Crafting an A+ Essay

Crafting an A+ Essay

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand the key elements that go into an essay.

Introduce the learning objective and set the expectations for the lesson.

What do you already know about essay writing?

Slide 1: Introduction

An essay is a piece of writing that presents a coherent argument or analysis on a specific topic.

Introduce the concept of an essay and explain its purpose.

Slide 2: Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the main idea or argument of an essay. It states the writer's position on the topic.

Explain the importance of a strong thesis statement and how it guides the essay.

Slide 3: Introduction Paragraph

The introduction paragraph grabs the reader's attention, provides background information, and ends with the thesis statement.

Discuss the components of an effective introduction paragraph and provide examples.

Slide 4: Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs support the thesis statement with evidence, examples, and analysis.

Explain the structure and purpose of body paragraphs, and discuss the importance of topic sentences.

Slide 5: Supporting Evidence

Supporting evidence includes facts, statistics, quotes, or examples that strengthen the arguments in the essay.

Discuss different types of supporting evidence and how to effectively integrate them into the essay.

Slide 6: Conclusion Paragraph

The conclusion paragraph summarizes the main points, restates the thesis, and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Explain the purpose of a conclusion paragraph and provide tips on how to write a strong conclusion.

Slide 7: Editing and Revising

Editing and revising are crucial steps in the essay writing process. They help improve clarity, coherence, and grammar.

Discuss the importance of editing and revising, and provide strategies for effective self-editing.

Slide 8: Practice Activity

In pairs, analyze a sample essay and identify its thesis statement, introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Engage students in a collaborative activity to reinforce the concepts learned in the lesson.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.