V5D 10-11 Essay Writing

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

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Today

Essay writing

• Where to start?
• What should be in the intro, body and conclusion of an essay?
• Examine some examples of essay paragraphs
  

But before we start...

Have you started reading yet? What do you think about the book so far?

Argumentative Essays

Guiding questions

• What steps do you need to take before you start writing?

• What is "the five paragraph structure"?
• What should be in the introduction, body and conclusion of your essay?
  

Guiding questions

• What steps do you need to take before you start writing?

• What is "the five paragraph structure"?
• What should be in the introduction, body and conclusion of your essay?
• Bonus Question: Would this be different if your essay question is about a book? Why/Why not?
  

Activity

•  You will get two examples of an essay. One is a bad example and one is a good example.
  
• In groups, try to find as many differences between the two essays as you can.
  
• Pick a group captain, a writer and a speaker.
  
• Think about: Language, structure and referencing.
  

Discussion time

Why is the first sample good?

• The introductory sentence immediately tells the audience your topic.

• The opening paragraph supports the opening sentence.

• The second paragraph supports the first paragraph.
• There are no spelling errors, and the writing is clear and concise.

Why is the second sample bad?

• The opening sentence is not on target, and it has a spelling error.
• The second sentence states a fact, but no cited source is provided - plagiarism!
• The rest of the paragraph begins to discuss the topic, but not clearly enough to allow the audience to see where you are heading.
• The quote used does little to support the opening sentences.
• Grammar errors  and run on sentences are present as well.

Some additional tips

•  After researching your topic and looking at the essay questions think of a thesis or research question.
• What are you going to research in your essay, what is your claim?
• Make sure to include your thesis/research question in your introduction.
• Every paragraph in the body of your essay should help to answer/defend your question/thesis.
• The first (or second) sentence of every paragraph is most important. In this sentence you have to lay out your argument.
  

What did you learn this lesson? What part of essay writing would you like to focus on next week?

Homework and planning

•  Homework: continue reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" and prepare for reading test.
  
• Thursday 3rd hour: reading test!
• Thursday 7th hour: reading/credits