Essay Writing Student Learning Advisory Service Gina May

Essay Writing

Student Learning Advisory Service

Gina May

Why Write Essays?Development

Feedback

Revision Material

The Five StagesInterpretation Research

Planning

Writing

Editing and Proofreading

Why Plan? Keep arguments relevant

Argue clearly and consistently

Present sufficient evidence

Nothing omitted

Communicate ideas accurately

Dangers of not having a plan …Information presented inconsistentlyMaterial considered as irrelevant

Plan to …

Avoid irrelevancies

Reveal the structure

Work towards a high mark

Analyse the key concepts

IntroductionIntroduce the subject and the thesis

◦Presents facts◦Gives them meaning◦Makes argument readily accessible◦Helps the reader An essay is NOT:A murder mystery – unexpected twists and turnsAn action movie – not knowing where it will endLove letter – sentimental and starry-eyed

Writing an IntroductionMake it substantial

◦A clear idea of your purpose

◦Show where essay is headed

◦Include the theme and general facts

◦The general conclusion

Example‘Discuss the role of women over the centuries.’The role of women has changed over the centuries, and it has also differed from civilization to civilization. Some societies have treated women much like property, while others have allowed women to have great influence and power. Variable treatment of women in Ancient Egypt, Classical Greece, Medieval France, early Islamic civilisation.Political, social and economic roles of women in western cultures.

The role of women <in Western society> has changed <dramatically> over the centuries, <from the repression of ancient Greece to the relative freedom of women living in Medieval France. The treatment of women> has also differed from civilization to civilization <even at the same period in history>. Some societies <such as Islamic ones> have treated women much like property, while others <like ancient Egypt> have allowed women to have great influence and power. <This paper will trace the development of women's rights and powers from ancient Egypt to late medieval France and explore their changing political, social and economic situation through time. All the various means women have used to assert themselves show the different ways they have fought against repression and established themselves in authority.>

ParagraphsThe building blocks of an essayContains one main ideaShow the relationship between the

information and the main thesisBuild upon each other to form the

argument

Each sentence of the paragraph should be …

Unified with the controlling idea

Clearly related to the thesis

Coherent and logically arranged

Supported by evidence

Types of Paragraphs Narration: Go chronologically, from start to finish

One North Carolina man found quite a surprise last year while fishing in the Catawba River: a piranha. Jerry Melton, of Gastonia, reeled in a one pound, four ounce fish with an unusual bite. Melton could not identify it, but a nearby fisherman did. Melton at first could not believe he had caught a piranha. He said, “That ain’t no piranha. They ain’t got piranha around here.” Melton was right: the fish is native to South America, and North Carolina prohibits owning the fish as a pet or introducing the species to local waterways. The sharp-toothed, carnivorous fish likely found itself in the Catawba River when its illegal owner released the fish after growing tired of it. Wildlife officials hope that the piranha was the only of its kind in the river, but locals are thinking twice before they wade in the water.

Description: Provide specific details about what something looks, smells, tastes, sounds, or feels like.

Piranha are omnivorous, freshwater fish, which are mostly known for their single row of sharp, triangular teeth in both jaws. Piranhas’ teeth come together in a scissor-like bite and are used for puncture and tearing. Baby piranha are small, about the size of a thumbnail, but full-grown piranha grow up to about 6-10 inches, and some individual fish up to 2 feet long have been found. The many species of piranha vary in colour, though most are either silvery with an orange underbelly and throat or almost entirely black.

Process: Explain how something works, step by step

You can safely swim with piranhas, but it’s important to know how and when to do it. First, chose an appropriate time, preferably at night and during the rainy season. Avoid piranha-infested waters during the dry season, when food supplies are low and piranhas are more desperate. Piranhas feed during the day, so night-time swimming is much safer. Second, streamline your movement. Wild or erratic activity attracts the attention of piranhas. Swim slowly and smoothly. Finally, never enter the water with an open wound or raw meat. Piranhas attack larger animals only when they are wounded. The presence of blood in the water may tempt the fish to attack. If you follow these simple precautions, you will have little to fear

Other types of paragraphClassification:

◦Separate into groups or explain the various parts of a topic

Illustration:◦Give examples and explain how

those examples prove your point.

5 Steps to a Paragraph1. Decide on a controlling idea and create a

topic sentence

2. Explain the controlling idea

3. Give an example(s)

4. Explain the example(s)

5. Complete the idea, or create transition

Troubleshooting:Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

topic (or controlling idea)

evidence

relationship to the broader argument

ConclusionCompletes the frame around the

argumentDemonstrates the importance of the

argumentGive a good impressionEnd on a positive noteMaybe:Consider broader issuesmake new connectionselaborate on the significance of findings

Strategies Consider - ‘so what?’, ‘why should anybody care?’

Return to the theme in the introduction

Use key words or parallel concepts to introduction

Synthesize – DON’T summarise

Include provocative insight or quotation

Propose: course of action, solution to an issue, questions for further study

Point to broader issues

Avoid …Unnecessary, over-used phrases:

◦in conclusion◦in summary◦in closing

Introducing new ideas or subtopicRephrase the introductionSentimentalityAdditional evidence

Editing and ProofreadingDistance yourself from the text

Change the look of the document

Avoid distractions

PARIS IN THE

THE SPRING

ONCE IN A

A LIFETIME

BIRD IN THE

THE HAND

EditingCheck:

◦Smooth transitions between paragraphs◦Evidence supports your case◦Organisation

Have you:◦Answered the question◦Made an argument◦Made consistent claims◦Given enough evidence◦Stayed relevant

Checking the Overall Structure

Does the essay:

◦Have an introduction and conclusion

◦Clearly state the thesis in introduction

◦Show how each paragraph is related to the thesis

◦Have paragraphs in a logical sequence

◦Have clear transitions between paragraphs

Structure within paragraphs

Does each paragraph:◦Have a clear topic sentence◦Stick to one main idea◦Have any extraneous or missing sentences

Clarity:◦ Important terms defined?◦Meaning of each sentence clear?◦Correct diction?◦Clarity of pronouns? (he, she, it, they, who etc)◦Chose correct words?

Also check …StyleCitationsProofread:

◦Spelling, grammar, punctuation◦DO NOT rely on spell-checkers◦DO NOT rely on grammar-checkers◦Read out loud, slowly

Finally …Submit essay

RELAX!!!