4h - essay writing

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Essay writing

how to improve next year

In what style should the essay have been written?

1. informal
2. semi-formal
3. formal

Are you allowed to use abbreviations in essays?
(it's / there's / can't )

1. yes
2. no

Who is the audience for you essay?

1. your teacher
2. your friends
3. your parents
4. you yourself

Are you allowed to use 'you' / 'your' / 'we' / 'us' ?

1. yes
2. no

How many paragraphs should the essay contain?

1. 5
2. 4
3. 3
4. 2

Which of these should you NOT do in the first paragraph?

1. Say what you are going to write about
2. Introduce the topic
3. Stating your opinion
4. Write about 2 to 4 sentences

How many body paragraphs do you have to write?

1. 3
2. 2
3. 1
4. you can decide yourself how many you would like to write

What is the purpose of the first sentence of a body paragraph?

1. to give an example
2. to counter the point in the previous paragraph
3. to indicate what the rest of the paragraph is about

Which of these linking words are you allowed to use but are NOT considered advanced?

1. however / although
2. moreover / furthermore
3. for example / for instance
4. but / because / and / or

Which of these should you NOT do in your conclusion

1. repeat your examples
2. summarise your main points
3. state your opinion

Content

• Does the intro actually introduce the topic in about 3 sentences?
• Does the first sentence of the body paragraph indicate what the topic of the paragraph is?
• Do the body paragraph have relevant examples?
• Does the conclusion state your final and overall opinion on the topic?

Organisation

Is there a clear intro, 3 body paragraphs and a conclusion?

Have advanced linking words been used, such as:

for example, for instance, such as

moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides

therefore, consequently

although, despite, however, 

in short, all in all, to conclude, in my opinion

Language

Does the essay include abbreviations?

Has the word you / your / we / us been used?

Is the essay written in formal language?

Does the essay include advanced vocabulary and grammar?