1. Essay Writing Presented by JLC’s Mentors

2. What are you writing about? Before you even begin to write an essay you must understand what the essay question is asking of you. INSTRUCTIONAL DIRECTIVE WORD(S) Telling you what to do, explain, describe etc. CONTENT WORDS The object of the discussion, normally a thing, malaria, national debt, child poverty etc. LIMITING WORDS Placing the question in a workable context, e.g. “discuss computers in schools” Q. Describe the popularity of the Chicken Korma in the UK

3. Planning your work

4. Why is it important to plan ? It’s tempting to just jump straight in, but it is important that you always take the time to plan your essays. This will help you to: Make sure that you are answering the question Prioritise and organise your argument Show a clear structure Work more quickly and efficiently while writing up your essay

5. What should a plan include? Essay plans can take many shapes and sizes. Some of you will prefer to write a linear plan others may use mind maps. All plans however should include the following: Each point you’re going to be making How each point is going to be developed How each point relates to the question Any evidence or sources you will be using to illustrate the point A few notes for the introduction and conclusion (do this last, you can’t know what you are going to introduce or conclude until you know what you are going to say in the main body.)

6. Describe the popularity of the Chicken Korma in the UK In your groups, make a plan for the following essay question. Once you have done this you should be left with the ‘skeleton’ of your essay. Then all you need to do is flesh it out!

7. Paragraph structure And this is how! Once you have planned the points you will make in your essay, each point should have a paragraph that clearly explains it…

8. TEEL Topic Sentence ◦This is a statement about what point your paragraph will make. Example ◦This is the evidence to back up your point Explanation ◦This is where you demonstrate that you understand your example, and explain how it supports your point. Link ◦This where you sum-up your point, and then introduce your next idea.

9. Have a go Use the TEEL sheet to plan one paragraph of an answer to the question you have planned.

10. Remember Keep it concise, to the point, and please don’t waffle! Make the examiner want to give you the marks…. Don’t make it difficult for them!

11. Essay Structuring

12. ESSAY WRITING 3 parts to an essay: ◦1) Introduction – Refer back to the question, highlight the important words that you feel you may need to define. ◦2) Main Body – In this section you would exhibit the main ideas/various arguments and points of view. ◦3) Conclusion – Bring together what you have found, relate it back to the essay question and in some circumstances say what you think about it and your thoughts

13. Bibliography You MUST reference any sources you use!! There are various ways to reference depending on which source you have used, for example: Book - Gross, D. Richard (1992) Psychology The Science of Mind and Behaviour. Kent, Thomson Litho Ltd. Website – BBC News (2013) Ofsted chief voices fears for brightest pupils. [Internet], Available from: [Accessed 28 th January 2013]. Podcast – Opera, Sweatpants & Yoga. (2013) London, BBC Radio 1. 18 January 2013. Available from: [Accessed 28 January 2013].

14. Research Remember: When you are researching you are looking for information which will help you answer a specific question. Where to look? Old Newspapers and Magazines Journals Google Books News Websites Podcasts e-books Images Blogs