Vocabulary alternatives for Essay Writing

Trying to think of different ways of saying the same thing? Add variety to your essay with these suggestions:

The author

… tries to persuade

… wants to convince

… attempts to entertain

… endeavours to impress

… wants to inform

… speaks about

…emphasises

…deals with

…is concerned about

…puts forward the argument that

…assumes that

…comments on

….draws the conclusion that

…gives a personal interpretation of

…expresses the view of

…refers to

…supposes that

…presents a thesis based on

The author‘s

…text discusses

…main idea

…context

…narrative

…purpose

…personal commentary

…presentation

The text

… deals with

…concerns the

…presents

…describes how

…assumes

…provides

…discusses several

The text’s

…techniques include

…structure

…purpose is

…narrative focuses on

HSC Discovery Concept Statements

The new Discovery module for HSC English requires students to understand concepts and ideas around the topic of discovery. Here are some concept statements, definitions and expanded ideas that might help you achieve a Band 6 English result!

Discovery is the process by which our lives are enriched.

-          Enriched = enhanced, refined, skilled

-          We can be enlivened by new experiences, new friendships and new knowledge of identity or the world.

It is through discovery that we grow to maturity.

-          Mature = sophisticated, accomplished, developed

-          As we experience new situations and friendships we learn to appreciate differences in culture, people and landscapes.

Discovery allows us to view life in a new and fresh way.

-          Fresh = original, different, unusual

-          New experiences and knowledge add to our understanding of the world and ourselves, enriching our lives and those around us.

Discovery can initiate new values in both a personal and global context.

-          Global = universal, comprehensive, international

-          Context = framework, situation, background

-          The values we exhibit are moulded and challenged by new experiences and knowledge of the world and ourselves

The process of discovery is the journey of life.

-          Life = existence, being

-          As the world around us changes, so do our values, experiences and friendships.

Discovery is the process by which humanity advances.

-          Humanity = humankind, society, people

-          Our cultural and self identity is enriched and modified by our personal connections and connections with others.

 

What's another word for SHOW?

Constantly using the same words in your essay? Does your teacher ask you to use other words than 'show'?

Here's a useful list:

accord

act

afford

appear

assert

bestow

cite

clarify

confer

confirm

demonstrate

determine

direct

disclose

discover

dispense

display

divulge

elucidate

emerge

establish

evince

exhibit

explain

expose

give

guide

illustrate

indicate

instruct

lead

note

offer

point out

present

proclaim

produce

prove

represent

reveal

set out

showcase

steer

unfold

unfurl

unveil

Reading Comprehension (2) - late Primary

This is an article from a newspaper about archaeologists discovering new ruins in Peru. The reading is for late primary or early high school aged students. A list of sample comprehension questions is included in this lesson plan.

The Ruins of Sechin Bajo.
( SMH - February 26, 2008 )



A ceremonial plaza built 5500 years ago has been discovered in Peru, and archaeologists involved in the dig said carbon dating shows it is one of the oldest structures ever found in the Americas.


A team of Peruvian and German archaeologists uncovered the circular plaza, which was hidden beneath another piece of architecture at the ruins known as Sechin Bajo, in Casma, 370 kilometres north of Lima, the capital. Friezes depicting a warrior with a knife and trophies were found near the plaza.


"It's an impressive find; the scientific and archeology communities are very happy," Cesar Perez, the scientist at Peru's National Institute of Culture who supervised the project, said on Monday. "This could redesign the history of the country."


Prior to the discovery at Sechin Bajo, archaeologists considered the ancient Peruvian citadel of Caral to be one of the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, at about 5000 years.


Scientists say Caral, located a few hours drive from Sechin Bajo, was one of six places in the world - along with Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India and Mesoamerica - where humans started living in cities about 5000 years ago.


"The dating done by the German archaeologists puts it at about 5500 years," Perez said of the plaza, which has a diameter of about 14 metres.


Earlier finds near Sechin Bajo had been dated at 3600 years, and there may be other pieces of the citadel older than the plaza.


"We've found other pieces of architecture underneath the plaza that could be even older," German Yenque, an archeologist at the dig site, said. "There are four or five plazas deeper down, which means the structure was rebuilt several times, perhaps every 100 to 300 years."


Hundreds of archeological sites dot the country, and many of the ruined structures were built by cultures that preceded the powerful Incan empire, which reached its peak in the 16th century, just before Spanish conquerors arrived in what is now Peru.


There are so many archeological treasures that tomb robbing is a widespread problem in the Andean country.


Yenque said the scientists are filling in the site with dirt to preserve it and plan to resume excavation of the deeper floors when they get more grants to fund the project.


"We are lucky it was never destroyed by tomb robbers; that is why we are covering it up now," Yenque said.

Sample Questions
Why are the ruins of Sechin Bajo important?
 
Who discovered them?
 
What are some of the major problems faced by the archaeologists?
How are they overcoming these issues?