Teacher Guide
The students need to write an essay with 220 - 260 words, in an appropriate style. It is important that it makes sense to the reader, so remind the students to present clear arguments and link the paragraphs in a logical way. They need to give reasons to support their ideas.
10mins: Introduction: Discussion: Do violent video games make people more violent in real life? How are video games different from watching a film or T.V. series that contains violence? Should there be an age restriction for children who want to play violent video games? Is there a difference between violence in games with non-human characters (aliens, animals, etc.) vs. games that contain characters made in the likliness of humans?
Online homework: Discuss any problems or difficulties the student may be having.
Independent reading: Ask the student about what they have read in English during the last week. If you are reading a novel together, discuss the assigned reading and any vocabulary words/ writing assignments.
10mins: Review: Writing an essay:
Writing part 1 - This section is compulsory. You must write your answer in 220-260 words, in an appropriate style.
Discuss the 4-paragraph essay structure.
Title: Choose information from the prompt, or create a title that generally describes the information you will be discussing in your essay.
1. Introduction: What will this essay be about? Begin with a general introduction to the essay's topic. What are we talking about? What is the problem? What do people generally think about this thing?
2. Point 1: Present your first point. Remember, you will discuss only 2 of the 3 points presented. Why is this point a good idea? Why is it a bad idea? Provide examples and support for your reasoning.
3. Point 2: Present the second point. How does it relate to point 1? Compare and contrast. Provide examples and support for your reasoning.
4. Conclusion: Which point is the most effective/efficient? Why? Relate back to the information you have already discussed to provide continuity. Close the argument with a final opinion.
Checklist:
- Is it easy to read and follow?
- Have you corrected all your spelling errors?
- Did you answer the question?
- Have you included complex grammar structures?
- Have you used attention-grabbing vocabulary?
- Is all the information relevant to the task?
- Have you used an appropriate tone? (formal vs. informal language)
- Have you remained inside the specified word-count?
Exam tip: It's important to make sure what you write will make sense to the reader. This means presenting clear arguments in which the sentences and paragraphs are linked in a logical way. Remember to give reasons to support your ideas.
10mins: Worksheet: 15 linking expressions
20mins: Test: 15 writing practice - part 1 (finish for homework)
05mins: Warm down: Goodbye, see you next time. Encourage students to do additional reading for vocabulary building outside of the lesson. News articles, short stories, and novels are all great examples.
00mins: Homework - complete the next section of the online homework
1) Successful essays address the question or statement in a clear and logical way.
2) Be sure to keep all ideas and opinions relevant to the question.
3) Students will need two write an essay based on TWO of the bullet points. They will need to say which is MORE IMPORTANT and give reasons and additional information to support their opinions.
4) Students should write between 220-260 words. NOT MORE, NOT LESS.
5) Practise planning and organising your essay by preparing an outline which states the core points and reasons you will discuss in the essay.
6) Use effective linking expressions and cohesive tools to keep the essay well connected.
7) Use a variety of methods for introducing and concluding your arguments.
Check:
- is the essay structured well, with an introduction, body and conclusion?
- has the student discussed two of the solutions provided?
- has the student used an appropriate tone?
- has the student linked their ideas logically?
- is the spelling and grammar correct?
- is the essay between 220 and 260 words?