1. Essay/Assignment Writing: Planning to Editing
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Essay/Assignment Writing: Planning to Editing
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2. Agenda 4 stages in essay writing: Preparing Planning Drafting Editing
21/6/01
Agenda
4 stages in essay writing:
Preparing
Planning
Drafting
Editing
Preparation:
Understanding the question
Unpacking the question
Planning:
Exploring avenues of research
Research techniques
Reading critically
Making notes
Recording sources
Drafting
Outline essay plan
Paragraphing
Sentences & signposting
Editing
Proofreading
Checking sources
Presentation
19 April, 2017
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3. Questions for you: What makes a good essay?
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Questions for you:
What makes a good essay?
If you were marking an essay, what would you look for?
1. The essay answers the question
2. Clear
3. Concise
4. Persuasive
5. Evidence - good use of relevant sources
6. Avoid mechanical errors of punctuation and spelling
7. Good presentation
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4. Essay Writing
21/6/01
“To essay”
The verb “to essay” means “to put to the test, to attempt something difficult”.
Essays give you opportunities to come to terms with new knowledge.
Writing an essay helps you to measure how much you really understand.
Dictionary definition of ‘argument’:
‘A set of statements in support of an opinion or proposed course of action. It is expressed in an orderly way, and is used to try and convince someone that the opinion or course of action is correct.’
Differences between talking and writing:
Talking:
Unstructured order
Prompted by questions
Repetition and deviation
Unedited and unpolished
Non-standard language, simple sentence structures
Unrecorded
Writing:
Grammatical conventions - more complex that speech
Structured form
Permanent record - can be revisited years later
Monologue
Edited and polished
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5. Four Stages in Writing an Essay
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Four Stages in Writing an Essay
1. Preparing
2. Planning
3. Drafting
4. Editing
Post-essay writing
5. Learning from the experience
Repetition of slide 3
Plus:
5. Learning from the experience
Essential feedback
Take account of marker’s comments
Reflective learning
Personal evaluation - make notes in study journal
Start action plan - major issues and minor errors
Major issues are areas which lose a lot of marks e.g. not answering the question, lack of evidence, poor argument, weak structure.
Minor issues: spelling, punctuation, grammar.
Do discuss your work with tutor and students - find out what gets good marks.
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6. Essay Writing
21/6/01
Stage 1 Preparing
What question do I need to address and what does it mean?
What do I know about this already?
What do I need to find out?
Research
Need to unpack the question
Assess how much you know about the topic
Assess how much you need to know
Sketch out areas of research
Target sources
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7. Analyse the question What is the subject? What are the key verb(s)?
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Analyse the question
What is the subject?
What are the key verb(s)?
What are the key aspect(s)?
Any other other significant words?
Ask questions about the question
What is the question about - in broad terms.?
What is the key instruction - what does the examiner expect you to write?
Identify which aspects of the main topic need to be addressed.
Any other significant words - anything else that needs to be taken into consideration in planning the answer.
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8. Understand Key Verbs analyse compare and contrast describe discuss
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Understand Key Verbs
analyse
compare and contrast
describe
discuss
evaluate
examine
explore
outline
summarise
Analyse: To take apart and give details of components
Compare and contrast: Look for similarities and differences between; perhaps conclude on which is preferable.
Describe: Give a detailed, full account of.
Discuss: Investigate or examine by argument; debate; give reasons for and against; examine the implications of.
Evaluate: Appraise the worth of something in the light of its truth or usefulness; assess and explain.
Examine: Look at carefully; consider.
Explore: Examine details and demonstrate different perspectives.
Outline: Give a short description of the main points; give the main features, general principles - emphasise the structure, leaving out minor details.
Summarise: Give a concise account of the chief points of a matter, leaving out details/examples.
