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Exercise 6: Writing an essay for
examination from 2024 (Ultimate Guide)
Exercise 6 of the Reading and Writing paper of the IGCSE English as a Second
Language (ESL) exam (0510/0511/0991/0993) is always a formal or semi-formal
writing. It can be an article, an essay, a report, or a review.
In this article, you will discover how to write an almost-perfect essay that
impresses the examiner and gets you the highest band. So, are you ready? Let’s
dive in!
So, what is an essay?
An essay is a short piece of writing on a particular subject. The purpose of an essay
is to present an argument or point of view about a particular topic and give
examples or reasons to support it. The topic will be a question or an issue which
people generally have different opinions about.
The essay could present both sides of the argument, or just one, depending on the
instructions given in the task. So, if the instructions ask you to give your opinion,
you can address just this one point of view, or you can discuss the arguments for
and against. But if the task instructions state that arguments for and against
should be included, then you should address both points of view.
The Tone and Register of an Essay
In the exam, the essay is usually for your teacher, so the tone and register should
be formal or semi-formal. Therefore, it should avoid language that is too idiomatic
and colloquial.
Now, before diving into the details of how to write a successful essay, let’s first
explore a few differences between articles and essays.
Differences between an article and an essay
An essay is very similar to an article with only a few key differences.
Audience:
An article is usually published in a newspaper or a magazine, so as far as the exam
is concerned, the audience is often students at your school (school magazine
article), or sometimes your teacher or the local newspaper.
The audience of an essay is often your teacher (who requested the essay in the
first place).
Purpose:
An article is generally written to inform and persuade the reader that a certain
viewpoint is correct.
An essay is generally written as a response to a question or a proposition (often by
your teacher). It presents an argument or point of view about a particular topic and
gives examples or reasons to support it.
Tone and style:
Articles generally have a more objective tone and style, focusing on presenting
information in a neutral or balanced manner.
Essays are generally subjective, reflecting the writer’s opinion and perspective.
Heading:
An article may have a heading to grab the reader’s attention (though not
compulsory in the exam).
An essay does not require a heading.
The format of a one-sided argument essay
A one-sided argument essay can have two formats, depending on whether you
include a counterargument from the opposing viewpoint or not.
Paragraph 1: Introduction (including your opinion)
Paragraph 2: First point supporting your opinion with an explanation
Paragraph 3: Second point supporting your opinion with an explanation
Paragraph 4: State a counterargument (an idea from the opposing viewpoint) and
counter the counterargument (i.e., explain why this counterargument is invalid). In
other words, state a point made by people who have a different opinion from
yours and explain why they are wrong.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion (including your opinion again but in different words)
OR
Paragraph 1: Introduction (including your opinion)
Paragraph 2: One or two points supporting your opinion with an explanation
Paragraph 3: One or two points (different from those of the previous paragraph)
supporting your opinion with an explanation
Paragraph 4: Conclusion (including your opinion again but in different words)
The format of a two-sided argument essay
Paragraph 1: Introduction (without your opinion)
Paragraph 2: One side of the argument
Paragraph 3: The other side of the argument
Paragraph 4: Conclusion (including your opinion)
Introduction
The purpose of the introduction is to inform the reader about the main point
(topic) of the essay and engage the reader to make them interested in the topic.
The main components of an effective introduction are:
. Topic sentence
Start your essay with a brief topic sentence that outlines the argument that
the essay will discuss. Give forceful statements rather than “I think that”,
“maybe” or “perhaps”. For example, “Teenagers love fast food.”, “Nowadays,
music plays an indispensable role in our lives.”, etc.
To write an effective topic sentence, you might use adverbial time
phrases and generalizations. Here are some examples of each.
Adverbial time phrases
Nowadays/these days/currently
Every day/week/year
Recently/for many years/decades
In the past
10 years ago
In the last (few/five) (days/weeks/months/years/decades)
Generalization
Almost all
Most/many
A large number of / The vast majority (of)
Several/some
Not many/hardly any/ few
In almost all cases
In the majority of cases
In a large number of cases
In most cases
In some cases
On the whole/ Overall
Students
Teenagers
. Rhetorical question(s)
Use rhetorical questions (questions that don’t require an answer but make
your reader think) to get the reader interested in the topic and encourage
them to read on. For example:
How much longer do animals have to suffer?
