Sunday 17 July 2011

MOST COMMON ERRORS WHEN WRITING ENGLISH COMPOSITIONS (SPANISH-SPEAKING LEARNERS


The most common mistakes ELEMENTARY/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED LEVEL







ERRORS WITH ARTICLES



USE OF ARTICLES
IncorrectI have a good news for you.
CorrectI have good news for you
IncorrectThe men are national beings.
CorrectMen are national beings.
IncorrectThe boys leave the school at four o'clock.
CorrectThe boys leave school at four o'clock.
IncorrectHe sent a word that he would come soon.
CorrectHe sent word that he would come soon.
IncorrectI have read the Shakespeare's Macbeth.
CorrectI have read Shakespeare's Macbeth
IncorrectYou cannot set a foot in this house.
CorrectYou cannot set foot in this house.
IncorrectThe envy is an evil passion.
CorrectEnvy is an evil passion.
IncorrectHe has not yet gone to the bed.
CorrectHe has not yet gone to bed.
IncorrectHe is Daniel in judgment.
CorrectHe is a Daniel in judgment.
IncorrectHe made very wise decision.
CorrectHe made a very wise decision.
IncorrectFire broke out in our village.
CorrectA fire broke out in our village.
IncorrectAndamans are a group of islands.
CorrectThe Andamans are a group of islands


FALSE FRIENDS AND OTHER MISTAKES






LISTA DE ERRORES EN ESPAÑOL
QUE SUELEN COMETER LOS ANGLOPARLANTES




Adjetivos


In English


En español


*Error común


embarrassed


(estar) avergonzado/a


*embarazado/a


exciting, excited


emocionante, emocionado(a)


*excitante, excitado


conservative


conservador/a




incredible


increíble




mandatory


obligatoria/o




ridiculous


ridículo/a




serious


serio/a




Adverbios y frases adverbiales



In English


En español


*Error común


fluently


fluidamente / con soltura




clearly and rapidly


clara y rápidamente




obviously


obviamente




Nombres



In English


En español


*Error común


adventure


la aventura




air


el aire




content


el contenido




embarrassment


la pena / la vergüenza




intermission


el intermedio




memories


los recuerdos




morals


la moral




moral (of a story)


la moraleja




pollution


la contaminación




population


la población




pressure


la presión




problem


el problema




result


el resultado




scientist


el científico/la científica




the States


los Estados Unidos




subject


el tema / la materia




the story


el cuento




support


el apoyo




system


el sistema




tense (verb)


el tiempo




theme


el tema




water


el agua (¡ojo!: el agua limpia; las aguas)




Verbos



In English


En español


*Error común


to apply


solicitar




to attempt


intentar, tratar de




to experience


experimentar




to improve


mejorar




to introduce


presentar (a alguien)




to involve


involucrar




to make a decision


tomar una decisión




to move


mudarse




to notice


notar




to realize


darse cuenta de




to remove


quitar


*remover


to respect


respetar




to translate


traducir


*transladar


Expresiones



In English


En español


*Error común


All of my friends


todos mis amigos




Another thing


otra cosa




Can I have your book?


¿me prestas tu libro?




Change his/her mind


cambió de opinión




Every other day


cada dos días, un día sí y un día no




Have a good time


que te diviertas




I like this play better


esta obra me gusta más




Instead of...


en vez de + inf.



Is it okay with you if...?


¿te parece bien si...?




Like that


así




Many times


muchas veces




Most of the people


la mayoría de la gente




Not have any thing to do with...


no tiene nada que ver con ...


.


No problem


no hay problema




On the other hand


por otro lado/
por otra parte




This is what I think


esto es lo que pienso




To continue...


continúa O sigue + gerund




What happens is that...


lo que sucede es que...


.



FALSE FRIENDS

FALSE FRIENDS

ENGLISH-SPANISH

SPANISH-ENGLISH

Actual: real, verdadero

Actually: en realidad
Advice: consejo
Argument: discusión
Carpet: alfombra, moqueta
Casualty: víctima, baja en combate
Conference: congreso
Constipation: estreñimiento
Diversion: desvío
Educated: culto
Embarrassed: avergonzado
Exciting: interesante, entretenido, emocionante.
Exit: salida
Flan: tarta de frutas
Gracious: afable, cortés
Idiom: modismo, dicho
Illusion: espejismo
Large: grande
Lecture: Conferencia
Library: biblioteca
Miserable: triste
Misery: tristeza
Motorist: conductor de coche
Notice: anuncio, letrero, aviso
Parcel: paquete
Parents: padres
Petrol: gasolina
Scholar: erudito, sabio, estudioso
Sensible: sensato
Stranger: forastero
Sympathetic: compasivo
Vicious: agresivo, feroz

Actual: present-day, modern

Actualmente: currently, at present
Aviso: warning
Argumento: plot, story
Carpeta: file, folder
Casualidad: chance, accident
Conferencia: lecture, talk
Constipado: cold
Diversión: fun
Educado: polite, well-mannered
Embarazada: pregnant
Excitante: stimulating
Éxito: success
Flan: caramel custard
Gracioso: funny
Idioma: language
Ilusión: hope, thrill
Largo: long
Lectura: reading
Librería: bookshop
Miserable: shameful
Miseria: poverty
Motorista: motorcyclist
Noticia: news item
Parcela: plot of land
Parientes: relatives
Petróleo: petroleum, crude oil
Escolar: schoolchild
Sensible: sensitive
Extranjero: foreigner
Simpático: nice, pleasant
Vicioso: dissolute person


FALSE FRIENDS OR FALSE COGNATES
Aquí hay otra lista con los más conocidos:

