Paragraphs have different functions or purposes: to explain, to describe, to illustrate, to compare and/or contrast, and to argue are some of these purposes.
Here is a checklist you can use to write and evaluate a paragraph:
| The paragraph: | √ |
| has a topic sentence which introduces what the paragraph is about. | |
| has at least two sentences. | |
| has linking words to make sentences coherent. | |
| contains only one topic. | |
| has a clear function. |
Activity 2.4 - Writing a paragraph (individual)
Go back to the paragraph you wrote in Activity 2.1. Check it using the information above. Can you see anything that you could change to improve it?
1. Write a paragraph using the notes you made during your group discussion. Your purpose is to explain how human activity has changed your biome. Do not write more than five sentences.Use the writing process (see Activity 1.7) and the checklist above. Edit your work before handing it in to your teacher for evaluation.
Essay writing
An essay is a coherent piece of writing that contains a heading, an introduction, a body comprising several paragraphs and a conclusion. You could be asked to write any of the following kinds of essays:
| Type of essay | Features |
| Narrative | Tells a story, can use direct speech, has a resolution. |
| Descriptive | Creates a picture using adjectives, appeals to the five senses, uses figures of speech. |
| Argumentative | Presents an argument for or against something, uses persuasive language, is subjective and one-sided. |
| Discursive | Presents both sides of an argument in an unbiased way, is objective, but can end with a personal point of view. |
| Reflective | Presents views, ideas, thoughts, feelings about something, is personal rather than objective. |
| Expository | A ‘how to’ or a factual essay in which you give an exposition of how something could be arranged or how something works or give well-researched information about a topic. You use words such as accordingly, since, as a result, so, because, then, consequently, therefore, for this reason, thus, to structure your essay and show cause and effect. |
| Literary | A response to a literary text interpreting, evaluating, or reflecting on some aspect of the text: story, character, language, conflict, or theme. |
The names of the different types of essay reflect their purpose. It may happen that you are asked to write an essay and you are given the topic without the type of essay being specified, in which case it is up to you to decide what type of essay to write. It is very important that you do this correctly so as not to misinterpret the topic and write the wrong kind of essay. Therefore reflect carefully on what you are being asked to do before launching out on the strength of one word in the given topic and risking a totally irrelevant response.
The writing process is a very important part of writing an essay. All essays need to be brainstormed, planned, organised, drafted, edited and rewritten.
We have discussed several different aspects of essay writing here. In the next activities you will practise these in different ways, one step at a time.
Activity 2.5 - Analysing topics (individual and pair)
1. Below are several different essay topics. Discuss them with your partner. What does the topic mean? What should the essay be about? What kind of essay should you write? Make notes for yourself on each of the topics after you have discussed them.
Animal Farm is an allegory that can be related to the situation in many countries where revolution has taken place. Write an essay of 400-450 words in which you discuss this statement with reference to the novel (25 marks).
You belong to an environmental group. Write an essay of 400-450 words in which you describe a recent activity in which your group participated (50 marks).
Climate change is a myth. Write an essay of 400-450 words in which you support or oppose this statement (50 marks).
Reasons for and against immigration: why it is difficult to decide. Write an essay of 400-450 words in which you respond to this topic (50 marks).
You are a doctor who works for ‘Doctors without borders’ and have recently come back from a war-torn country. Write an essay of 400-450 words in which you describe the conditions in the refugee camp where you worked for three months (50 marks).
Your experiences as a doctor working in a refugee camp have led you to think deeply about your beliefs concerning armed struggle. Write an essay of 400-450 words in which you share your conclusions (50 marks).
The conservation of wildlife in South Africa (50 marks).
Keep your notes for the next activity.
Activity 2.6 - Writing an introduction (individual and pair)
Before you write the introduction asked for below, discuss with your partner what the purpose of an introduction is and what it should contain. Your teacher will ask for responses to this question before you continue.
1. Choose one of the essay topics given in Activity 2.4 and write an introduction.
Swap with your partner and then discuss and evaluate each other’s introductions.
Your teacher will ask several of you to read your introductions to the class for discussion and general feedback.
Activity 2.7 - Writing a conclusion (individual and pair)
1. Follow the same steps as in the previous activity to write and get feedback on a conclusion. Your conclusion should be to the essay for which you wrote an introduction.
Activity 2.8 - Writing an essay (individual)
1.Choose one of the topics below and write an essay of between 400 and 450 words (50 marks). Use the writing process (organise your collected ideas, draft, write and edit). Your teacher will take in your work for evaluation. You must hand in your planning as well as your essay. Your teacher will discuss the rubric for essay writing with you.
The climate in my home town
What I can do personally to lessen global warming
Endangered species should not be preserved
The hailstorm
You can use the following rating scale to assist you when you draft your essay.
Rating scale for essay where 1 = 0-29%; 2 = 30-49%; 3 = 50-59%; 4 = 60-74%; 5 = 75-100%
| Criteria | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| 1. Has the essay been well planned using the writing process? | |
| 2. Has the topic been interpreted accurately? | |
| 3. Is the essay well paragraphed, and is there adequate development in each paragraph? | |
| 4. Is there an interesting introduction? | |
| 5. Does the conclusion round off the essay satisfactorily? | |
| 6. Are the paragraphs coherent and do they follow each other logically? | |
| 7. Is the vocabulary appropriate? | |
| 8. Is the grammar accurate? | |
| 9. Has the essay been edited? | |
| 10. Is the essay neat and well presented? |
Poetry
In your literature exam at the end of the year, you will have to answer questions on an unseen poem. The poem below is one of those on the approved list. You are going to practise reading it and answering questions on your own. Your teacher will then discuss the answers with you when you have all finished.
Another catastrophe linked with climate change and global warming is the extinction of plants, animals and birds. The following poem was written by William Blake, who lived from 1757 to 1827. He is astonished by the tiger, its beauty and power. Imagine how disturbed he would have been to know that