Writing Essays by Dr Beth Caldwell
Overview:
The writing process
Analysing essay titles
Essay Structure
Academic writing style
What are the steps in the writing process?
Research à Primary and Secondary, Books, Internet, Library, Reference, Create a 1st Draft, Refine it / Edit it / Amend it, Mind maps / plan,
Beth’s way:
- Understand and analyse assignment title à Reading and research à Make notes à Make assignment plan à Write draft à Edit Draft à Proofread final draft and check references à Final Changes à Submit.
Analysing Essay Questions:
(NOT TO DO WITH SUBJECT)
1. Describe the theories of Thomas Malthus related to population growth.
2. Evaluate the theories of Thomas Malthus related to population growth.
First one says describe.
Second, you have to think of the answer and use different theories to help.
Instruction Words:
Analyse, assess, compare, contrast, criticise, define, describe, discuss, evaluate, examine, explain, illustrate, justify, prove, review, state, summarise, to what extent.
The 5 Step Plan:
1. Identify the subject / topic (find particular information)
2. Identify the instruction (asking to do a slightly different job)
3. Identify the key aspects (which bit of the subject you are writing about)
4. Look for significant words
5. Ask questions (of your tutor and the essay)
// Account for the emergence of the policy of privatisation developed by successive Conservative governments during the 1980’s.
- Topic = Policy of Privatisation
- Instruction word = Account for / reasons behind the topic
- Other / Key Aspects = Policy’s that happened in the 1980’s / emergence - where it came from
- Other significant words = successive conservation government
// Critically discuss the view that the policy on privatisation promoted by successive Conservative governments since 1979 has been a success.
- Critique one side of the argument that the policy was a success.
- Since 1979 – Essay starts one year earlier than the other way.
YOUR ESSAY: ONE OF THESE:
- History through a set of objects / artefacts
- History through a set of technologies,
- History through a set of theories / perspectives
- An independently developed essay question
First important words of the three bullet points: History & through (the word through is crucial)
Writing your own essay title:
1. Choose a subject
2. Choose an instruction word
3. Key aspect
4. Significant Words – Limit the scope (eg, dates, places etc)
5. Ask questions – Check it with your tutor! (Make sure it fits with module and not too broad!)
Creating essay title on Damien Hirst:
Subject: Damien Hirst
Instruction word: Evaluate the / recent formaldehyde work
Reading in research:
The more books and journals you read the better marks you get.
Essay format:
- Continuous discursive prose (paragraphs)
- Meant to be read from start to finish
- No headings, bullet points or contents page
Only thing is title at the top and paragraphs!!!
Structuring your essay:
Introduction – paragraph
Main Body – various paragraphs
Conclusion – paragraphs
Make an essay plan!
Essay Title: (focus your thoughts)
Introduction
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4
Conclusion
// SEE FORM! //
Writing an Introduction:
WHY?
Orientate your reader to your essay
Show the reader you are answering the question!
WHAT & HOW?
Provide a bit of background (few sentences)
State the aims of the essay… This essay will…. (Few paragraphs)
Outline your plan (Head up of what’s coming next)
Writing Conclusions:
WHY?
Draw together your argument
Show the reader that you have answered the essay question (GIVE THEM THE ANSWER AT THE END AS WELL AS THROUGH THE ESSAY)
WHAT & HOW?
Recap on the aims of the essay… (This essay has…)
Summarise the main ideas (DON’T HAVE THE MENTION EVERYTHING, JUST THE REALLY BIG POINTS / IDEAS)
State your conclusion (WHAT YOU’VE FOUND)
- Overall this essay has found…
Zoom out? (Parting Show / plus 1) – In the future we hope that there is more research on this topic…
What does “writing style” mean?
Hi K8, cn u meet me @ 10.30 n d café on highst? C u l8r, Pete xxx – Text Speak
Aminase cannot break the covalent bonds of proteins without the presence of isobutene – Science – Biology Book
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? – Shakespeare
Academic writing style?
Formal
Academic writing is:
1. Impersonal (Not to use the word ‘I’) Writing in the 3rd person
2. Concise (Not waffling)
3. Clear (Background isn’t same as yours in subject)
4. Precise
5. Cautious (Tone it down a bit, in case reader doesn’t agree with you)
6. Politically Correct
7. Formal
8. Transparent (Use references – NEXT WEEK)
Do use:
Formal language
3rd Person (The essay will discuss…)
References
Don’t Use:
Contractions: didn’t, hasn’t, it’s
1st and 2nd person: “I”, “me”, “my”, “we”, “you”
Run on expressions: “and so forth”, “etc.”
Direct questions (Don’t overkill with rhetorical questions, maybe one or two)
(Go into first person when reflecting)
The writing process: How long will it take you?