Planning and writing the introduction to an essay
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write an introduction to an essay, including a range of linguistic features.
Key learning points
- Our essay will give one side of an argument, using a logical order and supported by evidence.
- Evidence can take many forms, including explanations, facts and statistics.
- In the introduction, we will explain how deforestation relates to the Amazon rainforest.
- We will include subject-specific vocabulary and a range of linguistic features.
Keywords
Subject-specific vocabulary - vocabulary that relates to a particular subject
Evidence - information or facts to show something is true
Linguistic features - the language structures that are used within a text
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that only statistics are forms of evidence.
Explanations and facts, as well as expert views and references to official reports, can be used as forms of evidence.
Teacher tip
A slide has been left intentionally lined for you to complete shared writing with your class. You will also want to model orally rehearsing the paragraph. Encourage pupils to personalise their essay using their own notes from the research lesson earlier in the unit.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following would we not find in an essay?
Q2.Put the paragraphs of our essay in order.
Q3.Which words are antonyms (opposites) of 'logical'?
Q4.Put these points in a logical order for our essay.
Q5.Where in our essay might you find the following point? 'Deforestation is the clearing of trees from an area of land.'
Q6.Put these statements in order to complete our logical argument.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are features of our introduction?
Q2.Which of the following are forms of evidence we can include?
Q3.Which points did we include in our introduction?
Q4.Which of the following are helpful to do before we write?
Q5.Which linguistic feature has been used here? '20% of the rainforest (an area four times the size of the UK) has already been lost.'
Q6.Which linguistic feature is used here? 'Deforestation, which is the removal of trees from an area, is often completed using the 'slash and burn' method.'
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Planning and writing the introduction to an essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Planning and writing the introduction to 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 The Amazon Rainforest: essay writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.