V5 Argumentative Essay Lesson 6

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2,3

Welcome! You need your wasp reporter, laptop, notebook & a pen.

Program

- Learning goals

- Review plan for next week

- The steps to writing an essay

- Write a (newly improved) essay plan

- Reflection/Evaluation 

- Homework

Learning goals

At the end of this lesson...

- I can understand the purpose of writing an a.e.

- I can understand the steps to writing an a.e.

- I can write a thesis statement.

- I can understand what common mistakes to avoid while writing essays. 

Librarians under attack

This week: write a new, improved essay plan based on notes taken during lessons. Practice writing and get feedback. 

Next week: write a practice essay in the lesson, based on your plan, get feedback. 

To do: study advanced grammar (e.g.: passive), idiom/synonyms, linking words/phrases. 

Write an argument
Scenario: you want to go on a vacation with your friends, which your parents think is both expensive and risky. Give a good argument defending each point. Why should they allow you to go?

Purpose of Argumentative Essay

To convince or persuade the reader that your position is valid (hence  objective evaluation in conclusion)

To influence the reader's opinion through your logical reasoning. 

How? You justify your position with facts, examples, expert opinions. The essay is not simply a presentation of facts or comparison of two objects/concepts. 

Structure of Argumentative Essay

Introduction paragraph

• Begin with a clear title. 
• Use an (attention-grabbing) introductory sentence/statement to pique the reader's interest. 
• Provide the necessary context. 
• End the introduction paragraph with a thesis statement that states your position. 

Structure of Argumentative Essay

Body paragraphs (TEXAS-structure)

• T (topic sentence): this is where you state the topic of the paragraph. 
• E (Explain): In this section, you will explain the argument/point and inform reader. 
• X (Example): Use a real-life example. You will be evaluated on how you utilize an example to support your argument. 
• A (Analysis): This section discusses how your example suports your argument. 
• S (Summarize): This often requires you to restate your topic statement in a more affirmative tone (bevestigende toon).

Structure of Argumentative Essay

Conclusion paragraph

• Summarize by going over your most persuasive arguments. 
• Use words that strengthen your arguments, such as: clearly, obviously, therefore, there can be no doubt, without immediate action, research strongly supports

Thesis Statement

What is the purpose of a thesis statement?

- Indicates the essay's main points

- To present a targeted argument on the subject. It offers a(n objective) opinion, a claim. The objective is to convince the reader (that the claim will be backed up by factual evidence). 

Thesis Statement

How to formulate a thesis statement

- State the main idea and give a reason(s) to support the main idea. 

Thesis Statement

How to formulate a thesis statement

- State the main idea and give a reason(s) to support the main idea. 

Example: The government should restrict smoking in public areas. 

What arguments could you think of to support this idea and add to the thesis statement? 

Thesis Statement

How to formulate a thesis statement

- State the main idea and give a reason(s) to support the main idea. 

Example: The government should restrict smoking in public areas, because everyone has a right to breathe fresh air and certain types of cancer will be reduced as a result of the restriction. 

Create a thesis statement with two arguments:
Should all students who graduate from high school be required to attend university?

Common mistakes to avoid!

Use of informal language:

- Nothing can't be done about it. 

- Global warming can't be real. 

- I think the government should prohibit smoking in public places. 

Common mistakes to avoid!

Use of informal language:

- Nothing can't be done about it. 

There is nothing that can be done about it. 

- Global warming can't be real.

Global warming is unlikely.

- I think the government should prohibit smoking in public places. 

The government, in my opinion, should outlaw/ban/prohibit smoking in public places. 

Common mistakes to avoid!

Avoid: starting sentences with "and", "so", "but" or "because"! These are linking words between sentences, not meant to be used at the start of a sentence. 

Avoid: one, they, you, someone/everything > teachers, educators, students, learners etc.

Watch out for: Their/there - Wich/which/witch - Then/than

Avoid: repetition (e.g.: in conclusion, rephrase your arguments)

Reflection/Evaluation

At the end of this lesson...

- I can understand the purpose of writing an a.e.

- I can understand the steps to writing an a.e.

- I can write a thesis statement.

- I can understand what common mistakes to avoid while writing essays. 

Homework

Work on the practice test 

Hand it in on Monday during class!