Writing guide

Letters to magazines or newspapers

Model answer
You have read an article about the importance of eating healthy food and the dangers of
‘junk food’ on our health. Write a letter to the newspaper saying why it may be difficult for
many people to follow this advice. Write about 120-150 words.
• Say why you think the basic idea in the article is a good idea.
• Describe some reasons why it may not be so easy for some people.
• Say what supermarkets and fast-food restaurants could do to help.

The first sentence should

get straight to the point
by referring to the context,
Using a linking word like identifying yourself (if
although is a good way of necessary) and stating
setting up a contrasting your reason for writing.
idea, or for giving a reason This particular sentence
for why something might construction is a very
not be as straightforward useful way of beginning a
as is suggested. letter like this because you
can introduce your letter
Using an expression like on a positive note and then
this: for many people add but to prepare the
it isn’t so simple … , reader for some different
prepares the reader for views.
some examples or reasons
to follow. So it’s a useful
way to make them want to
read more. Lists in threes are a very
effective construction and
make a point forcefully in
Starting a sentence with
writing of this kind. Also,
What … again raises the
the repetition of they may
level of anticipation in the
reinforces the point.
reader. As soon as he/she
reads What your article
fails to mention is … , he/
she knows that another
key point is about to be
made. Note the use of the
cohesive device by in
this sentence, which is
used to introduce ways in
which supermarkets and
fast-food restaurants can
improve the situation.
[138 words]

Practice
1 You read an article in a newspaper about the violence depicted in computer games. The
writer obviously thinks that there is too much violence shown in these games and that
this could damage young people in some way. Write a letter to the magazine giving your
own view on the review. Write about 120–150 words.
2 You read a review in your local newspaper about a new restaurant in your town. The
review is very critical of the food and the service. You went to the same restaurant this
week and found everything very good. Write a response to the review stating your own
view and criticising the critic. Write about 120–150 words.
Emails and other forms of electronic communication
Model answer
You read a discussion on a website entitled ‘Why we don’t need books any more’, about
how our access to technology is replacing the need for books.
Write a contribution to the website, giving your opinion. Write about 120–150 words.

You have a limited number

There are lots of different of words, so it’s important
ways of announcing your to get straight to the point.
opinion in a piece of In the opening sentence,
writing. Here the writer the writer manages to
uses to my mind, but briefly summarise the point
could also use as far as he/she is responding to,
I’m concerned or in my whilst at the same time
opinion. preparing the reader for an
alternative point of view.
Here is an example of
someone giving a very
strong opinion: the truth
is … , implies that there is
no discussion, it’s a fact.
Be careful if you decide to
use this kind of language. It
can emphasise a point, but
should be used sparingly.
Other examples are: it is the
case that … , it’s absolutely The use of short, sharp
sure that … , what I am and simple phrases is
certain about is … . a very powerful way of
making your point strongly.
In this case the writer is
almost making a list and
repeats the pronoun it
These kinds of phrases to refer to the book. This
are used to link two ideas is an especially effective
within the same subject approach when the short
matter. Imagine how abrupt phrases are followed by a
or sudden the change to longer phrase or sentence
talking about novels would to provide contrast.
be if the phrase and while
we are on the subject of …
were not there.
[144 words]

