V5 essay writing: common mistakes + linking words

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Friday 17 February

Study objectives:

I can  

• identify and correct mistakes commonly made in essay writing
  
• plan an argumentative essay 
• recognise and use linking words

 

In class :

• recognition of linking words
• common mistakes in essay writing 
  
•  analysing essay 1
  
•  correcting the mistakes in an example essay 
  

Essay 2:

Plan essay 2 => bring your brainstorm to class

first lesson after the holidays    

 

Words in Progress 

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 might be mistakes often made in essay writing?

Common mistakes in essay writing

Content  

• no thesis statement,  
  
• unclear structure/ arguments,  
  
• new arguments in conclusion 
  
• no point to ponder

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

Common mistakes in essay writing

grammar  

• verb tenses (e.g. present simple vs. continuous),
• word order,
  
• incorrect references:

these treatments lets – fireworks has its problems

Common mistakes in essay writing

Stylistic:

• informal language: kids, stuff, things
  
• contracted forms: don’t – do not 
  
• ‘I’-constructions: I think this is wrong ->  
  

    This is wrong 

• ‘you’-constructions: If you make something illegal -> 
  

    If something is made illegal 

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:

• But, And, So, Because 
  

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

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...

Now

• complete your analysis
• correct the mistakes in the example essay 
• start your brainstorm on essay 2