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EssoyWriting
for
EnglishTests
Gobi Duigu
@ Gabi Duigu 2002
All rightsreserved
Revisedand reprinted2003
Publishedby AcademicEnglishPress
9/13 ArmstrongStreet
CammerayNS\f 2062
Australia
P h : 0 2 9 4 3 76 3 3 0
email: g.duigu@unsw. edu.au
Distributedby:
Melting Pot Press
10 Grafton Street
Chippendale NS\W2008
Australia
Ph: (61) 29212 1882
Fax:02 9211 1868
email:books@elt.
corn.au
ISBN:0-9578996-1-0
lntroduction
StogeI TheQuestion
the Question
L Understonding . . . .3
1.1 The Instructions ......3
1.2 Kev Terms
2. AnolysingtheQuestion... ......7
2 . 1F i n d i n g t h e F o c u s ..... '7
2.2 Understandingthe Context ' . . .8
2.3DefiningtheTerms . .....10
ldeos
Stoge2 Selectingond Presenting
3, Findingldeos ....r3
3 . 1B r a i n s t o r m i n g ...14
3.2 FindingMore Ideas . . . .15
3.3UsingExamples ' '.... '17
3.4The "'s7hatifNot"Situation '. '.. 'I7
3.5 Looking at the Other Side . . . .18
4, Selectingldeos ......1e
4 . 1S o l u t i o n s t o P r o b l e m s . ......19
.2Evaluation . . . . ' .20
4.3 Classificationof Ideas . . . . . ' '21
4 . 4 T y p e so f C l a s s i f i c a t i o n ".... "23
4.5 SelectingRelevantldeas .....25
4.6Levelof Generalisation ... "..26
4.7 OvergeneralisationsandExaggeration .....28
5, Orgonisingldeos... ......3r
5.1 RankingIdeas . . .31
5.2Consequences ...3I
5.3Comparisons ....33
5.4$ternatives.. ...34
5.5Speculation.. ...34
Stoge3 Writing
ond Style. .az
6, Usingthe RightGrommor,Vocobulory
6 . 1G r a m m a r ......37
6.2Vocabulary .....39
7, TheSectionsof the Essoy . . . . . .40
7.lThe Introduction .....40
7.1.1 Grammar andVocabularyin the Introduction . . . . . . . . .43
7.2TheBody. ....: .....45
T.2.lYocabularyintheBody ......47
7 . 3 T h eC o n c l u s i o n ......48
7.3.1 Grammar andVocabularyin the Conclusion . . . . .49
8, Style 50
8 . 1M o d i f i e r s ......50
S.2Overgeneralisation ....51
8.3Overemphasis ...5I
8.4UnderstatementandConfusion. ....52
8.5Waffle ....53
8.6FormulaicandThoughtlessVriting ......53
8 . 7I m m a t u r e ' W r i t i n g .....58
8 . 8C u l t u r a l D i f f e r e n c e s i n S w l e .......55
9. Proof-reoding .......57
10,Appeoronce ...58
AnswerKey 59
AppendixA ...64
AppendixB ...66
This course describesa step-by-stepapproach to writing essaysfor the IELIS
Academic \Writing Module Task 2 and for other similar essaytasks. It provides
exercisesto practisethe stagesindividually (Appendix A) as well as giving a list
of rypical essaytopics, and there are model essaysgiven in Appendix B. The
Answer Key provides explanationsas well as answers.
ThePurpose
In order to be able to write good essaysit is first of all essentialto make sure that
you understand the purpose of the task. It may seemobvious: the purpose is to
test your abiliry to write essaysfor university or collegein English. However, a
momenr's reflection will make it clear that the test task is quite unlike a university
essay,since it is typically 1 to 2 pageslong and is written on an unprepared topic
in about 40 minutes. No university essayis like that. Even in universiry
examinations,where you may have to write about two pagesin half an hour, you
are expectedto have studied the subject in advance.
So let us consider some possiblepurposesfor the English test essay.These can be
said to be:
a) to show that you are able to selectrelevant ideasand information to
answer a question
b) to show your knowledge and understanding of the topic
c) to show your abiliry in presenting a logical argument
d) to show your skills in organising your ideassystematically
e) to show your abiliry to use sophisticatedEnglish
f) to show your basic grasp of English grammar and vocabulary.
2 EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests
These questionscan be grouped into 4 categories,which reflect the 4 aspectsof
an essay:
'I.
Understanding the question (")
2. Knowing the subject (b)
3. Thinking skills (a & d)
4.Langaage skills (. & 0
How should thesebe ranked in importance? Here is what the IELIS Handbook
saysfor the Academic \Writing Thsk 2:
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view or argument or
problem.
Candidates are assessedon their ability to:
. present the solution to a problem
. present and justifr an opinion
. compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
. evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument
The topics are of general interest and it makes no difference what subjects
candidates study. The issues raised are interesting, suitable for and easily
understood by candidates entering postgraduate or undergraduate studies.
This shows that your knowledge of the topic is not the main emphasisin this
test. That is not surprising --*fter all, you are being examined for your writing
abiliry in English, not for your knowledge.The main emphasisis in fact on your
abiliry to think and argue appropriately about a common issue.This is because
university students need to be able to to analyseand discussproblems and
solutions, and evaluateand expressopinions. University study is not simply
about presenting facts.
In order to argue appropriately there are two stagesinvolved: a) understanding
the question clearly,and b) being able to selectthe right method to present an
opinion in a suitable way. This means organising your ideas and your language.
This book therefore dealswith thesethree stages:
I. Understanding the question
II. Selecting and Presenting Ideas Appropriately
III. Appropriate Language Use
TheQuestion
the Question
L Understonding
The first step in essaywriting is to analysethe essaytask which tells you what the
topic is, and also gives an indication of what kind of things you are expectedto
say about the topic.
Essaytopics have 3 components:
1) the instruction words, telling you what to do
2) the key words indicating the topic
3) the words restricting the topic, indicating what aspectof the topic you
are asked to focus on.
\Wewill consider these one by one.
