ANGLÈS 2n BATXILLERAT

WRITING GUIDE
PART ONE
1. Opinion essay
2. Informal letter
3. Formal letter
4. Email (informal & formal)
5. For & Against essay
6. Dialogue
7. Interview
8. Essay
9. Narrative
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1. How to write... AN OPINION ESSAY

Structure:
Paragraph 1 - Introduction. Set the topic and state your opinion.
Paragraphs 2&3 – Arguments. One paragraph for each main idea. Give reasons.
Explain the consequences of problems and solutions. Give examples.
Paragraph 4 – Conclusion. Conclude and restate of your opinion.

Useful expressions
I (personally) think / I don’t think that...
I (strongly) believe that...
I feel /I don’t feel that...

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It seems to me that...
I agree / I don’t agree that...
In my opinion / view...
As I see it...
As far as I’m concerned...
It’s clear to me that...
From my point of view...

Expressing facts
As a matter of fact / In fact / Actually

Adding information
Apart from...
Moreover, / furthermore, / in addition,
What’s more, / besides

Expressing causes and consequences

Because of (that)
For this reason,...
That’s why
Therefore, / consequently, So,
As a result of...

Giving reasons
Because / since /As /Due to

Concluding
To sum up, In conclusion,

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 Example

Reading text: An opinion essay Information will soon be so easy to find on the internet that
people will not need to remember anything. Do you agree?
Nowadays all the information we could ever need is available online and some people say
that it means the end of having to learn anything.
It is true that these days everything you want to know is a few clicks away as long as you
have internet access. However, not everyone has working internet all the time, for example in
certain buildings or remote locations, so we do need to be able to remember information.
Moreover, it takes time to look up everything you need to know online, whereas
remembering something is immediate. The human memory is a much more efficient system.
Another problem is the quality of the information online. How do we know if it is accurate or
reliable? We need to think about other facts we know and remember how to compare
information from different websites. Knowing (and remembering) how to find certain
information will be more important than knowing the information itself.
Finally, the internet is a good tool but it is not a useful replacement for our brains. If we did not
remember anything, we would all spend even more time on our phones and computers than we
already do, which is not good for society.
In conclusion, the internet offers us many things but it is still important to use our knowledge
and memories. We need our memories to function without the internet and we also need to
know how to use the internet properly.

© 2019 British Council www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish

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 2. How to write... AN INFORMAL LETTER

Writer’s address (not the name!)

Date (e. g. 11th June, 2017)
Dear (name of friend),
Opening paragraph: Responding to a person’s news
Body: asking a question. Answering a question. Adding extra
information. Changing the subject.
Final paragraph: finishing
Closing
Writer’s signature ( not your real name!)
P. S. (optional)
Useful sentences

Use informal expressions/ idioms

Responding to a person’s news

Thanks for your letter. You asked about... It sounds like...
Asking how the person is
So, how are you? How’s it going? What’s new? How are you getting on?
It was great to hear from you
Answering a question
Thanks for asking about... You wanted to know about... You asked about...
I’m writing to tell you that...
Adding extra information
What else? Oh, yes... /I also wanted to tell you that...
Changing the subject
By the way, did I tell you that...? /Anyway,
Finishing
Keep in touch. Write soon.
Looking forward to hearing your news / from you.

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 Anyway, I must stop writing now.
Closing
Yours,
Love, / Kisses / hugs and kisses/ Best wishes, Take care, See you,

Example

Last week, you organised a surprise birthday party for someone in your family, and your
friend from Australia wants to hear about it. Write a letter to your friend, describing what
kind of party you organised, who you invited and how it went. Write your letter.
73 Oak St.
24 June 2020

Dear John,
Thanks for your email; it was great to hear from you. How’s your new job?, hope you’re
still enjoying it. Sorry for not writing sooner, but I’ve been extremely busy at work for the last few
weeks.

Do you remember in your email you asked about the party I was organising for my mother’s
birthday? Well, it was a fantastic success. I told mother we were taking her out for a quiet meal at
a local restaurant, but in fact I’d fired a large room in a hotel and invited all her old friends!

Anyway, I picked mother up and told her I’d changed my mind. We were going to have a
meal in a hotel. You should have seen her face when she walked into the room and everyone
cheered! She just couldn’t believe it and burst into tears. Then the party got going, and it didn’t
finish until four in the morning. We were absolutely exhausted but mother had had wonderful
time…

I must dash now, I’ve got to go and prepare a lecture which I ‘m going to be presenting
next Monday. Hope to hear from you soon.

All the best,

Sandra

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 3. How to write... A FORMAL LETTER

 Writer’s address (not the

name!)
 Date (e. g. 11th June, 2017)
Name of the company/ recipient..( or to whom it may concern)
Address
(Greeting) Dear Sir/Madam,
Dear Mr/Ms X,
Opening paragraph:: explain your reason for writing
Body: Giving information. Explain your requests, points or arguments ( one
paragraph for each point )
Final paragraph: finishing
Closing: Yours fatihfully /Yours sincerely
Writer’s signature ( not your real name!)