an abstract: resumen (y no abstracto)
to achieve: lograr (y no archivar, que se dice to file)
actual: real, efectivo (y no actual, que se dice current)
actually: en realidad (y no actualmente, que se dice nowadays, at present)
to advertise: anunciar (y no advertir, que se dice to warn)
advice: consejos (y no aviso, que se dice warning, notice)
ailment: enfermedad leve, achaque (y no alimento, que se dice food)
apparel: ropa, vestimenta (y no aparato, que se dice apparatus, machine)
application form: formulario de solicitud (y no formulario de aplicación)
to apologise: pedir disculpas (y no apología, que se dice defence)
apt:
propenso (y no apto, que se dice qualified, able)
argument: discusión, pelea (y no argumento de un libro/una película, que se dice plot)
arena: estadio, plaza de toros (y no arena, que se dice sand)
army: ejército (y no armada, que se dice navy)
aspersion:
calumnia (y no aspersión, que se dice sprinkling)
assessment:
evaluación (y no asesoría, que se dice consultancy)
assessor:
evaluador, tasador (y no asesor, que se dice advisor o consultant)
to assist
: ayudar (y no asistir a un lugar, que se dice to attend)
to attain: lograr, conseguir (y no atar, que se dice to tie)
attempt: intento (y no atentado, que se dice terrorist attack)
attendance: asistencia (y no atención, que se dice attention)
avocado
: aguacate (y no abogado, que se dice lawyer)
balloon: globo (y no balón, que se dice ball)
bank:
banco - la institución (y no banco de plaza, que se dice bench)
bark:
ladrar o ladrido (y no barco, que se dice ship)
beef:
carne vacuna (y no bife, que se dice steak)
billet:
acuartelamiento, alojamiento militar (y no billete, que se dice ticket o note)
billion:
mil millones (y no billón, que se dice trillion)
body:
cuerpo (y no boda, que se dice wedding)
bomber:
avión bombardero o persona que coloca bombas (y no bombero, que se dice fireman o firefighter)
brave:
valiente (y no bravo, que se dice fierce)
camp
: base militar o campamento (y no campo en general, que se dice field)
can:
lata o el verbo poder (y no cana, que se dice white hair)
cap: gorra (y no capa, que se dice layer)
career: carrera profesional, ocupación luego del estudio (y no carrera referida al curso universitario, que se dice degree)
carpet:
alfombra (y no carpeta, que se dice folder)
cartoon: dibujos animados, tira cómica (y no cartón, que se dice cardboard)
casual: fortuito, ocasional, informal, superficial (y no casual, que se dice accidental, chance)
casualty: víctima o herido (y no casualidad, que se dice coincidence)
cave:
cueva (y no cavar, que se dice to dig)
cellular: celular, relativo a la célula (y no teléfono celular, que se dice mobile telephone)
chafed:
rozado (y no chafado, que se dice crushed o flattened)
collar:
cuello de las prendas de vestir (y no collar, que se dice necklace)
to collapse:
hundirse, derrumbarse (y no colapsar, que se dice to bring to a standstill)
college:
facultad, colegio universitario (y no colegio, que se dice school)
coloured:
de color (y no colorado, que se dice red)
command:
orden, mandato (y no comando, que se dice commando unit)
commodity:
mercancía o materia prima (y no comodidad, que se dice comfort)
to complain: quejarse (y no complacer, que se dice to please)
complexion: tez, tono de la piel (y no complexión, que se dice body type)
to compromise: ceder, transigir, poner en peligro (y no compromiso, que se dice commitment, engagement o agreement)
conductor: director de orquesta o cobrador (y no conductor, que se dice driver)
confident: seguro de sí mismo (y no confidente, que se dice confidant)
(to be) constipated:
sufrir de estreñimiento (y no estar constipado, que se dice to have a cold/chill)
contest: concurso (y no contestar, que se dice to answer)
to convene:
convocar, reunir (y no convenir, que se dice to agree, to be advisable)
costume:
traje, disfraz (y no costumbre, que se dice custom, habit)
council:
consejo (y no conciliar, que se dice to reconcile)
crane:
grúa (y no cráneo, que se dice skull)
curse:
maldición (y no curso, que se dice course)
date:
fecha (y no dato, que se dice a piece of information o data)
deception:
engaño (y no decepción, que se dice disappointment)
to deliver: entregar (y no deliberar, que se dice to deliberate)
deprivation: privación, pérdida (y no depravación, que se dice depravity)
derogatory: despectivo (la palabra despective no existe en inglés)
to design: diseñar (y no designar, que se dice to appoint o to designate)
desperate: desesperado (y no despertar, que se dice to wake up)
dessert: postre (y no desierto, que se dice desert)
destitute: indigente (y no destituído, que se dice dismissed, removed)
dinner:
cena (y no dinero, que se dice money)
discrete: diferenciado (y no discreto, que se dice discreet)
disgust: asco, repugnancia (y no disgusto, que se dice annoyance, quarrel, trouble o to be upset)
disparate: dispar (y no disparate, que se dice nonsense o foolish act)
diversion: desviación (y no diversión, alegría, que se dice fun)
to doze: dormitar (y no doce, que se dice twelve)
dramatic: drástico, espectacular
economics: economía (y no económicos, que se dice cheap)
embarrassed: avergonzado/a (y no embarazada, que se dice pregnant)
emergence: surgimiento, aparición (y no emergencia, que se dice emergency)
estate: propiedad, bien inmueble, patrimonio (y no estado, que se dice state)
eventual: definitivo o posible (y no eventual, que se dice casual, incidental)
eventually: finalmente, tarde o temprano (y no eventualmente que se dice by chance, possibly)
exit: salida (y no éxito, que se dice success)
fabric:
tela (y no fábrica, que se dice factory)
familiar:
conocido, familiar (adjetivo) (y no pariente, familiar (sustantivo), que se dice relative)
fee:
tarifa, honorarios, cuota (y no fe, que se dice faith)
file:
archivo, carpeta, fichero (y no fila, que se dice row)
fin:
aleta (y no fin, que se dice end)
form: formulario (y no forma, que se dice shape)
fray: riña, irritarse o deshilacharse (y no fraile, que se dice friar)
fume: vapor o gas (y no fumar, que se dice smoke)
gang: pandilla (y no ganga, que se dice bargain)
Geneva:
Ginebra (y no Génova, que se dice Genoa)
gentle: moderado, suave (y no gentil, que se dice gentile, kind)
to grab: agarrar, asir (y no grabar, que se dice to record)
gracious: cortés (y no gracioso, que se dice funny)
grocery: tienda de comestibles (y no grosería, que se dice rudeness o rude word/expression)
hardly: apenas, difícilmente (y no duramente, que se dice strongly)
by heart: de memoria (y no de corazón, que se dice from one's heart)
horn: cuerno (y no horno, que se dice oven)
hostel:
albergue (y no hostal, que se dice guesthouse)
idiom:
modismo, locución (y no idioma, que se dice language)
to improve:
mejorar (y no improvisar, que se dice to improvise)
influenza: gripe (y no influencia, que se dice influence)
ingenuity:
ingenio (y no ingenuidad, que se dice naivety)
inhabitant:
habitante (y no inhabitado, que se dice uninhabited)
injury: herida (y no injuria, que se dice insult)
installment: cuota, plazo o entrega (y no instalación, que se dice installation)
to intend: tener la intención de (y no intentar, que se dice to try)
intoxicated:
ebrio (y no intoxicado, que se dice with food poisoning)
involve: involucrar (y no envolver, que se dice wrap)
jam: mermelada (y no jamón, que se dice ham)
lame: cojo, rengo (y no lamer, que se dice to lick)
large: grande (y no largo, que se dice long)
lecture: conferencia (y no lectura, que se dice reading)
lentil: lenteja (y no lentilla, que se dice contact lens)
letter: letra del abecedario o carta (y no letra de una canción, que se dice lyrics)
library: biblioteca (y no librería, que se dice bookshop)
lobe: lóbulo (y no lobo, que se dice wolf)
luxury: lujo (y no lujuria, que se dice lust)
macaroon: galleta con almendras o coco (y no macarrón, que se dice a piece of macaroni)
man: hombre (y no mano, que se dice hand)
mascot: persona, animal u objeto que da buena suerte (y no mascota como animal doméstico, que se dice pet)
mayor:
alcalde (y no mayor, que se dice bigger)
media:
medios (y no media, que se dice sock)
misery: tristeza (y no miseria, que se dice poverty)
mocha: café moca (y no mocha/o, desafilada/o, que se dice blunt)
to molest: abusar sexualmente (y no molestar, que se dice to bother o to annoy)
not at all: para nada, en lo absoluto (y no "no del todo", que se dice not quite)
notice: nota, anuncio (y no noticia, que se dice a piece of news)
occurrence: aparición (y no ocurrencia, que se dice absurd idea)
office:
oficina (y no oficio, que se dice trade o job)
once:
una vez (y no once, que se dice eleven)
oration: discurso ceremonial (y no oración, que se dice sentence o prayer)
ordinary: común (y no ordinario, que se dice vulgar)
pan: cacerola, cazuela (y no pan, que se dice bread)
parade: desfile (y no pared, que se dice wall)
to pare: pelar o cortar las uñas (y no parar, que se dice to stop)
parents: padres (y no parientes, que se dice relatives)
pendant: colgante de un collar (y no pendiente, que se dice earring)
petrol:
gasolina o nafta (y no petróleo, que se dice oil, petroleum)
petulant: irascible, malhumorado (y no petulante, que se dice smug)
pie: pastel (y no pie, que se dice foot)
place: lugar (y no plaza, que se dice square)
plate:
plato o lámina (y no plata, el metal, que se dice silver)
policy:
política (y no policía, que se dice police)
politic: diplomático, cortés o prudente (y no político, que se dice politician)
preservative: conservante (y no preservativo, que se dice condom)
to pretend: aparentar, fingir (y no pretender, que se dice to expect)
prize:
premio (y no precio, que se dice price)
to probe: investigar (y no probar, que se dice to prove, taste o try)
prospect: posibilidad, perspectiva o posible cliente (y no prospecto, que se dice leaflet o pamphlet)
quince: membrillo (y no quince, que se dice fifteen)
to quit:
abandonar, dejar (y no quitar, que se dice to remove o to put away)
quite: bastante, totalmente (y no quitar, que se dice to remove o to put away)
quote:
cita o presupuesto (y no cuota, que se dice fee, installment o payment)
to rape:
violar (y no rapar, que se dice to shave o to crop)
to raze:
arrasar (y no raza, que se dice race)
to realize:
darse cuenta (y no realizar, que se dice to make)
recipe: receta de cocina (y no recibo, que se dice receipt)
to reckon: calcular, considerar o creer (y no reconocer, que se dice to recognize)
recollection: recuerdo (y no recolección, que se dice harvest o collection)
to record: grabar (y no recordar, que se dice to remember)
red: rojo (y no red, que se dice net)
regular:
de tamaño normal (y no regular, que se dice bad, not so good)
relatives: parientes (y no relativos, que se dice relative (adjective))
reluctantly: de mala gana (y no relucientemente o brillantemente, que se dice brilliantly)
to remove:
quitar, eliminar (y no remover, que se dice to stir)
rendition:
interpretación (y no rendición, que se dice surrender)
resort:
centro turístico o recurso (y no resorte, que se dice spring)
to rest: descansar (y no restar, que se dice to subtract)
to resume:
reanudar, continuar o reasumir (y no resumir, que se dice to summarize o to sum up)
rope:
cuerda, soga (y no ropa, que se dice clothes)
rude: maleducado, descortés (y no rudo, que se dice rough)
salad: ensalada (y no salado, que se dice salty)
salted:
salado (y no salteado, que se dice skipped)
sane:
cuerdo (y no sano, que se dice healthy)
scallop:
vieira (y no escalope, que se dice escalope)
sensible: sensato (y no sensible, que se dice sensitive)
sensitive: sensible (y no sensitivo, que se dice related to the senses)
signature: firma (y no asignatura, que se dice subject)
sin: pecado (y no sin, que se dice without)
soap: jabón (y no sopa, que se dice soup)
socket: enchufe o toma de corriente (y no soquete, que se dice ankle sock)
son: hijo (y no son, conjugación del verbo ser, que se dice are)
spade:
pala (y no espada, que se dice sword)
stationery: artículos de papelería (y no estacionario, que se dice stationary)
to stay: quedarse (y no estar, que se dice to be)
to stir: revolver un líquido (y no estirar, que se dice to stretch)
stranger: desconocido o forastero (y no extranjero, que se dice foreigner)
to stretch: estirar, extender, ensanchar (y no estrechar, que se dice to take in, to narrow)
suburb: barrio rico periférico de la ciudad (y no suburbio de casas pobres, que se dice slum)
success:
éxito (y no suceso, que se dice event)
to support: apoyar (y no soportar, que se dice to put up with)
sympathetic: comprensivo (y no simpático, que se dice nice, likeable)
sympathy: compasión, comprensión, pésame (y no simpatía, que se dice friendliness, affection)
target
: objetivo (y no tarjeta, que se dice card)
tax
: impuesto (y no taxi, que se dice taxi)
tea:
té (y no tía, que se dice aunt)
terrific: fenomenal, genial (y no terrorífico, que se dice terrifying)
to traduce:
calumniar (y no traducir, que se dice to translate)
trait: rasgo (y no trato, que se dice deal o treatment)
to translate: traducir (y no trasladarse, que se dice to move)
tramp: vagabundo (y no trampa, que se dice trap)
ultimate: final (y no último, que se dice last)
ultimately:
en última instancia, a la larga (y no últimamente, que se dice lately, recently)
umpire:
árbitro (y no imperio, que se dice empire)
vacuum: vacío (y no vacuna, que se dice vaccine)
zealous: entusiasta (y no celoso, que se dice jealous)


