1. STAY AHEAD AUTUMN PROGRAMME 2011
Essay writing
Sara Steinke

2. Aims of the session
Approaching writing your essay in a systematic manner
Understanding the question
Producing a first draft – writing introductions, conclusions and paragraphs
Presenting your final draft – style / presentation / referencing
Reflecting upon your present strengths in essay writing, the areas for improvement that you are hoping for and the strategies that work best for you

3. Think about the following
1. What do you think is a ‘good’ essay?
2. Why do you write essays?
3. What is your experience of writing essays? Think about your strengths and the areas of improvement that you are hoping for.

4. What is a ‘good’ essay? Structure Effective paragraphing
Considers the reader
Evidence of research around the topic
Addresses the question
Adheres to style / presentation requirements
Uses quotes and correct referencing
Applies critical thinking / reading / writing

5. Why write essays? Deepens your learning of the subject
You learn to use ideas to argue a case
Enables you to extend and refine your critical thinking and writing skills
Allows you to demonstrate your academic progress
Different situations – coursework and exam essays
Because you have to!

6. Stages of essay writing Adapted from Cottrell, S. (2008: 176-177)
Clarify task
Feedback
Collect and record information
Final draft
Organise and plan
Review first draft
Reflect and evaluate
Outline and first draft

7. Analysing the question
Not answering the question is one of the key pitfalls in essay writing
Essay questions can be broken down into:
Its topic
Any restriction / expansion to the topic
The aspect / angle you are asked to consider
Instructions you need to follow
An analysis of the changes in US policy towards
China during the 1970s.

8. Class activity Break the following questions down into their: topic
any restriction /expansion to the topic
aspect/angle you are asked to consider
instructions you need to follow
A comparison and contrast of the effects of overcrowding in the developed world.
An outline of the requirements for declaring bankruptcy in French law.
Trace the origins of the civil rights movement in Texas.

9. Introductions
Aim of the essay – use phrases like ‘This essay will evaluate… / assess… / discuss… / compare and contrast…’
Background material and content / define key terms
Narrow the focus of the essay
Outline the structure of essay
Make your thesis statement

10. Conclusions
Summary of the main points raised – refer directly to the question
Recommendations – and justifications for recommendations
Points of consideration for future research / analysis
Do not present new material / ideas
in your conclusion

11. Paragraphing

12. Rearrange these sentences to form a paragraph
A. Later on, people began to write on pieces of leather which were rolled into scrolls.
B. In the earliest times, people carved or painted messages on rocks.
C. In the Middle Ages, heavy paper called parchment was used for writing, and books were laboriously copied by hand.
D. With the invention of the printing press in the middle of the fifteenth century, the modern printing industry was born.
E. Some form of written communication has been used throughout the centuries.

13. Answer
E Some form of written communication has been used throughout the centuries. B In the earliest times, people carved or painted messages on rocks. A Later on, people began to write on pieces of leather which were rolled into scrolls. C In the Middle Ages, heavy paper called parchment was used for writing, and books were laboriously copied by hand. D With the invention of the printing press in the middle of the fifteenth century, the modern printing industry was born.

15. When to reference 1. Distinctive ideas
2. Distinctive structure or organizing strategy
3. Information or data from a particular source
4. Verbatim phrase or passage
5. Anything that’s not common knowledge
6. Finally, if in doubt, cite!

16. Direct / in-text quotes (used in essay)
Where to reference
Bibliography (end of essay)
Direct / in-text quotes (used in essay)

17. Content editing / proof reading
Have you answered the question title?
Have you used relevant material?
Do you show a good grasp of the ideas?
Have you presented a coherent argument?
Is the essay written in an objective, analytical way, with appropriate use of illustration and evidence?
Is the essay clearly written and well presented?

18. Reflective learning Write down the three most important
things that you have learnt / thought about in
this session? Why were they important to you?
2. Are there any areas of improvement that
you need to take action on? If so, what are
you doing to do to improve this aspect
of your learning?

19. Recap of the session
Approached writing your essay in a systematic manner
Understood the importance of addressing the question
Looked at writing introductions, conclusions and paragraphs
Considered style / presentation / referencing
Reflected upon your present strengths in essay writing, the areas for improvement that you are hoping for and the strategies that work best for you

20. Useful reading
Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook, 3rd Edition (Palgrave Macmillan, London) chapter 8 ‘Writing for university’ pp and chapter 9 ‘Developing your writing’ pp
Northedge, A. (2007) The Good Study Guide (Open University Press, Milton Keynes) chapter 10 ‘Writing the way ‘they’ want’ pp and chapter 11 ‘Managing the writing process’ pp
Crème, P. (1997) Writing at University (Open University Press, Milton Keynes)
Redman P (2001) Good Essay Writing (Sage, London)
Useful websites
/services/facilities/support/essay-writing (online resources available on the Birkbeck Library website)
/get-ahead-stay-ahead/skills/writing-skills
/get-ahead-stay-ahead/skills/structuring_writing
(Get ahead Stay ahead interactive tutorials)
study/studyskills/reading/essay.asp (website supporting the Palgrave MacMillan study skills books)

21. Example of a strong conclusion
Question: Urbanisation in Developing countries To conclude, it seems that urbanisation is, and will remain a problem in developing countries unless international organisations, governments and urban planners put more effect into saving the situation. On the other hand, governments should stop the ‘urban bias’ approach and concentrate on decentralising amenities all over the country. If the government does not do this, they should know that while the cities grow, the rural base on which they depend may be eaten away. It should also be noted that by the time the population stabilises, the rural population will have become a minority.

22. Summary of the main points raised – refer directly to the question Recommendations – and justifications for recommendations Points of consideration for future research / analysis Urbanisation in Developing countries
To conclude, it seems that urbanisation is, and will remain a problem in developing countries unless international organisations, governments and urban planners put more effect into saving the situation. On the other hand, governments should stop the ‘urban bias’ approach and concentrate on decentralising amenities all over the country. If the government does not do this, they should know that while the cities grow, the rural base on which they depend may be eaten away. It should also be noted that by the time the population stabilises, the rural population will have become a minority.

23. Example of strong introductory paragraph
Question: Discuss the causes of the American Civil War
Almost as soon as the Civil War ended, Americans began to
search for a way to understand the reasons for a bitter
conflict. Even today, strong feelings and personal bias influence
debate over the causes of the war. Because the years leading up to
the war were characterised by growing conflicts over a series of
political and economic disagreement between the Northern and
the Southern states, it is difficult to isolate individual causes of the
war. It is easy to assume that the main cause of the war was
disagreement over slavery simply because the outcome of the war
had such dramatic effects on the institution of slavery. In fact,
disagreement between the north and the south over tariffs and
states’ rights was a more significant cause of the civil war that
were opposing views about slavery.

24. Green: Background information Blue: Author explains aim and how it relates with current discussion of war Red: Thesis statement Discuss the causes of the American Civil War
Almost as soon as the Civil War ended, Americans began to search for a way to
understand the reasons for a bitter conflict
Even today, strong feelings and personal bias influence debate over the causes of the war.
Because the years leading up to the war were characterised by growing conflicts over a series of political and economic disagreement between the Northern and the Southern states, it is difficult to isolate individual causes of the war.
It is easy to assume that the main cause of the war was disagreement over slavery simply because the outcome of the war had such dramatic effects on the institution of slavery.
In fact, disagreement between the north and the south over tariffs and states’ rights was a more significant cause of the civil war that were opposing views about slavery.