Writing Task 2 · Two-question essays (opinion) · Lesson 10 of 12
Developing paragraphs
Make every paragraph flow logically: topic sentence, developing sentences and a rounding-off sentence, linked with complex sentences.
In this lesson you will
- understand how sentences in a paragraph connect logically
- develop paragraphs with examples, reasons, lists and counter-arguments
- write complex sentences with apart from, contrary to, despite, while and not only
- organise a paragraph: topic sentence, developing sentences, rounding-off sentence
Question type: the example essay in this lesson answers “What factors may have caused this situation and what, in your opinion, can/should be done about it?” It is a two-question essay (opinion) (see Lesson 9). The paragraph skills here work for every essay type.
Step 1
Logical flow
Strong academic writing has a logical flow. Sentences should not be isolated. Each one should follow on from the one before, so that they build into a coherent paragraph. Here are four common ways one sentence can follow another:
| Pattern | The second sentence… |
|---|---|
| a) argument + counter-argument | challenges the first, often with However, … |
| b) opinion + supporting example | gives an example, often with For instance, … |
| c) opinion + supporting reason | explains why the opinion is true. |
| d) listing | adds the next point in a list: Firstly… Secondly… |
Match the sentences
Read the follow-on sentences i–iv. Then choose the follow-on sentence for each of sentences 1–4, and the type of pattern.
i For instance, governments do very little to encourage people to use public transport instead of their cars, and are reluctant to pursue private companies that pollute the environment.
ii Such items are not essential, and there is no need to make creatures suffer for the sake of making money.
iii However, statistics show that more severe punishments do nothing to reduce crime rates.
iv Secondly, television news editors tend to favour stories which offer sensational images that make ‘entertaining’ viewing.
- Firstly, television news reports are often too short or superficial to explain the full context of a story. Follow-on: Pattern:
- In my view, products such as cosmetics or soaps should not be tested on animals. Follow-on: Pattern:
- I am convinced that governments' economic policies do harm to the environment. Follow-on: Pattern:
- Some people believe that the only way to prevent crime is to enforce stricter punishments. Follow-on: Pattern:
Write follow-on sentences
Write a follow-on sentence for each one, using one of the four patterns. Which pattern did you choose?
- Most road accidents are a result of careless and irresponsible driving rather than poor road design.
- It can be argued that recent technological developments in communications have helped create greater understanding between nations.
- In my view, there should be a total ban on the advertising of all alcoholic and tobacco products.
- Some people argue that drug companies should make new life-saving drugs available to poorer countries at cost price rather than making a profit on them.
- It's undoubtedly true that working from home has many advantages.
- (example) Scrolling on mobile phones, road rage and speeding are some of the most common ways that drivers lose control of their vehicles.
- (counter-argument) While this is true to some extent, it has also led to a wider spread of misinformation.
- (reason) These products, which cause disease and social problems, should not be made to seem attractive.
- (reason) Pharmaceutical giants have an ethical responsibility to use their wealth to ensure an equal distribution of essential vaccines and other medicines.
- (counter-argument) However, the loss of the work environment can have a negative impact on people working in isolation.
Step 2
Complex sentences
To reach a higher band, include more complex sentences. Link two ideas inside one sentence with a linking word such as apart from, despite, not only, contrary to, even though, while.
Space exploration has huge scientific value. The money spent on space exploration could be better spent on dealing with the current climate crisis.
→ Even though space exploration has huge scientific value, the money spent on it could be better spent on dealing with the current climate crisis.
Watch the grammar: apart from, despite and contrary to are followed by a noun or -ing form. Not only at the start of a sentence needs question word order (Not only is there…). Use a pronoun (it, they) to avoid repeating the subject.
Join the sentences
Join each pair into one sentence using the word or phrase in brackets.
- Industries waste huge amounts of water. Industries are also responsible for the contamination of water supplies. (apart from)
- The popular belief is that machines have replaced skilled workers everywhere. There is a huge and increasing demand for skilled artisans all over the world. (contrary to)
- Billions of dollars in aid have been sent to developing countries. Millions of people in developing countries still live in absolute poverty. (despite)
- People claim to have concern for the environment. People compromise their ecological values almost daily. (while)
- There is an epidemic of obesity amongst Western adults. Obesity is becoming widespread in Western children. (not only)
- Apart from wasting huge amounts of water, industries are also responsible for the contamination of water supplies.
- Contrary to the popular belief that machines have replaced skilled workers everywhere, there is a huge and increasing demand for skilled artisans all over the world.
- Despite billions of dollars having been sent to developing countries, millions of people still live in absolute poverty.
- While people claim to have concern for the environment, they compromise their ecological values almost daily. or People claim to have concern for the environment while compromising their ecological values almost daily.
- Not only is there an epidemic of obesity amongst Western adults, but it is also becoming widespread in Western children.
Small differences (e.g. a missing comma) can make an automatic check fail. Compare your answer carefully with the model.
Step 3
Paragraph organisation
A good body paragraph consists of:
In many countries today there are many highly qualified graduates without employment. What factors may have caused this situation and what, in your opinion, can/should be done about it?
IntroductionAcross the world there are many countries where people with advanced degrees are struggling to find employment. In my opinion, this is because full-time employment is no longer the cornerstone of modern economies. Universities need to restructure study options in order to keep abreast of this development.
Body paragraph 1People often declare that there is no work around anymore but, in fact, there is plenty of work. Casual, on-call, contract, part-time and temporary positions have proliferated in recent years. What is much rarer now is permanent employment, meaning positions with a long-term contract, benefits, stability, internal promotion and skills development organised by employers. So, there is work around, but the nature of that work has changed.
- topic sentence
- developing sentence 1
- developing sentence 2
- rounding-off sentence
Put Body paragraph 2 in order
Use the arrows to put the sentences in a logical order: topic sentence first, then developing sentences, then the rounding-off sentence.
- A more realistic scenario now is for workers to balance two separate income streams while studying on the side.
- People would dedicate anything from five to seven years to diligent study in order to get a guaranteed career at the end of it.
- The problem is that the university education system was designed for an employment-centred economy.
- The solution is for university education to accommodate new working arrangements.
- Study options need to be broken down into shorter “booster” qualifications taken on an as-needed basis, with more part-time, evening and distance options.
- There is no guarantee of that anymore.
- This could perhaps be for the length of their working life, rather than studying full-time for six years and then working full-time until retirement.
The post-full-time, permanent employment economy is only a problem for people who are not prepared for it. Unfortunately, many of these people are highly qualified graduates who are the product of an antiquated education system. Revamping university study should resolve this issue.
Write a paragraph from a topic sentence
Complete the paragraph with two or three developing sentences and a rounding-off sentence.
One of the main causes of childhood obesity is the easy availability of unhealthy food. …
One of the main causes of childhood obesity is the easy availability of unhealthy food. Fast-food restaurants and convenience stores selling sugary snacks can now be found near almost every school. These products are cheap, heavily advertised to children, and often more convenient for busy parents than preparing a healthy meal. As a result, many children consume far more calories than they need, which leads directly to weight gain.
Activities adapted from British Council IELTS teaching materials (takeielts.britishcouncil.org).