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Essay Writing Essentials Guide

This document provides templates and structures for different types of essays: agree/disagree, advantage/disadvantage, problem/solution, situational, and discussion/opinion. For the agree/disagree essay, the introduction presents the view and the writer's opinion. Body paragraphs use transition words and phrases to structure arguments and counterarguments. The discussion/advantage essay similarly introduces the topics and outlines benefits and drawbacks in the body. The problem/solution essay introduces the problem and proposes solutions. The situational essay explores reasons for and benefits of a topic. Finally, the discussion/opinion essay presents both sides of a discussion before concluding with the writer's view.

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Terry Nguyen
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
29 views3 pages

Essay Writing Essentials Guide

This document provides templates and structures for different types of essays: agree/disagree, advantage/disadvantage, problem/solution, situational, and discussion/opinion. For the agree/disagree essay, the introduction presents the view and the writer's opinion. Body paragraphs use transition words and phrases to structure arguments and counterarguments. The discussion/advantage essay similarly introduces the topics and outlines benefits and drawbacks in the body. The problem/solution essay introduces the problem and proposes solutions. The situational essay explores reasons for and benefits of a topic. Finally, the discussion/opinion essay presents both sides of a discussion before concluding with the writer's view.

Uploaded by

Terry Nguyen
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Opinion Essay: Agree/Disagree

● Introduction:
○ There is a view that…
○ In my opinion,...
● Body Pargraphs:
○ To begin with, it is important to acknowledge that = Firstly,... = To start with, …
○ On the one hand,... >< On the other hand,...
○ In contrast,... = On the contrary,...
○ Meanwhile,... = In the mean time,...
○ As a result,... = As a consequence,... = Consequently,...
○ After all,... : to give a reason to explain what you have just said
■ I’m not really ambitious. After all, money isn’t everything.
○ This is because… = A reason for this is that... = This is due to the fact that…
○ For instance,... = For example,... = As an example,...
○ However,... = Nevertheless,...
○ That said,... : used for adding an opinion that seems to be on the opposite of what you
just said, although you think both are true.
■ The economy is struggling. That said, house prices rose slightly last month.

Discussion Essay: Advantage/Disadvantage

● Introduction:
○ In recent years, the approach of … has risen in popularity over the alternative of …
○ It is increasingly common...
○ This essay will highlight both the benefits and the drawbacks that result from such an
approach.
● Body paragraph:
○ To begin with the positives, a crucial advantage is that …
○ Looking firstly at the positives, a significant advantage is that…
○ However, … also present some disadvantage, the most obvious of which is...
○ This means that… = In other words,...
○ Besides + V-ing = In addition to something OR Besides,... = In addition,...
○ Considering that …, it is no wonder that …
○ To make matters worse, it has been shown that...
○ Therefore,... = Thus,...
■ => …, thus + V-ing…
■ The merchants began to import corn, thus forcing farmers to cut their prices.
■ => …, and thus + phrase
■ No decision had been made, and thus the situation remained unclear.

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? => has opinion


a. Intro:
i. Thesis: Present your opinion, which one outweighs the other.
b. Body 1: present the weaker side first
i. “Admittedly, there are some basic benefits of …”
ii. Use words to lessen the points (probably, in some rare cases)
c. Body 2: present the stronger side
i. “Nevertheless, despite the advantages above, I believe…”
ii. Use stronger words to emphasize/stress the points (serious consequence,
extremely)
● Conclusion:
○ In conclusion, although formal examinations are beneficial in terms of cutting out
cheating and improving efficiency, it is important to consider that they also …

Problem and Solution Essay:

● Intro:
○ It is clear that … (present the topic)
○ This essay will explore two of the problems which have resulted from these changes
and propose measures which might address them.
● Body paragraph:
○ Follow Thesis - Support - Support/Ex - Solution - Result
○ One concern in terms of … is that…
○ Regarding …, one pressing problem is that...
○ This is because…
○ Consequently,...
○ To tackle this issue,...
○ This problem could be mitigated by …
● Conclusion:
○ In conclusion, two of the main concerns are…
○ However, these problems can be managed via…

