1. Independent Learning Skills
ILS
Independent Learning Skills

2. Objectives To understand what the key components of a good essay are.
To realise the importance of the introduction in setting up a coherent overall structure.
To provide some strategies for planning and organising future essays

3. Answer the question Read each of the above sentences
What is each saying?
Is there anything wrong?
We see what we want to see
Same applies to questions

4. Key words
Questions which require analysis often hinge upon interpreting one word correctly which we often miss.
‘Discuss the view that advertisers are only making sure that consumers choose wisely’
Copy and underline the key words, circle the main one.

5. Who underlined Only? That is THE key
Be clear what the question is asking and discuss this before beginning to answer.
Discuss why it is the main word and therefore what the essay may be about. (making the product appear better than its competitors, creating false needs, increasing sales for the client etc.)
You may wish to use some example exam questions form your subject here

6. Introduction This is the most important paragraph in any essay. It ...
Should provide background information
Should outline the key issues or topics that the question is about which will form the main paragraphs
Should end with a thesis statement
A good thesis statement consists of one-two sentences that summarize the writer's thoughts about the topic.
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7. Background information
This should demonstrate a general awareness of the headlines relating to the issue under discussion
‘What are the major factors responsible for increases in unemployment in the UK’
Unemployment which had remained steady for the first decade of the millennium has risen from 2M in 2010 to almost 3M this year for a number of reasons.

8. Topic/issue pointers
‘What are the major factors responsible for increases in unemployment in the UK’
(Unemployment which had remained steady for the first decade of the millennium has risen from 2M in 2010 to almost 3M this year for a number of reasons). Causes include changes in global production and distribution strategies, skill shortages, cheaper wage costs overseas, and to some extent government policies.

9. Thesis statement How could you make it into one?
A thesis statement always asserts something. It is more than a description of what the essay will do. ( for a number of reasons).
'This essay will outline the major factors responsible for unemployment in the contemporary UK’ is not a thesis statement because it does not assert anything. 
How could you make it into one?

10. Example
( for a number of reasons) 'This essay will argue that government policy is the major cause of unemployment in contemporary UK,' is a thesis statement because it states a position. The rest of the essay must then demonstrate that research into unemployment supports this assertion.  

11. Intro practice: Copy template below:
Title:
background,
topics
thesis statement :
Try to complete for an essay title overleaf
You need either discursive essay questions from your subject or use the ones in the following slide:
You can either let them pick as a table or divvy them out

12. Argumentative essay topics:
Footballers should not be given such a high salary
If alcohol is legal then Marijuana should be legalized?
Gay parenting would be a positive solution to the adoption crisis
Children should be kept away from the media violence
Do size zero models in the media have a negative impact on young girls health and self image
What effect does gender bias in employment have on social inequality?

13. Paragraphs
Successful essays depend upon building up the overall structure, through paragraphs which have a clearly identified main point. The main points of the paragraphs are the Topics outlined in the introduction and should begin with a topic sentence. A paragraph in academic writing frequently consists of a main idea which is explained, amplified, supported and sometimes criticised 

14. P.E.E.
A common structure for paragraphs in academic writing is as follows:
Main Point - the main idea of the paragraph is expressed as a generalisation
Explanation, Amplification - the main idea is elaborated and its meaning explained
Example, Evidence, the main idea is illustrated or supported by example, data or quote

15. Criticism or evaluation
Wherever possible it is worth gaining marks from the higher level skill of evaluation (Criticising or making judgements, providing counter arguments) thus giving the paragraph structure P.E.E.C

16. Sample transition words:
Each paragraph should follow on from the previous one with linking or transition words so the essay flows. Eg.
Moreover; in fact; on the whole furthermore; as a result;
simply put; for this reason; similarly; likewise; it follows that naturally; by comparison;

17. Writing conclusions
Finally a good essay has a conclusion which restates the argument, reminds the reader of the two or three points which provide the most important support for the argument and then draws the essay to a close. 
You may also wish to leave the reader with food for thought

18. In the following paragraph the sentence in red restates the main point, the sentences in black recaps the most important main points developed in the paragraphs and the sentence in green draws the essay to a close.

19. Gender bias in employment is still a key factor shaping inequality in the UK today. The feminist movement and relevant legislation have helped women move successfully into the workforce, but women’s earnings still lag behind those of men and women are underrepresented in senior levels of management and control. Traditional social views about women and their responsibilities as caregivers remain powerful obstacles to equality in the workforce. To aid progress and develop gender equality women and men must accept responsibility for what happens in the home as well as the workplace.

20. Essay structure
Thesis statement should be made in the introduction and revisited in the conclusion
Introduction
Issues
A+B (+C)
PEEC A
PEEC B
Conclusion

21. Handouts
Essay Planning template to help you organise your thoughts before you start your next essay
Essay about cats as housepets to highlight the different parts of an essay
Read the cats essay if you have time
Discuss what’s good about it in terms of coherence focus on question etc.