WRITINGS – summary of the most important ones
NARRATIVE:
- Tells a story
- Description of past events in chronological order
- Begin in an interesting way
- Finish with a good ending
Structure:
- Open your story with details of time, place and characters.
- Describe the main events of your story.
- Conclude the story and reveal any unexpected events.
Useful expression: time expressions
In July… the next morning… last summer… a week later… on the following day… that evening… a few days
later… suddenly… eventually… gradually…
OPINION ESSAY:
- You want to convince the reader that your point of view is correct.
Structure:
- Introduce the theme and give a clear personal opinion.
- Give reasons and examples to back up your opinion.
- Conclude the essay by summarizing your point of view and restating your opinion.
Useful expressions:
In my opinion… it seems to me that… as I see it… I (don’t) believe that… I (don’t) think that… I (dis)agree
that…
To start with… Firstly… Secondly… In addition… Furthermore… In summary… In conclusion… In short… To
sum up… To conclude…
Expressing cause and effect: because, since, as, due to the fact that, so, therefore, consequently, as a result,
as a consequence, for this reason.
FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY
- You must state the advantages and disadvantages of a problem and include your personal opinion about it.
You must present both sides of the argument making comparisons and contrasting information.
Structure:
- Present the topic by restating the title of the essay in your own words.
- Write one paragraph stating the arguments in favour of the topic and another stating the arguments against
the topic.
- Give reasons and examples to support your arguments for and against.
- Conclude your essay by summing up the arguments and giving your personal opinion on the topic.
Useful expressions:
In the first place… in addition (to)… finally… on the one hand... on the other hand… however… moreover…
what’s more… furthermore…
