Essays which work

A guide by Ms Robertson (using Dr. Ian Hunter’s Write that Essay)

What is an Essay?An essay is an argument. You are presenting a case

to convince someone of something.

An essay has structure. It is expected that you will

have an introduction, body paragraphs and

conclusions.

Essays have more than one answer

All essays have more than one possible answer.

Essays are arguments based in evidence. They are NOT detective stories but rather you are a lawyer.

How many words do the average year 13 students write over a year?

Tip

It is more than you think...

55,000-77000 wordsIn the first year of university, students write 24000 words.

Many students don’t know

how to write well or concisely.

Tip

Stick to the word limit. It will teach you how to communicate what is truly important about your topic.

By learning how to structure and write an essay well, you will write less and also get higher marks. Tip

Give the argument in the opening and then build your case.

What do word limits mean? Year 10/11 400 words 1 ½ pages

500 Words 1 ⅔ pages

Year 12 600 Words 2 pages

Year 13 800 Words 2 ½ pages

Meet Alberto.

He recently moved from Spain to

Kings College

He loves soccer, but thinks he can’t

write a great essay. Or even an OK

one...

Tip

If you find it hard, practice!

Sports and essays are better if you practice often.

But what is in an essay?Alberto found it helpful if he split the

work up to more

achievable goals.

TipIf a job seems big, split it up and set a timer. Yes this works for homework, too!

Introduction Body Conclusion

400 Words 60 words

(3-4 Sentences)

260 Words

(3 short

paragraphs)

80 words

(4 sentences)

500 Words 60 words

(3-4 sentences)

340 Words

(4 paragraphs)

100 Words

(5 Sentences)

600 Words 60 words

(3-4 sentences)

440 Words

(5 paragraphs)

100 Words

(5 Sentences)

800 Words 60 words

(3-4 sentences)

640 Words

(6 paragraphs)

100 Words

(5 Sentences)

Alberto wanted to know what should be in each part of his essay. Then he could write one part at a time. Tip

Before you can write one part of your essay, you need to have a PLAN!

Alberto read ‘Write that Essay’ then asked his teacher.

He did not start gaming and procrastinate until it was too late.

His teacher explained to him that while he was on the right track, each part of an essay had a specific structure.

Once he knew the structure, essays would be easy.

Introduction

An introduction has four sentences.

Neutral Sentence

Context Sentence

Argument Sentence

Summary Sentence

Tip

If you know your point of view and what your main points are, you can write an introduction quickly and change it later if you need to.

Neutral Sentence

The first sentence in your

essay.

The facts should be agreed

and not open to dispute.

The aim of this sentence is

to begin your essay in an

informative way.

For Example….

In Billy Elliot, directed by Stephen Salary an important

relationship is between Billy and his father, Jacky.

In New Zealand, teenagers playing sports may receive

serious head injuries and concussions.

Teenagers today are often stressed.

Context SentenceThis sentence shows the person

reading it that you know

something about the topic.

It should give the context, or

background of your essay.

If it is an essay about a specific

text, you should name the text

and the creator.

In ‘Billy Elliot’ directed by Stephen Daldry the

challenges faced by miners and their families is shown

through the characters of….

While New Zealanders love their sports, they often don’t

know how to best recognise the signs of a serious head

injury.

In New Zealand today, many teenagers do not know

how to cope with all the pressure that is put on them.

Argument Sentence

This sentence tells your reader what

your point of view is

It also outlines the main points you will

make

You can use sentence starters like…

This essay will show….This essay will argue…

Examples

Jacky and Billy have a complicated relationship because

Jacky has traditional values, he is under a lot of stress and

he struggles to accept change while Billy discovers he is

talented in Ballet.

This essay will show that understanding the dangers of

head injuries, being aware of the signs and symptoms ,

and knowing how to look after people with suspected head

injuries, many long term consequences would be avoided.

