Compare:

Formal: I would be grateful if you could reply at your earliest convenience.

Semi-formal: I look forward to receiving your reply as soon as possible.

Informal: I can’t wait to hear from you.

VIII

Essay is an argument. ‘For and against’ essays are one type of discursive writing in which you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a specific topic. A "For and against" essay should consist of:

a) an introduction in which you present the topic, making a general remark about it without giving your opinion;

b) a main body in which you present the points for and the points against, in separate paragraphs, supporting your arguments with justifications/examples;

c) a conclusion which includes your opinion (e.g. In my opinion/view, I believe/ think, etc) or a balanced summary of the topic.

You must not include opinion words (I believe, I think, etc) in the introduction or in the main body. Opinion words can only be used in the final paragraph, where you may state your opinion on the topic.

"For and against" essays are normally written in a formal style; therefore you should avoid using strong language (I know, I am sure, etc), short sentences, colloquial expressions or idioms.

Essays providing solutions to problems are pieces of writing in which you discuss a problem and its causes as well as the expected results or consequences of your suggestions. An essay providing solutions to problems should consist of:

a) an introduction in which you state the problem and/or what has caused it;

b) a main body which consists of two or more paragraphs presenting suggestions and their results/consequences. You should start a new paragraph for each suggestion and its results/consequences; and

c) a conclusion in which you summarize your opinion.

Essays providing solutions to problems are normally written in a formal or semi-formal style, depending on who is going to read them and where they are published. They are usually found in newspapers and magazines.

First-person narratives are written in the first-person (I/we) about a series of events, real or imaginary, which happened to us. A first-person narrative should consist of:

a) an introduction in which you set the scene (who was involved, time, place, etc) in an interesting way to make the reader want to continue reading;

b) a main body, consisting of two or more paragraphs, where you develop your story, presenting the events in the order they happened; and

c) a conclusion which includes what happened at the end of the story, as well as people's feelings, final comments or reactions. A surprising ending makes a long-lasting impression on the reader.

You should normally use past tenses in such pieces of writing, as well as a variety of adjectives or adverbs to make your story more attractive to the reader. Narratives can be found in articles, letters, novels, etc. To attract the reader's attention, give interesting and catchy titles to your stories, especially if they are for a magazine, newspaper, etc.

Reviews are short descriptions of books, films, plays, TV programmes, etc. They are written to inform readers and viewers, and to give them your opinion/recommendation about whether (or not) they should read a book or see a film/play/etc.

A review should consist of:

a) an introduction in which you summarize all the background information of the book/film/etc, (i.e. title, name of author/director, type, setting, etc);

b) a main body consisting of two paragraphs: one about the main points of the plot, presented in chronological order, and another including general comments on the plot, the main characters, the acting, the directing, etc.

Note: You should not reveal the end of the story to the reader.

c) a conclusion in which you recommend or do not recommend the book/film/play/etc, giving reasons to support your recommendation.

Reviews are normally found in newspapers, magazines or as parts of a letter. The style you use depends on the publication and the intended reader and can be formal or semi-formal.

You normally use present tenses and a variety of adjectives to describe the plot and make your comments more clear and to the point.

Reports are normally written for someone in authority (e.g. your employer, the local council, the head of a committee, etc) and contain factual information.

Assessment reports present and evaluate the positive and negative qualities of a person (i.e. an employee) or a building/place (i.e. a hotel, a restaurant, a shop, a cinema complex, etc) in order to make a judgement or recommendation about them. Proposal reports present suggestions, plans or decisions about future actions. Reports should consist of:

a) an introduction in which you state the purpose and content of the report;

b) a main body in which you present each topic in detail under suitable subheadings. (these headings introduce the topic of the paragraphs, so you do not need to start each paragraph with a topic sentence);

c) a conclusion which summarizes the information from the main body and states your general assessment and/or recommendation.

Reports are written in a formal, impersonal style. You should use factual language, passive voice and full verb forms. You should also write fairly short sentences to help your reader pick out the information easily. Present tenses are normally used for assessment reports. Past tenses can be used for reports related to past events. Modals, conditionals or would are normally used for proposal reports.

You should always begin your report by stating who the report is addressed to and what their position is, the writer's name and position, what the report is about and the date.

IX

Techniques to begin your story

An interesting beginning is as important as an interesting ending. An interesting beginning will catch the reader's attention and make him/her want to continue reading. A good ending will make him/her feel satisfied.

You can START your story by:

a) using your senses to set the scene and describe the weather, atmosphere, surroundings or people's actions to create mystery or suspense; e.g. I could hear the wind howling around me. It was quite dark that night and it felt strange to be out in the wilderness all alone.

b) using direct speech; e.g. "Always look on the bright side of life, kids", Mr Frisbain used to tell us.

c) asking a rhetorical question, i.e. a question that does not require an answer. e.g. Have you ever travelled by train on a warm summer night?

d) addressing the reader directly, e.g. I am sure you all know what a bargain is.

e) referring to your feelings or moods, e.g. / was exhausted because I had been painting walls all day.

Techniques to end your story

You can END your story by:

a) using direct speech, e.g. Thank you, sir,' the boy said to me.

b) referring to your feelings or moods, e.g. We were shivering but we were happy to have made it.

c) asking a rhetorical question. e.g. 'Why did I have to suffer so much?'

d) describing people's reactions to/feelings about the events developed in the main body. e.g. My brother had become the hero of the day and I was extremely proud.

Useful Vocabulary

Background:

The film/book tells the story of...

The film/story is set in ...

The book/novel was written by ...

The film is directed by...

It is a comedy/horror film/love story.

Main points of the plot:

The story concerns/is about/begins... The plot is (rather) boring/thrilling. The plot has an unexpected twist.

General Comments:

It is rather long/boring/confusing/slow.

The cast is excellent/awful/unconvincing.

The script is dull/exciting.

It is beautifully/poorly/badly written.

It has a tragic/dramatic end.

Recommendations:

Don't miss it. It is well worth seeing. I wouldn't recommend it because... I highly/thoroughly recommend it. It's bound to be a box-office hit. Wait until it comes out on video. It is a highly entertaining read. It's a bore to read.

To make suggestions:

A useful suggestion would be to... Another solution... ... could be solved by... Steps/Measures should be taken in order to solve/deal with... Another way to... is/would be to... The situation could be improved if /by...

It would be a good idea if/to... It would help if you/we...

To present results and consequences:

This would...

Then...

By doing this, you/we/etc would...

If... ..., the result would be...

The effect/consequence/result of ... would be... In this way,...

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