Descriptive writing

Writing Descriptive Paragraphs ExerciseUpgrade Language Exercises

Punctuation

Introduction to Clauses( ) brackets / parentheses
, comma/ slash / oblique
: colon– – dashes
; semi-colon

Varying Sentence Patterns

Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)Starting with a Preposition Phrase
Inserting Relative ClausesStarting with a Verb
Using the Passive VoiceStarting with a Conditional
Starting with a Sub-clauseStarting with a List
Starting with Speech

Linking Phrases

Listing IdeasExpressing an alternative
Giving examplesContrast
GeneralisingStating the obvious
ReinforcementTransition to a new point
SimilarityConcession
Results and ConsequenceGiving Personal Opinion
DeductionMass or Alternative Opinion
Emphasis and HighlightingReference
ReformulationSummarising

Literary Devices

AlliterationOnomatopoeia
AnalogyOxymoron
AnaphoraParallelism
AssonanceParadox
ChiasmusPersonification
ConsonancePun
EpistropheRhetorical Question
EuphemismRhyme
HyperboleSarcasm
IronySimile (simple)
KoanSimile (advanced)
LitotesSoraismus
Metaphor (simple)Synecdoche
Metaphor (advanced)Understatement

Essay guides

The 5-Paragraph Essay: An IntroductionSupporting Sentences and Evidence
The Argumentative Essay: An introductionTopic Sentences

Essay examples (short)

What can be done to make people feel safer? (240 words)Will robots have a positive or negative effect on society’s future? (371 words)
Are intelligent friends better than humorous friends? (262 words)Should students primarily concentrate on subjects that will help them get a job? (375 words)
Is it right that celebrities endorse charities? (298 words)Should food advertising be banned in an effort to reduce overeating? (376 words)
Should schools promote arts and sciences equally? (299 words)Should compulsary retirement be introduced in order to ease youth unemployment? (379 words)
Do advertisements reduce individuality? (301 words)What are the positive and negative effects of internationally mixed cultures? (384 words)
Should children always obey rules in class? (324 words)What are the positive and negative effects of internationally mixed cultures? (384 words)
Can young people be leaders? (325 words)What are the positive and negative effects of internationally mixed cultures? (384 words)
Should universities have quotas? (328 words)Why do more people watch blockbusters than locally produced films? (390 words)
Should the government subsidise artists? (328 words)How is a reduction in face-to-face contact affecting society? (398 words)
Are ‘national awareness days’ effective? (333 words)What can be done to reduce anti-social behaviour? (402 words)
Is pollution a necessary part of development? (334 words)Does peer pressure make people buy products they don’t need? (short version) (416 words)
How important is it to think about the future? (334 words)Should state money be spent on celebratory events? (424 words)
Are environmental problems best solved through technology or living simpler lives? (346 words)Is technology damaging young people’s literacy skills? (433 words)
What is music’s role in society? (351 words)Are families less close than they used to be? (446 words)
Should companies have gender quotas? (352 words)Is job satisfaction more important than job security? (470 words)
Is economic development beneficial? (358 words)Is taxation as a form of population control right? (648 words)
Should unhealthy food be banned? (360 words)Does peer pressure make people buy products they don’t need? (662 words)
Are large or small classes best for language learning? (363 words)Has the increase of women in the work force had an adverse effect on children at home? (790 words)

University report examples

Undergraduate Paper (Year 1; Report and Proposal)

Email examples

Simple job applicationSimple business enquiry