5H Essay Writing - Introduction + Body

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 5

Welcome back!!

Welcome back!!!

Lesson programme

Lesson 1:

- Discuss exc. 4 & 5 (last lesson)

- What is a reliable source?

- Information about introduction & body.

Lesson 2:

- Write a mock essay

Pre-knowledge:

What do you think about when I say: 'reliable source'?

Reliable sources

- So, what are they?

- How can I find them?

Reliable sources

Not every newspaper and magazine is reliable. There are newspapers and magazines that focus on human interests and want to pique interest by writing sensational headlines and articles.

How do you decide which website is reliable? Here are a few pointers:

• It is easy to contact the website managers
• Check the authors and their credentials
• The news is up-to-date

6. How reliable are anonymous sources?

1. You never know
2. Very reliable
3. Not reliable at all
4. Depends on the story

1. No example of a reliable site
2. Example of a reliable site
3. It depends if there are sources at the bottom

Structure of an essay

1. Title
2. Introduction paragraph with interesting opening and thesis statement. 
3. Body (one subject = one paragraph) - start with topic sentence
4. Conclusion: wrap up + rephrase thesis statement 

Pay attention!

Title:

- Writers usually think of a title AFTER they've written the essay.

- Make sure your title is catchy. Use the title to quickly get your reader's attention.

- The title may hint at your own position or pose a question.

What is a thesis statement?

Most important sentence in the introduction - it captures the essay's main theme or idea an thus serves as a guiding light for you, the author, and the reader. 

General essay structure

Essay writing steps

The different essay writing steps are listed on the next page > drag and drop them into the right order

• 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

When you write an essay (betoog), which do you find easier to write?

Introduction and conclusion?

Main body (body paragraphs)

Why start with the introduction then?

> It includes the thesis statement which is step 3 (after deciding on your topic and organizing ideas)

We will provide you with the topic (step 1) and will guide you through the organizing of ideas (step 2) for now

So that's why...

You should write the introduction first

Yes

No

In your introduction use a sentence like: "First I will explain the first argument, then I.."

Yes

No

You can start your introduction with an anecdote

Yes

No

B. The introduction

The introduction consists of

1. an attention grabber / hook
2. a bridge 
3. a thesis statement

B.1 The hook

The hook or attention grabber is used to get your audience interested in your essay topic. It can be, for example: 

• an anecdote
• an interesting fact
• your own definition of a term
• asserting that a problem exists
• a quote or statistic
• a rhetorical question (try to avoid this one!)

B.2 The bridge

• After the hook, you need to describe the topic or the problem in a few sentences.
• Your description should link your attention grabber to your thesis statement. It becomes a bridge between them.
• Try to put your opinion in the bridge too.

B.3 The thesis statement

The introduction ends with a thesis statement
A thesis statement should:

• Consist of a claim that you can argue (be in favor of or against) plus two key points
• Your key points are your main arguments in favor of your claim
• Be a declarative sentence (not a question)
• Be one sentence
• Not discuss the process of writing ("I am going to argue that...")

Thesis - CHECKLIST

Checklist for your thesis statement:

• Do you have a solid claim?
• Do you provide two key points that you can argue?
• Is it all in one sentence?
• Is the sentence a statement, not a question?
• Do you use linking words to link the claim and the key points?

Thesis - EXAMPLE 1

Phones should be banned in the classroom because the distraction is bad for learning and they negatively influence the relationship between teachers and pupils.

Claim

Key point 1

Key point 2

Thesis statements -Quiz

What makes the following thesis statements incorrect? 

Answer the questions!

Which of these statements is true?