Useful sentences
Greeting
Dear Sir / Madam (if you don’t know the name of the person you’re writing to)
Dear Mr ... / Ms (if you know the name)

Explaining your reasons / requests

I am writing to enquire about...I am writing in response to...I am writing in order to explain...
With reference to your advertisement, I would like to apply for the post of...
I am particularly interested in...I would be grateful if you could...I would appreciate
information on...
Could you please? I wonder if you could... It would also be useful to know... Would it be
possible for me to ?
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information. Thank you
for your assistance.

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Finishing
I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to receiving your news.

Closing
Yours faithfully, (if you don’t know the name of the person you’re writing to)
Yours sincerely, (if you know the name)

Example ( complaint letter)

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 4. How to write... AN EMAIL
Structure:
To:
From:
Subject:
CC:
Attached:

Greeting
Paragraph 1: responding to a person’s news. Asking a
question. Answering a question.
Paragraph 2: giving news. Explaining why you’re writing.
Paragraph 3: finishing.
Closing

Useful sentences

Greeting:
Dear ...,Hi ...,
(Formal: Dear Sir/Madam_ Dear Mr/ Ms...)
Starting
Thanks for your message. I’m glad to hear that...I’m just writing to...
Changing the subject
Anyway, ...One more thing, ... What about you...?
Finishing
It would be great to hear from you. Must go now! Keep in touch. Write soon.
Saying good-bye
All the best. Bye for now. Love / See you /
(Formal closings for formal e-mail, including Kind regards)

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 Example: formal email

To: [email protected]
From: Susan Nelson
Subject: Digital Marketing Executive application
Dear Ms Jones,
I am writing in response to your advertisement for a Digital Marketing Executive.
My name is Susan Nelson and I am a Social Media Marketing Assistant. I have had this job
for the past two years and I believe I am the person you need for your new role.
The bulk of my work involves designing and implementing online marketing campaigns
across a range of channels. I am very comfortable using analytics to assess campaign success and
drive future initiatives. Furthermore, I work with a range of social media platforms and tools for
digital marketing. I can also add I have always worked in the retail industry and am familiar with
the seasonal nature of business such as yours and I also have the skills to push your business
forward through creativity and innovation.
I would very much like the opportunity to both bring my experience and enthusiasm to this
role while continuing to develop professionally and personally.
Following initial research into your company I very much feel we would be a good fit for each
other and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this position with you in person.
Please find attached my CV.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Susan Nelson

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 5. How to write... A DISCUSSION ESSAY/ ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAY/ FOR & AGAINST ESSAY
Structure
Paragraph 1: Introduction. A statement that explains
the topic. Explain that there are views for and against this
idea; advantages and disadvantages. ( Introduce a question)
Paragraph 2: Arguments for / advantages. Reasons.
Paragraph 3: Arguments against / disadvantages.
Reasons.
Paragraph 4: Conclusion. Sum up the other side of the
argument. Give your own conclusion – your opinion if you want.

Useful sentences

Introduction
At the moment, / At present, These days, / Nowadays / It is said/ believed…
It is a well-known fact that... ... is an important issue in today’s world.
There are obviously advantages and disadvantages. There are positive and negative sides to
this.
Giving both sides of the argument
On the one hand, ... /On the other hand, ...
Some people would argue that... but others would say that... Although..., it could also be
argued that...
Expressing contrast
Yet/ However /nevertheless, On the one hand, Although..
Despite (the fact that) / in spite of (the fact that) / Despite
Expressing result
As a result, For this reason, Consequently, Therefore,, This means that...
Adding ideas
Another reason is / In addition, Moreover, / What’s more
Concluding
To sum up, In conclusion, My own opinion is that... because... Personally, I believe that...

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Examples & more tips

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 6. How to write a dialogue/conversation

Structure
Introduction. One line to set the scene.
Dramatic form:
Name1: ....
Name2: ....
Name1: ....
...
You can also finish with a closing sentence: “...and
they go on discussing for a few minutes”

Useful expressions
Colloquial language
How are things?
That sounds good /great / bad / OK. What do you think of...
That depends. We’ll see. Go on! Come on!
Use fillers
OK, Well, Oh, ...Erm ... I mean / You know
Making suggestions
How about...?Let’s...We could...Why don’t we / you...? Are you interested in...? Shall we...?
Maybe we / you could...
Expressing preferences
I’d like / love to... That would be great! I can’t wait!
I’d prefer to...
I don’t really feel like... I’d rather not.

Tips

 Use short answers and short sentences.

 The language should be natural and colloquial.: remember idioms!
 You may use contractions.

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 Use question tags and reply questions

Example & more tips

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 7. How to write... AN INTERVIEW
Structure
The interviewer welcomes the audience - introduces the interviewee (name
and why he/she is important).
Question/Answer/Question ...
The presenter thanks the interviewee - adds a comment – says goodbye to
the audience.

