1. Writing Essays

2. 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

3. Essay Writing Phases Planning Thinking Researching Writing Editing
Write
Plan

4. 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

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

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

7. 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?

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

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

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

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

12. 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?

13. 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

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

15. 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.

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

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

18. 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
???

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

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

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

22. Submit!
Final deadline
Checklist
Feedback

23. 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?

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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

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