L l TheInstructions
Look at these tasks:
a) Describe the role of the fnternet in modern society.
b) Tbe enaironment is the m.ostimportant issttc in the utorld today. Discuss.
What are the instruction words?
4 EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests
In a) it is describe and in b) it is discuss.These rwo words indicate the two most
common rypes of essaythat one can write.
If you are asked to describe something, then your essaywill mosdy presentfacts
and not opinions. However, if you are askedto discusssomething, then your
opinion is being asked for, and you are usually expectedto eaaluatesomething, or
to arguefor or against something. At universiry or collegeyou are expectedto be
able to discussproblems and ideas,rather than simply to report on facts, and so
the IELTS essayquestion presentsa common situation or a present-dayissueabout
which people have different opinions, and asksyou to give your own views on
this topic.
Here is the rypical wording of an IELIS essaytask:
Present a written argument or caseto an educated reader with no
specialist knowledge of the following topic:
'Wb
liue in a technohgical age. Hotueuer, tecltnology cnnnot solue all the
utorldi problems. Therefore sornepeople argue that ue need to phce less
emphasis on technological solutions and more on other aalues.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience to support
your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.
The first part of the instruction makes it clear that
a) you need to present a seriousargument in a formai sryle (for an
'educated
reader')
b) you are not being tested on your deep knowledge or understanding of
the subject ('with no specialistknowledge').
The last part of the instruction offers a suggestionabout what to include. ('You
should use your own ideas,knowledge and experienceto support your arguments
'We
with examplesand relevantevidence.') will deai with this more in the next section.
Now let us look at the ouestion itself. This also has two components:
a) the description of the topic, which is usually expressedas a point of
view on a curfent situation and
b) a question asking you what your opinion is.
EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests 5
Part a) is generally expressedin 1 to 3 sentences.One or two sentencesmay present
a statement or a question about a situation: ('\7e live in a technological age, but
technology cannot solve all our problems').The secondpart will probably present
a conclusion that some people draw from this situation ('thereforewe should place
lessemphasison technology and more on other values').This is designedto help
you to think about the contents. (More about this in the next section')
Part b) asks the question. This may be phrased as to utltat extent do you agree?or
what is your opinion? or do you agreewith this?or words to that effect.
Now what is your task?
a) to present both sidesof the argument?
b) to either strongly support or strongly oppose the argument,
depending on your own personal opinion?
c) to partly support or partly oppose the lrgument, depending on your
own personal opinion?
The correct answer is either b) or c).
The words to uthat extentmean the sameas ltout murh. That is, your answerwill
expressone of theseattitudes:
a) I agreecompletely
b) I agreepartly and disagreepardy
c) I disagreecompletely.
Many students feel that they need to present a strong argument for or against an
idea or proposition. This is not true. Even if the words to uthat extent do not appear
in the quesrion, it is always acceptableto agreeor disagreepartly with a proposition.
There is another point to remember here. Although it is usually easierto write
what you actually believe, it is not absolutely necessary.If you do not have enough
ideas or examplesto support the side of an argument that you want to suPPort,
you can always say something like: on the one hand.,..., but on the other hand
and presentarguments for both sides.However, you should not simply contradict
yourself. That is, you should not say I agreein one section and then I disagreein
the next paragraphs.That sounds as if you are simply confused or are not expressing
what you think at all. Vhat you can say is: Theseare some argumentsfor and
tltese are some argarnenE agairrt, and so I only partly agree / disagree,Or you can
say: Tbere are good arguments on both sides, but on tlte tahole I prefer the
6 EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests
argumentsfor / against. (Of course you would not use these actual words. They
only summarisethe possibleunderlying meaningsin your essay.)
Remember, you are not being examined on your opinions, but only on how well
you can expressand support some intelligent ideas,whether they are your own
or not.
1,2 Keyterms
This is usually the easiestpart of the essayto deal with. Normally the key words
deal with a familiar topic, such as the Internet, or television, or technology in
general.This is becausethe examiners are not testing you for your knowledge, but
rather for your abiliry to write well. Therefore the topics chosenwill be about
concepts and issuesthat they expect every educatedperson to know something
about. Common topics include:
Edtr..tiori
The environment
Information Technology
The media
Advertising / consumer issues
Social problems
Health
Lifestyles (including life in cities, traffic problems, quality of life)
Culture and society (music, art, literature, television etc.)
Foreign languages and travel
Sport
Scientific research (including genetic engineering, sPacetravel)
Ethical issues (right and wrong behaviour such as the treatment of
animals, law enforcement etc.)
Try to thinh of other topics that you hnow ltaue been used in preuious examina-
tions, or that you thinh might occur.
You can find sample questions on all of these topics in Appendix A.
In order to be prepared with ideason such key concepts,it is necessaryto keep
up to date with the major issuesbeing discussedin the world. The editorial pages
of newspapersand news magazinesare important sourcesof such information, as
are current affairs radio and television programs.
EssoyWritingfor English
Tests 7
2, Anolysingthe Question
Understanding the question means more than understanding the instructions or
the words of the question. It means recognising the focus of the question, and
knowing what approach you should take to the topic.
This is, in some ways, the most important aspect of writing the essay,and requires
the most thought. You should therefore be prepared to spend at least 3 minutes
thinking about what approach to take to the question.
The handbook, you remember, explains that
Candidates are assessedon their ability to:
. present the solution to a problem
. present and justifr an opinion
. compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
e evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.
You will therefore need to decide which of theseapproachesis the one required
for any particular question. You will also need to know when and how much to
use definitions and examples.
In this section we will deal with the following featuresof a discussionor
argument essay:
The Focus
The Context
Definitions
Examples
2,1Findingthe Focus
It is very important to look at the actual question words very closely.Students
sometimesjump to conclusionsabout what they should write by just looking at
the topic, and not at the focus of the topic. Consider the following questions:
a) Many people belieae that the Internet is tlte most reaolutionary
new inaention of the last century. Do you agree?
b) The Internet has reuolutionised the modcrn uorld, but many
people argae that it has ako created neu problems and inequalities.
rl{hat is your opinion?
c) The Internet could reuolutionise the tporld in future, if eueryone
could haue easyAccessto all the inforrnation that is aaaikble on
the W'orld rYidz \Veb. Do you agree or disagree uitb this statetnent?
