone number or email address here, but this would be Of The Person
permissible. You Are Writing
To
2) The Address of the person you are writing to
Just Beneath Yours
The name and address of the person youre writing to goes below this, on the
left. If Date
you dont have a specific name, always at least try to put some sort of title. You
should always, however, address the letter to a particular person if at all Greeting
possible.
3) Date: M B
The position of the date is more flexible. It can go on the left or the right, usually A O
I D
below
N Y
the addressee details. The format of the date is usually 5th April 2003.
Salutation or greeting
1) Dear Sir or Madam,
Yours faithfully,
If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use this. It is
always advisable to try to find out a name. Your Name
2) Dear Mr Jenkins,
If you know the name, use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms, Dr, etc.) and the
surname only. If you are writing to a woman and do not know if she uses Mrs or Miss, you can use Ms, which
is for married and single women.
Content of a Formal Letter
The Introductory Paragraph
The first paragraph and will generally outline the purpose for the letter and the reason that the letter is being
sent. This can address any issues that are outstanding and is used to set the tone for the entire rest of the
letter. In this first paragraph, the summary of the letter can be found and the intentions which will be
displayed through the rest of the letter should be outlined. From the first paragraph of the letter, the
introductory paragraph, the individual should be able to note the tone of the letter.
The Body
The body of the letter will expand upon the introductory paragraph and the individual can extend their
thoughts and feelings further when it comes to the letter. The body of the letter can be anywhere from
multiple pages for personal letters, to one page or two pages for most business letters and other types of
proposals. Most letters in English are not very long, so keep the information to the essentials and
concentrate on organising it in a clear and logical manner rather than expanding too much.
The Closing
In the closing of the letter, the individual will close the letter and finish any thoughts that have been
mentioned or state what action the recipient is expected to take- to refund, send you information, etc.
Ending a letter
1) Yours faithfully, if you do not know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
2) Yours sincerely, if you know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
3) Your signature. Sign your name, then print it underneath the signature.
Use the right tone of language
Its important to use the right type of language, the right register. If youre writing a formal letter you should:
- avoid everyday, colloquial language or slang
- avoid contractions (Im; it// etc)
- avoid emotive, subjective language (terrible, rubbish etc)
- avoid vague words such as nice, good, get, etc.
You should always be polite and respectful, even if complaining. One way of doing this in English, which is
common in formal letter writing, is to use modal verbs such as would, could and should. Instead of simply
writing Please send me, you could express this more formally as I would be grateful if you could send me ...
Dont overdo it though, and make your language too formal or maybe old fashioned.


 

 

 

 


 
- Purpose of an Informal Letter
A friendly letter (or informal letter) is a way of communicating between two people (sometimes more) who are
usually well acquainted. There are many uses and reasons for writing a friendly letter but friendly letters will
usually consist of topics on a personal level.
- Friendly Letter Writing
The friendly letter is typically less formal than that of a business letter. Usually the first paragraph of the body
will consist of an introduction which will give the recipient an idea about why you're writing to them with a
short summary of the main topic of your letter. If you don't know the person you are writing to, you may want
to introduce yourself in this introductory paragraph as well.
The next few paragraphs will usually consist of the message you want to get across along with any details
you may want to convey. The last paragraph will usually be the conclusion where you wrap everything up.
You can sum up your main idea in this paragraph, thank the recipient for their time, wish the recipient well,
and/or ask any questions. Since friendly letters are less formal, you can feel free to write it however you like,
but the above format is fairly common.

