1. Essay Writing

2. For the Future!
In English in years 10 and HSC/DP, you will need to write essays. These are usually text responses. We are going to go through the basics in this PPT. Then I will talk more specifically about the assessment task.

3. Read the essay question carefully and make sure you understand it.
Easy as 1, 2, 3
Read the essay question carefully and make sure you understand it.
Pick out the KEY WORDS in the essay question.
Think about whether you agree or disagree with the question – form a point of view (an interpretation of the text) which you will write about in the essay.
Make a plan. What events and examples in the text can you discuss?
List them in dot points.

4. 7. Begin writing your first draft.
Steps 6,7,8,9
6. Each of these dot points will then become a paragraph.
7. Begin writing your first draft.
8. Edit your work – get a friend or teacher to check for mistakes and make improvements.
9. Write a final copy.

5. What is the most important step in writing an essay?
1. Plan 2. First Draft 3. Edit 4. Final Copy

6. Essay structure
Introduction (background info, state your point of view) Body (The paragraphs – what is the acronym again?) Conclusion – summarise your main points

7. Introduction
Explain your understanding of the question Introduce your argument Provide your point of view Provide background information Don’t use detailed examples

8. Body
One key point for each paragraph Use TEEL for each paragraph Point Evidence Explanation Link

9. TEEL
Topic – Use a topic sentence at the start of a paragraph to make it clear to readers what the paragraph is about Evidence – Provide details of events using “quotes” from the text which supports your point Explanation – In your own words explain why the quote is important to the point you are trying to make Link – Make a link to the next paragraph so that it flows well and summarise the main idea of the paragraph

10. Conclusion
Restate your point of view Restate in different words what your main ideas were Think carefully about your final sentence – end strongly Don’t introduce any new ideas

11. CRITERA
Use the criteria to assess your previously written essay. Mark all the things that could be improved about the essay.

12. You can take 2 approaches:
THE ASSESSMENT TASK
You can take 2 approaches:
An overall theme broken down into 3 sub points (the sub points can focus on a aspect of the theme OR on a particular poetic/literary device
An overall theme broken down into 3 texts (you will analyse each text separately.)
WHICH IS BETTER?
WHICH IS EASIER?

13. What to incluDE? INTRODUCTION
A thesis statement (ANSWER to the QUESTION)
Introduce your texts (at least 3)
Lead into body (mention main points)
BODY
Topic Sentence
Expand on this in your own words
Evidence (quote)
Explain (THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT PART)
Final – Link
CONCLUSION
Restate thesis
Summarize main points
Evaluate – which is most effective/accurate portrayal and why?

14. What are you doing essentially?
“Analyzing the language techniques and stylistic devices the authors have used and HOW these create a representation/point of view about Australian culture”
You need to show links – what kinds of links?
Links between texts
Links between stylistic devices/language techniques
Links between themes
Links between specific representations
Links between specific points of view

15. You should have an idea of: Your PERSPECTIVE
NOW PLAN!
You can take in notes!
You should have an idea of:
Your PERSPECTIVE
THEMES within your perspective
LINKS,
STRUCTURE,
POINTS to discuss
PLAN your notes