ANOTHER LIST OF FALSE FRIENDS






WRITING
GUIDELINES FOR BACHILLERATO

LEARNING FOCUS WRITING EXERCISE* Unit 1 Thinking before writing Informal letter Unit 2 Brainstorming ideas (Opinión Personal) Unit 3 Linkers (Past experience) Unit 4 Relevant information (Opinión personal) Unit 5 Paragraphing Arguments For and Against Unit 6 Thinking carefully when writing (Opinión personal) Unit 7 Adding interest Descripción de personas Unit 8 Checking for accuracy (Past experience) Unit 9 Checking content and structure Arguments For and Against
*El Libro de Texto nunca da ni vocabulario clave ni estructuras básicas para poder hacer los writings que pide. ¿Por qué? ¿Es un fallo del libro? No. Sencillamente es que, en este curso, el énfasis está en el proceso de escribir un writing, no en el resultado.
Pero nunca está de más tener algo de ayuda a la hora de escribir nuestros writings, ya que no todos tenemos la misma imaginación y yo ya estoy cansado de escuchar siempre aquello de “Gonzalo, es que no se me ocurre nada.” o aquello de “a mi es que los writings no se me dan bien.”

WRITING
GUIDELINES FOR 1º BACHILLERATO
THINKING BEFORE WRITING
Writing is a way of thinking. In other words, the quality of your writing depends on the quality of the thinking you do about your topic. The whole writing process can be divided into the prewriting, writing, and rewriting or revising phases. In the prewriting phase, you might try to clarify  what you want to write about  how you think and feel about your topic  how you want to approach your topic  what other materials and notes you might need  how to organize these materials  what kind of audience you are writing for You plan the content and organization of your paper or assignment during this first phase. In the writing phase, you implement your plan, working out the details and fine-tuning your thoughts. In rewriting or revising, you review what you have written and consider how and where your writing can be improved. Sometimes, these phases are quite distinct and separate, but for most students, they seldom have clear boundaries. They overlap in a recursive fashion rather than fall in place as an orderly sequence of steps, one neatly following from the other. When you write shorter assignments or essays, you may plan, write, and revise as you go along. idea-generating techniques 1. Make lists of related ideas that suggest themselves to you from your thesis statement. 2. Ask yourself the journalist’s questions to get your ideas flowing. 3. Use the multiple perspectives strategy to look at the subject from different points of view. 4. For most students, making lists, brainstorming, or using one of the formal idea-generating techniques will be enough to suggest a direction. 5. For others, framing a topic sentence or thesis statement will get them started writing. 6. Keep your working thesis statement in front of you to check periodically that you are staying on target, but don’t hesitate to refine or change your thesis when your thinking and writing have led your thoughts in a somewhat different direction.

WRITING
GUIDELINES FOR 1º BACHILLERATO

AN INFORMAL LETTER
An effective informal setter should have a friendly style, an appropriate layout and a clear reason for writing.
Key language greetings Dear Fiona, starting the letter Just a quick letter/note/mail to ask you how you’re getting on We haven’t talked for ages, so I thought I’d drop you a line ... I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch /written in so long. I’ve been really busy ... ways of changing topics Anyway, we’re going to London in July Well, that’s enough about ..., how are you? So much for ..., how’s things with ...? ways of continuing a topic As I was saying, I’m having problems with ... You asked about Javi. Well, we split up some months ago ... endings Write soon.

Take care. Give me a ring. Bye for now. Love, Gonzalo. xxx informal vocabulary ages How’s it going? fancy How’s things with ..? verb tenses Present continuous for news and future plans En una carta informal si está permitido usar formas contraídas.
Nota
Una carta informal no es una carta maleducada. No están permitidos los tacos. (No me vais a impresionar usando palabrotas; yo se muchas más.)
Gonzalo Orozco Página 5 03/12/2009
C/ Mozart 20 - 1° A Malaga 29002
ENCABEZAMIENTO Tu dirección (pero NO tu nombre)
Wednesday, 20th June
FECHA (se acepta omitir el año)
Dear James
SALUDO Dear James (Dear + nombre)
This is just a quick note to thank you for dinner in Oxford last month, and I'm glad that you're enjoying your job.
CUERPO DE LA CARTA
It was great to see you again. We really had a wonderful time at the restaurant.
Hope to see you soon
DESPEDIDA
Love, Virginia xxx

WRITING
GUIDELINES FOR 1º BACHILLERATO
BRAINSTORMING
Brainstorming is a way to generate questions, solutions or ideas for a topic.
Write down any ideas that occur to you. Write down every idea, no matter how far-fetched1. Your aim is to generate a large quantity of ideas. Take about 10 - 15 minutes.
If you find yourself running out of ideas too quickly, don't give up. Keep working at it until you have written down at least 10 possible ideas or solutions.
Once you have finished brainstorming, go through the results.
Look for any answers that are repeated or similar.
Group similar ideas together.
Eliminate responses that definitely do not fit.
Now that you have narrowed your list down, you can use it as a basis for your essay, perhaps by making it into a mind map.
1 far-fetched adjective exagerado, rocambolesco

