Writing Lynne Kerfoot Centre for Study Skills and Access

Overview Breaking down essay writing into manageable parts Planning your essay Writing paragraphs Introductions Conclusions

Planning Write an outline plan for your essay Try using a mind map

Mind map

Mind maps 1. Take a large sheet of paper. 2. Put the essay question in the middle. 3. Put sub-topics around the centre. 4. Add details to each sub-topic: relevant points, ideas, explanations, evidence etc. 5. Make connections where theories/evidence or ideas are related.

Activity – mind map

Linear plan A mind map will give you an overview of the essay. You now need to think about how you will present these ideas in your essay. Creating a linear plan will help to order the information in your essay.

Linear plan Think: How will the information fit into paragraphs? How can you order the material to present your argument in a clear and convincing way?

Linear plan Title: “The use of maggots in medicine” ParagraphTopic 1.Introduction. 2.How they work. 3. History. 4 Modern use. 5. Resistance. 6. Advantages. 7. Evaluation 8. Conclusion.

Activity – linear plans

Writing paragraphs Paragraphs often have: an introductory component (topic sentence) a main body a summarising component (often the closing sentence). Paragraphs should focus on one area. They should not begin with one topic and end with another.

Paragraphs: the topic sentence Introduces the central theme of the paragraph Is often the first sentence of the paragraph.

Paragraphs: the main body The topic should be discussed fully. May include, for example: A definition of terms used in the paragraph A description of the topic Analysis of the topic Examples and illustrations Examination and/or evaluation of causes and effects

Paragraphs: the summarising component The final sentences in a paragraph often sum up the ideas presented in the paragraph and/or lead on to the following paragraphs.

Essays – general structure Introduction Main body Conclusion

Writing an introduction Should refer to the essay title and talk about the topic in general terms. Should be about 1/10 of your total essay. You may: Define and limit the scope of the essay. Outline how and in what order you’re going to tackle the issues.

Conclusions You may: summarise your main points and show how they relate to each other draw general conclusions comment on the significance of those conclusions briefly restate your argument and link back to the central question raised in the title.

Conclusions Try not to: ‘go off’ in a new direction throw in any comments that are not related to the title express any new ideas

Summary Planning your essay –Mind maps –Linear plans Writing paragraphs Introductions Conclusions