Writing Skills
Paraphrasing
Paraphrase (quotes)
Summarising
Summary Language
Critical Thinking
Argument essay
Critical Review
Parallelism
Argument Essays
Here are 10 argument essays based on a variety of subjects. Five essays are general texts without sources and five are Academic texts with academic sources . Click here
SPSE Essays
How to write an SPSE essay with academic sources. The example focuses on a four paragraph text: Situation, Problem, Solution, and Evaluation. Click here
All Writing Downloads
Academic Style: 20 key features to writing
This lesson brainstorms academic style / formality in writing. Teacher feedbacks using the visual highlighting and explaining the concepts and then there are 10x practice exercises from informal to formal. Time: 60mins Example Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Webpage link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Academic Writing: Useful websites for writing
Here are some good websites we recommend to our students to use when writing essays or doing written work in class. These sites help with key skills of paraphrasing and summarising. Webpage link
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Error Correction Code: Practice & Answers
Some EAP teachers use an error correction code when marking students’ work. This practice sheet help students identify the mistake and use the correction code to correct it. Webpage link.
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Error Correction Code 2: Difficult Error correction Practice & Answers
Teachers or students: This is a much harder worksheet of 12 sentences with 3 or 4 mistakes in each sentence. Students identify the mistake and try to correct it. Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Academic Language: Hedging / cautious Language
Teachers or students. A number of exercise to practise using hedging language to demonstrate caution. Webpage link.
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Reading & Research Skills: What is a credible source?
This lesson highlights the key components of identifying credible and reliable resources. It includes a check list on 20 different sources and students have to decide whether these are credible or not? Page link Level ***** [B1/B2]
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The C.R.A.A.P Test – a guide to evaluating sources – UoSA
This University of South Australia video explains what is the C.R.A.A.P Test and how to use it to evaluate all types of information. This worksheet helps students to understand what is considered a ‘credible’ source and how to check this using an evaluation tool Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [03.17] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Credible Sources: The Academic Journal Peer Review Process – NC State University
This NC State university video explains how an academic scholar submits a research paper to a journal publishing company and the full process the article goes through before it is published. This listening and worksheet helps students to understand what is considered a credible source and why. Example Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Video [03.15] / Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Referencing: Harvard Referencing Worksheet
Two part worksheet that is a paragraph and reference list. Students have to put in the correct in-text reference. The second part is a reference list exercise where students have to put the sections in the correct order. A nice lesson to introduce students to referencing and becoming aware of key referencing principles. Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] Example / Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Referencing: APA 6th Edition Referencing Worksheet
Two part worksheet that is a paragraph and reference list. Students have to put in the correct in-text reference. The second part is a reference list exercise where students have to put the sections in the correct order. A nice lesson to introduce students to referencing and becoming aware of key referencing principles. Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] Example / Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Reporting verbs: worksheet
Use the verbs in the box to put into the sentences in the worksheet. Each sentence has a description of the type of verb needed. Check the grammar of the verb too! Web page link.
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Academic Voice: worksheet
Sometimes students wonder what is academic stance / voice and find it difficult to identify how it is used. This document provides a clear example of how a writer adds their own voice through language. Webpage link.
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Paraphrasing Lesson – how to paraphrase effectively!
It starts by discussing the differences between quotation, paraphrase and summary. It takes students through the basics of identifying keywords, finding synonyms and then changing the grammatical structure. There is plenty of practice all with efficient teacher notes. Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] Example / Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
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Writing a paragraph – using quotes about smoking
Students are given a worksheet with nine quotes taken from The New Scientist, BBC News, The Economist, etc… and choose only three. They use these three quotes to write a paragraph trying to paraphrase the quotes and produce a cohesion piece of writing. Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] Example / Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Paraphrasing: writing worksheet
This worksheet provides paraphrasing practice. There are five sentences taken from an academic text and students paraphrase the sentences to keep the same meaning. Includes possible answers. Webpage link.
Summary Writing: The causes of the 2008 Financial Crisis
The text discusses the background history of the financial crash through focusing on prime and sub-prime mortgage lending. It then explores the key reasons behind the profitable trading systems of that time, highlighting the collapse and then the following banking regulations that were introduced in 2009/2010. Webpage link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
5x Academic Writing Summaries
AMAZING VALUE – buy all these texts and summary writings in one book. All these tests have been written by Academic English UK. Webpage link. TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
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Critical Thinking: questions to support critical reading
This information sheet provides a range of questions that should be applied when reading any academic text. The answers to these question should be then applied in writing. Webpage link.
