IMPROVING YOUR ESSAY WRITING SKILLS

IN CRIMINOLOGY

Introduction & Overview

1. Understanding the marking structure & essay requirements2. Interpreting an essay question3. Initial planning and brainstorming

4. Research and referencing

5. Critical thinking and analysis6. Developing an argument7. Structuring an essay

8. Writing and editing

1. Understanding marks

1. Understanding marks

Overall average mark

70

CREDIT

60 80

1. Understanding marks (70)

We essentially look for….1. A general understanding of the concept(s)/topic.

¤Uses “key” terms.¤Correct application of the concepts.

2. An essay that is readable.¤Spelling, grammar, comprehension (logical

flow) and referencing.

2. Interpreting an Essay Question

2. Interpreting an essay question

You are required to produce an academically informed research essay about a topical criminal justice issue. You may choose one topic from the following list of three choices:1. Concerns about the rising prison population in Australia.2. Concerns about excessive police use of force.3. Concerns about the use of traditional courts for Indigenous Australian

defendants.

Your report should review and discuss the literature about:¨ The extent of the problem¨ Contemporary approach(es) being developed/implemented to address it¨ The effectiveness of said measures to improve the situation¨ Make at least one recommendation (about the approach you evaluate)

based on the evidence

2. Interpreting an essay question

Your report should review and discuss the literature about:¨ Describe: The extent of the problem¨ Identify: Contemporary approach(es) being developed/implemented to address it¨ Evaluate: The effectiveness of said measures to improve the situation¨ Argue for: at least one recommendation (about the approach you evaluate) based on

the evidence

Breaking down the question:

¨ Ensures that you actually answer the whole question.

¨ Helps to avoid regurgitation of all knowledge acquired on the topic.

¨ Allows you to identify the most important elements (where you will spend more time).

¨ Starts to define your essay structure (response to the question).

¨ Tells you what you will be marked on (check out the rubric - it matches the task)

3. Initial Planning & Brainstorming

3. Initial Planning & Brainstorming

Start to consider the question(s) in more detail (before going off to conduct any research); what do you already know about the topic?

Tools we can use:¨ Mind mapping¨ (Collapsible) Essay skeletons

4. Research & Referencing

4. Research & References

References are evidence – it helps to prove your point!

Evidence could be: - an example- a fact- a theory or concept- a statistic- or a quotation or paraphrase.

4. Research & ReferencesWhere to look first

Topic Guide6 References

Textbook53 References

First Article131 References

Total: 190 different resources

4. Research & ReferencesWhat is good evidence

A range of sources including the following: ¨ Textbook chapters¨ Academic journal articles articles books¨ Government reports & statistics (AIC, BOCSAR, SAPOL)¨ Some good quality websites (as above – AIC etc)

What sources are not appropriate in a research essay?

4. Research & References How to find evidenceFor peer-reviewed journal articles, use an academic database (FindIt@Flinders, Scopus, discipline-specific databases located on the library website).

To broaden the search, use Google Scholar. To search for government reports and statistics, try government websites (BOCSAR, SAPOL, AIC). Google with caution!

Construct a search strategy using key terms and Boolean operators to help you find relevant works. E.g.,

Refine your search as you go to find more results.

¨ ("use of force" OR "abuse of power") AND police AND Australia

4. Research & References

When you find a good point or a sentence that is worded in a way that you can perfectly understand …Make a note of it!

Copy-paste it into your essay skeleton under the appropriate heading (with the in-text citation). You might later choose to paraphrase (re-word) the quotation in your own words.

4. Research & ReferencesWhy reference?

In-text referencing is important because: ¨ It shows that you found a piece of evidence that

justifies your claim(s).¨ Identifies where that evidence (idea) was obtained

from, allowing the reader to look up that evidence& continue your line of enquiry.¤ And… avoids academic plagiarism!

4. Research & referencesHow to cite ‘in-text’

Citations may be placed, in brackets, at the end of a sentence or at the end of the clause/phrase it relates to (before a punctuation mark):

Broken windows theory best applies to this situation (Wilson and Kelling 1982). The theory suggests that …

This was demonstrated in the Safe and Clean Neighbourhoods Program (Wilson and Kelling 1982), as well as in the current example.

Another way of including a reference in your text is to integrate the author’s surname into your sentence, followed by the year of publication in parentheses:

Wilson & Kelling (1982) claim that unless order is maintained…

4. Research & referencesHow to cite ‘in-text’

For citing direct quotes (restates the original words of the author), quote the page number:

‘The essence of the police role in maintaining order is to reinforce the informal control mechanisms of the community’ (Wilson & Kelling 1982, p. 34).

When referring to the overall content (an idea which can be found throughout the source and not on a single line on a single page), you do not need to cite page numbers:

Wilson and Kelling (1982) explain that police work involves some degree of order maintenance in establishing social control, especially when ….

4. How much research is enough?

“How many references will we need?”

It’s really not about quantity… its about QUALITY!

You’ve done enough research when you can confidently convey the idea/concept in your own words.

Having said that, a rule of thumb when starting off is 1 reference per 100 words of text.

5. Critical Thinking & Analysis

What is Critical Thinking?

When you are thinking critically, you are thinking actively. You are not just thinking passively and accepting everything you see, hear or read. Active thinking involves asking questions about what you see, hear and read; you are evaluating, categorising, and finding relationships.

Source: www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/learning/critical#what

Achieving Critical Analysis in an Essay

1. Think about your references2. Avoid description3. Interpret your evidence4. Think about counter-arguments5. Go beyond yes/ no thinking6. Always ask why? and so

what?

6. Developing an argument

Developing an argument

¨ It is very important to develop an argument inresponse to the essay question

¨ Ask yourself: what is my key argumentin response to this question?

