Social Media

Writing Task - Discussion Essay

After having worked with the texts An Increase in Online Bullying and The Internet: Making us Miserable?, it is now time for you to write a discussion essay.

Task: Write a discussion essay on the positive and negative aspects of the Internet from your personal point of view. (300-500 words)

Text type: A discussion essay is a formal text that presents and discusses pros and cons of a certain topic. You do not need to reach a definite conclusion or opinion.

Preparation

Use “The internet: Making Us miserable?” as a model for your text.
Think about your own life and experiences of the Internet. Make a list of the Internet’s positive and negative aspects for you.
Try to find a few other sources of information on the positive and negative sides of Internet usage. You can interview classmates, look online, or search for printed sources in the library.

Process

Your essay should have five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs and a conclusion. Use linking words and phrases to connect arguments and paragraphs.

When writing, try to cover these points:

Introduction (paragraph 1)

Open with something interesting or amusing about the Internet in general, and connect with your readers by including them.

Give some background information about your topic.

Explain the purpose of your essay in one sentence.

Body

Paragraph 2: Explain what the positive aspects of the Internet are. Support your ideas with examples.

Paragraph 3: Explain what the negative aspects of the Internet are. Support your ideas with examples.

Paragraph 4: Discuss how you can avoid the negative aspects of the Internet.

Conclusion (paragraph 5)

Summarize your most important ideas from all three body paragraphs.

Repeat the purpose of your essay.

End with a fact or a question that the reader can continue to think about.

Tips for revising

Self-editing: Read the essay carefully, making sure that the structure is clear and that you have used correct vocabulary, linking words and grammar.

Peer feedback: Get feedback from a partner on structure, language and content. Did you present pros and cons in a clear way and did you use linking words? Rework.

Useful phrases

Introduction

Did you know that…?
Isn’t it fascinating how we all…?
Have you ever been in a situation where…?
We all know that…
Most of us have…
The purpose of this essay is…

Body

The Internet can be a real asset when…
A great example of this is…
Moreover…
However…
For instance…
Consequently…
To come to terms with…
In order to avoid…
On the one hand…, on the other hand…

Conclusion

In conclusion
Luckily, there are solutions…
I recommend that everybody…

Writing Exam: Discussion Essay about Social-Media and the Internet.

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