Structuring Written English Texts: Articles, Reports, and Essays
Writing Structure Frameworks
Article Structure
1. Title: Rhetorical Question
Use rhetorical questions (e.g., “Have you ever wondered…?”, “Did you know that…?”).
2. Introduction
Provide general information and use rhetorical questions.
3. Body
Use transition phrases such as: “One thing to consider is…”, “Another point is…”, “Regarding…” (or Respecto a).
4. Conclusion
Summarize and offer an opinion using phrases like: “If I were you, I would…”, “It would be a good idea to…”
Review Structure
1. Title: Subject of Review
Clearly state the thing you are going to review.
2. Introduction
Provide general information. Examples: “The book/film… is set in…” (or el libro… está desarrollado en), “The plot turns around…” (or la trama gira en torno a).
3. Body: Strengths and Weaknesses
Discuss pros and cons. Examples: “The main strength or weakness is…” (or El punto más fuerte o débil es), “It provides a fascinating insight into…” (or Facilita una fascinante perspectiva…).
4. Conclusion: Recommendation
Offer a clear recommendation: “Don’t hesitate to see this…” (or No dudes en ver…), “You should give it a try…”
Report Structure
1. Title: Report on…
2. Introduction: Objective
State the purpose: “The main goal of this report is to + infinitive”, or “This report is aimed/destinado at + v-ing”.
3. Body: Findings
Use sequencing: “Firstly… Secondly…”. Incorporate evidence: “Based on research…” (or Basado en investigación), “It has been proven…” (or Ha sido demostrado), “It is safe to say that…” (or Es seguro decir que).
4. Conclusion
Summarize findings and provide a recommendation: “Taking all the above into account…” and “I strongly recommend…”
Essay Structure
1. Title: Statement
Present a clear statement/declaración.
2. Introduction
Set the context: “Nowadays…”, “Many people hold that…” (or mucha gente mantiene que).
3. Body
3.1. Discursive or Argumentative Focus
- Discursive: Discuss problems or advantages/disadvantages. Use phrases like: “Whereas many people argue that…, some others defend that…”, “It is proven…” (or Está demostrado que).
- Argumentative: Present the first argument plus an example.
3.2. Further Development
- Discursive: Present solutions or additional advantages/disadvantages.
- Argumentative: Present the second and third arguments with evidence.
4. Conclusion
Offer a brief summary and your opinion: “In a nutshell…”, “It is my belief that…”, “Personally…”
Formal Letter/Email Structure
1. Salutation
Use appropriate forms: “Dear editor/manager/sir/madam/surname.”
2. Introduction
Briefly introduce the topic: “I am writing this letter because I would like to express my concern/disappointment…”
3. Body
Develop your points: “I would like to highlight that…”, “According to…”, “I trust/very much hope that you can/will…”
4. Concluding Phrases
End politely: “Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my letter…”, “I hope you take into account my opinion/proposal/suggestions…”
Cohesion and Flow: Linking Words
Time Linkers
- Afterwards: Después que
- At last: Finalmente
- Until: Hasta, hasta que
- For: De, para, por
- From…to…: Desde… hasta…
Sequence
- To begin with: Para comenzar
- Last but not least: Por último pero no menos importante
- To summarise: En resumen
Addition
- In addition: Además
- Furthermore: Es más
- Also/too: También
- Besides/moreover: Además
- Not only…but also: No solo… sino que también
Contrast
- However: Sin embargo
- Nevertheless/Nonetheless: No obstante
- Still: De todas formas
- Although/even though/though: Aunque
- Despite/in spite of: A pesar de
- While/whereas: Mientras que
- On the other hand: Por otra parte
Result
- As a result: Como resultado
- Consequently: En consecuencia
- Therefore: Por lo tanto
- Thus: Por tanto
- Hence: Por consiguiente
- In order to: Para/a fin de/con el fin de/con el objetivo de
Reason
- For: Por
- Because: Porque
- Since: Dado que
- As: Como
- Because of: A causa de
- Due to: Debido a
Comparison
- Similarly: De manera similar
- Likewise: Igualmente
- Also: También
- Like: Como
- Just as/just like: Igual que
- Similar to: Parecido a
- Same as: Lo mismo que
- Compare to/with: Comparado con
Emphasis
- Undoubtedly: Indudablemente
- Indeed: Ciertamente
- Obviously: Obviamente
- Admittedly: Verdaderamente
- In fact: De hecho
- Clearly: Claramente
Example
- For example/for instance: Por ejemplo
- That is the case of: Es el caso de
- Such as: Tales como
- Namely: Concretamente