3V Essay Lesson 1: Structure & Content

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Essay Writing

Lesson 1: Structure & Content

How to structure an essay?

How to make sure the content is 

relevant?

What is an Essay?

What is an argumentative essay?

1. Betoog
2. Beschouwing
3. Uiteenzetting

Argumentative Essay

Purpose (doel) 

= 

Convince (overtuig)

Je hebt een stelling (thesis) waarvan je anderen probeert te overtuigen met goede argumenten. 

Example Topics

Students must wear uniforms

All cars should be painted yellow

Homework should be banned

School should be four days a week

Video games should be banned

University should be free

Parents should be held legally responsible for the actions of their minor children

Thesis Statement

One sentence that expresses the main idea of your essay.

It is not a fact, it should be debatable.

Fact: Abortion is legal in The Netherlands

Thesis Statement: Abortion should become illegal in The Netherlands.

Create a Thesis (Practice)

Topic: School Uniforms?

1) Are you for or against wearing school uniforms? Decide on your opinion.

Ask yourself these questions as the basis for your brainstorm:

- Would you want to wear a school Uniform? Why/why not?

- Why might schools choose to have a school uniform?

What are some of the cons (nadelen) of wearing a school uniform?

What are some of the pros (voordelen) of wearing a school uniform?

What would be your thesis statement for this topic (school uniforms)?

Topic Sentences

Your argument in one sentence.

Example: Having to wear school uniforms does not allow students to find their own style.

Turn this into a topic sentence:
School uniforms: equality.

Turn this into a topic sentence:
School uniforms: rich & poor.

Turn this into a topic sentence:
School uniforms: uncomfortable

Build-a-Burger

• Decide on your topic

• Organize your ideas

• Write the body paragraphs

• Write the introduction

• Add the finishing touches

• Write the conclusion

• Write your thesis statement

Introduction

Main goal: Introducing the topic and grabbing the interest of the reader.

TIPS FOR WRITING THE INTRODUCTION

1. It needs to include a thesis statement.

2. It should introduce the topic.

3. It has to provide an overview of the paper.

Second, Third, & Fourth Paragraph

Main goal: Providing details, such as facts, quotes, examples & statistics.

TIPS FOR WRITING THE INTRODUCTION

1. Each paragraph needs a topic sentence.

2. The rest of the paragraph gives examples and evidence.

Conclusion

Main goal: Concluding the essay

TIPS FOR WRITING THE INTRODUCTION

1. Restate (herhaal) your thesis statement in different words.

2. Explain how each body paragraph supports the thesis statement.

DO NOT give new information in the conclusion

Assignment

Your thesis needs to be about animal testing. Is this good/bad? Should this be illegal.

Two arguments have already been given, so you just need to think of examples and evidence and create a nice topic sentence.

The third argument is up to you.

What would be your thesis statement?

What would be your three topic sentences?

TO DO

Write a first draft (eerste versie) of your essay about this topic. 

Use the thesis statement and topic sentences you've just come up with and make sure your essay follows the burger format. 

140-190 words

Next lesson: We'll look at the language you need to use when writing an essay and some common mistakes students make.