WRITING
GUIDELINES FOR BACHILLERATO
AN OPINION ESSAY

Un buen ensayo de opinión debería presentar tus puntos de vista con claridad, y debería persuadir al lector para que apoye tus opiniones.
¡Recuerda!
1 Estructura
 Divide el artículo en párrafos.
 En el párrafo 1 introduce el tema del artículo y da tu opinión.
 En el párrafo 2 (y 3) da razones para apoyar tu opinión.
 En el último párrafo escribe una breve conclusión, que normalmente será un resumen de lo que has dicho hasta el momento.
2 Contenido
 Da ejemplos y habla de cosas que no te resulten complicados de narrar.
 Antes de escribir, piensa si lo que quieres decir lo sabes poner en inglés.
 Utiliza adverbios de tiempo y conectores para enlazar párrafos y oraciones.
 No hables de ventajas y/o desventajas.
3 Vocabulario clave
expresiones para dar tu opinión
As I see it there is no good reason to ...
As far as I’m concerned, there are too many ...
In my opinion we should have more free time to ...
It’s clear/obvious that this situation is unfair.
I feel/think that students are not fairly treated.
*Some people believe (that) soap operas are rubbish.
I would say that they are the best programmes in ...
*It’s nearly half past eight, according to my watch.
*It is said (that) people from Catalonia are mean.
linkers (esta sección será ampliada más adelante)
He left because he wanted to
I was two hours late because of the thunderstorm
However, this is not the best way to …
He plays the piano and also sings
I think, therefore I am
Although he wasn’t well, he went to work.
secuenciación de ideas
Firstly, I’d like to welcome the new students.
Secondly, …
It appears, moreover, that he was related to her
In addition (to)
besides
Finally …
dar razones
My main reason is …
Another reason is …
introducir la conclusión
To conclude, I would like to thank everybody for coming
To sum up, our analysis shows that …
In conclusion, the best way to …
Nota
Vuelvo a recordaros que no se trata de un concurso para ver si sois capaces de meter todas estas expresiones en la redacción. Ni siquiera es obligatorio que uséis este vocabulario. Simplemente se trata de ofreceros alternativas útiles al clásico “Pienso que …”
Gonzalo Orozco Página 9 03/12/2009
It is better to travel around your own country instead of going abroad on holiday. Do you agree?
I think that it is wonderful to travel to travel to different countries and therefore I completely disagree with the idea that it is better to stay in your own country.
I feel very strongly that we should visit as many countries as possible. If we visit another country we can learn a lot. We can learn about the culture, we can meet the people and we can find out about different ways of life. We can eat new food, listen to a variety of music and learn about customs. We can also practise a foreign language.
Another reason for visiting other countries is that it is good for relations between countries. When we know about people’s customs and culture we can understand the people better. If people travel more to other countries, perhaps there will be less fighting in the world.
To sum up, I think it is clear that going abroad on holiday can only be good for us and although I love my country, I would like to visit as many different countries as I can.
Example
dar la opinión
enlazar
dar la opinión
primera razón
enlazar
otra razón
dar la opinión
conclusión, opinión
enlazar

WRITING
GUIDELINES FOR BACHILLERATO
LINKERS (1)
LINKERS OF ADDITION
Para añadir información usamos, entre otros, los siguientes linkers:
A. in addition, moreover, furthermore, what’s more y besides2 se usan siempre al principio de la frase, y van seguidas de una coma y de una oración. Todos se traducen por además.
I’m too busy to take a holiday. In addition, I don’t have the money.
I’m too fat to wear a pair of jeans. Besides, I haven’t got the money
to buy them.
B. as well and too se usan al final de una frase o proposición. Ambos se traducen por también.
Carla is brilliant at sports, especially swimming. She is good at
languages as well, especially French.
C. also se coloca delante del verbo principal, pero detrás de los verbos auxiliares y del verbo to be. También se traduce por también.
Carla is short-sighted, but she is also a little bit vain. She does not
wear her glasses very often.
1 Complete the sentences with a suitable linker. More than one correct answer may be possible.
1. My brother has got brown hair. He’s _____________ got brown eyes.
2. The star wore a Versace dress. _____________ , she wore expensive Prada shoes.
3. Tim is very good-looking. Unfortunately he’s big-headed _________ !
4. Some cosmetics are bad for your skin. _____________ , they can be very expensive.
5. Nick is an actor. He _____________ works as a model.


USEFUL EXPRESSIONS


To list points:
Firstly, First of all, In the first place, To begin/start with,
Secondly, Thirdly, Finally
To list advantages:
One/Another/A further/An additional (major) advantage of … is …
The main/greatest/first advantage of … is …
To list disadvantages:
One/Another/A further/An additional (major) disadvantage/
The main/greatest/most serious/first disadvantage /
Another negative aspect of …
To introduce points/arguments for & against:
One (very convincing) point/argument in favour of … / against …,
A further common criticism of … / It could be argued that …,
It is
often
widely
generally
claimed/suggested
argued/maintained/
felt/believe/held
that …
some/many/
most people/experts/
scientists/sceptics/
critics
claim/suggest/argue/feel that …
maintain/believe/point out/agree/hold that …
advocate (+ing/noun)/support the view that …
oppose the view that …
are
in favour of/against …
of the opinion that/convinced that …
opposed to …
To add more points to the same topic:
in addition (to this), furthermore, moreover, besides, apart from, what is more, as well as, not to mention (the fact) that, also, not only … but also/as well/both … and, There is another side to the issue/question/argument of…
To make contrasting points:
on the other hand, however, still, yet, but, nonetheless, nevertheless, even so,
it may be said/argued/claimed that, …
others/
many people
oppose this viewpoint
(strongly) disagree …,
claim/feel/believe this argument is incorrect/misguided
although, though, even though, while, whilst, whereas, despite/in spite of (the fact that), regardless of the fact that
Opponents of … argue/believe/claim that …
The fact that … contradicts the belief/idea that …
While it is true to say that …, in fact …
While/Although …, it cannot be denied that …







CONECTORES

Los conectores o conjunciones son palabras que usamos para unir doso más frases o dos palabras dentro de la misma oración. Aquí tienes losconectores más comunes agrupados en categorías.


Copulativos and, not only … but also …, not only … but … as well, both … and …, no sooner … than

Disyuntivos or, either … or …, neither … nor …, whether … or …, else, otherwise
Condicionales if, whether, unless, provided, providing, as long as, in case, in case of
Concesivos although, though, even though, even if, despite, in spite of, not even if, regardless of
Conclusivos therefore, hence, thus, so, consequently
Continuativos then, moreover, furthermore, besides, in addition to
Adversativos but, however, nonetheless, yet, still, on the other hand, instead, instead of, on the contrary
Causales because, for, because of, as a result of, due to, owing to, since, as
Comparativos as, as … as …, not as … as …, not so … as …, just as … so …, as if, as though
Funcionales so, so that, so as to, so as not to, in order to


Connectors again...

Sentence Connectors

Cause and Effect

Sentence Connectors - showing Cause / Effect

Once you have mastered
Type of Connector
Connector(s)
Examples
Coordinating conjunctions
for (cause), so (effect)
Professionals can sometimes be extremely impatient, for their positions are at times rather stressful.
Subordinating conjunctions
because, since
Since high level positions are at times rather stressful, professionals can sometimes be extremely impatient.
Conjunctive adverbs
therefore, as a result, consequently
High level positions are at times rather stressful; therefore, professionals can sometimes be extremely impatient.
Prepositions
because of, due to, as a result of
Due to the stressful nature of high level positions, professionals can sometimes be extremely impatient

Addition

Sentence Connectors - Showing Addition

Type of Connector
Connector(s)
Examples
Coordinating Conjunction
and
High level positions are stressful at times, and can be harmful to your health.
Conjunctive adverbs
in addition, additionally, furthermore, moreover, also
High level positions are stressful at times; furthermore, they can be harmful to your health
Correlative conjunctions
not only...but also
Not only are high level positions stressful at times, but they also can be harmful to your health.
Prepositional phrases
in addition to, along with, as well as
Along with being stressful, high level positions can also be harmful to your health.

