Writing task 2: Introduction

3 sentences: +Background (optional)

*Notes: It is fundamental to understand thoroughly the request and flexibly use
+ General statement
sentences to express opinions as clearly as possible
+ Thesis statement*
Opinion *Background:
- As of late/ Lately/ In comtemporary times/ Recently…, matters/problems of sth have invariably garnered a great
deal of publicity
- As of late/ Lately/ In comtemporary times/ Recently…, there have been divergent opinions regarding sth
- Sth has remained a debatable topic in recent years/ recently/ lately/…
*General statement
- A school of thought holds that S+V
- Some assert/ consider/ assume/ argue/ contend/…that S+V
*Thesis statement
- (Partly disagree/ agree) While this statement is valid to a certain extend, I argue/ contend/ assert/ assume/…that
S+V // Although S+V, I am of the opinion that S+V
- (Totally disagree/ agree) I agree/disagree with this notion for some reasons

Eg: Advertisement has become an integral part in todays’s society. Some people think that this development is
harmful for the society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
 It is widely acknowledged that advertising has played a crucial role in society recently. While there is no
denying the potential benefits of the increasing tendency of advertising, I am an advocate of the notion
indicating that this is an unfavourable phenomenon.

Discussion *Background
- As of late/ Lately/ In comtemporary times/ Recently…, matters/problems of sth have invariably garnered a great
deal of publicity
- As of late/ Lately/ In comtemporary times/ Recently…, there have been divergent opinions regarding sth
- Sth has remained a debatable topic in recent years/ recently/ lately/…
 *General statement
- While/Whereas a school of thought holds that S+V, some assume/ assert/ consider/ contend/ argue… that S+V
* Thesis statement
- In this essay, I will scrutinize/ shed light on both camps/ look at the reasoning for both notions before explaining
why I side with the former/latter

Eg: Scientists generally agree that the consumption of junk food is detrimental to health. Some people believe
that the answer to this problem is education. Others disagree, saying that it will not work. Discuss both views and
give your own opinion.
 It is generally acknowledged by the scientists that the consumption of junk food takes a heavy toll on human’s
well-being. While some regard education as the most holistic approach to such an issue, others disagree. In
this essay, I will scrutinize both camps before explaining why I side with the latter.

Causes *General statement

Effects - As of late/ Lately/ Recently/ In recent years/ In contemporary times,…there has been an on-going trend towards sth
Solutions // sth has been increasingly prevalent/ popular/…
- It is indisputable/ unquestionable/ irrefutable/ undeniable/ widely acknowledged that S+V
*Thesis statement:
- (Causes/Effects): This essay will present/ point out/ illustrate/ demonstrate… some of the drivers behind this
phenomenon and its consequences
- (Causes/Solutions): This essay will present/ point out/ illustrate/ demonstrate…some of the drivers behind this
phenomenon before putting forward/ proposing some viable solutions that can be implemented
- (Effects/ Solutions): This essay will present/ point out/ illustrate/ demonstrate…some of the consequences behind
this phenomenon before putting forward/ proposing some viable solutions that can be implemented

Eg: Today many people do not know their neighbors. What problems does this cause? What can be done about it?
 As of late, many people fail to form intimate relationships with their neighbors. This essay will present some
of the consequences behind this phenomenon before proposing some viable solutions that can be implemented
Pros and *General statement
cons - It is indisputable/ unquestionable/ irrefutable/ undeniable/ widely acknowledged that S+V
*Thesis statement
- (Pros/cons) This essay will shed light on/ scrutinize both advantages and disadvantages of this phenomenon before
concluding that sth is a desirable/ favourable/… tendency/ trend/…
- (Pros > cons):
+ While there is no denying the drawbacks of such a phenomenon/ tendency/ trend, I contend/ assert/ assume/…
that its potential benefits should be paid more attention/ should be placed more emphasis on
+ Despite the demerits of such a phenomenon/ tendency/ trend/…, they are overshadowed/ eclipsed/ pale by its
substantial benefits
-( Cons> Pros ):
+ While there is no denying the potential merits of such a phenomenon/ tendency/ trend/…, I contend/… that its
demerits are more glaring/ it would do more harm than good/ it would entail a host of disadvantages/ its drawbacks
deserve more attention/….
+ While there are some undeniable/ irrefutable/ unquestionable/… benefits of sth, I contend/ assert…that its
disadvantages are more pronounced.

Eg: An increasing number of people are choosing to have cosmetic surgery in order to improve their appearance.
Is it a positive or negative development?
 In recent years, there has been an increasing number of people regarding reconstructive surgery as a method
to promote their appearance. This essay will shed light on both advantages and disadvantages of this
phenomenon before concluding that this is an undesirable trend.
*Practice: Write the introduction:
1. Some people believe that employers should not be concerned about the way their employees dress, because what
matters is the quality of their work. To what extent do you agree of disagree?
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2. Nowadays, distance-learning programs have gained in popularity, but some people argue that online courses can
never be taken as good as those taken at a college or university in person. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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3. Some people say that the government should pay money for large pieces of art, like sculptures for public display
in outdoor places. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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4. Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the responsibility to reduce the amount of
packaging of goods, while others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of packaging. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.
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5. Some people believe that increasing tax on various industries will reduce pollution whereas others believe that
there are better alternative ways. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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6. Some people think that newspaper are the best way to learn about current events. However, others believe that
they can learn news better through other media. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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7. People today get less sleep than in the past. What is the cause of this? What are the possible effects of this
development?
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8. The world's natural resources are consumed at an ever-increased rate. What are the causes of this situation? What
are the solutions?
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9. Many people believe that international tourism is a bad thing for their country. What are the reasons? What are
the solutions to change negative attitudes?
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10. With growing population in cities, more and more people live in a home with small or no outdoor areas. Is it a
positive or negative development?
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11. Differences between countries become less evident each year. Nowadays all over the world, people share the
same fashions, advertising, brands, eating habits, TV channels. Do the advantages of thí trend outweigh the
disadvantages?
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12. In some countries, it is now illegal to reject someone applying for a job because of his or her age. Do you think
this is a positive or negative development?
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