Academic English writing, particularly IELTS task 2.

What type of essay is an opinion essay?

• Discussion

• Persuasive

• Problem/Solution

• Advantages and disadvantages

A paragraph should contain

• One idea followed by explanation and examples.

• More ideas as they add to the strength of the paragraph.

• Two ideas, followed by explanation and examples are better than one.

• The ideas I think of whilst writing.

Having one really good longer paragraph, with a less good shorter second, is better than two equally good paragraphs of equalish length.

• TRUE

• FLASE

How should your body paragraphs be structured?

• first point, example, topic sentence, summary

• topic sentence, followed by two or three supporting statements (eg. examples/reasons/consequences)

What defines a good topic sentence?

• it introduces a new topic

• identifies the main idea of the paragraph and the main point the writer wants to make about that subject

When the writing task starts you should

• Start writing, then, when you have got going and the ideas are coming, plan the ideas

• Start writing as there is not long to write lots of words.

• Brainstorm ideas then start writing.

• Brainstorm ideas, organise the best ideas into a structure then start writing.

The structure should be:

• Introduction,

  one paragraph supporting, one paragraph opposing, conclusion.

• Introduction, two paragraphs supporting your opinion, conclusion.

• Introduction, one paragraph opposing your opinion, two paragraphs supporting, conclusion

• Introduction, three paragraphs supporting your opinion, conclusion.