98 Unit 06 | To thine own self be true Discovering the essay Look at the characteristics of two different text types below and highlight the ones which apply to the essay. STRATEGIES 18 a 1 Who is most likely to read the text? Who is the text written for? a It is usually written for a broad audience, often published in a (school) magazine. b It is written for a teacher, possibly for the jury of a competition, or as part of an exam. 2 Why is it written? What is its function/purpose? a It is written to discuss an issue or to convince the reader of the writer’s opinion. b It is written to engage and entertain the reader, or to persuade them to take action. 3 What should the title be like? a The title should be catchy and make the reader curious about the content. b The title should be factual and clearly state the topic. 4 How should the text be organised? What is the purpose of the first paragraph? a The first paragraph introduces the topic and ends with the thesis statement, which clearly expresses the author’s opinion on the topic. b The first paragraph should draw the reader in and arouse their interest in the topic. 5 How are the content points dealt with? a Each content point is developed into a paragraph with a topic sentence that states the main argument, followed by supporting evidence or examples and factual reasons. b The points are developed into paragraphs, often addressing the reader directly, and may include personal examples from the author’s experience. 6 What should the conclusion (last paragraph) be about? a The concluding paragraph should summarise and paraphrase the author’s opinion. It should not introduce a new argument. b The concluding paragraph should give the reader something to think about or encourage them to take action. 7 What register and style are required? a While the register can be neutral or even semi-formal, an informal register is more common in this text type. In informal writing, the reader is often addressed directly through (rhetorical) questions, and contractions (you’ve, it’s …) are frequently used. b The text should be neutral or formal, the reader is not addressed, contractions are not used. Which other text type is the essay contrasted with? In pairs, go through the essay on p. 97 again and compare your notes from 17. Where can you find the thesis statement, topic sentences, relevant supporting details (evidence, examples, reasons) and the conclusion? Look at the essay task on p. 97 again and write an essay in which you argue that teenagers should be encouraged to keep a pet. See Writing coach, Essay, p. 184. b c WRITING 19 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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