Opposition

Type of Connector
Connector(s)
Examples
Coordinating conjunction
but
High level positions are stressful at times, but professionals can learn to manage their stress levels.
Subordinating conjunctions
although, despite the fact that
Despite the fact that high level positions are stressful at times, professionals can learn to manage their stress levels.
Conjunctive adverbs
however, nevertheless
High level positions are stressful at times; nevertheless, professionals can learn to manage their stress levels.
Prepositional phrases
despite, in spite of
In spite of the stressful nature of high level positions, professionals can learn to manage their stress levels.

Comparison

Sentence Connectors - Showing Comparison

.
Type of Connector
Connector(s)
Examples
Coordinating Conjunction
and...too
High level positions are stressful, and can be harmful to your health too.
Subordinating conjunction
just as
Just as high level positions are stressful, they can be harmful to your health.
Conjunctive adverbs
similarly, in comparison
High level positions are stressful at times; similarly, they can be harmful to your health.
Prepositions
like, similar to
Similar to other important professions, high level business positions are stressful at times.


Contrast

Sentence Connectors - Showing Contrast

Once you have mastered the basics of correct usage in written English, you will want to express yourself in increasingly complex ways. One of the best ways to improve your writing style is to use sentence connectors. Sentence connectors are used to express relationships between ideas and to combine sentences. The use of these connectors will add sophistication to your writing style.
Type of Connector
Connector(s)
Examples
Coordinating conjunction
but
High level positions are stressful at times, but the financial rewards make these positions very desirable indeed.
Subordinating conjunctions
whereas, while
While high level positions are stressful at times, the financial rewards make these positions very desirable indeed.
Conjunctive adverbs
in contrast, on the other hand
High level positions are stressful at times; on the other hand, the financial rewards make these positions very desirable indeed.
Prepositions
unlike
Unlike the undesirable stress of high level positions, the financial rewards make these positions very desirable indee


Condition

Sentence Connectors - Showing Condition

Type of Connector
Connector(s)
Examples
Subordinating conjunctions
if, unless, only if, even if
If you consider the financial rewards of high level positions, the stressful nature of these positions becomes less important.
Conjunctive adverb
otherwise
You should remember the financial rewards of high level positions; otherwise, you might find the stressful nature of these positions too demanding.

Aquí encontraréis una lista inmensa de conectores Inglés-Español



in other words...


In spite of / despite = A pesar de
In spite of/Despite the late hour, they went on with the meeting
He arrived on time in spite of/despite getting up late.
Although, though, even though, in spite of the fact that = Aunque
Although/Though/ Even though / In spite of the fact that the pupils had
not studied as hard as they could, they all passed their exams.
However, Nevertheless, Even so = Sin embargo
She was quite ill. However/ Nevertheless/Even so, she went to school.
On the one hand...............On the other hand = Por una parte........por otra parte
On the one hand, the beach is fun. On the other hand, I don´t like the sand.
On the contrary = Al contrario
“I thought you liked classical music.” “On the contrary, I hate it.”
While, whereas = mientras
This soap opera is very interesting, while/whereas that one is quite boring
Because/As/Since/Seeing that = Porque, puesto que, ya que
We should all go home because/as/since/seeing that it´s late
Because of/On account of/Owing to/ Due to = A causa de, debido a
We stayed at home because of/on account of/owing to/due to the weather.
In order to, so as to, to = Para, con la finalidad de
She uses her video in order to/so as to/to record her favourite shows
For example/for instance = por ejemplo
Vegetables are a good source of vitamins; for example/for instance,
pepper has vitamin C.
Such as = tal(es) como, como
Singers such as Michael Jacson and Madonna are popular throughout the
world.
Moreover, furthermore, besides, in addition = Además
I´m too busy to take a holiday. Moreover/Furthermore/Besides/In addition,
I don´t have the money.
In addition to/ As well as = Además de
In addition to classical music, she likes jazz.
The city has several main roads as well as a ring road aroung it.
Apart from, except (for) = Aparte de, excepto
Apart from English, she speaks three other foreign languages
He eats nothing except (for) bread and fish.
First of all/To begin with/First/ Firstly = Lo primero de todo, en
primer lugar.
First of all/To begin with/First/Firstly, we should talk to the manager.
Second/Secondly, Then = En segundo lugar, después
Second/Secondly/Then, we must make a detailed plan.
The next stage is = El siguiente paso es
The next stage is to view...
Finally/In short/To sum up/In conclusion/Lastly but not least =
Finalmente/En resumen/En conclusión/Por último/Último pero
no de menor importancia.
Finally/In short/To sum up/In conclusion/Lastly but not least, we
need to have good ideas before we present our plan to the whole
company.
Therefore/As a result /Consequently/For this reason= Por lo
tanto, Como resultado, Por consiguiente, Por esta razán.
Tina keeps her car in good condition. Therefore/As a result /
Consequently/For this reason, it always passes its annual road test.
Exercises
A. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning of the original sentences. Use the words in brackets.
1. Owing to my illness, I cancelled my holiday. (because)
2. In my family, we all have long conversations on the phone. Consequently,our phone bills are high. (result)
3. Although the jacket was expensive, he bought it. ( in spite of)
4. My brother is very busy at work. My sister is on holiday. (whereas)
5. There is a shopping centre in this town and many small shops as well. (In addition)
6. Despite his age, he´s very active. (although)
7. Despite the doctor´s advice to stop smoking, she hasn´t stopped. (even though)
8. I took a cookery course in order to be able to make special dishes. (so that)
9. Contrary to me, my sister is an excellent swimmer. (whereas)
10. He drove through a red light and was given a ticket. (as a result)
11. There are many methods of communicating nowadays, for example, letters, faxes and E-mail. (such)
12. Everyone arrived at school on time with the exception of Jack. (for)


NOW SOME MORE EXERCISES WITH CONNECTORS...













How to Write an Argument Essay


Cómo hacer un buen texto argumentativo (5 pasos).



Algunos modelos de ensayos ya hechos



Guide to Writing a Basic Essay



Cómo escribir diferentes tipos de ensayo (composiciones) narrativo,persuasivo,descriptivo...




Cómo hacer una buena redacción. Algunos puntos básicos:




  • Una buena redacción tiene tres partes:
1. Introducción
- Puedes empezar con un párrafo como introducción en el cual hables de tu experiencia personal, presentando el tema que vas a tratar. Para comenzar puedes resumir algunos de los principales argumentos en contra de tu punto de vista: Some people argue that..., Many people think that..., It is said that...
2. Cuerpo
- Establece tu opinión personal de forma clara y muestra datos, cifras y ejemplos que apoyen tu punto de vista:According to..., Statistics show...
- En un nuevo párrafo, discute las ventajas según las ves. No olvides utilizar conectores. Para comparar o contrastar dos cosas utiliza: Both (of them), On the one hand, On the other hand, In spite of (the fact that), In comparison with, On the contrary
- En otro párrafo puedes hablar de las desventajas o inconvenientes.
- Las siguientes palabras y expresiones te pueden ser útiles para mostrar tu opinión: Personally, I think... Fortunately/unfortunately, Obviously, In my opinion, I believe , I agree/disagree (with/that), It seems to me, From my point of view, As far as I'm concerned, To be honest, I am in favour of, I am for, I am against, The way I see it.
3. Conclusión
- Finalmente, escribe una breve conclusión resumiendo lo que has dicho. Puedes decir si crees que hay más ventajas que inconvenientes. También puedes ofrecer una solución o advertir de las consecuencias si no se toman las medidas necesarias para hacer frente al problema. Para indicar la conclusión puedes utilizar: In conclusion, Finally, In summary, To sum up, In short, Therefore, Thus.
  • Para que las ideas estén conectadas de forma clara y lógica hay que:
- Repetir los nombres clave a lo largo de la redacción.
- Usar pronombres para referirse a los nombres clave.
- Escribir las oraciones siguiendo un orden lógico y utilizando conectores tales como: First, Second, Then, Later, Next, Since then, Finally.

