Methodology: written essay

Methodology: written essay

What the examiner is looking for

A clear answer to the question, supported by examples drawn from the documents and from your own cultural knowledge, expressed in fluent and accurate English (200 to 300 words).

Step-by-step method

1. Analyse the prompt carefully: underline key words, identify the angle (compare, discuss, to what extent…).
2. Brainstorm ideas and arguments in English. Group them in 2 or 3 logical parts.
3. Write an introduction that briefly presents the topic, formulates the problematic and announces the plan.
4. Develop each part with a topic sentence + argument + example + mini-conclusion (PEEL: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link).
5. Write a conclusion that answers the problematic and broadens the perspective.
6. Re-read carefully for grammar (tenses, agreement, articles), spelling, register.

Useful structures

• It can be argued that…
• One could object that…
• This raises the question of…
• A telling example is…
• Far from being…, it actually…
• All in all, …

Argument scaffolding (PEEL)

Point: Social media have deepened political divides.
Evidence: For instance, the 2016 US election was heavily influenced by targeted Facebook ads.
Explanation: Algorithms reward outrage, locking users in filter bubbles.
Link: This illustrates how digital tools can weaken democratic debate.

Frequent mistakes to avoid

• People is → people are (collective plural).
• Information, advice, news are uncountable: no "s", no "an".
• Since + point in time (since 2020); for + duration (for two years).
• Avoid French calques: actually ≠ actuellement (use currently); sensible ≠ sensitive.

Quick word count strategy

Plan ≈ 4 paragraphs of 60–75 words. Count words during proofreading: too long is as penalised as too short.