Экзамен на "отлично". Writing an Essay

Письменное высказывание с элементами рассуждения

Тип сочинения и примерный план.

“For” and “Against” Essay (Formal Style)

Introduction. § 1

– present the topic and state the problem

– make a general remark about it without giving your opinion.

Main Body. § 2, 3

– arguments “for” (3 points)

– arguments “against” (3 points)

(support your arguments with examples)

Conclusion. § 4

– your opinion based on the given arguments

Our colleague, an Englishman, shared a funny way of explaining how to write an essay:

1. Introduction. Tell them what you are going to tell.

2. Main Body. Tell them.

3. Conclusion. Tell them what you have told.

More tips:

– Catch clearly the idea of the stated problem.

– Make a plan with key words and phrases (100-150 words).

– Be accurate and specific in presenting opposing viewpoints and giving reasons.

Managing Words and Time

Count the number of the words in your handwritten line. An average line has 10 words. So you need 20–25 lines to cover the content.

Write a draft (a rough copy) with 100–150 words during the first 20 minutes. Then you have 20 minutes left to rewrite your essay making additions and corrections. The suggested below table can help you to manage your time and number of words while writing an essay:

	lines	words	sentences	min
Introduction	3-5	30-50	3-4	3+5 = 8
Main Body	14-15	130-150	9-12	15+10 = 25
Conclusion	3-5	40-50	3-4	2+5 = 7
Total	20-25	200-250	16-20	20+20 = 40

More tips:

– Put the number of the words on the left side of each line.

– Number the lines on the right side.

– Remember to separate each part of the essay with a blank line.

Writing a rough copy of the essay

Remember that you have no more than 20 minutes for your draft.

Words		lines
10 9 9 10 9 3 12 11 13 14 4 11 6 121	More people leave small towns and villages for big cities. Their lives in big cities are not so easy. On the one hand, any city offers diverse opportunities. People are happy to have job vacancies, clubs, discos, museums and art galleries. Besides, there are good transport connections and comfortable flats. On the other hand, a lot of jobs are menial and low-paid. There’s little time for entertainment. Moreover, you can be stuck in traffic jams during rush hours. The cost of living is another problem. To my mind, people’s lives in big cities are stressful: there is no sense of community, pollution and crime. To sum up, big cities can give some good opportunities, but you face a lot of disadvantages.	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Тренировочное задание

C2. You have 40 minutes to do this task.

Comment on the following statement.

The population of big cities is growing.

What can you say for and against living in the big city?

Write 200–250 words.

Use the following plan:

– give a general statement of the problem;

– outline the points FOR;

– outline the points AGAINST;

– draw a conclusion weighing up the points outlined.

Now 20 minutes are over. You have to write your essay in #2 sheet paper (в Бланке ответов № 2). Develop the ideas of your draft, make some additions and corrections. Use necessary linking words.

Words		Lines
9 15 8 12 10 11 8 11 8 8 7 11 11 11 14 13 14 10 10 11 12 9 233	Nowadays more people are inclined to leave small towns and villages for big cities. Life in a big city seems to be easy and comfortable, but it is not always like that. On the one hand, big cities have a lot of advantages and offer diverse opportunities. Firstly, there’s a wide choice of places where to spend your free time: clubs, discos, museums and art galleries. Secondly, there are good transport connections and variety among shops. Thirdly, it’s easier to find a job. New companies are being established, providing people with job vacancies. Furthermore, there are comfortable flats with all modern conveniences and good sport facilities nearby. On the other hand, any available work might be menial and low-paid. You have to work long hours with little time for entertainment. A big city means long distances. It usually takes a lot of time to get to work or to school. To make things even worse, you can be stuck in traffic jams during rush hours. Besides, the cost of living is rising. To my mind people’s lives in big cities are stressful: there is no sense of community, pollution and crime. To sum up, big cities offer diverse opportunities for finding jobs and spending free time. Among the main disadvantages are the long distances, traffic jams, high prices and pollution. As for me, I wouldn’t choose to permanently live in a big city.	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Комментарий к выполненному заданию

Критерии оценки включают: содержание, организацию текста, лексику, грамматику, орфографию и пунктуацию.

Содержание

Во вступлении отражена проблема, в тексте дана обоснованная и развёрнутая аргументация “за” и “против”, в заключении сделаны общие выводы.

Формулировка проблемы, данная в задании, переосмыслена и перефразирована.

В задании: The population of big cities is growing. В сочинении учащегося:

Nowadays more people are inclined to leave small towns and villages for big cities.

Приведены четыре развёрнутых аргумента “за”, которые чётко выделены вводными словами. Аргументов “против” в два раза больше. Из них даны три развернутых аргумента: о низкой оплате труда, работе транспорта и росте стоимости жизни.

Коммуникативная задача полностью выполнена.

Организация текста:

Четкость структуры: есть вступление и заключение.

Связанность и целостность: текст довольно логичен. Чётко выделены абзацы “за” и “против”. Между абзацами употреблены связующие слова on the one hand, on the other hand, to sum up. Уместно использованы связующие слова между предложениями внутри второго абзаца: firstly, secondly, thirdly, furthermore. В третьем абзаце логично включены вводные фразы: to make things even worse, besides. Для выражения собственного мнения используются фразы: to my mind, as for me.

Языковое оформление сочинения

Учащийся правильно использует инфинитивные обороты и герундий: are inclined to leave, seems to be, it’s easier to find, takes time to get to work, renting flats, for finding jobs, spending free time. Правильно используются формы пассивного залога и модальность: are inclined, are being established, can be stuck. В заключении оправдано использование сослагательного наклонения: As for me, I would not choose permanent living in a big city.

Словарный запас сочинения соответствует поставленной задаче; практически нет нарушений в использовании лексики.

Используются грамматические структуры в соответствии с поставленной задачей. Практически отсутствуют ошибки.

Замечаний по орфографии и пунктуации практически нет.

Сфера применения языка

Использован язык рассуждения и аргументирования, лексика, относящаяся к социальным проблемам больших городов. Нейтральный стиль соответствует поставленной задаче.

Предполагаемый читатель письменного высказывания с элементами рассуждения

Коммуникативная задача выполнена. Читатель достаточно полно проинформирован о преимуществах и недостатках жизни в больших городах и о мнении автора по этому поводу.

Объём сочинения составляет 230 слов, что соответствует требуемому количеству слов. В целом учащийся претендует на получение высокой оценки за представленное сочинение.