- Los conectores son muy importantes para unir ideas: Moreover, Whereas, For instance, Furthermore, such as, Although, However, In contrast.(Ver listado anterior o visitar página
http://heptagrama.com/connectors-glossary.htm )
  • Es importante que expresemos nuestras ideas y argumentos correctamente. A continuación tienes un recordatorio de algunas reglas básicas a la hora de escribir:
  • Orden de los elementos de la oración en frases afirmativas y negativas. En inglés hay un orden establecido. Cada oración debe tener un sujeto y un verbo, aunque puede haber otras partes de la oración. El orden básico es:
Sujeto + verbo + c. indirecto + c. directo + c.c. modo + c.c. lugar + c.c. tiempo
I
solved
the problem
quickly
at home
yesterday
S
V
C.D.
C.C. modo
C.C. lugar
C.C. tiempo
  • Recuerda:
- Las expresiones de tiempo también pueden ir al principio de una oración.
- Los complementos indirecto y directo deben ir detrás del verbo.
- Los adverbios (de frecuencia y otros) van a menudo delante del verbo principal (pero detrás del verbo BE -am/is/are/was/were). Si hay dos o más verbo, normalmete van delante del segundo verbo.
I also like her but she is still living in an imaginary world that she has recently created.
- Cuando tenemos un complemento indirecto y otro directo, el indirecto se coloca a menudo delante del directo:
She
gave
him
a book
S
V
C.I.
C.D.
aunque también se puede decir:
She
gave
a book
to him
S
V
C.D.
C.I.
  • Orden de los elementos de la oración en preguntas: Hay tres posibles modelos:
1.-(Pronombre interrogativo complemento)+ Auxiliar DO/DOES/DID + Sujeto + INFINITIVO [+ complementos]
Do you live here? What did you see ? Why does she live here?
2.-- (Pronombre interrogativo complemento)+Verbo1+Sujeto+Verbo2 (+verbo3+verbo4)[+ complementos]
Where would you go? Why would she have to do it? Has your sister finished it?

3.-- Pronombre interrogativo (como sujeto) + verbo [+ complementos]

Who invited you to the party? = ¿Quién te invitó a la fiesta?
What happened then? : ¿Qué pasó entonces?

  • Orden de los elementos de la oración en preguntas indirectas: Las preguntas indirectas siguen el modelo de las oraciones afirmativas o negativas:
Subjeto + verbo
He asked me who she was.
He wanted to know where she lived


TIPOS DE TEXTOS

 http://luisasenglishblog.blogspot.com.es/search/label/writing



Eleven activities for writing skills development



Producing a written text, whether in an exam context or not, is a task which requires a good command of written language as well as the presence of skills specific to writing (including, for example, the ability to organise ideas coherently or to follow the conventions of the genre). In an exam preparation context, things are a bit more demanding since there is a time and word limit.
The main reason why writing is different from, and perhaps more demanding than, spoken production is that there is no feedback or interaction during the writing process so we have to rely exclusively on our choices of sentences and words to make sure that the right message is put across: we produce a text which needs to be understood by a reader who is not present or, in some cases, a reader who is not even known to us.
Students therefore have to be taught how to produce written texts representative of different genres in such a way as to make sure that the message is put across correctly and appropriately. We cannot assume that if a learner can convey a message in the spoken medium they can do so in writing as well. The process that most teachers, as well as published teaching materials, follow when teaching writing, can be divided into the following stages:

Stage I: Generation of ideas
This first stage includes the generation of ideas on which the students will base their own text. You should get the learners to think about what to include in the text, i.e. what kind of information the topic requires as well as how much information is required. Ask students to read the rubric carefully and think of the target audience, the style and the actual genre they will have to produce. Here are some sample activities that could serve these purposes:
Activity 1 – focus on understanding the topic, genre and target audience (Level C1-C2)
You have been asked to write a report for your boss regarding an event that your company organised. You have to use at least 4 of the figures/percentages given in the data. Think about this topic and decide if the following statements are True or False:

  • The report is about everyday events at work.
  • The language you use should be conversational.
  • You should not use more than 4 percentages.
  • Your text should include 3 paragraphs, i.e. introduction, main body, conclusion.
  • You must not use subheadings for the paragraphs.
Activity 2 – focus on ideas (Level A2)
You have been asked to write a letter to a friend describing your room. In pairs, make a list of as many different things as you can that you can find in a house, for example fridge, sofa, television, computer….
Which of these things does each of you have in your rooms? Tell your partner which of these things you have in your room, what they look like and where are they.
For example, I have a computer in my room. It is white and it is on my desk.
Stage II: Working with a model
This stage involves giving students a model text followed by a set of activities. The text should be one that could presumably have been produced by a learner and the activities should focus on different aspects of writing such as the generic structure, the language and register used, the purpose and the target reader as well as the cohesive devices used and the way the text is organised. Below you have two activities that can be used in this stage:
Activity 3 – focus on the language used (Level B2)
Read the short extract below taken from a letter of a student to his/her teacher. The students were asked to explain which aspects of the English language they find most difficult and to say what they think the teacher should do to help them overcome these difficulties.
Some of the words and phrases the student has used are not appropriate: they are too formal or too conversational. Work in pairs: underline the words and phrases that are not appropriate and suggest ways of changing them.
Dear Mrs Jones
I am writing to tell you what you wanted. Well, I think for the first question you asked me about your class I think that grammar is the most difficult part. I don’t like it and I find it hard. Explain it better all the next times so that all students understand what you say. Now, you asked about suggestions. I don’t understand what do you want? I cannot make suggestions because I am a student and you are the teacher so it is your job to find the solutions.

Activity 4 – focus on task achievement (Level B2-C1)
Your friend has been asked to do the following task. “Write an article about the positive and negative aspects of mobile phones. In what ways can we limit the problems of using mobile phones? The article will be published in a scientific journal.” Read what he/she has written and answer the following questions:
  • Has your friend covered all content points?
  • Has he/she used the correct format and layout?
Dear Editor
I am writing to you to tell you about the good and bad points of mobile phones.
First of all, mobile phones are very useful because you can reach anyone you want especially when you are in an emergency. Moreover, you can keep in touch with your friends very easily because they can call you anytime and ask you where you are. The only problem is that you need to charge your phone all the time because if your battery dies out, nobody will know where you are. Also, mobile phones allow you to do things that in the past you only did them at home. For example, with the new phones you can now access the internet even while you are walking on the street!
I couldn’t live without a mobile phone!
I hope that my article will be published. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, of course, on my mobile phone that you will find on top of this letter.
Thanks.
STAGE III: Guided reproduction
After the previous stage has been completed you could ask students to start producing parts of the text focusing again on one aspect. In this stage students will still need a lot of support and guidance; an example of a guided reproduction task would be to ask students to rewrite sentences using specific words and/or expressions found in the text or to change a few details in a paragraph to produce a parallel text. Here are some more ideas:
Activity 5 – focus on style and organisation (Level A1)
Read the short text below. Correct the text so that it looks like a letter. Do not correct grammar or vocabulary mistakes.
Hello!
Mrs Jones! How are you? All ok? I hope your family is ok, too.
I am writing to apply for the job of the shop assistant.
I saw it in the school magazine.
I like this job.
I have many good characteristics:
  1. I am kind
  2. I am honest
  3. I never lie
Please tell me if you need me.
Yours sincerely
George
Activity 6 – focus on content and coherence (Level B1)
Your friend has written about the things he does every morning but he has put them in the wrong order. Read the sentences below and put them in the right order.
  • My mum waits with me for the school bus.
  • When I wake up I go to the bathroom and wash my face.
  • After that I go to my room to get dressed.
  • Every morning my mum wakes me up.
  • Then I brush my teeth and go to the kitchen to drink milk.
  • Then I put the books in my bag and go out to wait for the school bus.
Stage IV: Production of text
In this stage students should be asked to produce their own text with limited support on the part of the teacher. This can be done initially in class where you could make sure that the students understand the topic, have something to write and get the chance to work o planning. In most cases, the students will complete their draft at home, due to time constraints. In the following lesson, they will (hopefully!) hand in their draft so that they can get some feedback and, if necessary, rewrite (parts of) their text. To help students produce their own texts, you can use activities like the ones below:
Activity 7 – focus on language (Any level)
Read your topic carefully. Then spend 1 minute and write down as many words/phrases you can think of related to your topic. Then compare with your partner.
Activity 8 – focus on content (Level B1+)
Read your topic carefully. Make a plan before you start writing in which you say:
  • how many paragraphs there will be
  • what ideas you will include in each paragraph
Then give your plan to your partner. Your partner will make any changes he/she thinks are necessary. You will need to do the same for his/her plan.
Stage V: Evaluation
In this final stage you will need to provide feedback on all relevant aspects of the writing skill such as organisation, accuracy and range of grammar and vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, use of linking words and expressions, level of formality etc. The feedback should be clear and it can include the use of a code to indicate what types of mistakes there are. You should then ask students to work on their own or their partners’ errors and produce a second draft. You may need to provide feedback on more than one draft before the student produces his/her final text. Below there are three activities that you could use in this stage:
Activity 9 – focus on grammar and vocabulary (Level B1 and above)
Read your partner’s text. Using the correction code provided, correct all the grammar and vocabulary errors your partner has made.
Gr Grammar
Voc Vocabulary
Pr Preposition
S Style
Sp Spelling
Org Organisation
? Not clear
Activity 10 – focus on content (Any Level)
For this activity, the teacher should first read all scripts and put a question mark in the margin whenever a student has not expressed themselves clearly and/or accurately. Then students are asked to work in pairs and given the following instruction:
Read your partner’s text. When you see ?, ask him/her questions to try and understand what he/she means. Then suggest ways of rewriting the sentences so that the message is clear.
Activity 11 – focus on self-evaluation (Level B1 and above)
Read your partner’s text. Underline any errors you find. Then hand the underlined text to your teacher. Then compare the errors you have found with the ones your teacher has.





