Essay Writing: EXTRA Help

• English
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

Literary essay - 2 test

150 - 200 words

ONLY ONE MAIN PARAGRAPH

You will have a choice of answering ONE of two essay questions about Kensuke's Kingdom

EXTRA HELP

What you need to help you!

Before the test: Read the novel. Read the Literary Essay Booklet.

Now: Look your Essay Template sheet (also on next slide)

During the test: Use the novel to help you find 'evidence' that will support your main point.

After you have finished writing: 

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Layout

The layout of the essay is important and you will lose points if you use the wrong layout for this task.

Look at the next slide...This is what you are aiming for.

In Michael Morpurgo's book, Kensuke's Kingdom we read about a boy who goes on a big adventure. It certainly didn't end the way he or his family expected. Then again, his parents were rather unusual and it could be said that they were not responsible adults.

Firstly, Michael's parents didn't really act in a way parents are expected to behave, his dad bought a boat instead of going to find a job and a house. An example of this is when his Dad thinks buying the boat is a good surprise for Michael and his mum . They hadn't discussed it at all. In fact they thought dad was going to get a job and find somewhere to live down South. Therefore, Michael's parents seem to be rather irresponsible and they don't act the way you would expect parents to behave.

In conclusion, neither of the parents really act responsibly. This can be seen when Michaels father decides to buy the boat instead of buying a house. His mother didn't say it was a bad idea. In the end this meant Michael almost died and spent a long time living on a desert island when he was really just a young boy. 

The introduction 

• Include the name of the book and the writer
  
• Now add a second sentence with a bit of information about the story
• Final sentence is going to be the essay statement.

Easy

The introduction is short and follows a set structure.

Only difficult bit is to remember to re-write the essay statement at the end of the first paragraph

Your Introduction:

In Michael Morpurgo's book, Kensuke's Kingdom we read about a boy who goes on a big adventure. It certainly didn't end the way he or his family expected. Then again, his parents were rather unusual and it could be said that they were not responsible adults.

The main body paragraph

Use the PEEL structure

more difficult

The  main paragraph also follows a set structure: PEEL

The most difficult bit is to find evidence from the book to support your main point and to explain why this supports the main point

P E E L

Elaborate: They hadn't discussed it, they thought dad was going to get a job and find somewhere to live.

Step 2

My First paragraph will be about how Michael's parents didn't really act in a way parents are expected to behave, his dad bought a boat instead of going to find a job and a house.

Point: Michael's parents didn't really act in a way parents are expected to behave, his dad bought a boat instead of going to find a job and a house.

Evidence: Dad thinks buying the boat is a good surprise for M. and his mum . 

Link: Therefore, Michael's parents seem to be rather irresponsible.

Use the PEEL structure

Mind map to help

Think about what you are going to say in your Main Paragraph

Find evidence from the book to support your main poin

Explain why this supports the main point

Michael's parents didn't really act in a way parents are expected to behave, his dad bought a boat instead of going to find a job and a house.

Point:

Evidence:

Dad thinks buying the boat is a good surprise for M. and his mum . 

They hadn't discussed it, they thought dad was going to get a job and find somewhere to live.

Therefore, Michael's parents seem to be rather irresponsible.

Elaborate: 

Link: 

Use the PEEL structure

Draw this Mind map and complete it with your ideas

Think about what you are going to say in your Main Paragraph - write it in POINT

Find EVIDENCE from the book to support your main point - fill in

Explain why this supports the main point - fill in EXPLAIN/ELABORATE

LINK Say how this relatest to the main point

Point:

Evidence:

Elaborate: 

Link: 

Example Main Paragraph

 They hadn't discussed it at all. In fact they thought dad was going to get a job and find somewhere to live down South.

Step 3

Start with a linking phrase: Firstly, ......

Firstly, Michael's parents didn't really act in a way parents are expected to behave, his dad bought a boat instead of going to find a job and a house.

An example of this is when his  Dad thinks buying the boat is a good surprise for Michael and his mum . 

Therefore, Michael's parents seem to be rather irresponsible and they don't  act the way you would expect parents to behave.

The CONCLUSION

• Start with something like…In conclusion, …..
• Rephrase your essay statement (your point) and rephrase briefly, what you said in paragraph one. 


• Add a final concluding sentence.

Easiest part

The CONCLUSION  is the most simple and follows a set structure.

Only difficult bit is to remember NOT to add any new information. here. Just sum up what you have said in the main paragraph

Conclusion:

1. Re-phrase your argument here (why do you think this?). DO NOT ADD ANY NEW OR EXTRA IDEAS IN THE CONCLUSION.
2. Start with something like…In conclusion, …..
3. Rephrase your essay statement (your point) and rephrase briefly, what you said in paragraph one. 
4. Add a final concluding sentence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, neither of the parents really act responsibly. This can be seen when Michaels father decides to buy the boat instead of buying a house. His mother didn't say it was a bad idea. In the end this meant Michael almost died and spent a long time living on a desert island when he was really just a young boy. 

Do not add extra information here. 

Just rephrase the main argument

Rephrase the main point

Add a concluding sentence

Now you try .....

The layout of the essay is important and you will lose points if you use the wrong layout for this task.

Finally

Your essay needs to include an introduction, ONE body paragraph and a conclusion. Make

sure that in your body paragraph that you state your point and give reasons (PEEL).

Word count: Your essay should be at least 150 words and shouldn't be longer than 200.

Kensuke's Kingdom

C T T C

 Check The Text Carefully

Good Luck