ESSAY WRITING

6 VWO


Essay Writing

An argumentative essay

For your exam you will have to write an argumentative essay. The goal of such an essay is to present your readers with a new, original way of looking at a concept and to try and convince your readers of your point of view.

How do I start?

You do NOT start by writing sentences. You do start by …

  1. Brainstorming

The first step towards writing a good essay is to brainstorm about the given topic. Again, do NOT start by writing sentences. Start with a brainstorming session in which you write down everything concerning the topic that pops into your mind. Don’t worry that you might not use all of it. Take at least five minutes for this. For the brainstorming session you can use the mind map or the spider diagram included in this reader.

  1. Organizing your thoughts

The next step is to decide which of the ideas you have written down during your brainstorming session you want to use. You will also have to put them in a logical order. It is usually best to have the pros (arguments that support your opinion) immediately followed by the cons (counterarguments), but it is also possible to mention the cons first. Place pros that are similar together. They may make up one paragraph later.

  1. Structure

Before you start writing sentences, let’s take a look at the structure of an essay and at the language you should use when writing an essay.

Your essay should consist of four main parts:

1.  Title

2.  Introduction/thesis paragraph

3.  Body paragraphs

4.  Concluding paragraph

3.1. Title

The title should not be boring, but make people curious. You can either decide on a suitable title for your essay now, or once you have finished writing. Most people find it best to come up with a title after they have written their essay.

3.2. Introduction/thesis paragraph

Introductory paragraphs have two tasks:

1.  They should get the reader's interest so that he or she will want to read more.

2.  They should let the reader know what the writing is going to be about.

The first paragraph is a kind of funnel, which draws readers into the discussion. This paragraph ends with the thesis which focuses the reader’s attention to your opinion.

The second task can be accomplished by a well-designed thesis statement. Writing thesis statements can be learned rather quickly. The first task — capturing the reader's interest — is more difficult.

Try not to announce the thesis statement as a thesis statement. In other words, try not to use phrases such as "The purpose of this paper is . . . . ". By doing this it becomes clear that this paper is the work of an amateur. If necessary, write the thesis statement that way the first time; it might help you to see what it is you are trying to convince others of. But when you rewrite your paper, write an original statement.

3.3. Body paragraphs

You develop your argument in the body paragraphs of your paper. Try to have at least three body paragraphs between your thesis paragraph and the conclusion.

·  Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that is linked to the thesis statement. The topic sentence should introduce new information but should also always be connected to the first paragraph.

·  Within the paragraph you should use specific evidence/examples to support the idea mentioned in your topic sentence.

·  Acknowledge contrasting opinions, but always refute them. Your arguments in favour of your thesis should be stronger than any argument against it.

·  A paragraph should not contain two separate ideas unless it explains why they are related to each other.

·  The ideas in your body paragraphs should come in a logical sequence. The paragraphs should form an entity.

·  Transitional words help your reader to understand the way that you are developing your main idea. Common transitional phrases are ‘furthermore’ , ‘in contrast’ , ‘for example’ , ‘as a result’ , and ‘ in conclusion’ . You will find an overview of these transitional words further on in this of this reader.

3.4. Concluding paragraph

The conclusion is the last paragraph of an essay. Although it is often short in comparison with the other paragraphs, the conclusion has a number of very important functions.

When you are writing a conclusion for your essay, it is helpful to keep the following things in mind:

1.  Your conclusion is the last paragraph that your reader will see.

2.  Your conclusion should remind your reader about what you have been trying to do, namely convince them of your opinion.

3.  In most essays, therefore, your conclusion should restate the main idea of the essay. So you restate your thesis statement, but in other words.

4.  Your conclusion should also leave your reader interested in your topic and idea.

5.  For some essays, especially for persuasive or argumentative essays, it's very effective to end your conclusion by directly addressing your reader with a question or call for action.

6.  A strong conclusion is extremely important. It should make a real impact on your reader. Therefore, be sure to spend a good deal of time planning and writing your conclusion.

  1. Register

Essays are supposed to be formal, so:

·  Do not use colloquial expressions. Use “proper” English.

·  Do not use abbreviations such as: “It’s”, “They’ve” etcetera.

·  Be convincing and to the point. Do not seem hesitant.

  1. Writing your first draft

Your first draft is meant to help you put everything in its place. Don’t worry about writing correct English at this point. Leave spaces between the paragraphs. This will allow you to move the paragraphs around later on (by using arrows for instance). Write complete sentences. Try to use connecting words between the paragraphs to show how they relate to each other. If you find this too difficult at this point, you can do so later.

  1. Your second draft

When you have finished (part of) your first draft, read it again. Reorganize your paragraphs to make their order more logical. Reorganize the sentences within your paragraphs to make your text more logical and easier to read. Cross out unnecessary words and sentences and use arrows to rearrange parts of text. Use transitional phrases to link the paragraphs together. Go over your text several times to improve it, but make sure you leave enough time to write your final version. If you still have not decided on a title, do this now.

  1. Your final version

When you have gone over your draft version several times and are happy with it (or at least as happy as you can be within the time allowed for writing the essay), write your final version. Make sure to leave margins left and right. Write neatly.