In the friendly letter format, your address, date, the closing,

signature, and printed name are all indented to the right half of the AReturn Address Line
page (how far you indent in is up to you as long as the heading and Return Address Line 2
closing is lined up, use your own discretion and make sure it looks BDate (Month Day, Year)
presentable). Also the first line of each paragraph is indented.
A) Your Address -All that is needed is your street address on the CDear Name of Recipient,
first line and the city, state and zip on the second line. (Not needed DBody Paragraph
if the letter is printed on paper with a letterhead already on it.) 1................................
B) Date -Put the date on which the letter was written in the format .................................
Month Day Year e.g. August 30, 2003. Skip a line between the date ....................
and the salutation. Body Paragraph
C) Salutation -Usually starts out with Dear so and so, or Hi so and 2................................
so. Note: There is a comma after the end of the salutation (you can .................................
use an exclamation point also if there is a need for some ....................
emphasis). Body Paragraph
D) Body -The body is where you write the content of the letter; the 3................................
paragraphs should be single spaced with a skipped line between .................................
each paragraph. Skip 2 lines between the end of the body and the ....................
closing.
E) Closing -Let's the reader know that you are finished with your
letter; usually ends with Sincerely, Sincerely yours, Thank you, and EClosing (Sincerely...), 5
so on. Note that there is a comma after the end of the closing and FSignature 6
only the first word in the closing is capitalized.
F) Signature -Your signature will go in this section, usually signed in
black or blue ink with a pen. Skip a line after your signature and the GP.S.
P.S.
G) P.S. If you want to add anything additional to the letter you write
a P.S. (post script) and the message after that. You can also add a P.P.S after that and a P.P.P.S. after that
and so on.

Greetings Set phrases for opening paragraphs Set phrases for closing paragraphs Endings

Dear Tom Just thought Id drop you a line Well, I think thats about it Yours

Dearest Jane I hope you are fine Well, thats all for now Love

Hi/hello, Karen! What have you been up to? Well, Id better finish off here All my love

I havent heard from you for ages I must go now Best wishes

It was nice to hear from you Write soon All the best

Thank you for your letter Waiting for your letter Lots of kisses

Sorry I havent written for so long I look forward to hearing from you Take care


 

 

 

 
Begin your review with an introduction appropriate to your assignment
If your assignment asks you to review only one book or article and not to use outside sources, your
introduction will focus on identifying the author, the title, the main topic or issue presented in the book or
article, and the author's purpose for writing.
If your assignment asks you to review the book or article as it relates to issues or themes discussed in the
course, or to review two or more writings on the same topic, your introduction must also encompass those
expectations. For example, before you can review two writings on a topic, you must explain to your reader in
your introduction how they are related to one another. Within this shared context (or under this "umbrella")
you can then review comparable aspects of both writings, pointing out where the authors agree and differ. In
other words, the more complicated your assignment is, the more your introduction must accomplish.
Finally, the introduction to a book or article review is always the place for you to establish your position as
the reviewer (your thesis about the author's thesis). Consider the following questions:
- Is the piece a memoir, a treatise, a collection of facts, an extended argument, etc.?
- Is the article a documentary, a write-up of primary research, a position paper, etc.?
- Who is the author? What does the preface or foreword tell you about the author's purpose, background,
and credentials?
- What is the author's approach to the topic (as a journalist, a historian, a researcher)?
- What is the main topic or problem addressed?
- How does the work relate to a discipline, to a profession, to a particular audience, or to other works on the
topic?
- What is your critical evaluation of the work (your thesis)? Why have you taken that position?
- What criteria are you basing your position on?
Provide an overview
An overview supplies your reader with certain general information not appropriate for including in the
introduction but necessary to understanding the body of the review. Generally, an overview describes your
book or article's division into chapters, sections, or points of discussion. An overview may also include
background information about the topic, about your stand, or about the criteria you will use for evaluation.
The overview and the introduction work together to provide a comprehensive beginning for (a "springboard"
into) your review. Consider the following questions:
- What are the author's basic premises?
- What issues are raised, or what themes emerge?
- What situation (i.e., racism on college campuses) provides a basis for the author's assertions?
- How informed is my reader?
- What background information is relevant to the entire piece and should be placed here rather than in a
body paragraph?
Organize the body of your review according to a logical plan
Here are two options:
First, summarize, in a series of paragraphs, those major points from the piece that you plan to discuss;
incorporating each major point into a topic sentence for a paragraph is an effective organizational strategy.
Second, discuss and evaluate these points in a following group of paragraphs. (There are two dangers
lurking in this pattern you may allot too many paragraphs to summary and too few to evaluation, or you
may re-summarize too many points from the piece in your evaluation section.)
Summarize and evaluate the major points you have chosen from the piece in a point-by-point schema
That means you will discuss and evaluate point one within the same paragraph (or in several if the point is
significant and warrants extended discussion) before you summarize and evaluate point two, point three,
etc., moving in a logical sequence from point to point to point. Here again, it is effective to use the topic
sentence of each paragraph to identify the point from the book or article that you plan to summarize or
evaluate With either pattern, consider the following questions:
- What are the author's most important points?
- How do these relate to one another? (Make relationships clear by using transitions: "In contrast," "an
equally strong argument," "moreover," "a final conclusion," etc.).
- What types of evidence or information does the author present to support his or her points?
- Is this evidence convincing, controversial, factual, one-sided, etc.? (Consider the use of primary historical
material, case studies, narratives, recent scientific findings, statistics.)
- Where does the author do a good job of conveying factual material as well as personal perspective? Where
does the author fail to do so? If solutions to a problem are offered, are they believable, misguided, or
promising?
- Which parts of the work (particular arguments, descriptions, chapters, etc.) are most effective and which
parts are least effective? Why? Where (if at all) does the author convey personal prejudice, support illogical
relationships, or present evidence out of its appropriate context?