1. A body par. should deal with one main topic
2. A body par. has to have minimum two examples
3. You need to explain your examples
4. All of the above

"Should phones be banned in schools? That is what I am going to discuss"

1. It is more than one sentence
2. It is a question
3. It talks about writing
4. There is no claim

"Phones should be banned in schools"

1. there is no claim
2. there are no key points
3. it isn't something you can debate
4. it is a question

"Phones are a distraction. That is why I think phones should be banned in schools"

1. It is more than one sentence
2. It is a question
3. There is an opinion
4. There is only one key point

Body

You've got to use at least 3 pro/cons:

Pro/Con 1: Topic sentence to introduce your 1st argument. + Linking words (first/first of all/firstly) + use examples and your research to support your argument

Transition - EXAMPLE 1

Example of a transition word at the  start of a new paragraph. 

Secondly, / Moreover, / What is more, Research has shown that the classroom environment becomes less safe when children are allowed to use their phones ...

Body

You've got to use at least 3 pro/cons:

Pro/Con 2: LINKING WORDS! Connect this paragraph to the previous one. + Topic Sentence + Elaborate (use your research and examples) + use a con and counter this argument (weerlegging)

Topic sentence - EXAMPLE 1

Thesis statement (Claim + key point 1 + key point 2)

Phones should be banned in the classroom because the distraction is bad for learning and they negatively influence the relationship between teachers and pupils.

First body paragraph: 

First of all, it should be no surprise that children cannot learn effectively when they are distracted by their phones all the time.

Body

You've got to use at least 3 pro/cons:

Pro/Con 3: LINKING WORDS!! Connect to the previous paragraph + TOPIC SENTENCE: use your strongest argument + elaborate + use a con and counter this.

C.4 The counter-argument

Your third body paragraph can be

1. A third argument in favor of your thesis statement that you haven't mentioned as a key point in the introduction
2. A counter argument that you disprove in the same paragraph

If you choose to do a third argument in favor, just repeat the steps in the slides above:

Write a transition, a topic sentence and provide examples and explanations.

C.4 The counter-argument

If you choose to do a counter-argument, you need to focus on disproving the argument rather than on the counter-argument itself.

The counter-argument should be a way to strengthen your own claim, not make your readers doubt you!

You can concede a point, but always turn it in your favour with the examples and explanations that follow. Those are you ACTUAL argument.

C.4 The counter-argument

The counter-argument paragraph should consist of

(Transition)

1. Topic sentence - the counter argument

2. First example and explanation to DISPROVE the counter argument 

3. Second example and explanation to DISPROVE the counter argument

(Transition)

EXAMPLE

Some may say that phones can motivate students to learn when used in the classroom, and that they therefore should not be banned. It is true that students enjoy using their phones in class, and that they can be used in a way that makes didactic sense. However, that does not mean that phone use should be allowed in class in general. For example,  teachers might decide to have designated parts of the lesson in which phones are used in a didactically sound activity. Furthermore, it is not necessary to allow phones in order to provide a motivational learning activity . A good teacher has a repertoire of activities and techniques to motivate students, and using an electronic device is only one of those. It is therefore not necessary to allow phones in class in order to motivate students.

Counter argument - conceding the point - example to disprove - explanation to disprove

What should definitely be in the introduction?

1. a topic sentence
2. a thesis statement
3. a concluding sentence

Body paragraphs - CHECKLIST

Checklist for your body paragraph:

• Does it start OR end with a transition?
• Does it open with a clear topic sentence?
• Does the topic sentence reflect one of the key points from your thesis statement?
• Do you provide at least two examples and explanations?
• IF it is a counter-argument, do you disprove it?
• Do you stick to one topic per paragraph?

BIG NO + advice

* No abbreviations (I'm / I've)

* Absolutely NO "gonna, wanna, CU, me2" !

* Avoid simple language and repetitions

Advice: Try to use synonyms + formal words & passive tense

I think that people are intelligent  People are thought to be intelligent

Essay quiz 

True or false?

A topic sentence is the same as a thesis statement

1. true
2. false

Every example needs an explanation

1. true
2. false

Transition words can only be used at the start of a paragraph

1. true
2. false

You need to prove the counter argument is correct

1. true
2. false