A blog to help secondary school students improve English. You can find mind maps, worksheets, videos and songs as well as some of the project works and activities done by the students.
Hello! My name's Liliana. I'm a teacher of English (Language and Literature) to Italian teenage stu
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Thursday, January 30, 2025
HOW TO WRITE AN OPINION ESSAY
Select a subject you're interested in or have some knowledge about.
Consider current events, social issues, or personal experiences.
2. Form Your Opinion
What is your stance on the topic? Do you agree or disagree?
Develop a clear thesis statement that states your opinion.
3. Gather Evidence
Research the topic to find supporting evidence for your opinion.
Use facts, statistics, examples, and personal anecdotes.
4. Create an Outline
Organize your essay into paragraphs with a clear structure:
Introduction: Introduce the topic and state your thesis.
Body paragraphs: Present your reasons and evidence.
Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis.
5. Write Your Essay
Start with a strong introduction that grabs the reader's attention.
Develop your body paragraphs with clear topic sentences and supporting details.
Use transitions to connect your ideas and make your essay flow smoothly.
End with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.
6. Revise and Edit
Review your essay for clarity, organization, and grammar errors.
Make sure your thesis is clear and your evidence is strong.
Ask a friend or teacher to read your essay and give feedback.
7. Proofread
Carefully check your essay for spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors.
Use a spell checker and grammar checker to help you.
EXAMPLE The Importance of Physical Education in Schools
In my opinion, physical education (PE) should be a mandatory part of every school's curriculum. While some may argue that academic subjects are more important, I believe that PE plays a crucial role in the overall development of students.
Firstly, PE promotes physical health and well-being.
Secondly, PE has numerous mental and emotional benefits. Exercise has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost self-esteem.
In conclusion, physical education is an integral part of a well-rounded education. It not only improves students' physical health but also enhances their mental and emotional well-being.
HOW TO WRITE AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
Explanation of the Flowchart and
Example:
1.
Start: The process
begins.
2.
Choose a topic: Select a debatable
topic with multiple perspectives. The
example uses "Should schools ban cell phones?"
3.
Research the topic: Explore different
viewpoints and gather information from reliable sources. This step is crucial for a strong argument.
4. Develop a thesis statement: Formulate a clear and
concise statement that presents your main argument. The example thesis is
"Schools should ban cell
phones." This clearly states a position.
5. Outline your arguments: Identify the key points that
support your thesis. The example outlines three: distraction, cheating, and
cyberbullying. A strong essay usually has 2-4 solid arguments.
6. Gather evidence: Find credible sources (articles,
studies, statistics, examples) to back up each argument. The example suggests
the types of evidence to look for.
7. Write the introduction: Introduce the topic, provide
background information, and clearly state your thesis.
8. Write body paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on
one argument.
○
Start with a topic sentence that introduces the
argument.
○
Provide evidence and explain how it supports your
claim.
○
Use transitions to connect paragraphs. The example
shows how each argument (distraction, cheating, cyberbullying) gets its own
paragraph.
9. Write the counterargument paragraph: Acknowledge and
address a valid opposing viewpoint. This strengthens your argument by showing
you've considered other perspectives. The example counterargument is about
emergency contact. Critically, you must refute
the counterargument, explaining why your position is still stronger.
10. Write the conclusion: Restate your thesis in different
words, summarize your main arguments, and offer a final thought or call to
action.
11. Review and edit: Check for clarity, grammar,
spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure your arguments are well-supported and
your essay flows logically.
12. End: The essay is complete.
Key Considerations for
Argumentative Essays:
●
Clarity: Write clearly and
concisely. Avoid jargon or overly complex sentences.
●
Evidence: Use strong evidence
from reliable sources to support your claims. Cite
your sources properly.
●
Logic: Ensure your arguments
are logical and well-reasoned. Avoid
fallacies.
●
Balance: While you're
advocating for your position, acknowledge and address opposing viewpoints
fairly.
●
Structure: Follow a clear and
logical structure, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
The Benefits of Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining both physical and mental well-being.This essay will argue that incorporating regular physical activity into one's routine yields significant health benefits and should be a priority for everyone.
Firstly, exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system.2 Regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.3 It also helps maintain a healthy weight, lowers cholesterol levels, and improves circulation. These benefits contribute to a longer and healthier life.
Secondly, exercise positively impacts mental health.4 Physical activity releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.5 Regular exercise can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, and increase self-esteem.6 The mental clarity and stress reduction associated with exercise are invaluable in today's fast-paced world.
Some argue that time constraints make regular exercise difficult. While it's true that finding time can be challenging, even short bursts of activity, like a brisk walk during lunch or a quick workout at home, can be beneficial. Prioritizing exercise and incorporating it into daily routines, even in small increments, is achievable and essential.
In conclusion, the advantages of regular exercise are undeniable. From improving cardiovascular health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits are numerous and far-reaching. Despite potential time constraints, prioritizing physical activity is a vital investment in one's overall health and quality of life.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Monday, January 27, 2025
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Monday, January 20, 2025
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Compare the following football players
Physical Attributes:
- Fast/Faster/Fastest: Speed is crucial in modern football.
- Strong/Stronger/Strongest: Physical strength is vital for tackling, holding off defenders, and winning aerial duels.
- Tall/Taller/Tallest: Height can be an advantage for heading the ball and defending.
