Washington!

My dear readers (if you are even here...)
I present you with part I of my Washington adventure that I had with Jarek in August 2011.
I have some time on my hands (because of being sick) and wanted to swim in some precious memories from the past. :) I always wanted to edit the video material I had from Washington but didn't have the time nor inspiration.
Well it changed today :)

Without further ado here it is:

Stay tuned for part II tomorrow :)

Matura Emergency! [opinion essay]

Hello everyone!
I plan on recording a whole video about how to write an essay (rozprawka) on Matura rozszerzona. With tips what words to use etc.
For now I will give you just this post with two sample essays. Enjoy! I hope you find it useful!

There are two types of essays on MR:

• For/against essay
• Opinion essay   

__________________________

Wyraź swoją opinię na temat posiadania zwierzęcia w domu.

Animals have been part of man’s life since the dawn of time. Cats in Ancient Egypt were the symbol of pharaohs, dogs – the help with hunting. But what happens when an animal is locked up in an apartment? Shouldn’t it be free? I believe keeping pets in an apartment is a marvelous idea.

First of all, You are never alone. Coming home after work to an empty apartment is depressing. To have a pet greet you and crave your attention, could seriously boost your self-esteem. After all, people feel needed when they know someone is waiting for them.

What is more, they are also excellent company: they always listen, never judge, and love you no matter what you do.

Furthermore, owning a pet is great exercise. You need to walk the dog, so you go out and get some fresh air. Also, you need to plan ahead and always include some time off with the pet so that it does not feel lonely. Consequently, you also relax.

On the other hand, keeping an apartment clean is extremely difficult. For instance, long-haired cats or dogs shed during the summer, so the owner needs to vacuum more. Grooming the pet can be messy as well.

All in all, although there are drawbacks to keeping a pet in an apartment and it might sometimes be difficult to take care of it, I still think life without a furry little animal beside you is empty and everyone should try to have a loyal friend like that in their life.

256

COMMENTS:

1)  It is good to include rhetorical questions. You give the essay a bit more action.

2) The essence of every essay are linking words. THE MORE THE BETTER! That is why always remember to put some in each paragraph to:

1. introduce an argument, 
2. give more arguments, 
3. give examples,
4. give an opposite agrument,
5. give a conclusion

There a A LOT of linking words to choose from, if you want me to make you a list. Write a comment. :)

3) Because this is an Opinion Essay - you state your opinion in the introduction. Follow the essay according to your views and then sum up with your opinion again. 

The rule is to have about (about) 3 arguments that agree with your opinion and one counter argument to balance it out. So for example:

INTRO:                (+)     or     (-) 

ARGUMENT 1   (+)     or     (-)

ARGUMENT 2   (+)     or     (-)

ARGUMENT 3   (+)     or     (-)

ARGUMENT 4   (-)     or      (+) 

CONCLUSION:  (+)     or     (-)  

What phrases to use?   [YOUR PHRASE]

• In my opinion....
• I strongly believe that....
• I think that....
• I believe that...
• I have a strong opinion that....
• To me...
• My views are....

In this essay you are allowed to be more emotional and use language to your advantage because the task of the essay is "state YOUR opinion about" :)

4. INTRO and CONCLUSION are similar. You give your opinion in the intro, and repeat it (in different words) in the conclusion. It is good use words like: 

•  although there are drawbacks/advantages .... |
• although there are pros and cons...                  |    [YOUR PHRASE]
• I have stated both sides of the problem but.... |
• there is disagreement between X and Y but    |
• People do not seem to agree with X or Y  but |

5)  Grammar:
The better grammar you use the more points you have for "bogactwo językowe"

• Start sentences with a verb: "To have a pet greet you and crave your attention, could seriously boost your self-esteem" (this is not a simple sentence! remember to have a second clause as well)
  
• Start sentences with a gerund: "Grooming the pet can be messy."
  
  
• Use linking words, also to give examples, reasons, and results of something: " Also, you need to plan ahead and always include some time off with the pet so that it does not feel lonely. Consequently, you also relax."
  (Doesn't this sentence look better than: " you need to plan ahead and always include some time off with the pet"?)
  By adding more info and having more elaborate sentences, you will be given more points!

Wait for the video on YT to be posted soon :D  Link
How to write for/against essay 

Matura Emergency! [for/against Essay]

Hello everyone!
I plan on recording a whole video about how to write an essay (rozprawka) on Matura rozszerzona. With tips what words to use etc.
For now I will give you just this post with two sample essays. Enjoy! I hope you find it useful!

