How to write a text in English

Alongside reading comprehension, listening skills, and speaking, writing is one of the 4 fundamental skills needed to master a language. This lesson focuses on improving your writing skills.

To help you learn how to write a text effectively in English, we will explore different types of writing: argumentative texts, narratives, letters, and emails. Ready your quills and keyboards!

Writing an argumentative text in English

In high school, during university studies, in English exams like the TOEFL, or throughout your professional life, you may need to write argumentative texts. Whether it’s essays, dissertations, articles, reports, or analyses, how can you create content that meets your reader’s expectations in the language of Shakespeare?

Here, we’ll cover:

1. The preparatory steps you need to take.
2. The structure of an argumentative text.
3. Keywords and expressions in English to make your writing more fluid and cohesive.

Prepare to write your essay or dissertation in English

Don’t start writing right away! Regardless of the topic, it is essential to dedicate several minutes or even hours for preparation. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Understand the question to avoid going off-topic.
2. Evaluate what is expected so you can tailor your writing accordingly.
3. Identify key points and main ideas for development.
4. Research vocabulary to ensure you use appropriate and precise language.

Only after creating this first draft can you move on to the actual writing process.

Understand the question to avoid going off-topic

After reading the topic for the first time, take a moment to break down each word and check the meanings of any terms you don’t fully understand. For example, consider this question from a past TOEFL exam:

Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

When faced with such a topic, ask yourself what terms like be required or to attend classes mean. If necessary, translate the entire question into your native language for clarity. For instance:

Evaluate what is expected to adapt your text

Once you understand each word in the topic, the next step is to identify what the reader expects from you. You may need to provide:

• a personal opinion
• a list of justified arguments
• a list of advantages and disadvantages
• a comparison between a problem and a solution
• etc.

In this example, a personal opinion is required (your opinion), supported by a list of arguments (use specific reasons and details).

Identifying key development points and main ideas

Once the topic is fully understood, it’s time to create an outline! This serves as the backbone of your English text, organized into three main sections, which we’ll discuss in more detail below:

1. Introduction
2. Development
3. Conclusion

In your draft, briefly list (one sentence is enough at this stage) and prioritize each of the arguments you plan to include in your text. Examples:

Example	Explanation	Audio
Students are adults, and should be able to choose whether or not they want to go to class.	This sentence presents an argument in favor of optional class attendance, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and autonomy for university students.
It is not right to obtain a diploma, having missed the majority of the lessons.	This sentence argues against optional attendance, highlighting the fairness and accountability associated with earning a diploma by actively participating in classes.

Carry out lexical research to use the appropriate vocabulary

Before you start writing, prepare a list of words and phrases related to your topic. Using these terms throughout your text will enhance your credibility and precision in the eyes of your readers.

For example, for the same topic about mandatory or optional class attendance, the following words could be useful:

Word	Meaning	Audio
campus	The grounds and buildings of a university or college.
course	A series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject.
credit	A unit that represents a student’s completion of a specific part of their education.
degree	An academic qualification awarded by a university or college after completing a course of study.
exam	A formal test to assess a student’s knowledge or skills in a subject.
faculty	The teaching staff of a university or a department within it.
fail	To not achieve the required standard in an exam or course.
graduate	A person who has successfully completed a degree.
pass	To achieve the required standard in an exam or course.
PhD	The highest university degree, awarded for advanced research in a specific field.
professor	A senior academic teacher or researcher, usually at a university.

Developing your text using the structure of an argumentative essay

Is preparation complete? Now it’s time to start writing in English! Let’s revisit the three main sections of an argumentative text:

1. Introduction
2. Development
3. Conclusion

Stick to this tripartite structure to organize your text with clarity and effectiveness!

Introduction

As the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Apply this principle to your introduction and give it extra attention. These are the first lines your reader will see!

In this brief section (1 or 2 paragraphs), you should:

1. Paraphrase or rephrase the topic to show you fully understand it.
2. Contextualize the issue (for example, in our case, you might mention the number of students enrolled in UK universities).
3. State your thesis and outline your main points (what will be discussed in the body of the essay).

Development

The development is the core of your argumentative text. Focus on one idea per paragraph, and remember to use paragraph breaks (indentations) to signal new ideas. Whenever possible, illustrate your point with examples to make your argument more compelling.

Conclusion

This is your final chance to wrap up your argumentative essay! Keep your conclusion about the same length as your introduction—1 or 2 paragraphs should be sufficient. The conclusion serves two main purposes:

1. Summarize the arguments you’ve presented throughout your text.
2. Open the discussion to a related topic or future consideration, often in the form of a question.

