25-26 Essay Writing 2.0

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 3

Objective

• Students can write a short essay on the ethics of horse riding, using the basic structure of an essay and formulating a thesis statement

What are Ethics? 

Think of ethics as the part of decision-making that is about knowing what is right and wrong, not just what is legal or what is good for you.

It is about your values, the rules that guide how you treat other people (or horses) and how you act, even when no one is watching.

Argumentative essay (betoog)

• A piece of writing in which you persuade/convince your audience of a statement.
  
• In order to do so you use several arguments in favor (pros) of your statement.
  
• You also give some counter arguments (cons), but you refute (weerleggen) those, so that they eventually support your statement.
  

Structure

• Introduction – introduce the topic and give your opinion.
• Body Paragraph 1 – first reason and example.
• Body Paragraph 2 – second reason and example.
• Conclusion – restate your opinion in different words.

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. 

Topic + Reasons

Thesis = Topic + Your Opinion + (2 Main Reasons)

Example:

I believe online learning is better than classroom learning because it saves time and allows more flexibility

• Pollution is bad. 
• Technology is useful. 
• School uniforms are good. 

• Pollution is one of the biggest threats to our health and environment, so governments should take action to reduce it.
• Technology helps people learn faster and communicate more easily.
• School uniforms create equality among students and make mornings easier for families.

Don't

• Argue facts (He is only a child)
• Argue something you cannot prove (These blue socks are the prettiest socks I own)
• Avoid using phrases like "I believe" or "In my opinion."

Improve this thesis statement:
"I'm going to talk about dogs in this paper."

Improve this thesis statement:
"Fast food is available in many places."

Improve this thesis statement:
"I think social media is bad for you."

Improve this thesis statement:
"Drinking alcohol can have both positive and negative effects"

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.

Example:

Thesis statement: Everyone who rides horses should wear a helmet.

Reason 1: Helmets keep riders safe if they fall.

Reason 2: Wearing helmets sets a good example for others.

Reason 3: Helmets are cheap and easy to use.

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 

Goals

• Students can write a short essay on the ethics of horse riding, using the basic structure of an essay and formulating a thesis statement