Essay writing is an integral part of the unified state exam in English and represents the most difficult stage of the exam, which demonstrates real mastery of all aspects of the English language: the variety of vocabulary, the complexity and correctness of grammatical models, the ability to formulate one’s point of view and support it with substantial arguments.
This publication is a step-by-step tutorial on how to write a quality essay in English.
We will begin our mini-tutorial on writing essays in English by remembering what an essay is in general. In order not to get bogged down with complex definitions, let's say that an essay is an ordinary composition on a given topic, built according to clear rules. Over the entire history of your studies at school, you have written a lot of essays. So, in other words, you wrote a lot of essays. Therefore, you should form a clear association between the word “essay” and the phrase “regular essay”.
To be able to write an essay in English at all, its topic must contain a problem. A problem is a question that has several possible solutions. Your task is to highlight the essence of the issue, outline possible solutions, determine your point of view, give arguments and draw a conclusion. Maybe all this sounds scary and incomprehensible, but after reading this article, the fear will disappear and you will understand that writing an essay is almost a thrill.
As already mentioned, the essay topic should contain a problem. Let's take a simple topic “Family” and see how it can be formulated sample topic corresponding essay. So, imagine that you came to an English language exam, sat down at the table, opened your individual assignment packets and in the essay writing part you read:
- Some people prefer to have big families, but the others come to nothing more than only one child.
Since we are still learning to write essays in English, we will translate everything into Russian. The suggested topic is: “Some people prefer large families, but others limit themselves to just one child.” Have you sensed the very problem that needs to be highlighted? Large families, small families... The advantages and disadvantages of large families and the advantages and disadvantages of small families...
So, let's start writing an essay in English. The first thing you should do is make an introduction and approach the problem. What does it mean? Without thinking twice, reformulate the topic, i.e. say the same thing that you read in the topic, but in different words and not in one, but in three sentences. Remember the first step is to restate the topic in three sentences to approach the topic. For example, like this:
- Family is a basic constituent of any nation. The well-being of the nation depends on the well-being of each family. A lot of factors make a family happy, and children are among them. But how many children does a family need to be perfectly happy?
Translation: Family is the basic element of a nation. The well-being of the nation depends on the well-being of each family. Many factors make a family happy, and children are one of them. But how many children does a family need to be completely happy?
So, re-read the first step of your essay in English and Russian again and make sure that it is a three-sentence introduction where you just approach the topic. There is practically no specificity here, but there are many general words.
It is best to immediately proceed to expressing your own opinion. Just start like this: In my opinion, … .
Let's say that you are a supporter of a large family, then you write:
- In my opinion, parents should have three children. I consider it to be the optimum number of children.
Translation: “In my opinion, parents should have three children. I think this is the optimal number of children.”
What is the next logical step after speaking your mind? Of course, his argumentation, i.e. you must say why you think so. Give two or three clear arguments to support your point of view, and no more is needed. The following introductory words will help you do this: Firstly, ... (Firstly, ...), Secondly, ... (Secondly, ...), Thirdly, ... (Thirdly, ...). Here's what it might look like:
- Firstly, in this case parents contribute to population growth in the country. The demographic depression is really the case of many countries. Secondly, the children grown not all alone are more sociable and less egoistic. Thirdly, a child from a big family has a better chance to succeed in life because his siblings are willing to help.
Translation: “Firstly, in this case, parents contribute to improving the demographic situation of the country. Demographic deterioration is occurring in many countries. Secondly, children who did not grow up alone are more sociable and less selfish. Thirdly, a child from a large family has a better chance of succeeding in life because his brothers and sisters will always be ready to help him.”
As you can see, we have given three clear arguments in favor of the fact that the family should be large. However, any phenomenon always has a downside, and there will always be a person who takes the opposite point of view. Therefore, when writing an essay in English, after stating your position, you should also touch on the opposite one. You must show that you truly recognize the right of the opposing point of view to exist, and do this also with reason. In our case, you must show that everything is not so ideal in large families, and explain why this might be. For example:
- There is no doubt that big families have their disadvantages as well.
