English 1.1 lesson 4 in 2025-26

• English
• HBO
• Studiejaar 1

Continuing our ascent: lesson 4

English year 1 term 1

Homework

Unit 23: Read the theory and complete ex. 1 and 2.

Conduct assignment 4: 

For Tourist Behaviour, you will have a conversation with somebody from your chosen target group. During this conversation you will also pose some questions (in English) on behalf of the English course about Rotterdam, Haarlem or Amsterdam. Also, on behalf of the English course, you will ask 6 questions in total. You will record this conversation via audio recording.

Today

1. Linking words + quiz
2. writing an article: lay out
3. Formal vs informal language
4. Article titles
5. Start brainstorming or create your mindmap

Example questions

"What are your favourite things to do in Amsterdam?"

"Can you name some positive/negative aspects of Amsterdam?"

"What are the best places to stay?"

"What is the reason to visit Amsterdam?"

"What are your favourite places to visit in Amsterdam"

Answers homework unit 23 ex. 1+2

Ex 1.  1.B/2.B/3.A/4.A/5.B/6.A/7.A/8.B/9.A/10.A/11.B/12.B/13.A/14.B

Ex. 2

1. haven't seen/ 2.'ve seen/3.'ve ever seen/4.'ve already watched/5. 've never heard of/6.was/7. did he make/8. won/ 9. 've left/ 10. haven't finished

Important language tool in writing

Reminder: Linking words

Use a variety of linking words in your article

I couldn't manage to make any of the Linking Word images fit properly into this slide.  

One way to elevate your level is to apply linking words.

quizizz.com

The layout of an article

•Title

Introduction:

• Grab the reader's attention with a compelling opening sentence or question. (hook sentence)

• Briefly introduce the topic and outline the main points you will cover.

• Body:

• Develop your main points in separate paragraphs.

• Use clear topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.

The layout of an article

• Body:

• Provide evidence, examples, and supporting details.

• Use transitions to connect ideas and create a smooth flow (linking words).

• Conclusion:

• Summarize the main points of the article.

• Offer a final thought, insight, or call to action.

Hook sentence

Quotation: "I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious" (Albert Einstein)

Anecdote:  "there was nothing more isolating than being alone in a foreign country, with no phone, no money, and no ability to speak the language"

Hook sentence

Rhetorical question:  "What's the one thing you can do to make the world a better place?"

Interesting fact:  Some destinations limit tourist numbers due to overtourism (controlled tourism).

Simile or metaphor: The high rate of poverty in America is the country's elephant in the room

Create your own hook sentence

Work in pairs and think of at least 5 hook sentences

1)quotation

2)anecdote

3)rhetorical question

4)interesting fact

5)simile or metaphor

Use several of all of the 5 W's in the first paragraph

Who?

What?

Why?

Where?

When?

How?

Article

5 paragraphs:

Introduction (1)

Body paragraphs (3)

Conclusion (1)

Formal vs. Informal:  What do you know ....

In a nutshell

 Formal language 

Is not personal or is less personal than informal language. 

It is used when writing for professional or academic purposes like university assignments. 

Formal language does not use contractions or first person pronouns such as ‘I’ or ‘We’.

Informal language

is more casual and spontaneous. 

It is used when communicating with friends or family in writing or in conversation. 

It is used when writing personal emails, text messages. 

The tone of informal language is more personal than formal language

The tone, the choice of words and the way the words are put together vary between the two styles.

COLLOQUIALISMS = SPREEKTAAL IN NL.

Formal

Informal 

 The crowd was very noisy during the protest against the cuts to university funding.

 The mob was very rowdy during the protest against cuts to university funding.

Slang/Colloquialisms = informal

Formal 

Informal 

It was raining cats and dogs.

It was raining heavily.

Slang/Colloquialisms = informal

Formal 

Informal 

Lecturers expect students to use correct grammar and punctuation in essays.

 Lecturers still count on students to use correct grammar and punctuation in essays.

Slang/Colloquialisms = informal

Formal 

Informal 

The research project wonʼt continue next year.

 The research project will not continue next year.

Contractions = formal speech

Informal

Formal 

The improvements canʼt be introduced due to funding restrictions.

Improvements cannot be introduced due to funding restrictions.

Contractions = formal speech

Formal 

Informal 

The balloon was inflated for the experiment.

The balloon was blown up for the experiment.

Phrasal verbs = informal

Formal 

Informal 

The patient got over his illness.

 The patient recovered from his illness.

Phrasal verbs = informal 

Formal 

Informal 

The results of the study were mixed up.

The results of the study were confused.

Phrasal verbs = informal

Formal 

Informal 

During the interview, students were asked about their experiences.

During the interview, I asked students about their experiences.

Pronouns.

were asked = passive

i asked = formal 

Formal 

Informal 

We believe the practice is unsustainable.

 

It is believed the practice is unsustainable.

Pronouns.  

IT is = formal

we = informal

A good title:

1. should be clear, concise, informative, and the content should attract the reader's interest. 

2. It should be unique, avoid jargon so that the target group understands it, and use keywords for searchability. 

3. Consider your target audience and their needs 

A good title:

4. Use power words: strong verbs and adjectives that evoke emotion or highlight benefits.

5. Questions can rouse curiosity and encourage readers to find the answers within the article.

6. Create a sense of urgency: Use phrases that suggest the reader needs to read the article now.

7. The use of numbers in a title.

About article titles

Use the active tense: so for example 'opens', not opened, opening

The first letter of each key word should be capitalized.  

 Use capital letters for: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs

Your opinion on this title

District 'Kop van Zuid' in Rotterdam Achieves 95% Visitor Rate  because of Successful Promotion Campaign. 

Conjunctions are linking words, such as 'and', 'because', 'then', 'however', that help your reader follow your train of thought, or see the connection or relationship between ideas and arguments.

Conjunctions can also add clarity to your writing, especially an argument or essay.

What is your opinion?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

It was an example of a good press release headline

The headline incorporates a figure (95%) that show why the news is significant and demonstrates that the campaign was successful.

What do you think of this one?

Heinz Is Searching for its First-Ever ‘Head Burger Artist’

What is your opinion?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Another good title

The headline shows a clear news value – the use of  the words  'First-Ever' helps to capture the attention of the audience and also the words: 

‘Head Burger Artist’

raise curiosity.

Warm-Up & Brainstorming 

Activity: “Amsterdam in 5 Words”Write down 5 words they associate with Amsterdam (e.g., vibrant, historic, crowded, artistic, free).

Pair Share: Discuss why they chose those words.

Goal: Activate prior knowledge and introduce descriptive vocabulary.

Vocabulary & Language Input 

Useful phrases for expressing opinions and impressions:

I feel that…, In my opinion…, What struck me most was…, Amsterdam gives me the impression of…

Descriptive adjectives: lively, picturesque, multicultural, quirky, etc.(Use Thesaurus.com to find synonyms of the adjectives from your brainstorm)

Activity: think of useful phrases

Now it's your turn..

What is a good title for your article?

Topic ideas for your article

Create a mindmap and decide:

Answer to 5 W questions and H question

target group

target goal

Main question and sub questions? 

andere titel

Homework

1. Work on your draft version of your article

   2. Work on the text for formative assignment 5: Your personal opinion and impressions of Rotterdam, Haarlem or Amsterdam are also important when you write your article. Be critical. So, you are going to think about this. 

    

Passive

used to write formal texts

used in all tenses

Example: Passive: My money was stolen.

always use a form of 'to be' + past participle

you can add 'by'

Read the text and do the assignments 

As. 1

it was built/ was chosen as/ have been owned