Writing Tricks for College Essays and beyond

So, you want to write addictive articles. What's the first step? The title. How do you write a “clickbait” one? Find out here...   HOW TO WRITE ADDICTIVE TITLES - Write something shocking: “Computer games are way too soft; we want brutality!” - Leave your reader interested: “You'll never believe the kind of night life waiting for you in Madrid!” - Use mysterious explanations: “Madrid at night...

What are the top six steps that can turn your last article into a viral one? Is there anything you can do, or anything that you should avoid? Find out in today's episode  OUTLINE: 6 EASY STEPS TO WRITE AMAZING ARTICLES AND BLOGPOSTS STEP 1. Select your topic. Narrow it down. STEP 2. Address your audience's needs. Pick three words to describe them. For example, professional, single, men. STEP...

As we have covered in the previous episode, writing an article in an English exam context is just a way to show your examiners that you can write in a personal, direct, engaging way. What are the kind of things you will have to write about? Is there a sample article we could analyse? Can we have a glimpse of the features that will make it successful? Find out in today's episode. ARTICLES - SAMPLE...

What is an article? Or, at least, what do examiners mean by an article? What is the difference between an article and other academic genres? What are the top 5 things to bear in mind when writing one? Find out in today's epidode. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know, &nbs...

Let's have a look at a sample review of a restaurant. I hope it will inspire you to feel confident and to post something online! REVIEW THE LOTUS FLOWER I tried the Lotus flower for the first time this month with my family for my dad's birthday, and I realised that it was easily the best Chinese restaurant we've eaten in. The surroundings were very modern, yet it still felt airy and cosy. The wait...

What is the most optimum way to write the internal part of a review, as well as its conclusion? In this episode, we will have a look at how to solve this problem looking at different angles. From a semantic point of view , we will look at what to include and how to distribute it in different paragraphs. In order to acomplish this, we will use the TiPToP strategy: Ti(=Time), P(=Point), To(=Topic),...

What is the first thing you need to know about writing a proper review? Discover how to establish your authority. Experiment and surprise your audience by including a revelation that you had thanks to the very same thing that you are reviewing. Invite your reader to come with you on that journey of discovery.  As you move through this episode, you will learn how to include adverbial starts, i...

Is there a strategy that can help you producing the perfect review? What are the main communicative functions that we need to portray when we are writing an excellent one? How can we optimize them so that in a few sentences we can produce a memorable review?   Whether you are trying to write about a product on Amazon, or a hotel on booking.com, an experience in a travelling website, or just w...

What is the secret to writing a successful job application letter? Find out in today's episode. SAMPLE TASK Wanted Friendly, English-speaking people to work as restaurant and bar staff on our Mediterranean cruise ships. Tell us about Why you would like to work for us Any relevant experience you may have Personal qualities that would be useful on board Email your little of application to info@cool...

Do you know how to begin and end a formal letter (or email) correctly? Find out in today's episode   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a posi...

What are the key ingredients of an informal email or letter? How can you approach this task? From planning to finished product, find everything you need in this episode. INFORMAL EMAILS: SAMPLE TASKS You have just received this email from Jo, a friend in Canada. From: Jo Subject: Help me! I really want to be selected for the college ice hockey team, but I know I'm not fit enough. There are only fo...

Can you write an impressive email? Do you know how to include good content, score high in communicative achievement, show good organization and structure, and display appropriate language control? Find out in today's episode.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know, &...

How do Cambridge examiners mark papers? Find out about "Content", "Communicative achievement", "Organisation and structure" and "Language control". Discover what each one of them entails. Understand how grammar, syntax, punctuation, format, tone and ideas are assessed.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering some...

What are the key ingredients of a discursive essay? How can you approach this task? From planning to finished product, find everything you need in this episode.   SAMPLE ESSAY TASK In your English class, you have been talking about the benefits of regular exercise. Now, your teacher has asked you to write an essay. Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view. "S...

What makes a good "agree/disagree" essay for the Cambridge exams, at a B2 level? Find out in today's episode. SAMPLE ESSAY TASK In your English class, you have been talking about wildlife conservation. Now, your English teacher has asked you write an essay. Write an essay using all the notes, and give reasons for your point of view. "Not enough is being done to protect endangered animals."  D...

What makes a good essay for the Cambridge exams, at a B2 level? Find out in today's episode SAMPLE ESSAY TASK What can young people do to help the environment? Write about: 1. Recycling 2. Using cars less 3. Your own idea SAMPLE ESSAY (SIMPLE VERSION) There are many things young people can do to protect their local environment. Some of these are recycling, using cars less, and planting tress.&nbsp...

What are the main communicative functions that you should ideally include in your conclusion? What is something that you should never include? Find out in today's episode.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a di...

What are the key ingredients that make for a fantastic body paragraph? Find out in today's episode   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a posi...

Do you know how to write a good essay intro? What would you use as a "hook"? What is a thesis statement? How would you structure your arguments in order to defend your point? Find out in today's episode.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looki...

What is an essay? What are their main functions? How are essays organised? What are their main features? Find out in today's episode.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it...

Do you know how to identify cohesive elements in texts? Listen to this episode to reflect upon some cohesive devices found in a short, given text.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If y...

What is cohesion? What is the connection between cohesion and coherence? What are some cohesive devices at your disposal? What would happen to a text if you used cohesive devices excessively!? Find out in today's episode.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know, &nbsp...

In today's episode, we are going to explore how to fix a faulty, incoherent sentence in which some piece of key information is missing.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed...

Can you identify what supporting sentences will increase your text coherence? And more importantly, why? Find out in today's episode with a little bit of guided practice.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a dif...

Can you identify what supporting sentences will increase your text coherence? And more importantly, why? Find out in today's episode with a little bit of guided practice.   THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know,  or that it helped you looking at things from a dif...