How to write an essay? | B2 First (FCE)
An essay is writing in which we analyse a topic, a situation or an issue from different points of view, providing arguments and expressing our opinion about it.
For this reason, an essay must have the following features:
- Purpose: When writing an essay, we analyze and evaluate an interesting or controversial topic.
- Tone and style: An essay is written in a formal style, so we must stick to an objective tone and style. Our language must be formal, thus avoiding words that are simply too common or generic (e.g.: things, stuff, get, etc.) and contractions (e.g.: can’t, don’t, won’t, etc.).
- Structure: It should have an introductory paragraph and a conclusion at the end. The body should consist of 2 or 3 main paragraphs, depending on how you decide to structure your ideas.
- Coherence: Coherence is essential in every type of writing, but especially in an essay. Avoid writing incoherent and short paragraphs that have nothing to do with one another. Your ideas must follow a logical order and be well connected with appropriate linkers.
Check our Writing Guide – to see how to write a FCE essay in detail.
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Structure
| Introduction Present and develop the essay question in your introduction |
| 1 st body paragraph State your 1st argument and give a reason. This should be your main point. |
| 2 nd body paragraph State your 2nd argument and give a reason. |
| 3 rd body paragraph (optional) State your 3d argument and give a reason. |
| Conclusion Give your opinion |
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B2 First (FCE) Essay: How to write an essay?
We will use the example question below in our writing guide advice:
In your English class you have been talking about the fashion industry. Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Some people say the fashion industry has a bad effect on people’s lives.Do you agree?
Write about:
1. the price of clothes
2. whether people’s appearance is important
3. …………………… (your own idea)
Introduction..
In the introduction, paraphrase the essay topic so that the reader know what you are going to write about.
Do not express your opinion at the beginning of your essay, leave it to the last paragraph (conclusion)
Introduction: The society we live today is characterised by technology in constant development, fast speed processes, information travelling and getting to people at a blink of an eye and a complex web of social networking.
Main Body: 1st – 3rd body paragraph
in the remaining paragraphs, you write on the points you got in the task, where each paragraph should describe exactly one point/argument
How do I write them?
- List the points that you need to comment in your essay
- Place each point in a separate paragraph.
- Describe each point with facts, details, and examples
- Connect paragraphs with transition words
See example below…
Paragraph 1 – comment on question 1 – “the price of clothes”
(facts, details, and examples)
On one hand, the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires millions of people all over the world and generates millions of dollars every year……Paragraph 2 – comment on question 2 – “people’s appearance is important”
(facts, details, and examples)
It is stated that people place too much importance on appearance and the material, world, sadly true, and the fashion industry just spurs on such situation….
Paragraph 3 – comment on question 3 – “…………………… (your own idea)”
(facts, details, and examples)
Nevertheless, for those who are neither impressed nor motivated by numbers and figures, the fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people, isolating those who not fit their laws and commands…..
To connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words, see below.
On one hand
It is stated that
Nevertheless
as a matter of fact
in addition
in the same fashion / way
first, second, third
Transition words link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read. Use them at the beginning and end of your paragraphs.
Conclusion
The summary paragraph comes at the end of your essay after you have finished developing your ideas. The summary paragraph is often called a “conclusion.”
It summarizes or restates the main idea of the essay. You want to leave the reader with a sense that your essay is complete.
I do believe that the fashion industry, as it is today, has a harmful effect, because it values a minority of people in detriment to the majority. However, it has such a wide reach that, it put into a good use, it can save lives.
The society we live today is characterised by technology in constant development, fast speed processes, information travelling and getting to people at a blink of an eye and a complex web of social networking. In this context, the fashion industry is becoming increasingly important and having a more and more paramount role in our lives.
On one hand, the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires millions of people all over the world and generates millions of dollars every year. Furthermore, such profitable business is also believed to be able to spread and make known the culture of a people, encouraging and enhancing a better understanding of each other.