Translation: “Undoubtedly, large families also have their disadvantages.”
And the argument:
- In the first place, it is worth mentioning that big families are noisy. It's pretty hard to find peace and quiet. In this respect, small families receive a benefit. In addition to it, the more children you have, the more conflicts you get. Your children may have vastly different interests. For example, some want to read a book and others switch on the television at the same time.
Translation: “First of all, it is worth noting that large families are very noisy. It is quite difficult to find a secluded place. In this regard, small families have an advantage. Moreover, the more children you have, the more conflicts occur. Children can have completely different interests. For example, some will want to read a book, while others will want to watch TV at the same time.”
So, in your essay you acknowledged that the opposite opinion has the right to exist, and even explained why. But personally, you are still in a different position, so after highlighting the opposite point of view, find and give another argument that will prove you are right. For example, you could write:
- However that may be, loneliness is much worse than conflicts of interests. If parents learn their children how to get along with each other critical moments will be avoided.
Translation: “Be that as it may, loneliness is much worse than a conflict of interest. If parents teach children to find each other mutual language, then critical moments can be avoided.”
In general, you have already written the main part of the essay in English. All that remains is to add a conclusion and draw a conclusion. Start the final part with the words: To sum it up, ... (In conclusion, I would like to say that ...). Let our essay have the following conclusion:
- To sum it up, it goes without saying that a big family is good. But, you must regard things in a sober light. It would be sensible to assess the suitability for having children first. If you have enough time, patience, wisdom, and money, don’t hesitate to give birth to children.
Translation: “In conclusion, I would like to say that, undoubtedly, a large family is good. But you must look at things soberly. It is worth, first of all, assessing your readiness to have many children. If you have enough time, patience, wisdom and money, don’t hesitate and have children.”
As you can see, in the conclusion of your essay you summarize all your arguments, in which your topic and your own position should be revisited in a reasonable way.
Now let's put our essay in English into a single whole and see what we have in general.
Topic: types of families
Topic: types of families
Family is the basis society unit which place in important role in the process of a person’s socialization, ap-ubrining character formation. Anyway the nature of the family keeps changing: there are a number of types of family that exist in modern society. There are used to be mainly two types: extended and nuclear family.
The family is the basis of society, which plays an important role in the process of socialization of the individual and the formation of character. In any case, family structure is constantly changing: in modern society there are a number of family types. In the past, there were mainly two types: extended family and nuclear family.
An extended family structure consists of two or more adults who are related to each other, either by blood or marriage and living in the same home. Usually, that means that grandparents live with their children and grandchildren. One of the advantages of this type is that grandparents can look after children, enabling parents to make a career. Also if you have a big family you are more accepting of people and their different natures. One of the disadvantages is that you haven’t got privacy and you may feel tired. But the biggest inconvenience is that you may be disagreements about how to bring up a child.
An extended family structure consists of two or more adults who are related to each other either by blood or marriage and live in the same household. This usually means that grandparents live with their children and grandchildren. One advantage of this type is that grandparents can look after the children, allowing the parents to pursue a career. Also, if you have a large family, you are more accepting of people and their different natures. One of the disadvantages is that you have no privacy and you may feel tired. But the biggest disadvantage is that you may disagree about how to raise your child.
A nuclear family is a traditional type of family structure. This type composes two parents and children who are sharing one house or flat. There are a number of advantages for having a nuclear family. Firstly children have more close relations with their parents than in the extended family. Secondly small families have less quarrels and disagreements because there are no interferences from other relatives. One can’t deny that family members, particularly mothers, may have a tendency to burn out from attempting to meet every person’s need alone. Often a nuclear family becomes a multi-children family. In families having many children, children share our parental attention. It's a disadvantage. Also there is a problem of being the eldest child in the family is that you should take care of the younger ones. But you never fell lonely having siblings (brothers or sisters).
