IELTS Writing Task 2: 'moreover' isn't a difficult word

I've written before about students' overuse of the word 'Moreover' and why I would ban it. But for some reason, many people still believe that 'Moreover' will help them to get a high score.

Here's a trick that I sometimes use to demonstrate to my students that 'Moreover' isn't the key to a high score: Teach me the word for 'Moreover' in your language. If a beginner like me can learn it, it can't be such a difficult word!

Comments

[rüknettin]

i remember lots of your posts about using 'moreover'.. people insisting using this word. interesting..

[gioletta]

"(used to add information) also and more importantly:"

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/moreover

It seems to me that where the extra information, reason or argument is not more important, then "moreover" is a poor choice, and in this case would make a poor impression on the examiner. "Moreover", "furthermore" and particularly "besides", all suggest that what follows is a stronger point, or overwhelming reason, or the clincher in an argument.

The examples shown below demonstrate that "moreover" can be used in a secondary position in the sentence to avoid beginning every sentence with a linking adverb:

https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/moreover

He should, moreover, be a moderate liberal since that party controlled a majority of the seats in Congress.
• The conditions upon which States receive the funds, moreover, could not be more clearly stated by Congress.
• Coventry, moreover, differed fundamentally from the Stour Valley.
• They were portrayed as more potent and, moreover, incurable.

[Curtis]

I found out that even in journal articles, natives would seldom use 'moreover'.

Interestingly, natives use 'and' - a seemingly very common word - a lot, and this word really sounds more natural compared with other signposts like 'moreover' or 'in addition'

[Ali M]

Hi Simon and everyone here,

An interesting point,.. But I'm inclined to think that non-native/non-specialised English teachers are responsible for spreading such a nonsense,.. They're indirectly affected by their native tongue when teaching students another language........ Anyway, the same thing can be said about the use of "Firstly, secondly,.... etc" in the writing test.

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[gioletta]

Ali M

"Firstly...Secondly... Finally" are not equivalent to "moreover", as they indicate the points are of equal importance. The point about "moreover" is that it must introduce a more important point; otherwise it is wrong.

It is possible make your first point, then use "in addition", followed by "finally": this seems to be more common as the graph below shows:

https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Moreover%2CFirstly%2CSecondly%2CFinally%2CFurthermore%2CIn+addition%2CAlso%2CLastly&year_start=1960&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CMoreover%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CFirstly%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CSecondly%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CFinally%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CFurthermore%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CIn%20addition%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAlso%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CLastly%3B%2Cc0

Simon has some further relevant comments:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2015/03/ielts-advice-linking.html

British Council also mention over-use linking adverbs at the start of the sentence, and over-use is mentioned under Cohesion and Coherence Band 7 in the marking schema.

[liu min yu]

I think Simon meaning is overusing the word on the bad grammar, people did not appropriate use it. As a learner like me sometimes I misunderstand some of linking words in which their usage in sentences correctly use.
I just copy the definition as well as imitate

[sjm]

Gioletta

'Moreover' adds something but it doesn't mean it is more important. It can mean that, but not usually. I asked a room of ten natives this morning if they thought it introduced a more important point and nobody thought so.

To be honest, I (and the other examiners I know) don't mind 'moreover', although it's not a word I tend to use. It sounds a bit old fashioned. The word I particularly don't like is 'Besides' because it is sometimes used to introduce an additional point that is less important, especially in speaking.

[Camoletta]

per Washington Post:

"The third highest price was paid for a picture from one of Paul Gauguin's much sought-after Tahitian series. "La Maison du Champs" (1892), which depicts a room of natives chanting, sold for $770,000."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gauguin_-_Die_H%C3%BCtte_der_Ges%C3%A4nge_(Te_Fare_Hymenee)_1892.jpg

[Oley]

To me ‘Moreover’ is always the first word that pops in my mind instead of using ‘and’ or ‘as well as’ , and I do think that sometimes I overuse it.Thsnk you for your tip.

[Albdolah]

The problem with IELTS or other English test is they make learner to learn in a way that sounds awkward when they are speaking. Try to use some seemingly difficult words that makes their language less understandable . When you look at a native speaker he/she uses more simple words that makes his language smooth and nice.

[Leil]

Hello, how's this essay ? What score would it would get? Thanks.
A huge number of students choose to study English independently on a self-study basis rather than attend a formal course.However, without the assistance of a teacher students often find it difficult to manage their studies.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

[Leil]

It is true that many students study English without the help of tutors.Although,i support the tendency of self-studying, teachers motivate students for being more productive in their studies.
Firstly, learning a language is very difficult and requires lots of practise.It broadens people's minds and is extremely beneficial for brain development.In my opinion,learners can create an environment similar to formal language courses through accessing lesson materials, resources,books and so on.It is also true that English is an international language and one of the hardest languages to learn.However, students sometimes show better results than others who attend courses.I am of the opinion that courses can also be financially damaging to families with low income budget.Therefore,it is possible to achieve higher results with self-studying by the help of some self-determination and self-management skills.
On the other hand, teachers are specialists who they can easily find students' mistakes and help them improve.I think that while it is easy to memorise lots of English vocabularies,basics of grammar should be taught by teachers.Besides,some students are lazy and do not know how to manage their studies effectively.Therefore,it would be very advantageous for them to attend language courses and develop their skills through getting feedbacks from tutors.In addition, language experts use various methods, techniques in order to keep students motivated for learning language.
In conclusion,while i agree with the opinion that self-studying has positive effects on some students, learning would be more progressive with the assistance of teachers.

