Essay Writing 3 - Language

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 5,6

Essay Writing 
Language and Writing Style

Basic tips when writing an essay​

Think of your essay as steps that need to be taken to get to the finish line.​

Use a four or five paragraph essay where you make use of an introdution, two or three body paragraphs and a conclusion.​

Before you actually start writing, construct an outline, a framework. Use key words.​

Before you start.. 

1. Put your ideas about the topic on paper in an organised format. The structure can change of course during the process, but do not let it be a stumbling block.​
   
2. Use more ideas that you can put on paper. First broaden your perspective, then narrow it down.​
   
3. Use an outline or a diagram to get your thoughts structured. A mindmap or a concept map could do the trick for you.​
   
4. Keep in mind who you are writing it for.​

The introductory paragraph​

1. Should be the place to start presenting your topic.​
   
2. Typically, the last sentence will also include a thesis statement which should propose a precise compact and thematic argument.​
   
3. Thesis statement: one sentence that clearly tells the reader what the essay will be about and often has a point to prove.​
   
4. This paragraph is also used to lure your audience into reading the entire essay. It should be engaging and creative. You can do this by using a surprising fact, a thought provoking quotation or a general statement.​

The body paragraphs​

1. In connection with the topic that you are going to discuss, think of two or three main ideas that deal with this topic. Use these as the main idea for the paragraph.​
   
2. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence, which announces what will be discussed and end each paragraph with a concluding sentence, so that it becomes a unity.​
3. Use examples to state your points.​
   

​

The conclusion​

1. Here you sum up your findings and restate your thesis statement in different words.​
   
2. If you need to make a point, this is he place to do so. ​
   
3. Make sure that the conclusion relates to the introductory paragraph as well. This way you create unity in your writing, which is what people often like.​
   
4. An anecdote can end your essay ina useful way.​

Essay Writing Test

- The test is the week after the autumn break 

- Graded on: English, Structure, and Content

- Today: Language and Writing Style 
- Check: Essay Writing 3 in your reader

Don't:

- Don't use abbreviations (etc. = etcetera, vs. = versus)

- Don't use contractions (don't = do not, won't = will not, 
   I'm = I am, can't = cannot, it's = it is, we'd = we had / we would)

- Don't switch between tenses too often. Try to stick mostly to 
   either the present or the past tense.

Do:

- Do: add as many linking words as possibe
   (moreover, however, in addition, furthermore, firstly, secondly)

- Do: use linking words such as "However" and "Moreover" at 
   the beginning of your sentences, and "but" / "and" in the 
   middle of them. 

Most importantly...

- Reread your essay! 
- Check your grammar!

- Check your spelling!
- Add some linking words / nicer vocabulary!

I often see too many mistakes that you could have seen yourself, because people want to quickly hand it in and leave. 

Common Grammar Mistakes

- Their (their house), They're (they are), There (there is no water)
- We're (we are), where (where were you?)
- Than (= vergelijkingen, bigger than), then (= toen/daarna)
- Witch (= heks), which (= welke), wich (= x)

- Noun vs. Verb: Effect (= een effect), affect (= beïnvloeden)
- Plural: child/children    "New York and London are (not is)"

Common Spelling Mistakes

- Capital letters: i > I , new york > New York   

- Verb instead of the noun: live = life , believe = belief  
- Missing letters: interpet = interpret , suprise = surprise 
- Added letters: aible = able , neccessary = necessary 

- Mixed up letters: maby = maybe , definetely = definitely 

When unsure, look it up! Especially if you have time left! 

Vocabulary

- Think about words with similar meanings, even for simple
    words: "he says" > claims, argues, believes, states

- Think of alternatives in Dutch and translate those to English
   (so use your dictionary):
   boos > woedend, kwaad, gefrustreerd, vol haat, ...
   angry > furious, pissed off, frustrated, resentful, ...

For more examples, 
check the vocabulary 
wheel 

Linking Words

- Shows how your arguments / paragraphs are connected
- "Moreover, On the contrary, Nevertheless, Additionally"
- Check the list in your reader, also for other useful phrases

- Personal opinion: "In my view, To my mind, I believe that, ..."
- Concluding: "Finally, All in all, On the whole, In conclusion, ..."
- Etc. 

Today:

Write an essay on the following topic: 

"Mobile phones should be banned in schools" 

You've already done a debate about this so you can use the arguments you've already prepared. Please hand in before March 7!