Essay Writing

The Fundamentals
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What does a strong essay require?

An essay attempts to convince readers of a conclusion or idea based upon evidence and argument.

An essay ought to respond to a question.

== It must have a thesis declaration (answer to the question) and an argument(s).

== It must attempt to examine or persuade someone of something: to establish a thesis via a series of inter-related
propositions by inductive reasoning or deductive logic.

== An essay must contain appropriate examples, giving life to evidence and facts from academic journal or credible/relevant
sources.

1. Starting the essay

Although there are some essential elements to composing an assignment, essay
writing is not a one-way process. You probably will have to revise and redraft The first steps in writing
sections of your essays a number of times. an essay

Start work as soon as possible == Analyse the issue and

Nobody can write a high quality essay unless you think research and write. In other words, start identify key terms
the essay as soon as you can!
== Develop a potential thesis/
Identify the question and analyse the task central argument
Jotting down what you know about a subject is not sufficient to allow for a high quality essay.
Analysing, then responding to the essay’s issue or assignment is fundamental. == Research the subject. Use
evidence to support your
== Be certain that you comprehend precisely what the question demands you to arguments
write to.
== Draft an essay plan and
== Categorise the key words (for example, evaluate or analyse) and explain the organise your ideas
approach necessary to take.
== Develop your plan

== Edit, Edit, Edit your essay

Brainstorm!
Your opening point for an essay is your first answer to the subject or query. This == Write your references,
answer depends on what you know at first instance footnotes and bibliography
.
This is, nonetheless, the point of commencement only. Next, you are required to == Hand in your essay
research and investigate, query your reply and ascertain some answers.

Draw up an essay brainstorming plan:

== Establish working structures for your first thoughts and opinions about the
subject and compose a draft essay plan to assist you in your research.

== An essay brainstorming plan can assist you in ascertaining how you will respond
to the query and which information you will utilise. Essay brainstorming plans, in
addition, assist in structuring an essay. As you start writing and researching, your
brainstorming plan will likely change and evolve.
 2. Researching the subject area
An aspect of essay writing is that it draws on the work of other writers
and researchers. Thus, the skills of interpreting, researching, and Reading lists
writing are essential to essay writing. Researching confers the knowledge and If you are given a list of recommended
facts that you need you to draft an argument and respond the essay question. readings, read as many as you can.
Otherwise, find the references in the library.
Reading for preparing your essay Use the database to searche. Once you
Commence reading as soon as you get the question so you have enough plenty have your readings:
time to become acquainted with the subject. When reading the material you
have research, remember to read with a purpose. Good question to ask yourself
== use the table of contents and the
include:
index to find relevant material
== What do I currently know about the subject? == skim through the text to locate
== What material is required to answer essay question? specific information

== Is the material relevant to the subject? == when you find something you
need to read carefully, highlight the
== Can I use these research materials in my argument material with a post-it note so you can
return for a close reading

Summarise content from the readings == photocopy useful sections of

It’s essential to summarise what you have read. Your summaries should be the materials so you can emphasise
foundation of your essay. and make notes.

There is no need to take notes in your initial reading of the material. Highlight
information or facts you think are useful. You can return to it when you re-read
Thinking it through
and take notes.
Essay writing requires both creative and
critical thinking.
Summarise your research materials with the question of your essay in mind. You
must employ the facts and evidence you have found to help assist your Central == Creative thinking encourages you to
argument. This, for example, can be summaries or direct quotation from the broaden your ideas. Try techniques
materials, useful diagrams, case analysis studies or statistical data. Remember like brainstorming or mind mapping.
to cite everything. Note the bibliographic information of each text you read.
Remember to include the date, author, publisher, title and place of publication. == Analytical thinking allows you to
This will save your time when doing boring referencing! narrow the focus of your ideas (for
example, asking why an example is
important to your argument).
3. Planning your thoughts
Begin planning your research findings and ideas into an argument.
Your essay should be
balanced:
Essay strategies that is, it should include a range of
Following your research and development of central arguments to your essay, you information and viewpoints from different
ought to draft a second essay plan. This second essay plan will answer the topic authors that explore the key arguments and
and how the thesis will be ordered. The second essay plan ought to include: relevant aspects of a particular topic.

== Make a decision on a potential answer to the question Don’t only cite evidence that confirm what
you are arguing; if there are different or
== Settle on the facts and evidence you will utilise to respond to the opposing views, then they need to be
question. examined.
== Making a decision on which issues you will examine, and the structure You need to evaluate differing arguments
in which they will appear. - explain why one argument is more
convincing than another and how they relate
== Jot this all down in point form!
to the conclusion your essay arrives at.
 4. Writing the essay
Drafting
Write a first draft to try out the structure and framework of your Essay paragraphs
essay. A draft essay will help you work out how you will answer the question Each paragraph in the body of the essay
and which evidence and examples you will use; and how your argument will should deal with one main point/ aspect of
be structured. your answer.