There are two types of essays on MR:

• For/against essay
• Opinion essay 

________________________________

Napisz rozprawkę na temat wad i zalet posiadania zwierzęcia w domu.

INTRODUCTION:
Animals have been part of man’s life since the dawn of time. Cats in Ancient Egypt were the symbol of pharaohs, dogs – the help with hunting. But what happens when an animal is locked up in an apartment? Shouldn’t it be free? Many people debate this subject.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST:
Firstly, it is common knowledge that big animals need a lot of space  to feel truly comfortable.  If you put a huge dog in a tiny apartment, both the owner and the dog will feel trapped and out of space. Secondly, keeping that apartment clean will be extremely difficult. For instance, long-haired cats or dogs shed during the summer, so the owner would need to vacuum more. Additionally, one needs to realize  that animals  tend to destroy things, so an adorable kitten might scratch somebody’s favorite sofa.

ARGUMENTS FOR:

Yet, coming home after work to an empty apartment is highly depressing. To have a pet greet you and crave your attention, could seriously boost your self-esteem. After all, people feel needed when they know someone is waiting for them. On top of that, a pet is also great exercise! You need to walk the dog, so you go out and get some fresh air. Finally, many people have no problems with being cramped in a small apartment with a pet. On the contrary, they find it cozy.

CONCLUSION:

All things considered, it is hard to say whether an animal should be kept in an apartment or not. There are both positive and negative approaches to this subject. The decision remains a matter of personal choice.

259 (word limit 200-250)

 Comments:

1)  It is good to include rhetorical questions. You still remain objective, but you give the essay a bit more action.

2) The essence of every essay are linking words. THE MORE THE BETTER! That is why always remember to put some in each paragraph to:

1. introduce an argument, 
2. give more arguments, 
3. give examples,
4. give an opposite agrument,
5. give a conclusion

There a A LOT of linking words to choose from, if you want me to make you a list. Write a comment. :) 


3 )IN A FOR/AGAINST ESSAY YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WRITE YOUR OPINION!! YOU HAVE TO REMAIN OBJECTIVE AND USE WORDS AND PHRASES THAT DO NOT START WITH: "IN MY OPINION...." "I BELIEVE..." "TO ME..."

Instead  you can use passive voice: 

• "it is believed that..."
• "it is common knowledge that...."

or use general terms:

• Many people say...
• Many people think...
• Scientists claim that.... 

There is also a nice phrase with the word "one". 

Instead of using the generic "you" in  "you need to feed the cat" (meaning "people need to...")
you can say: "one needs to feed the cat"  - It is much more formal and advanced!
(ONE functions as third person singular so has an "s" at the end of verbs!)


4) INTRODUCTION and CONCLUSION is very similar as you can see. Remember to remain objective. The point of a for-against essay is to give an equal number of (+) and (-) and have a neutral introduction and conclusion. So phrases like:

• "People debate this subject/problem"
• "there is an equal amount of pros and cons of this situation"
• " The are both negative and positive aspects to this subject"

are essential.
So the essay would look like this:
INTRO                     (+)/(-)=NEUTRAL
ARGUMENT 1        (+)    or    (-)
ARGUMENT 2        (+)    or    (-)
ARGUMENT 3        (+)    or    (-)
ARGUMENT 4        (-)    or    (+)
ARGUMENT 5        (-)    or    (+)
ARGUMENT 6        (-)    or    (+)
CONCLUSION        (+)/(-)=NEUTRAL


5) Grammar:
The better grammar you use the more points you have for "bogactwo językowe"

• Use conditional sentences:  "If you put a huge dog in a tiny apartment, both the owner and the dog will feel trapped and out of space"
  
•  Use  phrases with "one": " one needs to realize that that animals  tend to destroy things"
  
• Start sentences with a verb: "To have a pet greet you and crave your attention, could seriously boost your self-esteem" (this is not a simple sentence! remember to have a second clause as well)
  
• Start sentences with a gerund: "keeping that apartment clean will be extremely difficult."
  
• use linking words, also to give examples, reasons, and results of something: " For instance, long-haired cats or dogs shed during the summer, so the owner would need to vacuum more."
  (Doesn't this sentence look better than: "long-haired cats or dogs shed during the summer"?) By adding more info and having more elaborate sentences, you will be given more points!

Wait for the video on YT to be posted soon :D  Link
How to write opinion essay 

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