Start essay writing

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

Cambridge Today 

Welcome! Today is all about essay writing. 

Today's goals 

After today's class, you...

• Know the purpose of an essay
• Can write a strong thesis statement
• Know the basic outline of an essay

What is the purpose of an essay?

What is the basic structure of an essay?

What is a thesis statement?

Yes! An essay is a body of writing that persuades the reader of a thesis. 

Thesis: The statement that you want to prove. 

Basic structure: 

• Introduction that finishes with a thesis statement. 
• Body: two arguments. Either two supporting arguments or one supporting and one counter. 
• Conclusion that starts with the thesis statement and a rephrased (!) summary of the arguments. 

Activity: rewrite the thesis statement

You and everyone else should play sports. 

Many people think that the weekend should be longer. 

Because it improves social understanding, more people should read. 

School starts at 8:15. Do you agree or not? Write the thesis statement.

Do you think that secondary schools provide enough emotional support?

Work together

The government urges schools to ban the use of phones. What do you think? 

 Discuss arguments (in English, obviously) and write the outline of a possible essay. 

Outline: Introduction, thesis statement, two arguments, conclusion. 

Essay prompt

Your class has attended a panel discussion on what are the greatest advantages of digital and computer technology for people in their everyday lives. You have made the notes below.

Advantages of digital and computer technology in everyday life

■ communication

■ access to information 

■ shopping and services

‘Being able to contact anyone at any time in any place is obviously the greatest advantage.’

‘The fact that people can instantly look up something and find out about it, or learn something new, is the greatest advantage.’

‘You don’t need to go out or spend a long time buying or paying for things and that’s the greatest advantage.’

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the advantages in your notes. You should explain which advantage you think is the greatest for people in their everyday lives and provide reasons to support your opinion.

Outline: Introduction, thesis statement, two arguments, conclusion.  220 - 260 words 

Today's goals 

After today's class, you...

• Know the basic outline of an essay
  
• Know the purpose of an essay
• Can write a strong thesis statement
• Can construct a basic outline of an essay

I know the basic outline and the purpose of an essay

Check!

No check. I still need some help

I can write a thesis statement

Check!

No check yet