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GE3 - Writing - Handout 2 - For Ss

The document provides information about writing essays, including identifying common essay structures and features, different types of essays, and how to write an effective topic sentence and thesis statement. It includes examples and tasks for students to practice these skills.

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Lê Kha
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7 views4 pages

GE3 - Writing - Handout 2 - For Ss

The document provides information about writing essays, including identifying common essay structures and features, different types of essays, and how to write an effective topic sentence and thesis statement. It includes examples and tasks for students to practice these skills.

Uploaded by

Lê Kha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GE3/Writing Handout 2 Student’s name:

From Paragraph to Essay


Skill Focus:
- be familiarized with essay structure
- identify different types of essay
- practice writing a topic sentence and a thesis statement

Focus 1: Common essay features


*What is an essay?
An essay is a group of paragraphs written about a single topic and a central main idea. It must have
at least three paragraphs, but a five-paragraph essay is a common length for academic writing.
A paragraph: An essay:
Topic sentence + supporting Introduction
sentences
about a
Body single
topic and
about ONE topic a central
main idea

Conclusion

Task 1: Look at common topics for essays. Can you think of subtopics related to them?

Education The environment Entertainment


e.g whether students should
wear uniforms.

Employment Technology Transport

Faculty of English_ULIS Page 1


GE3/Writing Handout 2 Student’s name:
Focus 2: Different types of essay
Task 1: Complete the descriptions of different essay types with the given words.
solutions disagree support effects
examples problem agree contrast
In an essay, you may 1. _______________ or 2. ______________ with an opinion. You may discuss
causes and 3. ______________ or give 4. _____________ to a 5. _______________.
In some cases, you might compare and 6. ________________ two things or judge which one is
better. In all cases, you will need to 7. ________________ your opinions with explanations or 8.
_______________.

Task 2: Read the sample tasks. Match them with the correct types of essay.

Types of essay Sample Tasks

1. An opinion essay a. Recently in big cities, the volume of traffic has been increasing and is
estimated to continue to expand. Discuss the problems associated with
an increasing number of vehicles and suggest some solutions.

2. A balanced opinion b. In many parts of the world, families are larger because people have
essay more children. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a big family.

3. A problem and c. Describe the laws and traditions concerning weddings in your country.
solution essay Have there been any changes in recent years?

4. A cause and effect d. Inventors are not as important to society as doctors.


essay To what extent do you agree with this statement?

5. A pros and cons essay e. Wild animals are born to belong to their own world, however, a large
number of those are being kept in captivity. Write an essay to contrast
their wildlife and their life in captivity.

6. A descriptive essay f. Recently in big cities, the volume of traffic has been increasing and is
estimated to continue to expand. Discuss the causes and effects of this
matter.

7. A compare and g. Some people think that genetically modified (GM) crops are a positive
contrast essay development. Others, however, argue that they are potentially
dangerous.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

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GE3/Writing Handout 2 Student’s name:
Focus 3: Topic sentence and thesis statement
* What is a topic sentence?
Task 1: Unjumble the useful chunks of language for writing clear topic sentences.
a. is / the / abroad / one / main / of / of / moving / positives
One of the main positives of moving abroad is …………
b. moving / one / of / disadvantages / home / of / away / the / from / biggest / is
c. to / of / the / turning / side / other / argument / the
d. advantage / overseas / of / living / is / another
e. that / another / be / drawback / is / it / can / major
f. by / overseas / let’s / advantages / looking / start / the / of / travelling / at
Task 2: Which topic sentences in task 1 introduce the advantages of living abroad? Which ones
introduce the disadvantages?
Task 3: Read the sample of a paragraph using one of the chunks for topic sentences in task 1.
Where is the topic sentence given? What is the purpose of the other sentences?
One of the main positives of moving abroad is that it broadens your horizons. What I mean by this is
that you have the chance to meet people from different cultural backgrounds and learn to cope with
foreign customs and food. This can make you more rounded as a person.
Task 4: Complete the topic sentences in task 1 using your own words and ideas. Write a short
paragraph using one of these topic sentences.

Your short paragraph:

Faculty of English_ULIS Page 3


GE3/Writing Handout 2 Student’s name:
*What is a thesis statement?
Task 5: Read a sample introductory paragraph. Identify the thesis statement. Answer the
questions.
• Which part of the thesis statement is the topic?
• Which part of the statement is the controlling idea?
• How are the body paragraphs developed? Based on the topic or on the controlling idea?

Nowadays, taking a year out to live or study abroad is becoming increasingly popular. For many
people, especially young adults, the chance to spend an extended period of time overseas is an
attractive one. However, there are both pros and cons to deciding to do this. In this essay, I will
discuss some of the reasons why moving abroad is so popular and some of the challenges to be
overcome.

Task 6: Read a sample essay about the pros and cons of online learning. Circle the thesis
statement. Underline the topic sentence in each body paragraph.
Online education in its various modes has been growing rapidly worldwide thanks to the global
adoption of the Internet. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning in
detail.

On the one hand, there are a number of benefits of learning on the internet. Firstly, it is very
convenient to learn online. We can learn anywhere anytime on our devices with internet access.
Busy learners can study at home, in a café or even at their workplace during lunchtime. Secondly,
online courses are much cheaper than formal education. In fact, learners attend virtual classrooms
without any requirement for modern facilities; therefore, the average tuition fee is much lower.
Also, we can save our budget because we do not have to travel back and forth to attend online
classes.

On the other hand, there are also certain drawbacks of e-learning. Firstly, learning on the
internet is not suitable for certain groups of learners such as young children and the elderly who
tend to be unfamiliar with using modern devices such as smart phones or computers for online
learning. Also, it is common that our online learning is interrupted due to power loss or unstable
internet connection. Furthermore, online learners can easily get distracted by online games, movies
or social networks, as a result, their concentration on the lessons is much lower than in face-to-face
classes.

In conclusion, everything has two sides and online learning is not an exception. I believe that its
advantages outweigh its disadvantages. (251 words)

Faculty of English_ULIS Page 4

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