Nevertheless, for those who are neither impressed nor motivated by numbers and figures, the fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people, isolating those who not fit their laws and commands. It is stated that people place too much importance on appearance and the material, world, sadly true, and the fashion industry just spurs on such situation. Moreover, not only are the costs of fashion item unrealistically high, it is thought to be a money better spent on more pressing issues, such as poverty and hunger.
I do believe that the fashion industry, as it is today, has a harmful effect, because it values a minority of people in detriment to the majority. However, it has such a wide reach that, it put into a good use, it can save lives.
Get Your (FCE) Essay Checked!
Sample papers, online practice tests & tips. Track your progress online.B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example essays
Subject:
In your English class you have been talking about the environment. Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.
Every country in the world has problems with pollution and damage to the environment.
Do you think these problems can be solved?
Notes:
Write about:
1. transport
2. rivers and seas
3. ………………………… (your own idea)
Student’s FCE Essay Answer:
DEVELOPMENT VS ENVIRONMENT
If we surf the web looking for pollution and environmental catastrophes, we will find out that every country in the world suffers them. This is a natural consequence of the struggle between development and environment.
If a country decided to live isolated from the rest of the world, living on what it can naturally grow and produce, it surely wouldn’t be highly polluted. But we all want exotic food and technological items from all over the world, so we have to pay the price.
Investing on electrical transport would benefit the environment a lot. Even more if this electricity came from a natural source of energy like wind, rivers and solar boards. It’s difficult to achieve this because petrol companies will fight against these actions.
We also have to take care of our rivers and seas. We all have heard about factories throwing highly toxic substances to rivers, without minimizing their poisoning effects. A really strict law should be applied to fine these factories and make them change their policy.
But what about ourselves? We also can do a lot! If, when possible, we bought larger packs of food, we would be producing less rubbish. And this is only an example!
Subject:
In your English class you have been talking about the fashion industry. Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Some people say the fashion industry has a bad effect on people’s lives.
Do you agree?
Notes
Write about:
1. whether people’s appearance is important
2. the price of clothes
3. …………………… (your own idea)
Student’s FCE Essay Answer:
The society we live today is characterised by technology in constant development, fast speed processes, information travelling and getting to people at a blink of an eye and a complex web of social networking. In this context, the fashion industry is becoming increasingly important and having a more and more paramount role in our lives.
On one hand, the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires millions of people all over the world and generates millions of dollars every year. Furthermore, such profitable business is also believed to be able to spread and make known the culture of a people, encouraging and enhancing a better understanding of each other.
Nevertheless, for those who are neither impressed nor motivated by numbers and figures, the fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people, isolating those who not fit their laws and commands. It is stated that people place too much importance on appearance and the material, world, sadly true, and the fashion industry just spurs on such situation. Moreover, not only are the costs of fashion item unrealistically high, it is thought to be a money better spent on more pressing issues, such as poverty and hunger.
I do believe that the fashion industry, as it is today, has a harmful effect, because it values a minority of people in detriment to the majority. However, it has such a wide reach that, it put into a good use, it can save lives.
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example topics
Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:
Is it true that we help the environment when we plant a tree?
Write about:
- clear the air
- shade
- ………….( your own idea)
Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:
Nowadays children are suffering from obesity, that was once considered to be meant for adults only. What are its causes and what solutions can be offered?
Write about:
- diet
- busy lifestyle
- ………………(your own idea)
Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:
Is it better to be the oldest or the youngest in a family?
Write about:
- parents
- role of older sibling
- ………………(your own idea)
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B2 First (FCE) Essay: Writing Checklist
After writing your text, you can check it yourself using the writing checklist below.
How to do that? Simply check your text/email by answering the questions one by one:
Content
- Have I covered all the key information required by the task?
- Have I written only information which is relevant to the task?
- Have I developed the basic points in the task with my own ideas?
Communicative Achievement
- Have I achieved the main purpose(s) of the text (for example, explaining, persuading, suggesting, apologising, comparing, etc.)?
- Have I communicated a balance of straightforward and more complex ideas?
- Have I used a suitable style and register (formal or informal) for the task?
Organisation
- Have I used paragraphs appropriately to organise my ideas?
