WRITINGS

FOR AND AGAINST 

They present both sides of an issue in a balanced way. In the concluding paragraph you must say your final opinion.

-Introduction: States the issue. 

If you ask teenagers about the negative effects of computer games, most will deny there´s a problem. However, many psychologists say that teenager bahaviour is influenced by the long hours they spend playing computer games. 

-Body: Presents arguments for and against, giving examples. The third paragraph must be the arguments related with your opinion.

On the one hand, although not all computer games are violent, about 85% of all them are. Many educators believe that teenagers who spend all their time playing computer games find it difficult to distinguish between fantasy and reality. In addition, they don´t know how to react in social situations because they spend little time with friends. 

On the other hand, teenagers claim that computer games help them relax after a long day at school. They say that these games are exciting and are cheap and entertaining. It is a fact that some games are educational and teach players to focus, concéntrate and solve problems. 

-Conclusion: Sums up the topic; states the writer´s opinion. 

From my point of view, computer games are a problema. If I were a parent, I would limit the amount of time my children played these games.

Useful expressions: Are the advantages of... greater than the disadvantages? / However, is it really a good idea to...? / Personally, / I think that...  / In addition, / In my opinion,... / It´s a fact that… / Athough... / Moreover, / Furthermore, / There´s no doubt that... /  It´s sure that… / Firstly,… / On the one hand,… / Secondly,… / On the other hand,… / Finally… / In contrast,… / To sum up,… / In conclusion,...

NARRATIVE

-Introduction: makes an insight into the story, states the purpose of writing, and includes an engaging element to hook the reader. States the issue and gives background.

-Body: gives details of the story. Presents the rising action, the problem and the climax.

-Conclusion: describes what finally happened and the lessons learned from the story.




Useful connectors of sequence and time expressions: first, before, next, then, finally, once, when, as, the next thing, during, later...

SUMMARY

It is written in form of a paragraph, using an objective tone without opinion. It is crucial to talk about the main points or ideas, avoiding smaller details or ideas. You do not want to provide every aspect of the plot or smaller points. It is always written with your own words.

-The opening line introduces the genre, title, autor, and an overview of the article.

-The author ends with a closing line that restates de main points of the article, avoiding smaller details.

BIOGRAPHY

-Introduction: Your introduction is your chance to engage the reader and get them excited about checking out your essay. In order to get your reader hooked, try these introduction styles:

• 1.Start with a quote either by or about your subject. Something that really reveals the essence of who they were/are.

• 2.Include a fascinating story or anecdote about them.

• 3.Describe an incredible accomplishment they achieved.

In the introduction we could also include a thesis statement that will be the crux on which the rest of your essay hangs, so pay careful attention to crafting it. Some example thesis statements:

• 1.Though Marilyn Monroe had fame and fortune, she was a troubled woman whose self-destructive habits may have ultimately led to her tragic early death.

• 2.Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez invented a new genre of writing called magical realism which had a powerful impact on the literary world and influenced many writers who came after him.

-Body paragraphs: This is where you'll get to include the information you gathered in your research. Make sure you stick close to the theme you introduce in your thesis. For example, if you're writing about Marilyn Monroe, you may want to include facts about her troubled childhood and marriages as well as her substance and prescription pill abuse. You'll also want to let readers know about her films, interests and lifestyle. Who were the people that were close to her? What did they have to say? What kind of different opinions did authors have about her? Include contradictory information to provide a more complete and complex picture of your subject.

-Conclusion: This is where you wrap up the essay and draw your conclusions about your subject. You want to end your essay with a bang, not a fizzle. Don't simply restate your thesis or the points you made in your body paragraphs. Instead, reach beyond that by tying their work or legacy into modern life. Consider addressing the following questions:

• What kind of contribution did they make to their chosen field?

• How is their work relevant today?

• What is their legacy? How are they remembered?

• What or who did they have a major influence on?

The best biography essays not only explore the person's life and work, but offer little-known facts about them. Don't settle for superficial accounts - dig deeper to discover more about them.