Each paragraph should contain:

Once you have a draft, you can work on writing well. Your first draft will not
be your final essay; think of it as raw material you will refine through editing 1. a topic sentence that states the main or
and redrafting. controlling idea;

Structure 2. supporting sentences to explain and

Structure your essay to communicate your ideas and answer the question. All develop the point you’re making;
essays should include the following structure:
3. evidence. Most of the time, your point
should be supported by some form of
evidence from your reading, or by an
1. Introduction example drawn from the subject area.

The introduction moves from general to specific. This is where 4. analysis. Don’t just leave the evidence
you: hanging there - analyse and interpret
it! Comment on the implication/
== open with a short orientation (introduce the topic area(s) with significance/impact.
a general, broad opening sentence (or two);
Finish off the paragraph with a critical
== answer the question with a thesis statement; and conclusion you have drawn from the
evidence.
== provide a summary or ‘road map’ of your essay (keep it brief,
but mention all the main ideas). Tips for effective writing
Start writing early - the earlier the better.
Starting cuts down on anxiety, beats
procrastination, and gives you time to
2. Body
develop your ideas.
The body of your essay consists of paragraphs. Each is a building
Don’t try to write an essay from beginning to
block in the construction of your argument. The body is where you:
end (especially not in a single study session).
== answer the question by developing a discussion. Begin with what you are ready to write - a
plan, a sentence. Start with the body and
== show your knowledge and grasp of material you have read. work paragraph by paragraph.

== offer exposition and evidence to develop your argument. Write the introduction and conclusion after
the body. Once you know what your essay
== use relevant examples and authoritative quotes. is about, then write the introduction and
conclusion.
If your question has more than one part, structure the body into
sections that deal with each part of the question.
Keep the essay’ question in mind. Don’t lose
track of the question or task. Keep it in mind
as you draft and edit and work out your
argument.
3. Conclusion
Revise your first draft extensively. Make
The conclusion moves from specific to general. It should: sure the entire essay flows and that the
paragraphs are in a logical order.
== restate your answer to the question;
Put the essay aside for a few days. This
== re-summarise the main points and; allows you to consider your essay with a
fresh eye.
== include a final, broad statement (about possible implications,
future directions for research, to qualify the conclusion etc). Proof-read your final draft carefully.Check
spelling and punctuation.
However, NEVER introduce new information or ideas in the
conclusion - its purpose is to round off your essay by summing up.
 5. Referencing the essay
All academic essays MUST contain references. Referencing guards against 7. Handing the essay in
plagiarism, a serious academic offence. You haven’t completed your assignment
until you’ve handed it in.
Make sure you are familiar with the referencing style your Faculty or School
requires; many will have guides specifying the system they prefer. Often It’s important to READ the assignment
Schools/Faculties don’t mind which system you use as long as it is consistent. guidelines in your course outlines and to
If this is the case, use the system you are most comfortable with. follow them. find out how your lecturer/tutor
would like assignments presented. and make
See The Learning Centre guides on plagiarism and on various citation styles sure you comply with their requirements.

6. Editing in essay In general:

Most essays are dramatically improved by careful editing. If possible, put
your essay aside for a few days before you begin to edit. This gives you == Make sure you know the date the
time to think further about your answer and arguments and return to your work assignment is due. Submitting late work
with a fresh perspective. usually incurs a late penalty.

== Make sure you know where and to

Don’t panic if when you find faults in your essay - this is part of the
whom your assignment should be
process. If you find that you need more information, or your argument
submitted.
has holes in it, keep calm and concentrate on fixing the problem.
== Most assignments require a cover
Once you have a well-organised and fairly complete draft:
sheet(available from your school office).
== Check the overall structure of your essay; does it have a clear
== Don’t submit your essay in a plastic
introduction, body and conclusion?
folder or sleeve (unless you are asked
== Make sure that each paragraph has a clear main point that relates to to do so).
the argument. Make sure that the paragraphs are arranged in logical
== Ensure your essay is formatted
sequence.
correctly. Use double-line spacing and a
== Revise sentences. Make sure the words you use mean what you think readable font (size 12 at least). Number
they mean. Check punctuation and spelling. A good dictionary is a pages and set wide margins.
useful tool
== Print on one side of the page only.
== Check transition signals. Be sure that a reader can follow the
== Staple your essay in the top left-hand
sequence of ideas from sentence to sentence, and from paragraph to
corner.
paragraph.
== Keep an extra copy for yourself.
Questions to ask yourself

tt Have I answered the question as directly and comprehensively as

possible?

tt Does the argument make sense? Is it balanced and well re-

searched? References

tt Is the evidence relevant to and supportive of my argument? Cuba, I 1998, A Short Guide to Writing
About Social Science, Harper Collins.
tt Have I used a consistent citation style? Have I referenced all my
quotes and paraphrases? Emmerson, L (ed.) 2005, Writing Guidelines
for Social Science Students, 2nd edn,
tt If there were any special instructions or guidelines for this assign- Dunmore Press, Southbank, Victoria.
ment, have I followed them? Oshima, A & Hogue, A 1991, Writing
Academic English, Addison-Wesley.
tt Have I remained within the set word limit?
University of Toronto Writing Centre, Some
General Advice on Academic Essay Writing,
Online resource accessed 1999.

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