Tema 3 · Writing · Opinion essay, formal/informal email

Estructura del opinion essay (introduction · body · conclusion), email formal e informal, linkers y conectores avanzados para alcanzar B2+ en PEvAU.

1. Opinion essay structure

Three parts
  1. Introduction: hook + topic + thesis statement (your opinion).
  2. Body: 2-3 paragraphs, one main idea each (topic sentence + supporting evidence + example).
  3. Conclusion: restate thesis (different wording) + summary + closing thought.
Word count PEvAU Andalucía suele pedir 120-150 palabras. Un párrafo de introducción corto, dos cuerpos breves y una conclusión.

2. Thesis statement & topic sentences

Thesis Una oración clara con tu opinión defendible. Mal: «Social media is interesting.» Bien: «Social media has done more harm than good to adolescent mental health.»
Topic sentence Cada párrafo del body empieza con una topic sentence que anuncia su idea principal. Las siguientes oraciones la desarrollan con ejemplos, datos y razonamiento.

3. Linkers (cohesion)

By function
  • Adding: moreover, furthermore, in addition, what is more.
  • Contrasting: however, nevertheless, on the other hand, yet, despite + ing, although.
  • Cause: because, since, as, due to + noun.
  • Consequence: therefore, thus, consequently, as a result, hence.
  • Example: for instance, for example, namely, such as.
  • Sequencing: firstly, secondly, finally; first of all, in conclusion.
  • Summary: in conclusion, to sum up, all in all, in short.

4. Formal email

Structure of a formal email
  1. Greeting: Dear Mr/Ms Smith / Dear Sir or Madam.
  2. Opening: I am writing to enquire about / to apply for / to complain about…
  3. Body: paragraphs with one purpose each.
  4. Closing: I look forward to hearing from you. / Thank you for your attention.
  5. Sign-off: Yours faithfully (Dear Sir/Madam) / Yours sincerely (Dear Mr Smith).
No contractions en el registro formal: usa I am, cannot, will not.

5. Informal email

Structure of an informal email
  • Greeting: Hi Sarah / Hey John.
  • Opening: How are you? Sorry for the delay…
  • Body: contracted forms (I'm, don't), phrasal verbs, idiomatic expressions.
  • Closing: Take care, See you soon, Looking forward to it.
  • Sign-off: Cheers, Best, Love, xx.

6. Advanced vocabulary upgrades

Replace basic by upper-intermediate
  • important → significant / crucial / vital
  • big problem → major issue / serious concern
  • good → beneficial / valuable / outstanding
  • bad → detrimental / harmful / counterproductive
  • nowadays → in the modern era / currently
  • people think → it is widely believed / many argue that

7. Common errors

1. No usar topic sentences: el párrafo pierde foco.
2. Contracciones en registro formal (I'm, don't).
3. Repetir el mismo linker (always "but"): falta variedad.
4. Conclusión que solo repite la introducción palabra a palabra.
5. Pasar de 150 palabras (penaliza si supera el límite).

Problemas resueltos paso a paso

PEvAU — Identify the linker function 2025OrientacionesMedio

Sentence: «Social media offers many benefits; however, it can also harm adolescents' self-esteem.»
1
Function of 'however' (adding / contrast / cause / example).
2
Equivalent linker (and / nevertheless / because / for instance).
Ver solución completa
However is a contrast linker (oposición). Synonyms include nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, yet. It introduces an objection or contrast with the previous idea.

PEvAU — Formal vs informal register 2024OrientacionesAlta

Sentence: «Hi! Wanna know more about the job? Drop me a line. Cheers.»
1
Register (formal / informal / academic / technical).
2
Reformulate to formal: «I would be grateful if you could ___ me further information.» (provide / drop / send/give back).
Ver solución completa
El registro es claramente informal: Hi, Wanna, Drop me a line, Cheers. La versión formal sería «I would be grateful if you could provide me with further information regarding the position. Yours sincerely, …».

3. Linker · Adding

«The project is innovative. ___, it has secured significant funding.»
1
Best linker (1=However, 2=Moreover, 3=Because, 4=For instance).
2
Function (1=contrast, 2=addition, 3=cause, 4=example).

