PUNCTUATION
One of the biggest problems you students have with English is punctuation when you write and intonation when you speak. You should bear in mind that when we speak, we use intonation, it’s that musicality which makes you give meaning to your sentences. With no intonation, you cannot be understood by anyone. Do you remember the game we had in class ? Have a look at it again:
Ready?
No.
Why?
Problems.
Problems?
Yes.
What?
Money.
If you don’t use intonation correctly, the conversation loses its meaning and you cannot be understood. Do never forget that you are speaking , or writing , to convey a message to someone else who has to understand you. If the addressee doesn’t understand you, it doesn’t mean he or she is stupid but simply that you were not able to make them get you idea.
This very intonation which gives meaning to your sentences when speaking , is what we mean by punctuation when we write. I have seen students who write one loooooong sentence in a paragraph. I guess it’s illogical and unconceivable too.
My advice to all of you is to write short sentences first. The easiest way is to start with sb + vb + C. then with time you learn how to stretch your sentences by adding adjectives, ad verbs………the best writers are those who know how write clearly and easily so that they can be understood and therefore have a large audience.
You should first know that:
1- A – B – C : Every sentence begins with a capital letter. Capital letters are also used for personal names, Countries, names of languages, nationalities……
2- , : commas are used in writing at places where , in speaking , we pause.
3- “ ” : quotation marks show the words someone said or when a world is not English such as “Melwi” or “Harira”.
4- ? : question marks are put at the end of all questions.
5- ! : exclamation marks are put at the end of exclamations.
6- ’ : an apostrophe is always used with possessives and with contractions. e.g Ali’s book or Ali’s a student.
THE ENGLISH TENSES
Another problem is tenses. I always wonder why, as I think that English is much easier than Arabic or French which students can speak quite well . There is no “premier,deuxième or troisième groupe” . There is only one infinitive in English and from that infinitive we can have all the forms easily. Eg I play. (the same as the infinitive) I played (infinitive + ed) I am playing (infinitive + ing) ……………………
Remember the chart bellow whenever you are speaking or writing:
Simple present tense:
I play soccer every week-end. ( REPETITION ) To show how often it is repeated, we can use - always (100% repetition) - usually - sometimes - rarely - never (0% repetition) Questions: Do you understand ? (Do + sb + infinitive) Negation: No, I don’t understand. (sb + do not + infinitive)
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Simple past tense:
I played tennis yesterday. (finished) + (time expression : 1- yesterday 2- last…….. 3- …….ago 4- In + date 5- When…….(time-clause
Questions: Did you do it ? ( did + sb + infinitive)
Negation: No, I didn’t do it. (sb + did not + infinitive) |
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Present continuous:
1- I am playing now/ at this moment. 2- I am playing tomorrow/ next……
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Future tenses:
1- I shall play tomorrow. 2- I will play tomorrow. 3- I’ll play tomorrow. 4- I am playing tomorrow. 5- I will be playing tomorrow. 6- I am going to play tomorrow. 7- I will have played by tomorrow.
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Present perfect tense:
1- I have played tennis since 1994. I have played tennis for ten years. (not finished: I still play tennis)
2- I have just played tennis. I have already played tennis. I have not played tennis yet.
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LINKING WORDs
Most students don’t use any linking words when they are writing as they give more importance to their ideas not the way those ideas should be conveyed , supported or opposed ….. In other words, they don’t make their writing look beautiful as they don’t know what a good style looks like. Please, do use linking words whenever you write. You’ll see the difference and will savour the beauty of your style once you manage to use them correctly.
Addition:
1- I speak French and English too. I speak French and English also. I speak French and English as well. I speak French as well as English.
2- I speak French. What’s more, I write it as well. I speak French . Furthermore, I write it too. I speak French . Moreover, I also write it l. I speak French. Besides (this), I write it well. I speak French . In addition to this, I write it well. 3- I speak not only French but English too. I speak not only French but also English . Not only do I speak French but also English |
contrast
1- I Speak Berber but I don’t write it. I speak Berber . Yet, I don’t write it. I speak Berber . However, I don’t write it. I speak Berber but I don’t write it, however.
2-( I am Zemmouri but I don’t speak Berber.) Even if I am Zemmouri , I don’t speak Berber. Even though I am Zemmouri , I don’t speak Berber. Although I am Zemmouri , I don’t speak Berber. Though I am Zemmouri , I don’t speak Berber.
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Expressing the cause: 1- I come to school because I am a student. Because I am a student , I come to school.
2- Amine is absent since he is sick. Since Amine is sick , he is absent.
