http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/pw/
http://www.europa-pages.co.uk/jobs/good-cv.html
http://www.businessballs.com/
http://www.plainlanguage.gov/
http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/plainenglishguide.html
http://ec.europa.eu/translation/writing/clear_writing/fight_the_fog_en.pdf
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/# http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/653/01/
http://www.powa.org/
http://www.studygs.net/writingwebsbiblio.htm#Editing
http://bubl.ac.uk/link/w/writingskills.htm
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/
Writing topics
Essay Writing Topics
In the Proficiency Exam, you are required to write a 200-250 word essay on one of two topics. The format may be an essay, a memorandum, a letter, a report or other. You have 50 minutes to do this.
Some example topics:
Topic 1
These days, people live much longer than they used to. Discuss the benefits of living longer and the problems it can cause.
What is the average life expectancy in your country? Do you think people are living longer now than they used to? Why?
Do your grandparents live with your family? If so, what are the advantages for all your family? Are there any problems?
Is it usual for elderly people in your country to live with their sons and daughters? If not, do they often go into residential care? Do you think they are usually happy there? Are there any problems?
What qualities or skills do you think people gain as they get older? Are these qualities or skills of any use to society?
Does your government provide elderly people in your country with a pension? Do they get other concessions eg cheaper travel fares or help with bills? Are elderly people often in financial difficulties? Does care for the elderly cost the state a lot of money?
Vocabulary:
Retire
Mobility
Prolong
Burden
Frail
Resources
Useful phrases:
One of the most obvious advantages is …
This mean / can mean that …
This is largely due to ….
It is clear that …
On the whole, it seems that ….
We must take into account the fact that ….
It goes without saying that …
It is important to balance (a positive point) against (a negative point)
For example, ….
For instance, …..
In other words ….
Introductory phrases
To begin with / First and foremost (more conversational) / Firstly
In the second place / Secondly / A second area to consider is that ….
Next, … / Then, …. / Another point to consider is that …
Finally /
Concluding phrases
In conclusion / On the whole
To summarise / To sum up
Overall, I would say that … (more conversational)
Adding information
Also
Besides
Furthermore
In addition
Moreover
What is more (more conversational)
Topic 2
Nowadays a balance between life and work quality is sought. What sort of measures do you think could be introduced in your workplace to increase the quality and balance of life and work.
What benefits and disadvantages can flexi-time (when you can start and finish work when you wish) or flexi-place (working from home) have for the workplace? Would child care facilities on-site improve conditions for employees. What about early retirement. Discuss these and other ideas in the context of your own workplace.
Topic 3
Describe a person, living or dead, who you greatly admire and discuss why he or she has had this effect on you.
Topic 4
Describe a person who has had a considerable influence on your life. This person may have had a positive or negative effect on you.
Vocabulary:
Charismatic
Brave
Courageous
Creative
Determined
Down-to-earth
Easy-going
Loyal
Even-tempered
Good-humoured
Humorous
Imaginative
Intelligent
Intuitive
Kind
Magnetic
Perceptive
Sensible
Sensitive
Talented
Thoughtful
Tolerant
Truthful
Witty
One of …. most striking qualities was his … even when he was ….
His greatest quality was his ….
Topic 5
Describe some of your experiences of growing up and say how they have affected or would affect bringing up your own children.
What are your earliest memories of your own childhood? Did you have a happy upbringing? Were your parents strict or lenient? What did you learn from them, and from other members of your family and your friends? What qualities do you think the best parents possess? What were some of the happiest, saddest or most exciting experiences you had as a child?
Some useful vocabulary:
Authoritarian
Caring
Demanding
Disobedient
Domineering
Inflexible
Independent
Indulgent
Lenient
Long-suffering
Mischievous
Rebellious
Stern
Strict
Tolerant
Unbending
Understanding
Well-behaved
Topic 6
Our environment is becoming severely damaged. Outline some of the ways in which this is happening and explain what measures you think should be taken to prevent it.
Vocabulary
Ways we are damaging the environment
Traffic fumes
The sea is being polluted with toxic waste
Habitats are being destroyed (rainforests, animal endangered)
Global warming
Environmentally friendly modes of transport
Acid rain
Smog
Burning fuels in power stations: greenhouse effect, global warming, temperature and seal levels rising, flooding and land turning to desert.
Dumping waste at sea
Measures to take
Recycling
Use renewable energy resources
Environmental groups and protests
Expressions
One of the major causes of … is ..
X causes / leads to / results in ….
X is due to ….
It appears / seems that
It is quite certain that …
There are many ways in which we could …
One of the most important things we should …
It is essential that we / the government …
Clearly, we have to ….
If / When we …, then we can …
The most obvious solution is to …
Perhaps we should consider … By doing this we can …
Meanwhile … / In the meantime, … / At the same time, we should ….
The consequences of not … are …
It is generally agreed that …. And that unless …
Topic 7
The population of the world is growing at an alarming rate. Outline some of the problems of overpopulation and offer some possible solutions.
Topic 8
In a very short time large parts of the world have clicked onto computers. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the technological era? Do you think it is necessary for everyone to become technologically literate to survive? Are there situations where it is not necessary to master technology?
Topic 9
The advantages of using genetic engineering far outweigh the risks. Discuss.
Topic 10
Write a letter to your supervisor requesting sabbatical leave to study or work. Give reasons to support your request: what you intend to do; how long you will need; how it will benefit you and your future work in the section; what arrangements could be made for the least interruption
Topic 11
Write an email to a friend telling them about a possible mission you have been offered. Weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of the mission and let them know the decision you have reached.
Topic 12
Write a memo to your supervisor requesting permission to work flexitime. The workplace now supports flexitime, flexiplace arrangements. Give the advantages to you and the section. Explain how you see it working, what emergency back up you envisage, how you will communicate with your colleagues etc.
Topic 13
Write an email to a friend telling them about a recent promotion you missed out on. Explain the reasons why you feel you were not selected and the skills the successful person had. Tell your friend what measures / studies / training you intend to undertake to make sure you are successful the next time.
Topic 14
Write a memo to your chief stating your views about mobility. Outline some of the advantages and disadvantages for the organization and for the person.
Some ideas:
- personal development opportunities
- problems associated with moving: schooling for children, housing etc
- separation from family if dangerous location
