In the minds of ESL exam candidates, e ssay writing is one of the most daunting tasks they are required to complete, regardless of the level of the exam, the administering body or the ease with which they themselves use the language. The same applies to students who are asked to write an essay by their teachers at school. In the previous sample essays posted on the blog, the main point I stress is the need to become acquainted with this form of writing (as opposed to writing a letter, review or report, for instance), to get a feel of what authorial voice is and how to organize and progressively express the arguments you wish to make in a coherent manner. Unfortunately, the best way to prepare for exam writing or learn how to write good essays for school is to read as many essays from as many sources as possible, then write as
Reminder on your Birthday It was September 15, around 19.30 when she got the call. His voice sounded muffled, like when you’ve been to the dentist’s and have a cotton swab plugging a recently extracted wisdom tooth. The 14 th , the day before, celebrated the Holy Cross – Elevation of the Holy Cross in Eastern Orthodoxy to be more precise – a day she was told you should ponder the large burden or burdens you must bear that existentially challenge you. She couldn’t rightly say she had bore excessively backbreaking burdens because she always compared her difficulties to the worst kind faced by the disadvantaged, physically or mentally challenged, those whose childhoods had left indelible scars. No, her mind deleted most things, but here was a day when she sensed she’d have to carry a cross or two for a change. “I’m in hospital, but I’m ok.” Road accident that could’ve cost him his life, but for now, fractured pelvis and a few cracked ribs to liven things up, scra...