Essay Writing Lesson 1

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

Who are you???

But first: who are these men???

Who are you???

Beethoven

(discoverer)

Mozart

(planner)

Beethoven: before I set them down ... I make many changes, reject and reattempt until I am satisfied ...  wanted to create his own style instead of copying predecessors. 

Mozart: that I think about it all day long—that I like experimenting—studying—reflecting. Planned ahead: could often not compose when there was no keyboard. 

Are you a Beethovian or Mozartian writer?

Beethoven (discoverer)

Mozart (planner)

LESSON OBJECTIVE

- You can recognise the structure of an essay

- You can recognise the main argument of an essay 

and know its official name. 

Essay Analysis

In pre-assigned groups you will discuss the essay which is shared with you.

In your groups, try to find a satisfying answer to the questions on the following page.

Questions

1. What is the structure of the essay?
2. Which sentence is the main argument/idea of the entire essay? (in other words: the author's opinion)
3. What is the name for the main argument in an essay? 

One answer per group:
what is the structure of this essay?

Submit the sentence (1 person per group) which you believe reflects the author's opinion.
Or in other words: the main argument of the essay.

Main argument

One answer per group:
what's the name for the main argument in an essay?

Conclusion

Final assignment (due in June)

You are going to write a comparative essay. 

In your essay you will compare and contrast two films, one of which being Soul.

The essay has to be 600-800 words long. 

But first: you practise by writing a mock essay.

Next week

Think of a topic for your mock essay.

Example subjects:

• climate change                                - homework free schools
• politics                                                 - social media risks and dangers
• Corona                                                 - consequences of smoking or drinking
• education                                            - ...