1. Introduction: topic + general answer to both questions
2. Answer the first question
3. Answer the second question
4. Conclusion: paraphrase the answer you gave in the introduction
Simon说，Introduction段可以只写两句，第一句引入主题，第二句表明立场。如：It is true that foreign films are more popular in many countries than domestically produced films. There could be several reasons why this is the case, and I believe that governments should promote local film-making by subsidizing the industry.
2. First reason - budgets for action, special effects, spectacular locations
3. Example - Hollywood blockbusters like Avatar or James Bond films
4. Second reason - the most famous actors, actresses and directors
5. Final reason - poor quality local filmmaking in many countries
Second main paragraph: Should governments give financial support?
1. Topic sentence - governments should support local film industries
2. Explain why - talented local film-makers need opportunities
3. Explain more - they need money to pay film crews, actors etc.
4. Explain consequences - would lead to employment, income, tourism
5. Example - invent an example about your country!
想好这五点之后，就很容易把这五句话串连成一个段落了，来看看Simon是如何将大纲中的词汇短语转化成一个个完整的句子的：There are several reasons why many people find foreign films more enjoyable than the films produced in their own countries. Firstly, the established film industries in certain countries have huge budgets for action, special effects and to shoot scenes in spectacular locations. Hollywood blockbusters like ‘Avatar’ or the James Bond films are examples of such productions, and their global appeal is undeniable. Another reason why these big-budget films are so successful is that they often star the most famous actors and actresses, and they are made by the most accomplished producers and directors. The poor quality, low-budget filmmaking in many countries suffers in comparison.
结论段Simon是这样写的：
In conclusion, I believe that increased financial support could help to raise the quality of locally made films and allow them to compete with the foreign productions that currently dominate the market.
It is true that foreign films are more popular in many countries than domestically produced films. There could be several reasons why this is the case, and I believe that governments should promote local film-making by subsidizing the industry.
There are various reasons why many people find foreign films more enjoyable than the films produced in their own countries. Firstly, the established film industries in certain countries have huge budgets for action, special effects and to shoot scenes in spectacular locations. Hollywood blockbusters like ‘Avatar’ or the James Bond films are examples of such productions, and their global appeal is undeniable. Another reason why these big-budget films are so successful is that they often star the most famous actors and actresses, and they are made by the most accomplished producers and directors. The poor quality, low-budget filmmaking in many countries suffers in comparison.
In my view, governments should support local film industries financially. In every country, there may be talented amateur film-makers who just need to be given the opportunity to prove themselves. To compete with big-budget productions from overseas, these people need money to pay for film crews, actors and a host of other costs related to producing high-quality films. If governments did help with these costs, they would see an increase in employment in the film industry, income from film sales, and perhaps even a rise in tourist numbers. New Zealand, for example, has seen an increase in tourism related to the 'Lord of the Rings' films, which were partly funded by government subsidies.
In conclusion, I believe that increased financial support could help to raise the quality of locally made films and allow them to compete with the foreign productions that currently dominate the market.
(294 words, band 9)
Last but not the least, Phoebe老师又要帮大家分析满分作文里面的词汇啦~
The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
1. What arguments and examples could you use to agree?
2. What arguments and examples could be used to disagree?
3. Which answer would you find easier: agree, disagree or partly agree?
Plan Your Idea
当同意和不同意都有一样多的论据可以陈述时，那我们在第一段Introduction段落中，就要表明自己对该问题partly agree。然后就要进行Plan Your Idea，即把每段要写的内容列成大概题纲。可能有同学会觉得这样会浪费时间，但Simon认为，如果你不plan your idea的话，很可能写到一半就不知道该写什么好，甚至会写跑题。接下来看一下对于这篇文章Simon是如何plan his idea的：
4-paragraph plan:
1. Introduce the topic of 'traditional ideas and modern life', then partly agree: some ideas are outdated, but others are still helpful
2. Paragraph about ideas which are not so helpful nowadays:
Work - having a career for life is no longer normal
Relationships - 'rules' about who and when to marry are changing
Gender roles - traditional fixed roles of men and women have changed
3. Paragraph about traditional ideas which we shouldn't forget:
Work - work hard, do your best, take pride in your work
Behaviour - politeness, good manners, respect for others
Community - help others, be a good neighbour, look after local area
"Hi Simon. I used your 4-paragraph structure with short introduction and conclusion, but I only got band 6.5. I need a band 7, so should I try a different structure?"
Simon：Can you see what is wrong with this question? The student is assuming that essay structure is the secret to a high score. But remember: even a great essay structure is nothing without good content (ideas, vocabulary, correct grammar). If you're stuck on band 6 or 6.5, you probably need to improve the content, not the structure.
It is true that many older people believe in traditional values that often seem incompatible with the needs of younger people. While I agree that some traditional ideas are outdated, I believe that others are still useful and should not be forgotten.
Simon用了It is true that…. While I agree…, I believe that…句型来分别陈述两边观点，这个句型非常灵活好用，建议大家立刻记在小本本上。
主体段落的写法
再来看Simon是如何写一个主体段落的：
In my opinion, some traditional views and values are certainly applicable to the modern world. For example, older generations attached great importance to working hard, doing one’s best, and taking pride in one’s work, and these behaviours can surely benefit young people as they enter today’s competitive job market. Other characteristics that are perhaps seen as traditional are politeness and good manners. In our globalised world, young adults can expect to come into contact with people from a huge variety of backgrounds, and it is more important than ever to treat others with respect. Finally, I believe that young people would lead happier lives if they had a more ‘old-fashioned’ sense of community and neighbourliness.
