Essay Writing Skills for University

Aims of session To improve awareness of the process of writing a well structured essay. To improve your essay writing skills. Make you aware of the additional help and support available to you before and at university.

Objectives of session By the end of the session you will be able to: Understand key words in an essay title. Understand the importance of structuring your essay correctly. Understand the importance of editing and reviewing an essay.

Activity One Key Words & Definitions

The selection and complexity of an approximating estimating technique will be influenced by the amount of project information available. (a) Evaluate the various methods that might be used to arrive at a realistic first estimate for a client. (15 marks) (b) Assess the relative value and risks attached to the various sources of historical cost data used in approximate estimating. (10 marks) (Total mark 25) Today’s clients expect a realistic and accurate estimate of how much their building will cost to build. (a) Explain how the design shape and the building format can have a significant effect on the cost of a new building. (15 marks) (b) Describe other project and external factors which typically require to be considered to arrive at a valid prediction of the tender price. (10 marks) (Total mark 25) Typical Essay Questions

Good academic language: use! Also another thing is… 6  Too personal or casual: avoid! In my opinion, this shows… Loads of studies have been done about… But not everyone agrees. Their findings suggest… This research demonstrates…I think… In my research I discovered that… I believe this doesn’t go far enough. Taken together, the findings of these studies clearly indicate… Several studies support this…Hunt (2009) fails to consider… However, other research indicates… This paper examines… This essay argues… Furthermore…

A typical essay structure 1.Introduction 2.Main body 3.Conclusion 4. References/Bibliography

Planning your essay 1.Analyse the question 2.Plan 3.Research 4.Review your information 5.Decide 6.Draft it! 7.Review and edit.

Essay Reconstruction Describe the clinical features of major depression and discuss how these symptoms can be treated using psychological therapy. Correct order: E,G,A,F,H,D,I,B,C

Structuring your Essay 1. Introduction – things you may include, depending on the key word: An explanation of your understanding of the question. A definition of key words or concepts, if necessary. Set out your argument, putting it into context. A brief outline of the main points you will discuss.

Structuring your Essay 2. The Body of the Essay – things you may include: Decide which points from your brainstorm are going to form the main points of your essay – choose 3 or 4. Develop these points using examples and theories from your research. Remember to collect references as you go. Ensure each paragraph is linked in a logical manner.

Structuring your essay 3. Conclusion - things you may include: Link it back to the question and state how you have answered it. Summarise the main ideas and evaluate how they support your conclusion, restating the context, if appropriate. Don’t introduce any new material or ideas – just restate what you have already presented.

Intro: Tell your reader what they are going to read… Body: Tell them! Conclusion: Tell them what you told them… and finally…

Edit and Review

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ In addition, ~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ Furthermore, although X seems tangential to this issue, if we interpret it this way, it is relevant ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~ On the other hand, however, ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~ Nevertheless, it is important to consider ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~ A related significant issue is ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~…. 15 Introduce important point Evidence Reinforcement (more evidence) Show originality and lateral thinking Introduce counter- argument Discuss and dismiss counter-argument Move on to next important point But still link it to what has gone before

Signposting phrases in addition by contrast in particular correspondingly in comparison t o summarise however furthermore firstly accordingly as a result

In-text citation of evidence Main point of paragraph Alternative perspective Another way of putting an in- text citation Linking word Research has demonstrated that television viewing has undergone a dramatic increase in recent years (Robinson, 2002). Robinson attributes this increase to the rise in available channels and television providers. However, Stewart (2005) argues that this viewpoint oversimplifies the situation, calling for social and economic factors to be taken into consideration. These factors...

18 Before submitting your work... Proof-read it carefully Read aloud (or ask a friend or the computer to read it to you) Check you have followed formatting instructions attentively: font, font size, page numbering, line- spacing, etc. Gains you easy marks! “Critical distance”

Review your knowledge... What we have covered: An overview of the essay planning process. Key words in an essay title. The importance of structuring your essay correctly. Writing an effective essay plan. The importance of editing and reviewing an essay. Other training sessions offered and where to seek these out.

Descriptive WritingCritical Writing states what happenedidentifies the significance states what something is likeevaluates strengths and weaknesses explains how something worksindicates why something will work best notes the method usedidentifies whether something is appropriate states opinionsgives reasons for selecting each opinion lists detailsevaluates the relative significance of details Adapted from Cottrell (2008) *Adapted from Cottrell (2008)

Characteristics of Reports and Essays *Adapted from Cottrell (2008) Reports Essays Originate from world of workOriginate in academic settings Present research data & findings you have collected yourself Focus on analysing or evaluating other peoples research & ideas Divided in to separate sectionsFlow as a continuous piece of writing Contain tables, charts & appendicesDo not include tables or appendices Include section headers & numberingDo not include headers & numbering Include descriptions of methods usedDo not refer to methods used in arriving at conclusions Usually include comments on improving research & future research Not usually reflective about process of researching & writing essay itself May include recommendations for action Do not include recommendations

Remember To! Reference everything correctly. Attend the Referencing Skills workshop if you need further advice on this. Register for “Get Set for Uni” Workshop Exploring the differences between college and university study.