Writing


STRUCTURE OF WRITING TEST
REQUIREMENT: Write an essay of at least 250 words in 40 minutes
A successful essay should consist of:
●

an introduction paragraph in which you clearly state the topic to be
discussed

●

a main body, in which you clearly state in separate paragraphs and
exemplify or justify

●

a closing paragraph summarizing the main points of the essay, in

which you restate your opinion, and/or give a balanced consideration
of the topic.


STRUCTURE OF WRITING TEST
REQUIREMENT: Write an essay of at least 250 words in 40 minutes
You should:
- use formal, impersonal style
- use topic sentence to introduce the subject of each paragraph

- give reasons and examples following the topic sentences

- use linking words/ phrases
- make references to other sources
- answer the question, not the topic
You should NOT:
- use short form, informal language
- use very emotional language


STRUCTURE OF WRITING TEST
CRITERIA OF EVALUATION
- Task fulfillment:
+ requirements
+ tone
+ position
- Organization:
+ coherence and cohesion
+ paragraphing
+ conclusion
- Vocabulary
- Grammar


STRUCTURE OF WRITING TEST
Types of essays
1. For and against /Advantages – Disadvantages
=>Discuss both sides
2. Express an opinion (Agree or Disagree)

=> Discuss the side you agree with
3. Causes – solutions

=> Discuss causes and solutions


STRUCTURE OF WRITING TEST
Here is a four paragraph structure that can be used
* Introduction:
- Introduction topic
- Thesis statement
* Main body 1:
- Topic sentence
- Arguments with support
* Main body 2:
- Topic sentence
- Arguments with support
* Conclusion
- Summarise the essay
- Give an opinion or future statement


STRUCTURE OF WRITING TEST
ANALYZING THE QUESTION

Essay topics may be expressed in various ways, but there are basically three
types of essay that a student must prepare for.
Remember, the type of essay they give you will dictate the style of your
organization and the vocabulary you use.


1. FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY
Key questions words in a ‘for and against’ essay:

●

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages

●

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion

●

Discuss both views/ sides of the argument

●

Discuss both views/ sides of the argument and then give your own opinion

●

You should write a similar amount for each view.

●

If the question also asks for your opinion, you don't need an extra
paragraph. Just make it clear (in the introduction and/or conclusion)
which of the two views you agree with.


2. OPINION ESSAY
Key questions words in an opinion essay:
●


What is your opinion about this?

●

What do you believe?

●

To what extend do you agree or disagree? (not only answer your side
but also express how much you agree)

●

Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

●

Ask for your view, not the views of other people, and you don't have to
give both sides of the argument.

●

Just make your opinion clear in the introduction, then explain it in the
rest of the essay.


3. PROBLEMS – SOLUTIONS – EFFECTS ESSAY
Key questions words in a ‘problem-solution’ essay:
●

●

●
●

●

problems/ causes
solutions/ measures
cause – effects/ impacts
Simply write a paragraph explaining the problem(s) and a paragraph
explaining the solution(s).
Some questions ask about 'causes' or 'effects'. Causes would be in place
of the 'problem' paragraph and effects would replace the “solution”
paragraph.


AVOIDING COMMON MISTAKES
- Manage your time well.
- Write your essays from a global perspective, try to avoid relating the essay
question only to Vietnam. It should be about the world in general.
- In the introduction, do not tell the reader what you’re going to do.
- Do not ask the reader any questions in your essays. Also, do not use exclamation
points.
- Make sure your writing is legible (i.e. easy to read, with clear punctuation).
- The first sentence of each body paragraph should be a topic sentence.
It should signal to the reader what you focus on in that paragraph.
- No personal opinions in the body paragraphs, only in the introduction or
conclusion. Use impersonal opinions in the body paragraphs.



ESSAY LANGUAGE GUIDE
IMPERSONAL OPINION

PERSONAL OPINION
- In my opinion/view
- It cannot be denied
- To my mind
- It is often claimed
- To my way of thinking
- People often claim that
- As far as I am concerned
- Some people argue that
- I am inclined to believe that
- It is often alleged that
- It seems to me that
- It is true to say that
- It is my firm belief that
- It is undeniable
- I (strongly) agree/disagree with the view that
- According to…
- I (fully) believe that
It cannot be denied that
studying English can lead to great rewards. - There is no doubt in my mind that


ESSAY LANGUAGE GUIDE
TO ADD MORE POINTS TO THE SAME TOPIC
- What is more
- Furthermore

- Moreover
-I n addition (to this)
- Also,
- …as well
- Not to mention the fact that
- Above all
- Not only…but also…
Furthermore, if students aim to gain more work experience, they must
be willing to take advantage of internships and opportunities to serve
as apprentices.


ESSAY LANGUAGE GUIDE
TO MAKE CONTRASTING POINTS

- However,
- While/Whereas
- Nonetheless/Nevertheless
- Though/Although
- Conversely
- In comparison
- In contrast (to this)
- By contrast
- Despite the fact that…
Despite the fact that internships offer students a chance to gain work
experience, there are many that cannot afford to serve without pay.


