Essay Writing Student Learning Advisory Service Gina May

Essay Writing Student Learning Advisory Service Gina May

Why Write Essays? �Development �Feedback �Revision Material

The Five Stages �Interpretation �Research �Planning �Writing �Editing and Proofreading

Why Plan? � Keep arguments relevant � Argue clearly and consistently � Present sufficient evidence � Nothing omitted � Communicate ideas accurately Dangers of not having a plan … Information presented inconsistently Material considered as irrelevant

Plan to … �Avoid irrelevancies �Reveal �Work the structure towards a high mark �Analyse the key concepts

Introduction �Introduce the subject and thesis ◦ Presents facts ◦ Gives them meaning ◦ Makes argument readily accessible ◦ Helps the reader An essay is NOT: A murder mystery – unexpected twists and turns An action movie – not knowing where it will end Love letter – sentimental and starry-eyed

Writing an Introduction �Make it substantial ◦ A clear idea of your purpose ◦ Show where essay is headed ◦ Include theme and general facts ◦ The general conclusion

Example ‘Discuss the role of women over the centuries. ’ The role of women has changed over the centuries, and it has also differed from civilization to civilization. Some societies have treated women much like property, while others have allowed women to have great influence and power. Variable treatment of women in Ancient Egypt, Classical Greece, Medieval France, early Islamic civilisation.

The role of women <in Western society> has changed <dramatically> over the centuries, <from the repression of ancient Greece to the relative freedom of women living in Medieval France. The treatment of women> has also differed from civilization to civilization <even at the same period in history>. Some societies <such as Islamic ones> have treated women much like property, while others <like ancient Egypt> have allowed women to have great influence and power. <This paper will trace the development of women's rights and powers from ancient Egypt to late medieval France and explore their changing political, social and economic situation through time. All the various means women have used to assert themselves show the different ways they have fought against repression and established themselves in authority. >

Paragraphs �The building blocks of an essay �Contains one main idea �Show the relationship between the information and the main thesis �Build upon each other to form the argument

Each sentence of the paragraph should be … �Unified with the controlling idea �Clearly related to thesis �Coherent and logically arranged �Supported by evidence

Types of Paragraphs � Narration: Go chronologically, from start to finish One North Carolina man found quite a surprise last year while fishing in the Catawba River: a piranha. Jerry Melton, of Gastonia, reeled in a one pound, four ounce fish with an unusual bite. Melton could not identify it, but a nearby fisherman did. Melton at first could not believe he had caught a piranha. He said, “That ain’t no piranha. They ain’t got piranha around here. ” Melton was right: the fish is native to South America, and North Carolina prohibits owning the fish as a pet or introducing the species to local waterways. The sharp-toothed, carnivorous fish likely found itself in the Catawba River when its illegal owner released the fish after growing tired of it. Wildlife officials hope that the piranha was the only of its kind in the river, but locals are thinking twice before they wade in the water.

� Description: Provide specific details about what something looks, smells, tastes, sounds, or feels like. Piranha are omnivorous, freshwater fish, which are mostly known for their single row of sharp, triangular teeth in both jaws. Piranhas’ teeth come together in a scissor-like bite and are used for puncture and tearing. Baby piranha are small, about the size of a thumbnail, but full-grown piranha grow up to about 6 -10 inches, and some individual fish up to 2 feet long have been found. The many species of piranha vary in colour, though most are either silvery with an orange underbelly and throat or almost entirely black.

�Process: Explain how something works, step by step You can safely swim with piranhas, but it’s important to know how and when to do it. First, chose an appropriate time, preferably at night and during the rainy season. Avoid piranha-infested waters during the dry season, when food supplies are low and piranhas are more desperate. Piranhas feed during the day, so night-time swimming is much safer. Second, streamline your movement. Wild or erratic activity attracts the attention of piranhas. Swim slowly and smoothly. Finally, never enter the water with an open wound or raw meat. Piranhas attack larger animals only when they are wounded. The presence of blood in the water may tempt the fish to attack. If you follow these simple precautions, you will have little to fear

Other types of paragraph �Classification: ◦ Separate into groups or explain the various parts of a topic �Illustration: ◦ Give examples and explain how those examples prove your point.

5 Steps to a Paragraph 1. Decide on a controlling idea and create a topic sentence 2. Explain the controlling idea 3. Give an example(s) 4. Explain the example(s) 5. Complete the idea, or create transition

Troubleshooting: Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans. Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

topic (or controlling idea) evidence relationship to the broader argument

Conclusion �Completes the frame around the argument �Demonstrates the importance of the argument �Give a good impression �End on a positive note Maybe: Consider broader issues make new connections elaborate on the significance of

Strategies � Consider � Return � Use - ‘so what? ’, ‘why should anybody care? ’ to theme in the introduction key words or parallel concepts to introduction � Synthesize � Include – DON’T summarise provocative insight or quotation � Propose: course of action, solution to an issue, questions for further study � Point to broader issues

Avoid … �Unnecessary, over-used phrases: ◦ in conclusion ◦ in summary ◦ in closing �Introducing new ideas or subtopic �Rephrase the introduction �Sentimentality �Additional evidence

Editing and Proofreading �Distance �Change �Avoid yourself from the text the look of the document distractions

PARIS IN THE SPRING

ONCE IN A A LIFETIME

BIRD IN THE HAND

Editing �Check: ◦ Smooth transitions between paragraphs ◦ Evidence supports your case ◦ Organisation �Have ◦ ◦ ◦ you: Answered the question Made an argument Made consistent claims Given enough evidence Stayed relevant

Checking the Overall Structure �Does the essay: ◦ Have an introduction and conclusion ◦ Clearly state thesis in introduction ◦ Show each paragraph is related to thesis ◦ Have paragraphs in a logical sequence ◦ Have clear transitions between paragraphs

Structure within paragraphs �Does each paragraph: ◦ Have a clear topic sentence ◦ Stick to one main idea ◦ Have any extraneous or missing sentences �Clarity: ◦ ◦ Important terms defined? Meaning of each sentence clear? Correct diction? Clarity of pronouns? (he, she, it, they, who etc) ◦ Chose correct words?

Also check … �Style �Citations �Proofread: ◦ ◦ Spelling, grammar, punctuation DO NOT rely on spell-checkers DO NOT rely on grammar-checkers Read out loud, slowly

Finally … �Submit essay RELAX!!!