A12

e Writing an essay
Writing an essay

Using links and markers

When you are writing an essay that asks you to discuss a topic or give your opinion on a question, it is important to organize your thoughts and present your arguments clearly and to plan the structure of your essay before you start to write. 1 Introduce the topic (say why it is important now) 2 Give one point of view, in support of the argument, with reasons 3 Give more information or arguments 4 Give a contrasting or different view 5 Conclude (give your own opinion or interpretation of the facts)
EXERCISE 1

In the list below are phrases that you can use to guide your readers through your essay. Which phrases could be used for each type of paragraph? Put a number 15 next to each of the expressions. in conclusion (5) furthermore recently moreover consequently as a result therefore on the other hand nevertheless to sum up however in addition finally while nowadays (1)

EXERCISE 2

Dont repeat yourself say it another way. In the lists on the right, you will find expressions that can be used to link your ideas together and give your paper a structure. Using these phrases will improve the style of your writing, and your language will be more varied as a result. Match up an expression on the left with one on the right, so that you have pairs of phrases with similar meanings. The first one has been done for you as an example. compared with affect sth drastically obviously in particular appreciate moreover whereas is a significant factor in contrast a cross section as a result grave difficulties serious problems in comparison with furthermore plays an important role especially have a devastating impact on sth consequently while clearly on the other hand a representative group value

Planning and writing an essay

Read the question or title carefully For many longer essays, you are given

Brainstorming Quickly note down some ideas on the topic as you think of them. Then write down some vocabulary that you know you will need to write about this subject. If you are allowed to use a dictionary, check the spelling and grammar patterns now so that you can refer to your list quickly when you have begun to write your essay. Look at the next page for an example of brainstorming.

to make sure that you understand what exactly is required. a topic to discuss. For these you should present more than one point of view on the subject, and support each point with arguments or examples. Now look at the following assignment: Genetic engineering brings with it more dangers than benefits and should be banned worldwide. Discuss.

IDEAS

EXERCISE 3

A13

VOCABULARY

genes clone modify incurable therapy hereditary diseases

genetics scientific scientists conduct research possibility of doing sth interfere with sth

EXERCISE 4

Look at the final version of the essay. Using the expressions from Exercises 1 and 2, fill in the blanks with appropriate links.

Genetic engineering brings with it more dangers than benets and should be banned worldwide. Discuss. ___________ , advances in science have demonstrated to us that things that once seemed possible only in science ction could become a reality. The cloning of a sheep brought the possibility of using genetic engineering to create new organs, or even whole human beings, one step closer. Some people consider this to be a dangerous development, and believe that all such research should be banned. Interfering with nature in this way could bring with it dangers that none of us can imagine. We have no idea how an articially-created person might behave, or indeed how he or she might suffer. ___________ , we may nd ourselves in a position which we do not like, but which we are unable to reverse. ___________ , many people would say it is not for human beings to decide what other human beings should be like. It is not only people with deep religious beliefs

who feel that it is wrong, for example, for parents to choose whether their baby will be a boy or a girl, or have blue eyes or musical talent. The idea of a political regime cloning its citizens until it has the right sort of population for its purposes is even more horric. ___________ , the latest research in genetics has also opened up the possibility of new treatment for many diseases which up to now have been incurable. If it were possible to prevent a baby from developing a hereditary disease by modifying genes, should we stop the scientists? If doctors could replace a diseased organ with a new one grown from cells, should it not be allowed? ___________ , I believe that genetic engineering has the potential to be both a huge benet and a terrible curse for humankind. To make sure we benet from it, it will be necessary to control it very strictly. The real challenge will be to nd ways of monitoring the research that is conducted in laboratories all over the world and to make sure that it is only used for the good of everyone.

Writing an essay

recent advances in science new possibilities unknown dangers designer babies new cures for diseases cloning humans political purposes religious concerns interfering with nature banning impractical impossible to regulate cant go back

Now think about the structure of your essay. Look at the structure suggested in Exercise 1 and put the paragraph number against each of the arguments in the example above, according to where you think it fits into the plan suggested: recent advances in science new possibilities paragraph 1 unknown dangers paragraph 2

A14

Writing a report
If you are asked to write a report, for example, analyzing the results of some research, summarizing articles, or interpreting statistics, your aim should be to present facts clearly so that the reader will understand the main points quickly.

e
Writing an essay

In many reports, the important

information involves numbers. Read the report again and find out what these expression refer to: 50+50 four 5% twice two thirds 75% a half three eight out of ten the majority a large majority

Look at the report below and notice how

the information is divided up using headings. The style of a report is impersonal: it is not important who the writer is or what his or her opinion is. Notice whether you are told who the reader is. This will help you decide how much you need to explain.

Your style of writing will not be personal, but it need not be boring. Vary your language so that you do not overuse the same expressions. Think of other ways of saying the words and phrases that are written in dark type in the report below. Look at Dont repeat yourself in Exercise 2 if you need help.
In contrast, two thirds of those questioned in group A reported that they valued the convenience of being able to walk to the stores. Eight out of ten of the older shoppers surveyed said that their daily shopping trip was their only contact with other people. Moreover, they preferred the personal attention of the smaller stores compared with the anonymous atmosphere of the larger outlets. They were, however, concerned that prices were increasing. merchants The merchants in town have seen business drop off by up to a half, whereas Lakewater businesses have recorded a steady increase in sales over the year. When asked whether they viewed the future with optimism, a large majority of group D replied positively, while only 5% of group C said that they expected to see a growth in their business in the coming year. Conclusions The opening of Lakewater mall has clearly had a devastating effect on downtown shopping, and this trend seems set to continue. Parking problems downtown have been a significant factor in changing peoples habits. Mobile, better-off consumers are deserting the main street for the new mall, leaving downtown merchants to rely on the business of local residents, particularly the elderly and those without cars. As a result, many long-established businesses now face grave difficulties.

Aim The objective of the survey was to find out whether shopping habits have changed since the building of the new suburban mall at Lakewater, and to identify trends for the future. Method The survey targeted four groups of people: (A) downtown residents, (B) suburban residents up to three miles from the center of town, (C) business owners in the central area of town, and (D) merchants in the new mall. Shoppers received one questionnaire, while merchants received another. Researchers visited 50 homes in the center of town and 50 in the suburbs as well as a cross section of stores in both locations. Results shoppers 75% of all residents said that they had been to the new mall at least twice during the last month. Of these, the majority were from group B. Among the most popular reasons cited for shopping at Lakewater instead of downtown were the ample free parking there compared with the difficulties of parking in the center of town and the convenience of having a large number of stores in one location in the mall. Families in particular mentioned the Lakewater childrens play area as an important advantage.