Consejos de una estudiante (quizás o parezcan útiles):


1.- Tipo de texto que nos piden ( narración, texto de opinión..etc).
2.- Tema a tratar ( para ello es importante estar al día de temas de actualidad,leer periodico, ver noticias...)
3.- Hacer un listado de vocabulario que conozcamos sobre el tema para incluirlo en la redacción.
4.- Hacer un listado de conectores ( esto da mucho prestigio al texto que escribamos. La puntuación sera por lo tanto mejor)
5.- Incluir diferentes tiempo verbales (sobre todo en narraciones)
6.- No complicarnos la vida con frases largas y complejas. Mejor :Sujeto+ verbo+ complementos ( Nota: podemos utilizar algún relativo pero sin abusar)
7.-Olvidarnos del Spanglish. Nos resulta muy fácil hacer traducciones literales de expresiones hechas y eso queda horrible. Es mejor aprenderse unos cuantos proverbios o frases hechas de las más utilizadas y olvidarse de lo anterior.
8.-Hacer un listado de expresiones adaptadas a nuestro nivel para demostrar a quien nos lo corrija que lo tenemos. Imagínate que estás en un nivel avanzado y por ejemplo solo escribes en presente simple, no utilizas conectores, ni frases gramaticales que has aprendido o que se corresponden con el nivel que dices que tienes pensarán que tienen un nivel muy elemental.
9.-Utilizar un vocabulario rico. Para ello son muy utiles los "diccionarios visuales" que agrupan el vacabulario por familias tipo: la salud, la natualeza, el cuerpo humano, la moda, la religión..etc..)
10- Tener en cuenta que el medio escrito es mucho más formal que el oral.


Consejos de otro alumno:


C) Composition
A este apartado se le concede un valor máximo de 4 puntos.
  • Se te ofertarán dos posibilidades o temas para redactar. Podrás escoger el que prefieras, pero no olvides indicarlo claramente.
  • Antes de empezar a escribir piensa cómo vas a estructurar la composición.
  • Trata de darle esta estructura: introducción, cuerpo, conclusión/es.
  • Analiza qué tipo de composición te piden que escribas: ¿se trata de dar argumentos a favor y/o en contra de una postura? = texto argumentativo, ¿se trata de contar (narrar) una experiencia personal? = texto narrativo, ¿se trata de una carta formal/informal?, etc.
  • Medita cuál va a ser la/s idea/s que quieres transmitir en tu composición.
  • Piensa qué estructuras vas a utilizar para transmitir por escrito tu/s idea/s.
  • Trata de utilizar un vocabulario rico, no te quedes en palabras "comodín" que "valen para todo" y expresan poco: 'nice', 'beautiful', 'big', 'a thing', 'an object', etc.
  • Puntúa adecuadamente. No abuses de las comas.
  • Huye de las oraciones excesivamente largas.
  • Enriquece tu composición con una gama variada de conectores que vayas graduando según la parte de la composición en que te encuentres: al principio: 'firstly', 'to begin with'; posteriormente: 'secondly', etc. Piensa si quieres contrastar ideas ('on the other hand', 'however', 'nevertheless', etc.), si quieres dar razones ('because', 'so', 'therefore'), añadir nuevas razones ('moreover', 'for instance', 'furthermore', 'besides', etc.), etc.)
  • Procura redactar "con mentalidad inglesa", es decir, debes tener muy claro lo que quieres decir, pero evitar "decirlo en español". Acude a tus conocimientos de inglés, aplica la teoría gramatical para expresarte en inglés. Plantéate, ¿cómo se expresa esta idea en inglés? (Escribe "ideas" no "palabras").
  • Antes de terminar, revisa lo que has escrito: ¿es clara mi forma de redactar?, ¿se entiende bien lo que deseo expresar?, ¿van los adjetivos calificativos en la posición adecuada?, ¿concuerdan los tiempos de los verbos en las oraciones compuestas? ¿hay concordancia entre el sujeto de la oración y el verbo? ¿he escrito las "s" de las terceras personas de singular del 'present simple'?, ¿están los elementos de la oración en posición adecuada? ¿he puesto los auxiliares en las interrogativas que lo requieran?, ¿he tenido cuidado con "los falsos amigos", etc.


Modelo composición en inglés


To begin with, I would like to say that is a controversial matter and it is very difficult to give just one point of view. In fact, if we asked people what they thougt about it we would find a lot of different ideas.
On the one hand, we can say that _______________________________________________________ has many adventages, for example: _____________________________________________________________________.
However, on the other hand, we can also find some disadvantages, such us: ______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________.
From my point of view: ______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________



  http://webs.ono.com/instibaleares/GRAMMAR4.pdf

RESÚMENES DEL CONTENIDO DEL TEXTO: 

1.-Lee el texto y extrae el tema general de que trata.

2 Extrae las ideas fundamentales de cada párrafo. Una vez 

identificadas, trata de reescribirlas con tus propias palabras.

3Piensa en el tipo de relación sintáctica que puede establecerse entre estas ideas:

The text is about..., This is the story of..., The text deals with...
Cuando estés resumiendo el punto de vista del autor puedes iniciar tu resumen:
-The author states/ suggests/ criticizes/ explains/ points out...

4-Presta especial atención a la coherencia entre los tiempos verbales empleados.

 Si escribes sobre algo que sucedió en el pasado raramente podrás emplear tiempos de presente. Sin embargo, en el caso de introducir una opinión o comentario personal dentro de la historia, éstos podrán expresarse en presente.
Ejemplo:
Primary school was a mixture of rules and games. I remember that wehad to queue to go into class and we had to ask permission for everything...Some of our teachers werestrict but in general they were friendly…. On the whole I have very good memories of my school days and of the people  I worked with.

5. Lee de nuevo tu resumen y corrige posibles errores.


. REDACCIONES:


1-Lee detenidamente el título de la redacción. Fíjate en el tiempo verbal si lo hubiere. Cerciórate sobre si debes escribir sobre algo ya ocurrido (tiempos de pasado), rutinas diarias (formas de presente), predicciones (tiempos de futuro) o situaciones hipotéticas (condicionales).

2-Haz un listado mental de las ideas que quieres tratar. Si no se te ocurre nada, hazte preguntas básicas para describir cualquier suceso:

Who, When, Where, What, How, Why...
-W&A:
-Who, When, Where, Weather, What is he/she doing, What happens next...

