Writing an essay

Overview
The purpose of an essay is to present an argument or point of view and give examples or reasons to support it. The topic
will be a question or an issue which people generally have different opinions about. The essay could present both sides
of the argument, or just one, depending on the instructions given in the task. An essay should be written in a formal or
neutral register and should be well organised, with an introduction, main body and a conclusion. It should include
language appropriate for expressing opinions, agreeing and disagreeing. The vocabulary required will depend upon the
topic.

Tips for writing an essay

Language
• think about the audience that the essay is for
• the tone of most essays should be neutral or formal
• your essay should clearly present opinions related to the topic
• include a range of grammatical structures and related vocabulary
• avoid writing very simple sentences with the same grammatical structures and simple repetitive
vocabulary.

Organisation:
An essay should be well organised, with an introduction, main body and a conclusion. It should include well-
developed ideas.

You should use linking words/phrases which suit a more formal type of writing (e.g. furthermore, however, in
conclusion, etc.) to link ideas in sentences and paragraphs.

One way to structure your essay is to have a balanced argument focusing on one side of the argument, then
on the other side of the argument:
• Introduction – briefly outline the argument that the essay will discuss. Engage the reader to make
them interested in the topic, for example, ask a rhetorical question to make a point and create a
stronger effect.
• Present one side of the argument. Support your ideas with examples and/or reasons.
• Present the other side of the argument. Support your ideas with examples and/or reasons.
• Conclusion – this should briefly summarise what you have said and what you think about the
argument. You can link your conclusion back to the beginning and/or encourage the reader to
decide what they think about the same viewpoint.

Alternatively, an essay can be one-sided. You present one side of the argument, supported with examples
and/or reasons. In this case, the organisation of your essay would be the same as above, with either one
extended paragraph for the main body, or two or more shorter paragraphs each presenting a different
reason to support your point of view.
Example of an essay

Comments

The candidate introduces the topic

in the first paragraph and uses a
Teenagers love fast food. But is it good for them, or should they rhetorical question to engage the
avoid it? reader. No heading is required for an
essay.

To begin with, it’s usually quite tasty. Furthermore, it’s The candidate presents
quick and easy if you choose to eat fast food. You walk in to a arguments in favour of fast food. The
second opinion is well supported with
restaurant, give your order, and your food is ready in just few reasons.
minutes. When you’re in a hurry, getting fast food is a good option.
The candidate uses a range of
appropriate linking words, ‘to begin
However, there are some disadvantages. The main one is with’, ‘furthermore’, ‘so’, ‘however’ and
health. Fast food contains fat, sugar and salt – all things that ‘also’, to link their ideas together.

are bad for you and make you gain weight and becoming ill. The In the third paragraph, the
candidate presents arguments against
truth is that fresh food, cooked at home, is much better for you, fast food and both opinions are well
even if it sounds boring to most teenagers. Fast food is also waste supported with reasons.

of money. It might to seem cheap, but if you buy it a lot, your The candidate includes the ideas
money will soon disappear. from the comments, but uses their
own language, by changing
grammatical structures and
Overall, I believe eating fast food ocasionally isn’t a problem,
vocabulary where possible.
but fresh home-cooked food is best.
The candidate uses some
extended sentences and makes a few
attempts at more complex structures.

The candidate provides a clear

conclusion which shows that the
essay is effectively sequenced and
organised. The candidate uses an
appropriate choice of words for a
neutral to formal register.

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