EAP Communication Skills - Days Two & Three: Basic EAP Essay Structure

The materials from this lesson should be taught over two class periods

For stability, you need structure. This is just as true in writing as it is in architecture or atomic structure. To give something structure means to arrange it or organize it based on a plan. In writing, planning leads to a more logical presentation of a central idea and its support. Today, the class will be talking about a basic EAP essay structure: the five paragraph essay. An outline can be found below:

Weeks Ten & Eleven - EAP Essay Structure

Level: Students are expected to possess a B1 (Intermediate) level of English
Time: 2 Academic Hours per class (1 Hour & 30 Minutes)

Objectives: Students will be able to...

1. Describe and implement a basic five paragraph EAP essay structure
2. Describe the features of an effective EAP introduction and conclusion
3. Use the PIE-C technique to promote coherence and cohesion in their EAP writing
4. Use lexical signposts in their EAP writing to guide their readers 

I. Introduction
The instructor should begin the class by asking students to share what they already know about EAP essay structure. This should be a review of the material discuss in the "Teaching the Writing Process" lessons. Possible questions can include... 

1. What kinds of audiences do you write an essay for? What purposes? 
2. What are the different parts of an essay? 
3. What is the most important part of an essay? Why? 
4. How are thesis statements and topic sentences connected? Why is this connection important? 

II. Five Paragraph Essay
The five paragraph essay is a very basic form of EAP writing. It is taught in Freshman rhetoric/composition classes all over the U.S. This presentation provides a brief overview of the components of this type of essay. 

After you finish covering this information, ask the students to complete this short overview assignment activity. Discuss the answers afterwards together as a class.

III. Practice Activities
In order to review the principles discussed in the overview PPT, instructors can find a few practice activities below. There will not be enough time to get through all of these activities in one class. Instructors should choose the activities they find most helpful and adapt them for use with their students. 

The activities include:

1. Thesis Statement Writing Practice (found here)
2. PIE-C Technique Practice (found here)
3. Characteristics of Effective EAP Essay Intros & Conclusions (found here)
4. Rewriting the Thesis Statement (found here)

-> New! This link takes you to an excellent resource filled with essential academic phrases and terms (organized by function and/or part of essay).

Homework: Tech Gadget Argumentative Essay 
To give students a chance to demonstrate their understanding of five paragraph essay structure, ask them to write a brief (~250-500 words), five paragraph essay on the following topic:

"What "tech gadget" (iPad, iPhone, "smart phone", etc.) has the biggest potential to improve human lives? Why?  "

Each essay should:

• Choose a "gadget" and provide reasons to support your stance
• Include an appropriate introduction and conclusion
• Follow the five paragraph format
• Use formal academic tone
• Be proofread for errors before turning in

When you finish, title your essay, "BestTechGadget_YourName" and email it to your course instructor before the next class (or bring it to class).