1. Essay writing skills 1. What should essays be like?
2. What is balance?
3. What is analysis?
4. What is precision?
5. Why use topic sentences?
Starter:
Independently answer the questions in your book.
For questions 3 & 4 give examples of analysis and precision.
Be prepared to share your answers.
Learning objective: To be able to write a balanced essay.

2. Precise Language of Causation
Imprecise / vague
Precise
Led to Because of Resulted in Was a key factor for Was important
Was the necessary prelude to
provoked
Established
Guaranteed
Was the basis for

3. Introductions Look at the example of the introduction in your booklet:
Why is it circled?
What is the question? How do you know?
What is not there? Once upon a time ….

4. Activity You have three different essay questions in your booklet.
Brain storm everything you know in regards to the question. Use your class notes and text book.
Using that information create a mind map with four different factors you would use if you were writing the essay. You must now include specific evidence for each factor.
Write an introduction to the essay. Make sure you include precise language of causation. You need to show your agreement. Remember you are not allowed to use, ‘To some extent….’
You have 25 minutes per activity – at the end of the 25 minutes someone from your group will read out your introduction.
5 minutes – initial brainstorm
15 minutes – detailed mind map with evidence and links.
5 minutes – precise introduction.

5. Essay Question Introduction Check List
How do you know
Focus on the question
Clear judgement from the start
Extent of agreement or disagreement mentioned
Outline of argument
Analysis
Precision
Uses words of the question
Answered the question (I agree/disagree)
Extent words used: partially, completely, fully, insignificant etc…
Outlines the factors that are to be looked at
Analysis words used : although, even though, despite, however, etc
Lexicon

6. How could we make the introductions even better?
Vocabulary and phrases to create causal arguments.
We have used vocabulary to create more analytical arguments such as Although, However, even though, despite this…..
We can now start to use phrases that allow us to more precisely explain the connections between events

7. Homework Finish any outstanding work from today's lesson.
Create a flash card for each important event of the cold war. The list is at the back of your booklet.
Independent revision ready for your mock next week.
If you have any questions before you mock come and see me.