Correcting argumentative essays.

28 Novembro 2018, 12:00 • Margarida Vale de Gato

1) Recycling vocabulary and dictionary skills: A selected number of students were asked to say an example sentence with the new words, and also to explain the meaning of the word given to the class. They could consult the following online dictionaries:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/help

https://www.merriam-webster.com/

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/

2) Dictation: Problematic sentences and structures were dictated to the Sts. The sentences were taken from their essays: particular focus on whole-hole/ example/ which/pollution/ environment/ government

Then Sts were asked to write the sentences on the whiteboard.

3) Fill-in-the-gap exercise on the whiteboard. Sts were asked to fill in the gaps. Verbs and the prepositions were taken from Sts’ essays.

You should give attention ______details./ She was aware ___________ the risks at the time./ They will have to deal_______ the problem./ He glanced _____the paper.

4) Difference between “the young people” and “young people” is explained.

Generic personal pronouns: “one, you, we” were also discussed. Based on https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/pronouns/pronouns-one-you-we-they

5) Group work activity: A sample argumentative essay on environmental issue was cut into 5 parts. Sts had to put the paragraphs in order. Then all paragraphs were analysed and discussed: introductory, first, second, third paragraphs, and conclusion. Sts had to correct their own essays according to the structure given.

6) Linking words were presented: Addition, Enumeration, Contrast, Alternative, Result/Reason/ Comparison, etc.

7) Homework: 16 sentences with the linking words.