主体段落依然是五句话(topic sentence and 3 points),将上面ideas里面的核心词汇有逻辑地串连起来。
接下来Pheobe老师帮大家贴出完整的范文：
It is true that many older people believe in traditional values that often seem incompatible with the needs of younger people. While I agree that some traditional ideas are outdated, I believe that others are still useful and should not be forgotten.
On the one hand, many of the ideas that elderly people have about life are becoming less relevant for younger people. In the past, for example, people were advised to learn a profession and find a secure job for life, but today’s workers expect much more variety and diversity from their careers. At the same time, the ‘rules’ around relationships are being eroded as young adults make their own choices about who and when to marry. But perhaps the greatest disparity between the generations can be seen in their attitudes towards gender roles. The traditional roles of men and women, as breadwinners and housewives, are no longer accepted as necessary or appropriate by most younger people.
On the other hand, some traditional views and values are certainly applicable to the modern world. For example, older generations attach great importance to working hard, doing one’s best, and taking pride in one’s work, and these behaviours can surely benefit young people as they enter today’s competitive job market. Other characteristics that are perhaps seen as traditional are politeness and good manners. In our globalised world, young adults can expect to come into contact with people from a huge variety of backgrounds, and it is more important than ever to treat others with respect. Finally, I believe that young people would lead happier lives if they had a more ‘old-fashioned’ sense of community and neighbourliness.
In conclusion, although the views of older people may sometimes seem unhelpful in today’s world, we should not dismiss all traditional ideas as irrelevant.
(299 words, band 9)
Last but not the least,来帮大家总结分析范文中的词汇，供大家参考背诵。
incompatible:中文意为不和谐，容易让学生以为这个词只能用来形容社会，而英文释意two actions, ideas, etc. that areincompatible are not acceptable or possible together because of basic differences,所以建议大家背单词时多看英文释意，有助于准确运用词汇。
People have different views about whether parents or schools should bear the responsibility for helping children to become good citizens. In my view, this responsibility should be shared.
On the one hand, parents certainly have a vital role to play in the upbringing of their children.
On the other hand, school teachers may contribute almost as much as parents to the development of a child.
In conclusion, both parents and schools should work together to ensure that young people become polite and productive members of society.
有的同学可能会担心字数太少，Simon说如果大家看他的作文看多了, you'll see that I usually manage to write 250 words or more in this way. I think it seems a lot less scary if you think that your task is to write just 13 sentences!
雅思考官的满分作文都写250+，所以大家也不必一味追求字数，重点还是在于文章的内容，当然了，13句话也不是绝对的，Simon提醒大家: It is not a 'rule' that you must write 13 sentences. This is just my approach or method.大家写作文的时候要根据自己的情况而定。
接下来以这篇作文为例，大家先自己试着写一下Skeleton，然后和Simon写的做下比较
These days more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go out to work. What could be the reasons for this? Do you think it is a positive or a negative development?
Here's Simon’s sample essay skeleton:
Introduction
It is true that men are increasingly likely to take on the role of househusband, while more women than ever are the breadwinners in their families. There could be several reasons for this, and I consider it to be a very positive trend.
Main body 1, topic sentence
In recent years, parents have had to adapt to various changes in our societies.
Main body 2, topic sentence
In my view, the changes described above should be seen as progress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the changing roles of men and women in the family are a result of wider changes in society, and I believe that these developments are desirable.
大家的Skeleton是否清晰表达了整篇文章的观点和结构呢?是否发现自己写的文章比以往更加精简了呢?Simon说，For many of the students I've taught, a breakthrough (or big improvement) came when they found the confidence to write in a more 'simple' way. Simon认为，当你不再纠结文章中是否包含passives, conditionals or 'difficult academic words' 的时候，you are free to focus on answering the question and explaining your ideas coherently.你就会将注意力放在如何顺畅地表达你的观点。 It takes confidence to change your approach and to believe that the 'simple' way will work.这会更加自信用更加simple的方式来写作。
It is true that men are increasingly likely to take on the role of househusband, while more women than ever are the breadwinners in their families. There could be several reasons for this, and I consider it to be a very positive trend.
In recent years, parents have had to adapt to various changes in our societies. Equal rights movements have made great progress, and it has become normal for women to gain qualifications and pursue a career. It has also become socially acceptable for men to stay at home and look after their children. At the same time, the rising cost of living has meant that both marriage partners usually need to work and save money before starting a family. Therefore, when couples have children, they may decide who works and who stays at home depending on the personal preference of each partner, or based on which partner earns the most money.
In my view, the changes described above should be seen as progress. We should be happy to live in a society in which men and women have equal opportunities, and in which women are not put under pressure to sacrifice their careers. Equally, it seems only fair that men should be free to leave their jobs in order to assume childcare responsibilities if this is what they wish to do. Couples should be left to make their own decisions about which parental role each partner takes, according to their particular circumstances and needs.
In conclusion, the changing roles of men and women in the family are a result of wider changes in society, and I believe that these developments are desirable.
(274 words, band 9)
Last but not the least,小站的Phoebe老师来帮大家整理一下范文中的重点词汇~
breadwinners:非常有趣的合成词，字面上“挣面包的人”，引申为“养家糊口的人”
equal rights movements:这个词组也经常被用到女性话题的大作文中，“平等权利运动”
qualifications:“资历，资格”，非常高频的单词，它的各种形式都要背牢。
sacrifice their careers:“牺牲事业”。小站老师建议大家单词最好放到词组里背，这样才能知道怎么单词怎么用
