● You will be marked on the coherence, relevance and accuracy of your writing. You get 25 marks for content and 25 marks for language. If there are no marks awarded for content, there will be no marks awarded for language.
● You will not get marks if you write a very good essay on the wrong topic or if you use learnt off sentences that are not related or are out of place.
● You are ok to go back to the article to look for relevant vocabulary but don’t use entire sentences off the article.
● You should argue in favor or against the statement but you can include ideas that justify both sides of the argument.
● Usually the first paragraph starts with a sentence like “Estoy de acuerdo con esta afirmación” or “No estoy de acuerdo con esta afirmación”. Then you should include three or four paragraphs explaining one key idea per paragraph and a final one for the conclusion.
● Do not waffle.
● Only use expressions that are relevant to what you are saying.
● Most importantly: make sure you understand the title of the opinion piece and write something relevant, on topic, not just ‘similar enough’.
Use connectors or linking words to make your sentences flow better:
Use linking phrases to start new paragraphs:
If you want to express a commonly held view, avoid phrases like 'mucha gente piensa que'. Instead, say:
If you want to make clear you are expressing a personal opinion, avoid phrases like 'pienso que.../ creo que...'. Instead, use:
Use good sentence starters:
Try to include subjunctives:
● Avoid using expressions that are direct translations from English but aren’t right in Spanish.
● Be aware of the most common mistake when writing in Spanish: not agreeing the adjective to the noun.
● Bear in mind that most words ending in ‘ón’ or ‘ona’ are femenine: la reunión, la ocasión, la condición…
● Equally, most words ending in ema or ama are masculine: el dilema, el problema, el sistema…
● Remember that words and expressions like familia, todo el mundo, grupo, la sociedad, la gente… are singular and therefore the verbs and the adjectives have to be singular too.
Use adverbs:
Cognates are useful to increase your vocabulary but be aware of false friends:
Be aware of words that create confusion, for example:
Do not overuse the word problema. Try:
Don't use decir - try:
Don't use mucho/a(s) - try:
Don’t overuse dinero - try:
Don't use tener - try:
Don´t overuse después - try:
Don't use ser/estar- try:
Don’t overuse diferente- try:
Don't overuse causar- try:
You can use empleo as well as trabajo
Don’t use weak and vague adjectives like:
Instead, try:
Don’t use grande when you mean importante: un exámen grande is incorrect, it should be: un exámen importante
Use rhetorical devices:
1. Rhetorical questions:
2. Rule of three:
3. Interjections:
4. Contrast:
5. Emotional appeal:
6. Proverbs or sayings:
