HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ESSAY

MAIN PARTS IN A COMPOSITION

CONNECTORS & TYPE OF SENTENCES

TYPES OF ESSAYS

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD COMPOSITION

1. AN OPENING OR INTRODUCTION, which introduces the topic and presents your opinion. TRY TO CATCH THE READER´S ATTENTION.. - - TOPIC SENTENCE.- A GENERAL QUESTION- A SURPRISING FACT2. A body, which gives arguments to support your opinion. Each argument forms a separate paragraph . Add details, facts and examples to support your opinion.3.. A closing or conclusion,where you can express your opinion about the topic at the end of the composition. You may offer a solution to the problem or include a warning , saying what will happen if your advice is not taken.

FOR & AGAINST

OPINION ESSAY

COVER LETTER

USEFUL PHRASES & CONNECTORS

• INTRODUCTION PHRASES

I´m going to discuss the issue of… It is true that …. but today I´m going to explain why … The following report/essay/composition describes/ presents … This writing aims to provide a general view of this situation: ____________ It´s generally accepted that ……………… but, now, I´m giving my personal view about … Considering the fact that ……………….. I will try to explain …. This essay revolves around the topic of … In this essay/article … ___________ has been a controversial topic in the last years but today I´m describing …. Many people think ………… My writing deals with the fact of ….

• Expressing personal opinions: in my opinion, in my view, personally, as far as I am concerned, from my point of view.
• Expressing contrast: however, nevertheless, on the one hand, on the other hand, although, in spite of, despite, ...
• Expressing facts: in fact, actually, as a matter of fact, Example: I love Portugal, in fact, it is my country.
• Adding information: apart from this, moreover, in addition, besides …
• Giving examples: for example, for instance, such a/ an, such as…
• Causes and results: because of this/ that, for this reason, that´s why, therefore, as a result of, consequently , so , due to …
• Rephrasing ( expresar algo de otro modo): that is to say, in other words…
  • Modifiers: to a certain extent, more or less,at least, basically, especially,in particular, above all…
  • Summarising : as a conclusion, in conclusion,in short, to conclude, to sum up, finnally, all in all …
  • Time connectors: First of all, next , then , after that, afterwards, while, meanwhile, finally …

TYPE OF CLAUSES 1. Clauses of contrast:

• - Although it was hot, we didn´t go to the beach.
• - Even though he ran, he arrivved late.
• - In spite of having studied hard, he failed the exam.

2. Clauses of cause: - Why are you laughing? Because I have an exam tomorrow. - As you speak English, you can help me with this exercise. 3. Clauses of result: - such a/ an: He´s such an intelligent boy that everybody admires him. - so …that: The meal was so expensive that we couldn´t pay it 4. Clauses of Time: after, as son as, as, before, by the time, until, when, while, during… 5. Clauses of purpose: - to + infinitive: We went to London to improve our English. - in order to/ so as to: She left work in order to have more free time. - so that/ in order that: We are going to switch off the TV so that/in order that you can concerntrate on your work.