Tests
EssoyWritingfor English
In each of the above the topic is the Internet and its revolutionary role in the
world. So you must have a basic idea about what the Internet involves and think
about what reuolutionisemeans, i.e. makefandamental changes.Howeveq each one
also raisesa different question and must be answereddifferently. It is necessary
to look at the remaining words carefully to seewhat is required:
a) is the most revolutionary new invention of the last century.
b) has revolutionised the modern world, but it has also creatednew
problems and inequalities.
c) could revolutionise the world in future, if everyone could have easy
accessto all the information that is availableon the'World Vide'Web.
You can seethat a) involves comparing the Internet with other inventions, and
arguing that it is, or is not, the most revolutionary. On the other hand b) expects
you ro accept that it is revolutionary, and to consider both its benefits and the
problems it has created.Finally c) wants you to speculateabout the future, and to
consider how much you believethe future benefits will change the world.
the Context
2,2 Understonding
Remember that the IELIS Handbook says that the topics are of general interest
and it mahes no difference tahat subjects candidates study,It goes on to say that
The issuesraised are interesting, saitable for and easily understood by candidates
entering ltostgraduate or undergraduate studies.
The question is always basedon an issue,or a problem.which you are askedto
analyseand present an opinion on. If something is considereda probiem or an
issue,it meansthar reasonablepeople must have conflicting opinions on the topic.
You would not, for example, expect a question like this: Somelteoph consider that
murder is urong, Tb rahat extent do you agree?since there is not much to be said
in favour of murder. In other words, it is not just some people who think that
murder is wrong, but basicallyeverybody. It is not an issue.However, look at this
question: Somepeoph think that murderers should be executed. To uthat extent do
you agree?Here the question is about what to do about murder, and that is very
controversial!There are very strong opinions about this on both sidesand you
need to be awareof theseto deal with such a topic. (In fact it is unlikely that IELIS
will presentyou with very political or emotional issueslike this')
You therefore need to think, before you plan your own answe! why the question
'!?'hat
is considered to be an issueor a problem by the examiners. are the different
EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests
opinions that might exist on the topic? *Vhat is the context in which this topic is
controversial?That is to say,who are fie peoplewho are concernedabout it and why?
It is also necessaryto interpret the underlying meaning of a question. Sometimes
the wording can be quite different berweentwo questions, but the underlying
concepts are the samebecauseof the context.
IASK I
In the following questions the wording is different but the underlying
meaning is sometimes the same. Test your ability to interpret topics by
identifring which of the following basically ask the same question. (In each
casethe statement would be followed by a question asking for your opinion.)
a) Tbrtiary education is of greater benefit to tlte indiaidual receiuing it
tban to the societlt as a ultol.e. h is therefore not dzsirabl"efor goaert rnents
to spend the ttucPalers'money on supPorting studentsjust so that tbey
cAn earn rnore mone! in future.
b) Parents haue a greater influence on their childreni future successthan
schoob do. Goaernmentssltould.thereforeprouide parent naining courses'
'teaclter
ratlter than training courses'.
) Free tertiary education is essentialfor eaer! countr! since tertiary
graduates are tlte only quaffied and educated peoPle that can help
countries to ?rogress in the modern utorld.
d) Education is the most important source of children\ deuelopment,No
matter uhat their bacbground, if children ltaue good schook and
teaclters they can progress, Gouernments sltould thereforeput their
major resourcesinto scltool education.
e) Modern scienceand technologjt can solae euironmental problems, suclt
aspollation and ghbal uarming, tf *t mough resourcesto researclt,
"Ppb
f) People tltrougltout the uorld are ignoring the dangers of enuironmental
pollution and of global utarming in the ltope that scimce and technology
can f.nd solutions. Tbis is not true. W'eall need to tahe responsibility for
the damage u)e Are causing and rnust change our life-styles.
a Answer Key
l0 Tests
EssoyWritingfor English
TASK2
Choose 3 questions &om Appendix A and consider what dre context might
be for them: what kind of people might be most concerned about the issue,
and for what reasons could these topics be considered problematic?
(Discuss in groups if you are in a class.)
2,3Definingthe Terms
Some books and teacherstell you that you must define the terms that you use so
that the readerwill understand you. This is sometimestrue, but it is necessaryto
be sensibleabout it. For example,look again at two of the examplesgiven in2.1:
a) Many peoph belieue that the Internet is the most reuolutionary neu
inuention of the last century. To uhat extent do you agree?
b) The Internet ltas reaolutionised the modern uorld, but it bas ako
created neta probhms and inequalities, Do you agree?
\Vhich of the following terms do you think need defining?
Internet; reuolutionary / reuolutionise; neut inaention; nlodern uorld;
'World
dangers; inequalities; eas! access; \Vide \Yeb.
The "educatedreader" that the IELTS test asksyou to write for can be assumed
to understand these: Interneti neut inuention; modern urorld; easy access;
.World
Vide W'eb.
However, the term reaolutionary or reaolutionise can be interpreted differently,
and in fact you need to explain what you mean by it in question a) otherwise you
cannot answer the question. However, that does not mean that you need to define
the terms directly. You will need to give an indirect definition of the degreeof
change implied, by showing how important you think the changesare that have
been produced by the Internet, and whether these changesare more important and
dramatic than other changes.
EssoyWriting for EnglishTests 11
For question b) it is probably not necessaryto concern yourself with this term,
becauseyou need to focus on the problems and inequalities, rather than on the
degreeof change. In this caseyou would be dealing with indirect definitions of
thesetwo concepts.(See4.2 on p.20, for a discussionon evaluation in definitions.)
