This activity can be used either before or after students have learned the structure of an essay. If used before, it will help them generate whatever (passive)knowledge they have on logical essay organisation. If used after, it will help them apply what they have learned.
Just in case, I'll include the basic argumentative essay organisation format I teach my students, from the book "Introduction to Academic Writing" by Oshima and Hogue (Unit 6), which explains it very clearly:
- Introduction Paragraph: General Statements + Thesis Statement
- 2-3 Body Paragraphs, each paragraph containing: Topic sentence + supporting statements + concluding sentence.
- Concluding Paragraph: Re-statement of Thesis Statement OR Restatement of main points in the body, + Final Thoughts.
Activity:
1. Divide your students into no more than 4 students per group.
2. Make enough copies of each essay for each group.
3. Cut the essays into paragraph strips (make the title one strip) and mix them up (I find that it's more challenging to give each group 2 or three essays, all mixed up, at the same time. That way, they have to discover which paragraph belongs to which essay, as well as put the essay in a logical order)
4. Give each group the slips of essay paragraphs, and make it a race to see which group can put them in order first.
Follow-up:
You can then give each student a copy of the essays, to analyse in groups. You can look at formal features, at linking words, or the position of the writer. Is the writer's position clear? Do the students agree with it? Can they think of more support? Can they think of support for an opposite view?
Here's the essays!
Why children should have pets
People have different opinions about whether it is a good thing for children to have pets, or not. Some people believe that having pets can be a problem because pets can transmit diseases. Others say that pets give too much work. That may be true, but I believe that we can have pets and avoid those problems. In this essay, I will tell you why I believe that having pets is a very good thing for children.
First, it is good for children to have pets because it teaches them responsibility. Children learn that the pet depends on them for food, water, exercise and shelter. Children learn that a pet can’t wait until later. When it’s eating time, it’s eating time. This teaches a child to be responsible and less selfish.
Second, children benefit from the company of their pets. Pets can become warm and loyal friends. Most children come to love their pets just as a member of their family. Having pets makes them less lonely. It gives children something to do, someone to play with, and avoids boredom. Also, many pets such as dogs give protection to children. Having the company of a pet can be very beneficial to children.
Finally, pets help children to understand more about the natural world. Children learn that we need to love and take care of nature. They learn to respect animals and not be cruel to them. All in all, having pets makes children more respectful of the creatures in the environment.
In brief, I have given three reasons why I believe that having pets is beneficial to children. I believe that, when children have pets and learn to care for them properly, they become better people.
Why College Degrees are Important
College degrees are becoming more and more common. Twenty years ago, most people (if they were lucky) had only a high school certificate, and that was enough to get them a job. Some people now believe that college degrees are so common that they are not so important anymore. What counts is the experience that a person has for a job. However, I believe that, even though college degrees are more common these days, they are still important and worth the effort.
One important reason for getting a college degree is that a college degree gives you the basic information and preparation that you need to get a good job. College courses are organized so that you can get the information you need about a certain job. College courses teach you skills for that job. Of course, college courses cannot teach you everything you need to know, but they give you the basics, enough information for you to be prepared. They also teach you how you can get the information that you don’t have. Therefore, in order to get a good job preparation, it is a good idea to complete a college degree.
A further reason for completing a college degree is that the knowledge you get from college makes your life more pleasurable. For example, if you take introduction to music history, you become familiar with the different musical periods and styles. You start to enjoy the classical music that you listen to, because now you understand more about it. When you study literature, you get a better understanding of the beauty of poetry. You will notice that college subjects not only make you more knowledgeable; they bring more pleasure to your life.
A final reason for getting a college degree is that it shapes your character. In order to be successful in college, you need to learn to manage your time. You also need to be responsible and work hard, do all your assignments and study well for all your tests. In addition, you learn to deal with frustrations, such as low grades or tiredness. You learn to persevere and keep trying. This is very good training for the frustrations you will have in your job and in your life later on.
In brief, I have mentioned three reasons why a college degree is an advantage to you, both in your intellectual preparation and in character building. I believe the advantages of a college degree are worth the effort.
The Best Book in the World
If you go to a library, you will see countless books, more than you will ever be able to read in your life. With so many books around, though, I want to recommend one particular book: the Bible. In this essay, I will give you four reasons why I believe that the Bible is the best book that you could ever read in your life.
One reason why the Bible is the best book to read is that it is the most trustworthy book that tells us about God. There are many books that talk about God, but the Bible is the one we can trust the most. It was written by prophets of God, with God’s message. It has survived for hundreds of years and we still have its message. As you read it, you will get to know God better and have a close relationship with Him. No other book will give you better information about God than the Bible.
Another reason why reading the Bible is important, is that it helps to develop your mind. Ellen White, in her book “Education”, says that no other book can develop your mind like the Bible. The Bible is not an easy book to read, but anyone can read it and ask God for help in understanding it. When you read the Bible, you have to think. To understand the Bible, you need to compare the different texts. This takes time and effort, but the results are well worth it. The Bible, then, is an excellent book for developing your intelligence.
Thirdly, the Bible gives us a lot of practical advice for our daily lives. Through the Bible, for example, we can learn about how to improve our relationships. The Bible has a lot of advice about how families should treat each other, and how neighbours should treat each other. Through the Bible we also learn how to have good health. The Bible also teaches about how to find hope when life is difficult. If we follow this advice, we can live good and happy lives.
There are many more reasons for reading the Bible, but I will give you just a final one. Reading the Bible can be very pleasurable. The Bible is full of interesting stories about people and their experiences with God. The Bible is also full of poems, such as the Psalms and the Proverbs. In those poems, you can read about issues that affect your own life. Those poems talk about fear, friendship, wisdom and love. Reading the Bible, then, can be very enjoyable.
I have given you four reasons why the Bible is the best book you can ever read. Now it is up to you to read it. Don’t miss your opportunity! I’m sure you will find many more benefits from reading the Bible.
