Make Your Way 8, Schulbuch mit Audio-CD und CD-ROM

Tips for your Writing exam In your Writing exam you will have two write two texts: • an opinion essay of about 400 words • an article OR a report OR an e-mail/letter of about 250 words I Opinion essay In an opinion essay you have to write about a given topic, usually one which people hold strong and differing views about. Your task is to present or argue your own opinion on the topic in a series of paragraphs, each point supported by evidence. Unlike the “for and against” essay, where you have to present arguments for both sides of the topic and weigh them up against each other, in an opinion essay your aim is to persuade the reader that your standpoint on the given topic is a strong and reasonable one. Like all essays, an opinion essay consists of • a title • an introduction • a main section (or body ) • a conclusion Ensure to give your opinion essay a title that lines up with the views you express. Your readers should know from the beginning what the focus of your argument is. The introduction presents the topic and states your opinion about it. Attempt to make it short, as a lengthy introduction may deter your readers. Try to attract the readers’ attention , however, by employing a short anecdote, a quote, or a provocative question. The main section will contain the substance of your essay and will be made up of three or four well-developed paragraphs. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence , containing the main idea , followed by facts and examples to support your argument . The conclusion is a summary of all you have said and it is used to join any loose strings. Sum up the main points in a clear manner and round off your essay in a way so that the readers will remember it. Do NOT introduce any new ideas here. Proceed as follows: • Decide what your position is on the subject you are given. • Brainstorm your ideas or make a mind map. • Organise your main section material into three or four paragraphs, each with a topic sentence and supporting ideas. • Make your argument as clear as possible so that it is easy for the reader to follow. You can do this by using linking words and structuring devices like the following: also because despite furthermore however in addition just as moreover therefore unlike whereas while consequently in conclusion finally eventually to sum up, … 126 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv