ESSAY WRITING Useful language Introduction Phrases It is often said that ... ….is a hotly-debated topic that often divides opinion. ….is a topic that is often discussed but rarely solved. Many people feel that ... We live in an age when many of us are… More and more families/people are choosing to … The trend nowadays is towards +ing Over the past/last ten years or so, … Recent research indicates that the number of …is increasing. Statistics indicate that--Hardly a week goes by without another report of .. appearing in the media. This raises the issue of whether …………….. Although most people would generally agree that …………… few Language for topic sentences Language for conclusions ADVANCED GRAMMAR First Paragraph …. clearly/undoubtedly has an impact on… It is common knowledge that… plays a crucial role in… It is undoubtedly the case that… There is little doubt that… … is widely believed to contribute to… It is generally considered that… Recent research suggests that… Studies have shown that… has an impact/influence on… Few people would contest/dispute the fact that… Second Paragraph Another factor to consider is… On the other hand/In contrast… It is often claimed that… All the evidence suggests that… Language for supporting ideas For example, For instance, An obvious example of this is… A clear example of this is… This is illustrated by… As a case in point… In light of the above, Taking all this into consideration/account,… As far as I am concerned, / in my opinion, / as I see it, etc. … is the most effective way to… due to the fact that… Despite the fact that… undoubtedly plays a role in… I firmly believe that… is more effective due to the fact that… its advantages outnumber/ outweigh those Inversions: Not only is/do…..but also… Rarely/seldom do people…. Conditionals: Were these recommendations to be implemented/ Had they known about/ if they happen to…/ If he should have any… Double comparatives: The cheaper the…., the more popular… Participle clauses: Being a keen shopper myself,… Having bought many products online,…. Subjunctive: It is vital that should be / I recommend that should be done…/ would rather/ sooner Advanced linkers: Despite the fact that…., ….. due to the fact that, with a view to/ in the light of …./ given…. Relative clauses: reason for which…./ students whose work ought to be assessed/ ,which would be paramount to…. FORMAL VOCABULARY Longer words with origins in Latin eg: is because (+ informal) VS is attributable to (+ formal) / ask for(+ informal) VS enquire about (+ formal) VS choose(+ informal) VS opt for (+ formal) Bear in mind (+ informal) / be taken into consideration (+ formal) Abstract nouns rather than verbs Make a reservation (instead of book) Offer assistance (instead of help) Make a complaint (instead of complain) Express your dissatisfaction (instead of be unhappy) No idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs go up (informal) VS increase ( + formal) take part in (+ informal) VS participate in (+ formal) Replace emotive language Adore/ be elated be satisfied with Be great be satisfactory Feel overwhelmed appear unable to cope/ Handle/ manage/ Fantastic valuable/ profitable/ positive/ beneficial
