W Useful language 2 Extra points and • too • also • furthermore • and then • again • as well as • in addition • moreover Emphasising above all • in particular • notably • indeed • more important • especially • in fact Persuading of course • naturally • obviously • clearly • certainly • surely • evidently Comparing and contrasting equally • in the same way • as with • likewise • similarly • compared with • an equivalent • specifically Summing up or ending in brief • in summary • throughout • in all • on the whole • to sum up • overall • finally • in the end • to conclude Useful tips Research If you do not have to write your essay in a test situation, research your topic to become an expert by using reliable sources of information (facts, statistics, examples, quotations). Decide on your opinion Decide on your opinion of the issue. Make a list with arguments (for or against). Be creative while note-taking! Step 1 Introduction The introduction states the problem clearly. You can start off in different ways, e.g. with: • a quotation, a provoking idea or a current incident • a question that you could answer later • information about the topic’s relevance today • facts about the background of the problem Step 2 Main part The main part consists of several well-developed arguments. Each paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence. Topic sentence: It is the most general sentence in a paragraph. Supporting sentences: They “support” or explain the idea expressed in the topic sentence. Concluding sentence: It summarises the information that has been presented. You can arrange your arguments from the weakest to the strongest. You can write about how the problem started, who is affected by it, how serious it is, what has been done about it so far, what can be expected in the future, … . Step 3 Conclusion The presentation of your arguments should lead to a conclusion. It can consist of: • your own opinion • an outlook on further consequences • a summary of the topic • an appeal to readers to come to their own conclusion Language Use formal language. An e-mail to the editor Page 41 This is a formal e-mail in which a reader expresses their opinion on a recent newspaper article, radio or television programme. Checklist: E-mail to the editor • Include a reference line: e.g. No place for toddlers, 31 October 20.. . • Open with “Dear Editor”, “Dear Mr …/Mrs …/Ms …”, “Dear Sir/Madam” or “Dear Sir or Madam”. • State which article you are referring to. • Make it short and to the point. • Be polite even if critical. • End with your name and where you live. 4 164 Writing guide Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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