we are going to learn the process of
writing an argumentative essay in five
short videos we normally use a five
paragraph structure common in other
types of essay with two arguments
supporting our view and one against this
is not the only way to write an essay
six paragraphs are also often used today
we will use five which is also known as
a hamburger essay this is made up of an
introduction three body paragraphs and a
conclusion let's start at the beginning
in this section we're going to analyze
the question and plan our essay
effectively it's important to plan your
essay first this ensures your reader can
follow the progression of your argument
in an exam it will also mean you get
good marks for organization and
structure look for clues in the essay
question this will tell you what the
task requires find these and they will
help you answer it effectively the main
clues we can get from the texts are why
indicates that you need to give a reason
this is your purpose the keyword study
and history tell us a subject we are
writing about why study and history
should be underlined this is asking your
opinion so it requires your voice write
an essay of 300 to 500 words this shows
how many words you need to write
remember the examiner doesn't want to
read too much or too little we have to
give both sides of the argument in this
essay so that means we will write two
paragraphs supporting our opinion or and
and one paragraph presenting an opposing
argument
now we've analyzed the question we need
to do a plan we're going to write a five
paragraph essay consisting of an
introduction three body paragraphs two
explaining our opinion or stand and the
other the opposing argument and a
conclusion now we know our basic
structure we need to choose a method to
plan our essay there are several
different ways to do this such as a
spider diagram a positive and negative
table a flowchart today we're going to
use a spider diagram next consider what
the main points you want to make are
decide on your opinion or stand about
the question first you need to ask
yourself these questions and note down
your answers do you enjoy studying
history why or why not do you think that
there is any value in studying it why
why not this is the basis for your
brainstorm next consider the main points
you want to make decide your opinion
about the question is studying history a
good or bad thing to answer this essay
question we have decided that it is a
good thing put your question in a circle
in the center of the page then write as
many ideas as you can for and against
the argument decide which points are
positive and negative choose the two
strongest ideas to support your opinion
you will need to think of an additional
point connected to each followed by an
example so choose the point you have the
most to write about these will be your
main ideas for body paragraphs 1 & 2 now
write a topic sentence for each one this
should summarize the whole paragraph in
a short clear sentence
it will be a general point the sentences
that follow will give more specific
information about that point check that
they are related to the question and
your opinion yes they are now imagine
someone is arguing against your opinion
what would they say this is your
counterpoint now you have the main ideas
for each of your body paragraphs in this
video we have looked at layout question
analysis and planning don't forget to
keep it simple write a five paragraph
essay read the question and circle the
clues they will help you give a correct
answer always plan your essay your
opinion and your topic sentences for
more advice visitors are to learn
English teams and for more information
on our courses visit us at the British
Council website our next video in the
series is about how to write your thesis
statement and paragraphs