Essay Writing - basics & thesis statement

Essay writing
VWO 4 English Term 4
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Slide 1: Tekstslide
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In deze les zitten 20 slides, met interactieve quizzen en tekstslides.

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Essay writing
VWO 4 English Term 4

Slide 1 - Tekstslide

Goals
You will learn the rules for writing an essay 
You will learn what makes a good thesis statement

Slide 2 - Tekstslide

What is an essay?

Slide 3 - Woordweb

Essay
Introduction -- thesis statement
Body -- arguments in favour, refute arguments against
Conclusion -- summary, reformulate your thesis statement

Slide 4 - Tekstslide

To write an essay, you should generally:
1- Novel 2  Free choice - ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY  PREP
2-   Read & Research your book - Google is your best friend
3-  Develop a thesis on 3 topics related to your book
4- Outline your essay                                                                                          5-  Write your essay
6- Edit your writing to check spelling and grammar
Steps 1-3 before test - Steps 4-6 during test

Slide 5 - Tekstslide

Hamburger model

Slide 6 - Tekstslide

What is the Hamburger model also known as?
A
Pizza model
B
Taco model
C
Sushi model
D
Sandwich model

Slide 7 - Quizvraag

Thesis statement
• Must be an arguable statement about which readers could disagree.
• Must be a clear statement of your entire argument, not just a part of it.
• Should NOT include the first or second person (I, we, us, you, etc.)



• Should NOT contain evidence, quotations, or specific examples. This is a statement of argument—that is it. Evidence and specific examples should be saved for the body of the paper

Slide 8 - Tekstslide

What should a thesis statement not include?
A
A clear statement of the entire argument
B
An arguable statement
C
The first or second person
D
Quotations or specific examples

Slide 9 - Quizvraag

A good thesis will be: 

  • Arguable. Othello is a tragic play about the downfall of a Moor”  isn’t a thesis—it’s a fact.
  • Provable through  evidence from the book:  “Othello is a confusing but ultimately very well-written play” is a weak thesis because it offers the writer’s personal opinion about the play. Yes, it’s arguable, but it’s not a claim that can be proven or supported with examples taken from the play itself. 


Slide 10 - Tekstslide

A good thesis needs to be arguable.
Agree: It encourages critical thinking.
Disagree: It makes writing difficult.

Slide 11 - Poll

compare and contrast:

While both men plot revenge, Iago is the villain and Othello the tragic hero, because Iago actually enjoys punishing those he thinks have offended him while Othello struggles with his crimes.

Slide 12 - Tekstslide

Improve these 'thesis statements'
Marvel is better than DC

Farmers are idiots

Literature is useless




Slide 13 - Tekstslide

While both Marvel and DC make films about superheroes, Marvel films are more successful because the stories are rooted in the real world.

Slide 14 - Tekstslide

Grammar & Vocab
Linking words
Varied vocabulary  - not just 'very'
No contractions 
Don't keep switching verb tenses
Be objective 
Avoid 'I' sentences

Slide 15 - Tekstslide

contrast or continuation

Slide 16 - Woordweb

Slide 17 - Tekstslide

Wrap up
Essay --> hamburger 
Thesis statement (the heart of your essay)--> Arguable, reasonable, clear



Slide 18 - Tekstslide

What are the three key characteristics of a thesis statement in an argumentative essay?
A
Arguable, reasonable, clear
B
Simple, uninteresting, factual
C
Personal, vague, complex
D
Informative, brief, convoluted

Slide 19 - Quizvraag

Slide 20 - Tekstslide