For example, regarding the topic we’ve used, you could mention how post-Brexit, the costs for European students wishing to study in UK universities have increased, sometimes by up to three times.

Linking the parts of your text with logical connectors

To ensure that your writing is smooth and easy to follow, it’s crucial to use logical connectors throughout your text. These are words or phrases that help organize your ideas and make transitions clear. Using them at the beginning, middle, and end of your essay will guide your reader through your arguments.

Here are some examples of these magic tools that you should learn and use:

1. to introduce
2. to continue
3. to illustrate an opinion
4. to conclude

To introduce

Example	Usage	Audio
At first sight	Used to express an initial impression.
First	Introduces the first point in a list.
First and foremost	Used to emphasize the most important point.
First of all	Another way to start by highlighting the first point.
Firstly	A formal way to start a sequence of points.
In the first place	Similar to first of all, used to introduce the first idea.
To begin with	A way to introduce the beginning of an argument.
To start with	Equivalent to to begin with.

To continue

Example	Usage	Audio
Also	Adds another point or idea.
As a consequence	Indicates a result or effect.
Besides	Adds an additional point in support of the argument.
Consequently	Similar to as a consequence, showing the effect.
Even if	Introduces a condition or contrast.
Furthermore	Adds more support to the argument.
In addition	Adds another point.
Moreover	Used for adding further strong points.
Nevertheless	Contrasts with the previous idea.
Next	Introduces the next point in a series.
Nonetheless	Similar to nevertheless, but slightly more formal.
On the contrary	Used to introduce a contrasting idea.
On the one hand	Introduces one side of an argument.
On the other hand	Introduces the opposite side of the argument.
Secondly	Introduces the second point in a list.
Similarly	Introduces a similar idea.
That is why	Explains the reason for something.
Then	Indicates the next step or idea.
Therefore	Concludes or gives a reason for something.
Thirdly	Introduces the third point in a sequence.
Thus	Used to show result or conclusion.
Whereas	Introduces a contrast between two ideas.

To illustrate an opinion

Example	Usage	Audio
As far as I am concerned	Indicates personal perspective.
From my point of view	Expresses the speaker’s perspective.
I am convinced that	Strongly asserting a belief.
I am under the impression that	Suggests a belief without full certainty.
I believe that	Directly states personal belief.
I suppose that	Expresses uncertainty or assumption.
In my mind,	Another way of saying in my opinion.
In my opinion,	Directly expresses personal view.
It could be argued that	Presents a counter-argument or perspective.
It would seem that	Suggests a conclusion based on observation.
This proves that	Presents evidence for the point.
This suggests that	Indicates what the evidence implies.
To my mind,	Expresses personal belief or opinion.

To conclude

Example	Usage	Audio
All in all	A summary of the key points.
Finally	Used to introduce the last point.
In brief	A concise summary of the main points.
In conclusion	Signals the final thoughts or summary.
In short	Summarizes the main argument quickly.
Last but not least	Introduces the last but important point.
Lastly	Introduces the final point.
To conclude	Indicates the end of the argument or discussion.
To sum up	Summarizes the key points discussed.
To summarize	Another way of saying to sum up.

Writing a narrative text in English

In an argumentative text, the author’s goal is to persuade. But in a narrative text, the goal is to tell a story — a sequence of events organized in time using chronological indicators.

To write a story as engaging as Shakespeare’s plays, we’ll look at:

1. why it’s important to define the 3 pillars of your story
2. how to structure your narrative using 5 key stages

Defining the 3 pillars of your story

Before diving into the writing itself, you need to define the three key elements that drive your story:

1. the characters (who?)
2. setting (where?)
3. time frame (when?)

The Characters

Once you’ve identified your main character(s), decide which grammatical person to use throughout the narrative:

• either the 1st person (I, or we)
• or the 3rd person (he, she, or they)

You can also introduce your characters by describing their appearance, clothing, or even their emotions to bring them to life.

The Setting

Whether it’s a real or imaginary place, an open space or a closed setting, you need to present the location(s) of your story by describing their appearance. The setting helps to establish the mood and atmosphere of your narrative, making it more engaging for the reader.