The nuclear family is a traditional type of family structure. This type consists of two parents and children who share one house or apartment. There are a number of benefits to creating a nuclear family. First, children have closer relationships with their parents than in the extended family. Secondly, small families have fewer disputes and disagreements because there is no interference from other relatives. There is no denying that family members, especially mothers, can have a tendency to burn themselves out from trying to meet each person's needs alone. Often the nuclear family becomes large family. In families with many children, children share our parental attention. This is a drawback. There is also the problem of being the eldest child in the family that you have to take care of the younger ones. But you have never fallen alone with your siblings (brothers or sisters).
At the modern time the number of divorces is growing. One reason is that couples either can’t or one of the pair doesn’t choose to have children. Divorce gives rise to single-parent families? Blended families, where one of the parents helps children from previous relationships, and families whom live in civil marriage.
Nowadays, the number of divorces is increasing. One reason is that couples either cannot or one of the couples does not want to have children. Does divorce create single-parent families? Mixed families, where one of the parents helps children from previous relationships, and families who live in a civil marriage.
Family where single parent brings up a child merits particular attention. This family type is generally close. Family members find ways to work together to solve problems, such us diving up household chores. If you are single parent then your children will be super responsible. But sometimes they may feel a lack of one parent.
A family in which a single parent is raising a child deserves special attention. This type of family is usually close. Family members find ways to work together to solve problems, such as diving around the house. If you are a single parent, your children will be super responsible. But sometimes they may feel the absence of one parent.
In recent years, families have often decided to limit themselves to one child. And not only for economic reasons. Sometimes you can hear that an only child is psychologically more comfortable: he has no reason to be jealous, he does not have to share toys with his brother or sister, and in terms of education he will receive more, since the mother can devote all her strength to educating one child... But are these benefits really so certain?
Selfish children
Whatever one may say, the only child in the family is much more likely to grow up to be an egoist; his “exceptionalism” in the family greatly affects his development. And such people, as you know, are extremely jealous; they want the whole world to revolve only around them. And since children have no objective reason for jealousy, they specifically look for it and find it.
A typical example: six-year-old Igor behaved perfectly at home. But when dad came home from work, the boy changed dramatically. No, it’s not that he showed dissatisfaction... On the contrary, Igor seemed to be happy with his father, but this joy was expressed somehow too violently, and the surge of positive emotions quickly turned into negative ones. Igor became touchy and irritable. He did not allow his parents to talk calmly, demanded that they play with him, and did not at all want to understand that dad was tired and wanted to rest. When it was time for bed, jealousy manifested itself even more openly: the boy flatly refused to fall asleep in his bed and, with childish spontaneity, tried to send his father there.
“You lie down in my bed, I’ve already made a bed for you,” he tenderly persuaded dad, who, as you understand, was by no means delighted with such a “exile.”
Other “individuals” are jealous of their mother’s work or her friends. Some women complain that they cannot even talk calmly on the phone: their son or daughter immediately begins to behave badly and demonstratively interferes with communication. There are also those who simply demand that the mother hang up. So the position of “one and only” is not at all a safe-conduct against childhood jealousy. It's just that its direction will be slightly different.
Parenting models
According to psychologists, the personal life of the “sole heirs” is usually a “tracing copy” of the parental marriage. As experience shows, by the time their children are born, they suddenly acquire pragmatic sanity, completely “forgive” their parents for the absence of brothers and sisters and... have one and only “heir.” Why? Most likely, habit takes its toll. They do not have models of upbringing and behavior in a family where several children are growing up.
From the point of view of psychoanalysis
Freud was the first psychiatrist to note that “the position of the child among his sisters and brothers has vital importance throughout his subsequent life." For example, it is known that the eldest children in the family have some general characteristics: achievement orientation, leadership qualities. In addition, the eldest child is first raised as the only one. Then, when his privileged position has become familiar to him, his “place” in the soul of the parents is taken by the newborn. When the "capture" occurs before the age of five, it is an extremely shocking experience for the child. After five years, the eldest already has a place outside the family, in society, and therefore is psychologically less disadvantaged by the newcomer.
