Download presentation
1
How to Write Geography Essays
Literacy in Economics How to Write Geography Essays
2
Evaluate the challenges of living in megacities in
Essay Structure Paragraph 1: Introduction: Thesis Your argument that you must prove Identify issues Paragraph 2: Background Define/clarify Significance of this topic Broader implications Paragraph 3,4,5 etc: Body Final Paragraph: Conclusion Restate main reasons Restate thesis Final thoughts For example: Evaluate the challenges of living in megacities in developing countries
3
Introduction Thesis First sentence
Literacy in Economics Introduction Thesis First sentence For example: People living in megacities in developing countries can face enormous difficulties. Then: Identify 4-5 issues that you will develop Refer to the syllabus (this is vital) For example: housing, traffic infrastructure, water and power, sanitation, employment, social and health issues. For example, when examining the impact of globalisation, the syllabus identifies the topics that the students should cover (p33):economic growth, trade and investment, distribution of income and wealth. These reasons will become topics for evaluation in Par 3,4,5 etc
4
One example of an introduction
People living in megacities in developing countries can face enormous difficulties. These difficulties include: housing, traffic infrastructure, water, power and sanitation.
5
Background paragraph Second paragraph in the essay
Literacy in Economics Background paragraph Second paragraph in the essay Define important terms Clarify; provide context and background to the question Significance, broader implications Not necessary if a funnel introduction has been used
6
Example of a background paragraph
A megacity is a city with a population of over eight million (Paine et al). They are a relatively recent development. For example, in 1950, there was only one: New York, with a population of 12.3 million; but today there are 22 megacities in the developing world alone. Examples of megacities include Mumbai, Shanghai and Lagos. Lagos is the fastest growing megacity in the world – 6% a year. As the global population continues to grow, an understanding of megacities and their problems is critical.
7
Body paragraphs Topic sentence (‘lead’ sentence)
Clarification sentence (if necessary) Clarify/define important terms in the topic sentence Support sentence(s) Complication/ refutation sentence(s) Resolution/conclusion of paragraph
8
Topic sentence Topic sentence (lead sentence) Very important
Literacy in Economics Topic sentence Topic sentence (lead sentence) Very important Main idea of the paragraph Topic sentence has a topic and a controlling idea Topic sentence supports the thesis Not too general, not too specific A topic sentence should not include too many unrelated ideas Try to keep lead sentences short, they must support the thesis. The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph (topic) and the controlling idea of the paragraph.
9
Topic sentence Examples:
Literacy in Economics Topic sentence Examples: In the first two examples below, the topic is megacities and the controlling idea is housing. (Notice that the topic may come before or after the controlling idea.) People living in megacities can face extreme problems with housing. Housing is a severe problem in all megacities of the developing world. All megacities experience problems associated with traffic infrastructure. Water and sanitation systems are basic to the operation of any city and most megacities in developing countries lack these services. The topic is globalisation and the controlling idea is the distribution of income and wealth in China.
10
Clarification (context) Sentence
Literacy in Economics Clarification (context) Sentence Second sentence in the paragraph Define/clarify terms introduced in the topic sentence For example, if the topic sentence was: All megacities experience problems associated with traffic infrastructure, a clarification sentence might clarify the term infrastructure. For example: Traffic infrastructure includes both motorised and non-motorised vehicles. A clarification sentence is not always needed. Not always necessary
11
Literacy in Economics Supporting Sentences Supporting sentences develop the topic sentence. They provide reasons for the topic sentence It is vital that support sentences are not just assertions An assertion is a confident statement made without supporting evidence. They must be supported with evidence. In other words, a successful paragraph contains ‘concrete’ support for the topic sentence. You should support your topic sentence by using specific and factual details. Avoid sweeping generalisations (using words like ‘all’, ‘every’ and ‘always’). Where is your support Assertions are not sufficient
12
Supporting Sentences: Concrete support
Concrete support can include geographical reasons, authority, statistics, examples, quotations, diagrams, sketches and case studies. Diagrams and sketches should be carefully labelled. To score highly, each paragraph should have concrete support for the topic sentence. Examples of words that can be used to introduce concrete support: According to, insist, report, suggest, claim, maintain, say, write.
13
Examples of ‘concrete support’
According to the Head of the Lagos Water Corporation, only 30% of the city has access to safe water. The Guardian Weekly reports: “Only the rich (in Lagos) have water...” In Delhi, only 20% of the city’s population has a continuous supply of water (Paine et al).
14
Developing your argument further: consider both sides of the argument
Literacy in Economics Developing your argument further: consider both sides of the argument Rarely is any issue black and white The best argumentative writing will acknowledge evidence that challenges your argument Where possible, complications should be refuted (countered) so that the argument is not lost. Teachers’ role is to encourage the gathering of contradictory (complicating) and unpredictable information (as well as supporting information) that will force old meanings to adapt and new ones to be constructed. (Murray:22) Refutation needed if the complication/contradiction is strong enough to ‘lose’ the paragraph.
15
Developing your argument further: consider both sides of the argument
For example: Water and sanitation systems are basic to the operation of any city and many megacities in developing countries lack these services. Some megacities in developing countries have very few dwellings with inside running water. For example in Jakarta and Dacca, there is less than 10%. Lagos is another megacity with unsatisfactory water and sanitation. According to the Head of the Lagos Water Corporation, only 30% of the city has access to safe water. However, not all megacities in developing countries experience such problems; in Shanghai for example, 100% of dwellings have inside running water. Nevertheless, these cities are the exception.
16
Concluding sentence A concluding sentence is not always necessary
It signals the end of the paragraph and summarises the main points It gives the final comment on the topic and leaves the reader with the most important ideas to think about Examples of words that can be used to conclude: finally; as a result; in conclusion; indeed; in summary; in brief; therefore; in short; thus. But words such as these need not be used. A concluding sentence is recommended where your argument is complex; that is, you have dealt with complications and refutations
17
Concluding paragraphs
Restate main reasons Restate thesis (do not simply repeat it) Final thoughts Concluding paragraphs should not be too long; 3-4 sentences is normally plenty Don’t bring up new points
18
Concluding paragraphs – an example
Access to clean water, sanitation, housing and power are just some of the issues that regularly confront people living in megacities in developing countries. With few exceptions, these problems are acute and a top priority for many communities.
19
Sentences: General thoughts
Get to the subject quickly, then get to the verb quickly. Detailed information (new information) comes at the back end of the sentence. Globalisation has dramatically increased China’s trade flows and investment flows. Developing countries are generally areas of rapid economic growth.
20
Words Develop your vocabulary
Tip: Use strong verbs to add interest to your writing. For example: This growth has stimulated an increase in the transient population… Shanghai’s basic traffic infrastructure has suffered from many years of neglect… Attempts were made by authorities to divert resources…
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com Inc.
All rights reserved.