Essay Writing

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• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Thesis Statement

What: the very basis of your essay: what you will be arguing

Where: At the end of your introduction

How: By formulating a sentence that contains a topic and a claim. 

Essay Writing 

You remember the basic rules for essay writing

You know how to formulate a thesis statement

You know how to formulate arguments

Linking words review

Topic + claim

Social media makes us lazy

Personal gun use should not be allowed

All drugs should be made illegal

Don't

• Argue facts 
• Argue something you cannot prove (These blue socks are the prettiest socks I own)
• Start with "In this essay, I will.." (instead: just state what you want to state).

What is a topic sentence?

Sooo what are the components of a thesis statement?

What would be a good thesis statement about the topic "school uniforms"?

Example:

Thesis statement: school uniforms should be required in all schools in the Netherlands.

Argument 1: They take away socio-economical differences

Argument 2: They encourage school spirit

Argument 3: They save parents and students money and time

And then?

Once you have formulated your thesis statement you can start developing your arguments.

Every argument should get its own paragraph, that means 3 arguments/body paragraphs

Each argument should be directly linked to the thesis statement.

From argument to topic sentence

Your topic sentences (in body paragraphs) should state your argument but also be a stand alone sentence that guides your reader through the essay. It should "summarise" your whole paragraph. DO NOT use "they" or "he" initially.

They take away socio-economical differences = First of all, school uniforms make it harder to see socio-economical differences, hence creating a more equal environment.

Turn the second argument into a topic sentence:
They encourage school spirit

Keeping your essay focused

• For every paragraph / argument, ask yourself: Does this link back to the thesis statement? Is it relevant to prove my point made in the thesis statement.
• No? -> change either  the statement or the argument!
• Within every paragraph, ask yourself: Is what I'm saying here relevant to the topic sentence? Does it explain or illustrate the argument made in the topic sentence?
  No? -> change either the topic sentence or your content 

Essay Writing common mistakes

• Make sure you make visible use of your sources
  Research has shown that ..... (Johnson, 2014).
• Do no use contractions (don't = do not)
• Do not forget a title!
• Do not forget to mention your statement  + arguments in your introduction

Emphasis

Addition

Contrast

Result

however

in contrast

above all

furthermore

nevertheless

most importantly

on the other hand

consequently

certainly

besides

moreover

what is more

due to

therefore

so

that is why

for instance

although

in fact

"A picnic just wouldn’t be a picnic without the great British weather trying to ruin it. Jon Hacker and his family were prepared for that – what they didn’t count on, ________ , was a pair of overenthusiastic council officers trying even harder."

1. for example
2. however
3. likewise
4. therefore

Crossbreeds are more likely to escape the sometimes painful exaggerated physical features or inherited diseases plaguing some pedigree animals. Some show dogs have skulls that are too small for their brains, or suffer from breathing problems. ___________ the Dogs Trust and the RSPCA pulled out of the show, in 2008. The BBC also dropped the show from its programming that year after its request for certain breeds to be excluded was rejected.

1. For example,
2. In the meantime,
3. On top of that,
4. That is why

Most early silent films were destroyed when talkies were introduced at the end of the 1920s. The cellulose nitrate film on which they were produced was often melted down for its silver content. ______ , they were dangerous to store as the nitrate was very easily flammable.

1. As a result
2. In the meantime
3. Nevertheless
4. On top of that