¨ An argument makes critical thinking possible -it is the foundation on which you undertake youranalysis, link evidence, build relationships, talkabout significance and implications etc.

Developing a core argument

This report shows that… [the prison population is / is not rising in Australia] [police use / do not use excessive force] [traditional courts are / are not appropriate for Indigenous Australians] … and that policy initiatives such as ________________ are / are not effective because ________________. Accordingly, it is recommended that ________________.

Developing and substantiating an argument

¨ Now you have an argument it is important to support this argument (and its sub-arguments) with key points and evidence.

¨ Ask yourself: Why do I think this? How did I come up with this argument? (critical thinking)

¨ Think about and gesture towardscounter arguments.

Developing an argument Language

¨ Avoid personal statementsBad: I personally believe that criminals should be locked up and

then I think we should throw away the key because in my opinion retribution is the most important aim of punishment.

Good: Smith (2009) argues that offenders should suffer harsh sentences such as imprisonment as retribution is a key aim of punishment. OR

Good: As retribution is a key aim of punishment (Jones 2008) imprisonment is important as it is the harshest form of punishment in our society.

Note: often good structures means you support your argument with evidence

Developing an argument Language ¨ Avoid overly strong words, statements, or opinions and slang

or informal language

Bad: The absolutely horrific crime of murder clearly provesthat all criminals are born bad and evil.

Good: Mass murder can be used as an example of deterministic theories of crime.

Bad: Police forces are made up of macho, tough guys who viciously beat up young kids.

Good: Police culture can lead to an emphasis on physical behaviour, male-domination, and over-policing based on stereotypes.

Developing an argument Language

¨ Avoid generalisations and assertions

Bad: All police use discretion badly all of the time Good: Police discretion can have both good and bad

consequences.

Bad: Crime is increasing. Good: The number of assaults in South Australia increased

by 5% from 2017 to 2019 (SAPOL 2020). Note: being specific is important and often reminds you to provide evidence!

Developing an argument Language…or not

I believe that we should bring back the deathpenalty. Criminals are bad people. Retribution works and it is clear that the death penalty would deter all people from committing horrific and unforgivable crimes like murder. If not for stopping crime what is the criminal justice system for? Therefore I think that it is obvious that the death penalty is a pretty good thing and will stop murder because this crime is increasing.

7. Essay Structure

Planning what the final essay will look like.

Structure provides the framework for your essay Introduction = 10% of the word length.- Introduces the topic/argument.

Body = 80% of the word length.- Replies to the research question – speaks to the argument.

Conclusion = 10% of the word length.- Summarises your overall answer to the research question – restates the

argument.

Reference List - Lists the resources you have directly used.

Burns, T & Sinfield, S 2008, Essential study skills: The complete guide to success at university, Sage Publications: London.

Paragraphs

¨ Paragraphs organise your writing and make thebody of your essay clearer

¨ Remember: One key point = one paragraph¨ Each paragraph must convey the point of the

paragraph in a topic sentence, explain the point,and provide evidence in support of your point.

¨ Each paragraph should flow logically to thenext.

7. Writing & Editing

The Importance of Good Writing

Good Writing: ¨ Conveys your point¨ Shows your knowledge¨ Strengthens your argument¨ Engages the reader¨ Makes your essay look polished and professional¨ Achieves higher marks!

Writing Complete Sentences

A sentence is a group of words that:

• Begins with a capital letter;• Ends with a full stop, exclamation mark, or question mark;• Contains a subject;• Contains a finite verb;• Expresses a complete thought.

Source: Hay, I., Bochner D. & Dungey, C. (2006) Making the Grade: A Guide to Successful Communication and Study, Oxford University Press, New York.

Keep it Short and Simple

SHORT – DECLARATIVE - SENTENCES

¨ Split long sentences into shorter ones:

Although it is a good idea to read as much as possible because it will help to improve your writing style, it is not a good idea to spend so much time reading that you never have time for writing assignments or talking to your colleagues, and so the advice usually given is that students should spend one hour of each day in general reading.

¨ This sentence is too long!

Keep it Short and Simple

It is a good idea to read as much as possible because it will improve your writing style. However, too much time spent in reading will leave you with no time for writing assignments or talking to colleagues. Therefore, we usually advise students to spend one hour each day in general reading.

Source: Hay, I., Bochner D. & Dungey, C. (2006) Making the Grade: A Guide to Successful Communication and Study, Oxford University Press, New York.

Keep it Short and Simple

¨ Remove unnecessary words:

Social crime prevention focuses intensively on the values and the social discipline systems and beliefs that influence or affect, or may impact upon whether or not people may decide to commit crime, whether those crimes that they commit are major crimes, like murder, or minor crimes, like theft, and regardless of the environmental factors and pressures that can also impact on and influence the commission of such aforementioned crimes.

Keep it Short and Simple

¨ Social crime prevention focuses intensively on thevalues and the social discipline systems andbeliefs that influence or affect, or may impactupon whether or not people may decide tocommit crime. whether those crime that theycommit are major crimes, like murder, or minorcrimes, like theft, and regardless of theenvironmental factors and pressures that canalso impact on and influence the commission ofsuch aforementioned crimes.

Personal vs. Impersonal Writing

Personal statements, or first person writing is an indication of uncritical thinking, an undeveloped argument and a lack of research and referencing.

Examples to avoid: I believe, I feel, in my opinion, personally, I think.

Editing

Editing is an essential part of writing your essay

¨ Check through your essay at least three times1. Makes sense (logical argument)2. Flows well & everything is relevant (structure)3. No spelling or grammatical errors (writing

style)

Use available resources/support! E.g., Studiosity.