Essay writing skills

Note for teachers:

This is intended as a sorting activity. In pairs or small groups, students arrange the comments
into a diamond, with the most helpful comments at the top and the least helpful or inaccurate
pieces of advice at the bottom. Ideally students then look at a sample essay and assess how well
it has been written. They can then apply the same strategy to their own essays.

What makes a good essay?

If you express an
Every paragraph Your essay should just
opinion about
should be relevant retell the story of
something, you should
to the title of the whatever poem or book
be able to back it up
essay. you have read.
with evidence.

You should give the

reader no option but You shouldn’t have to Your introduction should
to believe you are prove your point. relate to the essay title.
right.

A good essay has a You should skip from A strong conclusion

carefully considered one topic to another in makes the reader
structure. the same paragraph. remember your essay.

If you write more you get

If you use a big font You should let all your
a better grade, even if
it looks as if you’ve sentences run into each
your writing isn’t very
written more. other.
good.

You should show that you

You should use linking
Paragraphs are not understand your subject
words (connectives) to
really important. by including terms that
start new sentences.
you have learned.

It’s a good idea to

Varying the way you
imagine that the reader
start your sentences You shouldn’t bother
has a basic understanding
makes them more trying new vocabulary.
of what you are writing
interesting to read.
about.

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