19 April, 2017
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9. Paragraphing (I) Paragraphs structure thoughts and help the reader
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Paragraphing (I)
Paragraphs structure thoughts and help the reader
Each paragraph should contain
one clear idea
support sentences
Support sentences add to the topic sentence, e.g.
explain ideas raised
define terms more fully
give supporting detail
5 parts to a paragraph:
the idea is introduced
the idea is defined
the idea is explored
evidence is offered in support of your argument
a concluding point is made summing up the paragraph or leading on to the next paragraph.
Topic sentence: Summary of paragraph’s main point.
Develop main point in logical order: examples, illustrations, definitions, comparison and contrast of different views etc.
Last sentence.
Paragraph Activity 1
Ex. 5-1 Topic sentences
19 April, 2017
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10. Paragraphing (II) For every paragraph, ask:
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Paragraphing (II)
For every paragraph, ask:
Is there one main idea here?
Is it stated clearly?
Is it properly supported with evidence?
Have I commented on the evidence?
Does it link with the previous paragraph and anticipate the next?
Checkpoints for paragraph structure:
Read each paragraph
sum up the topic
Is everything relevant?
Is the line of argument clear?
If you have problems wiring paragraphs divide the page into 3 columns:
Column 1
Ideas, theories , line of argument that you wish to pursue
Column 2
Main examples and types of evidence
Column 3
Facts, names, statistics and other supporting information
Each paragraph should have:
1 item from column 1
1, 2, or 3 items from column 2
Several items from column 3
Essay Activity
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11. Beginning a new paragraph
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Beginning a new paragraph
To mark off the introduction and the conclusion
To signal a shift to a new idea
To indicate an important shift in time or place
To emphasise a point
To highlight a contrast
Also reasons for combining paragraphs:
To clarify the essay’s organisation
To connect closely related ideas
To maintain momentum
To bind together choppy text
Paragraph Activity 2
Ex. 6-1 Choosing a method of development
19 April, 2017
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12. Stage 3 Drafting Drafting shapes the notes into an essay. How?
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Stage 3 Drafting
Drafting shapes the notes into an essay.
How?
Revise, reconsider and rewrite what you have done.
Fill in any gaps.
Revise plan, now you know more.
Content and argument:
Text answers the question
Main line of argument is clear
Most important points given the most weighting of words
Research material:
Sufficient examples
Own ideas and opinions are clear to reader
Activities of drafting from Unit 37
What advantages are there in drafting your work?
Identify parts of writing which need repair
Eliminate inconsistencies, irrelevancies etc.
Rearrange the order in which the subject is treated
Experiment with various approaches to topic
Improve writing style.
19 April, 2017
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13. Checking a Rough Draft Look for: the sequence of ideas logic
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Checking a Rough Draft
Look for:
the sequence of ideas
logic
paragraphing
sign-posting
need more information?
grammar
punctuation
Am I answering the question?
Structure:
Ideas are logically linked
Clear paragraph structure
Style:
Free from slang and colloquialisms
Technical vocabulary is used correctly
Text is not repetitive
Clarity:
Introduction sets out line of argument
Line of argument is not confusing
Language is clear and straightforward
General:
Introduction and conclusion relevant to question
References are correct
Taken into account feedback from previous work
Grammar and punctuation are correct
19 April, 2017
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14. Introductions State clearly How you are going to answer the question
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Introductions
State clearly
How you are going to answer the question
What you are going to cover
Address the question, the key idea.
Define key terms.
May help to write the introduction last.
Should be 10% of the word count
DO:
Start with a topic sentence that indicates that the paragraph and essay which follows will be directly relevant to the title.
Try and ensure that this sentence catches the attention of your reader.
Indicate the concerns if not the specific topics with which you will deal in the essay.
Relate this explicitly to the question as you conclude.
DON’T:
Set out all your wares in the first paragraph.
Be too general and vague.
Deal with only one or two or several views or perspectives. Set out a framework and expand in the body of your essay.
Example opening sentences:
Startling statistic
Vivid example
Description
Paradoxical statement
Quotation, definition
Question Introductory paragraphs handout
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15. Conclusions Pull the essay together.
