TIPS ON WRITING A TIPS ON WRITING A GOOD ESSAYGOOD ESSAY

For and Against and opinion For and Against and opinion essaysessays

What’s an essay?What’s an essay?

A short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.

An essay is a piece of writing that analyses and evaluates a topic or issue.  Fundamentally, an essay is designed to get your opinion on a particular matter.

An essay is a piece of writing that usually has five or moreparagraphs. An essay is written about one topic that hasseveral main points. The main points are introduced in anintroductory paragraph and supported in bodyparagraphs. The conclusion is the last paragraph.

Types of essaysTypes of essays

There are many, but in this PowerPoint

will concentrate on :

For and Against EssaysOpinion Essays

For and Against For and Against EssaysEssays

• They present both sides of an issue, discussing points in favour and against of a particular topic, or the advantages and disadvantages of a particular question.

• The writer’s personal opinion might be stated in the conclusion (last paragraph).

Opinion EssaysOpinion Essays• They present the writer’s personal

opinion concerning a particular topic, clearly stated and supported by reasons or/ and examples.

• The writer’s opinion must be included in the introduction, and summarised or restated in the conclusion.

What does an essay look like?

A good essay must A good essay must includeinclude

• An introductory paragraph, in which you clearly state the topic to be discussed.

• A main body, in which different aspects of the topic are stated in separate paragraphs, and are exemplified or justified.

• A concluding paragraph, it summarises the main points in the essay, and your opinion is stated, or restated. You may also include here a balanced consideration of the topic.

Tips for a good Tips for a good introductionintroduction

1) A surprising fact, perhaps including statistics

Figures of gunshot deaths have rocketed in the USA. In fact, a third of the population living in the USA will have pulled the trigger of their guns by 2025.

2) A shocking or bizarre statement (reading out of curiosity)

The latest Southern American trend of shooting camps has landed in the UK as pulling the trigger empowers one’s feeling of control.

3) A question Southern America takes pride in its shooting culture, but should children be allowed to use guns at an early age?

4) A quotation

“Put your sword back into its place”, Jesus said, “for all who take the sword will perish by the sword”. Jesus would definitely say no to free gun access in the USA.

5) A evocking story or description

I could not believe the news that day. The TV was on to show students my age rushing out the entrance of an American high school. Covered in blood and in a state of shock, they were received by special operation forces. Obviously, a cold-blooded massacre had taken place.

6) A metaphor Free gun access is a spark that fuels more violence and reignites social debate over gun control.

7) A cultural reference

All of us have ever wished to be like John McClane in Die Hard taking the law into his own hands. However, it does not justify the easy access to guns these days.

8) A definition (least interesting)

Gun control generally refers to the policies that regulate the sale and use of firearms to reduce the harmful effects of violence.

• Avoid contractions and don’t get emotional.

• Follow the layout.• A paragraph for each section. The

paragraph starts with a topic sentence.• Don’t overuse linking words• Stick to a maximum of two/ three

arguments.• Back up your arguments with examples

and details.

The main bodyThe main bodyThis is the most important part of your piece of writing.

You should divide it into different paragraphs, each dealing with one

single idea and introduced by a topic sentence which summarises the

topic of the paragraph.

If you are asked to write an opinion essay, in the body you shouldsupport your opinions giving different arguments. Use each

paragraph to present your arguments for or against.

If it’s a “for and against” essay, in the body you should present both

the arguments for (or advantages) and the arguments against (disadvantages). Again, use paragraphs to introduce each

argument

Tips for a good Tips for a good conclusionconclusion

• The conclusion is the end of the essay. It is the last part of the essay and it is the part that the reader may remember most. It should be clear and avoid confusing the reader.

• The reader expects the conclusion to do some or all of the following: rephrase the question, summarize the main ideas,

give your opinion, if you haven’t given it already.

• Look to the future (say what will happen if the situation continues or changes)

• The reader DOES NOT expect new information in the conclusion. Never add a new idea just because you have thought of it at the end!

Your conclusion ‘wraps’ up the essay. We don’t put something valuable, Your conclusion ‘wraps’ up the essay. We don’t put something valuable, like money or gold, hidden in the wrapping paper, so don’t put new like money or gold, hidden in the wrapping paper, so don’t put new

information or important ideas in the conclusion. information or important ideas in the conclusion.

1) Return to the beginning

All in all, it is up to us whether thousands of lives in the land of freedom are saved or not.

2) A summary or conclusion

Broadly speaking, shooting camps are the result of rather conservative southern lobbies. But make no mistake about it, every time a person holds a gun, they can fire it.

3) A question after your conclusion

Definitely under eighteens should be protected from all forms of violence, including gun access. And as for the critical voices against gun control, what are they going to say about the occasional massacre in a high school?

4) A quotation To sum up, Jesus rejected violence. He simply had no idea how ruthless this world would become.

5) Image or picture symbolizing the end or new beginning

In conclusion, the days of spreading violence like wildfire are over. Human beings deserve to live without the fear of being blasted by gunshot.

YOUR TURNCHOOSE ONE TOPIC TO WRITE AN ESSAY. - Corrupt politicians should never keep their seats. - Terrorism: a threat to western civilizations. - Is social justice fair these days? - Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction.- I