V5 A.E Final tips + feedback/questions

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2,3

Welcome! You need your wasp reporter, laptop, notebook & a pen.

Program

- Learning goals

- Final tips on practice essay

- Feedback practice essay

- Reflection/Evaluation 

- Homework

Learning goals

At the end of this lesson...

- I can understand what common mistakes to avoid while writing an a.e.. 

- I can undrstand the feedback on my practice essay/essay plan.

Common mistakes to avoid!

Introduction: short introduction/example that leads to your thesis statement. If you have difficulties making this bridge, you can say: "This is why (it has been suggested that) ..."

Thesis statement: Clear thesis statement in which you voice your stance objectively. 

Common mistakes to avoid!

Thesis statement: Your thesis statement cannot be a question. 

"The question is: should parents regulate their children's screentime?" WRONG

instead, write;

"Parents should regulate their children's screentime." CORRECT

Common mistakes to avoid!

Thesis statement:  It is also not a declaration/announcement: It needs to be a claim. You need to convince your reader.

"In this essay, the reader will be persuaded to vote for candidates who support education reform." WRONG

instead, write;

"The voters should vote for candidates who support education reform." CORRECT

Common mistakes to avoid!

Avoid: starting sentences with "and", "so", "but" or "because"! These are linking words used to connect sentences, not meant to be used at the start of a sentence. 

Avoid: I, we, you, us, our, your, someone/everything > try to be as specific as possible! teachers, educators, students, learners. You can use 'they' occassionally when referring to your (focus)group. 

Watch out for: Their/there - Wich/which/witch - Then/than

Avoid: repetition (e.g.: in conclusion, rephrase your arguments)

Informal language

Use of informal language:

- Nothing can't be done about it. 

- Global warming can't be real. 

- I think the government should prohibit smoking in public places. 

Informal language

Use of informal language:

- Nothing can't be done about it. 

There is nothing that can be done about it. 

- Global warming can't be real.

Global warming is unlikely.

- I think the government should prohibit smoking in public places. 

The government, in my opinion, should outlaw/ban/prohibit smoking in public places. (-> this would be used in an essay/letter where you're allowed to voice your opinion. You can also leave out the linking words/phrase which turns the sentence subjective)

Please use the passive throughout your essay!

Tips

1. Just say what you want to say: you have a limited word amount (max. 280 words!) So use them wisely. 

2. Body/Arguments: Use a linking word and immediately launch into the argument. Explain your argument, by using an example. Keep it brief. 

(TEXAS-structure); use the first 3 steps: Topic sentence, explain, example. There is no room for analysis/summary (repetition of the argument).

Tips

3. Write 4 paragraphs in total. Layout should be: 

1 - Introduction + thesis statement

white line

2 - 2 arguments for

white line

3 - 2 arguments against 

white line

4 - Conclusion

Practice essay/feedback

You will receive your practice essay now. 

Please take a look at the feedback provided. Ask questions if something's unclear. 

Reflection/Evaluation

At the end of this lesson...

- I can understand the purpose of writing an a.e.

- I can understand the steps to writing an a.e.

- I can write a thesis statement.

- I can understand what common mistakes to avoid while writing essays. 

Homework

Work on the practice test 

Hand it in on Monday during class!