Essay Writing:What you need to
know
Copyright © 2014 The University of Adelaide
Dr Julia Miller
School of Education
The University of Adelaide Slide 4
Session outline1. What is an essay?
2. Why do we do essays?
3. How do I approach an essay?
4. What does an essay look like?
5. How is an essay marked?
6. What is referencing?
7. What is critical thinking?
8. What if I can’t finish in time?
9. Where can I go to improve my writing?
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What is the purpose of a university?
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But first…‘Studying at the University of Adelaide means being part of
a rich tradition of excellence in education and research, with
world-class academic staff and a vibrant student life.’
‘We are committed to producing graduates recognised
worldwide for their creativity, knowledge and skills, as well
as their culture and tolerance. Our graduates make an
impact on the world.’
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/uni/
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Count your score for the quiz questions on the following slides.
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Are you an essay expert?
a) A collection of facts
b) A short piece of writing about a particular subject
c) A story
d) Another word for a report
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1. What is an essay?
Correct answer: b
(taken from the Longman dictionary of contemporary English 2003, p. 531)
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Formal
Coherent
Connected
Structured
Persuasive
Referenced
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But what exactly is an essay?
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It’s looooooonger . . .◦ IELTS essays are about 250 words
◦ university essays vary from 1000 to 5000+ words
It doesn’t follow a formula
It’s based on research◦ IELTS asks you to ‘include any relevant examples from your
own knowledge or experience’ (http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/test_sample.aspx)
It includes references, in the text and in a reference list at the end
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How is a university essay different to an IELTS essay?
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a) Because the lecturers like to torture us
b) Because exams are no longer in fashion
c) Because essays allow us to demonstrate our knowledge
d) Because lecturers like marking them
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2. Why do we do essays?
Correct answer: c
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Don’t we have to agree with all the literature?
Can’t we just write what the lecturers tell us?
Can’t we just do an exam with multiple choice answers?
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Why do we need to demonstrate our knowledge?
No
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‘We are committed to producing graduates
recognised worldwide for their creativity,
knowledge and skills, as well as their
culture and tolerance.
Our graduates make an impact on the world’.
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/uni/
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An essay allows you to show your knowledge
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a) Go to the library and start reading
b) Start writing immediately
c) Keep calm and carry a big stick
d) Analyse the question
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Correct answer: d
3. What is the first thing to do when you approach an essay?
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The University of Adelaide Slide 14
If all else fails, read the instructions!
Actually, read the instructions first!
What do you have to do?
Discuss, compare, critique . . .
How many words should you write?
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What are the question words?
How accurate . . .?
How well . . .?
Can and should . . .?
Do you understand the key words?
What is your response to the question?
Why do you think that?
Response to question + reasons for response
= conclusion
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How should I approach an essay?
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Brainstorm
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Plan your essay
Mind Map
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Read Next apply a reading strategy
Can you put the strategies in the correct order and match them to the meanings?
a) Note
b) Predict the content
c) Scan
d) Skim
e) Analyse some sections
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Reading more quickly
the abstract or first paragraph
1. Look quickly to get a general idea
2. Read the useful sections in more detail
3. Write down important information
4. Look for specific words and information
5. Look at the title and work out the content
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Can you match the meanings to the strategies and put them in the correct order?
b) Predict
d) Skim
c) Scan
e) Analyse
a) Note
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Reading more quickly
5. Look at the title and work out the content
1. Look quickly to get a general idea
4. Look for specific words and information
2. Read the useful sections in more detail
3. Write down important information
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How do I know what to read?
Where can I find material?
◦ library
◦ research librarian
◦ databases
◦ Google scholar
What kind of sources should I use?
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Reading
Look at the:
author
sponsor (e.g. company)
publisher
website appearance (e.g. adverts)
methodology
references
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What is an academic source?
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1. __________ (about 10%)
2. _________
Body points
3. _________ (about 10%)
4. __________
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4. What does an essay look like?
