Kensuke's Kingdom: Essay writing: NEW MODEL

• English
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

How do you turn questions in to an essay?

Step 1. Separate your ideas in to paragraphs

Step 2. Make a plan

Step 3. Write a first draft 

Step 4. Write a second and final draft

Step 5: Think or a title.

Today we are going to look at  how to plan and paragaphs

What are paragraphs?

Paragraphs 

are a set of 

sentences in one chunk

that are about the

 same

topic

They

help you 

organise ideas 

so that your essay

flows

nicely

Take a closer look ........

The 

whole 

paragraph

is about the 

SAME THING

TOPIC SENTENCE

The paragraph begins with a point and then gives reasons and then ends with the same point. 

Essay Layout

Title

Introduction

Body Paragraph One

(Possibly: Body Paragraph Two Three) 

Conclusion

Introduction

The main purpose of the introduction is to create interest so the reader wants to find out what you have to say about the book.

Firstly, start with a personalised question. This connects the reader to your essay and makes them want to continue reading, and secondly, at the end of the INTRODUCTION paragraph include your essay question.

Topic Sentences:

A "Topic Sentence" lets the reader know what your paragraph is going to be about. It introduces your new paragraph: 

He was diminutive, no taller than me and as old a man as I ever had seen. 

Body Paragraphs:

Leave a blank line between your paragraphs

Start with a Topic Sentence

Find evidence from the book to answer the essay question

Conclusion

Do not add anything new in your conclusion (last paragraph)

Sum up what you have already said and make sure you answer the essay question here. 

Example: Through Kensuke’s character, Morpurgo shows that kindness and patience are important in difficult situations. 

In Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo, a boy named Michael becomes stranded on a remote island. He feels scared and alone until he meets Kensuke, an older man who has lived there for years. Through Kensuke’s character, Morpurgo shows that kindness and patience are important in difficult situations. Kensuke helps Michael survive, and they slowly build trust and friendship.

Introduction: Always put the thesis statement in the last sentence ( or almost last) of your Introduction. 

Body Paragraph One

Kensuke shows kindness and patience from the beginning. Even though Michael is a stranger, Kensuke secretly leaves food and water for him, such as fish and fruit. Later, he saves Michael’s life when he is stung by jellyfish and takes care of him until he feels better. Kensuke does not trust Michael immediately, but he stays calm and slowly teaches him how to live on the island. This shows that kindness and patience can help people survive and build a strong friendship in hard times.

Introduce each paragraph with a "topic sentence" - This lets your reader know what the paragraph will be about!

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kensuke’s Kingdom shows how kindness and patience are important in difficult situations. Kensuke helps Michael survive and teaches him how to live on the island. Over time, they build trust and become close friends. Morpurgo reminds readers that being kind and patient can help people overcome challenges and understand each other better.

Always LINK the essay question to your conclusion 

Now try and write an essay: 

1. choose an essay question (see next slide for ideas)

2. Make a plan including introduction, one body paragraph and a conclusion

3. give it a title

4. Your essay should be around 200 words

Possible Essay Questions: 

1. The novel shows how being alone can help a person grow stronger and mature.

2.Kensuke’s Kingdom demonstrates that trust takes time but can create strong bonds.

Essay Statement: The novel shows how being alone can help a person grow stronger and mature.

Intro: Include the essay statement.

Body Paragraph ONE:

Find an example in the book - P E E L

In the 2nd year you need two body paragraphs and  in the 3rd year you need 3. But this essay is just ONE

 Conclusion:

Link back to the essay statement

Next lesson

We will make a plan for our essay.

Homework: Before Thursday

Read Kensuke's Kingdom 

Pages ______ - ____________

Essay Criteria

Content: Is all content relevant to the task, have you answered all the points in the essay question? Is the reader fully informed? 

5 Points

Communicative Achievement:  Did you hold the readers attention? Did you communicate your ideas well? Did you use the correct tone? (informal - semi formal).

5 Points

Total points divided by 2 = Essay Grade 

Organisation: Did you have a title, an introduction and a body paragraph and a conclusion? Did you leave a blank line between the paragrphs? Did you use Topic sentences?

5 Points

Language: Did you use a range of vocabulary? Did you use the correct grammar that we have learnt so far (present and past tenses?)

5 Points