Friday

Writing Checklist

Five Common Errors

Tuesday

Writing Tasks

UNIT 1                                                                                          .
WRITE ABOUT YOURSELF
Name / country / year in school / activities you do
UNIT 2
WRITE ABOUT A PLACE
Name / country / When you go / Who you go with / What do you do there
UNIT 3
DESCRIBE A PERSON
Name /  hair / eyes / clothes / personality / something he or she likes doing
UNIT 4
WRITE ABOUT A COURSE
Course / place / days / time / I go with / things we do
UNIT 5
WRITE ABOUT A PAST EVENT
When? /  Where? / Who? / What?
UNIT 6
A STORY
What? / Who? / When? / Where? / 
UNIT 7
DESCRIBE A GAME
Name of the activity / players / starting / rules 
UNIT 8
DESCRIBE A TRIP
Name of trip / transport / things to see / things to learn / things to visit 
UNIT 9
DESCRIBE A RECYCLING PROCESS
Name of material / new product / how people make it / how it helps the environment


Saturday

Describing Words

Enter a noun into this website and get a range of words to help you describe it. Superb for creative or descriptive writing projects.



Contrast Words

The words although, though, despite, in spite of and however have very similar meanings; however, they are used in different structures.

Though and although are conjunctions. They go before a clause.

Despite and in spite of are prepositions. They go before a noun or noun equivalent.

 However is a transitional adverb. It goes at the beginning of a sentence.

To cut the explanation short, the words DESPITE, IN SPITE OF and BECAUSE OF are followed by a noun phrase or a gerund (verb + ing).

Despite the rain, they went to the beach.
In spite of the rain, they went to the beach.
They didn't go to the beach because of the rain.

The conjunctions BECAUSE, EVEN THOUGH and ALTHOUGH are followed by a clause.

Although it rained, they went to the beach.
Even though it rained, they went to the beach.
Because it rained, they didn't go to the beach. 
You can see the explanation again in the following mind map:



       

Grammar & exercise       Exercise 2



but

 (bʌt; unstressed bət)  conj (coordinating)
1. contrary to expectation: he cut his knee but didn't cry.
2. in contrast; on the contrary: like opera but my husband doesn't.
3. (usually used after a negativeother than: we can't do anything but wait.

conj (subordinating)
4. (usually used after a negativewithout it happening or being the case that: we never go out but it rains.
5. (foll by thatexcept that: nothing is impossible but that we live forever.
6. archaic if not; unless

sentence connector
informal used to introduce an exclamation: my, but you're nice.

prep
7. except; save: they saved all but one of the pigs.
8. but for were it not for: but for you, we couldn't have managed.
adv
9. just; merely; only: he was but a childcan but try.
10. informal Scot and Austral and NZ though; however: it's a rainy day: warm, but.
11. all but almost; practically: he was all but dead when we found him.
noun
an objection (esp in the phrase ifs and buts)

although

 – though
1. used as conjunctions
You use although or though to introduce a subordinate clause in which you mention something that contrasts with what you are saying in the main clause. Though is not used in very formal English.
can't play the piano, although I took lessons for years.
It wasn't my decision, though I think I agree with it.
You can put even in front of though for emphasis.
She wore a coat, even though it was a very hot day.
Don't put 'even' in front of although.
Be Careful!
When a sentence begins with although or thoughdon't use 'but' or 'yet' to introduce the main clause. 
Don't say, for example, 'Although he was late, yet he stopped to buy a sandwich'. You say 'Although he was late,
he stopped to buy sandwich'.
Although he was English, he spoke fluent French.
Though he hadn't stopped working all day, he wasn't tired.
Be Careful!
Don't use although or though in front of a noun phrase. Don't say, for example, 'Although his hard work, he failed his exam'. You say 'In spite of his hard work, he failed his exam' or 'Despite his hard work, he failed his exam'.
In spite of poor health, my father was always cheerful.
Despite her confidence, Cindy was uncertain what to do next.

2. 'though' used as an adverb
Though is sometimes an adverb. You use it when you are making a statement that contrasts with what you have just said. You usually put though after the first phrase in the sentence.
Fortunately thoughthis is a story with a happy ending.
For Ryan, though, it was a busy year.
In conversation, you can also put though at the end of a sentence.
can't stay. I'll have a coffee though.
Although is never an adverb.

Thursday

Connectives Games

Today we take a look at some words that you can use to link connect short sentences together. Exercise.

Spin the wheel and write a sentence using the selected connective.



Examples of connectives/conjunctions

Sunday

Both, Either & Neither



To learn more, click on the pic below


Describing Trends

Learn more


         

Thursday

For and Against Essays







CLICK THE IMAGES BELOW IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE




Ex 1      Ex 2

Writing 

Essay writing gap-fill exercise: Has new technology had a positive or negative influence on our lives?


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Sunday

Don'ts

Sunday

Writing Opinion Essays

An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing. It requires your opinion on a topic, which must be stated clearly, giving various viewpoints on the topic supported by reasons and/or examples. You should also include the opposing viewpoint in another paragraph.