Writing an essay

© AccessAbility Centre University of Leicester

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Writing an EssayWriting an Essay

This presentation will give you some advice about the process of

planning and writing an essay

This presentation will give you some advice about the process of

planning and writing an essay

Includes Audio


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Write a ‘To Do’ ListWrite a ‘To Do’ List

Make a list of the things you need to do before starting the writing

To Do List

Choose essay titleCheck reading list and identify relevant textsGo to Library as soon as possible to collect booksDo an internet search


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Analyse the essay titlesAnalyse the essay titles

Look at the essay titles very closely. Decide what the subject matter is and identify the instruction word or words in the title

Describe and explain the major changes in thegeography of the world economy since 1945.

For example:

InstructionsInstructions

Broad topic area

Broad topic area

Specific focus

Specific focus


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Write down what you knowWrite down what you know

Once you have chosen your essay title, and before you start reading, get blank paper, coloured pens and ask yourself:

What do I already know

about this subject?

What do I already know

about this subject?

What questions do I need to

answer?

What questions do I need to

answer?

Jot down some thoughts on your

piece of paper

Jot down some thoughts on your

piece of paper


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Selecting material to readSelecting material to read

Use your reading list to find some relevant sources.Take these sources one at a time, and glance through them. Skim the headings, and read just the introduction and the conclusion. Does the piece still look relevant to your essay question?

To avoid plagiarising you should read actively, talk out loud and only note

things down that you have understood. Don’t copy from the

book.

To avoid plagiarising you should read actively, talk out loud and only note

things down that you have understood. Don’t copy from the

book.


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Plan your answerPlan your answer

It is very important to spend some time planning your answer. It will help you to adopt a good structure for your essay.

Brainstorm all your ideas onto a piece of

paper in a mind map or bullet point form

Brainstorm all your ideas onto a piece of

paper in a mind map or bullet point form

PlanningPlanning

Then try to group your ideas so you can see 2 or 3 main sections and the different paragraphs

that will make up the section

Then try to group your ideas so you can see 2 or 3 main sections and the different paragraphs

that will make up the section


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Writing an introductionWriting an introduction

Good introductions follow the same formula

3. Explain your essay structure3. Explain your essay structure

2. Use the words in the title to tell your reader what the essay will discuss

2. Use the words in the title to tell your reader what the essay will discuss

1. Make a general point about the subject of the essay. Keep this short

1. Make a general point about the subject of the essay. Keep this short


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Sample ‘Introduction’Sample ‘Introduction’

Describe and explain the major changes in the geography of the world economy since 1945.

IntroductionThere can be no doubt that the geography of the world economy has changed almost beyond recognition since 1945. This essay will describe and explain these major changes in the context of the changing geography of the global economy. The essay will be split into three parts. The first section will briefly consider the position of the world economy before 1945. The second section will describe the changes that have taken place since 1945. The final section will explain the changing geography in more detail.


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Writing paragraphsWriting paragraphs

1) Use your essay plan to help you choose your paragraphs

1) Use your essay plan to help you choose your paragraphs

2) Make one point per paragraph. You should aim for 2 or 3 paragraphs per page

2) Make one point per paragraph. You should aim for 2 or 3 paragraphs per page

3) The first sentence in a paragraph should introduce the main point of the paragraph.

3) The first sentence in a paragraph should introduce the main point of the paragraph.

4) The main section of the paragraph should introduce evidence to back up your point

4) The main section of the paragraph should introduce evidence to back up your point

5) The last sentence of the paragraph should either explain how your point answers the question, or make a link to the next paragraph.

5) The last sentence of the paragraph should either explain how your point answers the question, or make a link to the next paragraph.


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Writing a ConclusionWriting a Conclusion

A good conclusion should…

A good conclusion should…

Summarise your main arguments. Try to take an overview at this stage and think about themes or big ideas. Don’t make points that you have

already made elsewhere.

Summarise your main arguments. Try to take an overview at this stage and think about themes or big ideas. Don’t make points that you have

already made elsewhere.

Explain how your arguments have answered the question. Use the

words in the essay title to do this.

Explain how your arguments have answered the question. Use the

words in the essay title to do this.


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Features of a good essayFeatures of a good essay

A good essay will offer signposts to the reader so that he/she can follow your argument. Words like ‘However’, ‘Furthermore’

and ‘Yet’ are signposting words. They indicate that you are about to

present some additional evidence or an alternative point of view.

Words like ‘However’, ‘Furthermore’ and ‘Yet’ are signposting words.

They indicate that you are about to present some additional evidence or

an alternative point of view.


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Features of a good essayFeatures of a good essay

Present your own thoughts and views in an essay. The marker wants to see that you have understood the main points, and this can only be achieved if you summarise and make links between points.

Use phrases like ‘It could be suggested that…’ so that you

can avoid saying ‘I believe…’ or ‘I think…’

Use phrases like ‘It could be suggested that…’ so that you

can avoid saying ‘I believe…’ or ‘I think…’


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Before submitting the work…Before submitting the work…

…always proof read

…always proof read

Take a break from the work. Proof reading is more effective if you

leave the work overnight

Take a break from the work. Proof reading is more effective if you

leave the work overnight

If the grammar check is indicating a problem, then play about with

sentence structure

If the grammar check is indicating a problem, then play about with

sentence structure

Read your work aloud, paying attention to where you have marked pauses

through punctuation

Read your work aloud, paying attention to where you have marked pauses

through punctuation

Use TextHelp

Use TextHelp

If there is a red line underneath a word, then it

may be spelt incorrectly even if it looks right to you.

If there is a red line underneath a word, then it

may be spelt incorrectly even if it looks right to you.


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Before submitting the work…Before submitting the work…

Read your course handbook to make sure you have presented the essay in the way that your department expect.

Check your references. Have you referenced everything correctly, and have you included all your sources in your bibliography? Check the names of authors to make sure you have spelt them consistently.


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When the work has been markedWhen the work has been marked

It is tempting just to look at the mark and then to forget about the essay.

If you do this, then your essay writing is unlikely to improve.

It is tempting just to look at the mark and then to forget about the essay.

If you do this, then your essay writing is unlikely to improve.

Look carefully at the tutor’s comments and think about what you could have done differently. Try to

apply these lessons to the next essay that you write.

Look carefully at the tutor’s comments and think about what you could have done differently. Try to

apply these lessons to the next essay that you write.


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For further informationFor further information

Make an appointment to see a Study Adviser in the AccessAbility Centre.

•Telephone 0116 252 5002•Email [email protected]•Drop In

The AccessAbility Centre is on the ground floor of the David Wilson Library.


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Any Feedback?

This presentation is part of a series of study skills presentations for dyslexic students that have been produced by the AccessAbility Centre.

Other presentations can be found at www.le.ac.uk/accessability/

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box to complete the online feedback form

The presentations have been developed with the aid of the

University’s Student Experience Enhancement Committee

The presentations have been developed with the aid of the

University’s Student Experience Enhancement Committee

Education

Writing an essay