goals

Part One: Getting Ready to Write & Your Turn

You will write about your partner’s milestone which was presented in Use of English 5-1. But before, let’s take a look at an example. Talk to your partner(s) about any differences or similarities you notice with the spoken presentations. Think about length, language, connected ideas, etc.

Back when Tom was younger, he would always think to himself, “I want to be successful and live in a big city!” Tom had never been to a big city before, which is something his mother would remind him of all the time. How would he survive? This inexperience only drove him to want the big-city life even more.

Every day, he would apply for jobs in big cities - any big city! New York, Toronto, London...you name it! He practically begged these companies to let him work for them. However, it was rejection after rejection. Most companies didn’t even reject him, they just didn’t respond to his application submissions. One morning, he realized that he didn’t need one of these companies to hire him. Rather, they needed him. The moment he realized this, he rewrote his resume and cover letter to frame their needs, not his. As a result, the acceptance emails started rolling in, and he had to choose which company he wanted to work for (which company would have the honour of having him work for them).

At long last, he accepted a job in which both he and his employer listen to each other, feed off of each other, respect each other, and succeed together. His boss has bought his coffee every day for over a year now! She says she needs him to be sharp. But in reality, they need each other to get the work done. Tom made it to the big city and has been thriving ever since! This is the happiest he has ever been. His mom has never been happier… like back when they shared a wall.

When sharing a personal story, it is common to follow a specific structure.

Paragraph 1

  • Purpose:
    • Introduction to the person
  • Common phrases used:
    • At one time…
    • Back when...


 

  • Purpose:
    • Glimpse into that person’s life
  • Common phrases used:
    • Every day …
    • ...all the time.
    • Each day…

Paragraph 2

  • Purpose:
    • Exciting moment/event/person that changes everything
  • Common phrases used:
    • One day…
    • Eventually…
    • Overnight…
    • One morning…


 

  • Purpose:
    • Result of the exciting moment/event/person that changes everything
  • Common phrases used:
    • Because of that…
    • Consequently…
    • As a result…
    • Therefore…
    • Due to...

Paragraph 3

  • Purpose:
    • Present results of how life has changed
    • Common phrases used:
      • Ultimately…
      • Finally…
      • At long last...

Exercise

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