Seven nannies...
An only child is usually surrounded by increased attention from adults. Due to their age, the older generation is especially sensitive to children. Many grandparents dote on their only grandchild. But overprotection, as we know, gives rise to children's fears. The anxiety of adults is passed on to children. They can grow up to be dependent and dependent. Those who were overly cared for and controlled in childhood are not capable of bold, decisive actions as adults.
In general, it is harmful for a child to feel like the center of the Universe, around which satellite planets revolve - his family.
And in single-child families, this, alas, is almost inevitable. This “child-centrism” leads to the formation of consumer psychology: children begin to consider their relatives as their appendage, existing only to satisfy their needs and whims. This is especially evident in adolescence.
Although, if you look at it, the “one and only” behaves quite logically: adults raised the little prince - and now the prince grew up. Why on earth should he serve anyone?
Psychologists and educators around the world are concerned about the infantilism of modern teenagers and young people. This, of course, is a separate and very extensive topic of conversation. I will only say that raising children in one- or two-child families, when the overprotectiveness of adults does not allow the child to grow up normally, is not the last reason for teenage infantilism. And it, being an egoist, is sure that being an adult means having a lot of rights and almost no responsibilities.
Imagine what it will be like for the adult “little prince” when his parents grow old! After all, only children bear a huge burden of caring for older family members. It often happens that a thirty-year-old man has elderly grandparents who are still alive, who either need to fix the faucet in the kitchen or the garden in the garden. summer cottage dig up. And then my mother, who lives separately, ends up in the hospital, and I have to visit her too. And your own family requires care. And if the wife also has no brothers and sisters, then the burden on the “prince” doubles.
Of course, brought up by an egoist, such a son can say to his family:
- It's your problems. Settle in as best you can.
But you are unlikely to want such consolation in old age. And the person who says that will have a hard time. No matter how much he convinces himself that he is right, he cannot completely drown out the voice of his conscience. And this gives rise to internal conflicts and leads to mental breakdown.
Fighting stereotypes
The stereotypical idea of the psychological problems of the only child in the family today is not confirmed. As studies by child and adolescent psychiatrists from Mannheim (Germany) have shown, only children in the family do not differ in the proportion of behavioral deviations, fears, and school failure from their peers who have a brother or sister. There were also no significant differences between boys and girls. At the same time, as specialists from the Mannheim Central Institute of Mental Health have shown, family cohesion, family communication style, as well as the social environment where the child grows up are of decisive importance. The only thing that clearly distinguishes the only child in the family is a higher (by 4 points) level of intelligence development.
The importance of imitation and social experience
It is believed that an only child has more opportunities for intellectual development, but this is another common misconception.
Only children play little or no pretend play. They have no one to learn from, no one to play with. And the gap in such games has a detrimental effect on the entire development of the child, including intellectual development. After all, this is the kind of game that gives little man three-dimensional view of the world.
Children from such families have completely different social experiences. When confronted with life outside the home, such a child often suffers psychological trauma. Once in kindergarten or when he comes to first grade, out of habit, he expects to be singled out from those around him. And when this does not happen, he becomes neurotic. He may lose interest in studying, and there may be a fear of failure, and this again does not contribute to intellectual development.
First child
The first child is in many ways similar to the only one. The adult world has a huge influence on him, and he begins to be driven by the desire to compete with his elders. The first child is usually conservative because he is used to protecting his position. He is very responsible and prefers verbal confrontations to physical ones. He has a keenly developed sense of duty, and his integral and purposeful nature is worthy of trust.
The appearance of a brother/sister unexpectedly deprives him of power and throws him back into the world of children. And then the struggle begins to regain the lost first place in the hearts of parents. The habit of using one's power over siblings later manifests itself in the desire to dominate others and always be in control of the situation.
