How to write an essay
A simple four-step guide
Sample Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
As part of a class assignment you have to write about the following topic.
Some businesses now say that no one can smoke cigarettes in any of their offices.
Some governments have banned smoking in all public places.

This is a good idea, but it also takes away some of our freedom.
Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.
You should write at least 250 words
Step 1: Read and understand the task
Step 3
Write your answer on the Answer Sheet
Suggested time limit: 25 minutes
Your essay or report should contain four to five paragraphs:
- the introduction - the first paragraph
the body - two to three paragraphs
the conclusion - the final paragraph

Don`t write `introduction`, `body` and `conclusion` in your writing but remember them as a guide.
Do not write the question and do not give your essay or report a title.
Start by stating your viewpoint directly.
For example

I completely agree / disagree with this statement. I believe / do not believe that smoking should be banned in all offices and in all public places and I agree / disagree that this takes away some of our freedom.
After you have stated your viewpoint, then introduce your reasons for having this opinion. The statement of viewpoint and the introduction of the reasons together form the introduction to your essay or report.

For example:
I completely disagree with this statement. I believe that smoking should be banned in all offices and in all public places and I do not believe that this takes away some of our freedom. There are two main reasons why I hold this view.
Support your viewpoint

You have stated your opinion. When you are planning your writing, you also need to state reasons that support your viewpoint.
Use your own ideas, knowl­edge and experience.
After you have stated your viewpoint, then introduce your reasons for having this opinion. The statement of viewpoint and the introduction of the reasons together form the introduction to your essay or report.

For example:
I completely disagree with this statement. I believe that smoking should be banned in all offices and in all public places and I do not believe that this takes away some of our freedom. There are two main reasons why I hold this view.
The reasons you give can be an argument,
for example:
People do not have the right to damage the health of other people.

The body of your writing should contain two to four paragraphs. Usually you need a separate paragraph for each reason. Here are some ways of introducing each paragraph.
Introducing paragraphs In the body of your essay
Re-state your viewpoint

In your final paragraph, conclude your essay or report by re-stating your view. It is also a good idea to refer back to your reasons. For example:

For these reasons, I strongly believe that a ban on smoking in all offices and public places is an excellent idea that will not take away anyone`s freedom.

When you re-state, try to use slightly different words. For example: if in your first paragraph you wrote I completely disagree with this statement, then in your last paragraph you could write something like I strongly believe that ...
I completely disagree with this statement. I believe that smoking should be banned in all offices and in all public places and I do not agree that this takes away some of our freedom. There are two reasons why I hold this view.

Firstly, giving smokers the freedom to smoke in offices and public places is very dangerous, both for the smokers themselves and for the people near them. Perhaps people should have the right to kill them themselves slowly, but this causes a financial loss to our community, since we all pay either directly or indirectly for the health costs associated with smoking. However, smokers certainly do not have the right to damage the health of other people. The freedom to hurt other people is not a genuine freedom.

Secondly, the ban on smoking in offices and public places does not actually threaten anyone’s freedom. People may continue to smoke. We are simply seeking to limit the location of this activity, just as we limit where we can all urinate, for example. We do this for the same reason in both cases, namely public health. Few people would think that their freedom is limited because they can not urinate in offices or public places. Why do they then complain when businesses and governments try to protect people from the health dangers associated with passive smoking?

For these reasons, I strongly believe that a ban on smoking in all offices and public places is an excellent idea that will not take away anyone’s freedom.