What makes an essay powerful enough to inspire revolutions and shape history? In this special episode, we explore Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience—a timeless call to resist injustice that influenced leaders like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Whether you're an ESL student, a college writer, or someone who loves great ideas, this episode offers insights into the art of persuasive writing, the courage of personal conviction, and the lasting impact of words. Discover why this 1849 essay still resonates today and what it can teach us about writing with purpose.

What makes a good essay for the Cambridge exams, at a B2 level? Find out in today's episode

SAMPLE ESSAY TASK

What can young people do to help the environment?

Write about:

1. Recycling

2. Using cars less

3. Your own idea

SAMPLE ESSAY (SIMPLE VERSION)

There are many things young people can do to protect their local environment. Some of these are recycling, using cars less, and planting tress.

First of all, they can make sure that things such as plastic containers, glass bottles and newspapers are recycled. They can also pick up an

y litter they find in the street and put it in a rubbish bin.

Secondly, nowadays the air is polluted because too many people use cars, even to go to very short distances. Young people can try to use public transport, walk or cycle to their destinations. By doing this, they would make their environment less polluted and they could be able to enjoy clearner air.

Finally, they can help to make their local environment greener by helping to look after public parks or gardens. They can also plant trees or help people who want to grow vegetables in their gardens.

To sum up, all these actions will make their areas look cleaner and more pleasant while helping to save the world's natural resources. We will all a better future if young people do everything in their power to protect and improve their environment.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE

Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know, or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.

If you know someone who is struggling with writing in English, you could also think about sharing this episode (or the whole podcast) with them. It might help them in their journey of becoming a better writer. Likewise, if you – or any of your friends – are taking official external exams, you will find valuable info and tricks for the writing part of your exams. You will find this especially relevant if you are taking the Cambridge Exams.

As we have covered in the previous episode, writing an article in an English exam context is just a way to show your examiners that you can write in a personal, direct, engaging way. What are the kind of things you will have to write about? Is there a sample article we could analyse? Can we have a glimpse of the features that will make it successful? Find out in today's episode.

ARTICLES - SAMPLE EXAM TASK

You see the following announcement on your college noticeboard.

MY BEST FRIEND

Tell us about your best friend for the college newspaper. We want to know:

• How you met this person
• Why he or she is so special to you.

We will publish the most interesting articles next week.

SAMPLE ANSWER:

AN INSEPARABLE FRIEND

Leah has been my best friend from that they when, aged seven, I climbed onto the school bus to go to my new primary School.

I wandered nervously down the bus, which was full of noisy kids shouting and laughing excitedly, and found a place beside a quiet girl with fair hair and friendly green eyes.

We were both very shy, so we didn't talk much to each other on the way to school, although we smiled at each other timidly. And when we went into class we naturally sat down at the same table. Gradually, we got to know each other: we played together in the playground, we visited each other's houses, and our parents soon became firm friends as well.

We still share each other's secrets and we have complete confidence in each other. When either of us as a problem, the other is always ready to help. We have so much in common that we spend most of our free time together. We've even been on holidays together sometimes. And we still share the same table at school 10 years later!

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE

Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know, or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.

If you know someone who is struggling with writing in English, you could also think about sharing this episode (or the whole podcast) with them. It might help them in their journey of becoming a better writer. Likewise, if you – or any of your friends – are taking official external exams, you will find valuable info and tricks for the writing part of your exams. You will find this especially relevant if you are taking the Cambridge Exams.

What is a report? Why should I care? How do I go about it? Find out in today's epidode

SAMPLE REPORT TASK:

The international organization where you work has a sum of money available for making improvement to the work environment in your office to make it more productive. You have been asked to write a report for your manager in with you

• Outline the problems with your work environment
• Summarize the improvement you and your colleagues suggested
• Recommend two changes.

Write your report.

SAMPLE REPORT ANSWER:

REPORT ON WORKPLACE IMPROVEMENTS

Introduction

The aim of this report is to outline the deficiencies in our present office environment and the suggestions which have been made for improvements, and to make recommendations for two changes.

The office environment

At present, the office suffers from a number of problems. Firstly, the air-conditioning system is antiquated and therefore noisy. This causes headaches and occasionally makes it difficult to hold telephone conversations. Also, the open office plan makes it difficult for people to concentrate on the work as they are frequently distracted by conversations in other parts of the office. Finally, many of the office chairs are uncomfortable and employees who spend long hours in front of their computers often complain of back ache.

Staff suggestions

Staff were consulted and they made the following suggestions: first, the air-conditioning should be replaced by a more modern, quieter system which provides cool air in the summer and heating in the winter. It was felt that this would reduce tiredness and improve morale, which would enable staff to work more productively. To deal with distractions from conversations there were two suggestions: either dividing the office with screens round each workstation, or having separate meeting rooms for necessary work discussions. Staff also requested more ergonomic office chairs.

Recommendation

As a first measure, I would recommend replacing the air conditioning and the office chairs. These two changes will have a direct effect on productivity by reducing absence due to sick leave and enabling staff to work more efficiently and more comfortably.

*****

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know, or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.

What's the Single Most Important Thing You Need To Know About PROPOSALS? No, not that kind of proposal... Proposals in an academic setting.

What Is a proposal, what is a report, and How Do they Work? Keep listening: here Is What You Should Do!

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE

Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that it helped you discovering something about writing that you did not know, or that it helped you looking at things from a different perspective. If you enjoyed it, you might consider leaving a positive review wherever you are listening. It might seem simple, but it really helps.

If you know someone who is struggling with writing in English, you could also think about sharing this episode (or the whole podcast) with them. It might help them in their journey of becoming a better writer. Likewise, if you – or any of your friends – are taking official external exams, you will find valuable info and tricks for the writing part of your exams. You will find this especially relevant if you are taking the Cambridge Exams.