1
Writing Revision G9
For and against Essay
POINTS TO CONSIDER
• Make a list of the points for and against.
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence which
summarizes the topic of the
paragraph.
• Do not use informal style (e.g. contractions, colloquial
language etc.) or strong
language to express your opinion (e.g. I know…, etc.).
• Use quotations, rhetorical questions or direct address to the
readers in the
introduction to grab their attention and make your composition
more interesting.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
• Introduction
• Paragraph one – topic sentence (advantages)
Supporting statement 1/arguments/examples
Supporting statement 2/arguments/examples
• Paragraph two – topic sentence (disadvantages)
Supporting statement 1/arguments/examples
Supporting statement 2/arguments/examples
• Conclusion
USEFUL LINKING WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
• To list points:
Firstly, First of all, In the first place, To begin/start with,
Secondly, Thirdly, Finally
• To list advantages:
2
One/Another/A further/An additional (major) advantage of… is
… The
main/greatest/first advantage of… is …
• To list disadvantages:
One/Another/ A further/An additional (major)
disadvantage/drawback of. The
main/greatest/most serious disadvantage /drawback of…
Another negative aspect of…
To introduce points/arguments for or against:
One (very convincing) point/argument in favor of/ against …
A further common criticism of…
It could be argued/It is often claimed/It is suggested that …
It is widely argued/ believed that …
Some/many/most people/experts/scientist/critics
….claim/suggest/argue/
feel/maintain/believe/point out/agree/support the view that…
oppose the view that…
are in favour of/against…
are of the opinion that/convinced that…
are opposed to…
• To add more points to the same topic:
in addition (to this), furthermore, moreover, besides, apart
from, what is more, as well
as, not to mention (the fact) that, also, /as well, both … and,
To make contrasting points:
on the other hand, however, still, yet, but, nevertheless, even
so, although, though,
even though, while, whereas, despite/in spite of
3
• To introduce examples:
for example, for instance, such as, like, in particular,
particularly, especially, This is
(clearly) illustrated/shown by the fact that… One/A
clear/striking/ typical example of
(this)…
• To emphasise a point:
clearly, obviously, naturally, needless to say
• To make general statements:
as a (general) rule, generally, in general, in most cases
• To make partially correct statements: to a certain
extent/degree, to some
extent/degree, in a way/sense, this is partly true (but),
• To explain/clarify a point: in other words, that is to say,
this/which means that
• To express cause: owing to, due to (the fact that), because,
as, since
• To express effect: therefore, as a result/consequence,
consequently, so, for this
reason.
• To introduce examples:
for example, for instance, such as, like, in particular,
particularly, especially, This is
(clearly) illustrated/shown by the fact that… One/A
clear/striking/ typical example of
(this)…
• To emphasise a point:
clearly, obviously, naturally, needless to say
• To make general statements:
as a (general) rule, generally, in general, in most cases
4
• To make partially correct statements: to a certain
extent/degree, to some
extent/degree, in a way/sense, this is partly true (but),
• To explain/clarify a point: in other words, that is to say,
this/which means that
• To express cause: owing to, due to (the fact that), because,
as, since
• To express effect: therefore, as a result/consequence,
consequently, so, for this
reason.
