An essay is a piece of writing that discusses, describes or analyses a topic. There are many types of essays that you may come across in your studies at university. Refer below for a brief introduction on the different types of essays.

Click the boxes below to show the articles.

Below is a list of task words that you may come across in the essay question.

When writing essays it is important to use a wide range of vocabulary. One of the most commonly used words by students is the verb ‘to show’. Very often this word is seen at least three or four times in an essay. When writing essays it is important to not be too repetitive with your word choice. Refer to the list below for other words that may be used instead of ‘to show’

Transitional words and phrases are often used in writing to link and show the relationship between sentences or paragraph. The use of these words will strengthen the cohesion of your writing. The transitional words and phrases have a variety of usages.

Below is a list of transitional words and phrases categorised under their function that may be useful for your essay writing.

While summarising or paraphrasing, you may use your own words to explain or report someone else’s ideas. In quoting, you use not only another author’s ideas or materials, but also the author’s exact words. Quote sources rather than paraphrase them when the original wording is particularly striking or interesting, or when you want the reader to know exactly what the writer has written.

Quoting a source is somewhat complicated because of all the rules that must be followed. When you use someone else’s exact words, you need to put quotation marks on either side of the quoted materials. The following is an example of how to punctuate a quotation.

• Quotation marks are placed around the entire quote, not around individual sentences.
• Quotation marks always appear immediately before and after the quoted words.
• Make sure the quotation is logically and grammatical correct – sometimes when material is left out, the remaining words do not fit smoothly into your own text. In order to create a smooth fit, you will need to adjust your own words and/or eliminate words from the quote.
• When only a few words of the original text are useful, you may quote those words only and paraphrase the rest of the sentence.
• Occasionally it may be necessary to insert a word or two into the sentence to introduce your quotations. Refer to the following list for verbs and phrases commonly used to introduce quotations.

Often students attempt to show a clear text structure, but limited use of vocabulary and inappropriate cohesive devices causes strain to the readers. In addition, grammatical errors also cause strain to readers. Refer to the list below for common errors. The sentences with errors are highlighted in red with the mistake underlined. The grammatically correct sentences are given in the following line.

Grammatical Errors:

• Plural nouns/missing nouns:

  	✘	‘Between year 2000 and 2010 the level of English usage has increased by fifty-five percent.’
  	✔	‘Between the years 2000 and 2010, the level of English usage has increase by fifty-five percent.’

• Subject-verb agreement:

  	✘	‘The studies that requires…’
  	✔	‘The studies that require…’

• Tense:

  	✘	‘Now Hong Kong is having a newly developed education system…’
  	✔	‘Now Hong Kong has a newly developed education system…’

• Sentence form:

  	✘	‘The main reason is that people need to be connected closer in the global world than ever before. Only the same language people speak can make them understand each other. For instance, when WTO makes decision to the new political statement, members only speak English rather than their own mother languages.’
  	✔	‘The main reason is that people need be connected closer in the global world than ever before. Only when people speak the same language can they understand each other. For instance, when the WTO makes decisions on new policies the members speak in English rather than their mother languages.

• Incorrect/missing articles:

  	✘	‘Concerning the communication aspect, some may think that the increasing usage of major languages such as English and Putonghua would lead to an unity of language usage.
  	✔	‘Concerning the communication aspect, some may think that the increasing usage of major languages such as English and Putonghua would lead to a unity of language usage.’

• Incorrect use of vocabulary:

  	✘	‘As for cultural value, it is argued that as major languages are increasing spoken in different countries, people would be able to know about the cultures more easily.’
  	✔	‘As for cultural value, it is argued that as major languages as increasingly spoken in different countries; people would be able to know about the cultures more easily.’
  	✘	‘It is true that this will cause less popularity or even the disappear of some languages to some extend. However, the usage of major languages does not mean the abandon of the local languages.’
  	✔	‘It is true that this will cause a decrease in popularity of even the disappearance of some languages to some/a certain extent. However, the usage of major languages does not mean the abandonment of the local languages.’

• Sentence fragments:

  	✘	‘While the percentage of students studying increased to 55%’.
  	✔	On the other hand, the percentage of students studying increased to 55%.

Progression of ideas:

Complete this passage by choosing the most suitable word given.

Qn. Discuss the consumer complaint behaviour and intentions between Americans and Koreans.

Select the most suitable transitional word or phrase to complete the sentences.

The sentences below contain grammatical errors. Underline and write down the correct form of the sentence on a piece of paper. Then click on the answer button and compare it with yours.