Writing essays

1
Writing essays

• Merike Luts

2
The types of argumentative essays

• For and against
• Computers in every classroom
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
  living in a foreign country
• Problem essay
• What can we do to reduce global litter?
• Opinion essay
• Will life be better in future?

3
The types of essays

• Discursive essay
• The role of marriage in todays society
• Similar to the for and against essay, but within
  one paragraph for and against points are
  discussed
• Take different viewpoints and discuss them
  together with the opposite opinion.

4
Useful tips for essays

• Formal style
• Do not use short forms (dont, cant )
• Avoid strong feelings
• Use links ( in addition, furthermore....)
• Use different paragraphs for each point you make
• Begin each body paragraph with a key sentence
• Give examples to support your point of view
• Before you start - make a plan
• Three main ideas - three body paragraphs

5
The parts of an essay

• Introduction ( I )
• Body ( II-III-IV )
• Conclusion ( V )
• Your own opinion in the introduction or
  conclusion only

6
Introduction

• Attract readers attention
• Begin with attention grabber and thesis sentence
• Attention grabber could be a quotation, saying or
  proverb, a question
• space exploration essay
• One small step for man, a giant step for
  mankind.

7
Introduction

• Thesis statement tells the reader what the essay
  will be about
• Thesis statement will have two parts
• the first part states the topic
• Building a model train set.....
• the second part states the point of the essay
• ......takes time and patience.

8
Introduction thesis sentence

• Public transportation ...
• ....can solve some of our citys most pressing
  problems.
• Students take important exams....
• which can decide their future.

9
Question as an attention grabber

• Every year thousands of students take important
  exams which can decide their future. However, are
  the exams a fair way of judging a students
  ability?

10
Body paragraphs

• Each body paragraph will have the same basic
  structure
• Write the main idea from your plan in a sentence
  form
• Public transport reduces the traffic jams caused
  by cars
• Next write down your supporting points for the
  main idea give examples

11
Structure of a body paragraph

• Topic sentence
• 1. First supporting idea
• Elaboration for that point (further
  description or discussion)
• 2. Second supporting idea
• Elaboration for that point

12
Quote as an attention grabber

• He who opens a school door, closes a
  prison.Victor Hugo
• This could follow up with the following body
  paragraphs plan
• I Education is important for personal growth.
• II Social awareness develops from education.
• III Education can reform a personality

13
Quote as an attention grabber

• Success consists of going from failure to failure
  without loss of enthusiasm.Winston Churchill
• I Everybody fails.
• IIYou can overcome failure.
• III You can learn from failure.

14
Advantages/Disadvantages essay

• Paragraph plan
• I Introduction state topic
• II Body advantages
• III
• IV Body disadvantages
• V Conclusion balanced consideration/ opinion

15
Outline for for/ against essay

• Present both views in a fair way
• Paragraph plan
• I Introduction state topic
• II Body arguments for
• III Body arguments against
• IV Conclusion balanced consideration

16
Outline for a Discursive essay

• Discuss the subject as broadly as possible
  different views and opinions
• Outline
• I Introduction State topic
• II Body First point of view (for/against)
• III Body Second point of view (for/against)
• IV Body Third point of view (for/against)
• V Conclusion Give your opinion

17
Conclusion

• Do not introduce new ideas or information.
• Restate thesis in different words
• Conclusion is summary of key points in different
  words.

18
Links

• moreoverin facton the wholefurthermoreas a
  resultsimply putfor this reasonsimilarlylikewi
  seit follows thatnaturallyby
  comparisonsurelyyet

• In addition
• however
• nevertheless
• in the first place
• to start with
• besides
• as far as I am concerned
• all things considered
• due to
• therefore
• obviously
• as a matter of fact

19
National Exam 2008

• CHOICES AFTER SECONDARY SCHOOL
• Many young people decide to go to university
  after secondary school, while others think that
  going to work is a better decision. What are the
  advantages of both options and which would you
  choose?
• You should write 200 words.

20
Exam 2005

• Task 2 12 points
• Write an essay (150-200 words) on the topic
• If I were the Minister of Education in Estonia
• Bring out 23 problems and suggest solutions.

21
Exam 2004

• 12 points
• Write an essay (150-200 words) on the topic
• HAVING A JOB WHILE STUDYING
• Discuss both positive and negative aspects (2-3).

22
References

• http//homeworktips.about.com/od/essaywriting/a/t
  ypes.htm
• http//members.tripod.com/lklivingston/essay/samp
  le.html