1. Read the instructions carefully and think about the title you have been given for your composition or the sentence you have to comment. 2. Write some vocabulary related to the topic given. 3. Use that vocabulary to write some sentences/notes on the main points to be mentioned. 4. Put your ideas and notes into logical order. 5. Group them so as not to repeat them. Each group can correspond to a paragraph. 6. Write an introduction that captures your readers’ interest, a development that holds that interest and a conclusion that is unforgettable. 7. Check your work for spelling, punctuation and grammar before you hand it in. ATTENTION: Don’t translate literally from Catalan/ English into English. Pay attention to word and sentence order. Don’t repeat your ideas. Don’t invent the words. Use short sentences with clear ideas. Use the dictionary when you need. If you are given a number of words for your text, respect it. Don’t ignore the topic or the sentence given.
Plan Paragraph 1: General introduction to the theme Development Paragraph 2: pros: one side of the argument and some specific examples Paragraph 3: cons: the other opposing argument and some specific examples Paragraph 4: conclusion: weigh the positive against the negative aspects and add your own opinion
SOME WORDS OR PHRASES THAT ARE USEFUL FOR YOU: a) To organise or list topics To start with/to begin with/firstly, first of all/
first /In the first place/ Second/ Secondly/ Next …/Third/ Thirdly/ next …/ Finally/ lastly/ last of all …
a) To exemplify For example/ for instance/ To take (just) one example…
/Such as…
b) To clarify in other words/I mean/that is to say…
c) To express your opinion I think/ in my opinion/ in my view/personally/from my point of view/ as far as I am concerned / As I see it…/ It is my firm belief
e) To express contrast: However/ nevertheless / Though/ although/ But/
On one hand… on the other hand…/ In opposition to…/ On the contrary/ Contrary to what people think…
d) To conclude in brief/in short/in conclusion/ to conclude/to summarize/to sum up