Now consideragain the first sample topic given in this book, and comPareit with
the sample given in the IELfS Handbook:
\Y'eliae in a technological age. Houteuer, technology cAnnot solae all the
world\ problems. Therefore somepeoPle argue tltat we need to phce less
empharis on tecltnological solutions and more on other aalue*
Now look at the sample topic given in the IELIS Handbook:
Presenta written argument or caseto an educatedreader with no
specialistknowledge of the following topic:
It is ineuitable that as tecltnologjt deuelops traditional cuhures must be
lost. Tbchnologyand tradition are incompatible - lou cnnnot haue both
togetlter.
You should use your own ideas,knowledge and experienceto suPPort
your arguments with examplesand relevant evidence.
Do the rwo topics ask the same question or not? Both are about technology, and
in both casestechnology is contrasted with something else.The focus in the first
question is on contrasting technology with other ualueswhile in the second question
'Whether
it is contrastedwith taditional cubure. you treat these questions as
basicallythe sameor not depends on your definition of *adition end of other
aalues.Both are very broad terms) and can be interpreted in different ways, and
here it is important to take time to consider what they mean to the average
educated reader,and what they mean to you. If you think of traditional cuhure as
dealing only with material objects, such as food and clothing, then you will discuss
this in one way. If you also include social activities such as music and dance and
theatre, then you may give a different answer.And if you include conceptssuch
as religion and social behaviour, then you will be able to consider both questions
as basicallydealing with the same concepts,since other values in this casewould
be included tn traditional cuhure.
12 Tests
EssoyWritingfor English
It is up to you to decide how broadly you want to consider the definition of
traditional culture, but you must make your concept clear to your reader.in the
sameway, if you have the first question to deal with, you must indicate what you
mean by otlter ualues.
It is not necessaryto give a formal definition, which is very difficult to do. In other
words, you do not need to write: Tiaditional culture can be dfined as.....
Instead you can wrire something like: By *aditional cuhure I mean not only the
things that peoph mahe, lihe hand-wouen clntlt or ltouses, but abo their ceremonies
and performances, such as mu.sicand dance.ln other words, you can give examples
to help you to define.
'W'hat
about the terms technology and technological age?Do they need defining?
Not really - again it would be enough to give examples'
TASK3
Look at the above two questions again and think about their foculIf you
decide to define traditional cuhure more or less in the same way as other
ualues could you write basically the same essayfor both?
Time: It is worfi spending enough dme on stage 1 to €nsurethat your essay
answersthe question as it was intended by the examiners.If you spend 2 or 3
minutes thinking about the topic, it may seemlike a iong time during an
exam, but it is time well spent if it helps you to write confidently and
appropriately.
ldeos
Selectingond Presenting
3, Findingldeos
In an essayof 250 words, to be written in 40 minutes, you cannot be too ambitious
about what you write. Some students make the mistake of trying to expressvery
deep ideasand they never get past writing an introducdon to what would be a
long essayif there was time. On the other hand, if you do not have any specific
ideasat all you may find yourself saying only one thing over and over again in
severaldifferent ways. This is not the way to get a good score.Look at the
following example:
The Internet hasprouided great benef.tsto modern societybecauseit has helped
euerlonein their work. It maheseuerythingeasier.It hashelpedall sectorsof
Without tlte Internet,euerythingis rnuchmoredfficuh and tahesa long
society.
time. But sincewe ltauetlte Interneteueryhind of uork is muclt easierto do.
Thereforetlte Internet hasprouided great benefts to eaerlone.
'bssay''says
This little almost nothing. There is virtually no information and there
are no ideas.If someone whose English is not very accuratewrites like this, the
readerhas no ideas to think about and will only notice the grammatical and
vocabulary mistakes.
Generally what you need is to have a basic proposition statement (e.g. one that
answersthe question to urhat extentby indicating a great deal, a linle, partly
(seeabove) plus about three points or examples to support your argument.
V Tests
EssoyWritingfor English
Three is a good number (although it can be lessor more), since that givesyou a
5 paragraphessay,which is about the right length:
Paragraph1 Introduction
2 Supportingpoint
3 Supportingpoint
4 Supportingpoint
5 Conclusion
way to find and organiseideasis to brainstorm.
The easiest
3,I Broinstorming
In order to organiseyour ideas for a topic, it is first of all necessaryto pin them
down. Most students find that the best way to deal with this is to brainstorm
their ideasfirst. This simply means jotting down any concePtsthat come into
your head associatedwith the given topic, in note form, and in random order
(i.e. in any order in which they occur to you).
Let us look at a simple example.The question may be:
Tlte Internet ltas reuolutionised tlte rnodern uorld, but it has ako created
netuproblems and inequalities. Do you agree?
\7e need to find ideas for both parts of the question -+he revolutionising effect
of the Internet, and also its problems. \We might come up with the following:
banking o n l i n es h o p p i n g enrail chet-rooms
educetion
distence hacking for reseetch
informaiion
oirlinebookings / lheelrcbookings
concert PornograPhy
fot research
information comnuniceiion
business
sharing for policeetc./ andfor terrorists
infornration: viruses
P00rPeoPle / lefi out
haveno access
EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests 15
TASK4
'Write
a brainstormed list of ideas relating to the topic:
Children gend far too much time in front of teleuision and computer
screens. Their time should be strictly controlled.
Discuss your ideas with someone else. You can also practise brainstorming
with other topics from the list provided in the appendix. The more you
practise, the easier it will be for you to think of ideas quickly during the
test.
ut Answer Key
3.2FindingMoreldeos
If you are having difficulties thinking up ideasat the right level of generalisation
(seep.26 for a discussionabout this), then a good technique is to think of very
specific, concrete examples,and then try to find a higher level of abstraction that
the examplesbelong to. Let me explain this with a simple illustration. Imagine
that you are asked to write about this: The importance of animak to people is not
always recognised.Weshouldpa! rnore dttention to how we look afier and protect
animals. First you need to think about how important animals are to people.
Begin by thinking of specific animals --+ny animals, inciuding insects:
c0r{ cal lion
mosquito sheep dog
kan
garoo butterfly
Now organisethese under a higher level of classification,e.g.