Here are some adjectives that can help you describe the setting of your story:

Adjective	Meaning	Audio
Ancient	Very old, from a long time ago
Beautiful	Attractive or pleasant to look at
Bleak	Empty, desolate, or cold; offering little hope
Bustling	Full of activity and noise
Calm	Peaceful, quiet, and without disturbance
Charming	Pleasant or delightful
Contemporary	Modern or current; from the present time
Creepy	Causing fear or unease
Crowded	Filled with many people or things
Deserted	Empty, with no people around
Desolate	Empty, bleak, or uninhabited
Enchanting	Delightfully charming or captivating
Homey	Cozy and inviting, like a comfortable home
Lively	Full of energy and excitement
Modern	New, up-to-date, or relating to the present time
Mystical	Having a magical, mysterious quality
Nightmarish	Frightening or resembling a nightmare
Peaceful	Calm and free from disturbance
Picturesque	Attractive, like a picture
Quiet	Silent or calm, with little noise
Unspoiled	Not damaged or changed, in a natural state

The Time Frame

Sprinkle your narrative with time markers to help your reader follow the sequence of events. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of useful temporal markers:

Adjective	Meaning	Audio
After	Following a certain event
Before	Prior to a certain event
Currently	At the present moment
Formerly	In the past
In a few hours	Within the next few hours
Last month	The month before this one
Last week	The week before this one
Last year	The year before this one
Meanwhile	At the same time, while something else happens
Next month	The month after this one
Now	At this moment
Since 2010	From 2010 up to the present time
Soon	In a short time, shortly
The day before yesterday	Two days ago
This evening	Tonight, the evening of today
Three days ago	72 hours before today
Today	The current day
Tomorrow	The day after today
Up to now	Until the present time
Yesterday	The day before today

Building Your Narrative in 5 Key Stages

The plot is at the heart of the story: without it, there is no reason to write! Here are the five stages to follow when constructing a narrative that holds together:

1. the initial situation (exposition)
2. the inciting incident (rising action)
3. the adventures (climax)
4. the resolution (falling action)
5. the final situation (resolution)

The initial situation

This is the introduction to the story. The initial situation provides general information to prepare the reader for the rest of the narrative, answering the three key questions:

• who?
• where?
• when?

The inciting incident

This is the moment when the inciting incident is introduced, essentially the event that sets the rest of the story in motion. From this point onward, the reader starts to understand the central conflict of the story.

The adventures

In this long phase, the protagonist faces challenges that lead toward the resolution. The climax is the peak of the story, often the most exciting or dramatic moment. It’s where all the various subplots and characters come together.

The resolution

This phase, just before the epilogue, unravels the story, either positively or negatively. The issue raised by the inciting incident is addressed, and the conflict is resolved.

The final situation

The final situation shows how the events of the story have changed the characters and the world around them, giving closure to the narrative.

Writing Other Types of Texts in English

Mastering written English isn’t just about composing long essays or publishing novels. It’s also an essential skill for everyday life. Let’s explore two practical examples:

1. letters
2. emails

Writing a Letter in English

Writing a letter in English follows specific conventions, much like in other languages. Here’s a breakdown of the essential elements that should appear, from top to bottom, in your letter:

1. The sender: Your name and contact details.
2. The date: The date of writing, formatted as “March 22, 2024,” or “22 March 2024.”
3. The recipient: The name and address of the person receiving the letter.
4. The subject: A brief mention of the purpose of the letter (optional in informal letters).
5. The greeting: Polite opening lines like Dear [Name] or “To whom it may concern.”
6. The body: The main content of the letter, structured clearly into paragraphs.
7. The polite closing (salutation): Formal phrases like “Yours sincerely” or “Kind regards.”
8. The signature: Your name, typed and/or handwritten.

The Sender (Your Address)

The format of your address depends on your country of residence.

For example, in the UK, you will use this format:

Mrs. Stephanie Wood

303 Heather Road
BIRMINGHAM
B10 9BG
UNITED KINGDOM

While in the US, we will use this format :

Mr. Mark Smith
1231 Market St, San Francisco
CA 94103-1400
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA)

The Date

The date format also depends on your recipient:

1. For the British, we will choose: Monday, August 1, 2022
2. But for Americans, we will prefer: August 1st 2022

The Recipient (Their Address)

Write the recipient’s address in the format appropriate for their country, just as you did with the sender’s address.

The Subject (Optional)

Include a single line summarizing the purpose of your letter, preceded by the word Subject.

