english essays grade 12

ESSAYS GRADE 12 NOTES - LITERATURE STUDY GUIDE
The structure of an essay
Steps to writing an essay in the exams
Narrative essays
Descriptive essays
Reflective essays
Discursive essays
Argumentative essays
Writing an essay from a picture
Essay checklist
What is expected from you in the exam

To write a successful exam essay, you need to give yourself time to plan your ideas and write a draft. Once you have edited and corrected your draft, your final essay should be a well-structured and interesting piece of writing. In this section, you will learn how to express yourself using the rules that will earn you marks in the final Grade 12 exam.

1. All about essays

1.1 the structure of an essay.

An essay must have an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

Introduction The introduction is the first paragraph of an essay. It should catch the reader’s attention and suggest what the essay is about (the topic).

Body The longest part of an essay is the body of the essay. It is divided into paragraphs. Each paragraph usually contains one main idea about the essay topic.

Conclusion The last paragraph in an essay is the conclusion. It brings the essay to an end. No new information is given in the conclusion, but it often brings together some key points or ideas.

Coherent - expressed in a clear way that is easily understood
Logical order - Arranging information so that the points follow each other in an order that makes sense.

Essay structure

1.2 Steps for writing an essay in the exams

There are four main steps involved in writing an exam essay:

Step 1: Choose your topic and type of essay Step 2: Plan your essay Step 3: Write and edit your draft essay Step 4: Write your final essay

Step 1: Choose your topic and type of essay Topic In the essay section of the exam, there will be about eight topics. You need to choose one of these topics on which to write your essay. You only need to write one essay.

Essay type A particular topic may suit one type of essay better than another type of essay. For example, if a topic asks whether you agree or disagree, then use the argumentative essay type. The table below shows brief descriptions of the five essay types. See pages 9 to 38 for more information on each essay type.


1		It tells a story; will have the word story in the topic; has characters, setting, plot
2		It describes an experience, an event or a place
3		It shows how you think or feel about a topic. It shows your emotions, hopes and dreams
4		It must present BOTH sides of an issue based on the topic.
5		It must support ONE side of an issue based on the topic

Hint:

Choosing an essay topic in the exam

Step 2: Plan your essay Decide which type of essay you think is most suitable for the essay topic. Remind yourself of the features of this type of essay. Plan your essay by writing down your ideas for the content of the essay. The content refers to the main ideas (points or details) in your essay – what it is mainly about. It must be relevant to the topic. Once you have written down a few ideas, you can organise them by numbering them. This will show the order of your paragraphs for the structure of your essay. There are many different ways to plan an essay. For example, you could use a mind map. Use the planning method that works best for you. There are examples of planning tools on pages 5 and 6.

Essay content planning

Ways to plan an essay

A plan helps you think about what ideas you want to include in your essay. It also helps you put your ideas into a clear structure. You will earn marks for showing your planning. You can use a mind map or an ideas list to plan your essay.

An essay must be between 250 to 300 words long.

Hint:
Essay proofreading and editing

The way you write your essay creates a style of writing. The words you chose and the length of your sentences are two examples of how a writing style is created.
Think about your audience to help you chose the right register for your essay. Register can be formal. For example; if your audience is a teacher or informal if your andience is for example a friend.
The tone of the essay is the feling the write gives the writing. For example, the tone could be playful or serious.

Step 4: Write your final essay Write your final essay by rewriting your draft. Make sure that you make all the changes you marked in your draft so that your final essay has no mistakes and clearly expresses all your best ideas. When you have finished your final essay, cross out your planning and draft essay. If you do not do this, the examiner may mark your draft and not your final essay.

Hint:
Final essay

2. The five essay types

There are different types or genres of essays. Each type is written for a different purpose. To prepare for the exam, you need to revise how to write five types of essay:

The main features of each type of essay and guidelines for writing each type of essay are given in this section. To prepare for the exam, practice writing the different types of essays.

2.1 Narrative essays

A narrative essay tells a story or describes a sequence of events. It can be written from any perspective (first person or third person narrative). The first person narrator will use the pronouns “I” or “we”, while the third person narrator will use pronouns such as “he”, “she”, “they” and “them”. A narrative essay can include dialogue (speech between characters in the story) and often includes interesting descriptions. This helps the reader to imagine what is happening, so the story comes alive.

Hint:

A learner’s example of a narrative essay using the four steps Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay

This learner chose this essay topic because it fitted a narrative essay type: I am an old desk in a classroom and this is my story…

Note: Write a narratiove if the word "story" is in the description. Always give your essay a title.

Step 4: Write the final essay Note: By including her edits from her draft essay, the learner greatly improved her final essay.

I am an old desk in a classroom and this is my story…
Hello there! My name is Pine. I am an old, broken-down desk, situated at the back of a science classroom. Nobody sits on me anymore. My bits and pieces are scattered around the whole school.
You may think that I am kind of silly-looking and old. In fact, I am very special; legends have sat on me. You don’t know them all but one may stand out in particular – Mark Shuttleworth! He makes my wooden heart beat stronger with pride and he makes me forget about back pain… caused by those rotten, rusted nails!
The other legends you won’t know, but they stayed special to me. I felt their pain when they failed a test. My age- lines grinned and smiled and rejoiced with them when they excelled! I know they made it far and move forests today, but as for me …
I am still here …
The engravings on my head show my life’s story. The story of loneliness. Frustration. Excitement. Pain. (Notice the word “pain” is very similar to my name). And of course, love…
Did I mention that I am a double desk? A desk for two? I have seen all kinds of love: childish love, forbidden love and great love. I know everything there is to know about
science because I have learned it over and over again. But, I don’t understand love.
Love is mystical. Love is kind. Love is blind …
I see the new generations grow older. They grow bolder. They will always be stronger. And my heart grows fonder … Maybe I really know what love is.

word count: 262

Main features of a narrative essay that are shown in this learner’s story


Characters	Pine, learners (including famous people), and lovers, who used the desk
Plot	The story has a strong story line. The desk remembers people who have used it, and how they made it feel. It ends with the climax - as the desk realises that it loves learners who use it.
Setting	The science classroom.
Theme	The movement of learners through the classroom - they move on as they grow up, but the desk remains. The meaning of love.
Structure	From the past to the present, looking ahead to the future; from the concrete to the abstract.
Creative use of language	Strong, interesting words are used, for example: age-lines, legends, scattered move forests, rejoice, excelled, rotten, frustration, forbidden love, mystical. Short sentences and paragraphs add impact.

Activity: Writing a narrative essay

Here are some narrative essay topics to help you to practice your writing skills:

Write a story that includes the following words: Suddenly there was absolute silence... NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be included somewhere in your essay.
Write a story that begins with the following words: It was the greatest day of my life. NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be used in the first sentence of your introduction.

2.2 Descriptive essays

In a descriptive essay, the writer describes an experience, an event, a situation, an object or a person. The purpose is to allow the reader to imagine what is being described as clearly as possible. Writing a descriptive essay is like creating a picture with words, rather than telling a story.

Hint:
In a descriptive essay, you must describe an experience or event

A learner’s example of a descriptive essay using the four steps

Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay

This learner chose this essay topic because it fitted a descriptive essay type: The scene in the waiting area of a clinic OR a doctor’s surgery. Note; The word scene in the topic sentence suggests that a descriptive essay is appropriate for this topic

A clinic waiting area is possibly one of the most awkward places to be. You come in through the door, go to reception to tell the friendly lady that you are here for an appointment with the doctor and as you go to take a seat, you politely nod to all the other people.
With all this friendliness you would think that some people would be talking to each other, but for some unknown reason there is a silence among the adults. The only voices you hear are the receptionists talking on the phone and the little kid who is nagging his mum if he can go build a puzzle or play with the toys.
A few characters will always be found in the waiting area. For example, there will almost always be a kid with a sports injury accompanied by his hysterical mother. And then there’s also the person with flu-like symptoms even in the middle of the summer.
And lastly, there is the person who just calmly sits and reads one of the magazines that are three years old, but appear to be in perfect condition.
As you sit there in your boredom unable to figure out what could be wrong with the calm and collected man, you decide to read one of those magazines. ‘Home and Décor’ is the magazine closest to you, ironically enough, since you find this magazine in a clinic which is coloured pale green and grey, but you decide to read through it anyway. And at that moment when you find a great article, you hear the receptionist calling, “Mr.. ………, could you follow me to the doctor's office, please?"

word count: 271

Main features of a descriptive essay that are shown in this learner’s essay


Characters	Receptionist, the child, the mother, other people waiting in the queue
Plot	Description and observation of events from the moment of registration with the receptionist up to the point where the patient is called to see the doctor.
Setting	The waiting area of the clinic.
Theme	Awkwardness of being in a small public space with strangers.
Structure	The events move from the arrival up to the point when the doctor is ready to see the patient.
Creative use of language	Strong, interesting words are used, for example; hysterical, flu-like symptoms, calm and collected man, coloured pale green and grey.

Activity: Writing a descriptive essay Here are some descriptive essay topics to help you to practise your writing skills:

Write an essay on the following topic: Life with my neighbors
Write an essay on the following topic : It was a dream come true! NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be included somewhere in your essay.
Write an essay on the following topic : An amazing performance.

2.3 Reflective essays

A reflective essay is written to explain what the writer thinks, and/or feels, about an object, an idea, a situation or an experience. It is subjective (based on the writer’s personal experience) and uses first person pronouns (“I”, “we”, “us”). A reflective essay usually includes the writer’s emotional reactions or feelings. It could be about, for example, a dream, your hopes for the future or a past event.

A learner’s example of a reflective essay using the four steps

Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay This learner chose this essay topic because it fitted a reflective essay type: Things I would like to achieve by the time I am 30. A reflective essay will be about what you think and feel about a topic. It shows your emotions, hopes and dreams.

Step 4: Write the final essay

Note: Leave a line between each paragraph to make your essay easy to read.

