1. Writing Centre Seminar

2. Rosie Gronthos Writing Centre Writing Essays

3. Welcome Congratulations on joining the University of Adelaide study body. You’ve achieved a lot to get here. I hope this talk will introduce you to the expectations of writing an essay at university and inspire you to become critical thinkers and good academic writers. University of Adelaide3

4. Outline Why do you write essays? What exactly is an essay? An essay must be persuasive and possess academic integrity Form a point of view using your own words Reference correctly University of Adelaide4

5. Why do you write essays? Form of assessment A way to communicate Demonstrate what you know Writing academic essays are different from the essays you may have written in the past. It provides the knowledge and ability to follow academic conventions so you can learn the essential skills to become critical thinkers and good academic writers. University of Adelaide5

6. What exactly is an essay? Formal Logical Connected Structured Persuasive Referenced University of Adelaide6

7. What is a persuasive essay? A writer's attempt to convince readers of the validity of a particular opinion on a controversial issue Aims to convince others University of Adelaide7

8. What is the essay writer try to achieve? University of Adelaide8

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10. What is a thesis statement? A persuasive thesis statement is a one-sentence description of your topic and the argument that you plan to make in the essay University of Adelaide10

11. The argument you plan to make in the essay University of Adelaide11

12. Where does it go? University of Adelaide12

13. Why is the thesis statement important? A thesis statement shows your level of understanding in relation to the essay question based on your own reading and writing. It supports your argument by clearly stating your reasons why University of Adelaide13

14. Why form an argument in your own words? Shows your level of understanding Form an opinion based on research and evidence Your own informed opinion is valued Writing in your own voice makes it clear whose ideas are being expressed-yours or a source’s Write in your own voice and avoid plagiarism University of Adelaide14

15. Avoid plagiarism Plagiarism: the act of presenting another’s work or ideas as your own. University of Adelaide15

16. Academic integrity Students need to acknowledge sources through correct referencing. Consistent and accurate referencing avoids plagiarism. When you are referencing always use a referencing guide to help you ensure 100% accuracy. University of Adelaide16

17. Why do you need to reference? To avoid being accused of plagiarism, which includes copying another’s work, paraphrasing or summarising without acknowledgement, colluding with others and presenting either identical or very similar essays. To show respect for other people's ideas and work. To support your own arguments, thus giving you more credibility. University of Adelaide17

18. Referencing Shows the depth and breadth of your reading and thinking. More people’s ideas you read the better. You use other sources to support your own argument. Once you can analyse other opinions you are able to evaluate the information to form your own argument. This demonstrates your understanding about a topic. University of Adelaide18

19. To sum up Writing essays gives you the knowledge and ability to follow academic conventions so you can become critical thinkers and good academic writers. Forming an argument in your own words shows that you understand a topic based on your own reading and thinking. Accurate referencing demonstrates academic integrity. It supports your own arguments and therefore gives you more credibility. University of Adelaide19

20. Useful Learning Guides Writing Essays Introductions & Conclusions Paragraph Writing Avoiding Plagiarism Quick Guide to Referencing Source Credibility Paraphrase or to Quote? Assignment Directives University of Adelaide20

21. For further thoughts Write down 2 things you have learnt today. ‘Thank you. Are there any questions?’ University of Adelaide21

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23. Have a great year! University of Adelaide23

24. Writing Centre Details WEB: FACEBOOK: EMAIL: PHONE: VISIT: www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre www.facebook.com/WritingCentreUofA writingcentre@adelaide.edu.au 8313 3021 Level 3 Hub Central, 10am-4pm Mon-Fri