 

 

 

 
Use the conclusion to state your overall critical evaluation
You have already discussed the major points the author makes, examined how the author supports
arguments, and evaluated the quality or effectiveness of specific aspects of the book or article. Now you
must make an evaluation of the work as a whole, determining such things as whether or not the author
achieves the stated or implied purpose and if the work makes a significant contribution to an existing body of
knowledge. Consider the following questions:
- Is the work appropriately subjective or objective according to the author's purpose?
- How well does the work maintain its stated or implied focus?
- Does the author present extraneous material? Does the author exclude or ignore relevant information?
- How well has the author achieved the overall purpose of the book or article?
- What contribution does the work make to an existing body of knowledge or to a specific group of readers?
- Can you justify the use of this work in a particular course?
- What is the most important final comment you wish to make about the book or article?
- Do you have any suggestions for the direction of future research in the area?
- What has reading this work done for you or demonstrated to you?
Note that the length of your introduction and overview, the number of points you choose to review, and the
length of your conclusion should be proportionate to the page limit stated in your assignment and should
reflect the complexity of the material being reviewed as well as the expectations of your reader.
Remember foremost that an analytic or critical review of a book or article is not primarily a summary; rather,
it comments on and evaluates the work. This is especially important to remember when doing academic
research. A literature review (as a kind of paper or as a section of a longer research paper) strings together a
set of such commentaries to map out the current range of positions on a subject. The writer can then define
his or her own position in the rest of the research paper.
Often it is useful to keep questions like these in mind as you read your research materials analytically:
- What overall purpose of the book or article? (Reading the preface, acknowledgments, bibliography, and
index can be helpful in answering this question. Also consider the author's background and the publisher
when thinking about a book's purpose.)
- What is the author's thesis? What are the author's assumptions? Are the assumptions discussed explicitly?
How well does the author's content support the thesis? (Here you can quote from your source to show not
only the author's overall structure and plan, but also to show the author's style and tone, as well as the
author's ability to use materials to make an argument in support of the thesis.) How does the author present
the work? (Does he/she present primary documents or secondary material, literary analyses, personal
observations, statistical data, biographical or historical information?) Does the author present alternative
approaches (alternative theses) to his subject or topic? Does the author present counter-arguments to
alternative theses? What exactly does the book or article contribute to your subject or academic discipline?
What general problems and concepts in your discipline and course does this book or article discuss?
- What theoretical issues are raised for further discussion?
- What are your own reactions toward the work? Compare your reactions to the book or article to the reviews
reactions of others. Look at journals in your academic discipline or general publications such as New York
Review of Books or London Review of Books.
Finally, remember that a review's goal is to discuss the book's or article's approach to the subject, not to
discuss the subject itself.