Could you live with yourself if you missed out on this opportunity?
How could we possibly stand the …?
What would happen if …?
Could your conscience cope with …?
Is it really worth …?
Do you want to be part of …?
Should students do sport at school?
Should teenagers completely avoid fast food?
We all love convenience food. But is it the best thing for our
waistlines, our wallets and our world?
. Your opinion (if it is a one-sided argument essay)
If you are writing a two-sided argument essay, DO NOT give your opinion in
the introduction.
If you are writing a one-sided argument essay, you MUST give your opinion
(whether you support or oppose the viewpoint expressed in the statement).
Here are some opinion phrases to help you express your opinion.
In my opinion/view
From my perspective
From my point of view
I concur/agree
I believe/think (that)
It seems to me that
I am in favour of
I am against the idea of
I am strongly opposed to
I disagree/cannot accept
You may also kill two birds with one stone and begin your essay with a
rhetorical question that introduces the topic to the reader, thus acting as a
topic sentence. Here are some examples.
“Have you ever thought how school life would be if the school day started
later? In my perspective, this will have countless benefits.”
“Should students do sport at school? This is a question which people have
different opinions about.”
Body
One-sided essay structure:
Body paragraph 1: First idea supporting your opinion with an explanation
Body paragraph 2: Second idea supporting your opinion with an explanation
(should be different from the first idea)
Body paragraph 3: State a counterargument (an idea from the opposing
viewpoint) AND counter the counterargument (i.e., explain why this
counterargument is invalid). In other words, state a point made by people who
have a different opinion from yours and explain why they are wrong.
OR
Body Paragraph 1: one or two points supporting your opinion with an explanation
Body Paragraph 2: one or two points (different from those of the previous
paragraph) supporting your opinion with an explanation
When introducing the counterargument in the 3rd body paragraph, use any of the
following phrases.
Opponents of this idea claim/assert/argue that …
Those who disagree/are against these ideas may say/insist that …
Some people allege/argue/contend that …
Some people may suggest/point out that …
A common counterargument is that …
It can be argued that …
When countering the counterargument in the 3rd body paragraph, use any of the
following phrases depending on the context.
Although true to a certain extent, …
While this may be true to some extent, …
While it is true that …, it is important to consider…
While some may believe that … recent studies have shown that …
What this invalid argument misses is …
What these people fail to notice/take note of is …
The evidence, however, disproves this argument because …
However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that …
However, a closer analysis reveals that …
However, this flawed argument overlooks the fact that …
Two-sided essay structure:
Body paragraph 1: One side of the argument either in favour or against (mention 2
different ideas)
Body paragraph 2: The other side of the argument either in favour or against
(mention 2 different ideas)
General guidelines for both kinds of essays:
Read the question carefully and draft a plan for your essay in the blank space
below the question using a pencil. Here are some steps to follow.
. Separate the blank space into two parts, one for and one against.
. Jot down any points that come to your mind in the correct part, along with any
interesting vocabulary or expressions suitable for the task. Remember to write
briefly and in bullet points.
. Decide whether you will write a one-sided essay or a two-sided essay. If the
instructions in the question state that you must include arguments for and
against, then choose the best 2 points supporting each side and write a twosided essay. If it’s not mentioned that you must include arguments for and
against, then the choice is yours.
. Consider how you will begin your essay and how you will engage the reader at the
start. For example, write some variations of the topic sentence and rhetorical
questions that you could use.
. Choose the most effective ones and begin writing. Remember to spend no more
than 5 minutes on the plan.
Start your body paragraphs with a topic sentence rather than just jumping
into the advantages or disadvantages (especially if you’re writing a two-sided
essay). This helps to organize your writing and makes the purpose of the
paragraph clear to the reader. For example, in an essay discussing the
advantages and disadvantages of fast food, it is better to start your first body
paragraph with a topic sentence like “There are some obvious advantages of
fast food. Firstly, …” rather than just getting into the first point and writing, “To
begin with, it’s quite tasty.”.
