argumentative essay

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Essay Writing 

By the end of the lesson you will be able to write a proper thesis statement and a body paragraph.

What is an essay?

Essay

1. Explanation introduction

2. Practise with introduction

3. Body paragraphs

An essay is defined as:

"a short piece of writing that expresses information (as well as the writer's opinion)."

argumentative essay definition

The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner. 

To write an essay, you should generally:

1- Come prepared (having read the book)                                                2 - Brainstorm your topic                                                                                3-  Develop a thesis (agree or disagree most instances)

4- Outline your essay                                                                                          5-  Write your essay

6- Edit your writing to check spelling and grammar

The argumentative essay:

Introduction;

1st paragraph with  1st reason: 

- topic sentence + evidence & explanation & link + wrap;

2nd paragraph with 2nd reason

- topic sentence + evidence & explanation & link + wrap-up;

3rd counterargument with evidence

Conclusion

Introduction

* first , second , third (& sometimes more) sentences are the lead to the Thesis statement;

Introduction

* write 1 , 2  maybe 3 sentences and then your thesis statement  in the last sentence: approximately 10 words per sentence =

approximately 50 words

(in the first 2 - 3 sentences write an interest grabber/hook)

Develop a thesis statement

Your thesis statement is the main point of your essay. It is one sentence that states what the essay is about. For example, your thesis statement might be  "The death penalty should be reinstated" or "Witch trials also happen in modern times".

* Use the thesis statement as the basic premise to write your entire essay about; 

* Remember that all of the different points lead back to this one main thesis; 

* State your thesis in your introductory paragraph;

*  Thesis statement should be broad enough.

Example introduction

In the novel Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok, Kimberly and her mother move from Hong Kong to New York, facing numerous challenges. As they adjust to their new life, Kimberly gradually becomes the head of the household. This essay argues that this role change was inevitable, explores Ma's mixed feelings of embarrassment and gratitude, and examines how Ma continues to fulfill her role as a mother despite the new challenges.

Example essay question

Why might the author have chosen the title Girl in Translation for this book? In what ways, other than language, is Kim a "girl in translation"? In what other kinds of translation does she engage?

Your turn!

Why might the author have chosen the title Girl in Translation for this book? In what ways, other than language, is Kim a "girl in translation"? In what other kinds of translation does she engage?

Think briefly about arguments you may use so they can help you build your introduction!

Write your introduction here

Body paragraphs

- Write one paragraph

Some help: The significance of the title + cultural translation

REMEMBER! Point - Evidence - Explanation - Link

Write one paragraph for your essay.

Conclusion

Restatement or summary of the main points;

& a final comment (if appropriate).

Make sure you do not write new arguments here. 

Conclusion

Write 2 , 3 or 4 sentences in which you restate or summarise your points;

Task

The Royals

De plaatjes zijn bekend genoeg: mooie mensen met mooie kleding, wuivend en lachend naar de menigte. Of het nu Engeland, Nederland of Denemarken is, we zijn bekend met het Koningshuis en alles wat daarbij hoort.

Wat vind jij daar nu van? Vind je dit waardevol voor Nederland, of is het alleen maar een poppenkast die we uit onze eigen zak betalen? Sterker nog, we betalen niet alleen voor het levensonderhoud van de Koning, maar voor zijn hele familie. Een President is dus automatisch goedkoper. En, wat vinden we in deze tijd van mensen die door geboorte in een hoge functie terecht komen en niet door wat ze presteren?

Aan de andere kant staat de familie ook symbool voor Nederland en is het voor ons een belangrijk middel om ons te presenteren aan andere landen. Daarnaast is het een traditie en tradities dienen in ere te worden gehouden.

Schrijf een essay over de positieve en negatieve aspecten van het Koningshuis. Waar staan zij voor in jouw opinie? Betrek hierin ook je eigen mening.