DOMESTIC
ANIMATS WILDANlttlAtS INSECTS
cow cat lion ito
rnosqu
dog sheep kangaroo rfly
butte
for
EnglishTests
Gobi Duigu
@ Gabi Duigu 2002
All rightsreserved
Revisedand reprinted2003
Publishedby AcademicEnglishPress
9/13 ArmstrongStreet
CammerayNS\f 2062
Australia
P h : 0 2 9 4 3 76 3 3 0
email: g.duigu@unsw. edu.au
Distributedby:
Melting Pot Press
10 Grafton Street
Chippendale NS\W2008
Australia
Ph: (61) 29212 1882
Fax:02 9211 1868
email:books@elt.
corn.au
ISBN:0-9578996-1-0
lntroduction
StogeI TheQuestion
the Question
L Understonding . . . .3
1.1 The Instructions ......3
1.2 Kev Terms
2. AnolysingtheQuestion... ......7
2 . 1F i n d i n g t h e F o c u s ..... '7
2.2 Understandingthe Context ' . . .8
2.3DefiningtheTerms . .....10
ldeos
Stoge2 Selectingond Presenting
3, Findingldeos ....r3
3 . 1B r a i n s t o r m i n g ...14
3.2 FindingMore Ideas . . . .15
3.3UsingExamples ' '.... '17
3.4The "'s7hatifNot"Situation '. '.. 'I7
3.5 Looking at the Other Side . . . .18
4, Selectingldeos ......1e
4 . 1S o l u t i o n s t o P r o b l e m s . ......19
.2Evaluation . . . . ' .20
4.3 Classificationof Ideas . . . . . ' '21
4 . 4 T y p e so f C l a s s i f i c a t i o n ".... "23
4.5 SelectingRelevantldeas .....25
4.6Levelof Generalisation ... "..26
4.7 OvergeneralisationsandExaggeration .....28
5, Orgonisingldeos... ......3r
5.1 RankingIdeas . . .31
5.2Consequences ...3I
5.3Comparisons ....33
5.4$ternatives.. ...34
5.5Speculation.. ...34
Stoge3 Writing
ond Style. .az
6, Usingthe RightGrommor,Vocobulory
6 . 1G r a m m a r ......37
6.2Vocabulary .....39
7, TheSectionsof the Essoy . . . . . .40
7.lThe Introduction .....40
7.1.1 Grammar andVocabularyin the Introduction . . . . . . . . .43
7.2TheBody. ....: .....45
T.2.lYocabularyintheBody ......47
7 . 3 T h eC o n c l u s i o n ......48
7.3.1 Grammar andVocabularyin the Conclusion . . . . .49
8, Style 50
8 . 1M o d i f i e r s ......50
S.2Overgeneralisation ....51
8.3Overemphasis ...5I
8.4UnderstatementandConfusion. ....52
8.5Waffle ....53
8.6FormulaicandThoughtlessVriting ......53
8 . 7I m m a t u r e ' W r i t i n g .....58
8 . 8C u l t u r a l D i f f e r e n c e s i n S w l e .......55
9. Proof-reoding .......57
10,Appeoronce ...58
AnswerKey 59
AppendixA ...64
AppendixB ...66
This course describesa step-by-stepapproach to writing essaysfor the IELIS
Academic \Writing Module Task 2 and for other similar essaytasks. It provides
exercisesto practisethe stagesindividually (Appendix A) as well as giving a list
of rypical essaytopics, and there are model essaysgiven in Appendix B. The
Answer Key provides explanationsas well as answers.
ThePurpose
In order to be able to write good essaysit is first of all essentialto make sure that
you understand the purpose of the task. It may seemobvious: the purpose is to
test your abiliry to write essaysfor university or collegein English. However, a
momenr's reflection will make it clear that the test task is quite unlike a university
essay,since it is typically 1 to 2 pageslong and is written on an unprepared topic
in about 40 minutes. No university essayis like that. Even in universiry
examinations,where you may have to write about two pagesin half an hour, you
are expectedto have studied the subject in advance.
So let us consider some possiblepurposesfor the English test essay.These can be
said to be:
a) to show that you are able to selectrelevant ideasand information to
answer a question
b) to show your knowledge and understanding of the topic
c) to show your abiliry in presenting a logical argument
d) to show your skills in organising your ideassystematically
e) to show your abiliry to use sophisticatedEnglish
f) to show your basic grasp of English grammar and vocabulary.
2 EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests
These questionscan be grouped into 4 categories,which reflect the 4 aspectsof
an essay:
'I.
Understanding the question (")
2. Knowing the subject (b)
3. Thinking skills (a & d)
4.Langaage skills (. & 0
How should thesebe ranked in importance? Here is what the IELIS Handbook
saysfor the Academic \Writing Thsk 2:
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view or argument or
problem.
Candidates are assessedon their ability to:
. present the solution to a problem
. present and justifr an opinion
. compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
. evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument
The topics are of general interest and it makes no difference what subjects
candidates study. The issues raised are interesting, suitable for and easily
understood by candidates entering postgraduate or undergraduate studies.
This shows that your knowledge of the topic is not the main emphasisin this
test. That is not surprising --*fter all, you are being examined for your writing
abiliry in English, not for your knowledge.The main emphasisis in fact on your
abiliry to think and argue appropriately about a common issue.This is because
university students need to be able to to analyseand discussproblems and
solutions, and evaluateand expressopinions. University study is not simply
about presenting facts.
In order to argue appropriately there are two stagesinvolved: a) understanding
the question clearly,and b) being able to selectthe right method to present an
opinion in a suitable way. This means organising your ideas and your language.
This book therefore dealswith thesethree stages:
I. Understanding the question
II. Selecting and Presenting Ideas Appropriately
III. Appropriate Language Use
TheQuestion
the Question
L Understonding
The first step in essaywriting is to analysethe essaytask which tells you what the
topic is, and also gives an indication of what kind of things you are expectedto
say about the topic.
Essaytopics have 3 components:
1) the instruction words, telling you what to do
2) the key words indicating the topic
3) the words restricting the topic, indicating what aspectof the topic you
are asked to focus on.
\Wewill consider these one by one.
