V5 essay

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Welcome! 

You need: laptop, notebook, pen

Programme

1. Programme / learning goals / important info (5 mins)

2. Recap thesis statement + introduction (5 mins)

3. Body paragraphs (15 mins)

4. Assignment (10 mins)

5. Round off together (5 mins)

Learning goal

At the end of this lesson...

 

- I will know how to write a body paragraph

Important dates:

22 May:        practice essay (mandatory)

12 June:       essay

Test week:   oral exam

At the end of the lesson, hand in your reading notebook please

            Essay

Do you remember?

2 mins to discuss with your neighbour:

- 3 elements of a thesis statement

- at least 3 other characteristics of a thesis statement

- build-up of an introduction

Try to remember without looking into your notebook

Thesis statement, 2 elements:

1. It describes your topic, what your essay will be about.

2. It introduces a specific claim you are making about your topic.

(the two major points/reasons which will support and develop your claim about the topic, will be used in the first two body paragraphs).

Characteristics - a good thesis statement..

- is the main point of your essay

- summarizes the whole essay in one complete sentence

- provides the framework for the rest of the essay

- is arguable: it expresses an opinion or idea, not just a fact

- is neither too broad nor too narrow

- uses specific language

- is NOT a question

                 

                The 3 elements

of an essay introduction

TITLE

Introduction

- opening sentence(s) /'hook'

- background info

- thesis statement

Body paragraph 1: 1st argument for

- topic sentence

- 2 explanations/examples/evidence

(- concluding sentence)

Body paragraph 2: 2nd argument for

- topic sentence

- 2 explanations/examples/evidence

(- concluding sentence)

Body paragraph 3: 1 argument against

- topic sentence

- 1 explanation/example/evidence

(- concluding sentence)

Conclusion

- reference to thesis statement

- name most beneficial + arguments

(no examples, no new info)

Video 1:24 - 5:02

Body paragraphs

Each body paragraph has its own miniature introduction, body, and conclusion in the form of sentences. In our essay, we will not use a concluding sentence (because of our 250 words max).

T:  topic sentence

E:  explanations/ examples/ evidence

(C:  concluding sentence)

Step 1: 

Your paragraph always needs to start with a topic sentence. Your topic sentence should include: the topic and the main point/theme of the paragraph. After the topic sentence, you explain and give examples to prove your argument/support your main point/theme. Then you wrap it all up in 1 sentence

1. Topic sentence

Watching a video: 2:10 mins 

(question after watching: characteristics of a topic sentence)

A topic sentence....

A topic sentence...

1. Indicates what a paragraph is about
2. Is made up of: topic + central point
3. Is short & to-the-point
4. Should expand on the thesis statement
5. Goes at the start of a paragraph
6. Can be used as transition between paragraphs                          (> linking words)

Thesis statement:

Homework should be banned in secondary schools

(2 major points: it takes too much time and is demotivating)

What would be your 2 topic sentences (of the first 2 paragraphs)?

Homework should be banned in secondary schools (it takes too much time and is demotivating)
What are your topic sentences?

Topic sentences: examples

Our school's dress code policy has many negative consequences for girls.

The world population is strongly impacted by a lack of access to water.

Cats are very good pets for various reasons.

Body paragraphs

T:  topic sentence

E:  explanations/ examples/ evidence

Step 1: 

Your paragraph always needs to start with a topic sentence. Your topic sentence should include: the topic and the main point/theme of the paragraph. After the topic sentence, you explain and give examples to prove your argument/support your main point/theme. Then you wrap it all up in 1 sentence

What is the topic sentence?

What is the 'middle part', i.e. the explanation/example/evidence? 

Are these examples, evidence or explanation?

(1. explanation, 2. evidence)

Body paragraphs

T:  topic sentence

E:  explanations/ examples/ evidence

C:  concluding sentence

last step: you wrap it all up in 1 sentence

Concluding sentence

• The last sentence of the paragraph
• Lets the reader know the paragraph has ended
• Brings the paragraph to a logical conclusion, by:

        - restating/ summarizing the main idea

        - offering a suggestion, opinion or prediction

Assignment

• I will give you a handout
• Work in pairs
• No laptop

Please keep the handout in your notebook so we can refer to it next lesson.

Well done! You...

- know how to write a body paragraph

Homework: 

Make sure your reading notebook is complete

READ your book and always check Magister before the lesson

Speaking

Read in silence