There are a number of things success is not. It’s not money or power, although I have to admit these do have a certain ring to them. Success is bounding out of the door in the mornings because you can’t bear to contain the excitement of going to work (a bit pretentious, but you get the point). Success is bringing together people with universal dreams and inspiring the people you work with to walk the extra mile.
I want that – I want success. I used to sit in front of the television watching ‘Pinki and the Brain’ and every single day Pinki asked Brain, “What are we going to do today?” and Brain would answer with such determination, “Today we’ll conquer the world”. I guess it must have brainwashed me somehow, for now I strive for the same thing.
You know how they say that people reach their prime when they reach 30, “just enough ignorance still to have energy and just enough smarts to use the energy wisely”. At 30,
* intend †o be confidently walking †o †he door of my office, marked “Senior Auditor”. Never once have I dreamt about the whole suburban living, a white picket fence with two- poin†-five angelic children. No, * dream of making a name for myself on the corporate ladder.
This isn’t some futile dream I’ll give up half way through. I’ll reach the top and I know this because dreamers have to be doers in order to be achievers. Recently deceased Steve Jobs once said, “Those who are crazy enough to think they can conquer the world are the ones who usually do.”

word count: 260

Main features of a reflective essay that are shown in this learner’s essay


Characters	The speaker (the writer) is the main person in this story, as it is about personal hopes and dreams. Steve Jobs is quoted as an inspiring person.
Introduction	The writer introduces the main idea for the essay - "success".
Body	The writer's viewpoint is supported by examples of what personal success means to the writer.
Creative use of language	Strong, interesting words are used, for example; success is bounding out of the door, universal dreams, walks the extra mile, conquer the world, brainwashed, a white picket fence with two-point0five angelic children.

Activity: Writing a reflective essay

Here are some reflective essay topics to help you to practise your writing skills:

Write an essay that includes the following words: ‘I wish I hadn’t ...’ NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be included somewhere in your essay.
Write an essay that includes the following words: As I looked at that photograph ... NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be included somewhere in your essay.
Write an essay that includes the following words: This experience has made me realise that ... NOTE: The words given in the topic MUST be included somewhere in your essay.

2.4 Discursive essays

The word “discursive” comes from the word “discourse” which means the sharing of thoughts and ideas. A discursive essay presents both sides of an argument. Its purpose is to tell the reader about various sides of a topic. This could be the advantages and disadvantages of something, or the reasons for or against a particular point of view. It must be objective (looking at both sides equally), and give a balanced view. In the conclusion, the writer usually gives a summary of the main points, and suggests, or recommends, some action or way forward. In the conclusion, the writer may state the opinion, or view, with which he or she personally agrees. However, the reasons for that decision must be clearly shown in the essay.

Objective - giving a general point of view

Hint:
hint In a discursive essay, you must show both sides of the topic

A learner’s example of a discursive essay using the four steps

Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay This learner chose this essay topic because it fitted a discursive essay type: Freedom of choice has both advantages and disadvantages Discuss this statement.

In a discursive essay you must present BOTH sides of an issue. For example, the advantages AND disadvantages of a topic.

South Africa has become one of the most democratic countries in Africa. We, as South Africans, are privileged to be able
to enjoy many rights that enable us to live freely and democratically in our country. One of the many rights we share is the freedom of choice. All citizens are free to choose whatever they want to eat, wear and listen to, among other choices. However, freedom of choice has both advantages and disadvantages.
Freedom of choice gives one a sense of individuality. Nothing feels as satisfyingly good as being able to make our own choices without being obliged to satisfy the government or anybody else. It prevents people from entering into situations that are uncomfortable for them and instead allows them to make choices that suit their own needs. Knowing that you are no† restricted by anything is definitely an advantage.
However, there are not always advantages to having freedom of choice. The fact that all citizens have the freedom to make their own choices can be dangerous. The choices people make are not always good and tend to violate other people’s rights as well. Perhaps the most common example would be the freedom a woman has to choose to terminate a pregnancy. It has been argued that by this choice, an unborn baby’s right to life is violated, besides the fact that the woman also puts her own health in danger.
There are pros and cons to everything. Nothing is ever completely and comfortably positive. It has become clear that while freedom of choice is great, we cannot be sure that it has not come with its own disadvantages. It seems right to conclude that it is every citizen’s responsibility to exercise his or her freedom of choice wisely. After all, every right comes with a responsibility.

Word count: 300


Content	The writer presents two sides of the argument, and makes a judgement at the end of the essay
Introduction	The writer introduces the main idea for the essay - freedom of choice.
Body	The writer presents both the advantages and disadvantages of freedom of choice. The writer organises the paragraphs by presenting arguments for, followed by arguments against, the topic. The concluding line shows the writer's personal view.
Creative use of language	Strong, interesting words are used, for example; Freedom of choice gives one a sense of individuality; the choices people make are not always good and tend to violate other people's rights as well; an unborn baby's right to life is being violated; nothing is ever completely and comfortably positive.

Activity: Writing a discursive essay

Here are some descriptive essay topics to help you to practise your writing skills:

Sport can unite or divide people. Discuss your views.
Do subjects offered at school prepare you for life? Discuss your views.
Wearing school uniform is very important. Do you agree? Discuss your views on wearing school uniform.

2.5 Argumentative essays

In an argumentative essay, the writer expresses his or her opinion or viewpoint on a topic. The purpose of the essay is to try to convince, or persuade, the reader to agree with that opinion. The writer’s opinion about the topic is clear throughout the essay. It is a subjective essay, and strong personal opinions may be expressed.

In an argumentative essay, you must express your personal opinion about the topic

In an argumentative essay you must take a stand on a topic and then support your point of view.

A learner’s example of an argumentative essay using the four steps

Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay This learner chose this essay topic because it fitted an argumentative essay type: Today young people are influenced more by their friends than by their parents. Do you agree?

Step 2: Plan the essay This learner used a list to plan her essay.

Step 3: Write and edit the draft essay

Today Young People Are More Influenced By Their
Friends than by Their Parents
Are young people influenced more by their peers than their parents? In a modern world, most certainly! Rapid change has taken place over the past 10 years in our modern world. Family values and norms have a question mark behind them. Parenthood is not exactly what it used to be.
How can you explain why a grade seven boy would share a cigarette with his friends in a portable toilet on the school premises? A number of factors need to be considered to explain such actions: peer pressure, growing population numbers and time.
There are definitely many factors that contribute †o †he influence of peers dwarfing †he influence of parents on youth. One reason is the number of people in the world. With growing populations, it is becoming more difficult †o be unique and special. This is a big problem for teenagers, because they want to be seen and recognised. Peer influences provide a solution where parent influences do not. By doing what †heir friends want to do, youth make their voices heard. Peers: 1 Parents: 0.
Another big contributor †o peer influence is †time. Teenagers spend much more time with their friends. Apart from the time spent together at school, many afternoons are spent together watching television. It is thus obvious that much more time
is spent with friends than with family. The more time spent with peers, †he more influence †hey have on youths. Peers: 2 Parents: 0.
*I† is thus understandable why so many youths are influencing by their friends. The facts show that in a modern society, this movement is inevitable. But it does not excuse any form of misbehavior against parents. It most certainly does not excuse parents from doing their job.

Word count: 282

Main features of an argumentative essay that are shown in this learner's essay


Content	The writer begins with a general statement and moves on to explain her point of view. The viewpoint is supported with good reasons.
Introduction	The writer introduces the main idea for the essay by giving some background to the topic.
Body	The writer supports her viewpoint with examples. Related facts are combined within paragraphs. Use is made of connecting words to back up the argument. For example, How else can you explain; but; thus
Creative use of language	Strong, interesting words are used. For example, values and norms; peers; dwarfing the influence of parents; in a modern society this movement is inevitable.

Activity: Writing an argumentative essay

Here are some argumentative essay topics to help you to practise your writing skills:

Most teenagers today do not pay much attention to leading a healthy life. Do you agree?
Technology has changed the lives of teenagers. Do you agree?
Should alcohol and cigarettes be advertised in the mass media? Discuss your views.

2.6 Writing an essay from a picture

There is always a question in the exam that asks you to write an essay based on a picture. You only need to write an essay about ONE of the pictures. Choose which picture you are going to write about. Then you need to decide what type of essay you are going to write. The content of your essay must link with the picture. Looking closely at the picture, identify information you can use in your essay. For example, the picture below shows a man who is:

Laughing/smiling
Dressed smartly in a shirt and tie
Holding a baby
Speaking/listening on the telephone
Writing something in a book/diary

There are five different types of essay that could be written about this picture, as shown below.

	1. A narrative essay
	2. A reflective essay
	3. A descriptive essay
	4. A discursive essay
	5. An argumentative essay

A learner’s example of an essay from a picture using the four steps

Time had always been her biggest obstacle. Bigger than the rocks she had to climb over to get to the river – the only escape she had from her troubled surroundings. Bigger than the barrels of water she had to carry on her head, when it felt like the heat of the sun was going to consume her frail body. Bigger than the weight she felt lying on her body after the sun had gone to bed and her mother laid her head to rest after the long day.
Time was strange and unkind to her in many ways. It always ran away whenever she enjoyed something, like a midnight swim in the river or the hours spent learning at school. Yet it always seemed to linger longer when her deepest wish was to escape from her current situation.
Time. Some call it a gift. She calls it a jail that keeps her caught up in a routine of wishing it away but wanting to hold onto it for just a while longer. The hands that point out the time, point at her in return. They point out what happened in the past, constantly reminding her of her own weakness.
Seconds become minutes. Minutes become hours. Her redemption seems light years away, while the past feels so close that she can smell the burnt food on the gas burner mixing with the smell of sweat and her own fear.
Although years have passed, sometimes she feels six years old again. She hears the door open just as it did many times in the past and she wishes that time would grant her one last favour – to turn the hours into minutes and the minutes into seconds. Seconds away from freedom is where she still longs to be.

Word count: 297


Content	The writer has interpreted the picture in a figurative way. That is, the watch reminds the writer of time and how it is linked to the events in someone's life.
Introduction	The writer introduces the main idea for the essay by giving some background to the topic - time
Body	In each paragraph, the writer talks about a different aspects of time in the woman's life; and how it did not work in her favour - it was a jail, not a gift. The essay ends with the character wishing that time would go faster, so she can escape from her current situation and be free of her past.
Creative use of language	Strong, interesting figurative language is used, for example: the metaphor ' hands of time' can refer to the watch as well as to what happens to the character in the story. Alliteration is used in 'linger longer' to emphasise the slow passing of time.

Activity: Writing an essay from a picture

2.7 essay checklist.


Essay instructions	I understand the exam instructions for writing an essay.
Essay topic	I understand the essay topic I have chosen.
Essay type	I understand the features of the essay type I have chosen:

Planning	I can show evidence of essay planning.
Content	Each point in my plan is relevant to the essay topic. I will use these points in my essay.
Purpose/audience	I understand the purpose of the essay type I have chosen. I understand the audience for the essay type I have chosen.

Sentences	I have not repeated sentences in my paragraphs, I have used full sentences.
Paragraphs	My ideas link and are well organised in paragraphs. Each paragraph contains a new idea. Ideas are not repeated. The ideas in the paragraphs link to the essay topic.
Essay structure	The first paragraph of my essay introduces the topic. The body of my essay has a few paragraphs related to the topic. The last paragraph is clearly the conclusion or ending of the essay.

