Writing Topic
Some people
prefer to spend most of their time alone. Others like to be with friends most
of the time. Do you prefer to spend your time alone or with friends? Use specific
reasons to support your answer.
☆Let’s Think
1. This question is about your preference. What is the difficulty in
writing about your preference? What can you do about it?
--- Preferences seem too obvious to explain
while they are often difficult to understand to others, especially those who do
not know you. This is probably because preference is personal. Without
background information, things like preference are difficult to understand.
Your readers do not know you at all, so you have to provide as much background
information related to your preference as possible to help your readers
understand why you prefer either of the two choices.
2. Share reasons with others who have the same taste of spending time
as yours.
3. Answer questions from people with the idea different from yours on
this topic like “Do you ever feel lonely?” or “Don’t you get tired?”
☆Hints for
Points
Reasons for
spending time alone.
-
I can concentrate on what I want to do.
-
I prefer sharing feelings and ideas with online friends rather
than real-life friends.
Reasons for
spending time with friends
-
Friends can share many things
such as feelings and information.
-
To grow up, I try to be among
others
☆Essay for
Ideas and Expressions
(Barron’s Writing
for the TOEFL iBT, p.308)
☆Sample Essay
Structures
Sample Essay
Structure 1
【Introduction】Although I like
spending time with friends, I prefer to be
alone most of my time.
【Point 1】I have friends and I enjoy spending time
with them.
【Point 2】However, I have many other things that I enjoy doing alone. e.g. studies and hobbies
【Point 3】If I spent with
my friends all the time, I would get tired.
【Conclusion】I like to do
things alone most of the time, and absence makes the heart grow fonder..
Sample Essay
Structure 2
【Introduction】I prefer to be
with my friends as much as possible because friends are the most important in
my life.
【Point 1】Spending time with friends is good for my mind.
【Point 2】The more we
spend time together, the better we understand each other.
【Point 3】When I am
alone, I do what I have to do alone such as studies and reflection, but they
are duties and not really enjoyable.
【Conclusion】There is nothing better for me than being with friends.
Your
Sample Essay Structure
【Introduction】
【Point 1】
【Point 2】
【Point 3】
【Conclusion】
☆Paragraph
Development
Paragraph development is a key to giving sufficient background
information. If a paragraph has only one sentence or two, it usually lacks some
essential sentences such as supporting details (background information), or the
main idea. A sample of a paragraph development is as follows.
Sample Paragraph Development
【Main Idea】Spending time with friends is good for my mind.
【Supporting Detail (general)】The warmth of friendship is essential to my mental health.
【Supporting Detail (specific)】When I am depressed or restless, I go out to see my friends. As I
spend time with them, chatting, watching movies, or playing games, I gradually
regain my confidence and energy.
【Follow-up】 It does not matter whether I share my problems with my friends or
not. Just being with them does the trick.
【Conclusion】 Meeting friends keeps my mind healthy.
Your Sample
Paragraph Development:
【Main Idea】
【Supporting Detail (general)】
【Supporting Detail (specific)】
【Follow-up】
【Conclusion】
Comments or
Suggestion from your partner or group members
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