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MAF Upper Intermediate English

Writing
Essays
1

Writing essays

MAF Upper Intermediate English

Reference:
chapter 8, The essay, in Writing Academic English, 3rd
edition, Alice Oshima & Ann Hogue, Longman, NY:
1991.

What is an essay?
How long is an essay?

The structural parts of a


paragraph

A topic sentence
Supporting sentence
A concluding sentence

Revision

Qualities of a good
paragraph

Accuracy
Unity
Coherence

Revision

Example of a essay
Aggressive Motorists
The number of vehicles on the freeways and roads of Malaysia is increasing at an alarming rate. This influx of motorcycles, cars and
lorries is creating hazardous conditions. Moreover, riders and drivers are in such a rush to get to their destinations that they become
angry or impatient with other road users who are too slow or who are in their way. Aggressive motorists react foolishly toward others in
several dangerous ways.
One way an angry motorist may react is to cut off another driver. This is a dangerous practice sometimes resulting in collision. It also
has the potential to disrupt the flow of traffic and to block feeder roads. We would do better to practice cooperation on the roads,
rather than a me-first attitude.
Another reaction of an aggressive motorist is to tailgate the other vehicle. This is not only rude but also intimidating and dangerous.
The practice results in insufficient reaction time and an inadequate view of the road conditions ahead for the tailgating driver. The
consequences could easily be a nose-to tail collision if the front vehicle brakes, turns or swerves.
In addition to cutting off and tailgating other vehicles, aggressive drivers often use rude language or gestures to show their anger. This
phenomenon has become most grave in the United States of America where they have the added complication of enraged drivers
with guns. When I recently commented on the apparent politeness of drivers in the US my American friend replied that this was due to
drivers fear of enraging an armed motorist. Fortunately Malaysians need not fear such extreme reactions, however we still need to be
wary of an aggressive driver who unleashes profanities or obscene gestures. They are an indication that the motorist has stepped
outside his social and cultural bounds which usually curb such behaviour. We are well advised to keep our distance from such drivers
and not answer them back.
Although traffic police have warned motorists against aggressive driving, the number who act out their angry impulses has not
declined. Rather, in Malaysia we have observed a trend towards a greater number of traffic infringements and accidents related to
road rage, intolerance and impatience. Too many innocent lives have been lost or impaired due to impatient drivers speeding or
attempting to overtake only to run head-on into an oncoming vehicle. Motorcyclists in particular have earned a reputation for being
foolhardy on the roads. Furthermore, the attitude of drivers towards motorcyclists had deteriorated to such an extent that the
authorities ran a public relations campaign to try and influence motorists to be more thoughtful.
To conclude, aggressive motorists are endangering everyone because they create hazardous conditions by acting and driving
foolishly. They should control their anger and learn to drive safely. After all, the lives they spare could well be their own.

The parts of an essay

Introductory paragraph
Body
Conclusion

Introductory paragraph

PURPOSES
Introduce topic
General bacckground
Overal plan
Arouse interest

Introductory paragraph

General statements
General to specific
Lead to thesis statement

Thesis statement
States main topic
Raises subtopics
Indicates essay organisation
Usually the last sentence

Introductory paragraph
The number of vehicles on the
freeways and roads of Malaysia is
increasing at an alarming rate. This influx
of motorcycles, cars and lorries is
creating hazardous conditions.
Moreover, riders and drivers are in such
a rush to get to their destinations that
they become angry or impatient with
other road users who are too slow or
who are in their way. Aggressive
motorists react foolishly toward others in
several dangerous ways.
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Body

