V6 Essay practice

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V6 Essay practice

Final touches

What do you want to improve, practise and/or learn as preparation for your SE?

In this LessonUp: Essay foci

Linking words and common mistakes

Argumentation: SExI/PEEL structure, thesis statements and topic sentences

Punctuation and academic language: shared OneDrive

Upping your game: variety and complexity in your language and grammar

Linking words

Furthermore

1. bovendien
2. in tegenstelling tot
3. sterker nog
4. als gevolg van

Eventually

1. aanvankelijk
2. uiteindelijk
3. totdat
4. op dezelfde manier

Conversely

1. in plaats daarvan
2. in tegenstrijd daarmee
3. daarentegen
4. desalniettemin

Similarly

1. als gevolg daarvan
2. bijvoorbeeld
3. op dezelfde manier
4. ten minste

Hence

1. totdat
2. vroeger
3. ondertussen
4. daarom

What mistakes might often be made in essay writing?

Common mistakes in essay writing

Content  

• Title - incomplete / not linked to content / Capital letters
  
• Thesis statement - incomplete / unclear
  
• Unclear structure/ arguments (MAKE IT SEXI / PEEL) 
  
• New arguments in conclusion 
  

You should be able to highlight your thesis statement and arguments in the text!

Common mistakes in essay writing

Grammar  

• Get-passive
  
• Word order
  
• Incorrect references:

these treatments lets – fireworks has its problems

Common mistakes in essay writing

Stylistic:

• Informal language: kids, stuff, things, really, very
  
• Contracted forms: don’t – do not 
  
• ‘You’-constructions (too direct):
  If you make something illegal ->  If something is made illegal 
  

Be specific in choosing your words. If you need to use an amplifier, your chosen word is not strong enough. E.g. very important -> vital/essential

Common mistakes in essay writing

Spelling

• to / too: it will be too late - others may be hurt too 
  

                       go to the cinema - to be clear 

• of / off:     switch something off – fall off  
  

                           of course – plenty of time 

• there / their: there is much violence there (location) 
  

                                  they mind their own business (possessive) 

Common mistakes in essay writing

Linking words:

• For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So, Because 
  

Don’t use these at the start of your sentences. Instead use cohesive devices and varying linking words:  However, Moreover, Therefore,  
At last, -> Finally, 
At first, -> First of all, / Firstly, / In the first place, 

Common mistakes in essay writing

Spelling

• to / too: it will be too late - others may be hurt too 
  

go to the cinema - to be clear 

• of / off: switch something off – fall off  
  

    of course – plenty of time 

• there / their: there is much violence there (location) 
  

    they mind their own business (possessive) 

Common mistakes in essay writing

Punctuation

Please remember to start your sentences with a capital letter and end them with a full stop. Make sure you write full sentences. 

Linking words need special punctuation, e.g.:

Moreover, ...

This happens, for example, when people forget to...

Essay writing: practice

www.abc.net.au

Agree or disagree?
A gaming curfew is a good idea.

1. I agree
2. Nope

Agree or disagree?
The government's gaming limit violates human rights.

1. Yeah!
2. I don't think so?

Agree or disagree?
Parents must control their children's online behaviour by means of screen time.

1. Yep
2. I disagree

Which question was most controversial?

Formulate a controversial thesis statement, based on the topic.

Argumentation: body

Introduction: hook - background - thesis statement

• 1: in favour – 2: in favour – 3: in favour
• 1: in favour (strongest) – 2: in favour – 3: possible against + rebuttal
• 1: in favour – 2: against (+rebuttal) – 3: in favour (strongest)

Conclusion: thesis statement - summary - bang

Also: paragraphs adopt SExI structure (State topic sentence, Explain and Illustrate) or PEEL structure (Point, Example, Explain, Link)

Pathos

Logos

Ethos

A celebrity tells you a new face cream works miracles for them.

Studying helps you get better grades.

Write a body paragraph on this thesis statement:
"Children under 16 should be legally obliged to have screen time to limit their exposure to the Internet"

Improve the following paragraph:
"Yet it is a violation of human rights to censor their access to online resources. You should only as a parent be responsible to educate your children. Media literacy training is a better way then letting the government censor people's online behaviour. Also, it is dangerous to pose a limit on the Internet.

Essay writing

What taken away as preparation for your SE?