1 Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.
1 Do you study any creative subjects at school? Which ones?
2 Do you think it is important for students to study creative subjects like art and drama? Why? / Why not?
2 Read the essay task. Then work in pairs. Discuss ideas 1 and 2 in the notes and your own ideas.
Creative subjects like art, music and drama are just as important as maths and science in schools.
Notes
Write about:
1 the popularity of creative subjects
2 useful skills that students learn from creative subjects
3 ………………………………………… (your own idea)
3 Read Toby’s essay and answer the questions.
1 Does it mention any of your ideas from Exercise 2?
2 What is Toby’s own idea?
1 Most schools teach creative subjects such as art, music and drama. However, are these subjects really important, or should students just concentrate on traditional subjects like maths and science?
2 Most students enjoy studying creative subjects and find them interesting and fun. Students can also gain useful skills from studying these subjects, such as imagination and how to concentrate on doing something carefully and well. These are useful skills that they can use later, when they start work. What’s more, subjects like drama and music can help develop students’ confidence.
3 On the other hand, these subjects are sometimes criticised for being too easy, and for not teaching students more useful knowledge and skills. For example, a lot of jobs ask for qualifications in maths or science, but not many jobs need knowledge about art or drama!
4 In my opinion, it is possible for schools to teach both kinds of subjects. Of course, they need to focus on traditional subjects like science and maths, but it is also important to allow young people to develop their imagination and self-confidence.
5 In conclusion, while traditional subjects are definitely important at school, there is also a role for subjects that are more creative and fun.
4 Look at Toby’s essay again, then complete the sentences about paragraph structure for an essay.
|
conclusion introduction opinion oppose support |
1 The first paragraph gives a general ………………… to the statement or question in the task.
2 The second paragraph discusses ideas which ………………… the statement or question in the task.
3 The third paragraph discusses ideas which ………………… the statement or question in the task.
4 The fourth paragraph expresses the writer’s own ………………… .
5 The fifth paragraph sums up and gives the writer’s ………………… .
5 Look at the Key Language box. Complete it with words from Toby’s essay.
KEY LANGUAGE FOR AN ESSAY
Linking words to add similar ideas
furthermore, moreover, 1………………. more, in addition to this, also
Linking words to add contrasting ideas
however, on the other 2………………., although, whereas, while
Giving examples
for 3………………., for instance, such as
Expressing your own opinion
In my view, In my 4………………., Personally, I think that …
Giving a conclusion
To sum up, In 5……………….,
6 Choose the correct linking words to complete the sentences.
1 Drama is certainly a popular subject at school. Furthermore / However, some people would argue that it does not teach any useful skills.
2 Maths is clearly an important subject. On the other hand / Moreover, it can help students to get a good job when they leave school.
3 It takes a lot of concentration to learn to play an instrument. However / In addition to this, performing in public helps build confidence.
4 Although / However art may not be required for many jobs, it does teach students some useful skills, like how to plan and complete a task.
5 Everyone needs to know some history and geography, on the other hand / whereas music is only useful for people who have a particular interest in it.
6 Art helps people learn to think creatively and it moreover / also teaches them how to express their emotions.
7 Match the statements to the examples which support them.
1 Science is very important for some jobs.
2 It is important to do some ‘fun’ subjects at school
3 Drama can teach students some useful skills.
4 You need to study creative subjects in order to do some jobs
5 Students all have different strengths.
A For instance, it can teach them how to speak clearly in public.
B such as work in fashion design or film-making.
C For example, you need to study it in order to become a doctor.
D For instance, some are more artistic, while others are good at maths.
E such as music and sport.
8 Correct the mistakes in the personal opinions. One sentence is correct.
1 To my opinion, schools should teach a wide range of subjects.
……………………………………………………..
2 Personal, I think that it’s better to study subjects that you enjoy.
……………………………………………………..
3 In my view, all subjects are equally important.
……………………………………………………..
4 My opinion, it is important to focus on subjects that are clearly useful.
……………………………………………………..
9 Read Toby’s conclusion again. Then read three more possible conclusions. Which one is the best? Why?
1 To sum up, creative subjects are fun and they are very popular in schools. But are they useful?
2 In conclusion, many people believe that creative subjects are a waste of time. Other people don’t agree with this, for many different reasons.
3 To sum up, students gain knowledge and learn different skills from the wide range of subjects they study at school, so all subjects are equally important and schools should continue to teach them all.
10 Read the task. Then work in pairs. Discuss ideas and write notes for your essay. Use the ideas below or your own ideas.
• an art form
• brightens up cities
• can be offensive
• cost of removing it
• expressing feelings and ideas
• makes buildings ugly
Graffiti is a form of art and should be allowed in towns and cities.
Notes
Write about:
1 young people expressing themselves
2 causing damage to buildings
3 ………………………………………. (your own idea)
Essay plan
Introduction
Idea 1
Idea 2
Our own idea
Conclusion
11 Write your essay. Use your notes from Exercise 10.
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
12 Work in pairs. Swap essays with your partner and read your partner’s essay. Does it include both ideas from the task? What is your partner’s own idea? What linking words does the essay use?
Answer
1 2
Students’ own answers.
3
1 Students’ own answers.
2 Toby thinks that creative subjects can develop students’ imagination and confidence.
4
1 introduction 2 support 3 oppose
4 opinion 5 conclusion
5
1 what’s 2 hand 3 example 4 opinion
5 conclusion
6
1 However 2 Moreover 3 In addition to this
4 Although 5 whereas 6 also
7
1 C 2 E 3 A 4 B 5 D
8
1 In my opinion, …
2 Personally, I think …
3 (This sentence is correct.)
4 In my opinion, …
9
Conclusion 3 is best because it sums up all the ideas in the essay and gives the writer’s opinion clearly.
Conclusion 1 ends with a question, so it doesn’t express a clear opinion. Conclusion 2 expresses two different opinions, but doesn’t give the writer’s own opinion clearly.
10 11 12
Students’ own answers.