L l TheInstructions
Look at these tasks:
a) Describe the role of the fnternet in modern society.
b) Tbe enaironment is the m.ostimportant issttc in the utorld today. Discuss.
What are the instruction words?
4 EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests
In a) it is describe and in b) it is discuss.These rwo words indicate the two most
common rypes of essaythat one can write.
If you are asked to describe something, then your essaywill mosdy presentfacts
and not opinions. However, if you are askedto discusssomething, then your
opinion is being asked for, and you are usually expectedto eaaluatesomething, or
to arguefor or against something. At universiry or collegeyou are expectedto be
able to discussproblems and ideas,rather than simply to report on facts, and so
the IELTS essayquestion presentsa common situation or a present-dayissueabout
which people have different opinions, and asksyou to give your own views on
this topic.
Here is the rypical wording of an IELIS essaytask:
Present a written argument or caseto an educated reader with no
specialist knowledge of the following topic:
'Wb
liue in a technohgical age. Hotueuer, tecltnology cnnnot solue all the
utorldi problems. Therefore sornepeople argue that ue need to phce less
emphasis on technological solutions and more on other aalues.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience to support
your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.
The first part of the instruction makes it clear that
a) you need to present a seriousargument in a formai sryle (for an
'educated
reader')
b) you are not being tested on your deep knowledge or understanding of
the subject ('with no specialistknowledge').
The last part of the instruction offers a suggestionabout what to include. ('You
should use your own ideas,knowledge and experienceto support your arguments
'We
with examplesand relevantevidence.') will deai with this more in the next section.
Now let us look at the ouestion itself. This also has two components:
a) the description of the topic, which is usually expressedas a point of
view on a curfent situation and
b) a question asking you what your opinion is.
EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests 5
Part a) is generally expressedin 1 to 3 sentences.One or two sentencesmay present
a statement or a question about a situation: ('\7e live in a technological age, but
technology cannot solve all our problems').The secondpart will probably present
a conclusion that some people draw from this situation ('thereforewe should place
lessemphasison technology and more on other values').This is designedto help
you to think about the contents. (More about this in the next section')
Part b) asks the question. This may be phrased as to utltat extent do you agree?or
what is your opinion? or do you agreewith this?or words to that effect.
Now what is your task?
a) to present both sidesof the argument?
b) to either strongly support or strongly oppose the argument,
depending on your own personal opinion?
c) to partly support or partly oppose the lrgument, depending on your
own personal opinion?
The correct answer is either b) or c).
The words to uthat extentmean the sameas ltout murh. That is, your answerwill
expressone of theseattitudes:
a) I agreecompletely
b) I agreepartly and disagreepardy
c) I disagreecompletely.
Many students feel that they need to present a strong argument for or against an
idea or proposition. This is not true. Even if the words to uthat extent do not appear
in the quesrion, it is always acceptableto agreeor disagreepartly with a proposition.
There is another point to remember here. Although it is usually easierto write
what you actually believe, it is not absolutely necessary.If you do not have enough
ideas or examplesto support the side of an argument that you want to suPPort,
you can always say something like: on the one hand.,..., but on the other hand
and presentarguments for both sides.However, you should not simply contradict
yourself. That is, you should not say I agreein one section and then I disagreein
the next paragraphs.That sounds as if you are simply confused or are not expressing
what you think at all. Vhat you can say is: Theseare some argumentsfor and
tltese are some argarnenE agairrt, and so I only partly agree / disagree,Or you can
say: Tbere are good arguments on both sides, but on tlte tahole I prefer the
6 EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests
argumentsfor / against. (Of course you would not use these actual words. They
only summarisethe possibleunderlying meaningsin your essay.)
Remember, you are not being examined on your opinions, but only on how well
you can expressand support some intelligent ideas,whether they are your own
or not.
1,2 Keyterms
This is usually the easiestpart of the essayto deal with. Normally the key words
deal with a familiar topic, such as the Internet, or television, or technology in
general.This is becausethe examiners are not testing you for your knowledge, but
rather for your abiliry to write well. Therefore the topics chosenwill be about
concepts and issuesthat they expect every educatedperson to know something
about. Common topics include:
Edtr..tiori
The environment
Information Technology
The media
Advertising / consumer issues
Social problems
Health
Lifestyles (including life in cities, traffic problems, quality of life)
Culture and society (music, art, literature, television etc.)
Foreign languages and travel
Sport
Scientific research (including genetic engineering, sPacetravel)
Ethical issues (right and wrong behaviour such as the treatment of
animals, law enforcement etc.)
Try to thinh of other topics that you hnow ltaue been used in preuious examina-
tions, or that you thinh might occur.
You can find sample questions on all of these topics in Appendix A.
In order to be prepared with ideason such key concepts,it is necessaryto keep
up to date with the major issuesbeing discussedin the world. The editorial pages
of newspapersand news magazinesare important sourcesof such information, as
are current affairs radio and television programs.
EssoyWritingfor English
Tests 7
2, Anolysingthe Question
Understanding the question means more than understanding the instructions or
the words of the question. It means recognising the focus of the question, and
knowing what approach you should take to the topic.
This is, in some ways, the most important aspect of writing the essay,and requires
the most thought. You should therefore be prepared to spend at least 3 minutes
thinking about what approach to take to the question.
The handbook, you remember, explains that
Candidates are assessedon their ability to:
. present the solution to a problem
. present and justifr an opinion
. compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
e evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.
You will therefore need to decide which of theseapproachesis the one required
for any particular question. You will also need to know when and how much to
use definitions and examples.
In this section we will deal with the following featuresof a discussionor
argument essay:
The Focus
The Context
Definitions
Examples
2,1Findingthe Focus
It is very important to look at the actual question words very closely.Students
sometimesjump to conclusionsabout what they should write by just looking at
the topic, and not at the focus of the topic. Consider the following questions:
a) Many people belieae that the Internet is tlte most reaolutionary
new inaention of the last century. Do you agree?
b) The Internet has reuolutionised the modcrn uorld, but many
people argae that it has ako created neu problems and inequalities.
rl{hat is your opinion?
c) The Internet could reuolutionise the tporld in future, if eueryone
could haue easyAccessto all the inforrnation that is aaaikble on
the W'orld rYidz \Veb. Do you agree or disagree uitb this statetnent?