• To express intention: to, so as to, in order to, so that, with
the intention of (+ing)
5
Reviews
Essential Components of a Review
1. Introduction
1. Title ( name of reviewed product/ service/ place/ …)
2. Brief overview/context and basic information (factual
info/ how you got to know about it)
2. Main Body
1. Detailed analysis with Supporting evidence divided
into 2 paragraphs
2. Pros and cons of each detail if applicable (focus on
specific aspects)
3. Conclusion
1. Final opinion (should be clear from your previous
analysis)
2. Recommendation
Specific aspects in topic -related review
Place Event Book/ film Product
• Atmosp • Atmospher • Plot • Model
here e • Charact • Brand
• Design • Performanc ers • Techni
and e • Effects cal
décor • Tickets/ • Moral / feature
• Service prices messag s/
6
provided • Seats/ e • charac
• Staff booking teristic
• prices • Program/ s
activities
POSITIVE DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES
• good value for money • A strong point/ strength…
• action-packed • Don’t miss…/ You shouldn’t
• addictive miss…/ You mustn’t miss…
• amusing / funny • I (highly/ thoroughly)
• Interesting / fascinating recommend this… for…
• brilliant / fabulous / splendid • If you like…, you’ll love… It
• flawless / impecable / will make you feel…
delightful • It’s (really/ well) worth + -
• gripping / thrilling / haunting ing…
• unpredictable / impressive • It’s suitable for…
• moving / emotional • My favourite… You won’t
• well-acted / well-directed regret…
• (To be) one in a million
NEGATIVE DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES
• annoying / irritating • I couldn’t really get into…
• awful / dreadful / terrible • There is/was a lack of…
• bland / boring / tedious /dull • I would only recommend…
• chaotic • It’s not really worth + -ing
• commercial • I’d avoid
• confusing • My (main) criticism is…
• disappointing • One of the (main)
• expensive / overpriced / bad weaknesses…
value for money
• monotonous / repetitive /
predictable
• odd / strange / weird
Report writing
The format of a report
• A report often follows a 4-part structure (in addition to
the title),
• Title/heading: The title of the report you are writing
about. It should be brief and relevant. For example,
7
“Report: School Trip to a Recycling Centre”, “A Visit to a
Recycling Centre”, etc.
1. First Paragraph: Introduction
2. Body paragraph(s): (organized according to the
requirements of the report asked for in the question), for
example, what you enjoyed about the trip, what you
learned, etc.
3. Final paragraph: Recommendations/ suggestions for
improvement
Helpful phrases:
Introduction
The aim of this report is to highlight what we
learned…
The report aims to highlight…
This report purports to highlight …
This report aims to investigate …
This report aims to recommend…
The purpose of this report to highlight…
This report aims to present what we learned from
the trip…
This report back porch to highlight what we
learned…
Body paragraphs:
A significant number of students…
A considerable number of parents…
Almost all students…
A vast majority of students…
8
A large number of teachers…
Positive feedback phrases:
Many students were captivated to see…
Students were amazed to learn…
It was fascinating to see…
Almost all students got insight into the
importance…
We managed to study fascinating facts about…
The vast majority of students were stunned as they
discovered …
Negative feedback phrases:
It was appalling to see…
However many people felt that it was
Notwithstanding the boons, it was totally
saddening to see that…
A large number of students found that the trip was
a bit haphazard…
Recommendation phrases:
I would recommend that…
Perhaps we could also consider asking…
For the reasons, I have mentioned I highly
recommend visiting…
I am convinced that they…
In the light of what we observed from the visit
that…
It is high time that…
Email Writing
9
Parts of the Email
Salutation or greeting (Dear/Hey/Hi and your friend’s
first name only followed by a comma), for example, “Dear
Ben,”
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Signature (Love/With love /Lots of love/Best/Regards/Best
regards/Cheers followed by a comma and your first
name on the next line), for example,
With love,
Ali
Examples for Introduction:
-How’re you? I’m sorry I’ve been a little on the quiet
side—you know how hectic life gets sometimes. Anyhow,
…
-I’m sorry I haven’t written (for ages/since we last
met/for a long time), but I’ve been busy studying and
haven’t had the time. Guess what! …
Examples for concluding phrases:
• I really wish you were there! You would have loved it! Give
my regards to James and Uncle Joe. Reply soon!
• That’s it for now. See you soon!
• Catch you soon.
• Speak soon.
• Shoot me an email soon.
• I must dash now. Update me on your trip to London!
• I’ve got to go. Write back!
• I must go now. Stay blessed!
10