3-Planifica el vocabulario que vas a emplear. Evita expresiones inglesas de las que no estés muy seguro, y, sobretodo no te inventes palabras
No es nada aconsejable que traduzcas del castellano. Intenta recordar frases hechas y expresiones aprendidas que puedan ser empleadas en ese contexto.

4-Tipos de redacciones que pueden salir:

-Descriptivas
-Narrativas
-Argumentativas
-Cartas.

5-Organiza tus ideas en dos o tres párrafos:

-En narraciones:

 1-descripción del entorno espacial y temporal de la historia
2-secuencia de acontecimientos
3-final sorprendente

-En redacciones argumentativas:

1-introducción del tema de forma general
2-concretar el tema con ejemplos que sostengan tus argumentos
3-opinión personal y preguntas sobre la validez de los argumentos empleados por otros.

6. Piensa en las partículas y conectores más apropiados para unir tus frases.

7. Procura pensar cuidadosamente cada frase antes de escribirla.

8. Evita repetirte demasiado, ve al grano. No escribas frases 
demasiado largas con múltiples oraciones subordinadas.

9. Dedica unos minutos a repasar lo escrito. Presta atención a los tiempos verbales que has empleado, la presencia del sujeto, la posición del adverbio y de los adjetivo



CRITERIOS DE CORRECCIÓN COMPOSICIÓN PAU


2. Producción escrita

Elaboración de un texto libre de entre 130 y 150 palabras. 18
3. Consignas para la pregunta de producción escrita
La consigna para la pregunta de producción deberá cumplir los siguientes requisitos:
— Contextualizar debidamente la situación de producción (quién escribe, a quién, con qué
finalidad, etc.).
— Marcar la relación que la producción solicitada tiene con el texto presentado:
• Cambiar el tema y conservar la estructura o viceversa.
• Cambiar el punto de vista enunciativo (uno de los personajes cuenta el mismo episodio
desde su punto de vista).
• Cambiar el género del discurso (argumentación personal).
• Sobre el tema o sobre algún problema que presenta el texto.
4. Tipos de texto que pueden solicitarse y extensión del mismo
Se podrá pedir que los alumnos produzcan un texto de entre 130 y 150 palabras a elegir entre los
siguientes tipos:
— Narración.
— Descripción.
— Argumentación.
— Explicación.
5. Criterios para la elección de textos
Los textos que aparezcan en la prueba corresponderán a los listados bajo el epígrafe «géneros de
textos».
— Autenticidad. Se utilizarán textos originales o adaptados por los especialistas procedentes de
prensa u otras publicaciones. Por lo tanto, se podrán modificar aquellos elementos léxicos o
gramaticales que se consideren oportunos.
— Longitud. Se establece en la normativa un número de 250 palabras. Sin embargo, debido a la
dificultad de encontrar textos auténticos que se ciñan exactamente a ese número, se podrá utilizar
éste como referente procurando no sobrepasar esa cifra.
— Especificidad del tema. Los textos elegidos no deben tratar temas que requieran el empleo de un
léxico muy específico que haga difícil la comprensión a un alumnado que no esté familiarizado
con él. Así pues se descartarán temas específicos que pudieran tratarse en clase (científicos,
técnicos, etc.).
— Cerramiento del texto. Se procurará elegir textos completos, es decir, que aunque sean
fragmentos de secuencias más amplias presenten un principio y un final que permita una
comprensión independiente.
— Contextualización. El texto se presentará debidamente contextualizado con un título (si así se
presenta en el original) e indicando su procedencia y la fecha en caso de ser una información de
prensa.
— Formato. Se intentará respetar el formato del documento original cuando sea posible para que se
puedan utilizar las marcas tipográficas como recursos para la comprensión. 19
— Dificultad del léxico. La palabra o palabras que presenten dificultad para la comprensión del
texto serán traducidas o explicadas al pie de texto. Sin embargo, y por que se quiere potenciar la
utilización de estrategias de comprensión lectora, esta ayuda sólo se ofrecerá si no hay pistas en
el texto que faciliten la comprensión de las mismas.
6. Temas
Los temas que aparecen en este listado han sido seleccionados del temario siguiendo el criterio del
epígrafe «especificidad del tema». Los textos elegidos para la prueba podrán tratar de los siguientes
temas:
— Medio ambiente o ecología.
— Salud o alimentación.
— Consumo.
— Medios de comunicación.
— Aspectos de la vida juvenil.
• Ocio, entretenimiento (modas, música, etc.).
• Estudios, problemas, perspectivas de trabajo.
• Participación social.
— Conmemoraciones o acontecimientos de repercusión mundial (Juegos Olímpicos, etc.).
— Vidas, anécdotas, etc., de personajes conocidos.
— Viajes y comunicaciones.
— Deportes.
— Hábitat.
— Trabajo/organización social.
— Papel del hombre y de la mujer en la sociedad.
— Conflicto y cambio.
— Tecnologías de la información y de las comunicaciones,

Parte B. Producción escrita. Valor total de este apartado 4 puntos.
En esta parte se podrá pedir que los alumnos produzcan un texto de 130-150 palabras.
En este apartado se ha de valorar la capacidad de comunicación del alumno en un inglés aceptable al expresar
su opinión e ideas sobre aspectos relacionados con el texto propuesto. Habrá que valorar cuanto de positivo
haya podido llevar a cabo el alumno y no fijarse únicamente en los errores gramaticales. Sería fundamental
considerar los siguientes aspectos:
1.- Aspectos de carácter estratégico: con un máximo de 0,5 puntos.
2.- Corrección gramatical: con un máximo de 1,5 puntos.
3.- Claridad de expresión y organización textual: con un máximo de 1 punto.
4.- Variedad, riqueza y precisión léxica: con un máximo de 1 punto.
ORIENTACIONES PARA CORRECCIÓN DE LOS ASPECTOS ANTERIORES
1.- Aspectos de carácter estratégico:
- Presentación clara y ordenada (márgenes, sangrados etc.)
- Ortografía correcta.
- Texto distribuido en párrafos.
- Uso correcto de signos de puntuación.
- Letra clara y comprensible.
- Escrito en tinta.
- …
2.- Corrección gramatical:
- Orden correcto de los elementos frásticos (SVO…)
- Concordancias correctas (S-V, Pronombres referentes…)
- Formas pronominales correctas 22
- Cuantificadores correctos
- Estructuración negativa correcta
- Tiempos y secuencias verbales adecuados y correctos
- Partículas temporales adecuadas (FOR, SINCE, AGO, ALREADY)
- Uso adecuado de artículos (genéricos, específicos…)
- Uso correcto del posesivo
- Conocimiento de los plurales irregulares
- Uso correcto de modales y defectivos
- Invariabilidad de los adjetivos (género y número)
- Uso correcto de las preposiciones
- …
3.- Claridad de expresión y organización textual:
- Secuenciación y organización del texto clara y lógica
- No hay excesivas repeticiones
- No es un texto confuso y oscuro
- Uso adecuado de conectores para las diferentes ideas
- Aproximación al tema coherente y original.
- Estructuración de las ideas en párrafos.
- …
4.- Variedad, riqueza y precisión léxica:
- No se usan palabras en español ni inexistentes
- Elección de términos específicos y concretos para ese texto
- No existe confusión entre elementos léxicos básicos
- No hay confusión entre categorías gramaticales.
- No existe un abuso desmesurado de expresiones idiomáticas.
EXÁMENS PAU Y MÁS ...





Para practicar, podéis utilizar estas páginas:



Exámenes PAU Inglés Universitat de València

http://www.upv.es/ingles/examenes.html


Exámenes de PAU de las universidades públicas de Madrid. (No son exactamente iguales a los de Valencia pero son muy parecidos y además INCLUYE SOLUCIONES)









Criterios de corrección, estadísticas,MODELOS EXÁMENES etc de Universitat de VALÈNCIA


http://www.upv.es/ingles/




Exámenes PAU todas las asignaturas Universitat de València


http://www.cdlibre.org/pau/



Exámenes PAU todas asignaturas Madrid


http://www.emes.es/AccesoUniversidad/Selectividad/ModelosdeExamenes/tabid/344/Default.aspx


Exámenes PAU y otros recursos




Cómo hacer un buen examen de Ingléen la PAU (es de Andalucía pero muchas cosas valen igual)






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