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

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