We worked on pages 1–2 of the course pack (Arguing the point) and assigned roles for a short debate (Exercises 7 and 8, p. 2), to be held on Thursday.
Sumários
What makes a classic?
3 Março 2026, 14:00 • Irene Bulla
Today we discussed the reading “Classic or cult classic?” (course pack, p. 8) and worked on useful vocabulary for reviewing books and movies (pp. 7 and 9).
Arguing the point (continued)
26 Fevereiro 2026, 14:00 • Irene Bulla
Today we looked at Oxford Union–style debates (Course pack, pp. 3–6) and practiced our first debate in pairs using the proposition on p. 1: "We believe that people should be restricted to one return flight per year for the purposes of tourism".
Homework (for Tuesday, March 3): Please read "Classic or Cult Classic?" on p. 8 of the course pack and come to class prepared to discuss it.
How to Write a Literary Essay - Part 3
26 Fevereiro 2026, 09:30 • Hilda Alexandra Prazeres Eusebio
Today, TP6 learned how to create good cohesion (the last of the 3 Cs) beween paragraphs.
We did this by going through the model essay entitled 'Joyce Carol Oates's Small Avalances: How a Bad Girl Plays it Safe'. Students who missed today's class should go through this essay which is available on the shared Google drive. It is located in the 'How to Write an Essay' folder, which in turn is in the 'Essay Stuff' folder which can be found in the 'Resources' folder.
Please compare the essay to the 'success criteria' table. Are all of the criteria met?
Next class: we will be identifying themes and brainstorming thesis statements for each of the two stories (time allowing).
Homework: Please ensure that you have read the first two stories - Story 1: 'A Temporary Mater' and Story 2: 'When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine' for next class.
How to Write a Literary Essay - Part 2
24 Fevereiro 2026, 09:30 • Hilda Alexandra Prazeres Eusebio
Today, TP6 learned about expository writing and continued to learn about how to write a literary essay.
Students who missed today's class should go onto the shared Google drive and go through the following PowerPoints:
- Expository Writing - Literary Essays
- How to Write an Essay
- Instructions for Optional Homework
- Instructions for Written Exam
Students should be made aware that the success criteria for both the optional homework assignments and the written test are as follows:
English Use (10 Points):
Consistent correct use of Verb Tenses
Advanced Vocabulary
Appropriate Word Order
No Missing or Extraneous Words
Correct use of Punctuation, especially when embedding quotes and in-text citations
Correct use of Articles
The 3 Cs - writing that is clear, concise, and coherent. These are defined in the course book.
Persuasive Writing Techniques - you must use a minimum of eight (8) separate techniques - never force them.
Content (10 points):
- Avoid vague title/subtitle – must refer to author (Lahiri) and stories or theme.
Thesis statement/essay question clearly stated at end of first paragraph.
Your arguments must prove the thesis statement. You must make a minimum of three (3) arguments.
Minimum 4 quotes – 2 primary source, 2 secondary source/s. Maximum 8 quotes. Long quotes (4 or more lines) must be formatted as block quotes.
Quotes must be embedded correctly respecting punctuation rules. In-text citations must be done according to MLA rules.
The concluding paragraph must reiterate the thesis statement (but in different words) or answer the essay question.
There must be a bibliography on a separate page, listed alphabetically and formatted according to MLA guidelines. Please separate primary from secondary sources.
Students should also know that using AI or any other form of technology or help when producing either optional homework assignments or the literary essay for the written test is strictly forbidden.
WARNING:
- If I suspect that either your written or oral tests were carried out with the assistance of AI, you will be made to take an ad hoc test to assess your abilities in English use and essay writing and/or presentation giving.
- This test will be carried out at a time and date that suits us both.
- If I am convinced that your previous work was genuine, you may keep the grade; if it turns out you used AI or cheated in any way, you will be rewarded a grade of ‘0’.
Next class: we will be looking at the success criteria and the final product - the model essay.
Please note that I will not be modelling the oral exam next class as that has been scheduled for the 28th of April in the course calendar.
Homework: please don't forget to read the first short story ('A Temporary Matter') which is available on the shared Google drive as I'm hoping we'll start looking at that next class. Or is that wishful thinking?