Text Essay Writing:
When you think of the word “essay” you should try to think of it as an
“argumentative essay” (there are different types of essays, but this is the
most common). As the word implies, an essay is therefore an ARGUMENT,
where you are required to give your point of view (whether you agree or
disagree with the topic – sometimes you can do both). Your point of view is
called your CONTENTION. Once you have decided on what your contention
is, you then need to argue your point of view, by providing examples and
evidence to back up your opinion.
This is similar to when you have a real argument with someone. For
example, in an argument with your parent/guardian; you may argue that it
is your right to go to the party on the weekend because:
a) You are responsible (evidence = when I babysit my siblings)
b) You are reliable – “have I ever lied to you before?”
*flutter eyes*
c) You promise you will not drink OR you will only drink responsibly
d) You will be home by 11pm
e) You have a responsible designated driver to take you home
e) You are old enough to make your own choices, etc
Every essay consists of an introduction, a body and a conclusion.
The Introduction consists of just one paragraph at the beginning of your
essay. You need to first give your contention, which is your point of view
about the topic. You do this by re-phrasing the topic question. Then, you
need to tell the reader what you are going to argue about by introducing
your 3 main points.
The Body of your essay consists of one paragraph for each of your main
points (minimum of 3 points). In each paragraph you must follow TEEL.
T = Topic Sentence: the topic sentence needs to introduce the topic of this
paragraph (i.e. the point you are making) AND refer to the initial topic
question. Use topic words!!
E = Evidence: To back up your argument, you must provide evidence from
the text (in this case, ____________________________). Evidence usually
comes in the form of a quote from the text or an example (e.g. an example
of a film technique). Quotes must be tied into your writing and the speaker
must be identified.
E = Explanation: In the explanation you need to explain your particular
piece of evidence and how it can be seen to back up your argument.
L = Link: Your link is very similar to your topic sentence and just requires
you to summarise your main point in this paragraph and how it links to the
main topic. Link back to the contention!!
The Conclusion is very similar to the introduction except that instead of
introducing you are concluding. This means that you restate your contention
and then summarise (sum-up) your 3 main points; one sentence for each
point.
Introduction
In summary, an Essay is set out like this:
Give your Contention
(your point of view)
Define Terms (if
necessary)
Introduce your
To begin,
…
. Also,
3 main points
1st
Topic Sentence
point
Body
. Furthermore,
This is shown when ____(name)________ says “ … ”
Link to
Contention
In summary, …
This demonstrates that …
Secondly, …
E
___(name)__________ illustrates this when they say “ … ”
E
This highlights that …
L
Therefore, …
3rd
T
point
….
Firstly, …
Evidence/
example
(quote)
Explanation
2nd
T
point
Conclusion
…
Thirdly, ….
E
The reader is shown an example of this when __ (name)___ says “ … ”
E
This examples indicates that …
L
To sum up, …
In conclusion, …
Restate your
contention
Summarise your three
Firstly, …
Moreover, ….
main points
Lastly, ….
1. Title
2. Author
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Give your
Contention
(your point
of view on
the topic) by
rephrasing
the topic
question.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Introduce
you 3-4
points One
sentence for
each
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Body – 1st point
1. TOPIC
SENTENCE
Use the topic words
from the topic
question AND the
topic of the
paragraph
2. EVIDENCE or
example – give a
quote to back up
your contention
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. EXPLANATION
____________________________________________________________________
of quote and what it
says about the topic ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
4. LINK: to
contention by
____________________________________________________________________
summing up what
____________________________________________________________________
you have said in this
paragraph and how it ____________________________________________________________________
argues the topic.
____________________________________________________________________
Body – 2nd
point
1. TOPIC
SENTENCE
Use the topic words
from the topic
question AND the
topic of the
paragraph
2. EVIDENCE or
example – give a
quote to back up
your contention
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. EXPLANATION
____________________________________________________________________
of quote and what it
says about the topic ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
4. LINK: to
contention by
____________________________________________________________________
summing up what
____________________________________________________________________
you have said in this
paragraph and how it ____________________________________________________________________
argues the topic.
____________________________________________________________________
1. TOPIC
SENTENCE
Use the topic words
from the topic
question AND the
topic of the
paragraph
Body – 3rd point
____________________________________________________________________
2. EVIDENCE or
example – give a
quote to back up
your contention
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. EXPLANATION
____________________________________________________________________
of quote and what it
says about the topic ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
4. LINK: to
contention by
____________________________________________________________________
summing up what
____________________________________________________________________
you have said in this
paragraph and how it ____________________________________________________________________
argues the topic.
____________________________________________________________________
1. Restate
your
contention
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Conclusion
2. summarise
your three
main points
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________