You can use the few prompts given in the question, but it is better to use your
own ideas if you want to get higher marks. If, however, you are out of ideas,
use the ideas in the question and make sure to paraphrase them (write them
in different words) and develop them well.
Support your ideas with reasons, evidence, or examples. Keep in mind that
the examiner knows the evidence or examples will be made up and doesn’t
expect these to be correct. Yes, you can make up your own statistics! Just
make sure it’s not overly unrealistic.
Keep to the topic (don’t wander away from the main subject of the essay).
Remind yourself constantly by looking again at the question.
Use a variety of linking words and cohesive devices (mainly formal) to create
a smooth and logical flow in your writing. Here are some examples.
When presenting the first point (used in the 1st body paragraph of both one-sided
essays and two-sided essays)
There are some obvious advantages of
Those in support of … believe that …
People who think … say that …
The main argument in favour of/against is
The main point/reason is
The most important point/reason is
The first point/reason is
First of all
First and foremost
Firstly
When adding more points to the same side of the argument
In addition,
Furthermore,
Additionally,
Moreover,
Not only … but also…
As well as.
And
Another noteworthy point is …
Apart from that
What is more
Besides
When contrasting ideas (typically used to introduce the opposite viewpoint in the
2nd body paragraph of a two-sided essay
Some people argue that …
However
Nevertheless
Even though
Although
Despite
In spite of
On the other hand
On the contrary
By contrast
But
When giving examples
For example
For instance
One clear example is
Such as
Namely
To illustrate
In other words
When reasoning:
Results and consequences: as a result, consequently, therefore, thus, hence,
for this reason, as a result (of), which means that, etc.
Reasons and causes: owing to, because (of), on account of, due to, since, as,
etc.
When highlighting and stressing
Particularly
In particular
Specifically
Especially
Obviously
Clearly
Conclusion
The purpose of the conclusion is to sum up what you have said and express (or
re-express) your opinion.
In the conclusion:
. Briefly summarize your main points using concluding phrases. Here are some
examples.
In conclusion
To conclude
To sum up
To reiterate
On the whole
All in all
All things considered
After weighing the benefits and drawbacks
I believe that …
Thus, I am of the opinion that …
Given these points
Remember to use different words from those used to express the points in
the body.
. Give your final opinion (regardless of whether it’s a one-sided or a two-sided
essay) and any solution or suggestion if applicable.
The solution or suggestion might be part of your opinion if you’re writing a
two-sided essay and want to take a balanced view on the issue rather than
siding with one side. For example, “Overall, I believe eating fast food
occasionally isn’t a problem, but fresh home-cooked food is best.” Use the
opinion phrases stated earlier in the Introduction section to express your
opinion, and if it’s a one-sided essay, make sure to use different words from
those used in the introduction.
. End with a strong, impactful statement that leaves the reader with something
to think about. This could be a rhetorical question or a statement that
encourages the reader to decide what they think about the same viewpoint.
For example:
“To conclude, I wholeheartedly believe that everyone should pursue higher
education. Why not embrace this invaluable opportunity to fast-track your career,
build your confidence, and broaden your social circle?”
“Overall, I believe eating fast food occasionally isn’t a problem, but fresh homecooked food is best. Do you not think so?”
“After weighing the benefits and the drawbacks, it is apparent that convenience
food, while palatable, may negatively impact other areas of your life. Think about
this before you reach for your next snack!”
It’s worth mentioning that this step is PREFERABLE. So don’t stress too much
about ending your essay with an impactful statement or a rhetorical question.
Just make sure that the conclusion reflects the argument presented in the
main body of the essay and that your final opinion is clear to the reader.
Points to keep in mind
Dos:
Read the task carefully to make sure that the ideas and supporting
information you include are relevant to the topic. Students often lose focus
and write about wider, more general issues associated with the topic, which
significantly affects their marks.
Organize your essay into 4-5 paragraphs. Leave a line between paragraphs or
indent the first line of each new paragraph. Don’t do both!
Take care of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. This is important as the
examiner will look at the accuracy of your language.
