V6 - week 48 - essay writing - structure & new theses

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo lwoo, vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Essay writing structure & new theses

Task

Swap your essay with a classmate's

Read and comment on each other's work

Use the next 2 slides for this

Essay structure first

Structure your essay first:

intro: thesis statement

paragraph 2: first argument (clear & logical explanation)

paragraph 3: second argument (clear & logical explanation)

paragraph 4: third argument (clear & logical explanation)

Conclusion: repeat all arguments/most important argument

Are arguments valid and logically explained?

Are all arguments clearly distinguishable/labelled?

Are all arguments in line with/supportive of your thesis?

Check Structure

5-paragraph structure:

Introduction from general to narrow - ending in the thesis statement (last sentence)

Body of 3 paragraphs

One clear argument + explanation per paragraph in paragraphs 2/3/4 (body)

Conclusion

Brief summing up of all arguments or repeating most important arguments. Proving your thesis and driving home the message with an interesting sentence.

Coherence: link your paragraphs logically 

Check language 

Vocabulary:

 use of synonyms, sophisticated vocabulary, formal language, No use of personal pronouns I/we/you 

No use of contractions (don't/won't etc.)

Spelling: 

correct spelling; punctuation; capital letters (I; personal pronouns, geographical names, start of sentences)

Tenses: correct and consistent

Sentence structure:

word order (SVOPT),  variety in longer and shorter sentences; use of adjectives/adverbs/gerunds (i.e. Speaking English is difficult)/participles (Hurt by his comments, she left)

Example structure 

intro: thesis statement = Modern media ruin relationships

paragraph 2 - social argument: Personal, face to face communication, takes a backseat to computers/smartphones (discuss human touch, intonation, voice, eye contact)

paragraph 3 - moral argument: Media can track people's interests and the feedback loop can amplify viewpoints, causing a sharp division in opinions and beliefs (discuss Covid-19; American politics; conspiracy theories etc.)

paragraph 4 -  economic/work-related argument - Keeping up to date with media is time-consuming and distracting (discuss less output students - student/teacher relationship; less romantic interest - relationship with a partner etc.)

Conclusion: repeat all arguments/most important argument

Example structure 

intro: thesis statement = Parents should be punished for the crimes of their children

paragraph 2 - financial argument - Victims and society as a whole need to be compensated for juvenile crime, and parents have the financial resources for this.

paragraph 3 - moral argument - Since children's brains are not fully matured until the age of twenty-five, parents need to guide them through childhood and accept responsibility for their offspring's actions.

paragraph 4 -  social argument: Parents need to learn how to raise children into well-balanced human beings and should face their shortcomings in parenthood

Conclusion: repeat all arguments/most important argument

Example structure 

intro: thesis statement = Parents should not be punished for the crimes of their children

paragraph 2 - social argument: Parents are not solely responsible for their children's upbringing ( discuss: divorced or deceased parents, peers/friends/teachers/media/individualistic society)

paragraph 3 - moral argument: Parents cannot be blamed for children's psychiatric problems that may lead to crime (discuss: a psychiatric problem could be nature's flaw or a result of a person's environment - parents need help instead of punishment)

paragraph 4 -  educational argument:  - By taking responsibility for their mistakes, children learn and develop into mature human beings (discuss: children learn from their mistakes. At the age of 16 they need to be held accountable)

Conclusion: repeat all arguments/most important argument

Essay thesis new

intro: thesis statement = The Covid-19 pandemic has polarized society

paragraph 2: The polarization of vaccinated and unvaccinated persons (discuss current heated debates in social media)

paragraph 3: The polarization of blue collar and white collar workers (discuss how blue-collar employees still need to be physically present, whereas white collar workers can stay at home and feel safe)

paragraph 4: The polarization of public health care and the general public (discuss how society has become increasingly demanding of health care, whereas society does not feel responsible for the well-being of healthcare workers)

Conclusion: repeat all arguments/most important argument

Essay thesis new

intro: thesis statement = More women should be hired in management positions

paragraph 2 - social argument: Women are underrepresented in management positions (discuss: ...)

paragraph 3 - moral argument: The equality of men and women should be made visible in the workforce, as an example for children (discuss: ...) 

paragraph 4 - economic argument: The ageing population demands all hands on deck (discuss: ...)

Conclusion: repeat all arguments/most important argument

Essay thesis new

intro: thesis statement = Social media should stop using algorithms (explain feedback loop:  the output of the algorithm becomes part of its input. As expected, recommendations similar to the choice that was made are shown)

paragraph 2 -  moral argument: One-sided information amplifies opinions at the expense of other viewpoints (discuss:...)

paragraph 3 - moral argument: One-sided information fuels verbal and physical violence (discuss: ...)

paragraph 4 - moral argument: Social media platforms use algorithms to make profit (discuss: showing more content-related ads will lead to profit from hosting these ads.)

Conclusion: repeat all arguments/most important argument