• Impersonal constructions

One of the most common register mistakes involves using too personal a manner in a piece of formal writing. A chatty style, characterized by the use of words I and you, could be inappropriate and even offensive in a formal letter or a magazine article.

1. Me, myself, I

You don’t need to say ‘I believe’, ‘I think’ – it’s obvious that you think it because you are writing it. Occasional use of ‘I’ in an otherwise objective essay can, however, especially towards the end, be very effective in conveying strength of feeling.

*From my point of view, this guidebook is very helpful. It tells me about many little-known places and as I’m not the kind of person who likes to be part of a crowd of tourists, I think this is the right guidebook for me.

This guidebook is very helpful. It tells about many little-known places and is the right guidebook for tourists who do not like to be part of the crowd.

2. The informal you

The way the word you is used in informal speech (‘You should have seen it!’ ‘If you know what I mean’) is not appropriate in formal writing. At best it sounds chatty and informal; at worst, disrespectful or even offensive.

The word you points a finger at the reader. But the readers are not friends of yours, and you have no right to make assumptions about them.

3. The aggressive you

When the word you would sound unnecessarily direct and even aggressive, it can often be avoided by use of the passive.

*If you want to keep your customers happy, you shouldn’t break the promises you make in your brochure.

Greater customer satisfaction could be achieved if the promises made in the brochure were respected.

4. The word one

The use of ‘one’ often leads to clumsiness so is best avoided.

(Advanced Writing with English in Use CAE. St’s book. p.16)

Revision Box p.69

MODULE 1

Discursive essay writing

A discursive essay is a piece of formal writing which discusses a particular issue, situation or problem. In this type of essay, the writer focuses on various aspects of the topic in turn. Some possible aspects are moral, political, social, psychological, religious, scientific, economic, educational, etc. Each viewpoint is supported by examples. Opposing viewpoints should be mentioned as well.

These essays do not aim to persuade that the writer’s opinion is the only valid one, but to make him/her consider a current issue from various angles, allowing him/her to form his/her own opinion or expand on the viewpoints already mentioned.

There are three main types of discursive essays:

1. For and against essays present both sides of an issue discussing points in favour of a particular topic as well as those against, or the advantages and disadvantages of a particular question. Each point should be supported by justifications, examples, and/or reasons. The writer’s own opinion should be presented only in the final paragraph.

2. Opinion essays present the writer’s personal opinion concerning the topic, clearly stated and supported by reasons and/or examples. The opposing viewpoint and reason should be included in a separate paragraph before the closing one, together with an argument that shows it is an unconvincing viewpoint. The writer’s opinion should be included in the introduction, and summarized/ restated in the conclusion.

3. Essays suggesting solutions to problems, in which the problem(s) associated with a particular issue or situation are analyzed and possible solutions are put forward, together with any expected results/ consequences. The writer’s opinion may be mentioned, directly or indirectly, in the introduction and/ or conclusion.

(Successful Writing. Proficiency. St’s book. p.54)

(Successful Writing. Upper-Intermediate. St’s book. p.79)