C. The to what extent essay
In this type of essay the examiner is giving you a statement. It is obviously true but truth is never 100 %. You must decide how true it is? Are there some areas where you disagree with the statement? If so, describe how far you agree, and your points of agreement and disagreement. Words used in the question are:
To what extent ...
How true ...
How far do you agree ...
A possible answer structure is:
| Introduction to problem |
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| Aspect 1 – true |
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| Aspect 1 – false |
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| Aspect 2 – true |
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| Aspect 2 – false |
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| Aspect 3 – true |
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| Aspect 3 – false |
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| etc |
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| Conclusion a ‘subtraction’ sum |
Compare and contrast essays.
A. The Contrast essay
Contrast or distinguish between questions usually present you with two or more terms, instruments, concepts or procedures that are closely connected, and sometimes confused. The purpose of the essay is to explain the differences between them. The question may be of the form:
Contrast ...
Distinguish between ...
What is the difference between ...
What are the differences between ...
How are ... and ... different?
A suitable answer structure would be:
| Introduction to differences between A and B |
| |
| Contrast A & B in terms of first difference |
| |
| Contrast A & B in terms of second difference |
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| Contrast A & B in terms of third difference |
| |
| etc |
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| Conclusion |
B. The Compare essay
Compare questions usually present you with two or more terms, instruments, concepts or procedures that are closely connected, and sometimes confused. The purpose of the essay is to explain the similarities between them. Words used are:
Compare ...
What features do ... and ... have in common?
What are the similarities between ...
How are ... and ... similar?
A suitable answer structure would be:
| Introduction to similarities between A and B |
| |
| Compare A & B in terms of first similarity |
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| Compare A & B in terms of second similarity |
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| Compare A & B in terms of third similarity |
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| etc. |
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| Conclusion |
C. The compare and contrast essay
Compare and contrast essays require you to indicate areas in which the things to be compared are similar and different.
Compare and contrast ...
There are two main ways to answer such questions:
i.
| Introduction to differences and similarities between A and B |
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| Difference 1 |
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| Difference 2 |
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| Difference 3 |
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| etc. |
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| Transition |
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| Similarity 1 |
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| Similarity 2 |
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| Similarity 3 |
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| etc. |
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| Conclusion |
ii.
| Introduction to differences and similarities between A and B |
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| Aspect 1 – similarities |
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| Aspect 1 – differences |
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| Aspect 2 – similarities |
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| Aspect 2 – differences |
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| Aspect 3 – similarities |
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| Aspect 3 – differences |
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| etc |
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| Conclusion |
Listening
Script 23
Ex. 2. Listen to the tape, in which Kate North gives her advice on writing a descriptive essay.