Практический модуль по написанию аргументированного эссе на английском языке на тему "Пластиковые упаковки следует запретить"."

Effective essay. Writing course.

Teacher V. Sinitsyna

MODULE 18

FOR YOU TO KNOW: On 27 May 2018, 6000 volunteers picked up more than 200 tonnes of rubbish on Versova beach on the west coast of India.

Homework: Read the article «Should plastic packaging be banned?» in The Week Junior, take a position on the issue. (see Supplement 1)

Topic: Plastic packaging should be banned.

Question: Do you agree or disagree? Task: Give your opinion.

Pre-writing: express how you feel about the issue and complete the T-chart

• What are the advantages of the ban?

• What are the drawbacks of the ban?

• Which reasons, examples and explanations are good enough to accept?

• Choose two or three 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: What structure are you going to opt for?

Strong but balanced opinion outline looks like this:

I. Introduction:

1. Introduce the topic/current situation

___________________________________________________________

1. Give a short, general answer to the question / show your attitude

___________________________________________________________

II. Main paragraph 1

1. Topic sentence reason1 to support your opinion

____________________________________________________________

1. explain

_____________________________________________________________

1. example

_____________________________________________________________

1. Counterargument: explain why it’s weak

_____________________________________________________________

III. Main paragraph 2

1. Reason 2 to support your opinion

________________________________________________________________

1. explain

_____________________________________________________________

1. example/details

_____________________________________________________________

1. Counterargument : explain why it’s weak

_____________________________________________________________

IV. Conclusion

1. Summarize the main points

______________________________________________________________

2. Repeat your opinion/ Recommend or predict

______________________________________________________________

OR

For/against outline looks like this:

I. Introduction.

1. Current situation. Introduce the topic (use a “hook” question or a quote)

________________________________________________________________

2. Short general answer to the question.

________________________________________________________________

II. Main paragraph 1: Describe advantages of the idea

Reason 1__________________________________________________________

Support\example____________________________________________________

Reason 2 __________________________________________________________

Support ___________________________________________________________

III. Main paragraph 2: Describe disadvantages of the idea

Topic sentence_____________________________________________________

Explain why/example________________________________________________

Reason 2__________________________________________________________

Support ___________________________________________________________

IV. Conclusion

1. Summarize the main points

______________________________________________________________

2. Repeat your opinion/ Recommend or predict

______________________________________________________________

Plan: What structure are you going to opt for? (see Supplement).

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

Post-writing: revise and edit

See Supplement 2 “coherence and cohesion” to help readers follow and understand your ideas and eventually convince them.

SUPPLEMENT 1

SUPPLEMENT 2

COHERENCE AND COHESION

OPENING: Nowadays…. Today…. Recently, … In recent times… It is more and more…..

It is often said that…. Many people claim that…. Many people believe... while others argue that… It goes without saying that …. This poses/ begs the question …

…. is a hotly-debated topic that often divides opinion.

….. is a subject of intense (heated, much, lively, fierce) debate.

The following essay takes a look at both sides of the argument.

PRESENTING IDEAS AND GIVING EXAMPLES:

When it comes to… In terms of …. According to experts… Research has found that…

Not only… but also/ There are those who argue that…

For example…/ Such as…/ For instance…/ As shown by…./ Illustrated by…/

One example is…./ In particular…/ Including…/ Namely….

OPINION: In my view…/ From my point of view…/ From my perspective…/ I think…/ I am sure…/ Apparently…./ To my mind…/ As I see it…/ As far as I am concerned…/

My own view on the matter is…

CONCLUSION: in conclusion…/ to conclude…/ to sum up…/ weighing up all pros and cons, it seems evident that…/ All things considered…/ taking everything into consideration…

weighing up both sides of the argument…/ The advantages outweigh disadvantages…

In short…/ To sum up…/ On the whole…/ In other words…/ Overall…./ Generally…./ In general…. In brief/in short

SEQUENCING: First../firstly…/first of all…/ Second../secondly../ Third../ Next…

Before/after…/ afterwards…/ Meanwhile/while…./ Subsequently…/ Finally…/ Eventually…

EMPHASIZING: Above all…/ In particular…/ Especially…/ Significantly…/ Indeed…

Notably…/ Particularly…/ Naturally…/ Really…/ Actually…/ Exactly

Topic sentences for main paragraphs:

1. There are some good (sound, strong, reasoned) arguments for…

2. There are several reasons 1) why people argue ….2) why they think it’s a good idea

…3) why the idea could be seen as ineffective, biased, unreasoned

1. On the other hand I do understand the point of view …….

2. The option to ………is (un)attractive for several reasons…

/ has many obvious (dis)advantages/ ….is largely based on the idea that…

1. Perhaps the greatest argument in favor of .. ./ The only (dis)advantage

2. On the one hand, I accept that it is important to …

3. At the same time, I believe that it is not rightful to…./ reasons are unjust and unfair

4. In spite of the above arguments, I support the view/ I doubt that it is relevant to…

5. This all seems to be fair/ attractive, but the idea …

6. The main advantage/ strong point/ positive or negative idea/factor

7. While some believe it’s a good idea. I don’t find it the right/relevant solution

8. Despite the controversy of the argument … I think it is ….

Read the sample essay and analyze its form and content.

Topic: Plastic packaging should be banned.

Question: Do you agree or disagree? Task: Give your opinion.

Today plastic has become one of the most dangerous pollutants in the world. Build-up of plastic products in the environment causes problems for wildlife. There is a growing concern, that people are turning oceans into junkyards. This frustrating situation begs a question, if plastic packaging should be banned.

Firstly, every year, about eight million tonnes of plastic, including bottles, containers and bags, ends up in the oceans. Marine life is at risk from the plastic packaging that pollutes waters because creatures often get tangled in it or eat by mistake, both of cases can be lethal for them. Secondly, the majority of plastic is made from oil, which is a non-renewable resource. Plastic takes a long time to break down, it remains on the planet for hundreds years and pollutes environment. Moreover, there are many eco-friendly alternatives which can be used instead.

Nevertheless, some people say plastic makes our life easier. It is more effective than similar materials to keeps food fresh, to prevents equipment and appliances from damage. Besides, well-managed industry of recycling helps give plastic packaging new lease of life.

All things considered, I believe that countries around the globe should ban plastic packaging in order to get read of dangerous waste and consequently save wildlife and humans. Immediate actions should be taken now to reuse, reduce and recycle all types of garbage including plastic.

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. Plastic packaging should be banned. // The Week Junior. – 2018. – № 130. – P.8

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/