I've been checking students' essays this week, and one of the most noticeable problems has been this: most essays are too general, and so there's not enough development and progression of ideas.
When writing a paragraph, or when giving a longer answer in part 3 of the speaking test, try to use a general to specific approach. Start with a general idea, then explain it in more detail.
Note: Don't just explain the same general idea in a different way. Your answer needs to move forward.
got it, but can anybody give an example to show how to do it?
Posted by: mars | June 22, 2019 at 10:24
marrs,
There're many many examples in Simon Sir's essays. Just have to look for them. Examples usually starts with for instance, for example, such as and like.
Posted by: Pachu | June 22, 2019 at 16:15
Lets take an example from speaking part 1.
What kind of food do you like ?
strategy : General to specific
This strategy involves giving a general reason
for your answer, and then explaining it more
specifically, and even giving an example as follows :
Well, I'd have to say that I'm a big fan of seafood. In particular, I really like to eat Japanese seafood because it's always so fresh.For instance,sashimi,is delicious because the raw fish is so flavorsome.
general = seafood
specific = Japanese seafood.
example= sashimi
I think same strategy can be applied in writing also.
-Write general TOPIC SENTENCE.
-Explain that idea in more specific way.
-Example: give specific example or use quantitative language rather than qualitative whenever possible.
Posted by: Pachu | June 22, 2019 at 18:20
Hi sjm,
can you share your email address with me?
mine is
fmushtaq99@yahoo.com
Posted by: faisak | June 23, 2019 at 07:59
Hello sir,
Tomorrow is my exam
I would like to know that how can we move general to specific in detail can we use personal examples? Isn't it informal?
Posted by: Trupti | June 28, 2019 at 08:15