Table Of ContentС.В. Кошелева
АНГЛИЙСКИЙ ЯЗЫК.
EASY WRITING
ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫ Й
УНИВЕРСИТЕТ
имени И.С. Тургенева.
УДК 811.111(075) Печатается по решению
ББК 81.432.1я7 редакционно-издательского совета
ОГУ имени И.С. Тургенева.
К76
Протокол № 6 от 22.02.2017 г.
Рецензенты:
кандидат филологических наук, доцент, заведующая кафедрой
иностранных языков в сфере профессиональной коммуникации
федерального государственного бюджетного
образовательного учреждения высшего образования
«Орловский государственный университет имени И.С. Тургенева»
Н.А. Макарова,
кандидат филологических наук, доцент,
заведующая кафедрой иностранных языков
федерального государственного бюджетного
образовательного учреждения высшего образования
«Орловский государственный университет экономики и торговли»
НА. Бондарева
Кошелева, С.В.
К76 Английский язык. Easy Writing: учебное пособие / С.В. Коше-
лева. - Орёл: ОГУ имени И.С. Тургенева, 2017. - 94 с.
ISBN 978-5-9929-0423-9
Учебное пособие включает все типы композиционного письма: опи-
сание (человека, предмета, места, события); рассказ, эссе, отчёты и док-
лады, статьи, рецензии. Особое внимание уделяется написанию различ-
ных видов писем, в том числе деловых, резюме и сопроводительного
письма.
Цель пособия - усовершенствование навыков письменной речи обу-
чающихся.
Пособие адресовано студентам высших учебных заведений, а также
всем изучающим английский язык на продвинутом уровне.
УДК 811.111(075)
ББК 81.432.1я7
© Кошелева С.В., 2017
ISBN 978-5-9929-0423-9 © ОГУ имени И.С. Тургенева, 2017
Contents
Preface 5
1. Describing people 6
2. Describing places/buildings 9
3. Describing objects 12
4. Describing festivals/ceremonies/celebrations 14
5. Narratives - stories 16
6. Formal and informal letters 20
6.1. Letters asking for/giving advice 22
6.2. Letters of invitations 26
6.3. Letters accepting an invitation 28
6.4. Letters refusing an invitation 31
6.5. Letters of complaint 32
6.6. Letters of apology 34
6.7. Letters expressing thanks 37
6.8. letters expressing regrets 39
6.9. Letters expressing congratulation 41
6.10. Transactional letters 43
6.11. Letters of application 46
6.12. Curriculum Vitae 50
7. Essays 55
7.1. For and against essays 55
7.2. Opinion essays 58
7.3. Providing solutions to problems essays 61
7.4. Discursive essays 63
3
8. Reports 66
8.1. News reports 66
8.2. Reports assessing good and bad points 68
8.3. Survey reports 70
8.4. Reporting experiences 72
9. Articles 74
10. Reviews 76
11. Appendix 1 82
12. Appendix 2 88
13. References 93
4
Preface
Written English is more formal than spoken English. It means that
the rules of grammar are observed more precisely in writing, the choice of
words is more accurate and careful, the style of narration is more elabo-
rate. In oral speech, you can correct, clarify, or rephrase what you said.
What you put in writing should be correct and clear right away.
Good spelling, that is, knowing how to write words correctly, is one
of the most necessary writing skills. English spelling is a very difficult
field of study. There are many spelling rules and many exceptions. Even if
your spelling is generally good, it is wise to use a spell-checking program.
Punctuation rules specify where to use a comma, a period, a colon, a
semicolon, capitalization, quotation marks, and other punctuation marks.
English rules of punctuation are a little different from Russian rules.
Good writing skills are very important and should become an integral
part of mastering English. In addition to the writing skills mentioned
above, language learners need to know how to write business letters, re-
ports, and essays.
There are many good books and online resources which can help you
to develop and improve your writing skills. This work is mostly for inter-
mediate and advanced students of English. Easy Writing covers all types
of composition writing: descriptions, narratives, transactional and other
types of letters, CV, argumentative essays, articles, reviews.
Each unit contains a paragraph plan for certain type of writing, points
to consider, useful words and examples. Detailed theory and plans are pro-
vided to be used as a reference by students. Appendices (Linking Words,
Opening and Closing Remarks) are given to help students master their
writing skills.
5
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
When describing people your composition needs to be well organ-
ised. The composition should have an introductory paragraph where you
briefly set the scene, a main body consisting of two or more paragraph de-
scribing physical appearance, personality characteristics and hob-
bies/interests/every day activities and a final paragraph which summarises
your feelings about the person described.
Paragraph plan for describing people
Introduction
Paragraph 1 set the scene (name of the person, time and place
you met him/her)
Main body
Paragraph 2 physical appearance
Paragraph 3 personality characteristics
Paragraph 4 activities he/she takes part in: hobbies, interests
Conclusion
Paragraph5 comments/feelings about the person
Points to remember
• Describing physical appearance you should give details in the fol-
lowing order: height/build/age, facial features, hair, clothes mov-
ing from the most general adjectives to the most specific ones.
• When describing character and behaviour, support your description
with examples. If you want to describe negative qualities it is advis-
able to use mild language.
• Make your composition more interesting by using a wide range of
adjectives (superb, stunning,) instead of a limited one (nice, good).
