Essential Structures for Academic Writing and Text Analysis

Posted on Sep 29, 2025 in English Studies

Academic Writing Structures

For and Against Essay Structure

Presents the advantages and disadvantages of a topic.

Structure
  • Introduction: Presents the topic.
  • Paragraph 1: Arguments in favor.
  • Paragraph 2: Arguments against.
  • Conclusion: Summary or personal opinion (optional).
Useful Phrases
  • On the one hand… / On the other hand…
  • Some people think… / However… / In conclusion…

Opinion Essay Format

Expresses your personal opinion clearly.

Structure
  • Introduction: Topic plus clear opinion.
  • Paragraphs 1-2: Arguments plus examples.
  • Conclusion: Reaffirms your opinion.
Useful Phrases
  • I think that… / In my opinion…
  • I strongly believe… / That’s why…

Writing a Description

Describes a person, place, or object.

Structure
  • Introduction: Presents what you are describing.
  • Body: Details (appearance, emotions, locations, etc.).
  • Conclusion: Personal impression.
Language Tips

Use descriptive adjectives:

  • tall, nice, cozy, modern…

Use spatial prepositions:

  • In the background / Next to / In front of…

Formal Letter and Email Writing

Used when writing to someone you do not know (e.g., a company or institution).

Structure and Key Phrases
  1. Salutation: Dear Sir/Madam,
  2. Opening: I’m writing to…
  3. Body: Formal details.
  4. Closing Statement: I look forward to your reply.
  5. Sign-off: Yours faithfully, [Your Name]
Formal Language

Use formal language:

  • I would like to / I am interested in / I would be grateful if…

Informal Letter and Email Writing

Used when writing to friends or family.

Structure and Key Phrases
  1. Salutation: Hi John!
  2. Opening: How are you? / Thanks for your email.
  3. Body: News, questions, etc.
  4. Closing Statement: See you soon!
  5. Sign-off: Love, [Your Name]
Natural Language

Use natural language:

  • Guess what? / I’m so excited / Let me know!

Writing a Review

Structure
  • Introduction: What it is and what it is about.
  • Body: Good and bad points.
  • Conclusion: Do you recommend it or not?
Useful Phrases
  • The plot was amazing / boring…
  • I really enjoyed… / I wouldn’t recommend it because…

Reading Comprehension Analysis

Michael Smith: Michelin-Starred Chef

  1. The Three Witches.
  2. In his hometown.
  3. Yes, he spent four years in London.
  4. Shirley Spear offered Smith the opportunity to work at The Three Chimneys.
  5. Eleven years.
  6. Yes, because he was happy with his life on the isle.
  7. She thinks it is appreciated by local people.
  8. He likes to do the cooking and sees a Michelin star as the result of combining good products and a lively atmosphere.

The Rise of Pregnant Stand-Up

  1. She can tell it has both advantages and disadvantages.
  2. Because she thinks there are more meaningful ways to pass the time.
  3. They make her feel too hot.
  4. She lives in Los Angeles, like Kara Klenk.
  5. She was asked to keep her pregnancy a secret.
  6. Are more frequent today than they used to be.
  7. She had to cancel some shows because of a medical condition.
  8. She hopes that people will normalize the image of a pregnant woman on stage.

Juanita: The Inca Mummy

  1. She was a rich, healthy girl who belonged to the Cuzco elite.
  2. Her hair.
  3. Volcano ash.
  4. The mummy was flawless because of the weather conditions at the top of the mountain.
  5. The snow melted because of a volcanic eruption and pushed the bundle into the crater where it was found.
  6. Capacocha was a sacrificial rite that took place near a lake.
  7. She had been prepared with coca and alcohol for 6 or 8 weeks.
  8. She had a brain hemorrhage caused by a head injury.

America’s Best Known Architect

  1. His designs for buildings are admired by architects everywhere.
  2. He wanted to change the type of buildings we live in.
  3. The general way of life.
  4. Fit into the natural area where they were built.
  5. He thought the type of buildings there represented a money-oriented view of society.
  6. Because a stream runs inside the building.
  7. Admiration.
  8. Deserves his fame.

3, 2, 1… Slam!: Poetry Comes to the Stage

  1. She prefers to write out her poems by hand.
  2. She read an ad about a competition.
  3. According to Anne, the best thing about slam is the strong link between the poet and the live audience.
  4. Search phrasing and rhyme by following patterns.
  5. Sometimes just a couple of weeks.
  6. She recites poems aloud to become familiar with their rhythm.
  7. Because some members of the audience may be part of the panel.
  8. She does not like maths anymore.

The Surprising History of Handwashing

  1. In a large hospital in Vienna.
  2. It only served veterans of war.
  3. Women who had just given birth.
  4. Because the hospital had too many maternity patients.
  5. He considered solutions that others had proposed.
  6. He discovered the importance of handwashing because he had done controlled experiments.
  7. Was spread by the doctors’ lack of personal hygiene when working.
  8. The number of women dying in the clinic served by doctors decreased.

Karen Blixen: A Life Made for Film

  1. She did not talk much about herself and her ordinary life.
  2. Their own families.
  3. It rained a lot and the farm was flooded often.
  4. She wrote about the love affair in Out of Africa.
  5. The farm went bankrupt and was sold at auction.
  6. When she was 8 years old.
  7. She wanted to follow the general expectations for women at that time.
  8. She went on writing and gave talks when her illness allowed.

Goalball: A Unique Sport

  1. As a rehabilitation activity after the Second World War.
  2. May have lost vision at any point in life.
  3. Is the same size as a standard volleyball court.
  4. Three players from each team play at the same time.
  5. By following the sound of the ball.
  6. Because they may have different degrees of vision loss.
  7. She touched her eyeshades.
  8. How the game helps her to develop orientation skills.

The Mystery of Jim Thompson

  1. He arrived in Bangkok in the middle of the World War.
  2. They used other types of cloth that were cheaper.
  3. Thais liked Western things more than traditional Thai things.
  4. He was on holiday in Malaysia and did not return after leaving for a stroll.
  5. His sister was murdered not long after he went missing.
  6. Architecture studios.
  7. Thompson’s collection of Thai art.
  8. The houses are held together without nails.

We’ll Be on Mars Again!

  1. The geology of the interior of Mars.
  2. Rocks separate into different layers.
  3. To detect quakes.
  4. Could not detect Mars quakes well.
  5. To protect the seismometer from wind gusts.
  6. The type of surface of the landing spot.
  7. Using a parachute to slow it down.
  8. After the instruments have been placed underground.

Life in the Outback and Climate Change

  1. The center of the country has problems with its water supply.
  2. Climate change is one of the factors causing Australia’s current problems.
  3. They are quitting and leaving.
  4. Because the well water contains some elements that harm people’s health.
  5. They require nuclear power plants for energy.
  6. In city parks.
  7. Firefighters can substitute sand for water.
  8. There should be more investment in the country’s future requirements for water.

Do You Get On Well With Your Smartphone?

  1. We are very dependent on mobile phones.
  2. We should change our text messaging habits to feel better.
  3. Become aware of how devices affect our lives.
  4. A psychological system of reward related to survival.
  5. Received at irregular time intervals.
  6. Think about their phone and what happens in their mind and to their body.
  7. Develop an awareness of their own habits.
  8. Relax when they put the phone away.