HOLES: Essay writing: NEW MODEL

• English
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

How do you turn questions in to an essay?

Step 1. Separate your ideas in to paragraphs

Step 2. Make a plan

Step 3. Write a first draft 

Step 4. Write a second and final draft

Step 5: Think or a title.

Today we are going to look at  how to plan and paragaphs

Essay Layout

Title

Introduction           including your essay question)

Body Paragraph One       showing evidence from the book to 

Body Paragraph Two       help answer your essay question

(Possibly: Body Paragraph Three)

Conclusion       summarise your answers

Introduction

The main purpose of the introduction is to create interest so the reader wants to find out what you have to say about the book.

Firstly, start with a personalised question. This connects the reader to your essay and makes them want to continue reading, and secondly, at the end of the first paragraph include your essay question.

Topic Sentences:

A "Topic Sentence" lets the reader know what your paragraph is going to be about. It introduces your new paragraph: 

Stanley hadn't always been a happy and confident boy, before he went to Camp Green Lake he didn't have any friends and was often bullied for being overweight. 

You don't need to indent, it is a bit old fashioned. But leave a blank line between your paragraphs instead.

Body Paragraphs:

Leave a blank line between your paragraphs

Start with a Topic Sentence

Find evidence from the book to answer the essay question

Conclusion

Do not add anything new in your conclusion (last paragraph)

Sum up what you have already said and make sure you answer the essay question here. 

Now try and write an essay: 

1. choose an essay question (see next slide for ideas)

2. Make a plan including introduction, two or three body paragraphs and a conclusion

3. give it a title

4. Your essay should be around 200 words

Possible Essay Questions: 

1. What do you think the title Holes means? What might be another reason other than the holes the boys dig in the lake? What hole (or holes) is in Stanley's life when he first arrives at Camp Green Lake? Are the holes still there when he leaves?

2. Why do the boys call Mr. Pendanski "Mom"? How does this name fit his personality? In what ways is it not a good name for him?

3. Why do you think Stanley lies to his parents in his letters home? Would you do the same?

4. Stanley and his family half-jokingly blame their misfortunes on Stanley's "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather." Do you believe in fate — that people are lucky or unlucky — or do you believe, as Mr. Pendanski tells the boys, that we are all responsible for our selves and our destinies?

CONTINUED......

ESSAY QUESTIONS

5. Even though his fate is uncertain, Stanley is suddenly very happy as he lies awake on the top of the mountain, staring at the stars. Why does he feel this way? How has his life changed from the start of the story?

6.At home, Stanley did not have friends. But at Camp Green Lake, he forms a special friendship with Zero. How did Zero and Stanley prove their friendship to each other? In what way does Zero fill a hole in Stanley's life?

Next lesson

We will write an essay about Holes.

In class: You may use the book and have a plan with you. You will be given 40 minutes. No using the internet! Hand in on paper at the end of the lesson.

Online at home: You may use the book and have a plan with you. You will be given 40 minutes. No using the internet! Hand in via Google Classroom at the end of the lesson.