Choice of words/diction	I have chosen my words carefully to make my essay interesting.
Verb tenses	I have used the correct tenses (past, present or future)
Concord	My nouns and verbs are in agreement
Spelling	My spelling is correct
Punctuation	My sentences start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark. I have used apostrophes correctly.

3. What is expected from you in the exam?

In the exam, you must write one essay that is no less than 250 and no more than 300 words long (about 1 to 1 1/2 pages). The essay is worth 50 marks out of 100 marks in the exam - half the total marks for Paper 3. Examiners will give marks for your essay based on:

Content and planning (30 marks)
Language, style and editing (15 marks)
Structure (5 marks)

The rubric on the next two pages is a table the examiners use to mark your essay. It shows the five levels of achievement that the examiners can award an essay, from the lowest achievement (Inadequate column) to the highest achievement (Exceptional column). The table also describes the skills the examiner looks for when marking. For example, when marking an essay’s content, the examiner will assess how well the ideas relate to the topic, and whether they are well planned and organised. The rubric is a useful guide for you to use when practising your essay writing because it reminds you of the skills the examiner will be assessing when marking your exam.


(Response and ideas) Organisation of ideas for planning; Awareness of purpose, audience and context 30 MARKS



Tone, register, style, vocabulary appropriate to purpose/effect and context; Word choice; Language use and conventions, punctuation, grammar, spelling 15 MARKS

	13	10	7	4

Features of text; Paragraph development and sentence construction	5	4	3	2	0-1

2022 DBE Self-study Guides Gr. 12 English: Writing Essays and Transactional Texts

This study guide is intended to serve as a resource for teachers and learners. It provides notes, examples, problem-solving exercises with solutions and examples of practical activities.

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Grade 12 English language arts

IXL offers more than 100 grade 12 English language arts skills to explore and learn! Not sure where to start? Go to your personalized Recommendations wall to find a skill that looks interesting, or select a skill plan that aligns to your textbook, provincial curriculum, or standardized test.

Reading strategies

A. main idea.

1 Determine the main idea of a passage

B. Audience, purpose and tone

1 Which text is most formal?
2 Compare passages for subjective and objective tone
3 Identify audience and purpose
4 Compare passages for tone

C. Literary devices

1 Identify the narrative point of view
2 Interpret the meaning of an allusion from its source
3 Recall the source of an allusion
4 Interpret the figure of speech
5 Classify the figure of speech: euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, paradox
6 Classify the figure of speech: anaphora, antithesis, apostrophe, assonance, chiasmus, understatement
7 Classify the figure of speech: review
8 Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone

D. Analyzing literature

1 Analyze short stories: set 1
2 Analyze short stories: set 2

E. Analyzing informational texts

1 Analyze the development of informational passages: set 1
2 Analyze the development of informational passages: set 2
3 Trace an argument: set 1
4 Trace an argument: set 2
5 Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 1
6 Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 2

Writing strategies

F. organizing writing.

1 Order topics from broadest to narrowest
2 Organize information by topic

G. Topic sentences and thesis statements

1 Choose the topic sentence that best captures the main idea
2 Identify thesis statements

H. Developing and supporting arguments

1 Distinguish facts from opinions
2 Identify stronger and weaker evidence to support a claim
3 Choose the best evidence to support a claim
4 Identify supporting evidence in a text
5 Evaluate counterclaims
6 Choose the analysis that logically connects the evidence to the claim
7 Transition logically between claims, evidence, analysis and counterclaims

I. Persuasive strategies

1 Identify appeals to ethos, pathos and logos in advertisements
2 Use appeals to ethos, pathos and logos in persuasive writing

J. Writing clearly and concisely

1 Transitions with conjunctive adverbs
2 Avoid double, illogical and unclear comparisons
3 Identify sentences with parallel structure
4 Use parallel structure
5 Remove redundant words or phrases

K. Editing and revising

1 Use the correct frequently confused word
2 Identify and correct errors with frequently confused words
3 Identify and correct errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions
4 Correct errors with commonly misspelled words
5 Correct errors with signs
6 Correct errors in everyday use
7 Suggest appropriate revisions

L. Research skills

1 Understand a Works Cited entry (MLA 8th–9th editions)
2 Recognize the parts of a Works Cited entry (MLA 8th edition)
3 Use in-text citations (MLA 8th–9th editions)
4 Identify plagiarism

M. Prefixes and suffixes

3 Word pattern analogies
4 Word pattern sentences

N. Greek and Latin roots

1 Sort words by shared Greek or Latin roots
2 Use Greek and Latin roots as clues to the meanings of words
3 Use words as clues to the meanings of Greek and Latin roots
4 Determine the meanings of Greek and Latin roots
5 Determine the meanings of words with Greek and Latin roots

O. Homophones

1 Use the correct homophone
2 Identify and correct errors with homophones

P. Foreign words and expressions

1 Use etymologies to determine the meanings of words
2 Use context as a clue to the meanings of foreign expressions
3 Use the correct foreign expression

Q. Word usage and nuance

1 Describe the difference between related words
2 Choose the word whose connotation and denotation best match the sentence
3 Use words accurately and precisely
4 Replace words using a thesaurus
5 Use dictionary entries to determine correct usage
6 Explore words with new or contested usages

R. Analogies

1 Analogies
2 Analogies: challenge

S. Context clues

1 Determine the meaning of words using synonyms in context
2 Determine the meaning of words using antonyms in context
3 Use context to identify the meaning of a word
4 Domain-specific vocabulary in context: science and technical subjects

Grammar and mechanics

T. sentences, fragments and run-ons.

1 Identify sentence fragments
2 Identify run-on sentences
3 Choose punctuation to avoid fragments and run-ons

U. Phrases and clauses

1 Is it a phrase or a clause?
2 Identify prepositional phrases
3 Identify appositives and appositive phrases
4 Identify dependent and independent clauses
5 Is the sentence simple, compound, complex or compound-complex?
6 Combine sentences using relative clauses

V. Pronouns

1 Identify and correct errors with subject and object pronouns
2 Subject and object pronouns review
3 Pronouns after "than" and "as"
4 Identify and correct pronoun errors with "who"
5 Use relative pronouns: who and whom
6 Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which and that
7 Identify vague pronoun references
8 Identify all of the possible antecedents
9 Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person

W. Verb types

1 Identify transitive and intransitive verbs
2 Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives and predicate nouns
3 Identify participles and what they modify
4 Identify gerunds and their functions
5 Identify infinitives and infinitive phrases

X. Subject-verb agreement

1 Identify and correct errors with subject-verb agreement
2 Identify and correct errors with indefinite pronoun-verb agreement
3 Identify and correct verb agreement with compound subjects

Y. Verb tense

1 Form the progressive verb tenses
2 Form the perfect verb tenses
3 Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense

Z. Adjectives and adverbs

1 Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives
2 Good, better, best, bad, worse and worst
3 Form and use comparative and superlative adverbs
4 Well, better, best, badly, worse and worst

AA. Misplaced modifiers

1 Misplaced modifiers with pictures
2 Select the misplaced or dangling modifier
3 Are the modifiers used correctly?

BB. Restrictive and nonrestrictive elements

1 What does the punctuation suggest?
2 Commas with nonrestrictive elements
1 Commas with direct addresses, introductory elements, absolute phrases, interjections, interrupters and antithetical phrases
2 Commas with compound, complex and compound-complex sentences
3 Commas with coordinate adjectives
4 Commas: review

DD. Semicolons, colons and commas

1 Join sentences with semicolons, colons and commas
2 Use colons and commas to introduce lists, quotations and appositives
3 Use semicolons and commas to separate items in a series
4 Semicolons, colons and commas: review

EE. Dashes, hyphens and ellipses

1 Use dashes
2 Use hyphens in compound adjectives
3 Decide whether ellipses are used appropriately

FF. Apostrophes

1 Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns
2 Identify and correct errors with compound and joint possession

GG. Capitalization

1 Correct capitalization errors

HH. Formatting

1 Formatting quotations and dialogue

Grade 12 - How to Write Better Essays

For many such students, each essay brings with it the challenge of making it that little bit better than the last one. The problem is that when you write essays regularly, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of repeating the same formula each time – particularly when you already receive good feedback from the teachers who read them.

So how do you take your essays to the next level and go from great to brilliant? Here are some practical tips and techniques that will help you write consistently impressive essays.

Read other people’s essays

Just as the books you read subconsciously help mould your own writing style, so reading other people’s essays can help you develop and build on your own essay-writing style. Try to read a range of other essays, including those of your peers and of academics. Read essays on a wide variety of subjects, not necessarily just those that you’re studying; different disciplines might apply different kinds of arguments or styles, so the wider you read, the more possible techniques there are for you to pick up and use in essays of your own.

As you read other people’s essays, don’t just take them at face value. Be critical: what do you like about them? What don’t you like about them? How persuasive do you think they are? Is the argument a balanced one, with points adequately supported with evidence? Has the writer used any techniques you’ve not seen before?

Another good source of essays is the broadsheet newspapers. Read the opinion pieces and dissect how the writer has supported their points with evidence, and again, be critical; note where they’ve left things out to try to persuade you to a particular opinion. Essays should be balanced, so you can learn from the best of these writers and pick up some techniques to help you shape a balanced piece.

Build your vocabulary and use it properly

A good vocabulary will allow you to express exactly what you mean, as clearly and concisely as possible. Economy with words is a characteristic of all good essays, because readers (and essay-markers) don’t like having their time wasted with long, rambling points that could have been expressed in half the number of words.

One way of ensuring that you can communicate clearly and to the point is through accurate and effective use of advanced vocabulary. A good essay writer should never rest on their laurels when it comes to vocabulary; it’s something you should be working on continually, as there are always new words to learn that could help convey a point more effectively. What’s more, deploying a good vocabulary displays intelligence and allows you to be more persuasive in your essay-writing. Here are some ways in which you can build your vocabulary:

– Use a thesaurus – if you find yourself using the same words over and over again, add variety to your language by looking up those words in a thesaurus and finding other words that mean the same thing. A word of warning: words you find in a thesaurus can’t always be used interchangeably; even words with similar meanings can differ subtly in a way that makes them inappropriate in certain contexts, so find examples of a word used correctly before you use a new word for the first time.

– Learn prefixes, suffixes and roots – it sounds boring, but this shortcut will help you learn a great many more words. Many roots come from Latin and Greek words, such as “bene” in Latin, meaning “good”, which gives rise to words such as “benefactor”, “benevolent” and “benefit”. It’s often possible to deduce the meaning of a new word if you know its root and read it in context. Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word to change the meaning, such as “semi” or “ante”, while suffixes are added to the end, such as “-able” or “-ance”.

