Essay

The essay as a text type: An essay is part of Text types (theme: how we shape language for a purpose). It is a formal, impersonal piece of writing that presents a debatable topic, weighs up both sides, and ends with a reasoned opinion.

Unlike a blog or an email, an essay does not greet the reader or chat to them. It stays objective until the conclusion. Learn the words below as a glossary, then reuse them in the reading and writing sections.

essay

a formal piece of writing that argues a debatable topic and reaches a reasoned conclusion

debatable topic

an issue people can reasonably disagree about (e.g. "Should phones be banned?")

argument

a reason given to support or oppose a point of view

for and against

the arguments on each side of a debate; the pros and cons

to weigh up

to consider both sides carefully before deciding

thesis / stance

the overall position the writer takes on the topic

introduction

the opening that presents the topic as a debate

body paragraph

a middle paragraph that develops one argument with reasons

conclusion

the ending that sums up and gives a reasoned opinion

register

how formal or informal the language is; an essay is formal

impersonal

written objectively, avoiding chatty or emotional language

connector / linking word

a word that joins ideas (however, therefore, on the other hand)

to nuance / to qualify

to add detail that makes a claim more balanced and less absolute

Why this matters: Choosing the right conventions for the essay text type is Criterion C (Conceptual understanding), and the formal register + connectors score Criterion A (Language). Get the text type wrong (e.g. writing a chatty blog) and you cap your mark before you start.

Both sides, then your view: Examiners reward a balanced, developed argument — not a one-sided rant. Present the case for, the case against, then conclude with your reasoned opinion. Each point needs a reason ('because…', 'since…'), not just a claim.

Save your opinion for the end: In an essay you stay objective while you present the arguments, and only give your view in the conclusion — and even then, you justify it. Jumping to your opinion in the first line is a common, costly mistake.

Read like Paper 2: Here is a short model essay — the kind of formal text Paper 2 (Reading) may give you, and the model you imitate when you write one. Read it once for the general argument, then we'll work through one exam question together.

Should phones be banned in schools?: There is currently a debate about whether mobile phones should be banned in schools. On the one hand, those in favour argue that a ban would help students concentrate in class and reduce cyberbullying during the school day.

On the other hand, critics maintain that phones can be useful learning tools and that a total ban is hard to enforce. In conclusion, I believe phones should be allowed for learning but switched off during lessons, so that schools gain the benefits without the distractions.

in favour (of)

supporting an idea or proposal

to concentrate

to focus your attention on one thing

cyberbullying

bullying that happens online or through phones

to maintain (that)

to state firmly that something is true

to enforce

to make sure a rule is obeyed

Reading technique: For an "according to the text" question, find the exact line that proves your answer — and notice the essay's signposts ("on the one hand", "critics maintain") that tell you which side each point belongs to.

The task: Your school magazine invites essays on school life. Write an essay discussing whether students should be allowed to choose all their own subjects, weighing up both sides before giving your reasoned opinion.

Use a formal, impersonal register. Write 250–400 words.

Why it scores: This answer hits all three Paper 1 criteria — here's what earns each one:

How listening is tested: Paper 2 also tests listening: you hear short clips, each played twice, and you never see the words. Read the questions first, listen for the key idea, then answer.

Here we'll use a transcript of two students debating, so you can practise the technique on the page. Notice how each speaker takes one side — exactly the structure of an essay.

Transcript — a class debate: Host: Today the question is whether homework should be abolished. Lena, you first.

Lena: I'm in favour of keeping it. On the one hand, homework lets us practise on our own and find out what we still don't understand.

Marco: On the other hand, I'd argue against it. Many students already have a long day, and too much homework just leaves them stressed and tired.

Host: So where does that leave us?

Lena: Honestly, I think the answer is balance — less homework, but with a clear purpose.

Listening technique: Read the questions before the clip plays, and track the signposts ("on the one hand", "on the other hand") — they tell you which speaker is arguing which side.