V6 Essay practice

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• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

V6 Essay practice

Final touches

What do you want to improve, practise and/or learn as preparation for your SE?

In this LessonUp: Essay foci

Linking words and common mistakes

Argumentation: SExI/PEEL structure, thesis statements and topic sentences

Punctuation and academic language: shared OneDrive

Upping your game: variety and complexity in your language and grammar

What mistakes might often be made in essay writing?

Common mistakes in essay writing - title

Title

• incomplete 
  
• not linked to content 
• Capital letters 

APA Title rules:

• title case - each principle word starts with a capital letter.
  
• succinct and to the point.

Common mistakes in essay writing -Thesis statement

•  incomplete / unclear
• too long
• too vague
• not present

Remember - thesis = topic + opinion. Use should if you find it difficult to write a proper thesis statement. 

Common mistakes in essay writing -fallacies of reasoning

1. popularity (ad popular) - 'everyone knows........'

2. 

Common mistakes in essay writing - paragraphs

• Unclear structure/ arguments (MAKE IT SEXI / PEEL) 
  
• No topic sentence
• closing sentence unrelated to either TS of content of paragraph
• Ending with a long (example) quote.
• 
  

Common mistakes in essay writing -  references. 

• Using reference (quite often these/those/this/that) without (proper) antecedent. 
  
• 
  

Common mistakes in essay writing - style

Informal language: fine in speaking NOT in formal writing.. !!!!

•  kids, stuff, things, really, very
  
• Get-passive -  got robbed, get taken NOOOOOOOOOO
• phrasal verbs!!!
• Contracted forms: don’t – do not 

Common mistakes in essay writing

Stylistic:

• Leaving out info because it is 'understood/implied'. can lead to confusion. 
• ‘You’-constructions (too direct):
  If you make something illegal ->  If something is made illegal 
  

Be specific in choosing your words. If you need to use an amplifier, your chosen word should be strong/interesting. E.g. very important -> vital/essential

Common mistakes in essay writing

Linking words:

• For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So, Because 
  

Don’t use these at the start of your sentences. quite often you do not even need them. If you do use cohesive devices and varying linking words:  However, Moreover, Therefore,  
At last, -> Finally, 
At first, -> First of all, / Firstly, / In the first place, 

Common mistakes in essay writing

Punctuation

Please remember to start your sentences with a capital letter and end them with a full stop. Make sure you write full sentences. 

Linking words need special punctuation, e.g.:

Moreover, ...

This happens, for example, when people forget to...

Checking with AI

First check your essay using an AI tool such as:

Wordtune

ChatGPT

POE

Be critical! Do you agree with the suggestions? Why (not).

Is there anything the tool has not picked up on?

Revise feedback

Make a personal list of points you have to consider when writing your essay. Use the feedback of both AI and your teacher. 

Put everything in your binder and hand it in. 

Homework for next week. 

Write an essay using the last two texts from your reader. It must be hand written! You must use at least 1 quote and paraphrase 1 fact/opinion from the text. 

Essay writing: practice

www.abc.net.au

Agree or disagree?
A gaming curfew is a good idea.

1. I agree
2. Nope

Agree or disagree?
The government's gaming limit violates human rights.

1. Yeah!
2. I don't think so?

Agree or disagree?
Parents must control their children's online behaviour by means of screen time.

1. Yep
2. I disagree

Which question was most controversial?

Formulate a controversial thesis statement, based on the topic.

Pathos

Logos

Ethos

A celebrity tells you a new face cream works miracles for them.

Studying helps you get better grades.

Write a body paragraph on this thesis statement:
"Children under 16 should be legally obliged to have screen time to limit their exposure to the Internet"

Improve the following paragraph:
"Yet it is a violation of human rights to censor their access to online resources. You should only as a parent be responsible to educate your children. Media literacy training is a better way then letting the government censor people's online behaviour. Also, it is dangerous to pose a limit on the Internet.