- Powerful/More Powerful/Most Powerful: Describes players with explosive strength and shot power.
Technical Skills:
- Skilled/More Skilled/Most Skilled: A general term for players with high technical ability.
- Creative/More Creative/Most Creative: Describes players who can make unexpected and skillful plays.
- Technical/More Technical/Most Technical: Refers to players with precise ball control and passing.
- Clinical/More Clinical/Most Clinical: Used for players who are efficient and decisive in front of goal.
- Accurate/More Accurate/Most Accurate: Describes players with precise passing, shooting, and crossing.
Tactical & Mental Attributes:
- Intelligent/More Intelligent/Most Intelligent: Describes players who understand the game well and make smart decisions.
- Disciplined/More Disciplined/Most Disciplined: Refers to players who follow tactical instructions and maintain their position.
- Determined/More Determined/Most Determined: Describes players with a strong will to win and overcome challenges.
- Consistent/More Consistent/Most Consistent: Refers to players who perform at a high level consistently throughout the season.
- Leader/More Leader-like/Most Leader-like: Describes players who inspire and motivate their teammates.
Other Adjectives:
- Attacking: Focuses on offensive play.
- Defensive: Focuses on defensive play.
- Experienced: Describes players with many years of professional experience.
- Young: Describes players who are early in their careers.
- Exciting: Describes players who are entertaining to watch.
- Influential: Describes players who significantly impact their team's performance.
Here's some basic information on the five players you mentioned:
-
Lionel Messi
- Age: 36
- Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
- Strength: Medium
- Creativity: Exceptional
- Accuracy: Exceptional
- Speed: High
-
Cristiano Ronaldo
- Age: 38
- Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Strength: High
- Creativity: High
- Accuracy: Exceptional
- Speed: Very High
-
Kylian Mbappé
- Age: 24
- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Strength: High
- Creativity: High
- Accuracy: Very High
- Speed: Exceptional
-
Erling Haaland
- Age: 23
- Height: 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
- Strength: Exceptional
- Creativity: High
- Accuracy: Very High
- Speed: High
-
Kevin De Bruyne
- Age: 32
- Height: 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Strength: Medium
- Creativity: Exceptional
- Accuracy: Exceptional
- Speed: High
The major themes in Macbeth:
Here's a scheme of the major themes in Macbeth:
1. Ambition and its Consequences:
Unbridled Ambition: The play's core theme. Macbeth's initial ambition is fueled by the witches' prophecies, but it quickly changes into a destructive force, leading him down a path of murder and tyranny.
Guilt and Paranoia: As Macbeth commits more and more crimes, guilt and paranoia consume him. He becomes increasingly isolated and distrustful, leading to his downfall.
The Corruption of Power: The pursuit of power corrupts Macbeth's soul, transforming him from a noble warrior into a ruthless tyrant.
2. The Supernatural:
The Witches' Role: The witches play a significant role in instigating Macbeth's ambition, though their prophecies are open to interpretation.
Fate vs. Free Will: The play explores the interplay between fate and free will. Do the witches' prophecies determine Macbeth's destiny, or does he have the power to choose his own path?
Appearance vs. Reality: The supernatural elements create an atmosphere of illusion and deception, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural.
3. Appearance vs. Reality:
Deception and Betrayal: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth use deception and manipulation to achieve their goals, leading to a climate of mistrust and betrayal.
The Importance of Honesty: The play highlights the importance of honesty and integrity, contrasting the deceitful actions of the protagonists with the genuine loyalty of characters like Macduff.
4. Gender Roles:
Lady Macbeth's Ambition: Lady Macbeth is a complex character who actively participates in her husband's crimes. Her ambition and ruthlessness challenge traditional gender roles.
Masculinity and Violence: The play explores themes of masculinity and violence, particularly in relation to Macbeth's descent into tyranny.
5. The Nature of Kingship:
The Rightful King: The play examines the concept of rightful kingship, contrasting the tyrannical rule of Macbeth with the legitimate claim of Malcolm.
Order and Disorder: Macbeth's reign disrupts the natural order of things, leading to chaos and instability.
Similarities Between Stevenson & Pirandello
Similarities
Between Stevenson & Pirandello
●
Exploration of Identity
○
Stevenson:
■
Duality of Human
Nature
■
Dr. Jekyll & Mr.
Hyde
■
Conflict between
Good & Evil
○
Pirandello:
■
Fluidity &
Fragmentation of Identity
■
Multiple Selves
■
Masks in Society
■
"Six Characters in Search of an Author"
■
"The Man with the Flower in His Mouth"
●
Focus on the Absurd
○
Stevenson:
■
Gothic Tales
■
Uncanny &
Inexplicable
■
Questioning Reality
○
Pirandello:
■
Illogical &
Unpredictable Life
■
Trapped Characters
■
Futility of
Existence
●
Social Commentary
○
Stevenson:
■
Critique of
Victorian Society
■
Poverty, Injustice,
Hypocrisy
○
Pirandello:
■
Satire of Social
Conventions
■
Constraints of
Social Roles
■
Impact of Social
Pressures
●
Key Differences
○
Stevenson:
■
Adventure, Fantasy,
Gothic Horror
○
Pirandello:
■
Philosophical &
Absurdist Plays & Novels
■
Deep Exploration of
Human Condition
In Summary
○
Shared Fascination
with:
■
Complexities of
Human Identity
■
Absurdity of
Existence
■
Impact of Social
Forces