Mastering Essay Writing: Complete Guide for Academic Success

1. Chapter 3Essay writing

2. Learning objectives On completion of this chapter students will know how to: • prepare a research plan for an essay • prepare a writing plan for an essay • present persuasive arguments supplemented with references • write a well-presented academic essay.

3. Why write essays? • To analyse a topic closely • To develop a point of view in relation to a topic • To persuade the reader that your position is well supported by the ideas and information you present.

4. Steps in writing an essay • Choose the question • Analyse the question • Make an initial plan • Locate the resources • Read and make notes • Write the first draft • Revise and redraft • Organise the reference list • Proofread

5. Choose the question • Which topic interests you the most? • Which has good resource material available? • Which is relevant to you personally or professionally? • Which would you find easiest to write about?

6. Analyse the question • Three main parts of an essay question: • process words • analyse, explain, discuss, compare, contrast, describe, justify, criticise, interpret, argue • content words • describe the content you will focus on in the essay • limit words • information limits (e.g. time, place, group) • academic limits (word length, due date)

7. Types of essays • Two main types of essays: • explain (an essay that explains a process or situation) • argue (an essay that argues a point of view). • In analysing the question, determine which type of essay you are expected to write. • Many essays are a combination of both types.

8. Plan your essay • Do this as soon as you have analysed the question. Use the knowledge you already have about the topic. • The plan will: • help you clarify your point of view • give you direction (get you started) • point you towards resources. • Remember: this is only an initial plan and you can add to it as you progress towards the final document.

9. Structure of an essay • Introduction (10%) Define the question and the key terms. Give a thesis statement: this is the main idea you will develop in the essay using evidence. • Body (80%) Develop evidence, information and examples for each side of the topic, with support from appropriate references. • Conclusion (10%) Weigh up the information and give your opinion based on the evidence. No new material.

10. Locate the resources • Where to look: • university library catalogue and databases • your textbook, plus other texts • the reference list of one good resource (find one and you are on your way) • the Internet (beware! Not all information on the Web is suitable). • Always keep a full bibliographic record of sources.

11. Research and note-taking • Organise and focus the research. • Use section headings based on the analysis of the question. • Carefully read and take notes from the readings you have selected for the assignment. • This is the beginning of your research plan.

12. Read and take notes • Revise Chapter 2 on note-taking. • Scan the whole text first. • Look for key words and phrases. • Locate and read the thesis and topic sentences carefully. • Take notes in your own words. • Think while your read: why is this document relevant? Ask yourself questions. Be critical.

13. Write the first draft • Based on your research, create an essay plan (what you will include in your essay). • Make sure you have enough time to write and revise the essay. • Write the main points of the essay (the body) first and then write the introduction and conclusion.