Useful sentences

To welcome the audience*

Good morning/afternoon/evening and welcome to today’s programme.
Welcome to another edition of (name of programme)
To introduce the interviewee
Today we have here with us Mr/Ms...
We are very pleased/delighted to have here with us Mr/Ms... Please welcome Mr/Ms...
Let me introduce you to..Ms
It’s a pleasure being here
I’m very pleased to be here
My name’s ... and I work for... / I am a reporter for (a local newspaper)...
Mr / Ms ..., would you mind answering a few questions (about...)?
He/She has...He/She is famous for +ing
Conversation
When did you first...? How long have you (been)...?
I heard / read in the newspaper that (something)...(has happened) is being (done) at the
moment will be (done) in a near future / soon...
What’s your opinion / view about it?
It is said / rumoured / feared that... Could you confirm this?
If you were..., what advice would you give them? Would you recommend (doing something)?

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To close the interview*
Well, our time is over for today. I’m afraid our time is over. I’m afraid we’ve run out of time...
We could talk to Mr/Ms... for hours, but I’m afraid we must put an end to this interview.
To thank the interviewee
Thank you for your advice / insight / information / help / time.
Thank you so much for inviting me It’s been a pleasure
You’re welcome, I appreciate it
I’m certain that our listeners / readers will greatly appreciate your words
Thank you very much for being here with us today. It was a pleasure having you here today.
I hope you can come some other day and tell us more about ...
To say goodbye to the audience*
Thank you very much for being with us once more.
We hope to see you in next week’s edition of (name of programme), when we will interview ...

* not in written interview

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 8. How to write... AN ESSAY
An essay is piece with which we analyze a topic, a situation or a problem from different points of
view, arguing each one of them and expressing our opinion on it if you want. They are commonly
impartial
An essay has the following characteristics:
Purpose: With an essay what we do is assess a topic, situation or problem that is in some way of
interest or controversial.
Tone and register: Being a writing on a serious or controversial topic, an essay is a formal
writing, so we must use an objective and formal tone., avoiding common words (Ex: things, stuff,
get, etc.) and contractions (Ex: can’t, don’t, won’t, etc.).

Structure
(Title)
Introduction
Idea 1
Idea 2

Idea 3
( Your ideas must follow a logical and well-connected order
using appropriate connectors and must always be justified)

Conclusion ( and opinion)

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 Examples

Reading text: An essay about women in science

In most universities there are more male students than female students on science courses.
What is the reason for this? What could be done to balance out the numbers? In higher
education, science subjects are typically dominated by male students. This negatively impacts
the world of work, as fewer females then go into the science, technology and engineering
sectors. This essay will explore the reasons for the lack of gender diversity in science and suggest
ways to create equal opportunities in this area.
Firstly, the most likely reason for the imbalance is that society reinforces the idea that boys and
girls have different interests and abilities. We see this from a very early age when little boys are
given cars and Lego while girls get dolls. The former are encouraged to build things whereas the
latter learn to care for others. Later on, we are told that girls are better at languages or boys
have better spatial awareness. In fact, there is no evidence that biological differences between
the sexes make one gender more talented than another at a particular subject. It is society, not
nature, that tells us girls should favour arts and humanities and leave maths and physics to the
boys. Coupled with this is the lack of positive female role models youngsters see doing science
related jobs. Cartoons and stories often show the crazy scientist, genius inventor, or
adventurous astronaut as a man.
Furthermore, there is an unfortunate perception that scientists are geeky, have poor social skills
or that their work is lonely and detached from the rest of the world. These are false stereotypes
portrayed by the media, but they may mean that girls do not identify with scientists, and see
science as an unappealing career path. If girls saw more positive female role models in science it
would give them more confidence and a greater sense of belonging in those subjects.
Given these points, it is important to tackle this issue right from a child’s early education. By the
time young women are at university, it may already be too late to disprove the view that science
is ‘not for them’. Hence, for very young children gender-neutral play needs to be encouraged. As
children get older, both the education system and the media must raise awareness of female
achievements in the field of science, as well as exposing them to a more diverse set of
characters in books and films. We need to find ways to show young girls that science is fun,
interesting, and, most importantly, theirs too.

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Protecting the Environment
One of the things that worries people most nowadays is the environment. In the last few
decades, humans have been polluting way too much, which has had a negative effect on the
environment. For this reason, we must protect it from now on.
First, we ought to start paying attention to the 3 Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle. By doing so, we will
reduce the quantity of rubbish, we will not throw away so many things and we will be able to
recycle most of our waste.

Second, a very good idea is to stop using cars so much and start cycling or walking a little more.
For example, instead of commuting by car, we can try to do it on foot or by bike.

Finally, if we really want to change things, we should teach young pupils about the dangers of
contamination and pollution. It is the only way to change the future, because they are the future
citizens of the world.

In conclusion, I believe that if we do these three things, we can still prevent humans from
destroying the environment.

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9. Narrative
Example

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