 

 

 
Your college magazine has asked for contributions from students for a special feature entitled Television at
its Best. Write a review of a television programme that you think is worthy of inclusion in such a feature.
Mad Men an ironic look at the Sixties liver disease or passive smoking, or their unrepentantly
The popularity of Mad Men is not hard to fathom. Nor is Neanderthal views on race and sex. It is these opportunities
the almost hysterical reaction of critics, who have almost to for dramatic irony inherent in such a setting that the show
a man hailed this story of 1960s Madison Avenue seizes with both hands. A couple of examples will suffice. In
advertising executives as the best American series since the first the main characters drive out into the country for a
The Sopranos. To begin with, it is visually stunning, with picnic, at the end of which they leave their rubbish to litter
its faithful recreation of early-sixties fashions when all men the beautiful spot without a second thought. In the second,
wore hats and suits and the women dressed to please the the small daughter of perfect mother Betty Draper rushes to
men. The cast is composed of firm-jawed men and her mother swathed in polythene to announce that she is
hourglass-shaped women, almost universally easy on the playing spacemen. Without blinking her mother, rather
eye. The dialogue is snappy and witty and cleverly reveals than fainting on the spot at the prospect of her precious
the hidden depths of pain beneath the characters' elegant child suffocating, calmly tells her that she'll catch it if her
veneer. This is an era at once recent and remote from our mother's dresses have been crumpled.
own, and the show does a wonderful job of drawing us into Although some of the more carping critics have slated the
its world. Then there is the guilty pleasure we experience at show's stately pace and incredible plot devices, it remains
watching these people who are so blissfully oblivious to our true that few TV shows offer the variety of pleasures of Mad
modern hang-ups, whether it is the way they smoke and Men and I am sure it will long be remembered as a classic
drink incessantly, with never a thought for the hazards of piece of TV.


 

 

 

 
:

 

 

 
Before you write one word of your article, you should define the aim of why you are writing. Put it into a
concrete statement, called the thesis statement, and prepare the reader for it. Typically, an article begins with
an introduction, and the introduction begins with an attention grabber--a motivation step that tells the reader
why he should want to read further. Then background material introducing the topic is laid out. The
introduction should finish with two final steps. The penultimate step is setting forth the thesis statement. It is
the point you are trying to make in the article. The ultimate step of the introduction is to lay out the
organisation of the paper. What will be found in each section? The organisation should clarify how you intend
to argue in support of the thesis statement.
To help you define your thesis statement, here are five questions you should try to answer while you are
penning your introduction:
Why am I writing this report? (To persuade, to inform, to sell, to warn, to instigate an action, to give
instructions?)
Who are my readers? (Can one report reach them all? Sometimes a non-technical "executive summary" or
a technical abstract at the beginning of a report is sufficient for many readers).
What does the reader already know, and what does he need to know?
What reaction do you expect from the reader? (Anticipate barriers that prevent readers from understanding
or accepting the report?)
How and when will this report be used?
It is good practise to keep the answers to these questions in mind as you write, and as you progress through
the report writing process. Many writers concentrate solely on putting words on papers to get the ideas out. If
the structure of the article is logical and orderly, the arguments that need to be made are easier to put forth.
If the thesis statement is focused enough, structuring the article becomes straightforward. If you have the
answers about your aims in writing identified from the above five questions as your report progresses, you
are more likely to achieve the aims.


