Writing an essay

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Essay Writing 

CAE -V5CT

What is an essay?

Formal

Semi-formal

Informal

Essay

Formal letter

Informal letter

Review

Report

Proposal/Article

Writing in general

• No contractions → can’t = cannot / won’t = will not
  
• Formal language
  
• Blank line between each paragraph, no indentation
  
• Don’t use questions
  
• Don’t use ‘I’in every sentence
  
• Use linking words
  
• Show your vocabulary!

The nuts and bolts (CAE)

• Read the task carefully
  
• Decide which two points you want to consider
  
• You don’t have to use the opinions → if you do, own words
  
• Write your essay in 220 to 260 words 
  
• Target reader: tutor/academic
  

The nuts and bolts (CPE)

• Read the task carefully: you'll see two texts
  
• Write down two key points of each text present contrasting or complementary views
  
• Identify whether the two texts 
• Integrate and paraphrase each of the main points
• Integrate your own opinion & views
• Write your essay in 240 to 280 words 

The order to write your essay

• Start writing the body of your essay: PEE (Point - Evidence - Examples)
• Write the introduction of your essay: Thesis Statement is final sentence of introduction
• Write the conclusion: Rephrase your Thesis Statement
• Choose a catchy title: no question

Tips for writing:

• Do not use 'I' or 'you' (neutral tone)
• Avoid contracting words (don't)
• Be sparing with punctuation marks like exclamation mark, question mark, series of dots
• Do not repeat the same word, use synonyms
• Remember everything from your grammar classes, e.g. irregular verbs, tenses, word order, adjectives, adverbs

• Use complete sentences, including a subject, verb, and complements (objects, adverbials, etc.)
• Do not use informal language
• Do not start sentences with for, and, but, or, yet, so, because , etc.

Linked to background info

Reason to oppose or support ideas

Development of an idea

Posed the end of the introduction

Thesis Statement

Argument

In what style should the essay be written?

1. informal
2. semi-formal
3. formal

Who is the audience for you essay?

1. your teacher
2. your friends
3. your parents
4. you yourself

How many paragraphs should the essay contain?

1. 5
2. 4
3. 3
4. 2

Which of these should you NOT do in the first paragraph?

1. State what you are going to write about
2. Introduce the topic
3. State your opinion
4. Write about 3 to 4 sentences

What is the purpose of the first sentence of a body paragraph

1. to give an example
2. to state whether that option is the most benefical
3. to indicate what the rest of the paragraph is about
4. to convince the reader

Which of these linking words are you allowed to use but are NOT considered advanced?

1. however / although
2. moreover / furthermore
3. for example / for instance
4. but / because / and / or

Which of these should you NOT do in your conclusion

1. repeat your examples
2. write which one is most beneficial
3. give a reason why it is most beneficial
4. summarise your main points

Emphasis

Addition

Contrast

Result

however

in contrast

above all

furthermore

nevertheless

most importantly

on the other hand

consequently

certainly

besides

moreover

what is more

due to

therefore

so

that is why

for instance

although

in fact