Essay 3V prep!

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Essay 3V prep!

- Welcome!

- Essay writing - Book essay prep

What to expect?

- Essay based on the content of the book

- Your own critical thinking 

(reading the summary is not going to help you!)

- Also...It is not a review, btw.

ESSAY

- A text in which you discuss the content of the book 

(For example: A text where you analyse the characters, story, plot, relationships, ending of the book etc.)

- Structure: 

INTRODUCTION, 2 PARAGRAPHS, CONCLUSION

-+/-450 words (45 sentences!)

INTRODUCTION

- In your introduction you state:

Background information

(give some context about the book/the topic you are going to write about in your essay)

Paragraphs

On the essay: instructions what paragraph 1 and 2 should be about 

(follow those instructions)

- For paragraph 1 you can choose between options A, B, C

- For paragraph 2 you need to answer the question that is asked (no choice)

1. In your essay you: discuss the main question of the essay

- State and explain what your view on the topic is

- Give examples (quotes from the book or description of the events)

You should bring the book to the test! (for quotes)

Conclusion

You are going to get instructions what conclusion should entail

- follow the instruction

How can you prepare?

1. Read the book

2. Understand the book - not only the words but also: 

The message of the book, try to think about the theme, how can you relate to the story...?

3. Think about grammar structures you can use

4. Learn essay writing vocab

5. Practice writing

6. Think critically - what kind of questions can you expect in the essay?

Literary present tense!

When discussing the events in a work of literature use present tense. This is called literary present tense.

In discussing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, for example, you might say this:

When Gatsby meets Daisy at Nick’s house, the tension is high.

You would use past tense if you went on to discuss something that happened before this event. For example:

When Gatsby meets Daisy at Nick’s house, the tension is high. He is at a loss as to how to behave. Earlier that day, his preparations were rigorous. He even had Nick’s yard mowed.

Essay writing vocab

Use words like:

- AND -> MOREOVER, FURTHERMORE, 

- To add an argument: NOT ONLY ... BUT ALSO

- BUT -> HOWEVER, ON THE OTHER HAND (to express contrast)

- FOR EXAMPLE -> FOR INSTANCE 

- TO CONCLUDE -> IN ESSENCE, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, IN CONCLUSION

- TO COMPARE -> IN COMPARISON

- To make two arguments -> FIRSTLY, SECONDLY...

How to quote / 

write description of the event

Example:

In the beginning, John was a very shy boy. For instance, that is depicted in this quote: ''John didn't dare to look at the principal in his eye'' (pg. 17).

However, by the end of the book he showed that has changed and grown 

as he was proudly presenting his final project in

 front of the whole school (ch. 17). 

Quote (pg. #)

Description of the event (pg. # / chapter#)

Practice: 

• 1. Look at the essay about Harry Potter
• 2. What can you identify in this essay that fits the instruction and description of the essay you are going to write?
• 3. Highlight the linking words
• 4. What is the structure of the essay?
• 5. How is it written? - Words that you can use in your essay
• 6. What can you learn from this essay?
• - linking words, spacing (between paragraphs), identify-intro, main, conclusion, use of words, quotes!

HOW can you prepare for the essay?
Any ideas?

Get print outs...

Complete the assignments

Essay common mistakes:

What's wrong with these sentences?

 1. Paragraph 1: Hello, I will be writing about...

2. This book goes about...

3. I have chosen statement C...

4. I hope you have enjoyed reading my essay.

5. Let's begin in the beginning, shall we?

What is wrong with this sentence?

• The book is about a group of teenagers who are going into the wild, but when they got home they realised the war started.
• The book is about a group of teenagers who are going into the wild, but when they got home they realised the war started.

Find mistakes!

1. It is a interesting book and fun, to.

2. In this book you have to make a much of choises. 

3. ...The book was really nice. (end of the paragraph)

4. He talks alot whit Ellie. 

5. I found Lee a bit annoying. 

6. In the story has Lee many times a good idee. 

7. They wanna kill the soldiers and they gonna blow up the lawn mower.

8. If I could recommend this book, I would do it.  

 

Common mistakes - content

1. Writing only the summary

2. Adding quotes that do not add anything to the point you're trying to make

3. Writing quotes but not explaining what they are supposed to add to your point

4. If you are relating to the character - then that character is somewhat similar to you! So do not only describe the character, also describe how he/she is similar to you!! Add examples (also about yourself)!

USE ESSAY VOCAB!

Essay writing vocab

Use words like:

- AND -> MOREOVER, FURTHERMORE, 

- To add an argument: NOT ONLY ... BUT ALSO

- BUT -> HOWEVER, ON THE OTHER HAND (to express contrast)

- FOR EXAMPLE -> FOR INSTANCE 

- TO CONCLUDE -> IN ESSENCE, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, IN CONCLUSION

- TO COMPARE -> IN COMPARISON

- To make two arguments -> FIRSTLY, SECONDLY...

TASK TODAY

- Complete the assignments on the print out

- Assignment 5: Pick and choose one event from the book... (100 words)

What is missing from the book... (100 words)

Who is your favorite character... why? (100 words)

USE: 

- ESSAY VOCAB

- Try to come up with the introduction - how would you start an essay like this...?

- Quotes, paraphrases, thoughts...

REMEMBER: BRING YOUR BOOKS WITH YOU TMR!

- no cheat sheets in your book!!! (Will check your books before you begin)