Module writing tasks
MODULE 1. All about you
Type of writing: Descriptive essays.
Writing task: Write an essay describing your best friend.
MODULE 2. Memory
Type of writing: First-person narratives.
Writing task: Write an essay “A memorable story happened in my life.”
MODULE 3. Around the world
Type of writing: Descriptive essays.
Writing task: Write an essay describing some places that are worth visiting.
MODULE 4. Life stories
Type of writing: Descriptive essays.
Writing task: Write an essay describing a person you really admire.
MODULE 5. Success
Type of writing: Discursive essays.
Writing task: Write an opinion essay “What is success to me?”
MODULE 6. In the media
Type of writing: Reviews. News reports.
Writing task: Write a review of a film /TV programme / book.
Write a news report.
MODULE 7. Socialising
Type of writing: Descriptive essays
Writing task; Write an essay describing an unforgettable event / festival / celebration..
MODULE 8. Things you can’t live without
Type of writing: Discursive essays.
Writing task: Write a for-and-against essay “Pros and cons of using modern technologies”
MODULE 9. Future society
Type of writing: Informal letters
Writing task: Write a letter to your friend how you could spend the lottery money.
MODULE 10. An amazing story
Type of writing: Third-person narratives
Writing task: Write an essay “The most amazing story I have ever heard”
MODULE 11. Rules and freedom
Type of writing: Formal letters
Writing task: Write a letter of application for a job
Write a letter of complaint to a manager about the things you found annoying while
traveling.
MODULE 12. Dilemmas
Type of writing: Discursive essays
Writing task: Write an essay providing solutions to problems “ If I were a psychologist: how to find
solutions to problems”.
Module 1 All about you
WRITING
Write a composition describing people (your best friend /a famous person) based on the module and extra vocabulary. Learn the notes below how to write descriptive essays.
Writing notes:
A composition describing people
We can find descriptions of people in novels, articles, letters, witness statements, etc. When describing people your composition needs to be well-organised. Each paragraph starts a new topic. Paragraphs should be well developed and linked together with a variety of linking words (so, even if, although, but, as well as, not only, despite the fact, etc.)
Introduction
set the scene (name of the person, time/place you met him/her)
Main body
Para 1: physical appearance
Para 2: personality characteristics
Para 3: activities he/she takes part in (hobbies, interests)
Conclusion
comments/feelings about the person
Points to remember
When describing people’s physical appearance you should give details in the following order: height/build/age, facial features, hair, clothes moving from the most general adjectives to the most specific ones, e.g. Julie is quite short and slim. She’s got a round face with beautiful almond-shaped eyes and a slightly upturned nose. She wears her long blond hair loose. She is often casually dressed in a T-shirt and jeans.
When describing character and behaviour, support your idea with examples, e.g. Tom is very reserved. He never talks about his feelings. When you want to describe negative qualities, you should use mild language, e.g. He can be rude/ He is a bit rude/ He is sometimes rude. not He is rude.
Make your composition more interesting by using a wide range of adjectives.(fabulous, superb, gorgeous, stunning, sparkling)
Use more complex sentences joined with connections, e.g. Although Julia is quite reserved, she is a kind person who will listen to your problems and try to help you.
Use narrative techniques in your descriptive composition to gain your reader’s interest. For example, while giving the name of the person described, the time and place you saw or met him/her, you can set the scene by narrating the incident. Instead of saying: ”I met John at Jane’s birthday party last Saturday. He was tall, skinny with spiky hair” you can say: “As soon as I entered Jane’s flat last Saturday I noticed a strange mixture of people gathered to celebrate her birthday. It wasn’t long before my eyes fell on a tall, skinny man with spiky hair, His name was John.”
MODEL