3- I study English a lot as I like it. As I like English , I study it a lot.
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Expressing purpose: (I come to school because I want to study) 1- I come to school to study. 2- I come to school in order to study. 3 - I come to school so as to study.
4- I come to school so that I can study. I come to school in order that I can study.
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Neither…nor…1- Hajar doesn’t cook. Ikram doesn’t cook ,either. Neither Hajar nor Ikram cooks. 2- Nada doesn’t sing. She doesn’t dance, either. Nada neither sings nor dances. 3-Asma doesn’t cook tajine. She doesn’t cook couscous , either. Asma cooks neither tajine nor couscous.
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WRITING A PARAGRAPH
( One )
Here are some tips to help you write a paragraph:
1- Do always write a topic sentence that gives an idea about what the paragraph is about.
2-Give supporting details i.e. (explain the idea given in the topic sentence then add examples, statistics, facts…to clarify your idea)
3-Use linking words to connect your sentences and to make your style look more beautiful.
(do never forget that you are going to be penalized for not using enough liking words i.e. less marks)
4- When you have finished, read your paragraph through and try to correct the mistakes you may have made in punctuation, spelling and grammar and so on.
Read this paragraph and give names to each element:
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There are three categories of offence as “war crimes”. |
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First, there are crimes against peace. |
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For example, some individuals plot war against non-aggressive countries. |
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Second, there are violations of the customs and laws of war. |
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For instance, some soldiers murder prisoners, hostages and civilians. |
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Finally, there are crimes against humanity. |
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These crimes include extermination, enslavement and other inhumane acts committed against any civilian population. |
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
WRITING A PARAGRAPH
( One )
Here are some tips to help you write a paragraph:
1- Do always write a topic sentence that gives an idea about what the paragraph is about.
2-Give supporting details i.e. (explain the idea given in the topic sentence then add examples, statistics, facts…to clarify your idea)
3-Use linking words to connect your sentences and to make your style look more beautiful.
(do never forget that you are going to be penalized for not using enough liking words i.e. less marks)
4- When you have finished, read your paragraph through and try to correct the mistakes you may have made in punctuation, spelling and grammar and so on.
Read this paragraph and give names to each element:
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There are three categories of offence as “war crimes”. |
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First, there are crimes against peace. |
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For example, some individuals plot war against non-aggressive countries. |
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Second, there are violations of the customs and laws of war. |
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For instance, some soldiers murder prisoners, hostages and civilians. |
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Finally, there are crimes against humanity. |
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These crimes include extermination, enslavement and other inhumane acts committed against any civilian population. |
WRITING A PARAGRAPH
( two )
The world Health Organization (WHO) intends to help all peoples achieve the highest possible level of health. Initially, WHO hopes to do this through disease eradication. For example, it helps to eradicate the scourge of centuries smallpox. Second, it aims at improving nutrition. For instance, WHO advertises the value of breastfeeding to make women aware of the importance of giving their milk to their infants. Finally, it helps poor people to get cheap or free medicine. To illustrate this, last year it changed the pharmaceutical giants by arguing for a list of two hundred key drugs that should be sold in developing countries, instead of the three to five thousand drugs marketed there previously. In brief,, WHO has continued actions to provide vaccinations, improved nutrition, and medicine for everybody.
Topic sentence |
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Supporting sentence 1 |
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Supporting sentence 2 |
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Supporting sentence 3 |
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Concluding sentence |
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- How do organizations fight poverty in Morocco? Give three reasons.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
WRITING A PARAGRAPH
The world Health Organization (WHO) intends to help all peoples achieve the highest possible level of health. Initially, WHO hopes to do this through disease eradication. For example, it helps to eradicate the scourge of centuries smallpox. Second, it aims at improving nutrition. For instance, WHO advertises the value of breastfeeding to make women aware of the importance of giving their milk to their infants. Finally, it helps poor people to get cheap or free medicine. To illustrate this, last year it changed the pharmaceutical giants by arguing for a list of two hundred key drugs that should be sold in developing countries, instead of the three to five thousand drugs marketed there previously. In brief,, WHO has continued actions to provide vaccinations, improved nutrition, and medicine for everybody.
Topic sentence |
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Supporting sentence 1 |
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Supporting sentence 2 |
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Supporting sentence 3 |
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Concluding sentence |
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- How do organizations fight poverty in Morocco? Give three reasons.
RITING A PARAGRAPH
( three )
Read the following sentences then write down:
1-For example, when students want to learn more about a subject, they should use a foreign language, especially English to look for information.
