Writing Essays

Session objectives Focus on writing process instead of product Look at the phases of writing Explore strategies for starting writing earlier Understand the importance of structure to an academic essay Review examples Learn about some useful writing resources

Essay Writing Phases Planning Thinking Researching Writing Editing Write Plan

Construction Like a building, essays gain structure/and shape from elements: Scaffolding: the essay plan Design: your argument Central Framework: main elements or parts (Intro / Body / Conclusion) Bricks: paragraphs Reinforcement: wording

Planning time frame List tasks Create deadlines Preliminaries Gathering Information Organising Information Rough outline Draft 1 Draft 2 References Proofreading Create deadlines _____________

Planning the assignment Requirements Length, Wording Referencing Understand the question Breakdown Verbs

Analyse the assignment Write down in your own words what you think the assignment is asking you to do What do you already know about the subject matter? What background info do you need to help you complete the assignment? How are you going to choose your reading material?

Thinking Initial ideas Brainstorm Initial plan! Preliminary reading Mind maps Lists Drawings Discussion/Audio Post-it notes Initial plan! Preliminary reading

Outlines are your recipe What do you want to say? Structure planning Communicating your ideas writing

Structure Introduction Main section Conclusion outline of essay Main point A details, evidence Main point B Conclusion summary of main points personal conclusions

Writing persuasive argument (1) Differentiate between: Facts can be checked against evidence Opinions = personal viewpoints / beliefs Arguments = viewpoints + evidence

The Plan Draw up a plan before starting to write Make the plan detailed. Show the content of: Introduction Main body Conclusion Does it flow logically? Are all main points covered?

Reading & Researching Use rough outline as guide Gather information relevant to topic Keep good notes Organise content according to outline Choose what to include Types of evidence to support points? Quotes Tables Paraphrasing

Reading & Researching Keep references! Digest and reflect on information Continue your thinking!

What is a paragraph? A group of sentences What groups them? One idea Like cutting up your food, you want to present your ideas one by one Build an argument idea by idea Until you can get to the end and say ‘I rest my case’ The paragraph is the basic building block of an academic essay.

References Why? Credit sources of information & ideas Reader can locate for further information if required Demonstrate breadth of reading & knowledge

References When? Direct quotes Paraphrases Statistics/Studies Theories Interpretations Facts

Plagiarism Using someone’s words or ideas and presenting them as your own (Marshall & Rowland, 1998) Inappropriate use of ideas from books, articles, internet, or other students’ work ???

References How? Reference system e.g. Harvard Record sources Take careful notes Reference list In-text citing or referencing

Sample marking criteria Focusing on a topic Structuring an essay Content Formulating arguments Presentation Referencing Evidence of language skills Use of learning resources

Editing Proof read Write up references Final draft out loud time out peer Write up references Final draft presentation

Submit! Final deadline Checklist Feedback

The Introduction (10%) Refer directly to the title Explain how you interpret it (eg by rephrasing it) What issues are you going to explore? How will you deal with each issue, and in which order? (After draft is written) Does the Intro still hold good?

The main body (1) May be divided into 3 or 4 sub-sections Develop your argument / point of view Paragraph 1 *In first sentence introduce main idea of paragraph *In other sentences develop the idea (details, evidence, examples, quotes) Each paragraph or sub-section should centre round a main issue

The main body (2) Paragraph 2 and others * link new paragraph to previous paragraph (using appropriate Connectives) *Introduce main idea of paragraph * Develop the idea (as above) * Use words and phrases that highlight your point and show the direction of your argument.

Conclusion (10% ) Don’t introduce new work, quote/repeat detailed evidence. Refer directly to title and aims when drafting. Summarise argument/main points State general conclusions, refer to evidence in body of essay; don’t allow personal bias. Say why these conclusions are important/ significant Suggest areas where further knowledge is required Sum up argument (briefly) - link it to the title. Check you have done what you promised in your Intro

Bibliography etc List all books, articles, websites, materials used – in the manner required by your School / Course Label all illustrations / diagrams / tables