3V Essay Lesson 1: Structure & Content

Essay Writing
Lesson 1: Structure & Content

How to structure an essay?
How to make sure the content is 
relevant?
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Slide 1: Slide
EngelsMiddelbare schoolvwoLeerjaar 3

This lesson contains 26 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.

time-iconLesson duration is: 30 min

Items in this lesson

Essay Writing
Lesson 1: Structure & Content

How to structure an essay?
How to make sure the content is 
relevant?

Slide 1 - Slide

What is an Essay?

Slide 2 - Slide

Slide 3 - Slide

What is an argumentative essay?
A
Betoog
B
Beschouwing
C
Uiteenzetting

Slide 4 - Quiz

Argumentative Essay
Purpose (doel) 
Convince (overtuig)

Je hebt een stelling (thesis) waarvan je anderen probeert te overtuigen met goede argumenten. 

Slide 5 - Slide

Example Topics
Students must wear uniforms
All cars should be painted yellow
Homework should be banned
School should be four days a week
Video games should be banned
University should be free
Parents should be held legally responsible for the actions of their minor children

Slide 6 - Slide

Thesis Statement
One sentence that expresses the main idea of your essay.
It is not a fact, it should be debatable.

Fact: Abortion is legal in The Netherlands
Thesis Statement: Abortion should become illegal in The Netherlands.

Slide 7 - Slide

Create a Thesis (Practice)
Topic: School Uniforms?

1) Are you for or against wearing school uniforms? Decide on your opinion.

Ask yourself these questions as the basis for your brainstorm:
- Would you want to wear a school Uniform? Why/why not?
- Why might schools choose to have a school uniform?

Slide 8 - Slide

What are some of the cons (nadelen) of wearing a school uniform?

Slide 9 - Open question

What are some of the pros (voordelen) of wearing a school uniform?

Slide 10 - Open question

What would be your thesis statement for this topic (school uniforms)?

Slide 11 - Open question

Topic Sentences
Your argument in one sentence.

Example: Having to wear school uniforms does not allow students to find their own style.

Slide 12 - Slide

Turn this into a topic sentence:
School uniforms: equality.

Slide 13 - Open question

Turn this into a topic sentence:
School uniforms: rich & poor.

Slide 14 - Open question

Turn this into a topic sentence:
School uniforms: uncomfortable

Slide 15 - Open question

Build-a-Burger

Slide 16 - Slide

timer
2:00
  • Decide on your topic
  • Organize your ideas
  • Write the body paragraphs
  • Write the introduction
  • Add the finishing touches
  • Write the conclusion
  • Write your thesis statement

Slide 17 - Drag question

Introduction
Main goal: Introducing the topic and grabbing the interest of the reader.

TIPS FOR WRITING THE INTRODUCTION
1. It needs to include a thesis statement.
2. It should introduce the topic.
3. It has to provide an overview of the paper.

Slide 18 - Slide

Second, Third, & Fourth Paragraph
Main goal: Providing details, such as facts, quotes, examples & statistics.

TIPS FOR WRITING THE INTRODUCTION
1. Each paragraph needs a topic sentence.
2. The rest of the paragraph gives examples and evidence.


Slide 19 - Slide

Conclusion
Main goal: Concluding the essay

TIPS FOR WRITING THE INTRODUCTION
1. Restate (herhaal) your thesis statement in different words.
2. Explain how each body paragraph supports the thesis statement.
DO NOT give new information in the conclusion


Slide 20 - Slide

Assignment

Slide 21 - Slide

Slide 22 - Slide

Your thesis needs to be about animal testing. Is this good/bad? Should this be illegal.
Two arguments have already been given, so you just need to think of examples and evidence and create a nice topic sentence.

The third argument is up to you.

Slide 23 - Slide

What would be your thesis statement?

Slide 24 - Open question

What would be your three topic sentences?

Slide 25 - Open question

TO DO
Write a first draft (eerste versie) of your essay about this topic. 
Use the thesis statement and topic sentences you've just come up with and make sure your essay follows the burger format. 
140-190 words

Next lesson: We'll look at the language you need to use when writing an essay and some common mistakes students make. 

Slide 26 - Slide