40
The Writing Process: Writing Stages
iii)
iv)
c) Conclusion:
4.
Decide which of the three structures in (2) would be most
suitable for the following titles.
a) Prisons make criminals worse, and should be
abolished – discuss.
b) In the UK, radio is gaining audience while TV is losing
viewers. Consider possible reasons.
c) Trace the development of mass production and
evaluate its main benefits.
d) ‘Examinations can never be fair.’ To what extent is this
true?
e) The internet will make books redundant in twenty
years – discuss.
5.
Study the title below and the ideas collected for the essay. Add
to the list if possible. Then choose a suitable framework and
complete the plan below.
Compare the effects of advertising on TV with advertising
in newspapers. What are the main differences? Are there
any similarities?
TV adverts more lively, dynamic
newspaper adverts can be targeted at a special
market, e.g. local
TV advertising very expensive (to make and show)
many people video TV and fast forward adverts
newspaper adverts can be prepared more quickly

in most countries. Is it desirable to keep increasing the
numbers of young people who take a degree?
a) In 1985 12% of young people went to university in the
UK. Now the figure is over 30%. Similar growth has
been experienced in many countries, developed and
developing.
42
The Writing Process: Writing Stages
b) Recent research (Jackson et al.) shows that
employers are looking for personal skills rather than
educational qualifications.
c) The average student in Britain now leaves university
with debts of £15,000.
d) University education may help students from poorer
families to move into a higher social position.
e) Modern economies are based on knowledge.
Therefore, every country needs to educate its
workforce as highly as possible to compete with other
economies.
f) Because increasing numbers of young people are
gaining a first degree, their degrees are worth less.
It is now necessary to have a second degree to
compete in the labour market.
g) As student numbers rise, standards fall. Classrooms
become more crowded, and overworked teachers are
less able to give students personal attention.
1.12 Organising Paragraphs
Paragraphs are the basic building blocks of texts. Well-organised
paragraphs not only help readers understand the argument, they also
help writers to structure their ideas effectively.

while descriptive paragraphs include a lot of information.
Other sentences give examples and offer reasons and
restatements.
3.
Read and analyse the following paragraph.
In recent years all British universities have adopted the
semester system. A semester is a period of time which
lasts for half the academic year. Semester 1, for example,
starts in September and finishes in January. Previously
the academic year had been divided into three terms:
autumn, winter and spring. Most courses consist of
modules which last for one semester, and exams are
held at the end of each. Britain began using semesters to
make it easier for international students to move from one
country to another.
cross-reference
2.5 Definitions
2.7 Examples
2.12 Restatement and
Repetition
44
The Writing Process: Writing Stages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
4. The sentences below form a paragraph, but have been
mixed up.