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1. a. Reference
list b.
Introduction
c. Conclusion
d. Thesis
statement
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4. What does an essay start with?
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1. Introduction a. Referencelist b. Introduction
2. c. Conclusiond. Thesis statement
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4. What does an introduction end with?
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1. Introduction a. Reference listb. Introduction
2. Thesis statement c. Conclusiond. Thesis statement
3.
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4. What comes after the body points in an essay?
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1. Introduction a. Reference listb. Introduction
2. Thesis statement c. Conclusiond. Thesis statement
3. Conclusion
4.
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4. What comes at the very end of an essay?
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Introduction (about 10%)
Thesis statement
Body points
Conclusion (about 10%)
Reference list
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4. What does an essay look like?
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Each paragraph should make only one main point.
It should include a topic sentence.
e.g. Many people like dark chocolate because it is not too sweet.
If possible, link your paragraphs in the first sentence.
e.g. Although milk chocolate is probably the most popular, many people like dark chocolate because it is not as sweet.
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Paragraphs
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Course Reader
A collection of book chapters and journal
articles compiled by the course convenor. A
reader is compiled by the course convenor in
order to provide the basic reading material
for your course. They are available from the
university bookshop.
(Abbreviated from: University of New South Wales 2007, First steps: a beginner’s guide to University, viewed 1 March 2007, <http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/firststeps/prep_glossary.html>.)
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What do these words mean?
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Essays
Address a question or topic, with many forms of question
Have an introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion, ideally with a flow of ideas
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Essays vs ReportsReports
Usually investigate a specific issue or problem
Provide information used to make decisions or take further action
Contain an executive summary, recommendations and possibly appendices
Have distinct, numbered sections with headings and sub-headings
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Use several sources to talk about a topic or show a gap in the literature on a topic
Form a chapter in a thesis
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Literature reviews
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Content
Structure (introduction, body,
conclusion)
Clarity of ideas
Cohesion (how the ideas are linked)
Language
Referencing
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5. How is an essay marked?
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What percentagedo you need to geta distinction?
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Grading system for most courses
a) 85 – 100 %b) 75 – 84 %c) 65 – 74 %d) 50 – 64 %e) 1 – 49 %
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High distinction Distinction Credit Pass Fail
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Grading system for most courses
85 – 100 %75 – 84 %65 – 74 %50 – 64 %1 – 49 %
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6. What is referencing?
Referencing means you give the
details of any source you have
used in your essay.
Do you reference quotes?
Do you reference ideas?
Do you reference paraphrases?
Yes, reference any source you have used.
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i. presenting work that is not your own in any format, without appropriate attribution or reference to the original source.
ii. paraphrasing or copying work that is not your own, without due acknowledgement by way of reference to the original work.
iii. adopting the ideas of others, or the structure of an existing analysis, without due acknowledgement by way of reference to the original source.
The work of others may be submitted only when use of the work is appropriate and duly acknowledged.
(University of Adelaide Honesty Policy 2012)
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What is plagiarism?
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How do I reference?
There are many different referencing styles.
Check which one is used in each of your
subjects.
In the text; or
Sometimes in the footnotes at the bottom of the page; and
In a reference list at the end.
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In-text
Boynton (1982, p.47) suggests that carrots
may be ‘a catalyst to weight-gain when
chocolate is present’.
It has been suggested (Boynton 1982,
p.47) that if someone has already eaten
chocolate, then eating carrots later may
cause that person to put on weight.
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Example reference in Harvard style
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National Biodiesel Board, Environmental safety and information, viewed 21 August, <www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/Envi&Safetyinfo.pdf>.
Agarwal, AK & Das, LM 2001, ‘Biodiesel development and characterization for use as a fuel in compression ignition engines’, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, vol. 123, no. 2, pp. 440-447.
G Rosner 1996, Diesel fuel and exhaust emissions, World Health Organization, Geneva.
