Writing an essay

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Essay Writing

Writing an argumentative essay

Today

- titles

- identifying different parts essay

- do's & don't 

- Writing an essay 

Titles

1. Informative Title

2. Creative Title

3. Relevant and readable Title

Think of a title for this essay thesis. Teachers give too much homework.

Structure

Title

Paragraph 1: Introduction - introduce your topic

Paragraph 2: First body paragraph 

Paragraph 3: Second body paragraph 

Paragraph 4: Conclusion - summary of the information from the body paragraphs and final answer

Organise your thought and ideas

Which topic what do you know about this topic

positives

negatives

Introduction

- Attracts readers’ attention (hook)

- Gives a BRIEF background of topic

- Includes NO detail of support/evidence/examples

- Hints at the organisation of the essay

- States the essay’s main message/point

Hook 1. Use a surprising fact

You can capture the reader's attention with a surprising fact or statement. Then, state your thesis clearly and briefly: 

• With recent studies showing that, on average, dog owners live up to 24% longer than those without canine companions, there's no doubt that a dog can have a range of physical and mental health benefits for its owner. These include...

Hook 2. Pose a Question

 

Another way to engage your reader in your essay introduction is to ask a rhetorical question. Choose carefully: 

• Global climate change is a crisis that affects everyone, rich and poor, young and old. From rising ocean levels to increased temperature extremes, the world is changing for everyone. How will your life be different in the coming years?

Hook 3. Start with an Anecdote

A short anecdote is a good way to start a personal essay, especially if it fits with your overall theme. 

• When I got home from school that day, my grandmother greeted me with a plate of cookies and a worried expression. I hadn't received the scholarship I needed to go to ballet camp, and we'd need to find another way to earn the money. That's why...

The argumentative thesis takes a side of an issue. 

It is often expressed with the modal verb should (not)).

For example:

•   Governments should ban further construction of nuclear  power plants.

•    Mobile phones should not be allowed in schools.

•    Smoking should be banned in all public places.
  

The thesis statement does not have personal emphasis (the use of I or we).

• Correct: Television has no beneficial effect upon a child’s development.

•  Wrong: I believe television has no beneficial effect upon a child’s development.

•  Wrong: We don’t think television has any beneficial effect upon a child’s development.

Example 1 of an introductory paragraph with thesis statement:

A difficult problem that is facing society today is euthanasia, which is another word for mercy killing. Thousands of people are mortally ill because of an incurable disease. They are kept alive in artificial ways. They have no chance to recover completely, but most legal systems do not allow doctors to end their patients’ lives. Why should all these people suffer if they don’t have to? Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.

What's the thesis statement in this introductory paragraph?

A

A difficult problem that is facing society today is euthanasia, which is another word for mercy killing.

B

Why should all these people suffer if they don’t have to?

C

Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.

D

They are kept alive in artificial ways.

Example 2 of an introductory paragraph with thesis statement:

Every day, terminally ill patients suffer horrendously and are begging to die. They are kept alive in artificial ways. They have no chance to recover completely, but most legal systems do not allow doctors to end their patients’ lives. Why should all these people suffer if they don’t have to? Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.

What's the thesis statement in this introductory paragraph?

A

Why should all these people suffer if they don’t have to?

B

Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.

C

Every day, terminally ill patients suffer horrendously and are begging to die.

D

They are kept alive in artificial ways.

Example 3 of an introductory paragraph with thesis statement:

John is 38 years old and he has been suffering from pancreatic cancer for more than 8 months. He has no strength left to eat and is tube fed. He needs pain relief 24/7 and wants only one thing: euthanasia. Most legal systems do not allow doctors to end their patients’ lives. Why should all these people suffer if they don’t have to? Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.

What's the thesis statement in this introductory paragraph?

A

Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.

B

Most legal systems do not allow doctors to end their patients’ lives.

C

John is 38 years old and he has been suffering from pancreatic cancer for more than 8 months.

D

He has no strength left to eat and is tube fed.

Introduction example

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

hook

The first sentence acts as a “hook” to draw the reader’s attention. In this case, it does so by making a strong claim about the importance of the essay’s subject.

Background

The following sentences set the context for the debate this essay weighs in on.

Thesis

These sentences make up the thesis statement. This is the central argument of the essay—the claim(s) that the rest of the essay will work to back up with evidence and analysis.

1. Hook (surprising fact, question, anecdote)

2. Transitional phrases

3. Thesis statement

Topic to choose from:

Jane Eyre is a girly book and boys should not be forced to read it (or: Everybody should be forced to read Jane Eyre).

Jane Eyre would be better without the Gothic elements. (or: the Gothic Elements improve the novel Jane Eyre.)

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Argumentative essay - body

• The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. 

• Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

• Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence.

• Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.
  

Arguments in support of thesis: 

• Accordingly, 

• because

• for example 

• for instance

• in general

• given

• generally

• since

Refutations: 

• Although

• admittedly

• certainly

• despite

• granted

• in all fairness

• naturally

• nonetheless

• of course

Conclusions: 

• All things considered

• as a result

• in conclusion

• in summary

• therefore

• thus

Argumentative essay - conclusion

The conclusion summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here. 

DO NOT – Copy the First Paragraph

Although you can reuse the same key words in the conclusion as you did in the introduction, try not to copy whole phrases word for word. Instead, try to use this last paragraph to really show your skills as a writer by being as artful in your rephrasing as possible.

