VWO 6 Writing an essay Class 3 (21-22)

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VWO 6 - Writing Class 3

Today

Class work

- how to write your conclusion

- review essay writing

- using correct punctuation

Individually

- practise writing conclusion

Goals

• Ik weet hoe ik een conclusie moet schrijven.
• Ik heb geoefend met het schrijven van een conclusie. 

What is a conclusion?

The conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay. A strong conclusion aims to:

• Tie together the essay’s main points (summarizing)
• Show why your argument matters (significance)
• Leave the reader with a strong impression (final closing sentence)

How to write a conclusion?

Step 1: Return to your thesis

Don’t just repeat your thesis statement—instead, try to rephrase your argument.

Step 2: Review your main points

Avoid simply summarizing each paragraph or repeating each point in order; try to bring your points together in a way that makes the connections between them clear.

How to write a conclusion?

Step 3: Show why it matters

Whatever your essay is about, the conclusion should aim to emphasize the significance of your argument.

Step 4: Leave the reader with a strong impression

Try to end with a strong, decisive sentence, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of interest in your topic.

What should not go in the conclusion? 

Don’t include new evidence.

Any evidence or analysis that is essential to supporting your thesis statement should appear in the main body of the essay.

Don’t undermine your argument

There may be many possible approaches to the topic, but you want to leave the reader convinced that yours is the best one.

What to do? 

Again think of this topic: 

Can a class size influence student performance? 

After having written an introduction and body paragraphs, now write a conclusion.

Finished?

- continue with this Lesson Up on next slide

Punctuation

While writing in English, it is important that you use punctuation correctly. Therefore, in preparation for your writing test, we are going to discuss the following types of punctuation:

- full stop (.)

- comma (,)

- colon (:)

- semicolon (;)

- apostrophe (') 

- exclamation mark (!)

- question mark (?) 

Punctuation - full stop

A full stop (.) marks the end of a sentence. A full stop is always followed by a capital letter. 

Example

Louis went to the shop. He bought some sweets. 

Punctuation - comma

A comma (,) is used:

• to seperate independent clauses before a linking word (and, but, so, yet, etc) 
  He walked down the street, and then he turned the corner.
  You can go shopping with me, or you can go to a movie alone.
• after formal linking words 
  However, there is no reason to believe this statement. 
  In addition, he managed to escape prison after having been there for three years. 
• when listing items
  We bought apples, peaches, and bananas today.
  Mary promised that she would be a good girl,that she would not bite her brother, and that she would not climb onto the television
• before and after essential relative clauses 
• before and after clauses that give additional information
• before direct quotes
• in dates, addresses, titles and numbers 

Punctuation - comma

A comma (,) is used:

• before and after essential relative clauses 
   Steven Strom,whose show you like, will host a party next week. 
   John,who spent the last three days fishing,is back on the job again.
• before and after clauses that give additional information
  Alexander Pope,the Restoration poet,is famous for his monologues. 
  The New YorkJets,the underdogs,surprised everyone by winning the Super Bowl. 
• before direct quotes
• in dates, addresses, titles and numbers 

Punctuation - comma

A comma (,) is used:

• before and after essential relative clauses 
   Steven Strom, whose show you like, will host a party next week. 
   John, who spent the last three days fishing, is back on the job again.
• before and after clauses that give additional information
  Alexander Pope, the Restoration poet, is famous for his monologues. 
• before direct quotes
  Mary said,“I dislike concerts because the music is too loud.”
• in dates, addresses, titles and numbers 
  On December 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of Sitting Bull.
  John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940.
  Sandra Belinsky, MD, has been appointed to the board.
  3,500 - 100,000 - 6,000,000

Punctuation - comma

A comma (,) is used:

• in dates, addresses, titles and numbers 
  On December 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of Sitting Bull.
  John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940.
  Sandra Belinsky, MD, has been appointed to the board.
  3,500 - 100,000 - 6,000,000

Punctuation - colon

A colon (:) is used to announce, introduce, or direct attention to a list, a noun or noun phrase, a quotation, or an example/explanation:

• We covered many of the fundamentals in our writing class: grammar, punctuation, style, and voice.
  
• My roommate gave me the things I needed most: companionship and quiet.
  
• Shakespeare said it best: “To thine own self be true.”
  
• Many graduate students discover that there is a dark side to academia: late nights, high stress, and a crippling addiction to caffeinated beverages.

Punctuation - semicolon

A semicolon (;) is used to join two sentences, especially in front of a formal linking word:

• I went to the grocery store today; I bought a ton of fruit; apples, grapes, and pears were all on sale.
  
• She said that she was ill; therefore, she wouldn't be at his party. 
•  I have a big test tomorrow; nevertheless, I would love to go out tonight.

Punctuation - apostrophe

An apostrophe (') is used to indicate possession. It is never used to indicate a plural form! 

• This is Jessica's brother.
• We went to the baker's in London.
• My sisters' bikes are bigger than mine. 

Punctuation - exclamation mark

An exclamation mark (!) is used to express a strong emotion. This is usually not present in formal pieces of writing (such as your essay): 

• “Stop!” he yelled. “You've got two flat tires!”
  
• “I've had it with your lies!”
  
• “Get off my lawn!”

Punctuation - question mark

A question mark (?) is used at the end of a question. Questions can appear in a formal piece of writing; however, they are not really common. 

• Who cares?
  
• Isn't it a beautiful day?
  
• Are you kidding me?

Punctuation - practise

The comma is misused or forgotten most often. 

Therefore, please do the following assignment in which you have to insert the commas in the correct places. 

Re-type the sentences, using commas

where necessary.

Are you attending my graduation or are you visiting your aunt in Chicago?

Marty ate four pancakes two bacon strips and a bowl of grits.

The movie although Susan enjoyed it immensely left her in tears.

Simon Blake a well-known lawyer may run for governor.

If you ever need a ride Judy just let me know.

“I’ll eat the eggs” said Jane “if you’ll eat the bacon.”

The winner of the contest will receive $1000000.

Although the sky was cloudy no rain was in the forecast.

What to do? 

Look at the text in the next slide. 

Re-write this text, adding or deleting commas when necessary. 

Hand this assignment in through email. 

With her mortarboard firmly on her head Tammy, took her place in the graduation procession which was held on May 12 2009. She told her mother Louisa that she wanted to be the first in the family to get a college degree which would also help her get a good job. In her mind either you could get a degree after high school or you could get a degree later but eventually everyone in the United States would need a college degree. When the chance came for her to go to college, and pay for most of it herself she decided it was a chance she could not afford to pass up. Each course she took in her ambitious undergraduate curriculum was another triumph for her. Another 15 weeks of reading staying up late at night writing studying and sitting at uncomfortable desks never scared Tammy. As she marched off the stage Tammy clutched the diploma in one hand, and hurled her mortarboard into the crowd with the other. She yelled “Yes! I made it!” When she got through the crowd and reached her family she screamed “Mom I did it!”

Today

We have talked about conclusions. 

We practised using punctuation. 

Next class

Review essay writing

Formal language use

Have a nice weekend!