Writing Guide - English, Apuntes de Inglés

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WRITING GUIDE

Opinion essay

Baccalaureate

Discussion (for and

against) essay

Descriptive essay

Emails

Review

Narrative

PAU WRITING TASK

CAUTION

If you make one of the following mistakes in a

writing test, the mark in the “vocabulary”

section will be very low.

• persons
  • a one day
  • i like football
  • very people
• actually , people use phones daily.

* Other mistakes may be added to this list.

INSTRUCTIONS.

Choose ONE topic. Your answer

should be 125-150 words in

length. There is no specific

penalty for exceeding 150 words in

length. Extra points are not given for

exceeding 150 words.

PAU WRITING TASK (2025)

There will be 3 options.

1. Opinion essay
2. For-and-against / Discussion essay
3. Informal email / Formal email (complaint, cover leer, leer to the editor)
4. Narrative
5. Description
6. Review

Sample writing topics: LINK

AN OPINION ESSAY

STRUCTURE

• First paragraph: Introduction. You should state your opinion (thesis) here.
• Main body (2-3 paragraphs). You should support your thesis statement here. Write about a dierent argument in each paragraph and provide supporting evidence. New idea = new paragraph
• Last paragraph: Conclusion. Summarize and restate your opinion using dierent words.

What is an opinion essay?

An opinion essay is an argumentative text in

which you give your opinion about a particular

topic using dierent arguments. You only

support one point of view.

Writing tips:

• You can start your essay with a

rhetorical question or a quotation.

• Do not use colloquial expressions or

contractions, remember this is formal

writing.

• Use key phrases and linkers

SUGGESTED STRUCTURES

OPINION DISCUSSION

Phones undeniably play a huge role in today’s society, and have done so for a while. They have altered the way we communicate with each other, and even the way we establish relationships. And while this can have a positive eect on our lives, I would argue that we currently rely on them too much.

First and foremost, the rise of the phenomenon called FOMO (fear of missing out) shows that phones can have a negative impact on our mental health. What is more, social media promotes constant oversharing and makes us want to keep track of what people around us are doing.

In addition, we use our phones to do virtually anything, from checking the weather forecast to grocery shopping. Sometimes, in order to do some of these tasks we specifically need a mobile phone app, as websites might not be equally functional.

All in all, mobile phones have turned into an everyday essential, and long gone are the days when they were considered a fancy accessory. While this might not be entirely negative, the fact that people experience FOMO and the thousands of mobile phone applications that are available to us seem to point to a growing dependance on mobile phones.

PAU TASK. Are we too dependent on mobile phones? Could we live without mobile phones nowadays? Write an opinion essay

OPINION ESSAY: PAU TASKS (2)

● Today the influence of English on other languages appears to be very extensive. What are the

pros and cons of that situation? Do you think we are using too many English words in our own languages? Write an opinion essay presenting your views on these questions.

● Spain is significantly below the OECD average in PISA tests. What do you think is needed to

improve our education system? Write an opinion essay in which you take into account the school system, the teachers and the students.

● Are we too dependent on mobile phones? Could we live without mobile phones nowadays?

Write an opinion essay.

● Governments often make many addictive substances illegal because they may harm the health

of those who take them. But alcohol and tobacco may also be dangerous to a person’s health, and they are legal. Should the government make these substances illegal? Write an opinion essay.

● Can we judge others by the way they look? Does a person’s appearance influence his or her

character? Write an opinion essay.

OPINION ESSAY: PAU TASKS (3)

● In our country, young people tend to live with their parents for much longer than they do in

other European countries or in the United States. Write an opinion essay analyzing the reasons why you think this may be so.

● Due to your low marks, you have been punished and for the next three months your access to

Internet after school is strictly limited to 30 minutes a day during the school week and to 1

hour a day on Saturdays and Sundays. Do you think this is an eective punishment? Write an

opinion essay.

A DISCUSSION ESSAY

(FOR-AND-AGAINST)

Writing tips:.

• Planification is key! Make a list of the arguments for and against before you start writing.
• You can start your essay with a rhetorical question, a quotation or addressing the reader directly.
• Do not use colloquial expressions or contractions, remember this is formal writing.
• Use key phrases and linkers. Keep in mind that you are presenting contrasting points in paragraphs 2 and 3.

A DISCUSSION ESSAY: PAU TASKS (1)

● Environmental fines are often imposed on industries and companies and even polluting vehicle owners but hardly ever on individual citizens who do not recycle or respect the environment. Given the world’s climate situation, should governments start making individual citizens pay environmental fines? For example, should people report to the government on their neighbours who do not recycle, or who still have traditional light bulbs and not LEDs? Would this be good for society? Write a for-and-against essay. (June 2023) ● Many cities in Europe are changing their traic paerns by eliminating lanes for cars while opening more lanes for bicycles and baery-powered scooters and promoting public transportation. Some people like the idea of fewer cars in cities, but some business owners say that fewer cars means fewer customers. In addition, some residents say that taking public transportation is not always an option. Write a for-and-against essay about campaigns to restrict private car traic in cities (Sept

● Many traditions from the United States, such as Halloween or the character of Santa Claus, have been exported to other cultures. Write a for-and-against essay discussing to what extent this enriches or has a negative eect on one’s own traditions. (June 2022)

A DISCUSSION ESSAY: PAU TASKS (2)

● “Medical research is subject to ethical standards that promote and ensure respect for all human subjects and protect their health and rights. While the primary purpose of medical research is to generate new knowledge, this goal can never take precedence over the rights and interests of individual research subjects.” Write a for-and-against essay about the rights and interests of individuals vs. the goal of advancing medical knowledge. ● Many traditions from the United States, such as Halloween or the character of Santa Claus, have been exported to other cultures. Write a for-and-against essay discussing to what extent this enriches or has a negative eect on one’s own traditions. ● Next academic year you may be living in a shared flat with other students or in a university residence, or maybe you’ll be staying in your own house with your family. Write a ‘for and against’ essay explaining the advantages and disadvantages of living away from home while you’re a university student. Make sure you do NOT use your own name in your essay. ● Do you buy music or do you pirate it? Some people argue that we should put an end to music piracy, as it generates huge losses for the record companies and music artists. Others claim that the record companies already have enough money, and that the prices they charge are too expensive. Write a for-and-against essay in which you state the pros and cons of paying for music.

OUTLINES

A DESCRIPTION: INTRODUCTION

1. HOOK

Start your essay by hooking the reader with an

engaging opening sentence or anecdote related

to the topic. This could be:

• A vivid description
• A thought-provoking question
• A surprising fact

-> Growing up on a farm, each summer brought

new unforgeable memories that still warm my heart.

-> What can be beer than growing up in a farm? -> There are more than 10,000 people that live in farms.

2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

After hooking the reader, you need to provide

context. You can include brief details.

->Nestled in the countryside, my family’s farm

was a sanctuary of simple pleasures and cherished traditions.

3. THESIS STATEMENT

Consider the main aspects you want to highlight

in your essay.

->My summers spent at my family’s farm were

filled with laughter, adventure, and a sense of belonging.