Teenagers face more pressure than ever before because

of high expectations at school, in extra-curricular activities

and from peer pressure.

Summary Sentence

The last sentence sums up your

essay.

It drives home the importance of

your topic.

You can make a strong statement

or

use words like…

Overall… to sum up…

Examples

The relstionbetween Billy and Jacky is important because it

helps Billy to achieve his dream.

By taking concussions seriously, we can all enjoy sports

without worrying about our long term health.

Overall, we need to decide what is really worthwhile for

teenager to be spending their time on.

From outsider to starAlberto scored 30 goals in 21 games. He is now being scouted by several professional clubs in the Premier League. And he’s a favorite of the other boys on the team.

He was also in the top 10% of students in his year 12 exams. He now knows if you work at writing, it becomes easier!

Tip

You can be good at more than one thing!

Pro tips for introductions...

➔ You are presenting an argument, not telling them a story. Making your word choice decisive pushes you up to M/E grades.

➔ Your introduction should give your opinion and express it strongly using decisive language

➔ Read the following two exemplars to decide which one works best.

In Gattaca, directed by Andrew

Niccols, ideas about genetic

engineering are explored.

Niccols used techniques such

as symbolism, use of close ups

and dialogue to show the

audience the negative

consequences of using genetic

engineering. Human nature is

to use any difference, like

genetic engineering to

discriminate against people.

Gattaca is a film about how

much harm science can do in

the wrong hands.

William Gaylin said that “II not only think we will tamper with Mother Nature. I think Mother wants us to."

Andrew Niccols explores the idea of how much we can

really tamper with humanity in the 1997 film ‘Gattaca’

He uses the character of Vincent and his desire to

push beyond the limits of his ‘potential’ in the dystopic

world of Gattaca to show the best and worst of a

society that has tampered with our own DNA. Genetic

engineering may change our genes but ultimately it

doesn’t change human nature . Niccols questions the

nature of human identity and potential in a world

where everything is measured.

The body paragraph is where you use evidence to convince the reader your argument is strong.

Tip

All the paragraph structures are really the same….

What is Evidence?

1, facts and figuresnames, places, dates, names of techniques….

2, Case examples An example to illustrate a main point or one event which shows a character trait.

Tip

Evidence should be explained to show it is relevant to your argument.

3. Expert Opinion (quotes)This can be quotes from the text or from scholars.

EXPLAIN what this quote means and HOW it relates to your argument/point.

PRECThese are PARTs to your paragraph, not sentences! ➔ Point

First sentence should say what the point that you are making is

➔ ReasonWhy is this point significant to the question?

➔ ExampleSpend 2-3 sentences giving an example (or more than one) to prove your point.

➔ Concluding Sentence

Finish with a concluding sentence then move onto the next point.

Example for Gattaca

The first scene in Gattaca establishes the setting and main themes of the film. Niccols

does this by establishing the audience’s expectation of Jerome as being a perfect,

privileged person in the world of Gattaca, the space programme headquarters and then

breaking the expectations. Niccols begins this scene with a close-up of

Jerome/Vincent testing his blood and the green light flashing, showing the acceptance

of his DNA. this is followed by a low angle shot of Vincent going up the escalator

showing the desire of his character to climb to the stars and his rise in status.

Costuming is used to show the conformity of his character and personal appearance to

the surrounding characters as he is also dressed in a conservative, immaculate gray

suit, and looks as if he has every right to be there. Niccols then used dialogue to list

the advantages that the character on screen has had in life before we see the discovery

of a body in the pristine, modernist headquarters and hear the lines ‘except I am not

Jerome Morrow’, undercutting the audience’s expectations and establishing a mystery

to keep us watching. It also establishes the theme of appearance and identity as it asks

the question ‘who is this character? And ‘why does he hide his identity?’

