Writing formal essays that build an argument
A strong essay is like a court case: you make a claim and then back it up, point by point, with evidence.
Part of your national curriculum
- Writing: Write formal and academic essays as well as personal and creative writing, summarising and organising material, and supporting ideas and arguments with any necessary factual detail
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Write formal and academic essays as well as personal and creative writing, summarising and organising material, and supporting ideas and arguments with any necessary factual detail
Key learning points
- • Organising material
- • Supporting with detail
- • Balancing personal and formal writing
This lesson at a glance
- 28 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
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Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Writing formal essays that build an argument
A strong essay is like a court case: you make a claim and then back it up, point by point, with evidence.
In a nutshell
Write formal and academic essays as well as personal and creative writing, summarising and organising material, and supporting ideas and arguments with any necessary factual detail
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Organising material
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Organising material
A formal essay on 'Is social media good for teenagers?' needs a clear structure: introduction stating your view, paragraphs for each main point, and a conclusion. Group similar ideas together rather than jumping between topics.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Supporting with detail
Don't just claim 'social media harms sleep' — add factual detail: studies link screen use before bed to reduced sleep quality. Specific evidence makes an argument convincing rather than just an opinion.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Balancing personal and formal writing
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Balancing personal and formal writing
Academic essays use formal, impersonal language ('It could be argued that...'), while personal or creative writing can use 'I' and vivid imagery. Knowing which mode you're in shapes your whole approach to a task.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
A ____ essay on 'Is social media good for teenagers?' needs a clear structure: introduction stating your view, paragraphs for each main point, and a conclusion.
____ essays use formal, impersonal language ('It could be argued that...'), while personal or creative writing can use 'I' and vivid imagery.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Which is a thesis rather than a summary?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Writing formal essays that build an argument
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which is a thesis rather than a summary?
2. Why embed quotations inside your own sentence?
3. What does evaluating an alternative reading show?
4. A strong conclusion:
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Write formal and academic essays as well as personal and creative writing, summarising and organising material, and supporting ideas and arguments with any necessary factual detail