Practicing different writing styles is one of the most effective ways to build confidence and fluency in English. These four prompts cover common real-world scenarios — from expressing opinions to reporting events — and each one targets a specific type of written communication that you will encounter in academic, professional, and everyday contexts.
How do you write a strong essay introduction?
The first prompt asks you to state your position on whether social media has been a positive force for humanity [1:00]. An essay introduction should clearly present your viewpoint while acknowledging complexity. A useful technique is the "on one hand… on the other hand" structure, which shows balanced thinking.
Here is the sample approach:
- Open with a general statement about the topic.
- Express partial agreement or disagreement.
- Mention that opposing points also deserve attention.
For example: "Social media has given everyone the opportunity to connect with each other and share lots of things about our lives more easily than ever before." This opening line sets context before the writer shares a nuanced opinion [1:24].
What makes a formal letter effective?
The second prompt puts you in a practical situation: your airline lost your luggage and you need to write a letter requesting help [2:02]. Formal letter writing requires a polite tone and precise details.
Key elements to include:
- A proper greeting such as "To whom it may concern" when you don't know the recipient's name.
- Specific facts: your full name, flight number, date, and destination.
- A detailed physical description of the lost item — size, color, distinguishing features like "a yellow ribbon tied around the handle" [2:30].
- A clear closing request and a courteous sign-off like "All the best."
Notice how the sample answer keeps sentences short and direct. Every detail serves a purpose: helping the airline identify and return the bag.
How do you write a movie review with a personal voice?
The third prompt shifts to creative and critical writing [3:12]. A movie review combines personal feelings with concrete observations. The sample review of Pedro Almodóvar's Volver demonstrates this balance perfectly.
- Start with a brief impression: "an intriguing female-driven story with some unexpected twists."
- Highlight specific strengths like acting — "Penelope Cruz's portrayal of the main character was highly believable" — and visual elements such as colors [3:30].
- Include honest criticism: "I personally didn't care for a lot of the costumes."
- End with a numerical rating to give readers a quick reference point.
The word "intriguing" is a strong vocabulary choice that conveys curiosity without giving away plot details. Using adjectives like "believable" and "beautiful" adds specificity to your opinion rather than simply saying "it was good."
How does a news article differ from other writing styles?
The fourth prompt asks you to become a journalist and report an unusual event [4:12]. Journalistic writing follows the inverted pyramid model: the most important information comes first.
The sample article includes:
- When it happened: February 10th, at about 7:00 PM.
- What happened: a local bakery exploded in an apparent electrical fire.
- Consequences: no deaths, approximately three people injured.
- Response: the fire department arrived in time [4:30].
Notice the use of "apparent" before "electrical fire." This word signals that the cause has not been confirmed, which is a critical practice in responsible journalism. Words like "fortunately" and "managed to" subtly convey relief without abandoning a neutral tone.
What other writing styles can you practice?
Beyond these four prompts, consider styles such as persuasive writing for debates, descriptive writing for travel blogs, instructional writing for how-to guides, and narrative writing for storytelling. Each one develops different vocabulary and structural skills.
Try responding to all four prompts in the comments using vocabulary from previous classes. Share what other writing styles you enjoy practicing and compare your answers with the samples provided.
