THE ESSAYDEFINITION AND STRUCTURE

What is an Essay? A piece of writing that methodically analyses and evaluates a topic or issue.

Designed to get your academic opinion on a particular matter.

There are important differences between an academic opinion and a personal opinion

Academic vs Personal Opinion Aademic Opinion:

Determined by: Conducting research, examining evidence, even-handedly considering issues.

Characterised by: Objectivity - guided by logic and rational thinking.

Is it defendable? : Yes - you can defend or support an academic argument by citing credible evidence and laying out a reasoned argument.

Academic vs Personal Opinion Personal Opinion

Determined by: Gut feelings, personal experiences, own worldview.

Characterised by: Subjectivity - guided by emotions, personal experiences and individual character.

Is it defendable? It's hard to say that one person's 'gut feeling' or worldview is any more valid than another's, so personal opinions are very hard to defend and validate objectively

Structure of Essays Introduction

Body

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION The first paragraph which contains a background of the topic.

Informs the reader about the topic of the essay.

Serves as a map of the essay’s topic.

Contains the Thesis Statement.

INTRODUCTION

BODY All the paragraphs between introduction and conclusion.

Function? To fully develop the argument outlined in the introduction.

Each paragraph must contain a topic sentence.

Introductory and concluding sentences: smooth fluency and coherence.

CONCLUSION The final paragraph to close the essay.

Function? Summarizes the essay’s main argument.

Reminds the reader the strengths of the argument.

Depending on the discipline you are writing in, the concluding paragraph may (or not) also contain a reflection on the evidence presented.

Should match the introduction in terms of the ideas presented and the argument

CONCLUSION Consider these questions: What is the significance of your findings?

What are the implications of your conclusions for this topic and for the broader field?

Are their any limitations to your approach?

Are there any other factors of relevance that impact upon the topic but fell outside the scope of the essay?

Are their any suggestions you can make in terms of future research?

CONCLUSION

IN SUMMARY