REDACCIONES

THE ESSAY

ESSAY:

• Clear introduction, outline the situation as it is / had been recently. Rhetorical question to lead into the main body.
• Clear paragraphs, each covering a particular point in your argument or aspect of the subject.
• Identify whether the task demands balanced or one-sided approach. If one-sided mention the alternatives briefly in the conclusion.
• Support your ideas with brief examples.
• Use connectors to link your sentences and ideas.
• Conclusion should 'echo' the introductory paragraph.

Argumentative essay: 7 point structure

• 1º- Introduction: escribir un texto impactante para atraer la atención del lector
• 2º- question: una pregunta puede ser introducida
• 3º- answer to your question
• 4º- Flag word/phrase + first point  + structures - example  
• 5º- Flag word/phrase + second point  + structures – example
• 6º- Flag word/phrase + third  point (contrary to other points) + structures – example
• 7º- Conclusion with first person + structures  

COMPUTERS - TODAY'S RELIGION

Have you ever imagined what life could be like without computers? There is no doubt computers play an ever increasing role in our lives, in fact we could not live without them.  

Firstly, in the past, technology did not use to be a problem since Spanish people would work by hand.   Spain was known as a non-industrialized country, had they had computers they would have been more productive.  But things have changed and fortunately the birth of computers has  improved  manufacturing processes and competitiveness. I wish they had been invented sooner.               

Besides, thanks to computers, which have allowed us to discover internet, we can keep in touch through social networks, watch streaming broadcasts or buy anything in online shops .  All kinds  of information can also  be  a click away.

On the other hand,  too much dependence on computers is said to be  risky,  as  hackers   can extract private details to use fraudulently, despite having  antivirus programs installed on your system.

Summarizing,  all evidence suggests the more computers are used, the more control there is,  however relying on them too much could be unsafe.

USEFUL PHRASES TO LEARN

 INTRODUCTION: 

Introducing the phenomenon to be discussed

• More and more families are choosing to have only one child.
• The trend nowadays is towards having smaller families.
• Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of ...............
• Recent research indicates that the number of teenagers who smoke is increasing.
• Hardly a week goes by without another report of ................. appearing in the media.
• Although most people would generally agree that ............... few would deny that ................ 
• This raises the issue of whether .................
   
• It is probably true to say that …
• There can be no doubt that
• It is simply not the case that
• Evidence seems to suggest that
• In my opinion, the first point to bear in mind is that
• It cannot be denied that
• It is my firm belief that
• I would dispute the claim / the stance / position / attitude that
• It is difficult to accept the idea that
• It is true to some extent (hasta cierto punto) that
• To such an extent (hasta tal punto) that
• To a certain / small extent (hasta cierto punto) that
• It would be wrong to argue that
• Never before has an issue awakened more curiosity than..../inspired more individuals than/ caised more controversy than

Expressing general opinions

• It is widely believed that
• No one would dispute the fact that
• Few people would contest / dispute (the fact) that
• It is generally agreed that
• There are those who argue that
• It has been suggested that
• It is often claimed that
• Opponents / supporters / proponents of sth X argue that

Expressing your opinion

• In my opinion, the first point to bear in mind is that
• As I see it,
• It seems to me that ............ 
• I would also say that ....
• I am convinced that ...............
• I am inclined to believe that ..................
• There is no doubt in my mind that ..................
• One of the drawbacks of ....... is ..........
• However, one of the benefits is that ............

Referring to other sources

• All the evidence suggests that
• A recent survey proved that
• Judging by the comments made by
• Interviews with students/ researchers, etc have revealed that

Presenting arguments

• One justification often given for ........... is that.................
• Advocates/Proponents would claim that ..................
• Those who object to ................. often argue that ...................
• Another objection is that ......
• However, it should not be forgotten that ..............
• ........... are opposed to ................ on the grounds that .................
• From the point of view of .................
• According to ....................

Describing causes

• One factor which has led to ............ is ..............
• One of the factors which has brought this about is .........
• The problem often stems from ....................
• The situation has been exacerbated by ................
• .............. has only made the situation worse.
• One consequence of ................ is ................

Proposing steps and measures

• As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion would be to .........
• The first step to be taken would be to ........
• To alleviate the situation people should ...........
• In addition they ought to ...............
• To begin to tackle this situation society/individuals/the government need/s to ..........
• .............. would certainly ameliorate the situation.
• This can only be dealt with if ............
• To overcome this problem, ..............
• Were the government to ..............., the situation would doubtless improve.
• Individuals can do a great deal to ............
• The burden of responsibility lies in the hands of ........
• It is vitally important that .........
• Legislation should be introduced to control .................
• It would be a grave error if we .................

Concluding

• All in all it seems to me that ...........
• The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that .......................
• All things considered, .............
• On balance, I tend to believe that ............
• The world would surely be a better place to live in if ..............
• In a nutshell,  if people stopped ....ing, we would have/ we could look forward to a ...............
• The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless ...................
• All of this leads me to the conclusion that
• In conclusion,
• To sum up,
• In a nutshell,
• Summarizing,
• To conclude,

Tip

You should have a few pages safe somewhere where you can keep a record of other useful essay phrases that you come across in your reading. Note them down and practise using them in your own writing.

Look out for more advanced expressions that you can use in place of phrases that weren't even impressive at the B2 level - phrases like "solve the problem". 

Here are a few alternative problem and solution phrases to get you going.:

• a crisis in education which must be addressed
• something that must be tackled / be dealt with
• a challenge which must be met
• something must be done to restore law and order in the inner cities