Text Essay Writing:
When you think of the word “essay” you should try to think of it as an “argumentative essay” (there are different types of essays, but this is the most common). As the word implies, an essay is therefore an ARGUMENT, where you are required to give your point of view (whether you agree or disagree with the topic – sometimes you can do both). Your point of view is called your CONTENTION. Once you have decided on what your contention is, you then need to argue your point of view, by providing examples and evidence to back up your opinion.
This is similar to when you have a real argument with someone. For example, in an argument with your parent/guardian; you may argue that it is your right to go to the party on the weekend because:
a) You are responsible (evidence = when I babysit my siblings)
b) You are reliable – “have I ever lied to you before?” *flutter eyes*
c) You promise you will not drink OR you will only drink responsibly
d) You will be home by 11pm
e) You have a responsible designated driver to take you home
e) You are old enough to make your own choices, etc
Every essay consists of an introduction, a body and a conclusion.
The Introduction consists of just one paragraph at the beginning of your essay. You need to first give your contention, which is your point of view about the topic. You do this by re-phrasing the topic question. Then, you need to tell the reader what you are going to argue about by introducing your 3 main points.
The Body of your essay consists of one paragraph for each of your main points (minimum of 3 points). In each paragraph you must follow TEEL.
T = Topic Sentence: the topic sentence needs to introduce the topic of this paragraph (i.e. the point you are making) AND refer to the initial topic question. Use topic words!!
E = Evidence: To back up your argument, you must provide evidence from the text(in this case, ______). Evidence usually comes in the form of a quote from the text or an example (e.g. an example of a film technique). Quotes must be tied into your writing and the speaker must be identified.
E = Explanation: In the explanation you need to explain your particular piece of evidence and how it can be seen to back up your argument.
L = Link: Your link is very similar to your topic sentence and just requires you to summarise your main point in this paragraph and how it links to the main topic. Link back to the contention!!
The Conclusion is very similar to the introduction except that instead of introducing you are concluding. This means that you restate your contention and then summarise (sum-up) your 3 main points; one sentence for each point.
In summary, an Essay is set out like this:
Introduction / Give your Contention(your point of view) / To begin, … . Also, … . Furthermore, ….
Define Terms (if necessary)
Introduce your
3 main points
Body / 1st
point / Topic Sentence / Firstly, …
This is shown when ____(name)______says “ … ”
This demonstrates that …
In summary, …
Evidence/
example
(quote)
Explanation
Link to Contention
2nd
point / T / Secondly, …
___(name)______illustrates this when they say “ … ”
This highlights that …
Therefore, …
E
E
L
3rd
point / T / Thirdly, ….
The reader is shown an example of this when __ (name)___ says “ … ”
This examples indicates that …
To sum up, …
E
E
L
Conclusion / Restate your contention / In conclusion, …
Firstly, … Moreover, …. Lastly, ….
Summarise your three main points
Introduction / 1. Title
2. Author
3. Give your Contention
(your point of view on the topic) by rephrasing the topic question.
4. Introduce you 3-4 points One sentence for each / ______
______
______
Body–1st point / 1. TOPIC SENTENCE
Use the topic words from the topic question AND the topic of the paragraph
2. EVIDENCE or example – give a quote to back up your contention
3. EXPLANATION of quote and what it says about the topic
4. LINK: to contention by summing up what you have said in this paragraph and how it argues the topic. / ______
______
Body – 2nd point / 1. TOPIC SENTENCE
Use the topic words from the topic question AND the topic of the paragraph
2. EVIDENCE or example – give a quote to back up your contention
3. EXPLANATION of quote and what it says about the topic
4. LINK: to contention by summing up what you have said in this paragraph and how it argues the topic. / ______
______
Body – 3rdpoint / 1. TOPIC SENTENCE
Use the topic words from the topic question AND the topic of the paragraph
2. EVIDENCE or example – give a quote to back up your contention
3. EXPLANATION of quote and what it says about the topic
4. LINK: to contention by summing up what you have said in this paragraph and how it argues the topic. / ______
______
Conclusion / 1. Restate your contention
2. summarise your three main points / ______
______
______
______
______