ESSAY WRITING SKILLS some advice Essay writing WHY

ESSAY WRITING SKILLS some advice

Essay writing: WHY? Consolidation & test of your own understanding Feedback from your tutor Tool for revision

A GOOD ESSAY Good command of facts Evidence of creative and critical thinking Subtlety and complexity Well structured Lucid and coherent See the Writing Essays and Commentaries page for more details and criteria.

How to approach the essay? Interpreting the question Reading purposefully; gathering evidence Processing the ideas; analysis Structure Writing up Synthesis Final checks

Interpreting the question Read question carefully Identify key issues that need to be addressed

Exercise one paris in the spring once in a a lifetime < B. Greetham, How to Write Better Essays bird in the hand

Exercise two Underline the key words in the following essay titles and consider what you’re being asked to do:

Essay question 1 ‘In Le Cœur à rire et à pleurer Condé presents her mother as a distant figure who struggles to understand her daughter’s needs. ’ Discuss this assertion in the light of your own reading of the text. ’

Answer: ‘In Le Cœur à rire et à pleurer Condé presents her mother as a distant figure who struggles to understand her daughter’s needs. ’ Discuss this assertion in the light of your own reading of the text. .

Essay question 2 Compare and contrast the treatment of theme of isolation in ANY TWO of the following texts : La Place ; Le Cœur à rire et à pleurer; Le Samourai; Un héros très discret.

answer Compare and contrast the treatment of theme of isolation in ANY TWO of the following texts : La Place ; Le Cœur à rire et à pleurer; Le Samourai; Un héros très discret.

Reading purposefully q. Primary text(s): • Good understanding of the whole • Specific textual evidence q. Secondary texts: • General background, current issues • Support and direction • Useful quotes

Reading secondary sources Are they necessary? Advantages Drawbacks

Advantages of secondary source use History and context(s) Understanding of the author / authorial approach Examples of close reading Understanding different critical approaches and reading styles: Marxist Post-colonialist Feminist Psycho-analytical

Disadvantages of secondary sources They are not always relevant You risk losing your own voice in a sea of different voices. Different critical approaches to a text may confuse

Some advice about use Think about your essay title first: what kind of information are you looking for? Try to read 2 different critical responses to a text. If you don’t understand it, don’t use it! Be analytical! Don’t regurgitate background details.

Remember!! Your opinions and ideas are the most important!!! Never lose sight of them. For more thoughts on using secondary material, see: Study skills handbook Neil Mc. Caw, How To Read Texts (Continuum: 2008) Peter Barry, Beginning Theory, 3 rd. ed. (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2009)

Processing ideas Brainstorm Thinking ideas through Clear examples Less clear example Counter example Checking your notes Drawing up a plan

Brainstorming

Brainstorming Mind manager software: http: //www 2. warwick. ac. uk/services/its/servicessupp ort/software/list/mindmanager

Structuring your essay Introduction Development Paragraphs Logical progression Conclusion

Remember:

Writing up Stick to your plan Make your point and move on Tone and register Readability Referencing Check out the departmental conventions outlined on the Writing Essays and Commentaries page! Logical and valid conclusion (synthesis)

Final checks CONTENTS Question answered? Facts Repetitions? Readability FORM Spelling French quotes References Name

Last but not least… Meet the deadline Keep back-up copies Analyse your mistakes and study your tutor’s comments …GOOD LUCK!…