ESSAY LANGUAGE GUIDE
TO PROVIDE CAUSE OR REASON

- This is because
- This may be caused by
- One explanation for this is that
- This can be explained by
- The reason for this is that
A student may become depressed and unproductive. This is because they feel
isolated and lonely which are just two of the main effects of culture shock.


ESSAY LANGUAGE GUIDE
RESULT / EFFECT
- Cause
- May/Might lead to/result in
- As a result
- Consequently
- One result/effect of this is that
Lack of sleep may cause the average person to become irritable or unable to concentrate
for long periods of time. As a result, their family, social, and professional lives may suffer.


ESSAY LANGUAGE GUIDE
PROVIDE SOLUTIONS
- A further step is to
- The most obvious solution is to
- The obvious answer is to
- One possibility is to
- A good idea is to
- One option is to
- One suggestion is to


The most obvious solution is to invest in programs that give food to the poor.


ESSAY LANGUAGE GUIDE
TO SUMMARISE OR CONCLUDE
Finally
In brief
On the whole
Overall
Therefore
In conclusion
In other words
Thus

Consequently
As a result
Ultimately
In summary
Hence
To summarize

In conclusion, I think that most children would be better off after learning about
another culture and being able to communicate with foreigners.


PRACTICE TESTS
Topic 1: An increasing number of people are now using the Internet to meet new
people and socialize. Some people think this has brought people closer together
while others think people are becoming more isolated.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.



Topic 1: An increasing number of people are now using the Internet to meet new people and
socialize. Some people think this has brought people closer together while others think people
are becoming more isolated.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
THESIS STATEMENT:
1/ If the task asks for your opinion, use phrases such as:
I partially agree with X, but Y must be considered also.
Or
In my view, it is important to examine the advantages and disadvantages/ both sides of this
issue before arriving at/ coming to a conclusion.
2/ If the task directs you to discuss advantages and disadvantages, but does not ask for your
opinion, use impersonal phrases such as:
It cannot be denied that X, but Y is also true.


Topic 1: An increasing number of people are now using the Internet to meet new people and
socialize. Some people think this has brought people closer together while others think people
are becoming more isolated.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
 Meet new people: make new contacts

 Socialize: contact and spend time together in a friendly way
 Isolated: without much contact with others in person; lead to social isolation;
E.g. Nowadays, many people think that the Internet plays an important role in helping them to make
new contacts around the world while others claim that the misuse of the Internet may lead to social

isolation. I partially agree with the importance of the Internet for people’s close connections, but its
drawbacks must be considered also. (2 sentences)



Topic 1: An increasing number of people are now using the Internet to meet new people and
socialize. Some people think this has brought people closer together while others think people
are becoming more isolated.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
1/ Topic sentence: People find it much easier to get connected with others around the globe
over the Internet without wasting a lot of time.
For example, family members and friends who are away from one another can have a
virtual meeting at any time using mobile applications such as Zalo, Zoom, or WhatsApp.
Moreover, thanks to the “Find around here” feature on Zalo, people can find and make new
friends with ease. In brief, social media sites together with the Internet have become more
and more advanced that can help people socialize more easily and frequently.

2/ Topic sentence: However, the drawbacks that the Internet has brought to people’s
connections are undeniable.
People can contact together at any time they want, so they become lazy to see one
another in person. Since the Internet helps people to see their friends and relatives every
day, it is not important to have family reunions on some special occasions such as birthdays
or family anniversaries, and all these things can be organized with the participation of those
people through virtual meetings. Consequently, this may result in feeling alone and missing
their close ones.


Topic 1: An increasing number of people are now using the Internet to meet new people and
socialize. Some people think this has brought people closer together while others think people
are becoming more isolated.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

In conclusion, although the Internet could help people to find more friends and

communicate with one another easily, it also allows them to experience the feeling of
loneliness and sadness. In my opinion, people’s awareness of the advantages and
disadvantages of the Internet should be increased so that they can use it properly and
effectively.


Topic 2: The role of education is to prepare children for the modern world. Schools should cut
art and music out of the curriculum so that children can focus on useful subjects such as
information technology.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?


Topic 2: The role of education is to prepare children for the modern world. Schools should cut
art and music out of the curriculum so that children can focus on useful subjects such as
information technology.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? II/ 2 body paragraphs
Step 1:
 Paraphrase the question
 Think of the ideas for both
sides
 Decide the structure of your
essay
Step 2:
 Write your essay

I/ Intro paragraph: 2-3 sentences.
+ The first 2 sentences: paraphrase the
question
+ The last sentence: thesis statement


I/ First paragraph: one side (5-6 sentences)
- Topic sentence (1 sentence)
+ Reasons
+ Examples
+ Information/Facts
+ Cause & Effects statements

II/ Second paragraph: the other side (5-6 sentences)
- Topic sentence (1 sentence)
+ Reasons
+ Examples
+ Information/Facts
+ Cause & Effects statements
III/ Conclusion: (2-3 sentences)
- Remind the readers of what the issue under
discussion is.
- State your opinion.