• Avoid using simple short sentences. More complex sentences joined
with connectors make your composition more eye-catching.
• Present tenses can be used to describe someone connected to the pre-
sent. Past tenses should be used to describe someone related to the
past.
6
Words which can be useful to describe physical appearance
Height tall, short, of medium height, just over six foot
Build slim, thin, skinny, muscular, slender, well-built, over-
weight, long-legged, round-shouldered, plump, fit
Age in his/her teens, in his/her mid-forties, in his/her late for-
ties, teenaged, middle-aged, elderly
Complexion pale, tanned, freckled, wrinkled, light brown skin, yellow-
ish complexion
Face round, oval, wrinkled, thin, pale, square, attractive
Hair long, short, shoulder-length, straight, wavy, curly, ginger,
blond, fair, brown, thick, thin, balding
Eyes almond-shaped, slanted, big, small, green, grey, blue
Nose thin, curved, crooked, freckled, straight, hooked
Lips thin, full, with down turning corners, thin upper lip and
full lower lip
Special features mole, scar, dimples, beard, moustache, long-legged,
round-shouldered
Words which can be useful to describe personality characteristics
Positive qualities patient, ambitious, generous, mature, interesting,
friendly, tactful, good-natured, thick-skinned, easy-
going, hard-working, fair, shy, helpful, reserved,
out-going, polite, cheerful, loyal
Negative qualities pessimistic, mean, ambitious, hostile, immature, im-
patient, short-tempered, thick-skinned, deceitful,
shy, aggressive, reserved
A model of describing a person
I remember visiting my grandfather John when I was a small child.
We lived in the same neighbourhood, so I had the chance to see him quite
often.
My grandfather was of average height and had a solid build. His face
was not too wrinkled but his complexion was ruddy. I really liked his
7
glasses, which made him look wise. His beard and moustache always tick-
led my cheek when he kissed me. He often kept his white hair covered
with a straw hat that protected him from the sun. He was usually casually
dressed and he disliked wearing a suit and tie.
Grandfather John had a good sense of humour; he told jokes and
smiled a lot. When I was a child, he was always patient with me. He never
scolded me, even when I was noisy or made a mess. He was a persuasive
person. It was his style to reason with people and they usually came
around to his point of view. In difficult times he was a tower of strength
for his family, providing support and encouragement.
He always kept himself busy. In his spare time he would go fishing
with his friend Bill, work in his garden, and repair small items in his work-
shop.
Now that my grandfather has passed away, I miss chatting with him
and laughing at his clever wisdom, his affectionate touch, and his love of
life.
8
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
When describing a place you should give the reader a good idea of
the location as well as surrounding attractions. If you describe a holiday
destination, you should be persuasive in order to explain why that particu-
lar place is worth visiting. You should use tour senses (sight, smell, hear-
ing, taste, touch) when giving details of a place.
Paragraph plan for describing places
Introduction
Paragraph 1 set the scene (name and location of the place/
building, reasons for choosing the place/ building)
Main body
Paragraph 2, 3 overall look and particular details
(place: sights, facilities, free-time activities
building: first look and specific details
Conclusion
Paragraph 4 feelings and final thoughts about the place/building,
your recommendation
Points to consider
• Describing a place you should use a wide variety of adjectives and
adverbs. It makes your description more interesting.
• Use of senses (sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch) as well as narrative
techniques to start and finish your composition will make your de-
scription more vivid.
• Present tenses should be used when describing a place/ building for a
tourist brochure. Past tenses should be used when you describe a
visit to a place or building which took place in the past.
• When you describe your ideal house or city first and second condi-
tionals can be used.
9
Words which can be useful to make your description vivid
Smell the fresh aroma of roses, the smoky scent of meat being
grilled, the rich flavour of apple pie, the delightful fra-
grance of pine trees, the musty smell of old books, the
overpowering paint fumes, the delicious aroma of baked
bread, the stench of a fish market, the odour of cigarette
smoke, the scent of wet earth and exotic flowers
Hearing the loud crying of the seagulls, the waves crashing on the
beach, the shrill sound of a siren, the rumble of thunder,
the soothing melodies of a concert, the whispering wind,
the sound of loud music playing, shrieks of people on the
rides, the sighing of the wind, the rustling of leaves, the
screeching of parrots
Sight the brightness of the blinding sun, the silvery light of
moon, the glittering sunlight on the waves, the dirty fa-
cade of an old building, the flashing lights, the breathtak-
ing view, the smiling water, the snow-covered mountains
Touch the painful sting of a bee, the softness of velvet, the
smoothness of marble, the warm moist air, the comfort-
able cushioned chair
Taste the sour taste of lemons, the salty taste of seawater, the
bitter flavour of coffee
A model of describing a place
I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. When I was a child, my father
bought a farm. Since then, this place has been my favorite. Every summer
my friends and I go to the farm. We enjoy our time there. I feel very happy
when I go, because it is my preferred place.
When I went to the farm the first time, I was four years old. My first
perception was the aroma of the natural flowers. I could feel the soft
breeze coming from the horizon. It provoked an exciting emotion that I
can feel still.
The farm has a big house. It was built in the middle of last century. It
is built in a British style. It was built with stone, bricks, and wood. The
foundation has stone, the walls have bricks, and the roof was built with
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