If you are preparing the B2-C1 Certification in English, I am going to provide some recommendations about how to structure and organise an essay.
Introduction
In the first part of the writing part, it is mandatory to write an essay based on two points and decide which is more important and explain why.
Structure
The best way to structure an essay is divided into four paragraphs:
- Introduction: In this paragraph you should write an introduction about the given information.
- Nowadays…
- Currently…
- In this day and age…
- Start with a rhetoric question
2. Development — 1st point: In this paragraph you should give arguments for the 1st point.
- In the first place
- On the one hand
- One reason that…
- There are many advantages for…
3. Development —2nd point: In this paragraph you should give arguments for the 2nd point .
- On the other hand,
- However,
- It cannot be denied that…
- Another negative aspect of …is…
4. Conclusion: In this paragraph, in order to choose a more important point, use the given arguments in the previous paragraphs.
- To sum up,
- In conclusion,
- To conclude,
- All in all,
- On balance,
- All things considered,
- It would seem that…
- There is no/little doubt…
- That, It may be concluded that…
Example
In this example, we have to write an essay explaining in which ways sports can benefit people.
Nowadays, sports are an essential part of the well-being of people. It is recommended by experts to do at least one hour of exercise every day due to the benefits it brings.
Firstly, it is said that doing certain types of sports such as Yoga or Kick-boxing could help us release emotions. There are some activities that encourage us to be relaxed and unwind. On the other hand, there are others that push us let go our anger and frustrations. Unfortunately, when it comes to competitive games, some have the tendency to develop negative feelings and that cause people to behave badly.
Secondly, sports are a good way to learn some skills related to being part of a team. Having these abilities are essential in life, specially at work where is required and valuable. In addition, you realise the importance of being in the same group as others with the same goal. This feeling, of belonging to a community could boost our self-esteem as well as our mental health.
To sum up, sports are helpful to release our most deepest emotions although it could develop others that might have a negative effect on us. On the other hand, being part of a team have a
more positive impact on our mental health due to the comfort that provide us of belonging to a community.
Recommendations
- Use formal and impersonal language.
- DRY — Don’t Repeat Yourself — Try to use synonyms to avoid repeating vocabulary. It is important to show off your knowledge.
- Use vocabulary/grammar according to the level you are being certified (B2/C1).
- Use passives.
- Avoid using phrasal verbs and idioms as an essay is a formal text.
- In the conclusion paragraph, do not give your personal opinion, remember to always use an impersonal language.
