UNIT 3 TOPIC 1.1.pdf

English Vantage B2.2
Unit 3
Writing skills
Topic 1
Writing essays or reports.
OSWALDO GARCÍA BRITO, M. TEFL

Subthemes
➢ Subtheme 1: Writing an opinion essay.
➢ Subtheme 2: Writing a set of guidelines.
➢ Subtheme 3: Writing a personal recommendation.

Imagen subtema 2
Imagen subtema 3
Subthemes
➢ Subtheme 1: Writing an opinion essay.
➢ Subtheme 2: Writing a set of guidelines.
➢ Subtheme 3: Writing a personal
recommendation.
Imagen subtema 1

Objective
Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and
explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages
and disadvantages of various options.

WARM-UP ACTIVITY:
1. Look at the advertisements. Which one do you like best? Why? Which one
is more effective?
5

Academic writing conveys relevant ideas
to provoke reflection, connections
between common topics to how relevant
they are and the effect of those
causing require the
are
developing of
effective strategies of the writer based on
analysis and the application of a friendly
format, easy to read, but, at the same
time, built with a considerable charge of
cognition.
Several structures can be used to
introduce those reflective ideas
inviting people to recognize the
facts with ease and consider new
perspectives. To do so, it does not
only need to use a suitable
format but an array of elements
in the composition such as the
structure of the
conjunctions,
punctuation,
and more.
verb
sentences,
cohesion,
agreement,
Subtheme # 1: Writing an opinion essay.
6

At the starting point, if a problem is given to make the author provides a position, it needs to state a side
after analyzing the problem, the question, or the assignment. Consider for instance the following analysis:
To be sure about the question to be
answered, we can start evaluating the
question by finding the keywords and
underlining them:
7

➢ The first word underlined invites you to explain the reasons, to
provide an explanation. (Why)
➢ The next words connect someone to those reasons and also make
you speculate about postponing the revenge. (Hamlet delay)
➢ Finally, the word “revenge” is centered on the main point of the
question, this is the task of the essay author.
➢ Participating in this technique will help you to focus your essay in a
proper and pertinent form.
8

Please consider the following practice to help you focus on the right direction when writing
essays based on given questions, follow the guidelines from slide 7
(Shiach, 2009, p 5) 9

Activity 1: In groups, think of two reasons why climate change campaigns are not very effective.
Then read the essay. Were your ideas mentioned?
10

EXERCISE 1
1 : Is the answer to the question in the title yes or no?
2: Read the essay again. Does it give reasons.
a
b
for and against the main argument?
for the main argument, but not against?
11

Ordering the ideas is the next step once the line of the essay is clear, multiple structures are
recommended, here one simple but effective form to develop an opinion essay:
(Scrivener, 2019, p 47)
12

EXERCISE 2.
1. Read the Skill box. Then read Gloria’s essay (from slide 10) again
and identify.
1
2
3
4
the thesis statement (paragraph 1).
the topic sentences (paragraphs 2 and 3).
an argument to support the thesis statement.
the summary sentence in the concluding paragraph.
13

EXERCISE 3
1. CHOOSE THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT FOR EACH ESSAY QUESTION.
1A Should pop artists take environmental issues more seriously?
A Environmental issues are very important, and we should all take care of the environment.
B Influential pop artists should use their fame to encourage people to protect the planet.
2A Is a college degree really necessary?
A If Steve Jobs, one of the most influential people in history, did not graduate from college, it could be
argued that a college education is not essential.
B In my country, more and more people are dropping out of college because of the high tuition fees.
3A Do violent video games cause behavior problems?
A I have loved video games ever since I can remember.
B Violent games can have a negative impact on children.
14

15

EXERCISE 4.
Read the Text builder. Find the bold formal linkers in the essay. Complete the sentences below with the linkers in
bold from the Text builder.
1 Many families are less well off these days. , a lot of students are dropping out of college because
they cannot afford the tuition fees.
2 Many people say that children are not easily influenced by violent video games. , a lot of research
suggests that this is not true.
3 Some pop stars have millions of followers on social media.
favorite stars on TV.
, millions of people watch their
4 To be successful, you need to be smart, creative, and have good interpersonal skills. , these three
critical traits are necessary for success.
5 Video games should encourage creativity and cooperation, violence.
16

