6V - essay writing

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• Middelbare school
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• Leerjaar 6

6V - essay writing

Recap 

How many paragraphs does an essay have?

1. 3
2. 5
3. 4
4. 6

Which three elements make up a strong thesis statement?

1. Hook, background information, conclusion
2. Topic, stance, reasons
3. Evidence, counterargument, summary
4. Introduction, body, conclusion

What is NOT important for a thesis statement?

1. that it is focused
2. that it is debatable
3. that it is as short as possible
4. that it picks a side

📝 How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

A strong thesis has three key parts: 

✔ Topic – What your essay is about

✔ Stance – Your position or argument

✔ Reasons – Why you hold this stance

Example:

❌ Social media is important. (too vague)

✅ Social media should be regulated because it spreads misinformation, affects mental health and invades privacy. (clear & debatable)

🎯 Tips:

✅ Be clear and specific

✅ Make it debatable

✅ Avoid broad or obvious statements

What do you NOT do in an introduction?

1. Give your first argument and a short explanation
2. Include a hook to grab the reader's attention.
3. Give background information on the topic that your are writing about
4. Present your topic in a thesis statement

What is a HOOK in an essay?

1. A sentence that summarizes the main points of the essay.
2. A sentence that introduces the thesis statement directly.
3. A question, fact, quote, or statement that grabs the reader’s attention.
4. A phrase that repeats the essay’s main argument.

🪝 What is a Hook?

A hook is the first sentence of an essay that grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to keep reading.

Types of Hooks:

🔹 Question – "Have you ever wondered how social media affects mental health?"

🔹 Fact/Statistic – "Over 60% of teenagers report feeling anxious due to social media pressure."

🔹 Anecdote – "Last year, my friend deleted all social media apps—and her stress levels dropped instantly."

🔹 Quote – "Mark Twain once said, 'The secret of getting ahead is getting started.'"

🎯 A good hook is engaging, relevant, and smoothly leads into the thesis statement.

Why are linking words important in an essay?

1. They help connect ideas and make the writing clearer and more logical.
2. They add extra words to make the essay longer.
3. They replace the thesis statement.
4. They are only used in introductions and conclusions.

Why Are Linking Words Important?

Linking words (also called transition words) help connect ideas and make writing clearer and more logical. They guide the reader through your argument and show relationships between sentences and paragraphs.

Examples:

📌 The government introduced new environmental policies. Some companies refused to comply. Pollution levels continued to rise. --> choppy and disconnected

📌 The government introduced new environmental policies. However, some companies refused to comply, and as a result, pollution levels continued to rise. --> fluent and cohesive

What linking word can we use instead of "Also..." (een opsomming)?

1. Moreover,
2. Therefore,
3. In addition,
4. However,

What linking word can we use instead of "But..." (een tegenstelling)?

1. Although,
2. Furthermore,
3. In addition,
4. However,

To do!

Not to do!

Use formal language

Use of abbrevations

Use of "I" or "we"

Use a broad vocabulary

A clear focus on what the argument is