P

R

E

C

Class Example

Pro Tips Use short quotesMarks come from explaining the quote, not memorising it

Tell us what the quote meansALWAYS tell the reader what the quote means, Do this immediately after the quote. If you don’t say they will assume you don’t know. You can include words like ‘meaning… this quote suggests….this quote tells us….

Always analyse your quoteAlways tell the marker how it applies to your point/argument/question and why.

ConclusionsSome people have conclusions which weaken

their essay. But this is an opportunity to push

your essay up to the next level. It is the last

part your marker reads.

Quick and simple conclusions:

Sentence 1:Restate your argument

Sentence 2: Tell how you demonstrated your

argument

Sentence 3: Thoughtful Analysis

Sentence 4 Strong Statement

In conclusion, ‘Gattaca’ leads us to see that our

identity is more than the sum of our DNA, but is

something we can shape and control.

Niccols uses techniques like motifs and lighting,

as well as the relationships between Vincent and

Eugene to develop this idea .

Through Vincent, the audience is shown that our

beginnings should not define us and through

overcoming hardships, we can create our own

identity.

And as we enter a new age where the world of

Gattaca seems closer than ever, hopefully we will

change the way we think about difference.

1.restateIn conclusion, ‘Gattaca’ leads us to see that our

identity is more than the sum of our DNA, but is

something we can shape and control.

overcoming hardships, we can create our own

identity.

And as we enter a new age where the world of

Gattaca seems closer than ever, hopefully we will

change the way we think about difference.

Restate your Argument

- Read your

introduction again to

check what it was.

- Rewrite in a slightly

more interesting way.

2. Outline argument

Niccols uses techniques like motifs and lighting,

as well as the relationships between Vincent and

Eugene to develop this idea .

Tell how you demonstrated

your Argument

-What did you discuss?

(Main paragraph points)

3. Thoughtful Analysis

Through Vincent, the audience is shown that our

beginnings should not define us and through

overcoming hardships, we can create our own

identity.

Thoughtful Analysis could

be….

- Your most significant

point and why

- New insight

- Personal reflection

- What we learn from

this

- Future implications

4. Strong Statement

As we enter a new age where the world of

Gattaca seems closer than ever, hopefully we will

change the way we think about difference. Summarise the key message from

your essay in one sentence.

restate

demonstrate

Analysis

Strong Statement

Write your own:

Language of Essays

Define Present the meaning of the term, generally in a formalised way. Including an example will enhance

your definition.

Describe Present a detailed and accurate picture of the event or phenomenon.

SummarisePresent a brief overview of the major points with commentary about why they are important.

Analyse Describe the main ideas and their relationships, assumptions and significance

Compare Show the pros and cons or the similarities and differences

Contrast Compare by focusing upon the differences.

Justify Present the background for a particular event or phenomenon and why you think it is so. You will

be expected to present evidence to support your views and conclusions.

Criticise Present your considered opinion based upon the pros and cons. Criticising does not necessarily

mean condemning the idea. It is best to present a balanced argument showing both the positive

and negative points.

Review Present a summary of the important aspects or parts and comment critically where appropriate.

Evaluate Weigh up or give your assessment of the relevant matter, citing positive and negative features,

advantages and disadvantages, and so on. Interpret Present the meaning, using examples and

presenting your opinion.

Discuss Describe the event or phenomenon, but give the positive and negative aspects. At university level,

it would be fair to expect a critical discussion, citing the significance of the topic and any

assumptions, if relevant.

What people are saying

Learning how to write an essay has inspired to take Level 3 English next year.

With this essay structure, I got an E for my internal!

I actually passed an assessment the first time. Wow!

Quotes for illustration purposes only

Milestones

Day 1 Week 1 Week 2

PlanChoose a topic, a genre and

write a statement of intent.

PrepareDo any research that you

need, and draw an

outline/brainstorm of your

topic.

Draft

Write your first draft of

your writing

Check your draft for errors.

Use google docs spell check

and grammarly to check your

own work for spelling and

grammar.

Good luck!