Identifying the features of an essay
I can identify the logical argument of an essay and I can identify an essay's linguistic features in a model.
Identifying the features of an essay
I can identify the logical argument of an essay and I can identify an essay's linguistic features in a model.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Essays can either examine both sides of an issue in a balanced way, or they can argue persuasively on one side only.
- Essays include subject-specific language and they are written in formal tone.
- A one-sided essay presents a logical argument that reveals a series of points.
- Points made within essays must be explained and backed up by evidence in order to be effective.
- A range of fronted adverbials, sentence types and parenthesis in brackets are linguistic features of essays.
Keywords
Essay - a piece of writing that explores arguments about a particular issue
Logical argument - one that follows a series of steps that lead clearly towards a conclusion
Evidence - information or facts to show something is true
Linguistic features - the language structures that are used within a text
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that an essay is always a two-sided discussion leading to the writer's own conclusion.
In this unit, we will write a one-sided essay which makes the argument posed in the title; we will avoid presenting this as the writer's own opinion.
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Identifying the features of an essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Identifying the features of an essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the The Amazon Rainforest: essay writing unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
These fuels, which are buried in the ground, are high in energy.
They trap heat in the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect.
In 2019, the Earth's temperature was the highest in 100,000 years.
Fossil fuels (such as coal) are formed underground.