2-In short , learning a foreign language opens up job opportunities, enlarges our knowledge and makes us open-minded.
3-For instance, job seekers should know English or Spanish if they want to have a respectable job.
4- Studying a foreign language broadens our horizons.
5- Finally, it helps us recognize that our way of viewing the world and doing things is not the only way.
6-First, it broadens our opportunities in careers.
7-So, our contacts will increase and our understanding and acceptance of other people’s ideas and cultures will expand.
8-Second, it broadens our intellectual potential.
The topic sentence:…………………………………………………………………………………. Supporting detail1:……………………………………………………………………………….. Supporting detail 2:………………………………………………………………………………. Supporting example1:……………………………………………………………………………. Supporting example2:…………………………………………………………………………….... Conclusion:……………………………………………………………………………………….…
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Read the following sentences then write down:
1-For example, when students want to learn more about a subject, they should use a foreign language, especially English to look for information.
2-In short , learning a foreign language opens up job opportunities, enlarges our knowledge and makes us open-minded.
3-For instance, job seekers should know English or Spanish if they want to have a respectable job.
4- Studying a foreign language broadens our horizons.
5- Finally, it helps us recognize that our way of viewing the world and doing things is not the only way.
6-First, it broadens our opportunities in careers.
7-So, our contacts will increase and our understanding and acceptance of other people’s ideas and cultures will expand.
8-Second, it broadens our intellectual potential.
The topic sentence:…………………………………………………………………………………. Supporting detail1:……………………………………………………………………………….. Supporting detail 2:………………………………………………………………………………. Supporting example1:……………………………………………………………………………. Supporting example2:…………………………………………………………………………….... Conclusion:……………………………………………………………………………………….…
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WRITING A PARAGRAPH
( four )
Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch television, it can be good for them. First of all, I think that television is a cheap entertainment . On Sundays, when children drive their parents crazy, the TV can bring them some fun. Besides this, it is too expensive to take the whole family to the movies. For instance, the family can sit in their living room and watch a movie on television. Secondly, it is my conviction that television can be a good teacher. Studies show that these TV programmes help children do well in school. For example, small children can learn the alphabet and numbers on children’s programmes. In addition to this, nature programmes teach them about our earth and how to care for it. In brief television is a useful medium for the entertainment and teaching of kids.
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Task n° 1:
1- What is the main topic?................................................................................................................................... 2- What is the main idea?................................................................................................................................... ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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1-Topic sentence:………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2-opinion 1:…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3-support 2:…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4:example:………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5-opinion 2:……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6-support 1: …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7-support 2:……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8-example :……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9- concluding sentence:……………………………………………………………………………………….
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Task n° 2
Complete the following paragraph with some of your own ideas:
Although some people don’t like to watch television, it can be good for them. First of all, I think that television is a cheap entertainment . In the evening, when we ……………………………………………………………………………………………………., the TV can bring us some fun and consequently we can have a good time together. Besides this, it is too expensive to …………………………………………………………………………………………..…….. ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. For instance, the family can sit in their living room and watch ……………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………… on television. Secondly, it is my conviction that television can be a good school. Studies have shown that these TV programmes help ……………………………………………………………………………………………..….. ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. For example, …………………………………………………………………………………….. In addition to this, documentaries can teach them about .....……………………………………………………………………………………..…………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………… In brief television is a useful medium for the entertainment and …………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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WRITING A COMPOSITION
These are the steps you should follow in order to write a composition:
1- Understand the topic and circle the questions / ideas they want you to write about.
2- Collect ideas (if you have problems with English, write them in Arabic, or French ).
3- organize your ideas and plan your writing ( topic sentence, supporting details……).
4- Write the first draft.
5- Revise the first draft ( the form, then punctuation. After that go to the verbs and check your tenses….)
6-Write your final draft.
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WRITING A COMPOSITION
These are the steps you should follow in order to write a composition:
1- Understand the topic and circle the questions / ideas they want you to write about.
2- Collect ideas (if you have problems with English, write them in Arabic, or French ).
3- organize your ideas and plan your writing ( topic sentence, supporting details……).
4- Write the first draft.
5- Revise the first draft ( the form, then punctuation. After that go to the verbs and check your tenses….)
6-Write your final draft.
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WRITING A COMPOSITION
These are the steps you should follow in order to write a composition:
1- Understand the topic and circle the questions / ideas they want you to write about.
2- Collect ideas (if you have problems with English, write them in Arabic, or French ).
3- organize your ideas and plan your writing ( topic sentence, supporting details……).