4. Linker · Contrast

«She has many talents. ___, she struggles with public speaking.»
1
Best linker (1=Therefore, 2=Nevertheless, 3=Furthermore, 4=As a result).
2
Function (1=contrast, 2=cause, 3=consequence, 4=example).

5. Linker · Cause

«The match was cancelled ___ heavy snow.»
1
Best linker (1=because, 2=due to, 3=therefore, 4=for instance).
2
Reason ('because' vs 'due to') (1=because+clause, due to+noun, 2=intercambiables, 3=because+noun, due to+clause, 4=ninguna).

6. Linker · Consequence

«The team trained every day for months. ___, they won the championship.»
1
Best linker (1=However, 2=Moreover, 3=As a result, 4=For example).
2
Function (1=contrast, 2=addition, 3=consequence, 4=example).

7. Linker · Example

«Many fruits are rich in vitamin C — ___, oranges and kiwis.»
1
Best linker (1=for instance, 2=therefore, 3=however, 4=consequently).
2
Equivalent (1=namely / such as, 2=however / nevertheless, 3=as a result, 4=in conclusion).

8. Linker · Concession

«___ his lack of experience, he was hired.»
1
Best linker (1=Although, 2=Despite, 3=However, 4=Because).
2
Despite vs Although (1=despite + noun, although + clause, 2=intercambiables, 3=despite + clause, although + noun, 4=ambas con noun).

9. Email greeting · Formal

«Sending a CV to a company you don't know the contact name of.»
1
Most appropriate greeting (1=Hi, 2=Dear Mr Smith, 3=Dear Sir or Madam, 4=To whom).
2
Sign-off (1=Cheers, 2=Yours faithfully, 3=Yours sincerely, 4=Take care).

10. Email greeting · Known recipient

«Replying to Mr Smith, whose name you know, regarding a formal request.»
1
Most appropriate greeting (1=Hi Smith, 2=Dear Mr Smith, 3=Dear Sir or Madam, 4=Yo Smith).
2
Sign-off (1=Cheers, 2=Yours faithfully, 3=Yours sincerely, 4=Bye).

11. Vocabulary upgrade · 'important'

«The project is very ___ for the company's future.»
1
Upgrade option (1=important, 2=crucial, 3=ok, 4=fine).
2
Why upgrade (1=avoid repetition, 2=raise to B2+ register, 3=both, 4=neither).

12. Vocabulary upgrade · 'good'

«The new policy will have a ___ impact on the economy.»
1
Upgrade option (1=good, 2=nice, 3=beneficial, 4=lovely).
2
Why (1=stronger formal register, 2=informal, 3=archaic, 4=slang).

13. Essay · Thesis statement quality

«Topic: Should phones be banned in schools?»
1
Best thesis (1=Phones are interesting, 2=Banning phones in schools improves concentration and reduces bullying, 3=Phones, 4=I have a phone).
2
Why this thesis works (1=clear position + reasons, 2=neutral, 3=descriptive only, 4=incomplete).

14. Essay · Topic sentence quality

«Paragraph 1 begins with…»
1
Best topic sentence (1=I have a phone, 2=Smartphones distract students from lessons, 3=Phones, 4=I will talk about phones).
2
Function of a topic sentence (1=conclude the paragraph, 2=announce the main idea of the paragraph, 3=give an example, 4=cite an author).

15. Word count compliance

«PEvAU writing task: 120-150 words.»
1
Best behaviour (1=write 200 words to be safe, 2=write 130-145 words and revise, 3=write 80 words and finish early, 4=write 250 words to show vocabulary).
2
Penalty for going over (1=none, 2=usually penalised, 3=bonus points, 4=ignored).

Test de autoevaluación

1. The PEvAU writing task usually requires:

2. A formal email greeting when you don't know the name:

3. 'Yours faithfully' is the sign-off paired with:

4. Which linker introduces consequence?

5. Best topic sentence for a paragraph on smartphone distraction in class:

Simuladores

🔗 Linker classifier

Classify the highlighted linker by function.

📧 Register identifier (formal vs informal)

Banco de exámenes (Inglés Lengua Extranjera II)

Cargando…

Ver banco completo →

Generador aleatorio

El generador construye items aleatorios paramétricos por bloque temático. Cada plantilla incluye solución.