Mejora tu Writing: Cmo escribir una

buena redaccin en ingls

POR HELENA GONZLEZ
77.960

18/06/2013

Helena Gonzlez
Licenciada en Traduccin e Interpretacin en la Universidad de Granada,
especialidad en traduccin jurdico-econmica. Con una amplia experiencia en
la enseanza, actualmente ejerce su actividad profesional como docente en el
Departamento de Idiomas de INESEM, compaginando esta labor con la
traduccin freelance.

Ms sobre Helena

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Compartir

Te inquieta tener que enfrentarte a un ejercicio de redaccin en

ingls? No sabes muy bien por dnde empezar o qu se espera
exactamente que hagas?
Sois muchos los alumnos preocupados por el ejercicio llamado
Writing en los exmenes de ingls, por esta razn hoy queremos
compartir con vosotros algunos consejos generales para abordar este
tipo de ejercicio que mide la capacidad para desenvolverse con el
lenguaje escrito:
En primer lugar, hay que tener muy en cuenta su estructura.

La estructura bsica de una redaccin debe incluir una

introduccin, un desarrollo y una conclusin.
Debemos delimitar el tema sobre el que vamos a hablar (aunque la
mayora de las veces tendremos que ceirnos a unas propuestas
determinadas), esquematizar las ideas con eficiencia, dar nuestras
opiniones y aportar argumentos que las fundamenten.

En los ejercicios de redaccin en ingls, se nos puede pedir que

demos nuestro punto de vista sobre cierto tema, que comparemos dos
situaciones u opiniones diferentes o que desarrollemos una propuesta,
entre otras opciones. Por ello es esencial para la estructura del
texto organizar nuestras ideas de manera acorde con lo que nos
encarga el enunciado del ejercicio.
De la misma importancia es prestar atencin a los prrafos de
introduccin y conclusin, ya que sin ellos el resultado sera
impreciso e irregular.

A continuacin os expongo algunas indicaciones sobre la estructura

que se puede seguir:

La introduccin: El primer prrafo de una redaccin es el primer

contacto que el lector tiene con el texto, por ello debe captar su
atencin, presentarle el tema central sobre el que versar y orientarle
sobre nuestra intencionalidad. Por ejemplo se podra empezar con una
pregunta, exponiendo una ancdota, con una cita o una frase fuerte y
sorprendente que interese al lector y le conduzca hacia nuestro
principal argumento. Un ttulo afortunado tambin puede marcar la
diferencia.
Palabras y expresiones tiles: In the beginning, to begin with, first of
all, to start with, presently, initially, at first, firstly, currently, today
El desarrollo: Los prrafos de desarrollo de la redaccin o cuerpo del
texto, deben comenzar con la exposicin de una idea principal, una o
dos frases que resuman el tema central del texto. A continuacin
podemos dedicar los prrafos siguientes a desarrollar nuestros
argumentos. Hay que exponer las ideas claramente, e intentar
respaldar nuestras afirmaciones con ejemplos o pruebas slidas.
Palabras y expresiones tiles: again, moreover, additionally,
furthermore, for example, for instance, subsequently, meanwhile, also,
however, otherwise, for this reason
La conclusin: A veces se tiende a no dar importancia a ste ltimo
prrafo, pero una buena redaccin ha de finalizar de una manera
efectiva y elegante. El prrafo de cierre dejar la impresin final en
nuestros lectores, y debera incluir un breve repaso de las principales
ideas planteadas en el texto, que deje ver el posicionamiento del
autor, o que aporte algn tipo de solucin a un problema dado. No
debe ser demasiado largo, cuatro o cinco frases sern suficientes.
Palabras y expresiones tiles: Finally, to sum up, in brief, in short,
therefore, lastly
Esperamos que estos consejos os sirvan para mejorar vuestro estilo
redactando en ingls y para que sigis aprendiendo os invitamos a
visitar el siguiente enlace, donde encontraris una completsima
recopilacin de las llamadas transition words:
https://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/135/transw.html
Consejos para escribir un texto en
ingls
Autor: Ana IT Comentar
Comparte este artculo

