Практический модуль по написанию эссе на английском языке на тему "Следует ли детям заниматься профессиональным спортом?"

Effective essay. Writing course.

Teacher V. Sinitsyna

MODULE 23

DID YOU KNOW? Andy Murray picked up his first tennis racquet when he was just four years old. Both he and his brother played tennis and began to win junior tournaments. Andy won the prestigious Orange Bowl in Florida when he was twelve years old. When he was seventeen, Andy won the Junior US Open in New York.

Homework: Read the article “Should children train to play professional sport?” in “The week Junior Annual 2019.

Topic: Should children train to play professional sport?

Question: Do you agree or disagree? Task: Give a personal response to the topic.

Pre-writing: discuss the topic, complete the T-chart and give a personal response.

• What are the positive sides of playing professional sport at an early age?

• What is the strongest argument in favor?

• What are the disadvantages of professional sports training at an early age?

• What is the weakest point?

• Is a middle answer possible in this debate?

• Compare the arguments and take a position (for or against) on the issue.

• Choose arguments to support your opinion.

• Choose one or two typical counterarguments and try to refute them.

• Complete the table to gather ideas for your essay.

Plan. Detailed plan helps organize your ideas and create unity for the essay.

Outline for balanced opinion structure looks like this:

I. Introduction:

1. Introduce the topic. Current situation. Hook (interesting fact to catch reader’s attention)

___________________________________________________________

1. Give a short, general answer to the question / express your opinion

___________________________________________________________

II. Main paragraph 1 Your opinion

1. Topic sentence (there are several reasons why I believe…)

____________________________________________________________

1. First reason

_____________________________________________________________

1. Example

_____________________________________________________________

1. Second reason and support

_____________________________________________________________

III. Main paragraph 2 Contrasting opinion (counterarguments)

1. Topic sentence (However, many people believe that….)

_____________________________________________________________

1. Explain why this counterargument is weak

_____________________________________________________________

1. Another counteragrument

_____________________________________________________________

1. Explain why you disagree with these ideas.

_____________________________________________________________

IV. Conclusion

1. Summary of main ideas (topics of 2 main paragraphs)

______________________________________________________________

1. Restate your opinion/ Recommend or predict

______________________________________________________________

Plan: What structure are you going to opt for?

Write your essay: use the outline, facts from the article and your own ideas

Use the tips for effective essay (see supplement 1)

Post-writing: revise and edit (see supplement 2)

Supplement 1

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE ESSAY

1. Read the task and plan your essay carefully.

2. The main paragraphs are more important, choose the best ideas.

3. 4-paragraph structure essay makes it easy to read and understand.

4. Quick and brief introduction and conclusion

5. Write short topic sentence to start each paragraph.

6. Support your opinion with reasons, examples and explanations.

7. Show vocabulary range (synonyms, idioms, collocations).

8. Show logical connection between your ideas (linking words).

9. Use simple organizing language focus on real content.

Supplement 2

SELF-ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST

Strong opinion/balanced opinion

1. Does your essay include an introduction, clearly divided paragraphs and a conclusion?

2. Did you make introduction and conclusion quick and concise?

3. Did you present the topic and your position clearly?

4. Did you try to catch readers’ attention using “hooks”?

5. Do body paragraphs give reasons for your opinion?

6. Did you support reasons with facts, examples, evidence or quotations?

7. Does the conclusion briefly summarize main reasons and give answer to the question?

8. Did you show vocabulary range, use synonyms and linking words?

9. Did you check punctuation, spelling and grammar?

10. Did you discuss the opposing view/ counterargument and try to refute it? (balanced opinion or more objective presentation)

Here is one sample of a student’s essay.

Today, there is a growing trend of attending professional sport at a very young age. Did you know that Andy Murray picked up his first tennis racquet when he was just four years old? Both he and his brother played tennis and began to win junior tournaments. At the same time, some people say that it is not that good to start training as a child. So, this begs a question, should children train to play professional sports?

There is no doubt that physical training has advantages. Firstly, sport is a useful way for young people to spend their free time and it is much better than watching TV. Professional sport is extremely intensive for those, who want to set records and win medals. For example, superstar tennis player Serena Williams began at the age of three. Secondly, you`ll learn skills which you might not pick up at school, such as discipline, teamwork and how to deal with success and failure. Third, it is memorable and incredible experience to get to the top of your game and travel around the world for tournaments.

On the other hand, strenuous workout takes joy out of sport. You miss out on hobbies and spending time with friends and family. Another unpleasant aspect is that your schoolwork might suffer and it can be very tiring too. A lot of pressure could result in emotional stress. Moreover, if you perform badly, you might get told off, which could affect your confidence, and you might feel guilty for letting down your coach or teammates.

To sum up the above said, it is a hotly debated topic. Nowadays more and more parents make their little children attend professional sports clubs, but the effects are controversial. In my opinion, it should be chosen by the child himself. If he wants to attend, it will result in a good emotional and health boost.

ONLINE AND OFFLINE RESOURCES

1. Ryan Thomas Higgins IELTS Academic and General Task 2: How to write at a band 9 level. – 2015. – P. 69

2. Debra Daise, Charl Norloff, Paul Carne Q skills for success: reading and writing. – Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. – P.271

3. Christina Latham-Koenig, Clive Oxenden English File Upper Intermediate. Student’s book. 3^rd edition. – Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. – P.116

4. Should children train to play professional sport? // The Week Annual. – 2019. – P.34

5. https://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/08/ielts-writing-task-2-studying-abroad.html

6. https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing

7. https://www.facebook.com/C.EnglishTeacher

8. https://www.facebook.com/LearnEnglish.BritishCouncil/