How do I write an Essay?
At your Matura exam you will need to show that you can write a piece of extended
writing (an 'essay') which answers a question. It will need to have a number of points in
answer to the question, some facts ('evidence') which prove the point, and arguments
which explain and develop how what you are saying answers the question.
It is very easy to write an essay, so don’t listen to the people who make it
sound complicated.
THE FIRST thing to do when confronted by an Essay question is to establish:
WHAT IS THE QUESTION REALLY ASKING?
Do you agree? type of essay
in brief: give first the points for one side of the argument, then those for the other side,
remembering to PEE (Point/ Evidence/ Explanation) every paragraph. Finish with a
paragraph saying what seems to be the correct opinion.
remember! In these essays it is VITAL that you introduce each section with the proper
logical connectives - e.g. 'On the other hand/ however...' 'Therefore in conclusion...' or you
will just appear to be disagreeing with yourself!
do not be fooled! – Even if the question asks straight out 'Do you agree', the examiner is
NOT interested in your opinion. DON'T just write a paragraph saying what you think! Write
a regular interpretations essay, explaining both sides of the argument, then presenting your
opinion as your concluding comments weighing the two sides.
PEE Method
From your planning you should have come up with 4 or 5 points you wish to make –
e.g. 5 reasons if you are answering the question: ‘Is watching TV really so bad?'.
Each Point gets a paragraph. Then you must remember to PEE every paragraph
(i.e. within each paragraph, you will always have a Point, Evidence and an Explanation):
Point
State the point clearly, bluntly and briefly.
Evidence
Put a fact (or facts) to prove what you are
saying
Explanation
Then explain how what you are saying
answers the question you have been
asked.
You get extra credit if you can:
 offer a number of ideas,
 give an assessment of how
important this point is,
 link this point to other paragraphs.
TV plays an important educational role.
TV is often used in schools as a part of education
programme.
By watching foreign films we can improve our knowledge
of a foreign language. Documentaries on faraway places
make it possible for us to get to know other nations an
their cultures better. This is important not only because it
enlarges our knowledge of the world but also because it
improves international understanding, making people
more tolerant towards others. We learn fascinating facts
from programmes on nature. The often show things most
of us would otherwise never see, for example the birth of
a bab lion in its natural environment.
Before you start:
 read the question or essay title carefully
 brainstorm – make some notes about what you will say
 write down any topic vocabulary that will help you
 organize your ideas into paragraphs – each paragraph should have one main idea
 remember to use formal language
 a typical advantages and disadvantages essay includes the following four paragraphs:
o introduction
o advantages
o disadvantages
o conclusion
While writing:
 in the introduction say briefly why the question is important or interesting
 make your handwriting clear but don’t write everything in capital letters
 remember to PEE on every paragraph
 make the essay as balanced as possible – try to mention the same number of advantages
and disadvantages
 it is usual to indent (leave space) to show that you are starting a new paragraphs
 in the conclusion you can give your personal opinion on the subject
 Join your ideas together using formal linking words
Linking expressions:
 introduction: nowadays, these days, today
 more information: in addition, furthermore, firstly, secondly, finally, lastly
 consequences: therefore, as a result, for this reason, consequently
 contrast: however, nevertheless, despite, in spite of, although
 opinions: in my opinion, according to, from my point of view
 conclusion: to sum up, in conclusion, to conclude
A few more tips:
 Don't waste time with an opening paragraph which sets the scene!
 Examiners love to dress up questions to confuse you 
 Always answer the question in the title!
 Before you start writing, check how many Marks the question is worth - it will an Idea of
how much you ought to write.
 When a question has two sentences - or starts with a quote - it is usually the second
sentence that tell you what to write about.
 checkback - to make sure that you are still answering the question you have been asked
(many pupils gradually drift off the question as the essay goes on).
 It is the Explanation part of your answers which gets you the marks - always try to think of
more than one idea.
 Using appropriate connectives related to time and logic (because, therefore, consequently,
as a result, whereas, alternatively, though, while, unless, however, equally, also, next,
immediately, this show that... enhances your essay immensly.
 At the end of every paragraph leave a line, look back at the question and ask yourself: "Am I
still answering the question?"
 It is worthwhile spending some time planning your essay.
o consider what the question is really asking.
o think of 4 or 5 key points you will make in the essay
o jot down those points in rough on your paper to show planning
ESSAY Plan:
Introduction
Main idea: ______________________
First body paragraph:
Topic sentence: ________________________________________________
Supporting ideas: _______________________________________________
Second body paragraph:
Topic sentence: ________________________________________________
Supporting ideas: _______________________________________________
Conclusion:
Repeat main idea in different words:
__________________________________________________________________
After preparing a plan write the essay!
Suggested ESSAY plan:
(NOTE: Added details are in bold print.)
Main idea: There are advantages and disadvantages to watching television.
The main advantage is that TV plays an important role in education.
1. Improving knowledge of foreign languages
 watching films
 special programmes (TV language courses)
2. Getting to know other cultures
 documentaries on remote places, TV news, films
IMPORTANT: tolerance, international understanding
3. Other educational programmes
o on nature (plants, animals, especially those that don't live in our country)
o on historical events
o on cooking
On the other hand, watching TV can become an addiction.
1. Destroys people's social life
 lack of proper communication
 people do not do things together any more (do not invite people to their place, do not
visit them, do not go out together any more, do not play social games, sing, etc.)
2. Damaging to health
 eating in front of TV, not taking enough exercise
 poor eye-sight, radiation
3. Mental passivity (destroys creativity and imagination)
Conclusion: People can benefit from TV if they select programmes carefully and limit the time which
they spend watching it.
Is watching TV really so bad?
These days it is very rare to come across a household without a TV set. TV has
obviously become an important part of our everyday life. In fact, it has become such a big part
of our lives that there are many debates about its effects. Is sitting in front of the TV set
several hours a week good or bad for us?
In my opinion, the main advantage is that TV plays an important educational role.
By watching foreign films, for example, we can improve our knowledge of a foreign
language. There are also special TV courses on English, German and some other languages.
Secondly, documentaries on faraway places make it possible for us to get to know other
nations and their cultures better. This is important not only because it enlarges our knowledge
of the world but also because it improves international understanding, making people more
tolerant towards others. Finally, we leam fascinating facts from programmes on nature. They
often show things most of us would otherwise never see, for example the birth of a baby lion in
its natural environment.
On the other hand, watching TV can become an addiction. Many people spend hours
sitting in front of their TV sets watching films. For this reason, they hardly ever visit their
friends, invite them over or go out with them. They forget how to play social games or sing
along with others. In extreme cases, a person's social life gradually gets destroyed, making
them incapable of talking to others and listening to them properly. Furthermore, excessive TV
watching can cause serious health problems especially with those who do not take time for
proper meals but consume junk food while watching their favourite programmes. Such people
often get too fat, abo because they do not take enough exercise. What is more, they are exposed
to too much radiation, and their eye-sight suffers, too.
Does that mean that we should get rid of our TV sets before it is too late? Not really.
TV can be compared to a knife which can be used either to cut bread or to cut necks. It is up to
us how we (ab)use it. In other words, people can benefit from watching TV if they choose
programmes carefully and limit the time they spend watching it.