Escribir un texto en ingls es una tarea muy comn para todos

los exmenes de nivel de este idioma. Hoy, te explicamos como una buena
organizacin del texto y un orden de tus ideas te pueden ayudar a redactar

textos de calidad.
Cuando queremos escribir un texto en ingls tenemos que tener en cuenta si
es formal o informal. El tipo de escrito va a determinar que se utilicen unas
frmulas u otras. Es un aspecto que puedes encontrar en libros de aprendizaje
del idioma ingls.
Para estructurar bien el texto, lo mejor que puedes hacer es pensar en una
idea para cada prrafo. Piensa en una frase que quieras narrar en cada
prrafo y a continuacin escribes unas 4 o 5 ideas ms acerca de esa frase,
que son las ideas secundarias.
Se trata de estructurar el texto y centrarlo a las ideas que quieres desarrollar.
Para unir las ideas secundarias no olvides utilizar conectores para dar
coherencia y unidad a tu texto.
Al final de cada prrafo puedes reforzar la ideal principal con la que has
comenzado el texto. Es una tarea muy sencilla, en la que tan slo necesitas
tener claras las ideas que vas a desarrollar. Del mismo modo, recuerda hacer
una conclusin si fuera necesario y cerrar tu texto.
En ingls, hay estructuras y frases que se utilizan cuando vas a terminar una
carta o para expresar tu punto de vista de manera ordenada. Es recomendable
que tengas presentes estas estructuras a la hora de escribir tu texto.
No olvides incluir vocabulario variado y que corresponda al nivel en el que
ests. Es mucho mejor que te aprendas las palabras nuevas dentro de un
contexto y saber con qu expresiones se utilizan para poder emplearlas mejor
posteriormente.
La gramtica es otro de los aspectos importantes. Revisa que todos los
tiempos verbales se correspondan a la accin de tiempo que ests
describiendo. No olvides que en ingls siempre se necesita de un sujeto, un
verbo y a continuacin los complementos.

Por ltimo, una de las formas de mejorar los textos es mediante la lectura de
libros o documentos en ingls. Es un buen mtodo para familiarizarte con el
idioma.

Paragraph Examples Narrative,

Persuasive, Descriptive and Many More
by Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay | How to Teach Paragraph Writing
In the Writing with Purpose section of the Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy
Essay program, students learn to apply their new writing strategies to different
types (or modes) of writing. The truth is its quite easy to get students
writing many different types of paragraphs when they have the right foundation.
Put simply, all of these different types of paragraphs simply involve layering on a
different purpose or intent. When students have the right foundation, its just that
simple.
What are you trying to achieve in this paragraph and in your whole composition?
What is your purpose right here? Do you wish to describe? Do you want to
evaluate? Is your goal to narrate? Is your intent to persuade?
When students dont have a proper foundation, these questions dont mean much
to them. After Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay, these questions
mean a great deal.
After Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay, when the students purpose or
intent is to:
Describe >>>> they write a >>>> Descriptive Paragraph
Inform >>>> they write a >>>> Informative Paragraph
Narrate >>>> they write a >>>> Narrative Paragraph
Persuade >>>> they write a >>>> Persuasive Paragraph

