Title: Enhancing Academic Writing: Focus on Mock Exam Essays
Synopsis: This lesson centered on improving students’ essay writing skills in preparation for their real entrance exams. The instructor conducted a peer review activity to analyze mock exam essays, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The goal was to ensure students could effectively structure their essays and directly address the given prompts, ultimately enhancing their performance for the upcoming exams.
Attendance:
– Absent students: Albina (excused), Zarina, Diana (part-time), Alina, Yuraida, Karima, Asuka.
– Visiting student: Elena.
Topics Covered:
1. Introduction to the session and the importance of the mock exam essay review.
2. Attendance check and acknowledgment of absentees and a visiting student.
3. Brief scanning and photographing of student essays for collaborative review.
4. Explanation of the peer review process and distribution of essays among students.
5. Detailed analysis of essay structure, including paragraphs, thesis statements, and supporting details.
6. Interactive review of selected student essays, highlighting areas needing improvement.
7. Emphasis on the importance of directly addressing the essay prompt and providing clear examples.
Actionable Items:
– Students need to revise their essays based on the feedback provided, ensuring:
– Direct answers to the essay prompts.
– Clear thesis statements.
– Distinct and developed body paragraphs.
– Inclusion of concluding sentences.
– Removal of irrelevant details and repetition.
– Encourage students to write essay outlines before drafting to improve clarity and organization.
– Remind students to focus on the specific benefits of a gap year as per the essay question.
Homework:
– Students are to rewrite their essays considering the session’s feedback.
– Revised essays are due for comparison and further review in the next class.