Use a combination of simple, compound, and complex sentences. A series of
long sentences will make your writing difficult to read, and a series of short
simple sentences will make your writing boring to read. Balance is the key.
Use a wide range of formal vocabulary, including some advanced and less
commonly used ones.
Include a range of topic-related vocabulary to show that you have a good
understanding of the topic.
Use a wide variety of formal linking words to link ideas in sentences and
paragraphs. Examples have been mentioned earlier.
Use advanced punctuation sparingly (1-3 in the whole essay), for example,
colon (:) and semicolon (;).
Include language appropriate for expressing opinions, agreeing, and
disagreeing. In addition to mentioning your opinion in the introduction and/or
conclusion, your viewpoint can also be included in the body paragraphs
(whether it’s a one-sided or a two-sided essay) by:
. Mentioning personal examples or experiences (which implies that you agree
with this point of view)
. Explicitly agreeing while presenting a point in the body paragraph. Here is an
example: “People who think sports lessons are a good idea say that students
need exercise, and I agree that doing sports helps to make you healthy and
avoid getting overweight.”
Aim to complete towards the maximum word limit (approximately 160
words). Exceeding the word limit slightly (15-20 words) is fine as long as you
write accurately and complete the task within the correct time. If you exceed
the word limit by any number of words, be it even 100, no marks will be cut
directly, but you increase your chances of making more mistakes and
spending more time than required for this exercise, which may affect your
mark indirectly. If you write towards the lower limit or below, you are highly
unlikely to achieve the highest band for Content as your content is not well
developed.
Spend about 30 minutes on this exercise: the initial 5 minutes for planning
and the last 2-3 minutes for checking your work for simple spelling,
punctuation, and grammatical mistakes.
Write legibly
Don’ts
Do not write a heading.
Avoid colloquial or ‘chatty’ language (which includes informal vocabulary,
abbreviations, or slang such as how r u, OMG, BTW, etc.).
Avoid listing (firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc.). There is no problem in writing
“firstly”, but avoid writing “secondly” and “thirdly”.
Avoid repetition of vocabulary and beginning your sentences with the same
words. Sometimes, students write 3 or more sentences in a row starting with
“The”!
Avoid including too many different ideas in your essay. It is better to include
fewer ideas and develop one or two in greater depth rather than writing many
ideas which are not well-developed.
Avoid writing an overlong introduction and conclusion. It would be more
effective to utilize the limited word count to develop your ideas within the
body of the essay. Also, avoid pre-learned language for these parts of the
essay, as this may not be totally relevant or might sound unnatural.
It’s preferable to avoid contractions, but they can be used as the essay can
have a semi-formal tone and register. In both cases, remember to be
consistent throughout. So, if you used contractions, use them throughout
your whole essay, and if not, avoid them altogether.
Final note
Practice a lot of past papers and get feedback on your writing. We know that essay
writing is newly added to the syllabus, but you can still practice writing essays in
response to past years’ article writing questions as they are very similar.
Finally, don’t forget to check out our samples page and if you find this helpful,
please share it with your friends.
Good luck! Go get that A*!
6 responses to “Exercise 6: Writing an
essay for examination from 2024
(Ultimate Guide)”
Anonymous
3 FEBRUARY 2024
What do you mean by do not write a heading? Do you mean we shouldn’t
have a title for the essay?
REPLY
ESL Kings team
3 FEBRUARY 2024
Yes, an essay doesn’t require a title. Trying to come up with one will use
up your exam time unnecessarily.
REPLY
AM
18 JANUARY 2024
Hello, I’m having my exam in 4 months and I can’t believe I didn’t know about
this website before, seriously I wholeheartedly appreciate what you do, I
heard there’s a service where you can correct or give feedback on pieces of
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REPLY
ESL Kings team
19 JANUARY 2024
Thank you so much for your nice comment! We really appreciate it!
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REPLY
Abdullah majed
8 JANUARY 2024
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EFFORT AND TIME CREATING THESE
SUPER AMAZING NOTES AND TIPS FOR WRITING EXERCISES
REPLY
ESL Kings team
9 JANUARY 2024
Thank you for your kind words! We’re really glad you found them helpful!
REPLY
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