– Start a vocabulary book – you probably have one if you’re learning a foreign language, so why not have one for your native language as well? Buy yourself a nice notepad and use it to collect new words and their meanings. The act of writing down the definition will help you remember it, and you could include an example of how the word is used to increase your chances of memorising it for use in essays. It may help to have different sections for words on particular themes; you could have a general section, and then further parts of the notebook could be dedicated to words of use in history essays, science essays and so on.

Put the new words you’ve learned to good use right away, perhaps setting yourself the challenge of including a minimum number of new ones in each essay you write. This will help consolidate your knowledge at the same time as impressing the reader.

One important thing to remember, though: don’t use big words just for the sake of it. Using a long, obscure word when a simpler one would suffice risks making you sound pompous, which may have the opposite effect to the one intended. What’s more, be wary of adding words for the sake of it; cut the waffle by reviewing each sentence and removing any words or sentences that don’t add anything to what you’re saying. Ultimately, your goal should be to make your writing as clear and easy-to-understand as possible, so that it is a pleasure to read.

Words to help develop an argument

Part of sounding intelligent in an essay is not repeating yourself; as you’re writing, focus on using language effectively to help build an argument and create a sense of structure. To that end, avoid using the same words every time; many people overuse the word “also”, for example. Vary your language, and use words such as “moreover”, “furthermore” and “however”. Such words help develop your argument and make the reader feel they are being guided through the problems on a sort of ‘journey’ to your conclusion.

Elevator pitching your essays

We’ve probably all had it hammered into us that we should write an essay plan before we start writing, but before you even do that, you need to know what the argument you’re going to make actually is. Only then can you start writing the structure for an essay that builds up to your overall conclusion. To condense what you’re trying to say into a short, snappy summary for you to work from, try making an ‘Elevator Pitch’ style summary of what you intend to write and why readers should be interested in it.

The Elevator Pitch is a technique used by salespeople when condensing the arguments for buying a product into the shortest possible summary of why a customer should consider a purchase. The salesperson is told to imagine themselves in a lift; in the time it takes for that lift to reach the desired floor, they should have given a compelling argument in favour of that product that would result in the customer buying it, or at least wanting to know more. Your Elevator Pitch for your essay should sell the idea of it to a reader, leaving them wanting to read the essay in question. This is quite a tough exercise, as it forces you to be ruthlessly concise in your thinking and choice of words; but you can use this summary to help you write your introduction, and it’ll help you achieve clarity in what you’re trying to say.

Tell the reader what other people say

Essays are a chance for you to show off how widely read you are, so make sure you quote other people’s opinions, and original sources, on what you’re writing about. For example, if you were to write a history essay on early religious practices in Britain, you could quote original texts on that topic (such as Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People) and also mention what a range of modern scholars have to say about the topic. Contrasting views should be sought; it’s unlikely that everyone agrees on the topic, so show you’ve looked at all the possible angles.

For each of the subjects you’re studying, start a page in a notebook for important people in that field, with a summary of when they lived and what their views are. That way, you’ll have something to refer to when you’re writing an essay and want to consult appropriate scholars or other writers whose opinions you might wish to include.

Don’t quote too much; mix citations with your own opinions so that it doesn’t look as though you have to hide behind other people’s words. It’s fine to disagree with a scholar you quote, provided you can give evidence and reasoning for doing so. This shows that you have thought about it and made your own mind up, rather than blindly accepting what that scholar has said; this demonstrates strong critical reasoning skills, one of the hallmarks of brilliant students.

Syntax, punctuation and tone of voice

You may not consciously realise it when you’re reading, but sophisticated sentence structures make the world of difference to how intelligent you sound. As we’ve already said, the most important consideration when you’re writing is making yourself easy for readers to understand; but you can still do this and utilise a range of interesting syntax at the same time. Employ a variety of sentence structures, long and short, but don’t let your sentences become too long and rambling, or they become difficult to read. Effective punctuation is vital in conveying your arguments persuasively; the last thing a teacher or lecturer wants to read is an essay riddled with poor grammar. What’s more, the reader shouldn’t have to read a sentence more than once to understand it.

You probably already have a tone of voice you use for writing essays, but is it interesting and engaging? Read through some of your old essays and ask yourself honestly whether you find them absorbing. If they’re not, it could well be because you’ve not established the right tone of voice. Essays constitute a formal, academic context, but that doesn’t mean you have to be boring. A confident tone of voice will help show the reader that you know what you’re talking about and reassure them that they’re in safe hands.

Writing in the active rather than the passive voice is a well-known trick of the trade that writers use to give their writing a sense of immediacy and make it more compelling; you too can deploy this technique in your essays by steering clear of the passive voice (for example, rather than writing “Much work is being done to…”, say “Scholars are putting a great deal of effort into…”). Over the course of an entire essay, you’d be surprised what a difference this makes to your tone.

We hope you’ve found these tips and techniques useful and that they help you take your essay-writing to new heights. If you have any tips you’d like to share with us, do let us know by leaving a comment below!

Inspiration

Twelfth grade language arts

IXL offers more than 100 twelfth grade language arts skills to explore and learn! Not sure where to start? Go to your personalized Recommendations wall to find a skill that looks interesting, or select a skill plan that aligns to your textbook, state standards, or standardized test.

Reading strategies

A. main idea.

1 Determine the main idea of a passage

B. Audience, purpose, and tone

1 Which text is most formal?
2 Compare passages for subjective and objective tone
3 Identify audience and purpose
4 Compare passages for tone

C. Literary devices

1 Identify the narrative point of view
2 Interpret the meaning of an allusion from its source
3 Recall the source of an allusion
4 Interpret the figure of speech
5 Classify the figure of speech: euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, paradox
6 Classify the figure of speech: anaphora, antithesis, apostrophe, assonance, chiasmus, understatement
7 Classify the figure of speech: review
8 Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone

D. Analyzing literature

1 Analyze short stories: set 1
2 Analyze short stories: set 2
3 Identify elements of poetry

E. Analyzing informational texts

1 Analyze the development of informational passages: set 1
2 Analyze the development of informational passages: set 2
3 Trace an argument: set 1
4 Trace an argument: set 2
5 Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 1
6 Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 2

F. Novel study

1 Analyze passages from Frankenstein : Part 1
2 Analyze passages from Frankenstein : Part 2

G. Nonfiction book study

• New! Analyze passages from Walden: Part 1
• Coming soon: Analyze passages from Walden : Part 2

H. Business documents

1 Read contracts and legal documents

Writing strategies

I. organizing writing.

1 Order topics from broadest to narrowest
2 Organize information by topic

J. Topic sentences and thesis statements

1 Choose the topic sentence that best captures the main idea
2 Identify thesis statements

K. Developing and supporting arguments

1 Distinguish facts from opinions
2 Identify stronger and weaker evidence to support a claim
3 Choose the best evidence to support a claim
4 Identify supporting evidence in a text
5 Evaluate counterclaims
6 Choose the analysis that logically connects the evidence to the claim
7 Transition logically between claims, evidence, analysis, and counterclaims
8 Classify logical fallacies

L. Persuasive strategies

1 Identify appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos in advertisements
2 Use appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos in persuasive writing

M. Writing clearly and concisely

1 Transitions with conjunctive adverbs
2 Avoid double, illogical, and unclear comparisons
3 Identify sentences with parallel structure
4 Use parallel structure
5 Remove redundant words or phrases

N. Editing and revising

1 Use the correct frequently confused word
2 Identify and correct errors with frequently confused words
3 Identify and correct errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions
4 Correct errors with commonly misspelled words
5 Correct errors with signs
6 Correct errors in everyday use
7 Suggest appropriate revisions

O. Research skills

1 Understand a Works Cited entry (MLA 8th–9th editions)
2 Recognize the parts of a Works Cited entry (MLA 8th–9th editions)
3 Use in-text citations (MLA 8th–9th editions)
4 Identify plagiarism

P. Prefixes and suffixes

3 Word pattern analogies
4 Word pattern sentences

Q. Greek and Latin roots

1 Sort words by shared Greek or Latin roots
2 Use Greek and Latin roots as clues to the meanings of words
3 Use words as clues to the meanings of Greek and Latin roots
4 Determine the meanings of Greek and Latin roots
5 Determine the meanings of words with Greek and Latin roots

R. Homophones

1 Use the correct homophone
2 Identify and correct errors with homophones

S. Foreign words and expressions

1 Use etymologies to determine the meanings of words
2 Use context as a clue to the meanings of foreign expressions
3 Use the correct foreign expression

T. Word choice and usage

1 Describe the difference between related words
2 Choose the word whose connotation and denotation best match the sentence
3 Use words accurately and precisely
4 Replace words using a thesaurus
5 Use dictionary entries to determine correct usage
6 Explore words with new or contested usages

U. Analogies

1 Analogies
2 Analogies: challenge

V. Context clues

1 Determine the meaning of words using synonyms in context
2 Determine the meaning of words using antonyms in context
3 Use context to identify the meaning of a word
4 Domain-specific vocabulary in context: science and technical subjects

Grammar and mechanics

W. sentences, fragments, and run-ons.

1 Identify sentence fragments
2 Identify run-on sentences
3 Choose punctuation to avoid fragments and run-ons

X. Phrases and clauses

1 Is it a phrase or a clause?
2 Identify prepositional phrases
3 Identify appositives and appositive phrases
4 Identify dependent and independent clauses
5 Is the sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex?
6 Combine sentences using relative clauses

Y. Pronouns

1 Identify and correct errors with subject and object pronouns
2 Subject and object pronouns review
3 Pronouns after "than" and "as"
4 Identify and correct pronoun errors with "who"
5 Use relative pronouns: who and whom
6 Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that
7 Identify vague pronoun references
8 Identify all of the possible antecedents
9 Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person

Z. Verb types

1 Identify transitive and intransitive verbs
2 Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns
3 Identify participles and what they modify
4 Identify gerunds and their functions
5 Identify infinitives and infinitive phrases

AA. Subject-verb agreement

1 Identify and correct errors with subject-verb agreement
2 Identify and correct errors with indefinite pronoun-verb agreement
3 Identify and correct verb agreement with compound subjects

BB. Verb tense

1 Form the progressive verb tenses
2 Form the perfect verb tenses
3 Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense

CC. Adjectives and adverbs

1 Choose between adjectives and adverbs
2 Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives
3 Good, better, best, bad, worse, and worst
4 Form and use comparative and superlative adverbs
5 Well, better, best, badly, worse, and worst

DD. Misplaced modifiers

1 Misplaced modifiers with pictures
2 Select the misplaced or dangling modifier
3 Are the modifiers used correctly?

EE. Restrictive and nonrestrictive elements

1 What does the punctuation suggest?
2 Commas with nonrestrictive elements
1 Commas with direct addresses, introductory elements, absolute phrases, interjections, interrupters, and antithetical phrases
2 Commas with series, dates, and places
3 Commas with compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences
4 Commas with coordinate adjectives
5 Commas: review

GG. Semicolons, colons, and commas

1 Join sentences with semicolons, colons, and commas
2 Use colons and commas to introduce lists, quotations, and appositives
3 Use semicolons and commas to separate items in a series
4 Semicolons, colons, and commas: review

HH. Dashes, hyphens, and ellipses

1 Use dashes
2 Use hyphens in compound adjectives
3 Decide whether ellipses are used appropriately

II. Apostrophes

1 Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns
2 Identify and correct errors with compound and joint possession

JJ. Capitalization

1 Correct capitalization errors

KK. Formatting

1 Formatting quotations and dialogue

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Inside Writing
Teacher's Guides

Student Models

Writing Topics
Minilessons
Shopping Cart
Inside Grammar
Grammar Adventures
CCSS Correlations
Infographics

Student Writing Models

How do I use student models in my classroom?