  : :
The structure you adopt usually depends on the length of the report; for a long report, the structure given
below is typical.
Title
A title should be informative rather than brief. If it needs three lines, then use three lines! Try, however, to
arrange them so that each line conveys a complete message and so the reader is led from the general to the
particular. For example:
"Viscous fingering instabilities in porous media flows:
Unification of the effects of viscosity contrast, permeability, and dispersion through dynamical coupling."
Identification
This tells the reader about the origin of the report, so will include the author's name, department, reference
number and date. It may also include the name of the person approving the report.
Abstract
A short description of the contents and purpose of the report. In technical reports, the abstract may be as
much as two hundred words. It should include key words that describe the programme area of the report, so
that search engines can find the report when novice users do a search. It should include the highlights of the
results, with concrete and quantitative measures where possible of the important results.
Table of Contents
This gives the headings of main sections and sub-sections of the report, along with the page numbers where
the reader can find them. It also gives the reader a sense of the structure of the report. In short reports, a
Table of Contents may be frivolous.
Summary
A vital part of all but the very shortest reports. This is an outline of the complete report, detailed so that
readers will be able to understand it more readily. It also helps the busy reader who does not have the time
to read the complete report. It tells the non-specialist, using language appropriate for his level of knowledge,
all that he will probably need. It should precise the conclusions and recommendations--many managers will
not read more of the report!
Introduction
An introduction is not a summary. It tells the reader what motivated the work, the background needed to
understand where the report fits in the "scheme of things." This may be historical--why the work was done;
what the focus was; who authorized the work; what the terms of reference were for the project; what similar
work have others done.


 

 

 

 
The Body of the Report
Remember that reports should address a target audience, should be read easily and not be too verbose,
should be as concise as possible without risking ambiguity.
The body of the report tells what was done, what the results were, what is the context of the results and a
discussion of what it all means.
Conclusions
This section is almost wholly extracted from the body of the work, using the same words and phrases. It is
separate because readers need to find the important conclusions all in one place, especially if they do not
have the time to study the whole report in detail.
Recommendations
Again, this will repeat parts of the body of the report, but it deals with the future implications of the work. By
contrast, conclusions deal with the current work and its repercussions on the present.
For example:
Conclusion
The control system overshoots the set point for 3-5 seconds after a change of set point in the thermostat.
Recommendation
We should reprogramme the controller with proportional control which will anticipate how much control action
is still need to achieve the set point and reduce overshoot tenfold in duration and cut the absolute overshoot
by 50%.
Reference list
References are bulky if they are to be complete. Thus, the citation in the text can be brief, and the full
reference given in the reference list. The distinction between a reference list and a bibliography should be
made clear. A reference list is for citations made in the text. A bibliography just tells the reader what sources
you read to inform yourself on the background material. No specific points are lifted from this material and
used in the text. Otherwise, they should be cited fully. The reference list tells the reader exactly where you
got your facts, in case they wish to assure themselves that you have interpreted the facts correctly. A
bibliography tells the reader what he should read to improve his general knowledge of the subject area.
Language and Structure
The language and structure determine how readable the report will be. Although a report that "sounds good"
gives a good impression, the important thing is to convey information. If it sounds good, but is utterly
meaningless, nothing is accomplished. So express yourself in a readable, unambiguous, concise and
accurate way.


 

 

 
Define and focus on the Aim: be clear about your objectives and the audience before you start.
Who are you writing for?
What do they already know?
What do they need to know? How will they use your report?
Why are they reading your report?
Collect your data and collect your thoughts: collect all the information that may be relevant. Do literature
searches in the library, on-line citations, and on the internet. Gather all the files and working papers you will
need. Collect your thoughts on the subject by jotting down notes on the report content and references to
working papers. Do not worry about the overall structure or exact wording at this stage.
Select the material for the report: evaluate the information you have collected. Is everything pertinent? If
not, toss it out. Reconsider the aim and ensure that you give your readers only that information that is vial,
important, or helpful to them.
Structure the report carefully: develop logical arguments within a series of headings and subheadings.
Write the report: be simple and clear. You can tackle one section at a time, but with a logical classification
and outline, you need not be so prescriptive. Write from the inside out if it suits you, or have several sections
going at once. If you have trouble expressing an idea, try imagining a conversation with a target reader. How
would you explain it verbally? Avoid: specialist jargon, long sentences, abstract nouns, passive style
Check and Polish the report: read the article putting yourself in the place of a target reader. Does the report
meet the aim? Are the key points highlighted? Does the summary give the whole picture at a glance?
Look again to the structure. Is the logic sound? Are the headings helpful and specific with the facts in the
right places? Are the paragraphs sign-posted and structured?
Examine the language and style: spell check and proofread carefully. If you can find a confidante who will
read you work critically, avail yourself of them and their constructive criticism. If a reader hasn't understood
the point you made, it is probably because it was poorly expressed, not because the critic was stupid.

