EN270: Transnational Feminism, 2011/12 Sorcha Gunne s.gunne@warwick.ac.uk Office: H540 Office Hour: Tuesday, 11am

You seminar topic

Questions we will cover today: How do I structure an essay? What is the writing process? How do I choose a question? What is a thesis statement? What is research?   Is an essay ever finished?

The process of writing an essay: Selecting your question Research 1 (Primary text) Writing Research 2 (Secondary material) Editing

Selecting your question: What question interests you most? How will you approach the question? Does this question challenge you? Read all the questions Thesis Statement

Draft a close reading of the text based on your essay plan Research 1: The Primary Text Outline an essay plan based on your analysis Re-read the primary text(s) Select the passages you will focus on Analyse these passages Draft a close reading of the text based on your essay plan

Secondary material: Stop and think What are examples of the various kinds of secondary material you can use in an essay? Why is secondary material important? What is the difference between theory and secondary criticism? Why is it important to have your thesis statement and rough draft done before you start secondary research?

Work relevant material into the draft of your essay Research 2: Secondary Material Look at module reading lists & do library catalogue searches Briefly look at material you think will be relevant Work through your list and make notes Make a list of useful material Work relevant material into the draft of your essay

Editing: Have you answered the question? Read what you have written - edit as you go. Does your essay answer your thesis statement? Does the organisation of your essay make sense? Have you answered the question? Then set your essay aside for a break before you proof read it. Rewrite your introduction Read what you have written... again

More help from the Royal Literary Fund website: http://www.rlf.org.uk