4- Write the first draft.
5- Revise the first draft ( the form, then punctuation. After that go to the verbs and check your tenses….)
6-Write your final draft.
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WRITING A COMPOSITION
These are the steps you should follow in order to write a composition:
1- Understand the topic and circle the questions / ideas they want you to write about.
2- Collect ideas (if you have problems with English, write them in Arabic, or French ).
3- organize your ideas and plan your writing ( topic sentence, supporting details……).
4- Write the first draft.
5- Revise the first draft ( the form, then punctuation. After that go to the verbs and check your tenses….)
6-Write your final draft.
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WRITING A COMPOSITION
These words are usually found in the topics given in the exam paper:
argue |
Present the case for and against |
compare |
Look for similarities and differences |
discuss |
Consider all the sides of the problem. |
define |
Bring out the meaning |
summarize |
Describe without details, in a short way. |
illustrate |
Make clear with examples |
Globalisation enables rich countries to buy and sell any product in any country in the world; however, it creates problems to developing countries.
Write an article to your school magazine to discuss the advantages and drawbacks of globalisation.
WRITING A COMPOSITION
These words are usually found in the topics given in the exam paper:
argue |
Present the case for and against |
compare |
Look for similarities and differences |
discuss |
Consider all the sides of the problem. |
define |
Bring out the meaning |
summarize |
Describe without details, in a short way. |
illustrate |
Make clear with examples |
Globalisation enables rich countries to buy and sell any product in any country in the world; however, it creates problems to developing countries.
Write an article to your school magazine to discuss the advantages and drawbacks of globalisation.
WRITING A COMPOSITION
These words are usually found in the topics given in the exam paper:
argue |
Present the case for and against |
compare |
Look for similarities and differences |
discuss |
Consider all the sides of the problem. |
define |
Bring out the meaning |
summarize |
Describe without details, in a short way. |
illustrate |
Make clear with examples |
Globalisation enables rich countries to buy and sell any product in any country in the world; however, it creates problems to developing countries.
Write an article to your school magazine to discuss the advantages and drawbacks of globalisation.
These phrases may be of great help if you manage to learn how to use them correctly. I advise all of you to learn them by heart first, then use as many as you can whenever you are writing. You’ll see how beautiful your style will be in a few weeks “Inshallah” .
To introduce an idea
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A great deal of writing has been devoted to…………………… It’s generally said / thought/ assumed that………………… Nowadays we take it for granted that…………………………… It’s a known fact that…………………………………………… Gone are the days when………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………..
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To introduce a paragraph
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One advantage of …………………...is …… …………. Another advantage of………..is………..
One disadvantage of …………….…..is…….. Another disadvantage of……..…..is……….
Another point in favour of ……….…is………… Another point against… …………..is……….
A further advantage………………….is………… A further disadvantage of………….is…………
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To conclude |
To sum up……………………. In brief ……………………… All in all ……………………. In a nutshell………………….. …………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………….. In conclusion one can say that………………………………….. At this point one can say that ………………… one can conclude by saying that……………… ………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………….
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These are some of the phrases we have seen in the text book this year:
-For many hundreds of years, -For many centuries, - In the last decades, - Nowadays - Today - At the present -In the Internet age - In olden times………but today………
- In this article, I will discuss some problems - First of all , I wish to emphasize - In this context, we need to adapt to - In this kind of situation, we need to - I would like to focus today on - If there is one thought I can impress on you today, it is ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………
- To some extent , it is true to say that - It is needless to say that - Unlike what most people think, - While much has been written on….. , most people still … - It is then quite obvious that - While there is clearly no silver bullet for……. , many would argue that ….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………
- Certainly one of the best ways to …is…. - The outcome is not trivial, for example…… - Taking everything into account, .................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Should woman go out to work? Write an article to show the disadvantages of going out to work.
Introduction: Gone are the days when woman was considered as a rag in the kitchen. Nowadays she goes out to work and can have independence and a strong personality. However, to what extent does going out to work have only advantages for women?
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Body: When woman goes out to work, she loses her children and husband too. That is to say that those children miss their mother who has to spend the whole day out of home. Mother knows that her children need affection, love and above all her presence near them all the time . Since she can’t afford all that, she buys their love by giving them money and buying them whatever they want. This money can lead children to spend all their time in the street buying sweets and playing. With time these sweets become cigarettes ; and these latter can become drugs and mother can say goodbye to her kids.
