These days we, the students and the English teachers of standard IX have been keeping ourselves busy discussing ways and means of writing persuasive essays. We are already done with the Definition, differences of Persuasive and Argumentative essays before dwelling on the Introduction.

Students are asked emphatically to write their essays in five paragraphs. Though there are mainly two ways of writing a persuasive essay, they are to be taught the other approach, wherein the writer goes on to show her familiarity with the opposing ideas by hinting at the other side of the argument. Students are being encouraged to use the first approach for the time being as it is easier to master. Once they are comfortable ith the first approach to writing a persuasive essay, they will be introduced to the second approach as well.

Students are repeatedly reminded about the importance of the Introduction. That it should start with a catchy sentence, grabbing the reader’s attention straight away, provide some background information or history of the topic before concluding the introductory part of the essay with the Thesis. The thesis is the soul of the essay as it contain the central idea controlling the entire essay, the writer’s opinion or stance regarding the topic and the supporting points.

The Body of the essay is to consist of three paragraphs. Each paragraph will be based on the supporting points stated in the thesis as they make the Topic Sentences for the subsequent body paragraphs. This time, by courtesy of the REC (Royal Education Council), students are being encouraged to use the PEEL framework while writing the body paragraphs. PEEL is a new format which mainly emphasizes on the importance of elaborating the main point with enough examples and evidence. P stands for Point, E for example, E for evidence and L for the Link back to the thesis, or the main point, not necessarily in that order.

Students are made to spend a considerable amount of time on the Thesis as it is the sould of the essay. What separates a good thesis from a bad one and so on before moving on to the Conclusion. They are told that the conclusion is as important as the rest of the essay as it restates the thesis, reemphasizes the main points and ends with something ( it may be a quotation related to the topic, it may be a warning or question0 that will leave a lasting impression on the reader’s mind.

As suggested by the educators from the REC during the Writing Strand Workshop in Phuentsholing at the beginning of this year, I tried to show them yesterday the struggles a teacher goes through during the various stages of the Wring Process by trying to list down the topics on the green board. They are:

1.     Positive Attitude.

2.     Assembly Speech at CCS.

3.     Language Policy of CCS, and

4.     Weekly Tests at CCS (at the request of the students).

Once the topics were jotted down, I decided to write on the first topic while the students were busy selecting their own and started writing the introduction on the board. But for once, I did not have to rub out the words frequently. Like I have been telling them that once they know how to write the thesis properly, writing the rest of the essay is mere cake work, I finished writing the first draft by last night itself. Here I present the essay for the benefit of my students. Any constructive feedback from a well wisher will be highly appreciated.

Continued on page-2.