Its just that easy! For Writing Success CLICK HERE! Lets get your students
writing amazing paragraphs. Wait! Why stop there? Why not get your students
writing entire essays filled full of amazing paragraphs? Check out the Pattern
Based Writing program!Its perfect for grades 2-6 and for remediation in middle
school and above.
Descriptive Paragraph
1. Describe: I am going to DESCRIBE a sunset!
Sunset is the time of day when our sky meets the outer space solar winds. There
are blue, pink, and purple swirls, spinning and twisting, like clouds of balloons
caught in a blender. The sun moves slowly to hide behind the line of horizon, while
the moon races to take its place in prominence atop the night sky. People slow to a
crawl, entranced, fully forgetting the deeds that still must be done. There is a
coolness, a calmness, when the sun does set.
Informational Paragraph and a Narrative Paragraph
2. Inform: I am going to INFORM you about the Apollo 11 space mission.
On July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 spacecraft launched from the Kennedy Space
Center in Florida. Its mission was to go where no human being had gone before
the moon! The crew consisted of Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin.
The spacecraft landed on the moon in the Sea of Tranquility, a basaltic flood plain,
on July 20, 1969. The moonwalk took place the following day. On July 21, 1969, at
precisely 10:56 EDT, Commander Neil Armstrong emerged from the Lunar Module
and took his famous first step onto the moons surface. He declared, Thats one
small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. It was a monumental moment in
human history!
Narrate: I am going to NARRATE a story about the Apollo 11 space mission.
It was July 21, 1969, and Neil Armstrong awoke with a start. It was the day he
would become the first human being to ever walk on the moon. The journey had
begun several days earlier, when on July 16th, the Apollo 11 launched from Earth
headed into outer space. On board with Neil Armstrong were Michael Collins and
Buzz Aldrin. The crew landed on the moon in the Sea of Tranquility a day before
the actual walk. Upon Neils first step onto the moons surface, he declared, Thats
one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. It sure was!
Process or How-to Paragraph
3. Process: I am going to explain the PROCESS of cleaning and organizing
your room.
OR
How-to: I am going to describe HOW-TO clean and organize your room.
Here is the perfect system for cleaning your room. First, move all of the items that
do not have a proper place to the center of the room. Get rid of at least five things
that you have not used within the last year. Take out all of the trash, and place all of
the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. Now find a location for each of the items you
had placed in the center of the room. For any remaining items, see if you can
squeeze them in under your bed or stuff them into the back of your closet. See, that
was easy!
Compare and Contrast Paragraph
4. Compare/Contrast: I am going to COMPARE and CONTRAST an ocean
and a lake.
Oceans and lakes have much in common, but they are also quite different. Both are
bodies of water, but oceans are very large bodies of salt water, while lakes are
much smaller bodies of fresh water. Lakes are usually surrounded by land, while
oceans are what surround continents. Both have plants and animals living in them.
The ocean is home to the largest animals on the planet, whereas lakes support
much smaller forms of life. When it is time for a vacation, both will make a great
place to visit and enjoy.
Critical Paragraph
5. Critique: I am going to CRITIQUE the Blue Whales first baseball game of
the new season.
The Blue Whales just played their first baseball game of the new season; I believe
there is much to be excited about. Although they lost, it was against an excellent
team that had won the championship last year. The Blue Whales fell behind early
but showed excellent teamwork and came back to tie the game. The team had 15
hits and scored 8 runs. Thats excellent! Unfortunately, they had 5 fielding errors,
which kept the other team in the lead the entire game. The game ended with the
umpire making a bad call, and if the call had gone the other way, the Blue Whales
might have actually won the game. It wasnt a victory, but I say the Blue Whales
look like they have a shot at the championship, especially if they continue to
improve.
Persuasive Paragraph and Argumentative Paragraph
6. Persuade: I am going to PERSUADE my neighbors to buy tickets to the
school fair.
The school fair is right around the corner, and tickets have just gone on sale. We
are selling a limited number of tickets at a discount, so move fast and get yours
while they are still available. This is going to be an event you will not want to miss!
First off, the school fair is a great value when compared with other forms of
entertainment. Also, your ticket purchase will help our school, and when you help
the school, it helps the entire community. But thats not all! Every ticket you
purchase enters you in a drawing to win fabulous prizes. And dont forget, you will
have mountains of fun because there are acres and acres of great rides, fun
games, and entertaining attractions! Spend time with your family and friends at our
school fair. Buy your tickets now!
Argue: I am going to present a logical ARGUMENT as to why my neighbor
should attend the school fair.
The school fair is right around the corner, and tickets have just gone on sale. Even
though you may be busy, you will still want to reserve just one day out of an entire
year to relax and have fun with us. Even if you dont have much money, you dont
have to worry. The school fair is a community event, and therefore prices are kept
low. Perhaps, you are still not convinced. Maybe you feel you are too old for fairs,
or you just dont like them. Well, thats what my grandfather thought, but he came to
last years school fair and had this to say about it: I had the best time of my life!
While its true you may be able to think of a reason not to come, Im also sure you
can think of several reasons why you must come. We look forward to seeing you at
the school fair!
Problem and Solution Paragraph (Narrative Version and
Informational Version)
7. Problem/Solution: I am going to describe a kitty door PROBLEM and then
explain the kitty door SOLUTION.
Narrative Version (1st person)
Last week we installed a kitty door so that our cat could come and go as she
pleases. Unfortunately, we ran into a problem. Our cat was afraid to use the kitty
door. We tried pushing her through, and that caused her to be even more afraid.
The kitty door was dark, and she couldnt see what was on the other side. The first
step we took in solving this problem was taping the kitty door open. After a couple
of days, she was confidently coming and going through the open door. However,
when we removed the tape and closed the door, once again, she would not go
through. They say you catch more bees with honey, so we decided to use food as
bait. We would sit next to the kitty door with a can of wet food and click the top of
the can. When kitty came through the closed door, we would open the can and feed
her. It took five days of doing this to make her unafraid of using the kitty door. Now
we have just one last problem; our kitty controls our lives!
Expository/Informational Article Version This began as one paragraph, but
needed twoone for the problem and one for the solution. Also, notice that the
second paragraph is a process paragraph. It would be very easy to add an
introduction and conclusion to these two paragraphs and have a complete essay!
People often install a kitty door, only to discover that they have a problem. The
problem is their cat will not use the kitty door. There are several common reasons
why cats wont use kitty doors. First, they may not understand how a kitty door
works. They may not understand that it is a little doorway just for them. Second,
many kitty doors are dark and cats cannot see to the other side. As such, they cant
be sure of what is on the other side of the door, so they wont take the risk. One last
reason cats wont use kitty doors is because some cats dont like the feeling of
pushing through and then having the door drag across their back. But dont worry
there are solutions to this problem.
The first step in solving the problem is to prop the door open with tape. This means
your cat will now be able to see through to the other side; your cat will likely begin
using the kitty door immediately. Once your cat has gotten used to using the kitty
door, remove the tape. Sometimes cats will continue to use the kitty door without
any more prompting. If this does not happen, you will want to use food to bribe your
cat. When its feeding time, sit on the opposite side of the door from your cat and
either click the top of the can or crinkle the cat food bag. Open the door to show
your cat that it is both you and the food waiting on the other side of the door.
Repeat this a couple times, and then feed your cat. After a couple days of this, your
kitty door problem will be gone.
Cause and Effect Paragraph
8. Cause/Effect: I am going to explain the CAUSES that had the EFFECT of
making me a high achieving student.
(Note: This is also a first person narrative.)
I do well in school, and people think I am smart because of it. But its not true. In
fact, three years ago I struggled in school. However, two years ago I decided to get
serious about school and made a few changes. First, I decided I would become
interested in whatever was being taught, regardless of what other people thought. I
also decided I would work hard every day and never give up on any assignment. I
decided to never, never fall behind. Finally, I decided to make school a priority over
friends and fun. After implementing these changes, I became an active participant
in classroom discussions. Then my test scores began to rise. I still remember the
first time that someone made fun of me because I was smart. How exciting! It
seems to me that being smart is simply a matter of working hard and being
interested. After all, learning a new video game is hard work even when you are
interested. Unfortunately, learning a new video game doesnt help you get into
college or get a good job.
Personal Narrative Paragraph
9. Personal Narrative: I am going to give a PERSONAL NARRATION of an
event that changed my life.
Last year was the first time I had ever been the new kid at school. For the first four
days, I was completely alone. I dont think I even spoke to a single person. Finally,
at lunch on the fifth day, Karen Watson walked past her usual table and sat down
right next to me. Even though I was new, I had already figured out who Karen
Watson was. She was popular. Pretty soon, all of Karens friends were sitting there
right next to me. I never became great friends with Karen, but after lunch that day, it
seemed like all sorts of people were happy to be my friend. You cannot convince
me that Karen did not know what she was doing. I have a great respect for her, and
I learned a great deal about what it means to be a true leader.

