Writing the essay What is an academic essay

Writing the essay

What is an academic essay? • Objective language • Reported speech • Third person pronoun • No contractions • Evidenced • Coherent and cohesive • Correct grammar • Edited • Error free Academic Style Introduction Body Researched Conclusion Evidenced 2

The essay structure Introduction (approximately 10%) Body (approximately 80%) • • Topic sentence Supporting statements (evidence) Critical thinking (Your voice) Example General introduction to the topic Key issues related to the topic Aim of the paper (What) Scope of the discussion (How) Conclusion (approximately 10%) • • • Restate thesis statement (main message) Recap key points highlighted in the discussion Conclude with a statement related to the topic 3

Instruction words Analyse Examine something closely in terms of its parts and how they are related Argue Systematically support or reject a position by presenting reasons and give evidence for acceptance or rejection Assess Decide how important something is and give your reasons Compare Discuss two or more things in terms of their similarities and differences Classify Arrange into groups or classes Critique Evaluate something by identifying its strengths, weaknesses, limitations, etc. Define Provide clear, concise authoritative meanings Describe Present a detailed account of something Discuss Offer an interpretation or evaluation of something; present a judgement on the value of arguments for and against something Evaluate Form a judgement about the value of something 4

Instruction words (cont’d) Examine Inspect something in detail and investigate the implications Explain Analyse in order to show reasons, causes and effects; clarify by the use of models and examples Illustrate Offer examples to show or why something has happened; explain a concept by providing examples Identify Point out and describe Interpret Make clear the meaning of something and its interpretations Justify Give reasons as to why certain decisions should be made or certain conclusions reached Outline Go through and identify briefly the main features of something Prove Show by logical argument Review Re-examine, analyse and comment briefly on the major points Summarise Give the main points of detailed information 5

Reporting verbs according to W clarifies N points out W adds N comments N predicts N affirms N concludes N presents W agrees N concurs N proposes N analyses S considers N proves N argues S insists S questions S asserts S maintains N recommends N believes N mentions W refers to W challenges S notes W refutes S claims S outlines W W : Weak N : Neutral S : Strong 6

Organisation of the body • • • Topic sentence to introduce key point 1 Supporting statements (evidence: minimum of 2/3 references) Critical thinking (your voice: interpretation of what this means: your discipline, the local context, strengths, limitations, critique, etc. ) Example (contextualise: where possible) Topic sentence to introduce key point 2 Supporting statements (evidence: minimum of 2/3 references) Critical thinking (your voice: interpretation of what this means: your discipline, the local context, strengths, limitations, critique, etc. ) Example (contextualise: where possible) Topic sentence to introduce key point 3 Supporting statements (evidence: minimum of 2/3 references) Critical thinking (your voice: interpretation of what this means: your discipline, the local context, strengths, limitations, critique, etc. ) Example (contextualise: where possible) 7

Introduction: Example 8

Body: Example

Conclusion: Example 10

Resources for writing the essay Video on essay writing: https: //youtu. be/JKUH 7 G 6 W 7 fg Writing essays: https: //lo. unisa. edu. au/mod/resource/view. php? id=299198 Paragraph writing: https: //lo. unisa. edu. au/mod/page/view. php? id=298397 Critical thinking: https: //lo. unisa. edu. au/mod/resource/view. php? id=311738 Linking words and phrases: https: //lo. unisa. edu. au/mod/resource/view. php? id=298965 Writing objectively: https: //lo. unisa. edu. au/mod/resource/view. php? id=299084 11