3V1 Essay Basics

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Essay 101:
The basics of writing an essay

To do this lesson:

•  Pay attention
• Ask for clarification if needed
• Take notes (!)

Paragraphs

• An essay consists of multiple paragraphs.​
• A paragraph can be seen as a mini-essay (elaborates on 1 idea/point).​
• Writing a cohesive paragraph can be difficult.​
• PEAL can give a paragraph structure.

Why do you have to learn this?

Throughout your academic career, you will often be asked to write theses, essays or papers. You may have to work on an assigned essay for class, write a thesis for your graduation or write essays for college admissions.

PEAL

• A structure in a paragraph that contains 4 elements:​
• Point​
• Evidence​
• Analysis​
• Link​
• PEAL paragraphs should always contain these four elements. The point is introduced in the first sentence, followed by the evidence and analysis and concluded with the link.​

1. Point

• The point or claim being made in the whole paragraph.​
• The point/claim being made is never a question, but a statement.​
• What is this paragraph about (topic)?​ If you can answer this question, then that is your Point.​
• Also known as: topic sentence.​

2. Evidence

• Specific information, data, experiences, or other factual material used to support the point.​
• Use quotes from the documentary to underline your point made.​

3. Analysis

• The analysis is the elaboration, evaluation of the evidence given.​
• Link the evidence to the point; how does the evidence link to the point made? ​​

4. Link

• Mini conclusion to body of paragraph.​
• Links all your analyses to the thesis statement.​

Scaffold

In reality it should look a bit like this:​

​

Firstly, [… Point ...]. The following example supports this idea [... Evidence ...]. This quote/example (etc) clearly shows that [...Analysis...]. So, [... Link ...].​

​

Important general rules

• No contractions (can’t →cannot / don’t → do not).​
• Never start a sentence with: but/and/or.​
• When quoting use quotation marks “…quote…” 
• Point (=topic sentence) is never a question and never starts with ‘yes/no’.​
• Use lots of linking words and phrases

Argumentative Essay

• What killed Henry VIII? (assigned topic)
• Watch this Youtube video & take notes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCEnikOb8DI   

Steps to follow

Step 1: analyse the topic (watch the documentary & brainstorm)

Step 2: Plan the essay

Step 3: Choose your position (& thesis statement)
Step 4: Write! 

Henry VIII

King of England 1509-1547

House Tudor

Documentary: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30omwb