Controles y ajustes

For many students deciding how to plan an essay under the stress of the exam causes many problems.

However, you should note that, while the range of general subjects is wide, there is a limit to the type of question you can be asked to write about.

This exercise shows a range of essay types. Look at the titles below and then at the plans which follow.

Decide which basic plan, or plans, is suitable for each essay.

Note that two of the titles do not have plans.

1. A growing number of people feel animals should have the same rights as humans. Discuss the difficulties that the adoption of such a policy would have for humans. What is your own opinion on this matter?

2. A growing number of people feel animals should have the same rights as humans. Others feel that humans must always come first and accuse animal rights activists of being overly sentimental.

How far do you agree or disagree?

3. The wealth of a nation depends primarily on the level of education of its workforce. How far do you agree with this statement and what other factors do you think might be involved?

4. The primary concern of architects should be to create buildings that are pleasing to the eye rather than just being functional. What would be the benefits to society if architects adopted such a

principle?

5. Education is not a luxury, but a basic human right and as such should be free for everyone irrespective of personal wealth. Discuss the difficulties of applying such a principle.

6. The extinction of animals is part of a natural process that we as human beings should not interfere with. What are the arguments against this statement and how far do you agree with it yourself?

7. For a long time, there has been concern about the quality of the food we eat what with food additives and contamination from pesticides and pollution. Now the advances in

genetically-engineered food are causing concern among the general public. Is this concern, in your opinion, justified or are we all just looking for something to worry about?

8. Prisons are basically universities of crime, fostering the kind of behaviour they aim to eradicate.

In what ways can prisons help criminals to function normally when they return to society? Do you think such attempts at rehabilitating criminals are effective?

9. The cloning of human beings is an inevitable consequence of human development. Should such cloning be banned? Or should scientists be allowed to continue developing this field of research?

10. Cloning is an inevitable consequence of human development. What are the dangers if it is allowed to develop unchecked? Should it be banned totally?

Section on Writing

Plan A

_________________ has been an issue about which there has been considerable hostile debate. There are, of course, a number of problems involved in adopting such a policy.

The main difficulty i s __________________

________________________________ is yet another obstacle.

As far as I am concerned,_______________

Plan B

Whether.______

__________________________ . I personally My main reason i s _____________________

Another justification i s __________________

Last but not least,____________________

PlanC

Whether____________________________

__________________________ . (I personally _____________ ____ ______ .)

Some people feel ____________________

Others ______________________________

In my opinion,_________________

Plan D

___________________ is a matter of debate.

There are, however, several strong arguments against this.

________________ is, in my opinion, the main contributing factor. There are, of course, several risks inherent in such a development.

Another course of action would be t o _______

I am personally of the o p in io n _____________

Plan H

___________________ is a matter of debate.

There are, of course, several strong arguments for/against doing this.

___________________ is obviously the main argument for/against. However, in my opinion, Another justification for/against is __________

_____________ . Having said that, however, I fe e l_____________________ .

From my point of view,___________________

Section on Writing

E xercise 23: Same general subject - different focus

This exercise gives you further practice in interpreting essay titles. Below there are ten essay titles all with the same general subject, but the focus of each essay question is different. Following the titles, there are some explanations. Match the explanations to the titles. Note that there are more explanations than titles;

some of the explanations are wrong or not complete. In one or two cases there may be more than one correct answer.

Essay titles

1. Some people feel that media like the press, television, and the Internet should be more strictly controlled. Others believe that, if anything, the controls should be loosened to give people freer access to information. Where do you stand on this issue?

2. Some people are o f the opinion that media like the press, television, and the Internet should be more strictly controlled. Others feel that the controls should be loosened to give people freer access to information. How far do you agree with loosening the controls?

3. Some people are of the opinion that media like the press, television, and the Internet should be more strictly controlled. Others firmly feel that, if anything, the controls should be loosened to give people freer access to information. Discuss the dangers and advantages if media controls were further relaxed.

4. Some people believe that media like the press, television, and the Internet should be more strictly controlled. Others feel that, if anything, the controls should be loosened to give people freer access to information. What are the disadvantages of not relaxing media controls further?

And where do you stand on the issue?

5. Some people think that media like the press, television, and the Internet should be more strictly controlled. Others feel that if anything the controls should be loosened to give people freer access to information. Discuss the problems that might arise if the controls were relaxed and give your own opinion on the issue.

6. Some people fear that media like the press, television, and the Internet will cause irreparable damage unless they are more strictly controlled. Others feel that, if anything, the controls should be loosened to give people freer access to information. Is this fear really justified? Give reasons for your answer.

7. Some people believe that media like the press, television, and the Internet should be more strictly controlled. Others feel that if anything the controls should be loosened to give people freer access to information. What are the dangers of such freedom? Do you feel there should be more controls over the media or do you think that the restrictions in place are too tight?

8. Some people believe that media like the press, television, and the Internet should be more strictly controlled. Others feel that if anything the controls should be loosened to give people freer access to information. To what extent do you agree with the idea of reducing media controls? Have you any reservations either way?

9. Some people believe that media like the press, television, and the Internet should be more strictly controlled. Others feel that if anything the controls should be loosened to give people freer access to information. Discuss the arguments for and against the latter idea and give your own views.

10. Some people believe that media like the press, television, and the Internet should be more strictly controlled. Others feel that if anything the controls should be loosened to give people freer access to information. Should the controls be made tighter? Or should there be more freedom for the media?

Section on Writing

Explanations

A. The question is asking you to describe what the drawbacks could be if controls over the media are relaxed. You also have to give your own opinion. The question has two main parts.

B. You are being asked to discuss the risks involved in relaxing control of the media. There is another part to this question i.e. you have to give your opinion about whether controls need to be tightened or whether they are already too restrictive.

C. This title asks you whether you agree with relaxing or tightening media controls. You can state your opinion and give your reasons. Or you can state your own opinion generally, then give other people’s views and then demolish them by supporting your own opinion. Or you can give other people’s views and then demolish them by giving your own.

D. You are being asked to give your opinion i.e. which side of the issue do you agree with or are you in the middle?

E. This title asks to write about the risks involved in having media controls. You should also give your opinion. The question has two parts.

F. You are being asked to describe the problems involved if media controls were relaxed and to give your opinion.

G. This title asks you to write about the risks involved and the benefits in having looser media controls.

H. The question is asking you to describe what the drawbacks could be if controls over the media are not relaxed. You also have to give your own opinion.

I. You are being asked to describe the problems involved if media controls were relaxed. You are not being asked to write about anything else.

J. Note the question has three elements. You are being asked to describe the arguments for and against relaxing media control and also to give your opinion.

K. Note the question has two elements. You are being asked to describe the arguments for relaxing media control and also to give your opinion.

L. Should we be afraid of relaxing controls governing the media? This also means that you should ask yourself: Or should we not be afraid? Then you are asked to give the reasons for your opinion.

M. You are being asked to state how far you agree with relaxing media controls and also whether you have any doubts either way regarding the issue.

N. You are being asked to state how far you agree with relaxing or tightening media controls.

Note the question has only one part.

Section on Writing