Another disadvantage of going out to work is that woman loses her womanhood. Some women who do men’s jobs can become like men in their way of thinking; their way of speaking and even in their physique…………………
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Conclusion: At this point can say that even if woman has gained independence and self-confidence, she has lost a lot of things among which her family and perhaps the most cherished quality of women, femininity.
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These phrases may be of great help if you manage to learn how to use them correctly. I advise all of you to learn them by heart first, then use as many as you can whenever you are writing. You’ll see how beautiful your style will be in a few weeks “Inshallah” .
To introduce an idea or a paragraph |
A great deal of writing has been devoted to…………………… It’s generally said / thought/ assumed that………………… Nowadays we take it for granted that…………………………… It’s a known fact that…………………………………………… Gone are the days when…………………………………………
One advantage of ….is …… …………. Another advantage of………..is……….. One disadvantage of …..is…….. Another disadvantage of……..is………. Another point in favour of …is………… Another point against… ……..is………. A further advantage/disadvantage of………….is…………
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To oppose an idea before |
However, Yet , Nevertheless Although, though, even though, even if In spite of , despite
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To support an idea before |
Besides, Moreover, Furthermore, Moreover What’s more, in addition to this…..
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To conclude |
In conclusion one can say that………………………………….. To sum up……………………. In a nutshell………………….. At this point, one can say that ………………… At this point, one can conclude by saying that………………
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy?
Introduction:
A great deal of writing has been devoted to the problem of…….……………….but to what extent can we say that……………………………..has so many disadvantages and advantages as well?
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Body:
One advantage of ……………is that …………….. (topic sentence) + ( Explain ) + ( give examples.)
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Another point in favour of…………is that……………(topic sentence) + ( explain) + ( give examples)
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On the other hand, ……….has so many disadvantages . One of these drawbacks is …………….. (topic sentence ) + ( explain) + ( give examples)
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A further point against ………….is ………….. (topic sentence) + ( explain ) + ( give examples)
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Conclusion:
At this point, one can say that even if ……………..………has so many advantages , it also has drawbacks that….. ………….. ………….…………So, one …………………
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EXPOSITORY
If you could change one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be ?
Think about the things you would change and why.
Introduction : (why would you like to change the world and what would you like to change?) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. |
Body :
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Conclusion : (give a summary of the ideas discussed then give advice to people to keep the world safe.) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. |
These phrases can help you : The world nowadays is………. We are living in world characterized by…. I have always dreamt of a world…. What pushed me to…….is…….. What urged me to take this decision is…. |
To conclude : All in all / in a nutshell / ………. To sum up all what has been said, I believe…. To put it all together, people should…….
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For further practice:
EXPOSITORY WRITINGS
1- What is the best or the worst day you have ever spent with your family ? 2- Everyone has an idea about what they would like to do when they grow up. Think about the career you would like to do when you finish school. 3- Everyone has thought about trips they might take and places they would like to visit. Write a paper telling where you would like to go if you could. 4- Best friend are special people in our lives. Think about your best friend and reasons that you like in him/her. 5- People learn things at school and in life. What is the most important thing you have learned ? 6- Everyone is afraid of something –heights, spiders or flying. What do you fear the most ? Write a story about a situation in which you had to face your fear.
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DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
Imagine that someone gave you a very special ring. What does this ring look
like as it sits on your finger?
Describe this ring down to the reader to the last detail so that your reader can picture it on your hand.
Introduction: (what are rings good for? When did someone give you a very special ring?) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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Body:
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Conclusion: (summarize what happened. What’s the moral of the story?) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Useful phrases The moral:
People have always used simple things to symbolize big things. Rings have always been synonym of……………… It is common to hear about objects with special power, but to possess one like this is beyond magic. The ring had the power of……………………………………… Everything seemed alright until………………………………. |
Greatness lies within………………….. I am what I think of myself everyday…. I learnt that with special powers come big responsibilities. |
For further practice:
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1. Par wassim le 2024-02-26
tres bien
2. Par fistone le 2023-07-09
Bon courage
3. Par mouna el achgar le 2023-07-09
je suis une enseignante de la langue française et cette année je vais enseigner pour la première fois ...
4. Par Salwa le 2023-03-18
Merci
5. Par Rbandez le 2022-11-19
Trés Bon resumé
6. Par Rbandez le 2022-11-19
Trés Bon resumé
7. Par El otmani le 2022-11-01
Bonjour Merci pour votre exemple je le trouve vraiment intéressant Auriez-vous un exemple pour une ...
8. Par Ben le 2022-10-26
C'est un des articles les plus complets qu'il m'a été donné de lire sur les blogs et l'enseignement ! ...