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE LA SPEZIA & SARZANA



 

 

 

 


 

 

 
You and a number of students from different countries have been working in an international company for a
month as part of a work experience programme. The human resources manager of the company has asked
you to write a report saying how useful the programme has been for the participants and including
recommendations for future programmes. Write a report on the programme using the comments below which
you collected from the students feedback forms.
Teamwork Working in different departments In general
! Great international mix ! Very interesting. Staff very helpful ! Well organized
! Some of the students need more and friendly ! Not enough time for us to
language training ! Would like more time in fewer compare ideas and experiences
! Pity we couldnt finish the project! departments ! Made some really good
! Not enough time ! I learnt a lot about office work friends
! I didnt always understand
everything
Write your report. Write between 180 and 220 words.
Here is an example of a good answer to this question. Notice how the writer has organized the information
into clear sections, each with a sub-heading. Notice too how this answer shows evidence of register transfer,
that is, the writers ability to move from the informal style of the notes to a more formal style appropriate for
this type of writing.

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE LA SPEZIA & SARZANA

Report on the Spring 2010 Work Experience Programme
Introduction
This report is based on feedback collected from participants in the Spring 2010 work experience
programme. I will summarise these comments and offer some recommendations for future programmes.
Organisation of the team
Most participants commented favourably on the international flavor of the team and enjoyed the
opportunity of working closely with people from other cultures. Several people mentioned that they had
forged close relationships with their co-workers. It was widely felt however that a number of students
would have benefitted from a specialized language course before beginning the programme, as some
communication problems were experienced. It was also felt that more time was needed in order to
complete the project.
Organisation of the work
In general, students appreciated the opportunity given to experience the work of the company at first
hand, and commented on the helpfulness of the permanent staff. It was felt by some, however, that the
experience would have been more productive if students had been given more time in each department,
as this would have enabled them to gain a deeper insight into the workings of individual departments. It
was also felt that more time was needed for the exchange of ideas and experiences.
Conclusion
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and it is hoped that a similar programme can be put into place in
future, taking into account the suggestions made above.


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 
Usare la punteggiatura in modo appropriato
Nella scrittura formale cerca di limitare l'utilizzo di parentesi e trattini (usa piuttosto i due punti) ed evita i
punti esclamativi. Evita il simbolo che corrisponde alla "e" commerciale (&); sostituiscilo con la congiunzione
and (e).
Evita parole comuni colloquiali ed espressioni informali (colloquialismi)
"Cute" (carino) (usa "adorable"), "yeah," "how-do-you-do" (come te la passi) e "movie" (usa "film"),
"cool" (figo), "dude" (amico) e "humongous" (gigantesco).
Due espressioni che meglio eliminare sono "you know" (sai) e you might be thinking (potresti pensare
che). L'avverbio pretty (piuttosto/quasi), inteso come relatively," "fairly," o "quite, inaccettabile in
qualsiasi scrittura formale e il pi delle volte inutile.

Non usare le forme contratte

Ricorda che la forma completa pi usata di "can't" "cannot".

Cerca di evitare la prima e la seconda persona

Espressioni come "I think that" (penso che) possono essere omesse da una frase quando ovvio che si
tratti dell'opinione dell'autore. Nella maggior parte degli scritti formali, il pronome I pu essere sostituito dal
pronome we (noi); La scrittura formale solitamente evita l'utilizzo del pronome you quando si riferisce alle
persone in generale.
- You should sleep eight hours each night. (informale) (Dovresti dormire otto ore a notte).
- One should sleep eight hours each night. (formale) (Bisognerebbe dormire otto ore a notte).
- Most people should sleep at least eight hours each night. (utilizzo formale per ammettere delle eccezioni)
(La maggior parte delle persone dovrebbe dormire almeno otto ore a notte).

