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Academic English (UWB 10102 /UWB 1010// UMB 1011) Faculty of Science, Technology and Human Development

Example of writing steps Below is an excerpt of a letter published in a local newspaper. You would like to respond to it. Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper and state your viewpoint, giving reasons to support your opinion. Dear Sir, I am one of those who truly believe that the Internet has more disadvantages than advantages. The likelihood of people misusing the Internet is very high. They can use it to spread lies or untrue information. What is that this information can also be disseminated at almost everybody with little or no control. The user can get access to all sorts of information, be it good or bad. Of course, you may say that parents ought to control their children’s usage of the Internet but as we know, many of today’s parents have very little contact time with their children. They are either away at work or do not understand what the Internet is all about. Also, I feel that the Internet can be rather addictive. Even adults sometimes spend hours chatting on the Internet. I have seen the effect of this behaviour on my family – my brother spends hours chatting with his Internet friends and hardly interacts with us, his family, any more. Families can and have broken up due to this addiction! So, I think we should not see the internet as the Great God of Technology. It is only one of the technological advances that mankind has wrought and has its weaknesses. Outline of the Essay Introduction  The internet- crucial-useful invention  Disagree with writer- a lot of advantages Body Point 1 – important role in the world of communication  Easy and inexpensive ways to communicate – emails, messenger, chatting, teleconferencing, blogging.  Saves time – deliver messages in seconds.  No need post office Point 2 – Access to the wealth of information  Various fields – business, education, science and entertainment.  Easy to get and free  Powerful tool for students – assignments and projects – promotes learning  No need to spend hours browsing for information. Point 3 – Major role in the fields of entertainment Noor Shahariah Bt Saleh Language and Communication Department

Academic English (UWB 10102 /UWB 1010// UMB 1011) Faculty of Science, Technology and Human Development

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Download songs, music Watch sports events Play online games Download movies – no need to go to cinema

Point 4 – agree with writer – potential to distract students from their studies  Agree up to a certain point  Brother spent hours – effect concentration  Do not blame the Internet – plan timetable and teach time management  Ensure brother does not spend too much time on the internet Conclusion  Undeniable – many advantages  Marvellous creation – paved way for progress  Do not point only at negative aspects  Make full use of the Internet – benefit mankind Sample essay Dear Sir, The Internet Has More Advantages Than Disadvantages

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Title

In this era of science and technology, the Internet plays a crucial part in our lives. It is one of the most useful inventions of all time and it has brought us a lot of advantages in various aspects. Therefore, I strongly disagree with the writer’s opinions which were published in your editorial column.

Opinion/ feedback

Firstly, the Internet plays an important role in the world of ] communication. This is because the Internet offers easy and inexpensive ways to communicate such as emails, messenger, chatting, teleconferencing and blogging. Besides that, the Internet also saves time as messages can be delivered in a matter of seconds. Today, we do not need to go to the post office to post a letter in order to contact family or friends. Snail mail has become history. Other than that, the Internet also enables us to gain access to a ] wealth of information with just a click of the mouse. Information from various fields such as business, education, science and entertainment from all over the world is not only easily obtainable but most of it is also free of charge. In education, the Internet is a very powerful tool for students for the completion of their assignments or projects. In other words, the Internet helps

Topic sentence (Point 1)

Noor Shahariah Bt Saleh Language and Communication Department

Supporting Introduction and opinion details (farther elaboration) Comment/opinion Topic sentence (point 2) Supporting (elaboration) Farther elaboration

details

Academic English (UWB 10102 /UWB 1010// UMB 1011) Faculty of Science, Technology and Human Development

to promote students’ learning. Students of today need to cover to obtain information.

Consolidation argument/opinion

of

Apart from that, the Internet also plays a major role in the ] field of entertainment. We can download songs, music, watch sports and even play games via the Internet. We can entertain ourselves by just sitting in front of the computer. On top of that, we can also download films and watch them on our computer screens instead of going through the hassle of going to the cinema.

Topic sentence (point 3)

However, I do agree up to a certain point with the writer ] that the Internet has the potential to distract students from their studies. His brother spent hours in front of the computer and this has affected his concentration on his studies. Instead of blaming the Internet, he should plan a timetable for his brother and teach his brother time management. This would ensure that his brother does not spend too much time in front of the computer.

Topic sentence (Point 4)

In conclusion, it is undeniable that the Internet brings us many ] advantages. It is a marvellous creation that has paved the way for progress. Let us not point our fingers at the Internet for the very negative aspects that come with the package. Instead, we should make full use of the Internet to benefit mankind.

Conclusion

Internet Civilian

Author/pseudonym

Supporting details (elaboration/ examples)

Supporting (suggestion/ solution)

details offer

Suggestion and ending

Examiner’s comment        

Good cohesive devices used (connected in reasonable way) Sentences and ideas are well-linked Good paragraphing Points are in sequence and examples are provided No grammatical errors Some expressions used but can still be improved Use varied vocabulary and sentence structure to gain more marks More illustration will reinforce the points given especially for the first point on the role of the internet in the world of communication.

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Generally a well-planned essay with no grammatical error- band 4 Adapted from MUET October/ November 2002

Noor Shahariah Bt Saleh Language and Communication Department