Argument Essay: Home Education
Question: ‘Should parents educate their children at home?’ This is the full lesson from the images above. The essay can be used in a number of different ways – see the lesson plan. Words: 440 Level ***** [C2/B1] / Webpage link.
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Argument essay: University
Question: Is a university degree worth the cost? This essay investigates the positive of university life and qualifications against high debt and competitive job markets. Words: 633 Level ***** [B1/B2] / Webpage link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
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Argument essay: Obesity (academic)
Question: Is obesity a disease? This essay highlights the key evidence of why obesity is classified as a disease and also argues it is preventable and based on lifestyle choice. Sources:9 / Words:765 / Level ***** [B2/C1] / Webpage Link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
10x argument essays
AMAZING VALUE – buy all ten essay lessons in one PDF book.
5x general and 5x Academic argument essays / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
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Critical Review: Structure information sheet
This information sheet provides information on how to structure a critical review. It includes the differences between descriptive and evaluative writing. Monash University / Webpage Link.
Critical Review: Model essay analysis
This information sheet provides information on what makes a good critical review. It analyses a sample essay and highlights critical review academic style and conventions. Monash University / Webpage Link.
Parallelism Worksheet: Free Download
This worksheet provides an explanation of the key concepts of ‘parallelism’ and provides an error correction exercise to practise the key concepts. An awareness of this writing element really helps establish unity and readability in sentence structure. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Webpage link. TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Introductions: How to write an academic introduction.
This lesson / worksheet presents the key sections to an academic introduction. It then focuses on highlighting those key sections in three model introductions with particular attention to the thesis (question / topics / stance) and finally finishes with writing an introduction using a range of titles. Example Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Website link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Thesis Statements: How to write a thesis statement.
This lesson / worksheet presents the key sections to an academic introduction. It focuses on different writing structures using words like however, although, despite and then includes a writing task. Students write three thesis statements using the introduction models. Example Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Reading & Writing Argument: Essay [Mergers & Acquisitions]
Topic: Mergers & Acquisitions. Two short texts (included) – students read the texts, make notes of key arguments, and write a 400-600 word essay using in-text referencing and paraphrasing. The essay should follow (block / point-to-point structure) more info. Lesson includes teacher notes, outline & a model essay. Example Level ***** [B2/C1] / Webpage link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
Topic Sentences – the basics
This lesson takes students through ‘noticing’ how a topic sentence links to development. Then writing topic sentences from the content of paragraph and then writing the paragraph from a topic sentence.. Time: 60mins Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Webpage link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
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Linking Words Lesson: Free Download
This lesson provides valuable practice in improving formal linking words. Students start by discussing formal linking words, followed by a kinaesthetic matching activity and finishing with sentence worksheet. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / webpage link
Linking: Cohesion & Coherence Worksheet – AEUK
This worksheet helps to consolidate what is ‘cohesion’ with a focus on pronouns, word forms and summary nouns. It also includes a coherence sheet on key connections and two practice activities. Example Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Webpage Link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP
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Proofreading / essay checking service
Let us check & correct your writing essay – get constructive teacher feedback
£10 for 250 words
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Argument Essay Titles
Write an essay & send it to us to check your grammar, vocabulary and academic style.
Look at these topics and think of 2 arguments for and 2 against. Write a two-sided argument essay of 4 paragraphs (introduction, 2x main body paragraphs, conclusion) and approximately 250 words. Check Argument essay guide.
To what extent do you agree…
- University should be free
- Animal testing is necessary
- Prisons don’t work
- Video games encourage violence
- Euthanasia should be legal
- Nuclear power is a bad investment
- Governments are over-spending
- Marriage is becoming old-fashioned
- Money is the key to happiness
- Consumerism is negative
- Social media is changing how we communicate
- Military service should be compulsory
- Education is the key to reduce crime
- Parents should choose the careers for their children
- Brexit is a mistake.
- There is no other life in the universe
- GMOs are dangerous and should be banned
- More should be done to control Superstar Corporations
- Climate Change is a myth
- Academic research can’t be trusted
SPSE (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation) Essay Titles
Look at these topics and think of 2 problems / 2 solutions to these problems and evaluate whether the solution will be effective. Write 250 words and use sources where possible – then send it to us. Check SPSE Essay guide.
- Plagiarism at university
- Artificial intelligence
- Global Migration
- Climate Change
- Terrorism
- Unemployment
- Cyber crime
- Depression
- Food security
- Discrimination
- Gender inequality
- Off-shore banking
- Debt
- Superstar Companies
- Brexit