Nowadays, writing is an essential skill
to be developed so as to study
academic subjects and also introduce
ideas in informal situations such as
writing in blogs, commenting on news
or giving advice about traveling or any
other memorable or interesting
experience
media.
you want to share on
In the tourism industry, it is common
to observe websites
wonderful places
announcing
visit and
encouraging people
to
to visit
hotels, restaurants and
them,
reviews
require clear and well-written ideas so
as to make more people feel attracted
to visit them, on the contrary, it might
lead it to misunderstandings.
Subtheme # 2: Writing a set of guidelines.
17

Scrivener (2019) shows different forms to make guidelines interesting and easy to follow:
18

Besides, there are some non-formal linkers you can include to link ideas in guidelines:
19

ONLINE EXERCISE:
Closing Activity
WRITE AN OPINION ESSAY STARTING FOR A THESIS
STATEMENT AND ADDING SUPPORTING IDEAS.
https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/linking-words-
contrast-exercise-1.html
https://www.esl-lounge.com/student/grammar/4g67-linking-
words.php
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/upper-
intermediate-b2/an-opinion-essay
20

WARM-UP ACTIVITY:
1. When was the last time you recommended the following?
• a restaurant
• a person
• a book
• a movie
• a music track
• a tourist site
2. Discuss with your partner and give details.
21

Examinations are the often contexts to ask
students for writing emails when they refer to
include descriptions about a place you have
visited, a restaurant or a concert you enjoyed, a
city you were amazed, all
applying simple but charged
those require
of meaning
sentence to express the specific information
without being redundant with details.
Clark (2008) suggests “playing with words” to sound
interesting and include the appropriate average of words
in the message, in the same form a sculpture is molded,
the writer also molded their writing through shaping
words.
Subtheme # 3: Writing a personal recommendation.
22

1. READ THE PERSONAL
RECOMMENDATION BELOW.
WHAT DOES THE WRITER
FEEL IS IMPORTANT IN A
ROOMMATE?
LINK TO DOWNLOAD.
https://drive.google.com/fi
le/d/1DtND047SWIdEDPej
1jvoVtV70uu9mbbo/view?
usp=sharing
23

EXERCISE 1.
1.1 Answer the questions below.
1
2
3
How does Gloria know Julia?
Does Gloria know Sue, do you think?
Is the recommendation written in a formal or informal style?
24

The following are some phrases to include when writing personal
recommendations:
25

EXERCISE 2
1.Read the Skill box. In which paragraph (or paragraphs) does Gloria.
1
2
3
4
How Sue can get in touch with her?
What kind of person Julia is?
Explain how she knows Julia?
Give specific examples of Julia's behavior
26

Writing in non-native language demands managing a wide range of vocabulary, however, the author
must be aware of using the language correctly, especially adjectives, since, in English, they need to be
ordered according to opinions and facts, as seen in the following chart:
27

EXERCISE 2.
Read the Text builder. Then read the extracts from some personal recommendations below.
Correct the mistakes in the underlined phrases.
1 Mike’s a hardworking reliable member of our team, who is famous for his French classic dishes.
2 Christina is a young bright woman who provided excellent customer service when she worked
for us.
3 Kevin is a polite friendly person. He has loved animals since he was a young boy, and dreams of
becoming a vet.
4 I met Giselle in high school, and we have developed a close meaningful friendship. She has
always been great with children, and I can’t think of a better person for the job.
5 As an undergraduate motivated student Pablo wrote dozens of literary interesting essays, and
he has achieved a very high level of English.
28

EXERCISE 3.
Match the people in sentences 1—5 of exercise 2 with positions a— e below.
a sales representative
b chef in a restaurant
c English teacher
d dog walker
e babysitter
29

ONLINE EXERCISE:
Closing Activity
Write your recommendation, using the Skill box to help you develop your ideas. Include
some examples of adjectives of opinion and fact.
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/english-
grammar-reference/adjective-order
https://es.liveworksheets.com/vx1555838ag
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/intermedia
te-b1/a-professional-profile
30

Bibliografía
• Clark, R. P. (2008). Writing tools: 55 essential strategies for every writer. Little,
Brown Spark.
• Cox, K., & Hill, D. (2004). English for Academic Purposes. Australia: Pearson
Education Limited.
• Shiach, D. (2009). How to write essays: a step-by-step guide for all levels, with
sample essays. Hachette UK.
• Scrivener, J. (2019). Personal Best B2 Upper Intermediate, Student’s book.
Richmond. Oxford

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