Essay Writing Checklists & tips_Students

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4,5

Essay Writing

checklists & tips

  5 vwo

A. Basic essay structure

We are going to write a 5-paragraph argumentative essay in the exam.

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You will be needing these to help structure your essay.

An argument involves arriving at a judgement which is based on an evaluation of relevant ideas and evidence. An opinion, on the other hand, is a point of view formed without sufficient evidence to support it.

An opinion may be supported by facts and principles, in which case it becomes an argument.

Therefore

An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that takes a stance on an issue. In a good argumentative essay, a writer attempts to persuade readers to understand and support their point of view about a topic by stating their reasoning and providing evidence to back it up.

B. The introduction

The introduction consists of

1. The hook - unpack the question 
2. a bridge (primary source) and your dillemma
3. a thesis statement (prompt 1,2,3)

The first paragraph of your essay should outline the topic, provide background information necessary to understand your argument, outline the evidence you will present and states your thesis.

Thesis - CHECKLIST

Checklist for your thesis statement:

• Do you have a solid claim?
• Do you provide three 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?

C. Body paragraphs

The body paragraph consists of

(a transition)

1. the topic sentence
2. first example + explanation
3. more examples + explanations

(a transition)

This is a short essay so don't go overboard. Pick your ONE idea and use that

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?

D. The conclusion

• The purpose of a conclusion is to tie things up, summarize what has been said, and reinforce the main idea. 

• A conclusion is what you will leave with your reader: it "wraps up" your essay
• It demonstrates to the reader that you accomplished what you set out to do
• It shows how you have proved your thesis
• It provides the reader with a sense of closure on the topic

Conclusion - CHECKLIST

Checklist for your conclusion:

• Does it start with a transition?
• Does it open with a fresh restatement of your claim/thesis?
• Does it repeat your most important arguments in new words?
• Does it end with a closing statement?
• Are there no new topics / arguments?
• Does it make the reader care / agree with you?
• Did you use IN MY OPINION? If so get rid of it. 

The Bibliography

Primary Source

Secondary Sources