Geography Essay Writing Tips

1. Read Read the essay question carefully.Make sure you read all options and all of each question. The stress of the situation can cause you to misread a question, plan your answer out, start writing your response and then realise you made a mistake and wasted vital time. Even though you generally won’t be writing answers to every question on the paper, reading all questions thoroughly will ensure you make the right choices and can highlight how much you know about the topic.

2. Think Think carefully about what the essay is asking you. Think about the content it is asking you for. Think about what the command term requires you to do. Underline and highlight important terms.

3. Plan Plan your essay carefully before you write. Mind maps are a useful way to plan essays as they help with both content and structure. Writing lists is also useful.

4. Write Start to write your essay Use a framework to give your essay structure and IPEELS.

Overall Structure I: Introduction S: Summary/ conclusion Point Explain Body paragraphs: Point Explain Example Link S: Summary/ conclusion

Introduction: Write a specific opening statement. Make sure this is not too generalized (avoid “In the world today ……!). Define the key terms and break down the command term to ensure you have the correct focus Paraphrase the question to ensure direct focus on what you are specifically being asked Show deeper understanding of what the question requires by explaining several key ideas you will expand upon in your response

Paragraph Structure

Point Your first sentence must state your point. It introduces the topic you’re about to discuss and tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about. This is sometimes called a topic sentence.

Explanation This is where you show your understanding by explaining in more detail about your opening point. You should use relevant terminology and ideas that reiterate and expand upon your point.

Example Support your point with relevant evidence and examples. Evidence can include facts, statistics, or details of a case study.

Link The last sentence should reinforce your original point or link your writing to the specific question you are addressing. The link sentence can also provide a transition to the next topic or paragraph.

Summary/ Conclusion: Make sure your conclusion relates directly to the specific question you are addressing. Keep your conclusion clear and concise. Don’t introduce anything new, this is the time to conclude which ideas already discussed are the most important. A strong conclusion brings everything together and reinforces the points made in the essay. .

5. Review/ Edit Proofread your answers as much as you can to correct any spelling mistakes and add any extra comments you think are worth mentioning.

General Essay Tips

Time Be conscious of the time you have. Allocate sufficient time to complete the essay. Make sure to use several minutes to plan before you start to write. Once you have assigned a time limit for each question, you MUST move on once you hit it or you won’t be able to give the next question your full attention.

Use an Appropriate Style Ensure you write in an appropriate style. Use relevant terminology. Make sure you stay focused on the specific question being asked. Don’t use personal pronouns.

Use Relevant Case Studies It is important that you use relevant contemporary case studies and examples to illustrate the points that you make. Including specific details demonstrates a greater level of understanding

Evaluative command terms Higher order command terms require you to make a conclusion Evaluation could consider: Short term vs long term Positives and negatives Opinion of or impact on different stake holders

Practice Most of your essays will be hand written so make sure you practice writing. Think about possible essay topics and have a practice writing responses that may come up.

You need structure! Just like you an essay needs a structure. The intro is like a head as it ensures you head in the right direction The body paragraphs allow you to flesh out ideas The conclusion is like feet that give your essay better standing