vocabulary that relates to a particular subject

information or facts to show something is true

a long-term change to global temperatures and weather

the language structures that are used within a text

Planning and writing the second main paragraph of an essay

English

Identifying the features of an essay

Researching deforestation in the Amazon rainforest

Setting out a logical argument in response to an essay title

Planning and writing the introduction to an essay

Planning and writing the first main paragraph of an essay

Planning and writing the conclusion of an essay

In this unit, writers convey information in an objective, unbiased way. In the next unit, writers will convey information in a more subjective manner. 

In 'The Titanic: Journalistic Report Writing', pupils developed their understanding of writing to inform the audience in the context of a journalistic report. In 'The Amazon Rainforest: Essay Writing', pupils will develop their understanding of writing to inform their reader and apply this in the context of an essay.

In this unit, pupils write their first formal essay of the primary curriculum. In it, pupils write about deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest with facts derived from research presented in clear paragraphs. The essay question given calls for pupils to write their essay as a single line of argument.

The Amazon Rainforest: essay writing

Deforestation is affecting the Amazon a great deal. 

Deforestation in the Amazon is driven by agriculture and logging. 

Deforestation contributes to climate change. 

Put the logical steps of our argument so far in the order that they appear in our essay. 

Deforestation contributes in a small way to climate change. 

Trees are helping to prevent climate change.

Deforestation contributes in a significant way to climate change. 

We should plant more trees to combat climate change. 

Which of the following is the main point of the second main paragraph?

What type of evidence is used here? 'Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing it as carbon. This helps to reduce high greenhouse gas levels that drive climate change.'

Which linguistic feature is used here? 'Trees remove carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere.'

Human activity has raised greenhouse gas levels. 

As a result of this, the greenhouse effect has been strengthened. 

Consequently, more heat is being trapped in Earth's atmosphere. 

Due to this, global temperatures have risen. 

Put these sentences in order to show the cause and effect. 

Deforestation causes 20% of global emissions, contributing to climate change.

Deforestation causes 20% of global emissions contributing to climate change.

Deforestation causes 20% of global emissions, it contributing to climate change.

Which sentence correctly combines these ideas using a non-finite (-ing) clause? 'Deforestation causes 20% of global emissions. It contributes to climate change.'

Which products contribute to deforestation in the Amazon? 

What type of evidence is shown here? 'Large areas of deforested land are used for growing soybeans.'

What type of evidence is shown here? 'A 2006 report stated that soybean farming was contributing to deforestation.'

include lots of evidence to support our argument

What can we do to sound authoritative when writing an essay? 

Which linguistic feature is used here? 'Because soybeans can be used as cattle feed, they are also widely grown in the area.'

Which linguistic features are included here? 'In 2006, a study found that farming soybeans, which are fed to cattle, was also contributing to deforestation.'

Starter Quiz

Which products contribute to deforestation in the Amazon?