Tests
EssoyWritingfor English
In each of the above the topic is the Internet and its revolutionary role in the
world. So you must have a basic idea about what the Internet involves and think
about what reuolutionisemeans, i.e. makefandamental changes.Howeveq each one
also raisesa different question and must be answereddifferently. It is necessary
to look at the remaining words carefully to seewhat is required:
a) is the most revolutionary new invention of the last century.
b) has revolutionised the modern world, but it has also creatednew
problems and inequalities.
c) could revolutionise the world in future, if everyone could have easy
accessto all the information that is availableon the'World Vide'Web.
You can seethat a) involves comparing the Internet with other inventions, and
arguing that it is, or is not, the most revolutionary. On the other hand b) expects
you ro accept that it is revolutionary, and to consider both its benefits and the
problems it has created.Finally c) wants you to speculateabout the future, and to
consider how much you believethe future benefits will change the world.
the Context
2,2 Understonding
Remember that the IELIS Handbook says that the topics are of general interest
and it mahes no difference tahat subjects candidates study,It goes on to say that
The issuesraised are interesting, saitable for and easily understood by candidates
entering ltostgraduate or undergraduate studies.
The question is always basedon an issue,or a problem.which you are askedto
analyseand present an opinion on. If something is considereda probiem or an
issue,it meansthar reasonablepeople must have conflicting opinions on the topic.
You would not, for example, expect a question like this: Somelteoph consider that
murder is urong, Tb rahat extent do you agree?since there is not much to be said
in favour of murder. In other words, it is not just some people who think that
murder is wrong, but basicallyeverybody. It is not an issue.However, look at this
question: Somepeoph think that murderers should be executed. To uthat extent do
you agree?Here the question is about what to do about murder, and that is very
controversial!There are very strong opinions about this on both sidesand you
need to be awareof theseto deal with such a topic. (In fact it is unlikely that IELIS
will presentyou with very political or emotional issueslike this')
You therefore need to think, before you plan your own answe! why the question
'!?'hat
is considered to be an issueor a problem by the examiners. are the different
EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests
opinions that might exist on the topic? *Vhat is the context in which this topic is
controversial?That is to say,who are fie peoplewho are concernedabout it and why?
It is also necessaryto interpret the underlying meaning of a question. Sometimes
the wording can be quite different berweentwo questions, but the underlying
concepts are the samebecauseof the context.
IASK I
In the following questions the wording is different but the underlying
meaning is sometimes the same. Test your ability to interpret topics by
identifring which of the following basically ask the same question. (In each
casethe statement would be followed by a question asking for your opinion.)
a) Tbrtiary education is of greater benefit to tlte indiaidual receiuing it
tban to the societlt as a ultol.e. h is therefore not dzsirabl"efor goaert rnents
to spend the ttucPalers'money on supPorting studentsjust so that tbey
cAn earn rnore mone! in future.
b) Parents haue a greater influence on their childreni future successthan
schoob do. Goaernmentssltould.thereforeprouide parent naining courses'
'teaclter
ratlter than training courses'.
) Free tertiary education is essentialfor eaer! countr! since tertiary
graduates are tlte only quaffied and educated peoPle that can help
countries to ?rogress in the modern utorld.
d) Education is the most important source of children\ deuelopment,No
matter uhat their bacbground, if children ltaue good schook and
teaclters they can progress, Gouernments sltould thereforeput their
major resourcesinto scltool education.
e) Modern scienceand technologjt can solae euironmental problems, suclt
aspollation and ghbal uarming, tf *t mough resourcesto researclt,
"Ppb
f) People tltrougltout the uorld are ignoring the dangers of enuironmental
pollution and of global utarming in the ltope that scimce and technology
can f.nd solutions. Tbis is not true. W'eall need to tahe responsibility for
the damage u)e Are causing and rnust change our life-styles.
a Answer Key
l0 Tests
EssoyWritingfor English
TASK2
Choose 3 questions &om Appendix A and consider what dre context might
be for them: what kind of people might be most concerned about the issue,
and for what reasons could these topics be considered problematic?
(Discuss in groups if you are in a class.)
2,3Definingthe Terms
Some books and teacherstell you that you must define the terms that you use so
that the readerwill understand you. This is sometimestrue, but it is necessaryto
be sensibleabout it. For example,look again at two of the examplesgiven in2.1:
a) Many peoph belieue that the Internet is the most reuolutionary neu
inuention of the last century. To uhat extent do you agree?
b) The Internet ltas reaolutionised the modern uorld, but it bas ako
created neta probhms and inequalities, Do you agree?
\Vhich of the following terms do you think need defining?
Internet; reuolutionary / reuolutionise; neut inaention; nlodern uorld;
'World
dangers; inequalities; eas! access; \Vide \Yeb.
The "educatedreader" that the IELTS test asksyou to write for can be assumed
to understand these: Interneti neut inuention; modern urorld; easy access;
.World
Vide W'eb.
However, the term reaolutionary or reaolutionise can be interpreted differently,
and in fact you need to explain what you mean by it in question a) otherwise you
cannot answer the question. However, that does not mean that you need to define
the terms directly. You will need to give an indirect definition of the degreeof
change implied, by showing how important you think the changesare that have
been produced by the Internet, and whether these changesare more important and
dramatic than other changes.
EssoyWriting for EnglishTests 11
For question b) it is probably not necessaryto concern yourself with this term,
becauseyou need to focus on the problems and inequalities, rather than on the
degreeof change. In this caseyou would be dealing with indirect definitions of
thesetwo concepts.(See4.2 on p.20, for a discussionon evaluation in definitions.)
