1. Nandini Shah Susan Singh
Writing is not just for the English Class: Writing Essays Across Subjects
Nandini Shah
Susan Singh

2. Introductions
5 minutes

3. We asked teachers about essay writing in their subject:
Math:
Explain how a solution was reached for a problem
Humanities:
Why had international peace collapsed by 1939?
What caused the First World War?
Define parochialism. Discuss why parochialism is a problem for U.S. managers and discuss reasons why it is important to overcome parochialism in today’s business environment.
To what extent did the Industrial Revolution create the foundation for modern technologies?
Compare and contrast the first and second Industrial Revolutions.
Science:
Lab reports
Short answers which require key scientific vocabulary
Visual Arts:
Analytical paragraphs of about 500 words
PYP:
Expository essays on topics such as ‘Types of Landforms’
IB (Across Subjects):
Extended Essays
Through this, we establish that essay writing is an important skill that is required across subjects -- 3 minutes

4. What issues do you face with students when they are asked to write an essay in your subject?
Do not want to write
It’s boring.
Too much of writing
Don’t know the structure
No elaboration
Do not understand how it is relevant to them.
One of us types the issues we brainstorm. - 5 minutes
Prompts: 1) What kinds of reactions do they have to the idea? 2) What kinds of questions do they ask? 3) Amongst teachers in your grade, what kinds of expectations do you generally agree on?

5. Purpose of this Session
To encourage teachers across subjects to use the same kind of terminology and have similar expectations from students during essay writing assignments so that skills learnt in one class are transferred to other scenarios
2 minutes

6. The Body Paragraphs -- Jigsaw Activity
At your desk, with your group members, arrange the sentences such that the paragraph reads fluently as a well-structured paragraph.
To what extent was Alexander the Great a successful ruler?
How does Taiwanese geography influence an aspect of their culture?
5 minutes

7. Alexander the Great was a successful ruler because he created long lasting effects on cultures that still continue to this day. An example of his legacy would be the creation of a Hellenistic Society -- a combination of Greek, Persian and Egyptian cultures. During this remarkable time, people were encouraged to pursue a formal education and develop many different kinds of art such that all these different cultures were amalgamated. Thus, Alexander the Great will be credited in history for his many achievements, especially for his role in merging cultures.
Point
(Topic Sentence)
Example
(Supporting Details)
Explanation
Link
8 minutes

8. Taiwan’s coastal geography greatly influences Taiwanese cuisine
Taiwan’s coastal geography greatly influences Taiwanese cuisine. Taiwan is an island, and fishing has traditionally supplied an abundance of fresh fish and seafood. Oysters are an especially common ingredient in Taiwanese food. They appear in dishes such as oyster omelet and oyster vermicelli, both of which are popular street foods. The ready availability of such shellfish makes them a staple in Taiwanese cuisine. Thus, as an island nation, Taiwan treats seafood not as an occasional delicacy but as an everyday snack.
Point
(topic Sentence)
Example
(Supporting Details)
Explanation
Link

9. Organised Paragraphs -- The PEEL Structure
P - Point (Main idea or topic sentence; should answer the question partly or fully)
E - Evidence (quotation, specific information, facts)
E - Explanation (explain in detail how the evidence connects/proves the point)
L - Link back to the point and question
Harp on the idea that using this terminology and reminding students to use this structure will help students transfer the skills learnt in English class.

10. The Funnel-Structure of an Essay
5 minutes

11. WHAT IS A THESIS STATEMENT VIDEO -
Harp on why thesis statement is so important in an essay. It’s the backbone that keeps the essay together. 8 minutes

12. THESIS STATEMENT

13. A thesis statement should not be:
two-sided
a question
an announcement
a fact
a fragment

14. It’s Quiz Time! You will have 20 seconds to answer each question.
Each correct answer fetches you 10 points.
If you don’t answer in the allotted time, the question passes on to the next team, who will get 5 points for the correct answer.
There is no negative marking for the wrong answer.
The quiz master's decision is final!

15. WHICH OF THESE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
Thesis Statement Quiz
WHICH OF THESE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
5-8 minutes

16. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
Banana Herb Tea Supplement has more negative aspects than positives.
There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.
Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers.

17. 2. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.
Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using Web pages that offer both advertising and customer support.
Web pages have tremendous marketing potential.

18. 3. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
Chefs are better than cooks.
Although both chefs and cooks can prepare fine meals, chefs differ from cooks in education, professional commitment, and artistry.
Chefs are better than cooks because they are more creative.

19. 4. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
I enjoy white water rafting.
Although white water rafting can be dangerous, a first water rafting experience can actually challenge the body and spirit and transform an adolescent into an adult.
I enjoy white water rafting because it is challenging and transforming.

20. 5. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years.
Hip hop gives kids a way of expressing themselves.
Though many people dismiss hip hop as offensive, hip hop music offers urban youth an important opportunity for artistic expression, and allows them to articulate the poetry of the street.

21. 6. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
Steroids should be banned from sports.
Steroids should be banned from sports because athletes tend to abuse them.
Steroids,even those legally available, are addictive and should be banned from sports because athletes tend to abuse them, it doesn’t reflect your true abilities and has long-term negative effects.

22. 7. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
1.Participating in sports has many benefits.
2. Aren’t sports always beneficial?
3. Despite troubling signs in the youth sports culture, sport provides a medium for physical activity, developing friendships, and learning developmental skills across all domains.

23. 8. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
Online learning has many benefits.
Compared to classroom based learning, online learning is easier to schedule, costs less, and has more flexible studying options.
Compared to classroom based learning, online learning has many benefits.

24. 9. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
Internet addiction can have many negative consequences.
This essay is about how Internet addiction may have serious negatives consequences.
Like other addictive behaviors, Internet addiction may have serious negative consequences, including academic failure, job loss, and a breakdown in personal relationships.

25. 10. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST THESIS STATEMENT?
Living in a small town has many advantages in comparison to living in a big city.
I’ve lived in a small town my entire life and have enjoyed it.
In contrast to living in a big city, one can enjoy living in a smaller town because one can have closer relationships with one’s neighbors and the pace of life is much healthier.

26. Label the Various Parts of an Essay
Use the markers to underline the various parts of the essay.
Label those parts.
Which animal makes an ideal house pet?
10 minutes

27. Different kinds of Essays
Persuasive Essay (one-sided)
Analytical Essay (an article, play, piece of art, phenomenon is examined, analyzed and interpreted for style and content)
Expository Essay (explanation of an event, work of art)
Compare and Contrast Essay (Block by Block approach vs. Point by Point Approach)

28. Bibliography
Example of an Analytical Paragraph/History Essay. Google Sites, Academic Support Center, Mercy High School.
Structuring the Five-Paragraph Essay. A handy guide created by the Bronx Campus Writing Resource Center, Monroe College, Aug 3,
The Well-Developed Paragraph. The English Center, San Diego City College. Developed%20Paragraph.pdf
Writing Ninjas: How To Write A Strong Thesis Statement. Feb 25,
Strong and weak Thesis Statements