  1. Tip1 !!!: Many good essay writing courses are available on the internet. You can find a good one at: http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/index.html.
  2. Tip2 !!!: A good five-paragraph essay including commentary can be found at the following website:
    http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/five_par.htm
  1. Useful vocabulary

Addition / Again, also, and, and then, besides, equally important, first, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, second, finally, still, too.
Comparison / Also, in the same way, likewise, similarly.
Concession / Granted, naturally, of course.
Contrast / Although, and yet, at the same time, but at the same time, despite that, even so, even though, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, on the other hand, otherwise, still, though, yet.
Emphasis / Certainly, indeed, in fact, of course
Example or illustration / After all, as an illustration, even, for example, for instance, in fact, that is, to illustrate.
Summary / All in all, altogether, finally, in brief, in short, in conclusion, in summary, to summarize.
Time sequence / After a while, afterward, and then, before, besides, earlier, eventually, finally, simultaneously, so far, still.

(from: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/transitions.htm)
Mindmap


Spider diagram
Assignment 1

In the essay ‘Gun, Drugs, Murder’ the layout has been deleted. Read the essay and do the following assignments:

1.  Box every paragraph.

2.  Highlight the thesis sentence in the first paragraph.

3.  Highlight the topic sentence in each following paragraph.

4.  Underline important transitional words.

Gun, Drugs, Murder

Since the days of the pioneers, firearms have been part of the American tradition as protection and a means of hunting or sport.As we near the end of the 20th century the use of guns has changed significantly.Because of fast and steady increase in crime and the fight for the right to own a hand gun, the introduction of legislation for gun control, to try to reduce the crime in the United States, has been a hotly debated issue in recent years. Although many people feel that gun control violates the right of the people, given in the second amendment "the right to bear arms", controlling distribution and sales and the registration of guns and gun owners is necessary because of the homicide rate involving guns and the violence by criminals using guns. Many people feel that gun control violates the right of the people given in the second amendment the right "to bear arms". Opponents of gun control, including the National Rifle Association, better known as the NRA, argue that the "right to bear arms" is guaranteed in the second amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and licensing restrictions penalize law-abiding citizens while in no way preventing criminal use of handguns. It is also argued that by making it difficult for guns to be bought and registered for the American public there is a threat to the personal safety of American families everywhere. However controlling the sale and distribution of firearms is necessary because of the homicide rate involving guns. In 1988 there were 9000 handgun related murders in America. Metropolitan centers and some suburban communities of America are setting new records for homicides by handguns. Larger Metropolitan centers have ten times the murder rate of all Western Europe. For example in Washington D.C. there was an estimated 400 homicides including guns. In addition gun control has been seen as necessary because of the violence by criminals using guns. Gun control is wrapped in a series of social issues such as crime and drugs. Guns have become closely linked to drugs and murder in the public mind. Drug dealing and high tech weaponry have escalated the warfare in cities between long established loosely knit gangs. Guns are predominantly used by gang members.Many police officers are killed every year due to drug and gang related incidents involving guns. For example in 1988 on February 26 rookie New York City police officer Edward Byre was sitting alone in his police car guarding the house of a drug trial witness in South Jamaica, Queens where he was shot four times in the head and killed.In conclusion there are valid reasons for why certain people feel that gun control is unfair. People against gun control feel that it is a violation of the Constitution to control the sale and distribution and the registration of guns and gun owners. But it is necessary for there to be certain limits on the way that firearms are handled in this country because of the homicide rate involving guns and because of the violence created by criminals using guns. If gun control legislation were to go through there would be a significant decline in gun related crimes and fatalities.

(from: http://www.123helpme.com/assets/17402.html)


Assignment 2

Read the following essay and highlight the thesis sentence and topic sentences and underline important transitional words.

Beauty pageants and competitions take place all over the world nowadays, even in China. Some take place in small towns on a very small scale. Others, such as the Miss World Contest, are huge events that bring lots of money to the nations that host them. Last year this was China. These contests are watched by millions of people all over the world. However, some people believe that contests like this should be banned because they are degrading for women and promote sexual discrimination. I do not agree with this opinion.
For many years beauty pageants and competitions were banned in my country, China. Now the government has lifted this ban and many such events take place. I believe that these competitions represent a new kind of freedom and openness in my country. Hosting events such as the Miss World Contest, just like hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is also proof of economic development and progress and gives China prestige on the international stage.
I do not accept that beauty pageants degrade their participants because the girls who compete in these pageants are not unwilling participants. No one forces them to get involved. They do so of their own free will. Being crowned Miss China, Miss Beijing or even Miss 'small town' must do great things for a girl's self-esteem.
I also do not believe that these competitions promote sexual discrimination. Girls who enter these competitions are not judged only on their looks. These girls have grace and intelligence, as well as beauty. They are artistic and refined. Why shouldn't they show off their talents? Indeed, these young women are role models for other young Chinese girls who are encouraged to improve themselves by watching these competitions. Interestingly, most of the judges of beauty pageants in my country, as well as the people in the audience, are women!
Finally, we must also remember that beauty pageants are just another form of entertainment. I believe that there are many other forms of entertainment that do far greater damage to women than beauty pageants. Think, for example, about some of the images of violence against women in films or even comic books.
For the reasons mentioned above, I am strongly opposed to the idea of banning beauty contests. Instead I hope that in my country they continue to gain in popularity and we can continue to celebrate feminine beauty. (398 words)

(This essay is taken from the HIPPO site of the Language Centre at http://hippo.ust.hk/ originally intended as a sample essay for argumentative writing in IELTS).