Now consideragain the first sample topic given in this book, and comPareit with
the sample given in the IELfS Handbook:
\Y'eliae in a technological age. Houteuer, technology cAnnot solae all the
world\ problems. Therefore somepeoPle argue tltat we need to phce less
empharis on tecltnological solutions and more on other aalue*
Now look at the sample topic given in the IELIS Handbook:
Presenta written argument or caseto an educatedreader with no
specialistknowledge of the following topic:
It is ineuitable that as tecltnologjt deuelops traditional cuhures must be
lost. Tbchnologyand tradition are incompatible - lou cnnnot haue both
togetlter.
You should use your own ideas,knowledge and experienceto suPPort
your arguments with examplesand relevant evidence.
Do the rwo topics ask the same question or not? Both are about technology, and
in both casestechnology is contrasted with something else.The focus in the first
question is on contrasting technology with other ualueswhile in the second question
'Whether
it is contrastedwith taditional cubure. you treat these questions as
basicallythe sameor not depends on your definition of *adition end of other
aalues.Both are very broad terms) and can be interpreted in different ways, and
here it is important to take time to consider what they mean to the average
educated reader,and what they mean to you. If you think of traditional cuhure as
dealing only with material objects, such as food and clothing, then you will discuss
this in one way. If you also include social activities such as music and dance and
theatre, then you may give a different answer.And if you include conceptssuch
as religion and social behaviour, then you will be able to consider both questions
as basicallydealing with the same concepts,since other values in this casewould
be included tn traditional cuhure.
12 Tests
EssoyWritingfor English
It is up to you to decide how broadly you want to consider the definition of
traditional culture, but you must make your concept clear to your reader.in the
sameway, if you have the first question to deal with, you must indicate what you
mean by otlter ualues.
It is not necessaryto give a formal definition, which is very difficult to do. In other
words, you do not need to write: Tiaditional culture can be dfined as.....
Instead you can wrire something like: By *aditional cuhure I mean not only the
things that peoph mahe, lihe hand-wouen clntlt or ltouses, but abo their ceremonies
and performances, such as mu.sicand dance.ln other words, you can give examples
to help you to define.
'W'hat
about the terms technology and technological age?Do they need defining?
Not really - again it would be enough to give examples'
TASK3
Look at the above two questions again and think about their foculIf you
decide to define traditional cuhure more or less in the same way as other
ualues could you write basically the same essayfor both?
Time: It is worfi spending enough dme on stage 1 to €nsurethat your essay
answersthe question as it was intended by the examiners.If you spend 2 or 3
minutes thinking about the topic, it may seemlike a iong time during an
exam, but it is time well spent if it helps you to write confidently and
appropriately.
ldeos
Selectingond Presenting
3, Findingldeos
In an essayof 250 words, to be written in 40 minutes, you cannot be too ambitious
about what you write. Some students make the mistake of trying to expressvery
deep ideasand they never get past writing an introducdon to what would be a
long essayif there was time. On the other hand, if you do not have any specific
ideasat all you may find yourself saying only one thing over and over again in
severaldifferent ways. This is not the way to get a good score.Look at the
following example:
The Internet hasprouided great benef.tsto modern societybecauseit has helped
euerlonein their work. It maheseuerythingeasier.It hashelpedall sectorsof
Without tlte Internet,euerythingis rnuchmoredfficuh and tahesa long
society.
time. But sincewe ltauetlte Interneteueryhind of uork is muclt easierto do.
Thereforetlte Internet hasprouided great benefts to eaerlone.
'bssay''says
This little almost nothing. There is virtually no information and there
are no ideas.If someone whose English is not very accuratewrites like this, the
readerhas no ideas to think about and will only notice the grammatical and
vocabulary mistakes.
Generally what you need is to have a basic proposition statement (e.g. one that
answersthe question to urhat extentby indicating a great deal, a linle, partly
(seeabove) plus about three points or examples to support your argument.
V Tests
EssoyWritingfor English
Three is a good number (although it can be lessor more), since that givesyou a
5 paragraphessay,which is about the right length:
Paragraph1 Introduction
2 Supportingpoint
3 Supportingpoint
4 Supportingpoint
5 Conclusion
way to find and organiseideasis to brainstorm.
The easiest
3,I Broinstorming
In order to organiseyour ideas for a topic, it is first of all necessaryto pin them
down. Most students find that the best way to deal with this is to brainstorm
their ideasfirst. This simply means jotting down any concePtsthat come into
your head associatedwith the given topic, in note form, and in random order
(i.e. in any order in which they occur to you).
Let us look at a simple example.The question may be:
Tlte Internet ltas reuolutionised tlte rnodern uorld, but it has ako created
netuproblems and inequalities. Do you agree?
\7e need to find ideas for both parts of the question -+he revolutionising effect
of the Internet, and also its problems. \We might come up with the following:
banking o n l i n es h o p p i n g enrail chet-rooms
educetion
distence hacking for reseetch
informaiion
oirlinebookings / lheelrcbookings
concert PornograPhy
fot research
information comnuniceiion
business
sharing for policeetc./ andfor terrorists
infornration: viruses
P00rPeoPle / lefi out
haveno access
EssoyWritingfor EnglishTests 15
TASK4
'Write
a brainstormed list of ideas relating to the topic:
Children gend far too much time in front of teleuision and computer
screens. Their time should be strictly controlled.
Discuss your ideas with someone else. You can also practise brainstorming
with other topics from the list provided in the appendix. The more you
practise, the easier it will be for you to think of ideas quickly during the
test.
ut Answer Key
3.2FindingMoreldeos
If you are having difficulties thinking up ideasat the right level of generalisation
(seep.26 for a discussionabout this), then a good technique is to think of very
specific, concrete examples,and then try to find a higher level of abstraction that
the examplesbelong to. Let me explain this with a simple illustration. Imagine
that you are asked to write about this: The importance of animak to people is not
always recognised.Weshouldpa! rnore dttention to how we look afier and protect
animals. First you need to think about how important animals are to people.
Begin by thinking of specific animals --+ny animals, inciuding insects:
c0r{ cal lion
mosquito sheep dog
kan
garoo butterfly
Now organisethese under a higher level of classification,e.g.
DOMESTIC
ANIMATS WILDANlttlAtS INSECTS
cow cat lion ito
rnosqu
dog sheep kangaroo rfly
butte