He has a strong character, and pressure from his parents forces him to be extremely demanding of himself. He always sets the bar very high, and then never feels like he has achieved enough. The fact that he is the first and the eldest gives him a feeling of his own exclusivity for the rest of his life, makes him calm and self-confident.
Your serial number and career
Researchers have found that only children and, to some extent, first children are more likely to prefer intellectual and exploratory activities. Children who are not first born are more likely to gravitate towards careers related to the arts and work outside the office.
"These results are consistent with the theory that birth order influences a child's personality," said Frederick T. L. Leong, study co-author and professor of psychology at The Ohio State University.
“Typically, parents have different expectations and preferences for their child depending on their birth order,” Leong continues. - For example, parents may be overprotective of their only child and worry about his or her physical safety. Perhaps this is why the only children in the family are more likely to show interest in intellectual work than in physical activity. In addition, the only child in the family receives more time and attention than those who have brothers and sisters.”
In addition, parents may direct the attention of the only or first child in the family to areas where a prestigious career is possible, such as medicine or law. This may be why children born later are more likely to show interest in professions in the arts.
We all walk under God...
Parents who prefer to limit themselves to one child do not think about other, important consequences of their decision. Here is what a prominent Russian demographer, Professor Sinelnikov, writes: “Parents of an only child, of course, have an easier life, but they do not know how many chances they have of becoming childless in old age. According to our calculations, based on Goskomstat data for 1995, the probability that a mother will outlive her son is 32%!Only parents of two or three or more children have a fairly reliable guarantee against losing them all.”
Moreover, they lose a child now, as a rule, not in infancy - infant mortality has recently, thank God, increased slightly. They lose, alas, in adolescence, when it is too late for parents to think about another baby. But since this “can happen to anyone, but not to us,” people live in a world of illusions. Without regard to statistics.
If there is only one child in the family
If for some reason, and very serious one, your child remains your only one, try to mitigate the negative consequences of raising one child in the family and turn them into a positive one. How? First, develop and encourage altruism everywhere and always. Let the child learn from childhood to help others, to do something for others: for grandparents, godfather...
A good lifesaver in this case... country cottage area. There is usually more than enough work in the garden and vegetable garden, and the activity is aimed at the benefit of the whole family.
In a family with one child, it is very important to maintain connections with relatives. Only child a large “relative” is needed. Then he will practically not suffer from loneliness.
Of course, you can try to make up for the lack of brothers or sisters with friends, but family ties are something special. This is much deeper than just a commonality of tastes and interests. Let the child have no brothers or sisters, but there will be cousins, second cousins, fourth cousins... and at least the seventh water on jelly! The second part of the word – “relatives” – is especially significant here.
There is another opportunity to “give” a child a brother and sister: become someone’s godmother. It is wonderful when a child perceives a godbrother or sister as close relatives. But for this, of course, you also need to consider your godson a member of your family.
Large family: the pros and cons of parenting
Worst Best
Contrary to the statistical tables of demographers, there are more and more large families in our country. Children are born - it's wonderful. But do they get everything they need when there are three or more kids in the house?
Traditionally in Rus', a large family has always been a normal phenomenon. “Seven on the benches” were both in the huts of poor peasants and in the mansions of wealthy people. 
All children, young and old, were part of a single whole. Everyone had their own duties around the house. The older ones worked in the fields and in the garden, the middle ones looked after the kids and herded livestock, everyone was busy. Everyone also celebrated holidays together.
Oddly enough, in our age of electronics and total lack of time, the institution of large families is being revived. Three or more successors to the family line are no longer a rarity, but rather the norm. Maybe it’s a matter of state policy, which encourages a demographic explosion (payment of parental capital, benefits on public transport, assistance from municipalities, partially paid trips to children’s health camps, etc.)? What do psychologists say?
