Essay Writing Unit

Essay Writing Unit Referencing is integral to academic essay writing and shouldn’t be viewed as an ‘add-on’. When you are referencing, always use a referencing guide to help you ensure 100% accuracy. The Topic Sentence should unambiguously express the topic of the paragraph and be linked with the overall thesis of the essay. This is the third paragraph of our introduction which contains a preview of the essay. This functions as kind of map to navigate the reader. We can tell that this is a preview from the use of key words such as “this essay will focus on”. Notice that further into this paragraph, signposting language is used to designate the structure of the essay, for example phrases such as “the first, second and last section”. Notice too that even a preview into the conclusion is mentioned here. Now let's try and identify the essential elements to a paragraph by looking at an example taken from our assignment question. You’ll notice the first sentence is the topic sentence which clearly states the theme of the paragraph. This is followed by the explanation or argument and then substantiated through the integration of evidence and demonstration of examples. Notice that it is important to include some form of critical analysis or observation. Finally, your concluding statement should articulate your voice or opinion. The body of your essay will consist of paragraphs which function as building blocks in the construction of your overall paper. ‘Contrast’ often appears with ‘compare’ in essay questions.CriticiseEvaluate an argument or a text to see if it is good. ‘Criticise’ does not mean you have to be negative.CritiqueEvaluate an argument or a text to see if it is good. ‘Critique’ does not mean you have to be negative.DefineExplain the meaning of a word or a term, especially in the context of your essay. Essentially, a conclusion consists of three main objectives. Firstly, it must summarise the arguments or information that has been presented in the body of the paper. The purpose of the conclusion is to consolidate or integrate the various issues or researched data that have been covered in the core of your paper. Then, it must restate the key points that have been presented â€" and reiterate the thesis statement. In a previous online tutorial video we introduced you to a real-life assignment question and talked about how to structure the introduction to an essay. The conclusion should not just repeat the ideas from the introduction. The introduction includes the background to the essay, the important issues and a thesis statement. The introduction leads your reader into the essay. The conclusion reminds your reader of the main points made in your essay and leaves your reader with a final impression and ideas to think about later. ‘Compare’ often appears with ‘contrast’ in essay questions.ContrastShow the differences between two sets of information or arguments. The body is where you demonstrate your knowledge and grasp of the material that you have read. It’s also where you develop a discussion or argument. In order to substantiate your argument, you will also need to offer evidence. This could include examples or quotations from authoritative sources. Notice the keywords including academic learning and literacy centres and the most effective approach. It’s very important to ensure that you fully analyse and understand the question before you start writing. Ultimately, your conclusion must demonstrate that you have fully answered the question. Please keep in mind the keywords ‘in red’, which we will identify in our sample conclusion in a moment. This outline of your essay will set up a sort of contract with your reader, explaining what you will deliver to them in the body of your essay. This is designed to orientate the reader and provide them with some sort of context beforehand. It is absolutely critical to prepare your reader with this type of background information-do not immediately launch into your argument. Michael recommends that you begin writing your essay by expanding your plan. 'You may find it helpful to write the conclusion first, especially if you know exactly what it is you want to argue,' he adds. 'This can help you to clarify your ideas and also give you something to work towards. First and foremost, you must fully understand what you're being asked and in how much depth you're required to answer the question. Michael says that one of the biggest problems students face when it comes to essays is squarely addressing the topic. 'Many successful essay writers plan consciously and deliberately, and commit to extensive notes, lists or mind maps,' he says.