Essay Writing A beginner’s guide

What is an essay? For an Oaklands College student an essay will generally be Less than 2,000 words Written in an impersonal, academic style Written on a topic related to a specific part of your course

What is an essay for? A good essay will show:- Your knowledge of a topic Your ability to find and filter relevant information Your skill in evaluating and combining ideas to support your point of view Correct use of references

Essay Structure Title Introduction Body Conclusion

Title You might be given a single title or a choice. Make sure you understand it before you do anything else

Introduction Imagine that the person reading your essay does not know the topic. Outline the background to help them to understand what you are going to be writing about One approach is to start with the general topic and become more specific

Introduction diagram Many people in the UK keep animals as pets. Dogs are particularly popular and we have been called a nation of dog lovers. However, when you become a dog owner, you undertake certain responsibilities. This essay will look at the serious laws relating to dog ownership. General info Specific info

Introduction The introduction helps the reader to understand a topic by making them think about what they already know. The last sentence of the introduction often tells the reader very clearly what is going to be in the rest of the essay.

Body The body of an essay contains paragraphs (occasionally just one paragraph) which add clear detail about the initial idea. Each paragraph usually starts with a sentence that outlines one main idea. The rest of the paragraph supports the main idea by including facts and/or opinions from either the author or other sources.

Body Paragraph Diagram Topic Sentence: Contains the main idea of the paragraph Supporting sentence 1. Illustration or details of why supporting sentence 1 is true Supporting sentence 2. Illustration or details of why supporting sentence 2 is true Supporting sentence 3. Illustration or details of why supporting sentence 3 is true

Body Paragraph Diagram The most important law relates to dangerous dogs which can hurt or even kill other animals or people There are many different types and sizes of dogs. Dogs such as Alsatians, Pit Bull Terriers and others have been bred to fight and have to be trained. Even small or docile dogs may become aggressive if provoked There are documented accounts of family Labradors attacking children in their own house.

Body Paragraph The most important law relates to dangerous dogs which can hurt or even kill other animals or people. There are many different types and sizes of dogs. Dogs such as Alsatians, Pit Bull Terriers and others have been bred to fight and have to be trained. Even small or docile dogs may become aggressive if provoked. There are documented accounts of family Labradors attacking children in their own house.

Conclusion A common conclusion structure is to restate some of the most important ideas put forward in the body and give an overall opinion. The final sentence gives an overall summary and the author’s opinion of everything that has been said.

Conclusion It is clear that it is essential to have laws regarding the ownership of dogs. Some laws are designed to protect us from dangerous animals, while others protect dogs themselves from neglect and abuse. Overall the enforcement of these laws allows us to distinguish between good and bad dog owners to increase the safety of all. Restate Main Ideas Final Statement

The most important law relates to dangerous dogs which can hurt or even kill other animals people There are many different types and sizes of dogs. Many dogs such as Alsatians, Pit Bull Terriers and others have been bred to fight and have to be trained. Even small or docile dogs may become aggressive if provoked There are documented accounts of family Labradors attacking children in their own house. The most important law relates to dangerous dogs which can hurt or even kill other animals people There are many different types and sizes of dogs. Many dogs such as Alsatians, Pit Bull Terriers and others have been bred to fight and have to be trained. Even small or docile dogs may become aggressive if provoked There are documented accounts of family Labradors attacking children in their own house. Introduction Body 1 Body 2 Conclusion