Writing the first half of an essay
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write the first half of an essay about the effects of climate change on the polar regions, using a range of linguistic features and a formal tone.
Key learning points
- Our essay gives a logical argument that builds towards a conclusion.
- The introduction gives the context of the polar regions while the first main paragraph begins to build the argument.
- Throughout the essay, we connect ideas using a range of linguistic features and support ideas with evidence.
- It is useful to orally rehearse our ideas before writing to reduce our cognitive load.
- We use a formal tone in an essay because we want to sound authoritative.
Keywords
Logical argument - an argument that follows a series of steps that lead clearly towards a conclusion
Linguistic features - language structures that are used within a text in order to connect ideas together
Formal tone - the effect created by choosing serious, factual language
Evidence - information or facts to show something is true
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle to connect ideas with appropriate linguistic features.
When completing shared writing, show how the same ideas can be connected in different ways; focus on looking at the relationship between the ideas being connected.
Teacher tip
A slide is left intentionally lined for you to complete shared writing with your class. You may wish to provide more or less support depending on your context.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these best describes the conclusion of our essay?
Q2.Which point is not appropriate to include in our essay?
Q3.Which idea would come last in our logical argument?
Q4.Which linguistic features are included here? 'The sea ice, which is a habitat for polar bears, is melting rapidly; as a result, their population has declined 40% in some areas.'
Q5.What punctuation might be missing from this sentence? 'Greenpeace is campaigning to stop oil drilling in the Arctic in addition, hunting for polar bears was banned in 1973 after a WWF campaign.'
Q6.What type of connection has been made between the ideas in the following passage? 'Although Antarctica is not part of any country, it is home to scientists from 29 countries (at 70 scientific bases).'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following language features help to create a formal tone?
Q2.Which of these sentences uses an appropriately formal tone for our essay?
Q3.Which paragraph of our essay is not likely to include evidence?
Q4.What type of evidence is used in this sentence? 'Because their snow and ice reflect the Sun’s heat back into space, the polar regions play an important role in keeping the Earth’s temperature down.'
Q5.Which of these linguistic features are included here? 'These polar regions are unique: they are largely uninhabited, they are completely treeless and they are so cold that even the sea freezes over.'
Q6.Which of the words in the following sentence could be considered subject-specific vocabulary? 'The Arctic permafrost also plays an important role: it traps carbon in the ground.'
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Writing the first half of an essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Writing the first half of an essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Polar regions: essay writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.