Non iniziare una frase con una congiunzione coordinante

Nella lingua scritta, non usare congiunzioni coordinante come "and (e), "but" (ma), so (cos) o or (o), per
iniziare una frase. Puoi utilizzare avverbi transizionali come additionally (o moreover) (inoltre),
nevertheless (o however) (tuttavia), therefore (o thus) (perci) e alternatively (o instead o
otherwise) (invece), though (nonostante/per)

Per essere formale evita i clich

Rischiano di rendere banale il tuo scritto.

Evita di iniziare dando istruzioni

Non cominciare una lettera scrivendo al destinatario quello di cui tratter la lettera o un tema scrivendo al
lettore qual' l'argomento del tema.
"I am writing to you to ask you to. . . ." (Scrivo per domandarle)
"This paper is going to talk about how. . . ." (Questo elaborato tratter di..)

Evita di utilizzare parole generiche

Le parole generiche sono poco formali e lasciano spazio all'interpretazione; non esprimono le tue opinioni
bene come lo farebbero delle parole pi specifiche.


 

 

 

 

 
Non aver paura di separare il verbo ausiliare dal verbo principale

Sappi quando terminare una frase con una preposizione (persino nell'inglese pi formale)

Includi sempre il pronome relativo

Nell'inglese formale dovresti sempre assicurarti di includere "whom" (del quale, riferito a persona) o
"which" (che, riferito a cosa), anche se non sono essenziali dal punto di vista del significato. Il pronome
relativo pu essere omesso quando viene usato solo un participio; in tal caso non si tratta pi di una
proposizione relativa. Inoltre, evita di usare 'that' (che) come pronome relativo e sostituiscilo con 'which',
'whom' or 'who'.
- This is the paper I wrote. (informale) (Questo l'elaborato che ho scritto).
- This is the paper which I wrote. (formale) (Questo l'elaborato che ho scritto).
- That was the paper written by me. (formale) (Quello era l'elaborato scritto da me)


 

 
&

 

 

 

 

 
- Anybody, anyone (Nessuno) - "Anyone" e le sue varianti, sono pi formali di "anybody" e le sue varianti.

- As spesso usato nella scrittura formale con il significato di because (poich). Mettere una virgola dopo
la parola as ti permette di evitare qualsiasi ambiguit, dato che potrebbe anche essere inteso con il
significato di when (quando) o where (dove).

- Big, large, great (grande) - Tutte e tre queste parole sono accettabili nell'inglese formale, ma "large" pi
formale di "big," e "great" pi formale di "large."

- For sure (di certo) - Nella scrittura formale sostituisci "for sure" con "with certainty", come in "I know with
certainty" (so con certezza). Puoi anche scrivere "I am positive" o "I am sure."

- Get - Evita qualsiasi forma di questo verbo nella scrittura formale.

- Got un colloquialismo. Sostituiscilo con "have," come in "Do you have [senza "got"] an extra pen?" (Hai
una penna in pi?)

- Introduce, present (presentare) - "Present" pi formale di "introduce."

- Kind of, sort of - "Kind of" e "sort of" sono inaccettabili nella scrittura formale quando utilizzati con il
significato di "somewhat" (in qualche modo) e "rather" (piuttosto). Quando utilizzati per classificare qualcosa,
"kind of" e "sort of" sono accettabili, ma "type of" pi formale: "The parakeet is a type of bird" (il
pappagallino un tipo di uccello). Nota che informale includere un articolo dopo la preposizione "of": "The
parakeet is a type of a bird."

- Let - Quando utilizzato al posto di "allow" (consentire) o "permit" (permettere), "let" un colloquialismo.

- Most - Nell'inglese formale, non usare "most" per "almost." Dovresti scrivere: "Almost everyone likes
pizza" (Quasi tutti amano la pizza), non "Most everyone likes pizza."

