GP, Focus on component 2: writing the essay

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Global perspectives year 2

Focus on component 2:

Writing the essay

Objectives

This lesson aims to clarify the structure and contents of  your Component 2 essay.

By the end of this class you might even have a rough draft of your research question.

Format:

1. Introduction: 

Opening paragraph(s): Thesis with concession, any term that needs 

clarified, and reflection on why this interested you.

2. Body:

Paragraph 1 etc. – Reason one, stated with the stem of the question. Be explicit! Proof of the reason presented: use quotes, data, and global examples (Do not describe it!) Cite all information you didn’t know when you started this. You cannot over cite. Close with the question stem and the reason tied to the point you made in the paragraph. You can start with the thesis or the concession, it doesn’t matter. 

Through the rest of the body, the same procedure is repeated for each reason

3. Conclusion

Closing paragraph(s) – reflection on how this has affected you and what you see as the future. Restate thesis with concession

Structuring your essay

The opening paragraph

What Cambridge wants you to do in the introduction:

- Introduce your topic.

- Contextualize the research question.

- Explain why this topic and research question is interesting and relevant.

- Introduce two or more perspectives. 

- End with your thesis in the form of a question.

Let's zoom in on the research question.

Use an interrogative essay/research question

• Start with a verb, preferably:  should/is/are/can  
• End with a question mark.                   

Should religious organisations be involved in education?          

Is nuclear energy a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels?

Can the genetic modification of food provide a solution to global poverty?         

Focus on the issue and set up a debate

Example:

Can the genetic modification of food provide a solution to global poverty? 

Overall topic:     Genetic engeneering

Focus:                   Genetic modification of food

Debate:                 Yes, it is. <->  No, it isn't. 

For every question you create, you always need to be able to explain what the issue is and identify a debate, so that you can develop perspectives and reach a conclusion which chooses between them.

Exercise

Consider the following two questions, which are both effective essay titles:

• Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in competitive sport?
• Is sustanability possible in developing countries?

For each question, identify:

•  the topic 
• the focus 
• the (two or more) perspectives

                                                                      -> Insert your answers into the next slide

Questions:
1. Should perrformance-enhancing drugs be allowed in competitive sport?
2. Is sustanability possible in developing countries?

Identify: 1. the topic, 2. the focus , and 3. the (two or more) perspectives

Common pitfalls

• Asking more than one question

Is nuclear energy a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and should we be doing this?

• Making the scope of the question too narrow 

Should a border wall be constucted between the US and Mexico?  

                                   Not a global issue: Should immigration be regulated through physical barriers?

• Making the question too broad 

How has the internet affected global political relationships?

                                   Be careful with Why/How questions: They tend to require a description or

                                   explanation. 

Research question assignment

You have composed a research question. Show this question to at least 3 classmates and ask them for feedback. When necessary rewrite your research question and email it to:

[e-mail]

Include in your mail what feedback you received from your classmates.