ILS

Independent Learning Skills

ILS

Objectives

To understand what the key components of a good essay are.

To realise the importance of the introduction in setting up a coherent overall structure.

To provide some strategies for planning and organising future essays

Answer the question

Read each of the above sentences

• What is each saying?

• Is there anything wrong?

• We see what we want to see

• Same applies to questions

Key words

Questions which require analysis often hinge upon interpreting one word correctly which we often miss.

‘Discuss the view that advertisers are only making sure that consumers choose wisely’

Copy and underline the key words, circle the main one.

Who underlined Only?

That is THE key

Be clear what the question is asking and discuss this before beginning to answer.

Introduction

This is the most important paragraph in any essay. It ... Should provide background

information Should outline the key issues or

topics that the question is about which will form the main paragraphs

Should end with a thesis statement A good thesis statement consists of

one-two sentences that summarize the writer's thoughts about the topic.

Background information

This should demonstrate a general awareness of the headlines relating to the issue under discussion ‘What are the major factors responsible for

increases in unemployment in the UK’

Unemployment which had remained steady for the first decade of the millennium has risen from 2M in 2010 to almost 3M this year for a number of reasons.

Topic/issue pointers‘What are the major factors responsible for increases in unemployment in the UK’

(Unemployment which had remained steady for the first decade of the millennium has risen from 2M in 2010 to almost 3M this year for a number of reasons). Causes include changes in global production and distribution strategies, skill shortages, cheaper wage costs overseas, and to some extent government policies.

Thesis statement

A thesis statement always asserts something. It is more than a description of what the essay will do. (.......for a number of reasons). 'This essay will outline the major factors responsible for unemployment in the contemporary UK’ is not a thesis statement because it does not assert anything. 

How could you make it into one?

Example

(............for a number of reasons) 'This essay will argue that government policy is the major cause of unemployment in contemporary UK,' is a thesis statement because it states a position. The rest of the essay must then demonstrate that research into unemployment supports this assertion.  

Intro practice: Copy templatebelow:

Title:

background,

topics

thesis statement :

Try to complete for an essay title overleaf

Argumentative essay topics:1. Footballers should not be given such a

high salary2. If alcohol is legal then Marijuana should

be legalized?3. Gay parenting would be a positive solution

to the adoption crisis4. Children should be kept away from the

media violence5. Do size zero models in the media have a

negative impact on young girls health and self image

6. What effect does gender bias in employment have on social inequality?

Paragraphs

Successful essays depend upon building up the overall structure, through paragraphs which have a clearly identified main point. The main points of the paragraphs are the Topics outlined in the introduction and should begin with a topic sentence. A paragraph in academic writing frequently consists of a main idea which is explained, amplified, supported and sometimes criticised 

P.E.E.

A common structure for paragraphs in academic writing is as follows: Main Point - the main idea of the

paragraph is expressed as a generalisation

Explanation, Amplification - the main idea is elaborated and its meaning explained

Example, Evidence, the main idea is illustrated or supported by example, data or quote

Criticism or evaluation

Wherever possible it is worth gaining marks from the higher level skill of evaluation (Criticising or making judgements, providing counter arguments) thus giving the paragraph structure P.E.E.C

Sample transition words:

Each paragraph should follow on from the previous one with linking or transition words so the essay flows. Eg.

Moreover; in fact; on the wholefurthermore; as a result;

simply put; for this reason;similarly; likewise; it follows thatnaturally; by comparison;

Writing conclusions

Finally a good essay has a conclusion which restates the argument, reminds the reader of the two or three points which provide the most important support for the argument and then draws the essay to a close. 

You may also wish to leave the reader with food for thought

In the following paragraph the sentence in red restates the main point, the sentences in black recaps the most important main points developed in the paragraphs and the sentence in green draws the essay to a close.

Gender bias in employment is still a key factor shaping inequality in the UK today. The feminist movement and relevant legislation have helped women move successfully into the workforce, but women’s earnings still lag behind those of men and women are underrepresented in senior levels of management and control. Traditional social views about women and their responsibilities as caregivers remain powerful obstacles to equality in the workforce. To aid progress and develop gender equality women and men must accept responsibility for what happens in the home as well as the workplace.

Essay structure

IntroductionIssues

A+B (+C)

PEEC

A

PEEC

BConclusion

Thesis statement should be made in the introduction and revisited in the conclusion

Handouts

Essay Planning template to help you organise your thoughts before you start your next essay

Essay about cats as housepets to highlight the different parts of an essay