Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 5

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.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
New
New
Year 5

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.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Essays can either examine both sides of an issue in a balanced way, or they can argue persuasively on one side only.
  2. Essays include subject-specific language and they are written in formal tone.
  3. A one-sided essay presents a logical argument that reveals a series of points.
  4. Points made within essays must be explained and backed up by evidence in order to be effective.
  5. 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.

Some pupils may benefit from some pre-teaching of terms mentioned in the example essay, or you may wish to simplify the language.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the sentences below would best follow this one? 'Climate change is causing sea level rise.'
In 2020, there were 100 million barrels of oil extracted.
Correct answer: As a result, some communities are at risk of flooding.
In addition, using electric vehicles will help combat climate change.
Q2.
Which sentences begin with fronted adverbials?
Correct answer: Soon, oil reserves will run out.
Correct answer: Consequently, we will need to use more renewable energy.
Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide when they are burned.
The fuels, which are found underground, are high in energy.
Q3.
Which sentence type is the following sentence? 'Burning fossil fuels, which are found below ground, has contributed to climate change.'
adverbial complex sentence
Correct answer: relative complex sentence
non-finite (-ing) complex sentence
Q4.
What part of this adverbial complex sentence is the subordinate clause? 'After the Industrial Revolution ended, much more fuel was needed.'
Correct answer: After the Industrial Revolution ended
much more fuel was needed
the Industrial Revolution ended, much more fuel
Q5.
Which sentence uses brackets for parenthesis correctly?
Renewable energy sources (such as solar power are very important.
Correct answer: Renewable energy sources (such as solar power) are very important.
Renewable energy sources (such as solar power are very important).
Q6.
Which fronted adverbial could fill this gap? 'Using more renewable energy will help tackle climate change. __________, using electric vehicles may help.'
However,
Correct answer: In addition,
As a result,
Soon,

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which is the best definition of an essay?
a non-fiction text that gives an explanation
Correct answer: a non-fiction text that explores arguments on an issue
a fiction text that explores arguments on an issue
Q2.
Which of these essay titles suggest an essay that gives just one side of the argument?
Should French or Spanish be taught in schools?
Correct answer: Explain why it would be better for schools to teach Spanish.
Would it be beneficial for all schools to teach Spanish?
Correct answer: Why should French be made compulsory for all children?
Q3.
Which of the following are features of a logical argument?
Correct answer: It goes step-by-step
It goes in a random order
Correct answer: It includes evidence
Correct answer: It reaches a conclusion
Q4.
Which of the following are forms of evidence to support a logical argument?
Correct answer: a fact
Correct answer: an explanation
an argument from the opposite perspective
Correct answer: a reference to an official report
Q5.
Which of the following are pieces of subject-specific vocabulary that relate to climate change?
Correct answer: greenhouse gas emissions
animals
Correct answer: solar power
Correct answer: electric vehicles
Q6.
Match the cohesive device to the example.
Correct Answer:relative complex sentence,These fuels, which are buried in the ground, are high in energy.

These fuels, which are buried in the ground, are high in energy.

Correct Answer:non-finite (-ing) complex sentence,They trap heat in the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect.

They trap heat in the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect.

Correct Answer:fronted adverbial of time,In 2019, the Earth's temperature was the highest in 100,000 years.

In 2019, the Earth's temperature was the highest in 100,000 years.

Correct Answer:parenthesis in brackets,Fossil fuels (such as coal) are formed underground.

Fossil fuels (such as coal) are formed underground.

Additional material

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.