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WRITING SKILLS
Cập nhật ngày 25/3/2015 – KHOÁ VIẾT LUẬN TIẾNG ANH

I. Topic Sentences

Exercise 1 Read the following essay about living abroad and fill in the topic sentences given
below:

a) One of the main advantages of living in a foreign country is that people can enjoy better
financial opportunities.

b) To sum up, even though living in a strange place may be hard at first, in time one can
adjust to it.

c) On the other hand, it may be difficult for people to adapt to their new surroundings.

d) As we know, today there are about six billion people in the world.

Advantages and disadvantages of living abroad

1 ________________________All of them live in different countries and have diverse cultures.

Some countries have become well developed, while others haven’t as yet. For this reason, some
people want to go to well-developed foreign countries to live more comfortably and earn more
money. Living in a foreign country has many advantages, but it also has some disadvantages.

2 ________________________For example, they may get a good job and a high salary so they
can buy what they want and have a better lifestyle. For example, they may benefit from well-
developed education and health systems. Moreover, one is given the chance to learn and become
fluent in another language through everyday use. For instance, people can participate in lots of
social activities thus improving their communicative skills. Finally, they become more
independent by having to deal with difficult situations on their own.

3. ________________________If they live alone, they miss their families and countries.
Sometimes they may feel isolated, frustrated, and lonely. In addition, if someone can’t speak the
language yet, he or she may face communication problems. What is more, there is discrimination
in some countries. Foreigners aren’t easily accepted in these places.

4. ________________________In my opinion, if a person has an opportunity to go to a well-

developed foreign country, he or she should benefit from this opportunity for his or her future.

Exercise 2 Look at the outline of the essay you have just read. The arguments in the two
paragraphs have been messed up. Put them in the right order.

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Introduction – people choose where to live; living abroad has advantages and disadvantages

Body
Paragraph I – Advantages
Argument 1 - better financial opportunities; example – jobs, education and health care
Argument 2 - foreign language problems; example – difficult to communicate
Argument 3 – discrimination; example - foreigners not easily accepted

Paragraph II – Disadvantages
Argument 1 – getting used to the new country; example – living alone
Argument 2 – learning a foreign language; example – social life; communication
Argument 3 - becoming independent; example – coping with difficult situations

Conclusion – Summing up and expressing a personal opinion

II. Supporting statements

The sentences which follow the topic sentence are called supporting statements. They are used to
support the topic sentence by giving additional information. There must be a strong link between
the topic sentence and the supporting statement.
The Internet was born to almost universal acclaim, but it has a dark side, too.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Extracts
1) For example,they do everything on-line: they write on-line, they order books and pizzas on-
line, they view the world from on-line.
2) It is a world without touch. We need to ensure that it is not the only world that our children
grow up in. Otherwise, our children may end up preferring it to the real, more loving but more
frightening world outside.
3) This concerns the effect on people who spend twelve hours on-line, isolated from other
people, from social functions, from the breeze of a spring day, or the touch of someone’s hand.
4) We are in danger of creating a generation of Internet introverts, who can only interact with
others when they are sitting behind a computer screen
III.Transition
Purpose of Transition
to show likeness or add information
to show contrast
to introduce examples to explain to emphasize to generalize
to conclude or show result
to indicate sequence or show order
Possible Transition Terms
also, too, besides, in addition, furthermore, moreover
however, but, on the other hand, conversely, yet, though, in contrast, nevertheless
for example, such as, e.g., to illustrate, for instance

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that is, in other words, i.e.

in fact, indeed, certainly, clearly, of course
generally speaking, in general, overall, for the most part, usually, typically, in conclusion, in
summary, to sum up
therefore, thus, consequently, as a result, as a consequence
first, second, next, then, finally, lastly
Ordering by Time (Chronological Order): Chronological order is usually used in narration
and process analysis, but can be used in other cases as well. first in time last in time season
season morning night early late
Ordering by Space (Spatial Order): Ordering from one place to another is usually effective in
physical description but can be used in other cases as well. left right top bottom inside outside
here there far near
Ordering by Groups or Types (Classification and Comparison): This method involves two
steps. The first step is labeling the groups or types by answering the question "What is this
paragraph about?" or "What kinds of things are these details about?" The second step arranges
the types in Chronological, Spatial, or Emphatic Order. first type second type third type first
similarity second similarity third similarity first difference second difference third difference
problem first possible solution second possible solution
Order of Importance (Emphatic or Climactic Order): This structure may be used for an
entire paragraph or essay or it may be used for portions of an essay. For example, one section of
an essay may require sequential organization while another section requires order of importance.
Or the similarities in a comparison may need to be arranged emphatically. Most essays move
from least to most; however, under some circumstancesfor example, an argument addressed to a
skeptical audiencethe strongest point comes first. least important most important easiest hardest
least convincing most convincing