For example: Subject: Application for the Marketing Role

The Greeting

Start with an appropriate salutation based on your relationship with the recipient. Examples include:

• Dear Jane (for a friend)
• Mrs. (for a married woman)
• Dear Customer (for a client)

The Body (Main Content)

This is the heart of your letter. Structure it clearly, and include standard phrases when appropriate, such as:

• With reference to your letter of March 15th…
• I am sorry to inform you that…
• Would you be so kind as to read my application?
• etc.

The Polite Closing

Before signing off, add a closing remark showing your courtesy. Also, adopt a polite ending that reflects your relationship with the recipient (do not use the same for your boss or your boyfriend). For example:

• I look forward to hearing from you.
• I am anxious to meet you.
• Regards,
• etc.

The Signature

End your letter with a respectful closing phrase followed by your handwritten or typed name:

• Yours faithfully (more distant)
• Yours sincerely (more friendly)
• All my love (for a loved one)

Writing an Email in English

Emails, like letters, follow a clear structure. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components for crafting a professional and effective email:

1. opening salutation (greeting)
2. introduction (reason for writing)
3. body paragraphs (main request)
4. conclusion (summarising your email)
5. closing (sign-off)

Greeting (Salutation)

This is where you establish contact with your email recipient. Start by addressing your recipient appropriately based on your relationship with them:

• Dear Sir or Madam (formal)
• Dearest John (semi-formal)
• Hi there (informal or casual)
• etc.

Introduction (Reason for Writing)

This part is where you introduce yourself if the recipient does not know you and clearly state the purpose of your email. It is then followed with a paragraph explaining the reason for writing the email in more detail. Use phrases such as:

• I am writing regarding…
• I am writing with regard to…
• I am writing in connection with…
• etc.

Body Paragraph (Main Request or Information)

This is the core of your email and should clearly communicate your message or request. Tailor this section to your intent:

• recommendation (example: I was referred to you by…)
• providing information (example: I am writing to let you know that…)
• replying to a previous message (example: I am responding to your email…)
• demand or request (example: Would you be so kind as to…)
• follow-up (example: I would like to kindly remind you that…)
• appreciation (example: I would like to thank you for…)
• etc.

Conclusion

Wrap up your email by summarizing key points or reiterating the purpose of your message. Add a note offering further assistance with phrases like:

• Feel free to contact me
• If you need any further information
• I remain at your disposal for any further information
• etc.

Closing (Sign-off)

End your email with a respectful or friendly closing before following it with your name and contact details if needed. You can use:

• Yours faithfully,
• I look forward to hearing from you.
• Love,
• etc.

How to proofread and correct your English text

After spending considerable time preparing and writing your text, the final but crucial step is proofreading. This process ensures your work is polished and error-free. Be sure to carefully check:

1. grammar
2. spelling
3. punctuation

Our advice: if you have the time, leave a few hours, or even a whole day, between finishing your writing and proofreading. This period will allow your relaxed brain to identify errors much more easily! 

Check Grammar

Carefully inspect each sentence for:

• Correct use of articles (a, an, the).
• Proper word order (subject-verb-object).
• The right determiners (this, those, each, etc.).
• Verb tenses consistency.
• Agreement of irregular verbs and subjects.

Our advice? If you’re not confident constructing long complex sentences, stick to the simple SVC structure: Subject + Verb + Complement. It’s effective and clear for most contexts.

Check Spelling

If you use a word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, take advantage of the Spelling and Grammar feature (after setting English as the default language).

Also, avoid informal or conversational contractions, such as:

• gonna for going to
• wanna for want to
• kinda for kind of
• etc.

Check Punctuation

Check if your text adheres to all the English punctuation rules. Never forget to start your sentences with a capital letter and to end them appropriately with:

• a full stop (period) for statements.
• an exclamation mark for excitement or emphasis.
• a question mark for questions.

5 tips for writing well in English

Let’s summarize! Whatever text you have to write in English, you must:

1. Answer the question or address the topic
   • For essays, directly respond to the question in the prompt.
   • For emails, address the sender’s request or topic clearly.
2. Ensure coherence and logical Flow
   • Use logical connectors to organize ideas and make transitions smooth. Examples include: however, therefore, in addition, on the other hand.
3. Use appropriate vocabulary
   • Use the right lexical resources. Choose words that suit the context and audience. Avoid slang or overly technical terms unless relevant.
4. Apply correct grammatical structures
   • Focus on using proper sentence structures, verb tenses, and subject-verb agreement. Short, clear sentences are better than long, confusing ones.
5. Proofread carefully
   • After finishing your draft, review it for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Taking a break before proofreading can help you spot mistakes more easily.

By following these tips, you’ll produce polished and effective English texts!