Situational Essay:

● Intro:
○ Recently,...
○ This essay will explore a number of possible reason behind this rise in popularity and
detail some of the benefits of …
● Body paragraph:
○ Follow 1 main point - Support - S/Ex - 2 main point - Support - Result

Discussion and Opinion Essay: Discuss both views and give your opinion:

● Intro:
○ While some believe that … (present the side you disagree), I would agree with those
who argue that … (present the side you agree)
● Body Paragraph: T - S - E - A - R
● BP1: the side you disagree
○ The argument goes that… : to explain the logic of another person’s reason, but means
that you don’t accept the person’s reason or opinion
■ The argument goes that if students are allowed to choose what they want to
study, then there will be a shortage of these important workers.
● BP2: the side you agree
○ I believe…
○ With regards to the former,...
○ As for the latter,...
● Conclusion:
○ In conclusion, while people may vary in their opinions, I think that…
○ In conclusion, despite people having different views, I believe it…

Common questions

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Emphasizing stronger language in the second body paragraph creates a perceived hierarchy of argument strength, suggesting that the arguments presented last are the most convincing or crucial. This linguistic technique appeals to the reader's evaluation process by highlighting the prioritization and urging a more persuasive interpretation of the argument's cumulative reasoning .

Presenting the weaker side first allows the writer to acknowledge alternative perspectives, lending credibility by not ignoring opposing views. This strategy creates a contrast that can then be decisively resolved in favor of the stronger side, thereby reinforcing the essay's persuasive power and leading to a stronger conclusion that underscores the primary argument .

These essays typically begin by presenting the topic and outlining specific problems. Each problem is followed by supporting information and an example, leading to proposed solutions. Finally, the benefits or results of these solutions are discussed. This structure ensures a clear presentation of issues and logical progression towards actionable solutions, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the topic .

Phrases like 'that said' or 'however' introduce contrast or exception, helping to convey complexity by acknowledging that an argument isn't absolute. This allows writers to present more nuanced viewpoints, where contradictory evidence or perspectives can coexist, thus reflecting deeper, multifaceted reasoning and fostering critical reflection on issues .

An author might emphasize potential negatives despite obvious benefits in the conclusion to underscore the necessity of informed decision-making. This balanced approach acknowledges the complexity inherent in issues, reminding the reader that while benefits exist, one must be vigilant concerning risks, thereby fostering a more comprehensive and cautious perspective .

Contrasting connectors like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' enhance the argumentative strength of an essay by clearly delineating opposing viewpoints, allowing for balanced analysis. For example, 'In contrast' introduces a counter-argument or alternative perspective, emphasizing the complexity of the discussion, while 'However' introduces a rebuttal or exception to a previous statement, highlighting critical thinking .

The key components of an opinion essay introduction include stating a particular view and the writer's opinion regarding that view. This structure establishes the essay's primary argument and engages the reader by clarifying the stance that will be argued throughout the essay. The introduction sets the tone by preparing the reader for the ensuing arguments and analysis .

This format promotes critical engagement by requiring examination of both sides of an argument before forming an opinion. Initial paragraphs present differing viewpoints through thesis-support-example-analysis-result structures, encouraging thorough analysis of each perspective. The conclusion synthesizes these analyses into a coherent personal opinion, showcasing critical evaluation and synthesis skills .

Discussion essays typically outline advantages such as effectiveness or popularity, while highlighting disadvantages like possible drawbacks or inefficiencies. The structure, which involves presenting positives first, followed by negatives, aids in systematically evaluating each aspect, ultimately leading to a balanced conclusion or determining if advantages outweigh disadvantages .

Exploring both reasons behind a trend and its benefits allows situational essays to provide a comprehensive analysis that explains the current state and future implications. Understanding the drivers of a trend clarifies its context and significance, while examining benefits helps to evaluate its impact and potential advantages, thereby contributing to a nuanced understanding of the subject .

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