Part 1: Description of typical features of Articles
Part 2: “Education: Modernizing the school curriculum”
Material adapted from: Speak your mind in Writing,
Super Course ELT Publishing
Instructor: Eleni Chryssanthou
What is your true opinion about the topic? It will be easier to write about
a topic if you are writing about what you believe. Alternatively, you can
practice writing two essays for each topic, taking both sides of the issue.
What vocabulary will you use for this topic? Brainstorm your active
vocabulary (avoid using a dictionary or other resource when you are
practicing under test conditions), and create a graphically organized list of
key content words you think you will need: verbs, nouns, and adjectives/
adverbs.Your vocabulary may be represented in an outline format, word
web, 2- or 3-column chart (e.g., showing word, definition, example,
synonyms), or any other format you find useful.
• Start from the big picture: your opinion
• The main reason you hold this opinion
• Other reasons. First, list them in any order. Then when all
main ideas are listed, put them in a logical order.
• Add some specific examples or details that make your point
Compose paragraphs.
• Group your ideas into coherent paragraphs with clear topics,
and draft the paragraphs of your essay.
• Check for organization and logical flow of your ideas.
• Eliminate repetition and clichés (overused and unoriginal phrases).
• Edit carefully for grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, and
paragraph structure.
• Make sure you have not forgotten any of your main ideas or
details from steps 1 and 2.
Formal Language
It is written in order to be published on a news website, in a school newspaper, etc.
Including a title that expresses the main idea will improve the overall presentation of
your Article. However, it is optional.
It briefly describes the decision / plan and refers to the opposing views in the
INTRODUCTION.
Presents the opposing views of the decision / plan in the MAIN BODY.
Includes the writer’s opinion and / or recommendation in the CONCLUSION.
INTRODUCTIONS
Briefly describe the decision plan:
The (Ministry's) plan to … has received mixed reactions / has triggered a debate.
Controversy has arisen over the (Ministry's) decision to ...
Referring to opposing views:
Some feel it is important to … while others argue that / express their concern that...
Although many (students) welcomed the idea, X are strongly opposed to do it.
While there are people who believe/ claim that ..., others are concerned that/
worried about...
TOPIC: “The Local Council is planning to construct a sports complex
in a small woodland area outside the town. Some people are excited
about this idea but others are not. Write an article for a local news
website explaining the impact of the council's decision and what you
think about it.”
INTRODUCTION
(BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE DECISION/PLAN AND REFER TO THE OPPOSING VIEWS)
‘Plan for Sports Complex raises concern’
PARAGRAPH 1: The council's decision to build a new sports complex in the
nearby wood has received mixed reactions. Some feel it is important to
provide sufficient sports facilities for the town, while others are concerned
that the choice of a Woodland area for the site is not a wise one.
Find the thesis statement or main argument.
MAIN BODY
(PRESENT ONE VIEW OF THE DECISION/PLAN)
PARAGRAPH 2: On the one hand, supporters of the plan claim that a new sports center will
benefit the community in several ways. Firstly, it will offer local youth a number of leisure activities
and a place to go at weekends. A recent study into how teenagers spend their leisure time reveals
that most of them lead very sedentary lives at home, mostly surfing the Net on their computers.
Thus, the creation of a Sports Center will provide an incentive for local teens to become more
active. Secondly, will create much-needed jobs for local people. According to a regional
commercial report, over 100 jobs are likely to be created as a result of the construction.
Consequently, this will help boost the local economy.
MAIN BODY
(PRESENT THE OPPOSING VIEW OF THE DECISION/PLAN)
PARAGRAPH 3: On the other hand, there are those who disagree with the idea.
Many worry about the potential impact of such action on the local environment.
There are concerns about how much countryside will have to be destroyed to make
way for the proposed complex. More specifically, an environmentalist expresses
fears of a loss of local wildlife resulting from the destruction of natural habitat. He
also points out that the potential increase in waste levels is bound to create problems
in local waste disposal.
CONCLUSION
(EXPRESS YOUR OPINION AND/OR MAKE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS)
PARAGRAPH 4: All in all, building a sports center will certainly benefit the area
economically and enhance the quality of life, but the concerns raised cannot be
ignored. Before implementing this decision, the council should first examine the
possibility of alternative sites on which to build in order to minimize the impact of
woodland areas. If the council acts responsibly and tries to reduce the environmental
impact of the construction, then undoubtedly more people will support their
decision.
As is presented in the diagram, that donated items accounted for the majority of the income.
As shown in the illustration, the contribution by the community is the second largest revenue
source
As can be seen in the figure, there were only two other expenditure items, food and beverages.
As the diagrams suggest, the percentage of students in voluntary-controlled schools fell from just
to only 20%
According to the the prescribed data, the primary schools experienced a marked increase.
The table data clearly shows that, the forest and green spaces have been massively affected over
the decade
It is interesting to note that, among all the applicants, 60% of the seats were claimed by the
female candidates.
It is apparently seen that the children attending art class in the year 2011 shot up during summer
vacation.
It is conspicuous that only 20% of women completed their senior-secondary education
It is explicitly observed that by 1995 all students completed higher- secondary
education
It is clear from the data that 50% of the pupil did not learn to manage their finances at
the school level.
It is worth noticing that almost half of the population of the city has contributed to the
funds.
It is is lucid from image (a) that the parents did not participate in the extra-curricular
activities with their children.
It can be clearly observed that one-fourth of the colleges in the states did not introduce
vocational training.
It could be noticed that the enrollment of scouts in the year 1993 was tripled.
TASK: “The Ministry of Education has decided to change the high school
curriculum and include robotics instead of History as a core compulsory subject.
Some people are concerned about this idea. Write an article for a news website
explaining the impact of the Ministry's decision and what you think about it. Include
at least one piece of information given above to support your response.”
The decision has received mixed reactions/triggers a debate.
An independent study reveals …
According to a recent news report …
A high school teacher who welcomes the move argues …
One of the issues raised is that …
Nevertheless, the plan is not without support.
There is a need to strike a balance between …
All in all, it seems that …presents a challenge.
The inclusion of robotics may/might not represent a positive step forward.
