Essay Writing Skills

Before You StartWhat exactly is the TASKStructuring, Patterning, TexturingWhile You Are in Mid FlowAfter You Have Finished

presented by: Professor Federica G Pedriali

DELC SKILLS LECTURES, WK 7 S1 2018-2019

Before You Start

choose the right topic

understand the question

give yourself plenty time

plan your essay well

start writing soon

does make senseYes, the obvious

Still Before You Start

2 – create the right environment1 – own your course

3 – draw your drawing board4 – play with your notes (waste paper) 5 – try it on others (try it on your tutors)6 – try it before a good night’s sleep

Yes,

because

What exactly

isTHE

TASK?

Structuring, Patterning, TexturingThe basics of structure• One container• Several parts

What it must have• Introduction• Main Body• Conclusions• References

How to go about it• Thesis + Antithesis + Synthesis• Citation or definition for a starter• Keep something for the Conclusions• Write your Introduction last

Still on Structuring, Patterning, Texturing

2 – be present: say “I”! 1 – avoid too many blockquotes

3 – be ruthless: weed out!4 – dare have strong arguments5 – divide into sections

6 – try it before a good night’s sleep

7 – print out regularly6 – have disclaimers

8 – signpost for attention9 – take a break to review

10 – write to a word count

While you are in mid flow | Straightening that paper

Acknowledge others

While you are still in mid flow

Think about your readers!They happen to be your markers…They happen to be professional readers…They happen to have read student work before…

Think about your previous readers!How have academic readers taken to your work…What was previous feedback trying to tell you…Can you straighten your paper to engage them more…

Yes – Managing your readers well is one of those super PR skills!

Lastly – but not truly ever so…

When you think you have finished, do start editing yourself…Check for repetitions, redundancies – yes, do prune and weed out…Check for text and referencing consistency – typos really do have a will of their own…Check both on screen and hard print – you will be amazed at the difference in catchment…

Those last cleaning up moves produce more great content... You have made it – you can see it (that you have…). Use that feeling too!

In sum:You can play essay fever to your strengths…But you must help, and also do ask for help!

You can experiment, provoke, and be yourself…But please play by most of the rules…

If you want to try it on us before you start…… just do it – do ask to try in on us!...

On your courses:You have looked at XY from a variety of angles…We have created the contexts for the essay to come…

We have worked on an umbrella understanding… And we have made some key broad connections…

If you need to join more dots before you start…… do come back for more individual or group work!

Buon lavoro!

presented by: Professor Federica G Pedrialihttps://edinburgh.academia.edu/federicagpedriali

NEXT LECTURE – Referencing, WK 9

Before You StartWhat exactly is the TASKStructuring, Patterning, TexturingWhile You Are in Mid FlowAfter You Have Finished