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Academic SkillsTips for Essay Writing

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Outline of today’s lecture

Academic skills

Essay writing Paraphrasing Summarizing

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Before you start Read your Module Handbook for information

about your assignment (s), e.g.:

title

marking criteria

learning outcomes

recommended reading

word count

deadline, etc.

If unsure, ask your lecturer.

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Make sure you understand it. The verb (s) in the title are most important, as these tell you how to approach the subject.

Underline key words in the essay title.

Begin with the Essay title (1st step)

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For example

Analyze -describe the main ideas: show how they are connected to each other and why they are important

Compare and contrast -say how things are similar and different

Define - give the meaning and write down an example

Describe – give a picture in words

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Discuss – write about the subject in detail and present all sides of a topic

Evaluate – give the good (positive) and bad (negative) points and say what you think about a topic

Explain – give the reasons for something Justify – say why; Give reasons

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Reflect – review an experience in order to describe, analyse and evaluate to inform learning and future practice

Review – give an overall view of the important aspects of a topic, provide evidence for your claims

Summarise – bring together the main points and write about them in a clear, brief way

Based on ideas from Elizabeth Burns (2004)

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Gathering material

Use online academic sources to find material

Use textbooks, journals, for knowledge and evidence.

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Essay structure

Your essay needs to have a structure: Introduction Main Body (divided into paragraphs) Conclusion References (& Bibliography)

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Introduction

Briefly explains the aim and content of the essay (8-10% of word count) .

Demonstrate the background of your topic.

Use indications to guide your reader through your essay eg: first, second, then, afterwards, finally

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Main Body

Each paragraph should only address one topic or issue.

Two paragraphs can state one issue BUT not two issues in one paragraph.

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Main Body

Paragraphs contain PEEEL.

Each one has a main Point. – first sentence of the paragraph

The rest of the paragraph is used to say more about that topic. It will contain Evidence of the main point, an Explanation/Examination, some Examples

it will Link to the next paragraph

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Linking words

Use the following words or phrases to order and add further arguments or add emphasis:

also,

as well as,

moreover,

further,

furthermore,

in addition,

additionally,

firstly, secondly, thirdly, next, lastly, finally

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To show importance:

…most importantly,

above all,

the most significant reason

etc

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To make comparisons or highlight similarities:

likewise,

in the same way,

equally,

also,

etc

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To show contrast or highlight differences:

... but,

although,

however,

yet,

despite,

whereas,

on the contrary,

otherwise,

nevertheless,

in contrast to this

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To explain results/effects:

as a result,

hence,

therefore,

thus,

etc

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To provide examples/clear explanations:

...for example,

for instance,

such as,

in other words,

to put it another way

etc

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To draw conclusions:

...as has been discussed, in brief, in short,

to summarise, to sum up,

in conclusion

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Conclusion

8-10% of word count Do not introduce new material /

arguments. Summarise the key points from the

main body. [Suggest implications or areas worthy

of further consideration]

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References

Use APA referencing. List the sources alphabetically by the

author’s surname initial. Do not number, bullet point or divide

sources by type, i.e. journals, websites, etc. Double check that all your references in the

text are full acknowledged at the references section at the end

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To avoid this…

1. Start working on your essay as soon as possible.

2. Avoid leaving things for the last minute…3. ‘SAVE’ your document frequently4. Make sure you do not lose any documents from

your PC/laptop.