Essay outline

Subtopics

One way an angry motorist may react is to cut off another driver. This is a dangerous practice sometimes resulting in
collision. It also has the potential to disrupt the flow of traffic and to block feeder roads. We would do better to practice
cooperation on the roads, rather than a me-first attitude.
Another reaction of an aggressive motorist is to tailgate the other vehicle. This is not only rude but also intimidating
and dangerous. The practice results in insufficient reaction time and an inadequate view of the road conditions ahead
for the tailgating driver. The consequences could easily be a nose-to tail collision if the front vehicle brakes, turns or
swerves.
In addition to cutting off and tailgating other vehicles, aggressive drivers often use rude language or gestures to show
their anger. This phenomenon has become most grave in the United States of America where they have the added
complication of enraged drivers with guns. When I recently commented on the apparent politeness of drivers in the
US my American friend replied that this was due to drivers fear of enraging an armed motorist. Fortunately
Malaysians need not fear such extreme reactions, however we still need to be wary of an aggressive driver who
unleashes profanities or obscene gestures. They are an indication that the motorist has stepped outside his social
and cultural bounds which usually curb such behaviour. We are well advised to keep our distance from such drivers
and not answer them back.
Although traffic police have warned motorists against aggressive driving, the number who act out their angry impulses
has not declined. Rather, in Malaysia we have observed a trend towards a greater number of traffic infringements and
accidents related to road rage, intolerance and impatience. Too many innocent lives have been lost or impaired due
to impatient drivers speeding or attempting to overtake only to run head-on into an oncoming vehicle. Motorcyclists in
particular have earned a reputation for being foolhardy on the roads. Furthermore, the attitude of drivers towards
motorcyclists had deteriorated to such an extent that the authorities ran a public relations campaign to try and
influence motorists to be more thoughtful.

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Body

Transition signals

Links between paragraphs

One way an angry motorist may react is to cut off another driver. This is a dangerous practice sometimes resulting in
collision. It also has the potential to disrupt the flow of traffic and to block feeder roads. We would do better to practice
cooperation on the roads, rather than a me-first attitude.
Another reaction of an aggressive motorist is to tailgate the other vehicle. This is not only rude but also intimidating
and dangerous. The practice results in insufficient reaction time and an inadequate view of the road conditions ahead
for the tailgating driver. The consequences could easily be a nose-to tail collision if the front vehicle brakes, turns or
swerves.
In addition to cutting off and tailgating other vehicles, aggressive drivers often use rude language or gestures to show
their anger. This phenomenon has become most grave in the United States of America where they have the added
complication of enraged drivers with guns. When I recently commented on the apparent politeness of drivers in the
US my American friend replied that this was due to drivers fear of enraging an armed motorist. Fortunately
Malaysians need not fear such extreme reactions, however we still need to be wary of an aggressive driver who
unleashes profanities or obscene gestures. They are an indication that the motorist has stepped outside his social
and cultural bounds which usually curb such behaviour. We are well advised to keep our distance from such drivers
and not answer them back.
Although traffic police have warned motorists against aggressive driving, the number who act out their angry impulses
has not declined. Rather, in Malaysia we have observed a trend towards a greater number of traffic infringements and
accidents related to road rage, intolerance and impatience. Too many innocent lives have been lost or impaired due
to impatient drivers speeding or attempting to overtake only to run head-on into an oncoming vehicle. Motorcyclists in
particular have earned a reputation for being foolhardy on the roads. Furthermore, the attitude of drivers towards
motorcyclists had deteriorated to such an extent that the authorities ran a public relations campaign to try and
influence motorists to be more thoughtful.

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Conclusion

Transition signal
In conclusion, .
In summary,
In short,
To conclude,
All in all,

Summary or restate thesis


Final comments
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Conclusion
To conclude, aggressive motorists
are endangering everyone because they
create hazardous conditions by acting
and driving foolishly. They should control
their anger and learn to drive safely. After
all, the lives they spare could well be
their own.

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Writing & revising an


essay

Brainstorm ideas
Outline plan
First draft
Revise organisation & content
Second draft
Revise grammar & vocab
Final copy
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Qualities of a good
essay

Meaningful language use

Control of vocab, grammar,


structure

Coherence & cohesion


Logical order
Transition signals

Communicative effectiveness

Achieves the aim


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A good essay

Introductory paragraph
Body
Conclusion
Meaningful language use
Coherence & cohesion
Communicative effectiveness

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In conclusion

Elements of a good essay


Introductory paragraph
Body
Conclusion
Meaningful language use
Coherence & cohesion
Communicative effectiveness

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Questions????
Lets practise!
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MAF Upper Intermediate English

Writing
Essays
20

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