Practice
1 You read a discussion forum on a media website comparing the experience of watching
films on DVD and watching them at the cinema. Write a contribution to the debate giving
your views on the two forms of watching movies. Write about 120–150 words.
2 You read an article on a website saying that technology will soon replace newspapers.
The website asks readers to add their opinion and give examples. Write your contribution
in about 120–150 words.
 Writing guide
Essays
Model answer
You have been asked to write an essay in answer to the following question.
Is higher education worth it?
Many students make the decision not to do a university course and to get a full-time job when
they finish school, even if their results are good enough to continue their academic education. Are
they doing the right thing? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this decision?
Write about 200–250 words.
Don’t waste words by
Is higher education worth it? repeating the question.
Note that the second half Most people would say that, if you have the Get straight into answering
of the sentence explains the question by using
ability, then you should continue with your
the first. In this case expressions like the one
academic education after you finish school. used here: Most people
the word when is used
instead of because or as
Getting good qualifications is important today, would say … . Then you
a result of. when it is getting more and more difficult to can elaborate and develop
get a job. But there are several disadvantages. your own argument without
Use these kinds of First of all, it’s expensive. Apart from the fees wasting any words.
devices when you want to you (or your parents) may have to pay, you
develop a list of examples also spend at least three years of your life not These are known as
or ideas: first of all … , earning money. So who is going to support you? rhetorical questions.
secondly … , finally … . They are asked to make
Other simple sequences
Many children of less wealthy parents simply a point rather than find
like this is are: in the first can’t afford to pay the fees, so they get a job. out information so they
place … , to begin with … Secondly, there is no guarantee that you get a don’t expect an answer.
, then … , next … , etc. But job when you finish. Graduate unemployment is Questions like this are
make sure that, when you becoming more and more widespread. typical in spoken arguments
use these, you continue It’s true to say that academic education suits but they can also be used
the sequence. If you write in written contexts. As with
firstly … , make sure you some people, while other people benefit more all such figures of speech,
then have a secondly … from the practical experience of getting a job however, they should not
, otherwise you will lose rather than doing more study. Many jobs these be overused.
your readers. days include training programmes for that
specific job so the education is more focused. So is a cohesive device
It’s always useful to In my own experience, I was undecided what linking the first part of the
personalise your writing sentence, which states the
I wanted to do when I left school, but I problem, with the second
by giving examples of eventually thought that the opportunity to go to
your own experience as part of the sentence, which
it relates to the subject university was too good to miss as you get an gives a possible solution.
matter. Most of the topics education and you meet interesting people. But We could rewrite the
presented are those which I didn’t simply choose an interesting academic sentence like this: Because
have some relevance to subject. Instead I chose a practical subject many … can’t afford to pay
your own life so you will be the fees, they get a job. But
which would improve my chances of employment it is more effective to use
able to do this.
when I finished university. so. Think of it as meaning
So I would say that, yes, higher education is as a result.
Conclude the essay by
definitely worth it if you use it carefully to
referring back to the give yourself a good chance of using it to find
question and giving your employment.
own opinion. [262 words]

Practice
Write an essay in answer to the following questions in about 200–250 words.
1 Do you think famous sports personalities get paid too much? Give some examples and
give reasons for your answer.
2 “Cheap travel will soon be a thing of the past and holidays will never be the same
again.” Why do you think this statement has been made and how far do you agree with it?
Articles
Model answer
You have agreed to write an article for your school/college magazine, which is producing
a special edition entitled "Youth Today".
Write about 200–250 words.

The first sentence Articles usually have

is important as you a title or a heading to
want to spark the attract the reader’s
readers’ interest and attention. This is not
get them to read absolutely necessary
further. You can do but including one
this in different ways. will make your article
In this example the look more realistic
In many ways, it’s true to say that life is better and create a good
writer apparently
agrees that life for many people today. Technology, science and impression from the
should be better, but start.
medicine have made our lives easier, safer and
by including in many
ways in the first line, healthier, the age of cheap travel has allowed us
prepares the reader to see places we could have only dreamt about
for the opposite view.
fifty years ago, and music and film are much
This series of
more available. clauses expands on
Another example of a
rhetorical question, If that is the case, why is there so much stress in the areas that have
which makes a point, helped improve our
modern life? The same technology and media
rather than expecting lives in recent years.
an answer and
that have improved so many aspects of our lives,
prepares the reader are also responsible for making us anxious. We
for some examples. are constantly exposed to people telling us what
we should look like, what we should be wearing,
Another example of what we should be listening to, what phone we
repetitive language
to present a list of
should be using. We see our idols on the TV and
items or ideas for want to be like them. We have to have the best,
effect. the newest, the most fashionable – and that costs
This is a useful money.
device for writing There is also much more pressure in the
for effect. In this
workplace. Years ago, you would finish your
case there is a list
of things we want to education and get a job you could stay in as long
acquire and at the as you wanted. But now you get a job and before
end we are brought
down suddenly by you know it, people are telling you that you have The use of two
the simple sentence to move on. It seems there is no such thing as a contrasting
and that costs sentences to make
money.
permanent job any more. a point is very
So are youngsters happier now than fifty years effective in this kind
ago? Despite all the excitement and the fast pace of writing.

of life today, I really don’t think they are. If you’re This last short
one of the young people affected, you’ll probably paragraph returns
to the question
never know.
originally asked and
[250 words] attempts to answer
it.