DO – Be Powerful

The conclusion paragraph can be a difficult paragraph to write effectively but, as it is your last chance to convince or otherwise impress the reader, it is worth investing some time in. Take this opportunity to restate your thesis with confidence; if you present your argument as "obvious" then the reader might just do the same.

Argumentative essay - to sum up

• Introduction: the paragraph that introduces the topic 

• Thesis statement: the sentence that indicates the point of view of the essay

• Body: the paragraphs discussing arguments and/or examples

• Topic sentences: the sentences that state the arguments supporting the thesis statement

• Conclusion: the final paragraph that summarizes the main points

Introduction

Thesis statement

Body

Topic sentence

Conclusion

a beginning section which states the purpose and goals of the following writing

a sentence or two that summarizes the main point that an essay

the part of an essay that explains and develops the main idea

helps organize the paragraph by summarizing the information in the paragraph

the last paragraph of your essay summarizing its thesis and arguments

which words are synonyms?

Get

Important

Big

Buy

Noticed

Lawmaking

Appear

Local

Comparison

Taken

Derived

Major

Occur

Legislation

significant

 resident 

equation

perceived

purchase

obtained

Writing

Argumentative essay

Today's options: 

• Type your essay then check via Chatgpt. Hand in both versions via email! (there are some topics on the next slide or think of one yourself)

• Handwrite and let your teacher check it for you. 

• Pick an essay from Cambridge "write & improve". Hand in your own version +  comments made by Cambridge.

• Read the information and do the questions in this LessonUp

Aim: Level B2

Essay topics 

• Doctors should / should not be allowed to genetically modify unborn children at the parents' request.

• Energy drinks should / should not  be banned in schools and colleges

• Gambling should / should not be banned.

• Animals should / should not be used in a circus.

• Sex education should / should not be mandatory in high schools

45

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Website

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/free-resources/write-and-improve/

Need more help? Have a look at the next slides.... 

Linking words

Linking words are the 'signs' that help you find your way in a text. They are used to link words, phrases or sentences. Thus, they help to build up coherent relationships within the text.

Linking words are very important for writing!

Some categories of linking words

• Addition/sequence

• Comparison

• Contrast

• Example

• Conclusion/summary

• Condition

• Cause/reason

Addition/sequence: something else is going to be added to what was already said.

Comparison: the writer is going to say how two things are the same.

Contrast: the writer is going to say how two things are different.

Example: the writer gives an example of what they are talking about.

Conclusion/summary: the writer repeats the most important points of the text and says what message we should take from the text.

Condition: 

 Cause/reason: 

1

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Contrast

Sequence, addition

Cause/reason

Example

Also

In addition

Because

Since

Although

But

Instead

Yet

For example

For instance

Such as

However

After all

Lastly

The goalkeeper tested positive for COVID-19. ..... he has been left out of the team.

A

Likewise

B

Therefore

C

Instead of

D

However

He got a promotion. _______, he works hard!

A

therefore

B

likewise

C

however

D

after all

Linking paragraphs

Capitalize: 

• I (= ik)

• first word of a sentence

• days of the week

• months of the year

• holidays

• countries, languages, nationalities

• religions

• people's names and title, places, company names and organisations

your vs. you're

there vs. they're vs. their

____ house is over ____.

A

There, their

B

They're, there

C

Their, they're

D

Their, there

I don't know where ... going

A

there

B

their

C

they're

D

_____ all very nice students!

A

Your

B

You're

C

D

.... teacher is very nice!

A

Your

B

You're

C

D

When I do not know a word, I .... use a dictionary

1

never

2

hardly ever

3

sometimes

4

often

5

very often

Controlevragen bij woordenboekgebruik

1. zoek ik een werkwoord / zelfstandig naamwoord (ZN) / bijvoegelijk naamwoord (BNW), enz.

2. past de eerste betekenis het beste bij mijn zin, of moet ik verder lezen, kijk ook naar de voorbeelden!!!
   

Word order

Put in the right order:

he - new - song - now - is - a - singing .

stay - up - late - on - weekdays - do mum - and - dad - not .

Put in the right order: in - the - has - breakfast - always -kitchen - Jack .

Tips

- Organise your thoughts and ideas. 

- Do not forget about paragraphs (use a blank line to start a new paragraph).

- Always check and edit your work before you hand it in.

- Avoid words like gonna, stuff, homie etc.

- I should be able to read your work (handwriting).

Website

https://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/writing/linking/contrast.htm

Website

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-conclusion/

Website

https://wordselector.com/other-ways-to-say-firstly-secondly-thirdly/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CFirstly%2C%20secondly%2C%20thirdly%E2%80%9D%20are%20correct%20and%20formal%2C%20though,use%20as%20another%20option%20that%20sounds%20more%20conversational.

What is the purpose of an argumentative essay?

A

To entertain the reader

B

To persuade the reader with evidence and reasoning.

C

To summarize a topic

D

To describe a personal experience

What is a counterargument in an argumentative essay?

A

A restatement of the thesis

B

An opposing viewpoint that is addressed and refuted.

C

A rhetorical question

D

A supporting example

What is the role of evidence in an argumentative essay?

A

To entertain the reader

B

To support the claims and convince the audience.

C

To provide background information

D

To introduce counterarguments

What is the structure of an argumentative essay?

A

Introduction, thesis, personal opinion

B

Body paragraphs, anecdotes, summary

C

Conclusion, analysis, evidence

D

Introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion.