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Discussion Essay Example:

"Some people think that the Olympic Games is an exciting event and can bring nations together. Others, however, think that it is a waste of money. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."

Response Strategy:

• Paragraph 1: Introduce the topic of Olympic Games and state that there are differing views
• Paragraph 2: Discuss how Olympics bring nations together (provide 2-3 specific examples)
• Paragraph 3: Explore the perspective that Olympics are costly (include economic evidence)
• Paragraph 4: Present your balanced opinion, acknowledging both perspectives

Opinion Essay Example:

"The only reason for people working hard is to earn money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Response Strategy:

1. Clearly state your position in the introduction (partial or complete agreement/disagreement)
2. If you disagree, present alternative motivations for hard work:
   • Personal fulfillment and passion
   • Career advancement and recognition
   • Social contribution and impact
3. Acknowledge the importance of financial incentives, but emphasize other factors
4. Conclude by reinforcing your perspective with a broader implication

Problem/Solution Essay Example:

"The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment. What are the causes of this? What can be done to solve this problem?"

Response Structure:

Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Example:

"Nowadays, most countries improve the standard of living through economic development. But some social values are lost as a result. Do you think the advantages of the phenomenon outweigh the disadvantages?"

Approach Tips:

• Clearly state your position on whether advantages outweigh disadvantages
• Discuss specific benefits of economic development (improved healthcare, education, infrastructure)
• Examine social costs (community breakdown, materialistic values, loss of traditions)
• Use specific examples from countries at different development stages
• Conclude with a balanced judgment that addresses the central question

Education Topic Example:

"It is more important for school children to learn about local history than world history. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Key Points to Consider:

• Arguments for local history focus: Cultural identity, community connection, practical relevance
• Arguments for world history importance: Global citizenship, broader perspective, understanding international relations
• Balanced approach: Consider how local and world history can complement each other

Vocabulary for Education Topics: curriculum, pedagogy, educational outcomes, foundational knowledge, cultural literacy, cognitive development, educational attainment

Environment Topic Example:

"Some people think products should be made to last as long as possible, while others think making products cheap is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."

Sustainable Development Framework:

Technology Topic Example:

"It was predicted with the development of technology, people in the 21st century would have much more free time than in the past. To what extent has this prediction come true?"

Analytical Framework:

1. Historical comparison: Work hours and leisure time in pre-digital era vs. today
2. Paradoxical effects: Time-saving technologies vs. new demands on time
3. Sector-specific analysis: How technology has affected different professional fields
4. Cultural factors: How societal expectations about productivity have evolved

This question requires evaluating a prediction against reality, demanding both historical awareness and current observations.

Health Topic Example:

"Some people think the government should pay for health care and education, but others believe it is not the government's responsibility. Discuss both views and give your opinion."

Key Considerations:

• Government funding perspective: Universal access, equality of opportunity, social cohesion
• Private funding perspective: Individual choice, market efficiency, innovation through competition
• Hybrid models: Balancing public funding with private sector involvement
• International examples: Comparing outcomes in different healthcare and education systems

Work Topic Example:

"Some people suggest that a country should try to produce all the food for its population and import as little food as possible. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Multi-perspective Analysis:

Powerful Brainstorming Methods:

1. Mind Mapping

Create a visual diagram with the main topic in the center and branch out with related ideas, examples, and supporting points.

                    ┌─────────────────┐
                    │   Work Hard     │
                    │   Motivations   │
                    └────────┬────────┘
         ┌───────────┬───────┴──────┬────────────┐
         ▼           ▼              ▼            ▼
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ ┌─────────┐
│   Money     │ │Personal │ │   Career     │ │ Social  │
│  Reasons    │ │Fulfil-  │ │ Advancement  │ │Factors  │
└──────┬──────┘ │ment     │ └───────┬──────┘ └────┬────┘
       │        └────┬────┘         │             │
       ▼             ▼              ▼             ▼
┌──────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌──────────┐
│Financial │ │Satisfaction │ │Recognition  │ │Family    │
│Stability │ │& Passion    │ │& Status     │ │Influence │
└──────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └──────────┘

2. The 5W1H Method

• Who: Who is affected by this issue? Who is involved?
• What: What are the main aspects/problems/solutions?
• Where: Where does this issue occur? In what contexts?
• When: When does this happen? Is it a recent trend?
• Why: Why is this issue important? Why does it occur?
• How: How does it impact people/society? How can it be addressed?

3. PROS/CONS Analysis

List advantages and disadvantages of multiple perspectives to ensure balanced coverage.

💡 Brainstorming Hack

Essay Structure Templates:

For Discussion Essays:

1. Introduction: Background + Thesis statement acknowledging both viewpoints
2. Body Paragraph 1: First viewpoint with supporting evidence
3. Body Paragraph 2: Second viewpoint with supporting evidence
4. Body Paragraph 3: Your opinion with justification (optional)
5. Conclusion: Summary of both perspectives and final position

For Problem/Solution Essays:

1. Introduction: Problem overview + Essay outline
2. Body Paragraph 1: Problem analysis and causes
3. Body Paragraph 2: First solution with explanation
4. Body Paragraph 3: Second solution with explanation (optional)
5. Conclusion: Summary of problem severity and solution effectiveness

Introduction Formula:

1. Background statement: Provide context for the issue (1-2 sentences)

2. Topic explanation: Explain why the topic is important or controversial (1 sentence)

3. Thesis statement: Clearly state your position or outline the perspectives you'll discuss (1-2 sentences)

Example introduction for: "Some people believe that too much money is spent on looking after and repairing old buildings. We should knock them down and build modern buildings. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

"The preservation of historical architecture versus development of modern buildings represents a significant debate in urban planning. While some argue that maintaining old structures is unnecessarily expensive and impractical in today's rapidly developing world, others believe preserving architectural heritage is essential for cultural and historical continuity. This essay will argue that while modernization is important, the value of historical buildings extends beyond financial considerations, making their preservation worthwhile in most cases."