When you need an example written by a student, check out our vast collection of free student models. Scroll through the list, or search for a mode of writing such as “explanatory” or “persuasive.”

Jump to . . .

Explanatory writing.

How Much I Know About Space Explanatory Paragraph
My Favorite Pet Explanatory Paragraph
Sweet Spring Explanatory Paragraph

Narrative Writing

A Happy Day Narrative Paragraph
My Trip to Mexico Narrative Paragraph

Creative Writing

Happy Easter Story Paragraph
Leaf Person Story

Research Writing

Parrots Report
If I Were President Explanatory Paragraph
My Dad Personal Narrative
The Horrible Day Personal Narrative

Response to Literature

One Great Book Book Review
A Fable Story
Ant Poem Poem
The Missing Coin Story
Winter Words Poem
Horses Report
Ladybugs Report
How to Make Boiled Eggs How-To

Persuasive Writing

Plastic, Paper, or Cloth? Persuasive Paragraph
The Funny Dance Personal Narrative
The Sled Run Personal Narrative
Hello, Spring! Poem
Cheetahs Report

Business Writing

Dear Ms. Nathan Email
My Favorite Place to Go Description
My Mother Personal Essay
Rules Personal Essay
Shadow Fort Description
Adopting a Pet from the Pound Editorial
Letter to the Editor Letter to the Editor
Ann Personal Narrative
Grandpa, Chaz, and Me Personal Narrative
Indy’s Life Story Personal Narrative
Jet Bikes Personal Narrative
The Day I Took the Spotlight Personal Narrative
A Story of Survival Book Review
Chloe’s Day Story
Did You Ever Look At . . . Poem
Dreams Poem
I Am Attean Poem
Sloppy Joes Poem
The Civil War Poem
The Haunted House Story
The Terror of Kansas Story
When I Was Upside Down Poem
Deer Don’t Need to Flee to Stay Trouble-Free! Report
Height-Challenged German Shepherd Report
Friendship Definition
What Really Matters News Feature
Cheating in America Problem-Solution
Hang Up and Drive Editorial
Musical Arts Editorial
Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months? Editorial
A Cowboy's Journal Fictionalized Journal Entry
Giving Life Personal Narrative
The Great Paw Paw Personal Narrative
The Racist Warehouse Personal Narrative
Limadastrin Poem
The Best Little Girl in the World Book Review
How the Stars Came to Be Story
Linden’s Library Story
My Backyard Poem
The Call Poem
I Am Latvia Research Report
Mir Pushed the Frontier of Space Research Report
The Aloha State Research Report
The Incredible Egg Observation Report
Unique Wolves Research Report
Dear Dr. Larson Email

Personal Writing

A Lesson to Learn Journal
Caught in the Net Definition
From Bed Bound to Breaking Boards News Feature
If Only They Knew Comparison-Contrast
Save the Elephants Cause-Effect
Student Entrepreneur Reaches for Dreams of the Sky News Feature
Internet Plagiarism Problem-Solution
Mosquito Madness Pet Peeve
Anticipating the Dream Personal Narrative
Huddling Together Personal Narrative
H’s Hickory Chips Personal Narrative
It’s a Boy! Personal Narrative
My Greatest Instrument Personal Narrative
Snapshots Personal Narrative
Take Me to Casablanca Personal Narrative
The Boy with Chris Pine Blue Eyes Personal Narrative
The Climb Personal Narrative
The House on Medford Avenue Personal Narrative
Adam’s Train of Ghosts Music Review
Diary of Gaspard Fictionalized Journal Entry
My Interpretation of The Joy Luck Club Literary Analysis
Mama’s Stitches Poem
The KHS Press Play
Rosa Parks Research Report
The Killer Bean Research Report
Mid-Project Report on History Paper Email
Vegetarian Lunch Options at Bay High Email

Essays on Various Topics - List of Essay Writing Ideas

Essay writing is not everyone’s cup of tea. Most students find it difficult to begin writing. Essays can be made easier if students start thinking about the topic either through brainstorming or by putting them down on a sheet of paper. After getting the ideas, they need to know how to organise them to form an essay. For this, they need to practise essays on different topics. Here, we have compiled a list of Essays on various topics.

These are the general essay topics which are most likely to be asked in the exam. Some of these essay topics are also picked from past year papers. Students of Classes 6 to 10 can go through these essays and know the right way of expressing their thoughts to form a perfect essay. Apart from the CBSE , students of ICSE and other state boards can also use these topics to prepare for their English exams.

Essay Topics: List and Writing Ideas

Usually, one essay is asked in the English paper. The essay writing question mainly comes under the writing section and comprises 5 to 10 marks. By having a look at the essays on the below-mentioned topics, students can easily score these marks in the exam.

We will be soon updating more Essays.

Characteristics of a Good Essay

A composition on a particular topic consisting of more than one paragraph is an essay. The characteristics of a good essay are:

1) Unity: The essay should deal with the main subject and all parts of it should be clearly linked with that subject.

2) Coherence: There should be a logical sequence of thought. This requires a logical relationship between ideas, sentences and paragraphs.

3) Relevance: Unimportant information should not be included.

4) Proportion: Give more space to important ideas.

Students can also get the essays for class 2 and class 3 to improve their writing skills.

Types of Essays

Essays are mainly ways of expressing one’s ideas and thoughts. Essays vary in how one narrates a personal experience, describes an issue, or convinces the reader to accept a certain viewpoint. So, essays are mainly classified into four major types, as mentioned below:

1) Narrative Essays: Telling a Story

While writing a narrative essay, students must consider the topic as if telling a story. Through these essays, they can express themselves in a creative way. These essays are usually written in the first person, so as to engage the readers.

2) Descriptive Essays: Painting a Picture with Words

In a descriptive essay, students have to paint a picture with words. They have to describe something. It can be an object, person, place, experience, emotion, situation or anything else. These essays allow students a great deal of artistic freedom.

3) Expository Essays: Presentation of the Facts

An expository essay is an informative piece of writing that presents a balanced analysis of a topic. To write a good expository essay, students need to investigate the topic, evaluate evidence, express the idea, and set forth an argument clearly and concisely. It can be done by comparison and contrast, definition, example, the analysis of cause and effect, etc.

4) Persuasive Essays: Convince Me

A persuasive essay is one in which a writer tries to convince the reader to accept his/her viewpoint. It presents all sides of the argument but clearly communicates the writer’s personal opinion.

CBSE Unseen Passages

Students can increase their scores in the reading section of the English paper by practising the comprehension passages. To help them, below, we have listed the links to unseen passages.

Students must have found these Essay Topics helpful for their studies. For more study material and latest updates on the CBSE / ICSE / State Board / Competitive exams, keep visiting BYJU’S. Also, download the BYJU’S App for interactive study related videos.

Frequently Asked Questions on Essay writing Essay

How should students practise essay writing.

The following points should be remembered while practising essay writing: 1. Constant written practice is required for honing essay writing skills. Writing alone tests the competency of the students to ideate and execute a proper essay within a specified time. 2. In-depth knowledge on various topics is a prerequisite for students preparing to write essays in school exams and competitive examinations. Such knowledge can be acquired by regularly developing a habit of reading extensively — especially newspapers and magazines — and following other news sources on various media available to them. 3. Developing a good vocabulary is another important factor students should focus on. Essay writing demands a more formal and extensive vocabulary as the range of topics asked are so wide-ranging. Every topic will demand familiarity with words and phrases pertaining to it. Use of good idiomatic English rich with apt vocabulary will help students pen memorable essays.

How to write an essay on an unknown or unfamiliar topic?

If an essay topic is unfamiliar then students can try to write in general about topics which are related to the main topic. Reading magazines and books can help in acquisition of knowledge in various subject matters.

How to score high marks in essay writing?

Given below are some of the points to be considered to ensure that students can score high marks in essay writing. 1. Maintain flow of text in essay: Ensure that the essay follows a natural progression from introduction to conclusion. Make sure that each paragraph is thematically or logically connected to successive paragraphs. Only then will the essay be evocative and easy to read and comprehend. 2. Phrase the essay is a relatable way: Keep the target audience in mind while drafting the essay and use images and language that resonate with them. Otherwise it would fail to connect with the reader, even if you have come up with a decent essay. 3. Be creative: Show the audacity to think out of the box and to deviate from traditional ways of writing essays while coming up with ideas to present your viewpoints in the essay. Readers will be immediately drawn to a piece of writing that gives them a fresh perspective, even if you are writing on a very common topic. But too much creativity and idiosyncratic writing will only mar an otherwise well-researched essay. 4. Present the essay in a better manner: Always think of new ways and strategies to present your ideas which you may have drawn from multiple sources. Doing background research is definitely essential. But that does not mean that you have to present the content you found in the same way. A fresh approach can turn a boring essay into a very engaging one. 5. Do not be over confident: Essays usually require students to state personal opinions as well as facts. Be prudent in voicing your opinions as well as in stating facts – make sure you don’t hurt the sentiments of readers when writing on sensitive and controversial topics. Practice diligence, not overconfidence, while writing essays as a best practice.

CBSE Related Links

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Grade 12 English Language Arts

Description.

The New York State Grade 12 curriculum modules offer a wide range of quality texts that engage students in analysis of autobiographical nonfiction, speeches, poetry, drama, and fiction. The grade 12 modules comprise classic and contemporary voices including Malcolm X with Alex Haley, Leslie Marmon Silko, Henry David Thoreau, Benazir Bhutto, Jared Diamond, William Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Nikolai Gogol. Through the study of a variety of text types and media, students build knowledge, analyze ideas, delineate arguments, and develop writing, collaboration, and communication skills. The lessons within each of the modules are linked explicitly to the Common Core Learning Standards and provide a rigorous and pedagogically-sound approach for how to bring the standards to life through thoughtful planning, adaption, and instruction.