[Khe]

@Leil

1) Punctuation: leave a space after the full-stop/period before the next sentence. Leave a blank line between paragraphs to make your paragraphing immediately clear to the examiner.

2) "Although" is not an adverb: it is a conjunction, and so is not followed by a comma.

3) There is a difference between "trend" and "tendency": the context here seems to need "trend towards".

https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=tendency+toward+%2Ctrend+*_ADP%2Ctrend+toward+*&year_start=1900&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Ctendency%20toward%3B%2Cc0%3B.t2%3B%2Ctrend%20%2A_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3Btrend%20of_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20in_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20toward_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20towards_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20for_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20from_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20as_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20with_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20among_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20by_ADP%3B%2Cc0%3B.t2%3B%2Ctrend%20toward%20%2A%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3Btrend%20toward%20the%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20toward%20a%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20toward%20greater%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20toward%20more%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20toward%20increased%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20toward%20increasing%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20toward%20an%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20toward%20higher%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20toward%20larger%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Btrend%20toward%20centralization%3B%2Cc0

4) -> motivate students to become more...
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=motivate+students+*&year_start=1900&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t2%3B%2Cmotivate%20students%20%2A%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3Bmotivate%20students%20to%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmotivate%20students%20and%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmotivate%20students%20in%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmotivate%20students%20by%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmotivate%20students%20who%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmotivate%20students%20toward%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmotivate%20students%20for%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmotivate%20students%20is%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmotivate%20students%20with%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmotivate%20students%20through%3B%2Cc0

5) The position in the introduction and conclusion do not match. The content of the penultimate paragraph does not match the last clause of the introduction. If the argument for self-study is that it produces better results (as per end of second paragraph) then this should be stated in the introduction. If there is a variety of arguments on both sides, then a better start might be something vaguer and more general such as: there are arguments in favour of (and against) both approaches.

[Khe]

@Leil

6) The opening sentence of para 2 is a background statement or premise: it is not the first argument, so "Firstly" is inappropriate. "English is an international language and one of the hardest languages to learn" : is that an argument for or against self-study? "I am of the opinion that courses can also be financially damaging": this changes the topic to courses and should be in the penultimate paragraph. Overall, the second paragraph reads as a mish-mash of ideas, rather than a logical argument.

7) Suggest rewriting second paragraph beginning:
Self-study has a number of advantages. Firstly, ... Also, .... However, self-study does require a disciplined approach.

8) "vocabulary" is seldom plural.

BTW in my view, it is often difficult to achieve good results without some feedback on your pronunciation and writing. Also, English is not necessarily a hard language: for French speakers much of the vocabulary is similar.

[Leil]

@Khe
Why introduction and conclusion doesn't match? Because i partially agree with the question and i'd want to show that
Thank you very much for feedback

[Khe]

@Leil

Okay, "become more productive" roughly equates to "learning becomes more progressive" (with a teacher).

It's all about how students manage their studies.

[Joss]

after watching a video by Mrs.Rossie, i have stoped using Moreover in my essays. Instead of that, i have used AS WELL AS THAT or IN ADDITION TO THAT ...

[jay cinco]

I became a fan of Simon. Ive just browsed this site for some minutes and i thought Simon is the man! congratulation sir! I've already learned so much.
Im trying to write an essay if you could correct it for me ? Thanks a million
Some people think that the government should pay one of the parents of very young children to stay at home to look after their children.
What do you think would be the advantages and disadvantages of this policy?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 word.

Raising a child is a struggle these days. Raising children with only one supporting all the finances, on the other hand, is even more a struggle. If the government extends a hand financially to a parent at home while the other is working, it would be a welcome aid many family would be thankful for.
If the government then offers help, there would be a collective growth of a ' sound ' family as the burden of paying huge expenses such as house bills is going to be trimmed down which eventually entails being able to comfortably buy the needed things for the children.
Furthermore, they would have the best of time in rearing the child and seeing his overall potential, where their worries of allocating quality time for him has already been sufficed, if not answered before hand.
The bad thing; however, is some working parents would probably not show so much of hardwork, that is , instead of working painstakingly for the family, they would likely be satisfied with how much they get in a day to eternity from actually being capable of getting more. Not that they would render extra hours or that they would compel to doing it every day. The way i see it, earning more from your not-so-decent salary is downright better and is especially pratical. Living these days is no easy thing and they dont get that.
Another awful thing is these men would be less driven and might even become complacent as the importance of having to work hard is beyond them.
In conclusion, while the policy may bring much of relief to some families, it is still, nevertheless, has its loopholes. But it, for sure, would somehow change a thing or two to some destitute families.