⚠️ Warning

PEEL Paragraph Structure:

P - Point: Start with a clear topic sentence stating your main idea

E - Evidence: Provide specific examples, statistics, research, or scenarios

E - Explanation: Analyze how your evidence supports your point

L - Link: Connect back to the essay question and/or transition to the next paragraph

Example body paragraph for: "Some people think watching television every day is bad for children. Others think it is good for developing children as they grow up. Discuss both views and give your opinion."

"Many experts argue that daily television viewing can harm children's development in several ways. For instance, a 2023 study from Oxford University found that children who watch more than two hours of television daily scored significantly lower on reading comprehension tests compared to peers with limited screen time. This occurs because passive screen time replaces activities that develop crucial cognitive skills, such as reading books, engaging in creative play, or having conversations with family members. Therefore, while television itself is not inherently harmful, excessive consumption may interfere with important developmental activities that cannot be replicated through screen-based entertainment."

Recommended Time Distribution:

💡 Time-Saving Tip

Timed Practice Strategy:

Step 1: Select a topic from our examples, such as: "Despite better access to education, many adults today are still cannot read or write. In what ways are they disadvantaged? What can governments do to help them?"

Step 2: Set a timer for exactly 40 minutes

Step 3: Complete these phases under timed conditions:

• Analyze the prompt (identify it's a problem/solution question with two parts)
• Create a quick outline addressing both disadvantages and government actions
• Write your complete essay
• Review for errors

Step 4: When the timer ends, stop immediately—even mid-sentence

Step 5: Evaluate your performance: Did you complete the essay? Was your argument clear? Did you address all parts of the question?

Writer's Block Remedies:

1. Start with structure: Write your outline first, then expand each point
2. Use prompting questions: Ask yourself "What is an example of this?" or "Why is this important?"
3. Begin anywhere: If you're stuck on the introduction, start with a body paragraph instead
4. Activate prior knowledge: Connect the topic to something you've studied or experienced
5. Use the 2-minute rule: If stuck, force yourself to write anything related to the topic for just 2 minutes to break the mental barrier

Topic Focus Techniques:

1. Question reference: Periodically refer back to key terms from the question in your essay

2. Paragraph checks: Ask at the end of each paragraph: "How does this relate to the original question?"

3. Example relevance: Ensure every example directly supports your point and addresses the question

4. Tangent awareness: If you catch yourself writing about something interesting but not directly relevant, redirect to the main topic

Example topic drift correction for: "People's shopping habits depend more on the age group they belong to than other factors. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

"While online shopping platforms have revolutionized retail experiences globally...

[DRIFT ALERT: This is becoming about shopping technology, not age groups]

However, returning to the question of age as a determining factor in shopping habits, research shows that different generations have distinct purchasing priorities. For instance, studies indicate that millennials tend to prioritize experiences and sustainability in their purchasing decisions, while baby boomers often place greater emphasis on product quality and durability."

Common Grammar Issues to Check:

Vocabulary Enhancement Strategy:

For each practice essay, identify 3-5 basic or repetitive words and upgrade them to more precise alternatives:

• Basic: "Good" → Precise options: beneficial, advantageous, favorable, constructive
• Basic: "Bad" → Precise options: detrimental, adverse, unfavorable, harmful
• Basic: "Important" → Precise options: crucial, essential, significant, paramount

Coherence Checklist:

1. Logical progression: Do your ideas build upon each other in a logical sequence?
2. Paragraph unity: Does each paragraph focus on a single main idea?
3. Transition words: Have you used appropriate connectors between ideas?
4. Referencing consistency: Are pronouns clearly linked to their antecedents?
5. Topic relevance: Does every paragraph directly address the essay question?

Common coherence issues to fix:

• Sudden topic shifts without transitions
• Contradicting yourself between paragraphs
• Including irrelevant information
• Overusing the same transition words (furthermore, moreover, in addition)
• Unclear pronoun references (it, they, this, these) that could refer to multiple antecedents

Effective Feedback Process:

Step 1: Provide specific questions to guide feedback:

• "Did I fully address all parts of the prompt?"
• "Is my position clear throughout the essay?"
• "Are my examples specific and relevant?"
• "Where could I improve the connection between ideas?"

Step 2: Seek targeted feedback on specific criteria:

• Task Response: Coverage of all aspects of the question
• Coherence and Cohesion: Organization and logical flow
• Lexical Resource: Vocabulary range and accuracy
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Sentence structures and grammar

Step 3: Create an improvement plan based on feedback:

• Identify 2-3 priority areas for improvement
• Study relevant resources focused on these areas
• Practice targeted exercises addressing specific weaknesses
• Apply new skills in your next practice essay

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