ESSAYS WRITING SKILLS

STRUCTURE Opening paragraph: present the subject Middle part: develop the subject Concluding paragraph: summarize and conclude the subject

CONTENTS The entire essay must have ONE central idea running through it. Begin with a sentence which arouses the reader’s curiosity, then gradually explain what you mean. In order to have unity, each paragraph must contain a single incident or major idea. Each new paragraph must show some kind of change or development.

HOW DO WE ACCENT IDEAS? By asking a question or questions. By putting a short sentence among longer ones. By using compound sentences. By drawing contrasts. By making comparisons. By repeating words or ideas in different ways.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS STAY IN THE SAME TENSE: if you are using the present simple, the past should be expressed in the present perfect tense. Use capital letters at the beginning of each sentence, for names, days of the week and months, places and “I”. Pay attention to punctuation. Do not employ a certain word or expression unless you fully understand their meaning. Look at the final product with a critical eye: Is it divided into paragraphs? Is your handwriting clear? Is it neat and tidy?