About Downloadable Resources

Grade 12 ELA Curriculum Map : The New York State Grade 12 curriculum modules offer a wide range of quality texts that engage students in analysis of autobiographical nonfiction, speeches, poetry, drama, and fiction.

Grades 9-12 ELA Curriculum Map : Click the links below to download the curriculum map for grades 9 - 12 ELA.

Prefatory Material : This is a comprehensive English Language Arts curriculum designed to fit the demands and instructional shifts of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

Scaffolding Instruction for English Language Learners, Resource Guides for English Language Arts : provides guidance to educators on how to take the curriculum materials on EngageNY and provide additional scaffolds for ELL students according to their level of English language proficiency.

There may be cases when our downloadable resources contain hyperlinks to other websites. These hyperlinks lead to websites published or operated by third parties. UnboundEd and EngageNY are not responsible for the content, availability, or privacy policies of these websites.

Grade 12 ELA Curriculum Map
Grades 9-12 ELA Curriculum Map
Prefatory Material
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Scaffolding Instruction for English Language Learners: Resource Guides for English Language Arts
Show Less ...
A. Leslie Harris ,
Abraham Lincoln ,
Adeyemi O. Ogunade ,
Ana Revenga and Sudhir Shetty ,
Anup Shah ,
Benazir Bhutto ,
Christine Zhen-Wei Qiang and Carlo M. Rossotto with Kaoru Kimura ,
Gene B. Sperling ,
George L. Kelling and James Q. Wilson ,
Henry David Thoreau ,
Jared Diamond ,
Jeffrey D. Sachs, et al. ,
Jhumpa Lahiri ,
Jimmy Santiago Baca ,
John Ward, Bernice Lee, Simon Baptist, and Helen Jackson ,
Kirrin Gill, Kim Brooks, James McDougall, Payal Patel, and Aslihan Kes ,
Leslie Marmon Silko ,
Malcolm X and Alex Haley ,
Michelle Alexander ,
Nikolai Gogol ,
Pam Fessler ,
Tennessee Williams ,
Toni Morrison ,
USHistory.org ,
William Shakespeare ,
'The Overcoat' from The Collected Tales of Nikolai Gogol ,
2005 EFA Global Monitoring Report. Education for All: The Quality Imperative ,
A Daily Joy to Be Alive ,
A Streetcar Named Desire ,
Bridging the Gender Divide: How Technology Can Advance Women Economically ,
Broken Windows ,
Civil Disobedience ,
Economic Impacts of Broadband ,
Empowering Women is Smart Economics ,
Evidence For Action: Gender Equality and Economic Growth ,
Guns, Germs, and Steel ,
How Many Americans Live in Poverty? ,
Human Capital Investment in the Developing World: An Analysis of Praxis ,
Ideas Live on ,
Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals ,
Jim Crow Laws ,
Myth as Structure in Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon ,
Poverty Facts and Stats ,
Selections from RACE – The Power of an Illusion ,
Song of Solomon ,
The Autobiography of Malcolm X ,
The Case for Universal Basic Education for the World's Poorest Boys and Girls ,
The Caste System ,
The Declaration of Independence ,
The Emancipation Proclamation ,
The Namesake ,
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness ,
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar ,
Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit

In This Grade

module 1: Reading and Writing Personal Narratives
module 2: Informative Writing, Speaking And Listening Skills
module 3: Researching Multiple Perspectives to Develop a Position
module 4: Analyzing the Interaction of Central Ideas and Character Development
literary criticism: Literary Criticism
Extension Module: Extension Module
core proficiencies: Developing Core Proficiencies Curriculum

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Curriculum / ELA / 12th Grade

English Language Arts

12th Grade ELA Course Summary

Please Note: The Fishtank team is beginning the process of revising the 11th and 12th Grade ELA courses to refine the sequence of unit texts and provide deeper, more aligned support for teachers and students. The full sequences for 11th and 12th Grade ELA will be available for the 2025-26 school year. The new 12th Grade ELA sequence will center around the theme On Being Human . Two new units for 12th Grade will be released in January 2025 for teachers who wish to pilot them in early 2025.

Unit 1: Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Unit 2: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, with excerpts from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

In 12th Grade English Language Arts, students explore enduring themes such as love, family, memory, and culture through powerful works of fiction from around the globe and across the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries: Invisible Man , A Doll’s House , The God of Small Things , The Great Gatsby , thematically aligned Famous Speeches , and related multimedia materials. Students will spend time examining the techniques and styles of the various authors, analyzing how each author crafts his or her story and communicates his or her message, including a special emphasis on intertextuality and the authors' use of allusions to other great works of literature to deepen their own messages. Across the 5 units, students deepen their paragraph writing skills through narrative, opinion, analytical, and informational writing tasks.

Building upon the knowledge and English Language Arts skills they’ve developed in previous years, students deeply engage with complex texts through both independent reading and guided Close Reading, prepare for and engage in longform whole class discussions including Socratic Seminars , and write multi-paragraph responses to Essential Questions by gathering evidence and effectively communicating their thoughts.

Explore this curriculum

12th Grade Book List

Invisible Man

Students trace an unnamed African American narrator's "Hero's Journey" from innocence to self-discovery in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man , examining the novel's harsh critique of American society.

A Doll's House

Students dive into the novel A Doll's House , exploring this social critique of middle-class Victorian society including issues of gender roles, freedom, and appearance versus reality. Students also investigate the genre of dramatic realism.

The God of Small Things

Students investigate the complex, nonlinear style of The God of Small Things and its themes of history, colonialism and love, focusing on the novel's literary devices, plot structure, and language.

Famous Speeches

Students analyze and interpret speeches, honing their rhetorical analysis skills and deepening their understanding of how authors use particular strategies to effectively communicate their ideas to a given audience.

The Great Gatsby

Students read The Great Gatsby , evaluating Fitzgerald's critique of the American 1920s, as well as considering issues of social class and the impact of history and memory on individuals.

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Essay Topics – List of 500+ Essay Writing Topics and Ideas

List of 500+ essay writing topics and ideas.

Essay topics in English can be difficult to come up with. While writing essays , many college and high school students face writer’s block and have a hard time to think about topics and ideas for an essay. In this article, we will list out many good essay topics from different categories like argumentative essays, essays on technology, environment essays for students from 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades. Following list of essay topics are for all – from kids to college students. We have the largest collection of essays. An essay is nothing but a piece of content which is written from the perception of writer or author. Essays are similar to a story, pamphlet, thesis, etc. The best thing about Essay is you can use any type of language – formal or informal. It can biography, the autobiography of anyone. Following is a great list of 100 essay topics. We will be adding 400 more soon!

But Before that you may wanna read some awesome Essay Writing Tips here .

500+ essay topics for students and children

Get the Huge list of 100+ Speech Topics here

Argumentative Essay Topics

Should plastic be banned?
Pollution due to Urbanization
Education should be free
Should Students get limited access to the Internet?
Selling Tobacco should be banned
Smoking in public places should be banned
Facebook should be banned
Students should not be allowed to play PUBG

Essay Topics on Technology

Wonder Of Science
Mobile Phone

Essay Topics on Festivals on Events

Independence Day (15 August)
Teachers Day
Summer Vacation
Children’s Day
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Janmashtami
Republic Day

Essay Topics on Education

Education Essay
Importance of Education
Contribution of Technology in Education

Essay Topics on Famous Leaders

Mahatma Gandhi
APJ Abdul Kalam
Jawaharlal Nehru
Swami Vivekananda
Mother Teresa
Rabindranath Tagore
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Subhash Chandra Bose
Abraham Lincoln
Martin Luther King
Lal Bahadur Shashtri

Essay Topics on Animals and Birds

My Favorite Animal

Essays Topics About Yourself

My Best Friend
My Favourite Teacher
My Aim In Life
My Favourite Game – Badminton
My Favourite Game – Essay
My Favourite Book
My Ambition
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
India of My Dreams
My School Life
I Love My Family
My Favourite Subject
My Favourite Game Badminton
My Father My Hero
My School Library
My Favourite Author
My plans for summer vacation

Essay Topics Based on Environment and Nature

Global Warming
Environment
Air Pollution
Environmental Pollution
Water Pollution
Rainy Season
Climate Change
Importance Of Trees
Winter Season
Deforestation
Natural Disasters
Save Environment
Summer Season
Trees Our Best Friend Essay In English

Essay Topics Based on Proverbs

Health Is Wealth
A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
An Apple a Day Keeps Doctor Away
Where there is a will, there is way
Time and Tide wait for none

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Essay Topics for Students from 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