Demirbas, A 2005, ‘Biodiesel production from vegetable oils via catalytic and non-catalytic supercritical methanol transesterification methods’, Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 466-487.
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Reference List (Harvard style)How many mistakes are there? a – 1; b – 2; c – 3; d - 4
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Agarwal, AK & Das, LM 2001, ‘Biodiesel development and characterization for use as a fuel in compression ignition engines’, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, vol. 123, no. 2, pp. 440-447.
Demirbas, A 2005, ‘Biodiesel production from vegetable oils via catalytic and non-catalytic supercritical methanol transesterification methods’, Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 466-487.
National Biodiesel Board 2006, Environmental safety and information, viewed 21 August 2006, <www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/Envi&Safetyinfo.pdf>.
Rosner, G 1996, Diesel fuel and exhaust emissions, World Health Organization, Geneva.
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Reference List (Harvard style)
The University of Adelaide Slide 48
How can I be original and use references? You write the text You write the arguments in your
own words You give a reference for every
idea from another source You incorporate those ideas into
your own writing
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Critical thinking means: You think for yourself You do not necessarily agree
with a reading You ask questions You solve problems You look at the evidence
7. What is critical thinking?
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Fact - something which is known to have happened or to exist, especially something for which proof exists, or about which there is information
Opinion- a thought or belief about something or someone
Assumption- something that you accept as true without question or proof
(All definitions from Cambridge University Press 2011, Cambridge dictionaries online, viewed 15 February 2012, <http://dictionary.cambridge.org>.)
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Facts, opinions and assumptions
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All international students have a lot of money and do not need to have a job.
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Fact, opinion or assumption?
Fact International students often speak English very well.
Opinion All international students should have an IELTS score of 8 to enter university in Australia.
Assumption All Chinese students are international students.
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Fact
Assumption
Opinion
Can you think critically?
English is the main language spoken in Australia.
If someone lives in Australia, that means they are able to speak English.
All people who live in Australia should speak English.
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a) A man appeared after the owner had turned off his store lights.
b) The robber was a man.c) Someone opened a cash register.d) The man who appeared did not demand
money.
Which statement is true?
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A business man had just turned off the lights in a store when a man appeared and demanded money. The owner opened a cash register. The contents of the cash register were removed and the man sped away.
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Leite (2007) shows that most people prefer white chocolate to milk or dark chocolate.
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Leite’s study (2007) claims that people prefer white chocolate to milk or dark chocolate. His research, however, is limited, as his sample size consisted of only five small children in Portugal. It is therefore more realistic to consider the implications of Brown’s study (2009), which found that in a sample of ten thousand adults from France, Germany, China, the United States and Mexico 65% preferred milk chocolate and 30% preferred dark chocolate, while only 5% preferred white chocolate. This suggests . . .
Assessing a sourceCompare:
Here is a good example to help you think critically about your sources:
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/11November/Pages/chocolate-mental-health-cut-stress-claim.aspx
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How do I know if it's useful information or a reliable source?
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Are you trying to write too much?
Did you have trouble finding sources?
Were you ill?
Are you having trouble doing all your work?
8. What if I can't finish in time?
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Ask for an extension
Reconsider your priorities- How much do you earn in your part-time job?- What will it cost if you have to retake a topic?
Look at your time management – try the Assignment Planning Calculator
Talk to your course coordinator
Can't finish in time?
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25+ points You’re an essay expert! Would you like to give this lecture next time?
20-24 points Well done! You have lots of great essay writing ideas.
15-19 points Good. There are still a few things for you to work on, though.
8-13 points I hope this lecture was helpful – you still have quite a lot to learn.
0 – 8 points What a good thing you came today!
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The winners
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Writing Centre, Hub Central. Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pmhttp://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre
The English for Uni websitehttp://www.adelaide.edu.au/english-for-uni/essay-writing/
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9. Where can I go to improve my writing?
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A reminder
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Write down 2 things you really need to remember from this session.
Is anything still unclear?
For further thought