Task 1
Fill in the blanks with one of the following words and phrases. Do not use the same
expression twice.

First of all/Firstly/Second/Secondly/Third/Thirdly/Finally
In addition/Moreover/Furthermore/What is more
So/As a result/Therefore
However/On the other hand/In contrast
In conclusion/To sum up/On the whole

Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in the Country

Living in the country is often the secret dream of certain city-dwellers. ………..(1), in reality it
has its advantages and disadvantages.

There are many advantages to living in the country. …………..(2), one is much closer to nature
and can enjoy more peace and quiet. ……………(3), life in the country is much slower and
people tend to be more open and friendly. A further advantage is that there is much less traffic,
and as a result it is a much safer place to bring up children.

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……………..(4), there are certain drawbacks to life outside the city. ……………….(5), because
there are fewer people, one has a smaller number of friends. …………..(6), entertainment,
particularly in the evening, is difficult to find. Furthermore, the fact that there are fewer shops
and services often means that there are fewer employment opportunities. ………….(7), one may
have to travel long distances to work elsewhere, and this can be extremely expensive.

…………(8), it can be seen that the country is more suitable for some than others. ………(9), it
is often the best place for those who are retired or who have young children. ………….(10),
young, single people who are following a career and who want some excitement are better
provided for by life in the city.

Task 2: Comment on the essay, answering the questions below. Compare your answers
with the answers of your colleagues.

1. Does the essay include all the points asked for in the question?
2. Does each paragraph have one clear topic?
3. Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence (TS)?
4. Does the writer use linking words and phrases to make the meaning clear?
5. Does the introduction give the reader an overall idea of the essay?
6. Does the conclusion summarise the whole essay and make a personal comment?
Task 3: Write a brief summary of each paragraph in the spaces below:
Introduction:
Paragraph I: Topic Sentence:
1.

2.

3.
Paragraph II: Topic Sentence:
1.

2.

3.
Conclusion:

Task 4: Using the ideas below write an outline of an essay titled.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Watching Television

Ideas: good compamy; bad for the eyes; can be educational; stops people from talking to
each other; cheap; makes reading less attractive; good for old people living alone; bad for
the sports industry

Advantages

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1. Example:

2. Example:

3. Example:

Disadvantages

1. Example:

2. Example:

3. Example:
Write your essay on advantages and disadvantages of watching television
Make sure that it has an introduction, a paragraph on advantages, a paragraph on
disadvantages and a conclusion.

Having written your essay, please use the following checklist:

Yes No
1. The essay consists of 4 paragraphs
2. The introduction states clearly what the essay will be about
3. There is a Topic Sentence introducing Paragraph 1 of the Body
4. There are three advantages in the paragraph on advantages
5. There is an example for each advantage
6. There is a Topic Sentence introducing Paragraph 2 of the Body
7. There are three disadvantages in the paragraph on the disadvantages
8. There is an example for each disadvantage
9. The conclusion summarises the main points and makes a personal comment
10.There are linking words/phrases
11.Each sentence has the following word order: Subject Verb Object
HOMEWORK:
Look at the following points. Give examples to support the advantages and disadvantages
of traveling by bicycle.
e.g. Traveling by bicycle is environmentally friendly because you do not have to use petrol and a
bicycle does not produce pollution.

Advantages
Environmentally friendly
Good exercise
Quick in heavy traffic

Disadvantages
Dangerous
Does not protect from weather
Not good for long trips

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Các em nên tìm thêm ý và cách hành văn của các bài tham khảo trên GOOGLE.Sau đó diễn đạt
ý của riêng mình dự vào đó nhé.Viết thật ổn rồi gửi lại cho cô xem các em nhé. 

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