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
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
frequently as you can and have someone more experienced give you feedback.Note to students and exam candidates: when your are asked to write something which is to be formally assessed, don't shy away from it. The more you write, the easier it gets.
Note to teachers: provide solid feedback on what your students hand in, otherwise the essay itself will just seem a means to giving a grade and students will hate you for it. If they don't feel you're putting in the sweat to comment on the work they've done, they won't make the effort to sit down and seriously tackle the task. Bottom line: your students don't learn, meaning you're not doing your job correctly.
The topic of this sample essay is to discuss whether school plays a more important role in shaping one's personality than family.
Before
reading, take a look at the following post if you haven't already done so. It
will help you focus on the vital aspects you need to be aware of while
reading the article and what you should make sure to use when you write your own.
The total length of this essay is approximately 330 words.
“School plays a more important role than the family in shaping one’s personality.” Discuss
When it comes to our personalities, there are a number of factor that contribute to their development. Some claim that the most important environment in which a child’s character evolves is in school while others believe one’s family offers more to the way a child’s personality unfolds.
First of all, school is all about the hustle of competitions and exams. With so much focus being placed on such aspects, there is hardly any time left for students to figure out who they really are. If an analogy were to be made, it would be that school for students is a constant treadmill, where one student tries to keep up with another.
In contrast to this, however, schools throw pupils into a whirlwind of subjects to explore. From Math to Music, History to Biology, students get a better idea of what they like, what they excel in and even what career they want to pursue when they graduate. In addition to this, schools are the center of social maturation as children and teens make friends, work together as a team, deal with problems and handle personal situations that require the use of their social skills. Lastly, school is the place where students spend at least six hours a day, namely they feel so comfortable on school premises to the point where the school itself feels like a second home to them.
On the other hand, most students feel a tighter bond with their parents or siblings rather than with their teachers. This affirmation is based on the fact that family is the unit one belongs to and whose members support one another through thick and thin. Ties such as these definitely leave their mark on who we become.
In conclusion, while families undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping a child’s personality, schools influence students through the prevalent educational environment nurtured during school hours. Being exposed to diverse subjects and given the opportunity to socialize amongst their peers, students blossom and forge their personalities.
For more sample essays, click on the image below.
This blog offers sample short stories and is working on expanding its analyses of literary works students usually work on in language classes.
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