1. - Modelling of how to write an essay
Essay - example
- Modelling of how to write an essay
May Horverak 2014

2. Global structure of essays
Introduction
Presenting the topic and some type of question for discussion
1 paragraph
Body
Presenting the main arguments
3 paragraphs in a 5-paragraph essay, more to reach a higher level
Conclusion
Summing up the main ideas and giving a clear conclusion about the issue being discussed
May Horverak 2014

3. Writing a 5 paragraph essay on the topic ‘Immigration’
Find a catching title
«Immigration or not?»
«Share the goods»
«Every man for himself»
«Immigration, a right?»
etc.
May Horverak 2014

4. 1) INTRODUCTION General statement
Say something about the topic, use associations
Immigrants come for different reasons and from different countries.
Question for discussion/thesis statement
What is the question the text will give an answer to? What is your opinion?
Should we continue accepting immigrants or not?
May Horverak 2014

5. Cont. INTRODUCTION Lead-in sentence
What will follow in the rest of the text?
“This text will give arguments that….”
“This text will discuss…”
“This text will elaborate on the issue of…”
This text will discuss the issue of immigration and give arguments for helping people who need help.
May Horverak 2014

6. 2. BODY
A) Topic sentence
What element/argument will this paragraph deal with?
It is important that we help people who are less fortunate than we are.
Supporting points/details (examples like facts or references to literature)
Many asylum seekers need food and clothes. They may come from poor countries like Afghanistan, Somalia and other African countries. Migrating to other countries might be their only hope.
May Horverak 2014

7. 2. BODY (cont.) B) Topic sentence
What argument/element will this paragraph deal with?
Some people immigrate because they have fled from their homes.
Supporting points/details (examples like facts or references to literature)
They may have fled from war, or they may have been persecuted because of political opinions or religious beliefs. These people may have feared torture or execution. On the one hand, it may be a challenge accepting people having different cultures and religious practices. On the other hand, this may enrichen our culture in various ways.
May Horverak 2014

8. 2. BODY (cont.) C) Topic sentence
What argument/element will this paragraph deal with?
Some people migrate to find better job opportunities.
Supporting points/details (examples like facts or references to literature)
We have immigrants doing unskilled work like berry-picking. However, some immigrants come to work here because they have skills we need, like carpenters, dentists and doctors. We may say that some of these people come to get the benefits we have in Norway, but still, they kind of do us a favour.
May Horverak 2014

9. 3. SUMMARY “To sum up…” “To conclude…” A) Summary of the main idea
answer the question in the introduction
“To sum up…”
“To conclude…”
To sum up, people come to Norway for different reasons, and it is good that we can help people who are less fortunate than we are.
B) Summary of the main points
sum up your arguments
People may come because of hunger or war, or they may come to get better jobs. It is important that a rich country like Norway accepts immigrants, and it is important that we continue helping those who need help.
May Horverak 2014

10. A more extensive example
English Spreading Worldwide – a Positive or Negative Development?
General introduction:
In a modern and globalised world, being able to communicate is essential to succeed, both for individuals and nations. Before the time of globalisation, the English language had already been spread throughout the world through colonialisation. Though the British Empire has lost most of the colonies, the English language is still an official language in many of the former colonies. About 400 million people have English as their first language presently, and even more have it as their second language (NDLA, “English Spreading Worldwide”). With such a large population speaking English, spread around the world, it is not surprising that the English language has gained quite a dominant position in the international market. With increased international communication, a need for a common language has developed, and English seems to have filled this need. Also people who do not have English as their mother tongue, but have learnt English as a foreign language, use English as a lingua franca in international communication (ibid.).
Question for discussion:
What may be the consequences of this development of English into a world-language?
Lead-in sentence:
This text will discuss some of the gains and challenges of English spreading world-wide, and argue that in spite of these, the spread of English as a means for communication is basically a positive development.
May Horverak 2014

11. structure of main paragraphs
Topic sentence – main argument
Increased international communication leads to sharing of knowledge and goods.
Development of argument – examplification/evidence
An international market is available for young students today, and learning the English language proficiently may open many doors to studies and employment. Seen from a Norwegian perspective, there are more opportunities now than there were before, and many young people spend a year abroad studying. Either they take a year as an exchange student during their time in upper secondary school, or they may take a semester abroad as part of their higher education. This may support their development of proficient English skills, and it may also give them some positive experiences and confidence. In many countries of the industrialised world, there are good opportunities for young people, but this is not the case in all countries of the world.
Discussion/counter-arguments
In poorer countries, there is no guarantee that young people go to school and learn English. If they do not learn English, they do not get access to the international market. The spread of English could be said to widen the gap between rich and poor in the world. However, the solution is not to try to stop the spread of English, but rather to support developing countries by helping them build good educational systems. International communication makes it possible to work together to improve the conditions in different parts of the world.
Closing comment:
Though some people in the world are more privileged than others, having a global lingua franca such as English provides opportunities to improve in general.
May Horverak 2014

12. Group Exercise
Read the hand-out, an exercise about English as a world language and an example of how to answer it. The beginning of the essay has been given in the two preceding slides. Continue with these exercises:
Paragraph 3 + 4: Identify these elements:
Topic sentence
Development of argument through examplification/evidence
Discussion/counter-arguments
Closing comment
Paragraph 5: Identify these elements:
Summary of main points
conclusion
Study the three topic sentences of the body of the essay, how do these relate to the question for discussion?
Study the closing sentences in the same paragraphs, how do these relate to the topic sentences?
May Horverak 2014