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Dr. MaLinda Hill Advanced English C1-A. Designing Essays, Research Papers, Business Reports and Reflective Statements. What are the Differences among Essays, Research Paper, Business Report and Reflective Statements?.
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Dr. MaLinda HillAdvanced English C1-A Designing Essays, Research Papers, Business Reports and Reflective Statements
What are the Differences amongEssays, Research Paper, Business Report and Reflective Statements? Essays, research papers, business reports and reflective statements differ in their: • Purpose: what are they for • Structure: order of information • Style: formal or informal • Voice: 1st, 2ndvs. 3rd person • Layout: formal or informal
What is an Essay? • An academic piece of writing about a specific subject • Is written for a lecturer, professor or tutor responding to a particular question • Is not a empirical piece of research
What is an Essay? • Presents an argument of ideas, leading the reader from the title at the beginning to a formal conclusion • Is normally written in the third person, but can also refer to first or second person
Why Write an Essay? • To explore a topic in detail • To develop and organize your own ideas and through writing • To develop your writing skills • To express your views about a topic • To allow lecturers to assess your progress
Analyze the Essay Question • Look for the explicit demands i.e. what the question is obviously about • Identify the TOPIC: what is the research question about • Identify the FOCUS: the specific aspect of the topic one will need to concentrate on • Identify the INSTRUCTIONS: what the lecturer wishes one to do
What Are the Specific Issues That Must Be Covered? • An essay question may ask: Why noise must be controlled • With this question, one should analyze the definition of noise • Describe principle methods of controlling noise • Examine the advantages/disadvantages of these methods
Common Instruction Words • Analyze: Break the question/issue into its component parts and explain how they relate to one another • Compare: Concentrates on the similarities • Contrast: Concentrates on the differences
Common Instruction Words • Describe: Gives the main characteristics of features or outline the main events • Evaluate: Weighs up the importance, success or value of something using evidence
Common Instruction Words • Examine: Gives a detailed account of something, question and exploring relevant issues • Explain: Makes clear why something happens or why something is the way it is • Review: Examines how a topic has been studied and comment on the value and limitations of its treatment
Common Instruction Words • State: Write the main points relating to the subject • To what Extent: Considers how far something is true, or contributes to a final outcome • Summarize: Draws out the main points only, omitting details or examples
Look at Implicit Demands Ask yourself: • Why has the question been asked? • What are you suppose to demonstrate: Specific knowledge Personal experience Understanding of theory and practice Demonstrate good communication skills
Before Starting Ask Yourself: • What particular sources do I need to use: handouts, key texts, readings, certain authors or class notes • What key points did the lecturer highlight or explore in class? • What is the TUTOR‘S VIEW on this issue? • What are MY VIEWS on this issue?
How Do I Start? • Write an essay plan • Make a list or brainstorm for ideas • Produce a mind map • Talk to lecturers, fellow students and tutors • Start Writing
Structure of an Essay • Title page • Introduction • Body • Conclusion • Works Cited (Bibliography)
Title Page The title page has the following information: • Title of paper • Student‘s name and identity number • Lecturer‘s name • Date paper is due
Introduction • The introduction explains what the essay is going to do • It should be about 1/10 of the essay • It should explain how you interpret the question
Introduction, cont. • Identify issues that you are going to explore • Give a brief outline of how you will deal with each issue, and in which order
Body • Develop your argument and line of reasoning. • The first sentence introduces the main idea to the paragraph. • Supporting sentences develop the topic of the paragraph.
Body, cont. • A concluding sentence ends the paragraph or introduces the next paragraph. • Sentences links ideas across paragraphs so your argument flows
Body, cont. • Body/main argument/discussion which is to include: Example A: example of application evidence for evidence against why not convincing Alternative Theory B: same as above
Use Linking Words to Link Paragraphs and ideas • The words: also, in addition and more over show that you are continuing in the same direction • The words: whereas, nevertheless, however and on the other hand show that you are changing directions • The words: first, second and finally state the order of your argument.
Conclusion • The conclusion should not be more than 1/10 of the essay • Summarize your argument and the main themes, using original wording • State your general conclusions (your opinion) and/or give recommendations.
Conclusion, cont. • Stress the importance why the conclusions are important or significant • Final sentence should look toward future developments. • Don‘t add any new ideas.