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Conclusions
Pull the essay together.
Show where you stand in the debate (judgement).
Draw conclusions or extract general principles (factual).
May indicate an area for further study.
Link back to the question / essay title.
10-13% of the word count
Summarise your argument or main themes.
State your general conclusions.
Make it clear why these are significant
Refer back to title to demonstrate that you are still answering the questions.
The conclusion contains no new material, but may point to areas of further research.
Think through your essay to the conclusion, be clear on what your line of reasoning leads to:
Refer back to the question - underline the relevance of your essay by relating points to the wording of the title.
Look back at the introduction - pick up theme and point to current and future areas of research
Look back at definitions - do they require modification
Draw your reader’s attention to the most important point in the body of your essay and add further comment.
Don’t list all your points from the introduction in the conclusion, it is unnecessary and dull.
19 April, 2017
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16. Stage 4 Editing Proof read your essay. Check for mistakes: spelling
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Stage 4 Editing
Proof read your essay.
Check for mistakes:
spelling
grammar
punctuation
Check quotations, citations.
Have I answered the question?
Is there a logical, coherent argument?
If in doubt - read it out aloud
Look up doubtful spellings - d not always believe your spell-checker
Spell check poem
19 April, 2017
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17. Presentation Word limit Margins Spacing Font types and sizes
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Presentation
Word limit
Margins
Spacing
Font types and sizes
Legibility
Does it comply with the required layout?
Diagrams
References
Get the computer to help you:
Font - use the same font throughout - keep it clear
Vary type size for heading, but be consistent
Line spacing
Tabs
Indentations
Page numbers
Name and date on each page
Bullet points
Graphics, charts and tables for statistical information
19 April, 2017
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18. Citations Examples: According to Jones (1998), ….
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Citations
Examples:
According to Jones (1998), ….
Jones (1998) argued that ….
To quote from Jones (1998), ….
In name of text, Jones (1998) supported the idea of ….
…. paraphrases …. (Jones, 1998, p82)
References and citations:
Why?
To enable the reader to find any publication you may have referred to in your document.
To avoid plagiarism - copying ideas or thoughts without acknowledging their origin.
So that you can re-visit your sources if required for further research.
To give your argument academic weight.
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19. Quotations Short quotation
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Quotations
Short quotation
Jones (1999, p23) described the idea as ‘quoting a few words’ ….
Long quotation
Jones wrote: long quotes
long quotes
long quotes (Smith, 1999, p9)
etc. etc.
Useful phrases to introduce references and quotations:
As X points out…
According to X
To quote from X
X states/suggests that
X tells/shows us that
In an article entitles Name of Text, X makes the point that
Referring to …, X says that …
As X stated/wrote/said
Writing in Name of Text, X explained that
Writing in 1927, X argued that
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20. References Put at the end of an essay. Do not number them.
Essay Writing
21/6/01
References
Put at the end of an essay.
Do not number them.
Begin each source on a new line.
List alphabetically by the first author’s surname.
Italicise the book or journal title.
Place single quotation marks around the title of an article within a journal.
Conventions in writing your list of references.
In addition:
List all the sources you refer to, including videos, TV, tapes, but not dictionaries or grammar books.
Do not include in the List of References any materials you have not used in your assignment.
List additional sources, which you read but did not use, in a separate Bibliography.
19 April, 2017
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21. Examples of References
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Examples of References
A book
Cottrell, S.M. (1999) The Study Skills Handbook, Macmillan.
An article in a book
Tizard, B. (1991) ‘Working Mothers and the Care of Young Children’ in Woodhead, M., Light, P. and Carr, R. (eds) Growing Up in a Changing Society, Routledge.
19 April, 2017
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22. Bibliography A list of everything you read for the assignment.
Essay Writing
21/6/01
Bibliography
A list of everything you read for the assignment.
They need not be referred to in your writing.
Listed in the same style as references.
19 April, 2017
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