Grammar: 🔄 Review & Consolidation (C1) - Writing Task: Argumentative or Discursive Essay

Writing: Advanced Essays

C1 Capstone Task: Argumentative & Discursive Writing

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to plan and write a sophisticated argumentative or discursive essay, synthesizing a wide range of advanced language skills.

Your Final C1 Writing Challenge ✍️

This is your opportunity to synthesize all the advanced skills you have acquired into a single, sophisticated piece of writing. First, understand the two essay types.

Argumentative Essay

Requires you to take a strong, clear position on a topic and persuade the reader that your viewpoint is valid.

Discursive Essay

Requires you to explore multiple sides of a complex issue in a balanced way before presenting your own considered opinion at the end.

Choose Your Essay Prompt

Select ONE of the following C1-level prompts for your essay:

1. "The rapid growth of international tourism does more to erode local culture than to support it." To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. "In the age of artificial intelligence, traditional university education is becoming obsolete." Discuss the arguments for and against this statement.
3. "A government's primary responsibility should be economic development, even if it comes at the cost of environmental protection." Argue for or against this position.

Your Writer's Toolkit 🛠️

C1 Grammar & Style Checklist

As you write, aim to demonstrate your mastery of advanced English. Try to include several of these features:

• starSentence Variety: Use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences (e.g., using participle clauses).
• starEmphasis & Style: Use an advanced device like inversion (e.g., Rarely do we see...) or a cleft sentence (e.g., What is needed is...).
• starAdvanced Cohesion: Link ideas with sophisticated discourse markers (e.g., nevertheless, consequently, conversely).
• starControl of Tone: Use hedging language (e.g., might suggest, could be) for speculative points and boosting language (e.g., undoubtedly) for strong claims.
• starAdvanced Grammar: Use a complex structure like a mixed conditional or an advanced passive form (e.g., It is argued that...).

The Writing Process: Plan & Write 🎯

Step 1: Pre-Writing & Planning

Before writing, a C1 student should always plan. Take a few minutes to create an outline in your notebook.

1. Prompt Chosen: Which prompt did you select?
2. Essay Type: Will you write an Argumentative or Discursive essay?
3. Thesis Statement: What is your main argument or position?
4. Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 1: What is your first main point?
5. Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 2: What is your second point or counter-argument?

Step 2: Write the Essay

Now, write your full C1-level essay (approximately 200-250 words). Use your plan and the C1 Grammar & Style Checklist to guide you. Focus on creating a coherent, sophisticated, and persuasive piece of writing that demonstrates the full range of your abilities. Good luck!

Key Vocabulary

• Argumentative Essay (Noun) | សំណេរ​បែប​វែកញែក
  An essay that takes a strong position and uses evidence to persuade the reader.
• Discursive Essay (Noun) | សំណេរ​បែប​ពិភាក្សា
  An essay that explores a topic from different viewpoints in a balanced way before concluding.
• Counter-argument (Noun) | ការ​វែកញែក​ប្រឆាំង
  An argument put forward to oppose an idea developed in another argument.
• Synthesis (Noun) | សំយោគ
  The combination of multiple components or skills to form a connected whole.