Writing

Sample format for a typical expository ( or argumentative ) essay

A typical expository essay consists of three main parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The introduction contains the thesis statement, which is a sentence that explains the idea that the writer will support (or argue) in his essay.

Introductory Paragraph. This consists of general points or attention grabbing details leading to the main idea. For instance, there are several means that effective writers use to "hook" their readers: beginning with a question, beginning with a quotation, and beginning with a startling or paradoxical statement. The main idea is often written at the end of this paragraph in a thesis statement, which may also contain three or more reasons (written very succinctly) for supporting this main idea. Each of these reasons should be elaborated on in the body paragraphs that follow. Some essays have the very first sentence as the thesis statement.

Body Paragraph #1. This often begins wioth a transition word or words like "First" or "The first of these reasons" and gives examples and/or details relating to the first supporting reason.

Body Paragraph #2. This often begins with a transition word or words like "Next" or "Second" or "Another reason" or "The second of these reasons" and gives examples and/or details relating to the second supporting reason.

Body Paragraph #3. This often begins with a transition word or words like "Finally" or "Last" or "The final reason" and gives examples and/or details relating to the third supporting reason.

Concluding Paragraph. This paragraph may begin with "In conclusion" or "To conclude" and often restates the thesis statement in different words. Some writers like to end with a relevant quotation, or end with a question, or end with a prediction or warning. Another concluding technique is to end with some idea or detail from the beginning of the essay ( thus bringing this idea full circle ). Yet another means of concluding is to end with an allusion to a historical or mythological figure or event.

Write an essay on one of the following topics:

1. The principle tasks of school education (see the text: "School, Knowledge and Responsibility").

2. Russian and American systems of school education.

3. Russian and British systems of school education.

4. The Russian system of school education in view of the recent changes.

5. The advantages and disadvantages of the Unified National Examination in English.

6. Teaching machines and computers can be substitutes for any teacher.

7. Suggest effective measures to improve the Russian school education.

8. How do you see the role of teacher in education reforms?

9. In your opinion, what are the strong points of the Russian school?

10. British education system is one of the best in the world.

Role Playing School Report

Roles: Mr. Wilkins ( Bert Wilkins ), Mrs. Wilkins ( Elsie Wilkins ) – parents, Teresa Wilkins ( their daughter ), J.Hamilton ( class teacher and history teacher ), O.Brown ( music teacher) ,J.Wenmann ( English teacher ) , Ms Jackson ( head teacher ),Miss Gregg ( French , Science teacher ). The students can also make roles for the other teachers and Teresa’s classmates, if they wish .

Plot: Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins have been asked to the school to discuss their daughter’s report with her class teacher and other teachers. According to the school report Teresa has behaviour as well as learning problems. She is 15 and in a year she is supposed to take her GCSE. So will she be given a chance? All depends on the decision of the Head teacher and the teaching staff of Heathfield School.

Parents.1) Read carefully through your daughter’s school report and try to think of any questions you can ask about it, e.g. “What does this mean?” “In what way is she badly behaved in class?”. You will also be asked to say what you think about it.

2) The teachers may ask you questions about Teresa’s behaviour at home, her interests, etc., e.g. “How much time does she spend on her home work”?, “What’s her behaviuor like at home”?, “Why is she often late/absent?”3) You may want to ask the teachers for advice. Here are some phrases you can use: “What had we better do, then?”, “Should we..?”, “Do you think we ought to …?”, “Had we better..?”, What do you suggest we do about her behaviour?”, etc. 4) You do not always have to go together to speak to a teacher, you can, if you wish, see each teacher separately.

The teachers. 1) Read carefully through Teresa’s report, especially what you have written. 2) Teresa’s parents will want to know what she is like at school, including describing her bad behaviour. They may also want some of the sarcastic comments on the report explained, e.g. : “She ought to go to France – and stay there!”, “The computer is in no danger from her! “, “Is similar to Beethoven – she never hears a word I say!”, etc.

3) You can ask Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins some questions about Teresa, e.g. What is she like at home? Does she ever talk about school? What does she say? Does she do her home work? How long does she spend on it? Is she any trouble at home? Does she go out? What are her interests? Why is she so often late in the mornings? 4) You can also offer some advice to the parents as to how they can best help Teresa. Here are some phrases you can use:

Perhaps you could … I don’t think she ought to … I think you’d better … My advice is … Well, if I were you I’d …, etc.

Class teacher’s comments:

Teresa should be old enough to realise that unless she works much harder she will not pass any of her G.C.S. Exams next year. This would be a great pity as she can work well when she wants to. Her behaviour in class must also improve and she has to try harder to be on time in the mornings. I hope to see a much greater effort in future.

3) You can ask Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins some questions about Teresa, e.g. What is she like at home? Does she ever talk about school? What does she say? Does she do her home work? How long does she spend on it? Is she any trouble at home? Does she go out? What are her interests? Why is she so often late in the mornings? 4) You can also offer some advice to the parents as to how they can best help Teresa. Here are some phrases you can use:

Perhaps you could … I don’t think she ought to … I think you’d better … My advice is … Well, if I were you I’d …, etc.

( J. Hamilton ).

Head teacher’s comments:

This is the worst report I have read for a long time. A disgrace to the school.