Academic Essay

Reference

Common mistakes

1. Copying phrases from the texts → Paraphrase: "democratised learning" → "made education available to far more people"
   use your own words
2. Summarising only one text → Cover the key point of both texts
   both are required
3. Giving opinions with no evaluation of the texts → The writer arguably underestimates…
   evaluate the writers' arguments
4. I think it is very bad. → This position seems unduly pessimistic.
   precise, formal evaluation

Academic Essay — Exercises

Summary and evaluation

Circle the correct answer.

1. What must a C2 Part 1 essay do? (summarise and evaluate the key points of both texts / summarise only the text you agree with / ignore the texts and give your opinion)
2. How should you report the texts' ideas? (in your own words / by copying their key sentences / in note form)
3. Which verb best reports a writer's argument? (contends / says stuff / reckons)
4. _____ the first writer welcomes technology, the second is wary of it. (Whereas / Despite / Therefore)
5. Which is an evaluation, not a summary? (The writer arguably underestimates the cost involved. / The writer says technology helps. / The text is about technology.)
6. How long is the C2 essay? (240–280 words / 140–190 words / 400–450 words)

Complete the phrase

Write the missing word or words.

1. The first writer   that digital tools have democratised learning.
2. The second text,   contrast, warns about concentration.
3. This claim is   persuasive.
4. It would be difficult to   the significance of this shift.
5. The conclusion seems   pessimistic. (= too, formal)
6. On  , I would argue that both positions have merit.

Academic Essay — Answer Key

Summary and evaluation

1. summarise and evaluate the key points of both texts — Part 1: both texts, summarised and evaluated.
2. in your own words — Paraphrase — your own words.
3. contends — Formal reporting verb → contends.
4. Whereas — Contrast + clause → Whereas.
5. The writer arguably underestimates the cost involved. — Judging the argument → evaluation.
6. 240–280 words — C2 Part 1: 240–280 words.

Complete the phrase

1. argues
2. by
3. largely
4. overstate
5. unduly
6. balance