Examples of Paragraph
Development
7th grade8th grade9th gradeMiddle SchoolHigh SchoolCollege

image:
http://www.yourdictionary.com/index.php/image/articles/18740.ThinkstockPhotos-
200309822-001_writing.jpg
Some people have no problem sitting down and writing a number of ideas on a sheet of
paper at any given time on a particular subject. However, after they have jotted down these
thoughts, they review their work and realize that the subject matter is completely
unorganized, and that there is no flow between the sentences.
These situations are where paragraph development, a system for putting together unified
and cohesive sentences, comes into play.

Methods to Develop Good Paragraphs

Several methods exist for developing paragraphs. Some writers may find that simply using
an outline helps them to better enhance their skills, while others may discover that they
need to combine all of these techniques to put together stronger writing.
Here are some methods of developing paragraphs:
Creating an outline
Topic sentence development
Supporting details
Using quotations and evidence
Analyzing quotations and evidence
Providing strong, relevant information
Using concise language
Using colorful and clear words
Crafting a strong conclusion statement
Utilizing appropriate transition words
Following proper grammar rules
By using any of the methods in this list, writers, students and others can create stronger,
more developed paragraphs.

How to Implement These Methods

It is important to understand each of the methods available to develop paragraphs. One of
the best ways to gain that understanding is by reviewing examples of how to tackle each of
them.

Outlining and Topic Sentences

Before beginning any type of writing, creating an outline is key.
Write down the main points that you wish to discuss in the paragraph first. Aim for two
or three main points.
Underneath each main point, add a piece of supporting evidence from a journal, novel,
poem, etc.
 After the evidence, offer a brief explanation.
Once you have put all of this information together, return to the topic sentence. The topic
sentence should serve as a mini guide to the rest of your paragraph.

Support, Evidence and Analysis

The heart of the paragraph is the evidence used to prove the point. For example, a piece of
support in an essay about drug usage could read, "Drug usage is becoming an increasing
problem in the United States." After that, introduce a statistic showing the rise of drug
usage over the last decade. Once you have cited the statistic, include a piece of analysis that
explains why and how this rise is detrimental to the country and to the future.

