V5 P4 W6 essay writing skills

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Basic rules

• We do our work when we should
• We are silent during explanations and raise our hands for questions
• Our phone is in our "zakkie" in our bag
• We don't eat, drink, or chew gum in class

learning goals

I know how to write a formal essay

I. Introduction   

          A. Hook

          B. Background information

          C. Thesis statement

II. Paragraph 1

          A. Topic sentence

          B. Evidence and/or examples

III. Paragraph 2 (same as paragraph 1)

IV. Paragraph 3 (same as paragraph 1) 

V. Conclusion

          A. Summary

          B. Significance

          C. Strong closing sentence 

Step 1: What is your point of view? Write a temporary thesis statement.

Step 2: Why is this your viewpoint and how are you going to persuade your readers? Brainstorm and think of arguments. Write down whatever you can think of.

Step 3: What is a natural order of presenting your arguments?

Step 4: Write your topic sentences.

Step 5: Write your introduction and body paragraphs. It doesn't matter in which order, you can start at any point.

Step 6: Re-write your thesis statement (if needed)

Step 7: Write your conclusion.

Step 8: Re-read your entire essay a couple of times. Make sure everything is tied together, makes sense, whether things are in the logical order, maybe add some linking words.

Checklist

• My essay follows the requirements of the assignment (topic and length).
  
• My introduction sparks the reader’s interest and provides any necessary background information on the topic.
  
• My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the essay.
  
• I use paragraphs to structure the essay.
  
• I use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.
  
• Each paragraph has a single focus and a clear connection to the thesis statement.
  
• I make clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.
  
• My conclusion doesn’t just repeat my points, but draws connections between arguments.
  
• I don’t introduce new arguments or evidence in the conclusion.
  
• My essay has an interesting and informative title.
  
• I have followed all formatting guidelines (e.g. font, page numbers, line spacing).

Checklist essay

Formal writing
Remember the following rules while writing a formal essay:

• Do not address your readers with 'you'. Doing this, can result in overly broad assumptions.
  You would feel the same way if something like that happened to you. 
  If this is not the case for the reader, they might stop reading your essay. Instead, say something like:
  Logically, one could feel angry when something like that happened. 

Formal writing
Remember the following rules while writing a formal essay:

• Do not address yourself or use any personal language
  I did not like the story.

    In my opinion...

• It is not about YOU and your opinion. You are presenting facts to support your argument. 

Formal writing
Remember the following rules while writing a formal essay:

• Avoid using contractions, such as they're, haven't, can't, etc. Instead, write out the complete words:
  This cannot be the case.
  Making this statement does not have the correct effect. 

Formal writing
Remember the following rules while writing a formal essay:

• Avoid using slang expressions.  Slang expressions are used in spoken language; however, they should not appear in a formal piece of writing. 
  Yeah, you could say that. 
  You guys understand what I'm saying. 
  Stuff like that seem interesting. 

Formal writing
Remember the following rules while writing a formal essay:

• Avoid using non-standard language, i.e. words that are not actually words. 
  This ain't right.
  I wanna talk about that.
  Anyways, ... 
  
  

Formal writing
Remember the following rules while writing a formal essay:

• Avoid using informal linking words at the start of your sentence. 
  But this is not the case here.  
  Because I believe something different. 
  And now let's talk about something else. 

• Instead, use:
  However, this is not the case here.
  As I believe something different. 
  Moreover, introducing a new point of discussion.