Noise Pollution
Environment Pollution
Women Empowerment
Time and Tide Wait for none
Science and Technology
Importance of Sports
Sports and Games
Time Management
Cleanliness is next to Godliness
Cleanliness
Rome was not Built in a Day
Unemployment
Clean India
Cow Essay In English
Describe Yourself
Festivals Of India
Ganesh Chaturthi
Healthy Food
Importance Of Water
Plastic Pollution
Value of Time
Honesty is the Best Policy
Gandhi Jayanti
Human Rights
Knowledge Is Power
Same Sex Marriage
Childhood Memories
Cyber Crime
Kalpana Chawla
Punctuality
Rani Lakshmi Bai
Spring Season
Unity In Diversity
Artificial Intelligence
Online Shopping
Indian Culture
Healthy Lifestyle
Indian Education System
Disaster Management
Environmental Issues
Freedom Fighters
Grandparents
Save Fuel For Better Environment
Importance Of Newspaper
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Raksha Bandhan
World Environment Day
Narendra Modi
What Is Religion
Charity Begins at Home
A Journey by Train
Ideal student
Save Water Save Earth
Indian Farmer
Safety of Women in India
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Capital Punishment
College Life
Natural Resources
Peer Pressure
Nature Vs Nurture
Romeo And Juliet
Generation Gap
Makar Sankranti
Constitution of India
Girl Education
Importance of Family
Importance of Independence Day
Brain Drain
A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed
Action Speaks Louder Than Words
All That Glitters Is Not Gold
Bhagat Singh
Demonetization
Agriculture
Importance of Discipline
Population Explosion
Poverty in India
Uses Of Mobile Phones
Water Scarcity
Train Journey
Land Pollution
Environment Protection
Indian Army
Uses of Internet
All that Glitters is not Gold
Balanced Diet
Blood Donation
Digital India
Dussehra Essay
Energy Conservation
National Integration
Railway Station
Sachin Tendulkar
Health And Hygiene
Importance Of Forest
Indira Gandhi
Laughter Is The Best Medicine
Career Goals
Mental Health
Save Water Save Life
International Yoga Day
Winter Vacation
Soil Pollution
Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining
Indian Culture And Tradition
Unity Is Strength
Unity is Diversity
Wildlife Conservation
Cruelty To Animals
Nelson Mandela
Of Mice And Men
Organ Donation
Life in a Big City
Democracy in India
Waste Management
Biodiversity
Afforestation
Female Foeticide
Harmful Effects Of Junk Food
Rain Water Harvesting
Save Electricity
Social Media
Social Networking Sites
Sound Pollution
Procrastination
Life in an Indian Village
Life in Big City
Population Growth
World Population Day
Greenhouse Effect
Statue of Unity
Traffic Jam
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Importance of Good Manners
Good Manners
Cyber Security
Green Revolution
Health And Fitness
Incredible India
Make In India
Surgical Strike
Triple Talaq
A Good Friend
Importance of Friends in our Life
Should Plastic be Banned
Nationalism
Traffic Rules
Effects of Global Warming
Fundamental Rights
Solar System
National Constitution Day
Good Mother
Importance of Trees in our Life
City Life Vs Village Life
Importance of Communication
Conservation of Nature
Man vs. Machine
Indian Economy
Mothers Love
Importance of National Integration
Black Money
Greenhouse effect
Untouchability
Self Discipline
Global Terrorism
Conservation of Biodiversity
Newspaper and Its Uses
World Health Day
Conservation of Natural Resources
A Picnic with Family
Indian Heritage
Status of Women in India
Child is Father of the Man
Reading is Good Habit
Plastic Bag
Terrorism in India
Library and Its Uses
Life on Mars
Urbanization
Pollution Due to Diwali
National Flag of India
Vocational Education
Importance of Tree Plantation
Summer Camp
Vehicle Pollution
Women Education in India
Seasons in India
Freedom of the Press
Caste System
Environment and Human Health
Mountain Climbing
Depletion of Natural Resources
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Health Education
Effects of Deforestation
Life after School
Starvation in India
Jan Dhan Yojana
Impact of Privatization
Election Commission of India
Election and Democracy
Prevention of Global Warming
Impact of Cinema in Life
Subhas Chandra Bose
Dowry System
Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
Role of Science in Making India
Impact of Global Warming on Oceans
Pollution due to Festivals
Ambedkar Jayanti
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
Family Planning in India
Democracy vs Dictatorship
National Festivals of India
Sri Aurobindo
Casteism in India
Organ trafficking
Consequences of Global Warming
Role of Human Activities in Global Warming
Issues and Problems faced by Women in India
Role of Judiciary in the Country Today
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
PUBG Mobile Game Addiction
Role of Youths in Nation Building
Value of Oxygen and Water in Life/Earth
Farmer Suicides in India
Start-up India
Pollution Due to Firecrackers
Life of Soldiers
Child Labour
Save Girl Child
Morning Walk
My School Fete
Essay on Financial Literacy
Essay On Sustainable Development
Essay On Punjab
Essay On Travel
My Home Essay
Child Marriage Essay
Importance Of English Language Essay
Essay On Mass Media
Essay On Horse
Essay On Police
Essay On Eid
Essay On Solar Energy
Animal Essay
Essay On Mango
Gender Discrimination Essay
Essay On Advertisement
My First Day At School Essay
My Neighborhood Essay
True Friendship Essay
Work Is Worship Essay
Essay On Self Confidence
Essay On Superstition
Essay On Bangalore
Sex Vs Gender Essay
Essay On Social Issues
Time Is Money Essay
Essay About Grandmothers
Essay On Hard Work
First Day Of School Essay
Flowers Essay
My Favorite Food Essay
Essay on Birds
Essay on Humanity
Essay on Sun
Essay on Kargil War
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining Essay
Francis Bacon Essays
Importance of Cleanliness Essay
My Sister Essay
Self Introduction Essay
Solar Energy Essay
Sports Day Essa
Value Of Education Essay
Essay On Isro
Essay On Balance Is Beneficial
Essay On Reservation In India
Essay On Water Management
Essay On Smoking
Essay On Stress Management
Essay On William Shakespeare
Essay on Apple
Essay On Albert Einstein
Essay On Feminism
Essay On Kindness
Essay On Domestic Violence
Essay on English as a Global Language
Essay On Co-Education
Importance Of Exercise Essay
Overpopulation Essay
Smartphone Essay
Essay on River
Essay on Cyclone
Essay On Facebook
Essay On Science In Everyday Life
Essay On Women Rights
Essay On Right To Education
Essay on Quotes
Essay On Peace
Essay On Drawing
Essay On Bicycle
Essay On Sexual Harassment
Essay On Hospital
Essay On Srinivasa Ramanujan
Essay On Golden Temple
Essay On Art
Essay On Ruskin Bond
Essay On Moon
Birthday Essay
Dont Judge A Book By Its Cover Essay
Draught Essay
Gratitude Essay
Indian Politics Essay
Who am I Essay
Essay on Positive Thinking
Essay on Dance
Essay on Navratri
Essay on Onam
Essay on New Education Policy 2020
Esasy on Thank you Coronavirus Helpers
Essay on Coronavirus and Coronavirus Symptoms
Essay on Baseball
Essay on coronavirus vaccine
Fitness beats pandemic essay
Essay on coronavirus tips
Essay on coronavirus prevention
Essay on coronavirus treatment
Essay on essay on trees
Essay on television
Gender inequality essay
Water conservation essay
Essay on Gurpurab
Essay on Types of sports
Essay on road safety
Essay on my favourite season
My pet essay
Student life essay
Essay on Railway station
Essay on earth
Essay on knowledge is power
Essay on favourite personality
Essay on memorable day of my life
My parents essay
Our country essay
Picnic essay
Travelling essay

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Class 12 Compulsory English Notes

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– class 12 english notes, section i : language development.

Unit	Title	Link
1	Critical Thinking
2	Family
3	Sports
4	Technology
5	Education
6	Money and Economy
7	Humour
8	Human Culture
9	Ecology and Environment
10	Career Opportunities
11	Hobbies
12	Animal World
13	History
14	Human Rights
15	Leisure and Entertainment
16	Fantasy
17	War and Peace
18	Music and Creation
19	Migration and Diaspora
20	Power and Politics

Section II : Literature

Short stories.

Chapter	Title	Link
1	Neighbours
2	A Respectable Woman
3	A Devoted Son
4	The Treasure in the Forest
5	My Old Home
6	The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun
7	A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings

Chapter	Title	Link
1	A Day
2	Every Morning I Wake
3	I Was My Own Route
4	The Awakening Age
5	Soft Storm

Chapter	Title	Link
1	On Libraries
2	Marriage as a Social Institution
3	Knowledge and Wisdom
4	Humility
5	Human Rights and the Age of Inequality

One Act Plays

Chapter	Title	Link
1	A Matter of Husbands
2	Facing Death
3	The Bull

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Grade 12 Essay Writing Topics & Examples

Updated 16 May 2022

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Online Programs

Ap® english language and composition (intensive, ncaa approved).

Advanced CTY-Level
Session-Based
Language Arts

Learn to write college-level essays, expand your vocabulary, and prepare to take the Advanced Placement® Exam in English Language and Composition during this intensive 12-week course. We’ll study a variety of nonfiction texts to understand the interplay between author’s purpose, message, and audience expectations. You’ll also write your own arguments and research-based and rhetorical analysis essays while developing your skills at analyzing diction, syntax, persuasive appeals, methods of development, and more. After each essay, you will write a reflection explaining and evaluating your writing process. You’ll receive feedback from your instructor and often from your peers, revising your work along the way. You will also practice answering multiple-choice questions similar to those on past AP® exams, and develop strong essay test-taking skills like organization and time management. Through written collaboration with classmates from around the world, you’ll explore new perspectives and develop your own ideas. This writing course has been reviewed and approved by the College Board to use the AP® designation.

Time Commitment: 6-10 hours of independent work per week.

Course Overview

What we'll do

Over 10 course units, we will develop key reading and writing skills and apply them in activities, workshops, writing assignments, and revisions. We’ll hone our text comprehension and analysis skills with multiple-choice questions based on nonfiction passages. In addition, we’ll write 13 full essays, including three for a final practice exam that mimics a full AP exam. Through our reading and writing, we’ll explore how people communicate their ideas and feelings through language, how readers understand those ideas and feelings, and what types of communication are most effective for each situation. You will continually improve by applying instructor and classmate feedback on your own writing.

What we’ll learn

To analyze an author’s use of diction, tone, syntax, comparisons, methods of development, figurative language, audience appeals, and formatting
To write persuasively on a variety of topics based on given evidence and your own knowledge and experiences
To effectively use strategies such as introducing and concluding an essay, writing strong thesis statements, seamlessly embedding quotations, qualifying arguments, rebutting counterarguments, and creating cohesion in an essay

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Explain how writers’ choices reflect the components of the rhetorical situation
Make strategic choices in a text to address a rhetorical situation
Identify and describe the claims and evidence of an argument
Analyze and select evidence to develop and refine a claim
Describe the reasoning, organization, and development of an argument
Illuminate the line of reasoning in an argument with organization and commentary
Explain how writers’ stylistic choices contribute to the purpose of an argument
Select words and use elements of composition to advance an argument
Annotate texts, narrow multiple-choice options, and outline essays to prepare for timed tests
Communicate effectively and empathetically about topics that affect all people

How we'll measure learning

The objectives for this course align exactly with those released by the College Board for this exam, and course lessons cover all of these objectives. You will demonstrate mastery of course skills with multiple-choice quizzes in every unit and three different types of essays. All multiple-choice questions and essay prompts either appeared on a previous AP exam, or closely mimic AP style and format. In this graded course, each assignment will be assessed using a rubric aligned to AP grading standards.

This course is

Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY

This course is not open for enrollment at this time. Please check back later.

Testing and Prerequisites

	Math	Verbal
Required Level	Not required	Advanced CTY-Level

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

Cost and Financial Aid

Application fee.

Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

Financial Aid

We have concluded our financial aid application review process for Academic Year 2023-2024 Online Programs (Courses with start dates July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). Our application for Academic Year 2024-2025 Online Programs is expected to open in January. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible.

Course Materials

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course . If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected] .

No textbooks are required for this course

Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

This course uses a virtual classroom for instructor-student communication. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client , and on tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app . Recorded meetings can only be viewed on a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both free to download.

Terms & Conditions

Students may interact in online classrooms and meetings that include peers, instructors, and occasional special guests.

After a you complete a course, your projects may be used to illustrate work for future students. 