Pros of a large family:
- There are many of us, we have to reckon with other children, pros and cons of a large family Means, small man learn to take care of the younger ones, listen to the elders, share. It is unlikely that he will grow up to be selfish. There is always work, responsibility and hard work are brought up. If children are raised in a healthy atmosphere, then, as adults, they continue to help each other and take care of their parents. “Seven on the benches” means that parents will never feel lonely. First children, and then grandchildren - all of them will be able to brighten up old age for an elderly couple. Where there are a lot of guys, it's never boring. There's always something to do. Many kids mean many helpers, which makes it easier for parents to some extent, especially if a large family lives outside the city.
Disadvantages of a large family:
- Even in big family You can raise egoists. The need for work, sometimes hard work, can turn your child away from work. The problem of square meters. The apartments are cramped, often the child does not have the opportunity to be alone and have his own space. Due to the extreme workload of parents, adults do not have enough time to educate. Especially if the mother and father work. The younger ones have to “wear” the older ones’ clothes, toys, and furniture. This is offensive and can cause a growing person to become jealous or aggressive towards elders and parents. In dysfunctional large families, all children are in cramped living circumstances, go hungry, study poorly, need help from a psychologist, teacher, doctor, etc. Unfortunately, in Russia a family with many children is considered to be one where the eldest successor to the family has not yet reached 18 years of age. And then the number of children does not decrease, and the benefits disappear. To support a large family, you need to earn very well, because now the trend is that another family member is a luxury, everything is very expensive. What if there are a lot of kids?
A big family is great! But only if parents live peacefully and raise their children in an atmosphere of mutual respect, caring for each other, responsibility, hard work and love.
Read further:Sooner or later, a girl and a young man are faced with a difficult choice: whether to start a family or still enjoy a little more freedom. In order to make the right decision regarding this issue, it is necessary to determine advantages and disadvantages family life. Sometimes it happens that people can no longer feel lonely, but they feel morally unprepared to start a family and get married. What to do in such a situation? Undoubtedly, there are advantages and disadvantages in this position. If there was a choice between loneliness and family, he would definitely fall on the second. Loneliness has a negative connotation. However, this is rather not freedom in this case, but the need to live in this way.
freedom of choice
Some understand loneliness as an opportunity for self-realization, that is, open spaces for doing as you want, without being guided or relying on anyone. Girls are in an advantageous position in this regard. For them, this approach means that there will be less hassle with household chores, cleaning, cooking, and laundry. A young man does not need to constantly report where and with whom he was. That is advantages and disadvantages on the face. Not being ready to start a family does not mean complete loneliness. There are family, friends, acquaintances who are ready to support and keep company at any time. That is why it is a blessing for many. However, everyone has the right to choose the right path for themselves.
Important step
Not everyone can dare to start a family. This is a serious and responsible step. First you need to think seriously, weigh everything advantages and disadvantages family life and ultimately come to the conclusion whether it is necessary young man or a girl, or should such a decision be postponed until better times. It is necessary to realize that now the responsibility will rest on your shoulders not only for your own well-being, but also for the well-being of loved ones and relatives. For men, starting a family can be perceived as a burden, since he will not always be able to combine a career and at the same time be a family man. It's difficult. That is why young people should not rush into making a decision about a family, at least until they become self-sufficient and independent.
Happiness and Harmony
Advantages and disadvantages family life can be very different. Nowadays, it is quite rare to find a family in which complete harmony and understanding reign. If, after all, the couple decided to take such a responsible step, then they probably dream that married life will bring only positive emotions. However, no one can predict exactly how it will turn out. Sometimes a girl and a young man realize too late that they made a mistake, never understanding what it means to experience true happiness from a marriage. That is why you need to first think and decide whether to get married. To begin with, if possible, the couple should just try to live together for at least some time.
Constant communication 
For a marriage to be happy, you need to spend more time with each other, share events, emotions and impressions. This can be practiced even before the wedding. If communication does not work out, then you should think about what the problem might be and try to eliminate it. You can go to an event together and have a great time.
Common goals
We need to constantly support each other. For this there must be one common goal. So she needs to be pursued. Then family life will go smoothly, and the couple will be happy. You also need to constantly try to look for the advantages of your soulmate, then communication will bring a lot of pleasure.
