Academic English for Tertiary Studies: EAP 5 

WEEK 1 FRI FILE 19 SUMMMERHILL ESSAY STRUCTURE AND MARKING CRITERIA 

Argument topic sentence: Start with a strong but reasonable topic sentence in favour of the issue. Give good direction to the reader
without over-loading. Next provide detail that supports your topic sentence. Use transition signals of addition to add other points
(furthermore, in addition, moreover). 

C/A Counter- argument: Concede the existence of alternative points of view to introduce your counter-argument: Certain
objections/counterpoints must, of course, be considered... There are, of course, views against this issue / Some people see the
situation differently / Contrary (Alternative) views do exist
It may (could/might) be argued/ asserted/contended/ maintained/ claimed/ said that .....
It has been argued/asserted/contended/ maintained/ claimed/ said that ....
It is argued/asserted/contended/ maintained/ claimed/ said that .....
Detail: 'This position asserts that...
Additional points: Use transition signals of addition to add points (furthermore, in addition, moreover) Also use expressions like 'so
this argument goes,' / 'x goes on to content/assert/claim that...') It is further considered that...'
REF Refutation: To introduce the refutation, usually a short transition signal is used like However/ Nevertheless/ In contrast/
Although/Even though/ Despite/ In spite of Longer expressions may also be used like: Whilst this may be true (in some cases/ in limited
cases) Notwithstanding the evidence to the contrary, it must be pointed out that the bulk of the evidence lies in support of the issue.
(insufficient) (Comment: this example is somewhat.... Grounds for refutation are that the counter argument is insufficient, irrelevant or
incorrect. 

Concluding sentence: Finish with a transition of logical conclusion like 'thus' therefore and give a strong summary in support of the
topic sentence. 

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Academic English for Tertiary Studies: EAP 5 

MARKING CRITERIA FOR PERSUASIVE ANALYTICAL ESSAY: SUMMERHILL 

Due: Week 2 Monday
Length: 300 words 

Structure: 

Introduction: 
 General statement on topic 
 More specific comment on topic 
 Thesis statement 
 Essay outline 

Body (pattern repeated for each essay outline point) 

 Topic sentence linking thesis = essay outline 
 Supporting opinions and facts (explanation, expansion, example) 
 Counter argument (with supporting opinions and facts) 
 Refutation (with supporting opinions and facts) 
 Concluding sentence 

Conclusion 
 Summary of body 
 Repetition of thesis statement strongly stated