- Have I used other organisational features appropriately for the genre of the text (for example, titles, headings, openings, closings, etc.)?
- Is the connection between my ideas clear and easy for the reader to follow? (For example, have I used appropriate linking words, pronouns, etc. to refer to different things within the text?)
- Are the ideas balanced appropriately, with suitable attention and space given to each one?
Language
- Have I used a wide range of vocabulary?
- Have I avoided repeating the same words and phrases?
- Have I used a range of simple and more complex grammatical structures?
- Have I correctly used any common phrases which are relevant to the specific task or topic?
- Is my use of grammar accurate?
- Is my spelling accurate?
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Get your writing checked, track your progress online.Sample papers, online practice tests & tips.
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Tips
ANSWER THE QUESTION- PLAN your essay
- REVISE your essay to correct mistakes.
- Use a variety of discussive words and phrases
- Give examples where possible
- Use formal language
- Don’t use contractions (we’re, I’ve etc.)
- Sum up your argument in the final paragraph
- The final paragraph is the best place to express your opinion clearly.
TIP: Pay attention to style and registerOne of the most common register mistakes made by inexperienced writers involves using too personal manner in a piece of formal writing. A chatty style, characterized by the use of the words I and you, could be inappropriate and even offensive in a formal essay.
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Me, myself, IB2 First (FCE) Essay: Useful Phrases & Expressions
Introduction
The trend nowadays is towards ….
Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of ….
Recent research indicates that ….
Hardly a week goes by without another report of ……….. appearing in the media.
This raises the issue of whether ……
Although most people would generally agree that ………… few would deny that ….
Stating your opinion
As I see it,
It seems to me that ………… I would also say that ….
I am convinced that ……………
I am inclined to believe that ………………
There is no doubt in my mind that ………………
One of the drawbacks of ……. is ……….
However, one of the benefits is that …………
Changing topic
As regards the causes for this, …………..
Concerning the causes for this, ………
As for the causes, ………..
Presenting arguments
One justification is often given for ……….. is that……………..
Advocates/Proponents would claim that ………………
Those who object to …………….. often argue that ……………….
Another objection is that ……
However, it should not be forgotten that …………..
……….. are opposed to ……………. on the grounds that ……………..
From the point of view of ……………..
According to ………………..
Describing causes
One factor which has led to ………… is …………..
One of the factors which has brought this about is ………
The problem often stems from ………………..
The situation has been exacerbated by …………….
………….. has only made the situation worse.
One consequence of ……………. is …………….
Proposing steps and measures
As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion would be to ………
The first step to be taken would be to ……..
To alleviate the situation people should ………..
In addition they ought to ……………
To begin to tackle this situation society/individuals/the government need/s to This can only be dealt with if …………
To overcome this problem, …………..
Were the government to ……………, the situation would doubtless improve.
Individuals can do a great deal to …………
The burden of responsiblity lies in the hands of ……..
It is vitally important that ………
Legislation should be introduced to control ……………..
It would be a grave error if we ……………..
Concluding
All in all it seems to me that ………..
The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that …………………..
All things considered, ………….
On balance, I tend to believe that …………
The world would surely be a better place to live in if …………..
If people stopped ….ing, we would have/ we could look forward to a ……………
The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless ……………….
B2 First (FCE) Essay: FAQ
Should you do a plan?
Yes! You must make a plan to organise your writing. On the day of the exam, you will be stressed and feel pressure. A plan is your way of organising you text and your thoughts.
What happens if I write more than 190 words?
Nothing… Well, almost nothing. In the past for every 5 words extra, they took away a point, however, now they do not. It is not good to go over 190 words because of time, but you can. I wouldn´t write more than 200 words because they will probably lower the mark they give you for content. They will determine some of it to be unnecessary.
What counts as a complex language in the exam?
You MUST use complex language at B2 level. You must use attention-grabbing vocabulary and a variety of grammar structures. The passive voice, relative clauses, modal verbs, conditionals, reported speech and inversions all count as COMPLEX grammar forms and you must use them. Otherwise, you can address academic experts and pay someone to write your paper if you need help to write an essay for you.