- On the other hand (dall'altra parte) - "On the other hand" un'espressione molto comune, ma pu essere
considerata un clich e sarebbe meglio, perci, evitarla nell'inglese molto formale. Usa invece "conversely" o
"by contrast." "On the other hand" particolarmente utile negli scritti di ogni giorno e pu eliminare la
tentazione di iniziare con "but."

- So - Evita di utilizzare "so" come sinonimo di "very" (molto) nella scrittura molto formale. Nella scrittura
formale corretta dovresti evitare anche di usare "so" come congiunzione coordinante. Puoi evitare questo
colloquialismo eliminando il "so" e cominciando la frase con "because."

- Thus, thusly - Solitamente, le parole che terminano per "-ly" sono pi formali. Per esempio, "firstly" (per
prima cosa) pi formale di "first." In particolare, l'inglese formale ricorre a firstly, secondly, eccetera per
esporre gli argomenti uno per volta. Nonostante ci, non questo il caso di "thus"; nella scrittura formale,
usa "thus," non "thusly."

- Yours truly - Ironicamente, firmare una lettera con "Yours truly" formale, ma riferirsi a s stessi con "yours
truly" informale. Ad ogni modo, "Sincerely" una firma pi formale rispetto a "Yours truly" perch evita la
seconda persona. "Yours truly" pu essere molto utile nell'inglese informale, perch il pronome personale a
volte suona sbagliato. Puoi dire "Its yours truly!" invece di "Its me!" perch "yours truly" pu essere usato al
posto di "I" e "me."
 & &

  & &

  +&
I am working I have / He has
SUBJECT + TO BE + -ING
temporary state permanent state
action in progress habit or regular event


 

  +&
I was travelling I had / I did / I lived
SUBJECT + PAST SIMPLE OF BE + -ING completed past action
action in progress at a past point past situation that doesnt exist now
repeated past action
& &

  & &

  & &
I have lived in Spain He told me that he had been abroad
SUBJECT + HAVE + PAST SIMPLE PAST EVENT + SUB + PAST SIMPLE OF HAVE + PAST
past situation relevant to the present PARTICIPLE OF THE VERB
recent action with consequences for the present past event before another event
situation continuing until the present
& &

  & &

 

  & &

 
I have been working at home.. I had been waiting over an hour..
SUB + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE OF BE + -ING SUB + PAST SIMPLE OF HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE OF BE + -
action in progress in the past for a period until now (still in ING
progress or recently finished) action in progress over a period up to a particular past
point in time
 & &

 

 

 

  &
I think I will fly to Los Angeles I am going to stay with my parents
SUBJECT + WILL + PRESENT SIMPLE SUBJECT + BE GOING TO + INFINITIVE
a decision made without planning a decision already made
a prediction based on opinion or experience a prediction based on outside evidence
a fact about the future
willingness
& &

 

 

  & &

  +& &

 

 

  &
I am spending a few days sightseeing / Lectures start on 27th July Extra lifeguards are to be posted at the beach after a shark..
event intended or arranged news reports
event as part of official schedule to talk about official plans, rules or instructions
in if-clauses when mean in order to
&

  &

  & &
Ill be studying really hard during the semesters By the time you come Im sure Ill have got to know the city
SUBJECT + WILL + BE + PRESENT PARTICIPLE SUBJECT+ WILL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
something predicted to happen at a particular time or over a to make a prediction about an action we expect to be
particular period in the future completed by a particular time in the future
&

  & &

  &

 

  &

 
When I come to see you, youll have been living there for six months I was going to see an aunt../I knew I would be feeling awful..
SUB + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE OF BE + -ING a plan that didnt happen
to emphasise the duration of an activity in progress at a particular a prediction made in the past
point in the future We can use was/were to + inf and was/were to have + past
N.B. We can also use the future continuous, perfect and perfect part to talk about the future in the past (formal contexts).
continuous to say what we believe or imagine to be true. Was to+inf is used when we dont know weather the event
Theyll have forgotten what I look like happened or not, the other one is for things that were
expected bud didnt happen.