[situation], [problem], [solution(s)], [evaluation] and [conclusion (with qualification)].

 

Some time expressions for setting the situation/problem

generally used present perfect (has/have + ________en/ed):

The recent crisis

Over the past year the world economy has grown

Since 2008

For the last three years

In the last few years

For decades America has been fighting a war on...

Ever since the beginning of the recent financial crisis

Recently

For the past few weeks

For well over a decade there has been

This year, X has been

This week

Lately,

In the past half century

For many years

So far

Up to now

X has already

Three years ago, when the financial crisis began

generally used with past tense:

Last year researchers discovered

In 2008 a study showed

 

Moving to some other expressions for posing a possible solution

these are not necessary but can sometimes be used

 

One possible solution could be

In response, the German government has proposed

This has led some organizations to

Some have suggested that

This has raised the question of whether

has triggered widespread debate over the question of

sparked off a contentious discussion about

 

[evaluation] Proving your Point

 

LOGIC

Someone has proposed solution A

Everyone agrees X

If solution A, then B.
B would [cause, entail, result in, lead to ] not X

Although solution A could would ....., then .....

Order of the above can be mixed.

 

EVIDENCE

Recent research conducted by ..... has shown that

In a recent study

Evidence, however, has shown the contrary.

Scientists/Academics have presented evidence

A new review of studies suggests that

One study, published last month in the Journal of ...., found that

A global research group including Irish scientists has discovered that

New research has found that

A review of the all of the available evidence shows

 

conclusion (with qualification)

Further research to determine ..... is required, however the results do indicate that .....