Paragraph Strength and Language

To craft a strong paragraph, important facts, textual analysis and all of the information must
be relevant. In an essay on the importance of gun control, going off on a tangent about other
types of weapons could be detrimentally off topic. Stay focused.
The language that you use will also affect the development of the paragraph. Words such as
"good," "nice" and "bad" are extremely vague and should not be used in professional
writing. Find clearer words - "respectful," "giving" and "selfish," for example, with which
to replace these vague words.
Furthermore, do not using confusing words or words of which you do not know the
meaning, because your lack of understanding will translate to the reader.

Clear Transitions
Crafting a strong concluding statement helps to transition into the next paragraph. At the
end of one paragraph, suggest that there is another idea that piggybacks on top of the one
that you have discussed, or state that there are some disagreeing ideas in the field. Then, go
on to write about them in the next paragraph.

Following Grammar Rules

Even if you have the most organized paragraph in the world, it will not be considered well-
developed if there are grammar mistakes everywhere. Consult a guide, such as
the collection of helpful articles here on YourDictionary in the English Grammar Rules &
Usage section to ensure that your paper is free of grammar errors.

Read more at http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-paragraph-

development.html#K8y2EWEUeifSCjDE.99

Introduction Paragraphs ..
 .
It is true that the first impressionwhether its a
first meeting with a person or the first sentence of
a papersets the stage for a lasting impression.
The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or
short, should start with a sentence that peaks the
interest of readers. In a typical essay, that first
sentence leads into two or three other statements
that provide details about the writer's subject or
process. All of these sentences build up to the
essay's thesis statement.

The introduction paragraph typically has:

Attention-Getter (Lead-in)
Set Up for the Thesis
Thesis/Essay Map

Attention Getters & Lead-ins

To get a paper off to a great start, writers should try to

have a first sentence that engages their reader. This
first sentence should be broadly related to the topic of
the essay.

Ways writers can begin:

Paradoxical or Intriguing Statement
Shocking Statement or Statistic
Rhetorical Question
Anecdote
Statement of the Problem
 Proverb, Maxim, or Strong Statement
Set Up for a Thesis

After the attention getter or lead-in, writers need to

gradually narrow the broad subject towards the thesis.

Gradually narrowing can:

provide background information,
explain underlying information,
describe the complexity of the issue,
introduce various layers of the subject, and
help transition from these more broad ideas to the
narrow thesis.
Thesis Statements

A thesis statement manages to encapsulate an essay's

main argument in a succinct, one-sentence comment.
Beginner writers often times find it useful to create
an essay map thesis, where the thesis briefly lists the
areas that will be discussed in the essay.

A Thesis Statement:
has a clearly stated opinion,
but does not bluntly announce the opinion ("In this
essay I will..."),
is narrow enough to write a focused essay,
but is also broad enough to write at least 3 body
paragraphs,
is clearly stated in specific terms,
is easily recognized as the main idea,
is forceful and direct,
is not softened with token phrases ("in my opinion" or
"I think"), and
can list the 3 main points that will be made.
In the Introduction Paragraph
NEVER EVER EVER. . .
 bluntly announce the essay's intent ("In this essay I
will...),
make unreasonable statements,
apologize for the material that is being written ("In my
humble opinion..."),
go into a detailed account of the writing,
include random information that has nothing to do
with the essay,
use an encyclopedia or dictionary
definition ("According to Webster's...), and
dilly-dally. Get to it. Move confidently into the essay.
Question: How is this a graphical representation of an
introduction Paragraph?

Answer: Because it starts broad, and gradually

narrows towards a focused, but not overly specific
thesis. The thesis is specific enough to fully explore the
essay, but it's not so specific that there is nothing more
to write about.
 Sample Introduction Paragraph

........[Attention-Getter] After the September 11, 2001

terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Towers
and the Pentagon, the debate surrounding racial profiling
in airports intensified. Many people believed that profiling
was the best way to identify possible terrorists, but many
others worried about violations of civil liberties. While
some airports began to target passengers based solely on
their Middle Eastern origins, others instituted random
searches instead. [Begin setting-up the thesis] Neither
of these techniques seems likely to eliminate terrorism.
Now many experts in the government and in airport
security are recommending the use of a national ID card or
Safe Traveler Card. [Thesis] If every US citizen had
such a card, airlines could screen for terrorists more
effectively than they do now and avoid procedures that
single out individuals solely on the basis of race.

Taken from College Writers pg. 727

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