Guide to spelling, punctuation and grammar

Paragraph 4
The evidence seems to show that the media, with the
co-operation of the world of professional sport,
continually and deliberately feeds this
(1)
obsession.
(2)
Consider tabloid newspapers with their extensive
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H
OW TO WRITE ESSAYS

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coverage of the major sports, especially football. At
times, in these newspapers, world events are relegated
to minor importance compared with how Chelsea or
Manchester United are faring in their matches, or
whether England’s cricketers can beat Australia or
not. At times, it appears that the most important
news at any given time is what has been happening
on the sports fields. How many men turn to the sports
pages first when they open their newspaper? And
although there are fanatical female sports fans as
well, what we are talking about here is largely a
male obsession. 
(3)
Often women complain that their
husbands or boy friends can only talk with
enthusiasm about the football team they follow.
(4)
Paragraph 5
It can be argued, then, 
(1) 
that young men are less
‘socialised’ than young women. 
(2) 
This means they
find social occasions more difficult than young
women and forming lasting relationships more
problematical. Boys too often are taught not to show
feelings or ‘weakness’ so that there is a danger that
they become guarded and withdrawn. Expressing
their emotions becomes difficult as they mature.
Becoming a fan, then, can make up for that lack
because in the male group it is acceptable to show
intense emotions on behalf of your team whether it be
joy, disappointment, anger or enthusiasm. You are
allowed to cry tears when your team does well or is
defeated, because it is safely within the context of
being a fan. However, outside that context, too often
such a show of emotion would be dismissed as ‘cissy’.
(3)
Watching professional sport can be an outlet for male
emotions that are frowned upon in other situations.
(4)
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6 – S
AMPLE ESSAY
1:
A DISCURSIVE ESSAY

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