You will need to create an account on a third-party site to access course resources.

About Language Arts at CTY

Enhance your skills in creative writing and critical reading, learn to craft effective sentences, and develop an analytical approach to reading and writing through our Language Arts courses. Guided by our expert instructors, you can further develop your communication skills in our interdisciplinary visual fluency courses, and explore topics in communication theory, design theory, and cognitive psychology. Through coursework and online discussions with classmates from around the world, you’ll elevate your writing structure and style, hone your craft, and become an adept wordsmith fluent in the language of literary arts.

Write, Edit, Publish

Walk in the shoes of a writer, editor, and publisher this fall in Master Class I: Writing, Editing, and Publishing , and then collaborate with peers to create the next issue of our CTY Online student-developed literary journal, Lexophilia , in Master Class II: Writing, Editing, and Publishing , offered in the winter.

Explore Greek Myths

Newly revised for fall 2021, you'll read, discuss, and write about Greek myths in Young Readers’ Series: Greek Myths Revisited , studying exciting, heroic characters and ancient narratives that continue to teach us all valuable lessons about life, love, and family.

Meet our Language Arts Instructors

I realize that I love teaching on an almost daily basis. It comes to me in the form of a student's 'ah-ha' moment, when everything clicks and the student understands a challenging concept. I get goose bumps just thinking about it!

Yvonne Borresen

Language Arts Instructor

COMMENTS

Essays Grade 12 Notes
A learner's example of an essay from a picture using the four steps. Step 1: Choose the topic and type of essay. This learner chose to write a reflective essay based on this picture of a watch: Step 2: Plan the essay. This learner used a mind map to plan his essay. Step 3: Write and edit the draft essay.
2022 DBE Self-study Guides Gr. 12 English: Writing Essays and
Grade R Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 ... 2022 DBE Self-study Guides Gr. 12 English: Writing Essays and Transactional Texts . Free . By. Department of Basic Education (DBE) Download. Type:
Grade 12 Level 4 Writing Sample
Write about where you would like your life to lead you. View full size. Student writing sample: Life is harder when you have choices. My culture believes that parents choose your path in life. Back in home my friends and I talked around what our parents wanted for us and worked carefully to get those goals. Then we moved here and I find myself ...
PDF GREAT ENGLISH ESSAYS 2021 TERM 1
GREAT ENGLISH ESSAYS 2021 TERM 1. 2021TERM 1Amorie Page. Grade 11The last t. ing I saw...could. 't BREATHE. It pinned me. own. Hitting me wave after wave.couldn't wait to get out of this horrid cage with wings, where the only thing you could hear was the earth-shattering sound of a little devil spawn crying (for absolutely no reason), and a ...
12th Grade Essays
Printable Essay Outline Formats and Examples. Share these essay outline examples and formats with your writing students! This PDF features essay outline examples and…. Browse our printable 12th Grade Essays resources for your classroom. Download free today!
PDF Guideline for Teaching and Writing Essays and Transactional Texts
An essay is an extended piece of writing, in which a writer expresses his/ her point of view on the topic given. The length of texts ranges from: • 200 - 250 words for English Second Additional Language; • 250 - 300 words for English First Additional Language; and, • 400 - 450 words for English Home Language.
How do you write a grade 12 English essay with a good thesis and topic
Quick answer: Writing a good essay for grade 12 English depends on identifying the type of essay and ensuring that your thesis and development address the characteristics of that type ...
ELA G12: Personal Narrative Essay
Description. Students concentrate on the narrative writing process, building on the material they produced during the writing lessons and incorporating a variety of narrative techniques explored in both in Unit 1 and Unit 2. Students draft, revise, and edit their essays extensively over the course of the unit, further developing their narrative ...
IXL
IXL brings grade 12 English language arts to life! Set students up for success with thousands of skills that challenge learners at just the right level. IXL Learning. ... Use appeals to ethos, pathos and logos in persuasive writing. J. Writing clearly and concisely. 1. Transitions with conjunctive adverbs. 2. Avoid double, illogical and unclear ...
Grade 12 English Paper 3 Resource Pack
Grade 12 English Paper 3 Resource Pack - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or view presentation slides online. This document provides guidance on writing different genres of essays for the English Paper 3 exam. It discusses the key features and structure of narrative, descriptive, reflective, argumentative and discursive essays.
Grade 12
Part of sounding intelligent in an essay is not repeating yourself; as you're writing, focus on using language effectively to help build an argument and create a sense of structure. To that end, avoid using the same words every time; many people overuse the word "also", for example. Vary your language, and use words such as "moreover ...
IXL
1. Formatting quotations and dialogue. Learn twelfth grade English language arts skills for free! Choose from hundreds of topics including text analysis, writing arguments, editing, grammar, and more. Start now!
English Grade 12 Past Exam Papers and Memos
Furthermore, the skills learned in Grade 12 English—such as essay writing, critical reading, and argument construction—are directly applicable to university coursework, making a strong foundation in English indispensable for academic success at the tertiary level. 5. Career Opportunities
PDF Essay & Transactional Notes
1. Narrative essay A narrative essay tells a story or tells of a past event. It does not have to be a true story, or based on your life/experience. It can be written from any perspective. Consider the following when writing a narrative essay: The story must have a strong story line and be convincing even if it is fiction.
Student Writing Models
Student Models. When you need an example written by a student, check out our vast collection of free student models. Scroll through the list, or search for a mode of writing such as "explanatory" or "persuasive.".
ELA G12: Developing Reading and Writing Skills
Description. In the first unit of this module, students continue to refine the reading, writing, and discussion skills they have been using in the English Language Arts classroom throughout the year. This unit fosters students' independent learning by decreasing scaffolds in key text analysis lessons. Additionally, students continue to ...
Essay Topics, Essay Writing Ideas and Types for English Exam
So, essays are mainly classified into four major types, as mentioned below: 1) Narrative Essays: Telling a Story. While writing a narrative essay, students must consider the topic as if telling a story. Through these essays, they can express themselves in a creative way. These essays are usually written in the first person, so as to engage the ...
ELA G12: Grade 12 English Language Arts
The New York State Grade 12 curriculum modules offer a wide range of quality texts that engage students in analysis of autobiographical nonfiction, speeches, poetry, drama, and fiction. The grade 12 modules comprise classic and contemporary voices including Malcolm X with Alex Haley, Leslie Marmon Silko, Henry David Thoreau, Benazir Bhutto ...
12th Grade ELA
Please Note: The Fishtank team is beginning the process of revising the 11th and 12th Grade ELA courses to refine the sequence of unit texts and provide deeper, more aligned support for teachers and students. The full sequences for 11th and 12th Grade ELA will be available for the 2025-26 school year. The new 12th Grade ELA sequence will center around the theme On Being Human.
PDF NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 12
imately 40 minutes on this section.Respond to ONE of the f. lowing transactional writing tasks.The body of your response should be between 120 and 150 wor. he text you have chos. n, for example2.1 Friendly letter.Pay particular attent. e and register.2.1FRIENDLY LETTERYour best friend recent.
Essay Topics
Find 500+ Essay writing topics for students, college students, kids and students from grade 6, 7, 8. ... Find 500+ Essay writing topics for students, college students, kids and students from grade 6, 7, 8. Learn. CBSE. Class 5 to 12. Physics. Difference Between in Physics; Maths; Chemistry; Biology. ... Essay topics in English can be difficult ...
Class 12 English Notes
Share this article. NEB Plus 2 Notes provides comprehensive study material for the Class 12th English syllabus. It follows the newly prescribed syllabus of NEB and supports the students in revising the texts completely. It covers the solutions to the English books prescribed by the NEB, which are, First Flight and Footprints without Feet.
Grade 12 Essay Writing Topics & Examples
Unique grade 12 English exam essay topics. With tons of topics constantly being explored when it comes to grade 12 exams we always provide a fresh look and tailor the topics to the desires of our clients. If you want to buy dissertation papers, unique grade 12 essays or anything similar, rest assured, you are in good hands.
AP® English Language and Composition (Intensive, NCAA Approved)
Learn to write college-level essays, expand your vocabulary, and prepare to take the Advanced Placement® Exam in English Language and Composition during this intensive 12-week course. We'll study a variety of nonfiction texts to understand the interplay between author's purpose, message, and audience expectations. You'll also write your own arguments and research-based and rhetorical ...

1. All about essays

1.2 Steps for writing an essay in the exams

Ways to plan an essay

2. The five essay types

2.1 Narrative essays

Activity: Writing a narrative essay

2.2 Descriptive essays

A learner’s example of a descriptive essay using the four steps

2.3 Reflective essays

Related Items

A learner’s example of a reflective essay using the four steps

Main features of a reflective essay that are shown in this learner’s essay

Activity: Writing a reflective essay

2.4 Discursive essays

A learner’s example of a discursive essay using the four steps

Activity: Writing a discursive essay

2.5 Argumentative essays

A learner’s example of an argumentative essay using the four steps

Step 3: Write and edit the draft essay

Main features of an argumentative essay that are shown in this learner's essay

Activity: Writing an argumentative essay

2.6 Writing an essay from a picture

A learner’s example of an essay from a picture using the four steps

Activity: Writing an essay from a picture

3. What is expected from you in the exam?

Related items

2022 DBE Self-study Guides Gr. 12 English: Writing Essays and Transactional Texts

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12th Grade Essays

Grade 12 English language arts

Reading strategies

B. Audience, purpose and tone

C. Literary devices

D. Analyzing literature

E. Analyzing informational texts

Writing strategies

G. Topic sentences and thesis statements

H. Developing and supporting arguments

I. Persuasive strategies

J. Writing clearly and concisely

K. Editing and revising

L. Research skills

M. Prefixes and suffixes

N. Greek and Latin roots

O. Homophones

P. Foreign words and expressions

Q. Word usage and nuance

R. Analogies

S. Context clues

Grammar and mechanics

U. Phrases and clauses

V. Pronouns

W. Verb types

X. Subject-verb agreement

Y. Verb tense

Z. Adjectives and adverbs

AA. Misplaced modifiers

BB. Restrictive and nonrestrictive elements

DD. Semicolons, colons and commas

EE. Dashes, hyphens and ellipses

FF. Apostrophes

GG. Capitalization

HH. Formatting

Grade 12 - How to Write Better Essays

Read other people’s essays

Build your vocabulary and use it properly

Words to help develop an argument

Elevator pitching your essays

Tell the reader what other people say

Syntax, punctuation and tone of voice

Twelfth grade language arts

Reading strategies

B. Audience, purpose, and tone

C. Literary devices

D. Analyzing literature

E. Analyzing informational texts

F. Novel study

G. Nonfiction book study

H. Business documents

Writing strategies