2C Essay writing

Essay overview

Rediscovering essay writing altogether!

2C - Discovering Fiction: Choices & Fate

Multiple Choice

What is an essay?

• A set of Google Slides about an idea

• A piece of writing about a particular subject

• A spoken presentation

​What is an essay?

An essay is...

... a piece of writing about a particular subject. You usually write about one topic that has several main points distributed across different paragraphs (§). An essay comprises an introduction, a body or development paragraphs and a conclusion. The aim of an essay in literature is to analyse how a topic is transmitted through a text, why and what effect is has on the reader.

Discovering Fiction: Choices & Fate

Fill in the Blanks

An essay typically has at least ... main paragraphs.

Fill in the Blanks

What's the first paragraph of an essay called?

Introduction

It tells the reader what the essay is about.

1. It usually starts with a "hook", a way to catch the reader's attention;
2. Then, it introduces some background information or context;
3. It defines the topic of the essay;
4. And finally, it ends with a thesis statement, the most important part of an essay.​

Discovering Fiction: Choices & Fate

Multiple Choice

What's a thesis statement?

• an opinion about a particular topic

• a claim about a topic or a work of literature that an essay will discuss

• a sentence that summarises what a text is about

• a paragraph about an argument or point that will be defended in an essay

A thesis statement is...

• Arguable

• Provable

• Specific

• Surprising, or not immediately apparent

• And it answers the questions WHAT - HOW - WHY

Discovering Fiction: Choices & Fate

Multiple Choice

Is this a good thesis statement?
"The Great Gatsby describes New York society in the 1920s"

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Is this a good thesis statement?
“Dr. Frankenstein’s monster tells us a lot about the human condition”

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Is this a good thesis statement?
“Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet shows that it is not fate that determines who you love, but your own choices.”

• YES

• NO

Body paragraphs

The body (or development) paragraphs in an essay usually defend a particular argument.

1 § = 1 claim

2 mnemonic strategies to remember how to structure them:

Discovering Fiction: Choices & Fate

Structure of body paragraphs

PEEL or the Hamburger M0del

PEEL stands for:
- Point out, or Topic Sentence
- Explanation
- Evidence
- Link back, or mini-conclusion

Discovering Fiction: Choices & Fate

Conclusion

The conclusion summarises your main points and gives the reader an idea why your topic is important.

It brings closure to your essay. Do not introduce a new idea or topic!

Discovering Fiction: Choices & Fate

Multiple Choice

What is a THESIS?

• The main point you are trying to make in your essay.

• A type of conflict in your essay.

• The quote you use as evidence.

Multiple Choice

The body paragraphs contain a topic sentence, an explanation, evidence and a mini-conclusion.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

In your conclusion, you should introduce new ideas.

• TRUE

• FALSE