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3. Writing

3.1. Personal profile

In a personal profile you write about yourself (I am ...) or about another person (he/she is ...). For example you might include details of a person's appearances, personality or interests.

to write a personal profile
  • Give basic details about yourself in the first paragraph.
  • Be interesting! Use new paragraphs to give extra information about yourself.
  • Use linkers to connect your ideas.
  • Check your writing carefully. Think about grammar, vocabulary, spelling, word order and punctuation.
  • Use a range of vocabulary, including different adjectives, adverbs and verbs (NOT ONLY be, have and like).
  • Only give information that you thing the reader will find interesting. Don't try to describe every detail.
  1. Use the present simple for descriptions, the present continuous for events or situations happening now, and the past simple for memories.

'd like and 'd love

  1. Use an -ing form OR to + infinitive after 'like' or 'love.'
    • I love chatting.
    • I like to chat.
  2. BUT only use 'to+infinitive' after 'd like (would like) or 'd love (would love).
    • I'd like to go to France. NOT I'd like going to France.

Get ideas

  • Think of three or four key topics you want to talk about.
    For example:
    appearance, personality, interests, why this person is special ...
  • Brainstorm ideas for each topic. For example:

Plan

  • Choose the best ideas from your notes.
  • Organize your ideas into a paragraph plan. Always include a clear beginning and end.
    For example:
Paragraph 1 Introduction - basic details
Paragraph 2 Appearance and personality
Paragraph 3 Interests and lifestyle
Paragraph 4 Summing up; a personal comment


to talk about appearance

  • The first / main thing you notice about ... is ...
  • My / His / Her best / most striking feature is ...
  • ... look(s) / seem(s) (mysterious, etc.)
  • ... look(s) like (a model, me, etc.)
  • (I, etc.) take after (my mother, etc.).

to talk about personality

  • ... quite a / a really / not really a (funny, sporty, etc.) person.
  • For example, (e.g. yesterday he ... )
  • Most of the time, ... (be) ... , but sometimes ...
  • At first, ... seem(s), but when you get to know ... better, you realize that ...

to talk about memories

  • I remember (the time when) ...
  • I'll never forget (the time when) ...
  • One of my favourite memories is ...
  • When ... was a child / at school ...

to compare

  • ... (funnier / more intelligent / worse at dancing, etc.) than ...
  • ... (not) as (funny / intelligent / good at dancing, etc.) as ...
  • ... (quite / really) similar to / different from / to ...
  • ... very similar / completely different.
  • We've got lots / haven't got much in common.
  • Like me, / Unlike me, ...

to talk about likes & dislikes

  • ... (really) into (+ -ing / noun)
  • ... interested in / keen on / addicted to / obsessed with / passionate about ...
  • ... would rather (+ inf.) than (+ inf.)
  • ... spend(s) most of my/his/her time (+ -ing)
  • My / His / Her favourite (sport, etc.) is ...

Opinions of a person

  • ... is (a) very special / important (person) to me because ...
  • I feel very close to ... because ...
  • ... is one of the (kindest, most interesting, etc.) people I've ever met.
  • ... is someone who ...
  • What I admire / like most about ... is ...
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