Essay writing: Week 6

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Period 3: Writing a problem-solving essay

Week 6

Biodiversity loss

This week we'll have a look at loss of biodiversity. 

Furthermore, we'll learn how to construct the conclusion of a problem-solving essay.

Loss of biodiversity

Big problem:It's endangering our own existence.

Minor problem: but a shame for the animals.

A natural phenomenon: fluctuations are normal.

It's a hoax. Loss of biodiversity doesn't exist.

Other

What do you think are the causes of loss of biodiversity?

The Independent

"Nature is our most precious asset. When economists are saying to value it or face ruin, it’s time to listen"  

4-2-2021

 "one million species face extinction." 

First, some useful vocabulary

Find the definitions of the words and expressions below. Insert these into the following slide. 

asset                           to commodify

sustainable              gross domestic product

to regenerate          to deploy

devastation              the preserve of

tipping point            in the wake of

Find the definitions of the words below. Insert these below.
asset , to commodify
sustainable , gross domestic product
to regenerate , to deploy
devastation , the preserve of
tipping point , in the wake of

Read the following articles :

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/opinion/covid-nature-biodiversity-economy-climate-change-b1796888.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/15/climate/biodiversity-united-nations-report.html#:~:text=This%20year%2C%20the%20World%20Economic,life%20showed%20that%2C%20on%20average%2C

What 'parties' could offer sollutions according to the first article (The Independent) and what solutions could they come up with?

What solutions were mentioned in the second article (New York Times)?

Insert a list of at least 5 unfamiliar words (and their definitions) of the second article here:

• Introduction
• Main text
• Conclusion

Structure of a problem-solving essay

Conclusion

Standard rule:  (1) Refer to the thesis, (2) summarize all mentioned solutions (use different wording!) and (3) end by pointing to the future in a positive yet realistic way.

Aim for 60-80 words 

Which is the better conclusion? Nr 1 or 2?

1)   In conclusion, global warming is a serious problem that we cannot afford to ignore. Individuals can make a difference by the lifestyle they choose, and they can also spread the message to friends and family. Furthermore, governments should cooperate to support sustainable industries and tax polluting industries. In this way essential protection can be offered to nature and the balance can be restored.

2)   To conclude, global warmig has been going on for a long time and may have caused disasters such as hurricanes and flooding. In future, we may see worldwide starvation if crops fail due to drought. It is probably too late now to do anything much about climate change. However, if governments introduced a 'green tax' on everyone immediately, there might be some hope.

Which is the better conclusion? Nr 1 or nr 2?

Nr 1

Nr 2

Write a conclusion of between 60-80 words on the environmental issue that you wrote an introduction and body parts of before.

There are a lot of environmental problems that need to be addressed. How optimistic are you? Do you think that human ingenuity can fix it?

Yes, we can

We can fix a part of the problems

No, it has gone too far.

Question

What's the biggest drawback of wind and solar power?

Main text (body paragraphs)

Standard rule:  (1) Start with a topic sentence, clearly indicating the topic of the paragraph, (2) suggest one or more solutions, explain and/or describe how it or they could contribute to solving the problem. 

Aim for 75-90 words per paragraph