Writing an Essay Flashcards
All 10 cards in this deck
What is an essay in Paper 2 Question 5?
A formal, structured piece setting out your view for a thoughtful reader. It has no headline, greeting or sign-off.
What should the introduction of a Question 5 essay do?
Introduce the issue, pin down any key term in the statement (what counts as "waste of time"?), and state your line of argument.
What does a well-built essay paragraph contain?
A topic sentence stating the point, a specific example, an explanation of why it supports your view, and a link to the next step.
What should an essay's conclusion do?
Bring the argument together, give your final judgement, and suggest its wider significance. No new arguments.
How does an essay asked to explain a point of view differ from a speech asked to argue?
The essay weighs the evidence in a more measured tone and treats other views fairly, but still reaches a clear position. The speech pushes harder and leans on rhetoric.
What register suits a Question 5 essay?
Formal throughout: mostly impersonal, with an occasional thoughtful "I". Avoid chatty asides and slang.
Why should an essay deal with the opposing view?
A reader expects an essay to be fair. Setting out the other side honestly, then explaining why your view is stronger, makes your conclusion convincing.
Which discourse markers help an essay's logic?
Furthermore (adding), nevertheless (contrasting), consequently (cause and effect), admittedly (conceding), ultimately (concluding). They show how each idea relates to the last.
What does this sentence do? "Some argue that homework teaches discipline. Yet discipline learned under threat of detention is obedience, not self-motivation."
It states a counter-argument and rebuts it by redefining the key term: the "discipline" homework teaches isn't the kind that matters.
How do you stop an essay going round in circles?
Make sure each paragraph moves the argument on (a new reason, a deeper consequence, a tougher objection) rather than restating the statement in new words.