1. INTRODUCTION TO WRITING AN ESSAY
Will Baker

2. BASIC ESSAY STRUCTURE Paragraph Essay main idea
supporting example/detail
contrasting example/point of view - further detail
concluding sentence
Essay
introductory paragraph
body (supporting examples and detail)
conclusion

3. A diagram to show basic essay structure From: Oshima, A and Hogue, A

4. THE USE OF PARAGRAPHS
sequencing - indicating where you are and where you are going
referencing - avoiding ambiguity in identifying referents where pronouns such as it or this are concerned
linking - joining ideas or sentences logically

5. AREAS OF IMPORTANCE IN WRITING ESSAYS
Content
Coherence
Cohesion
Writing style
Accuracy
Presentation (Observation of the conventions of academic writing)

6. CRITICAL ESSAY WRITING SKILLS
Critical thinking skills
(Adapted from

7. How to improve your technique: some general principles
Essays need a structure
Essays must be a response to a specific title
Do not forget the essay title
Avoid one-sided essays
Demonstrate your depth of knowledge
Remember the higher order skills of analysis and evaluation
Use appropriate language
(Adapted from

8. The essay plan - a suggested model
(Adapted from