Essay writing - Structure and organisation - presentation - My.Anglia ...
Essay writing - Structure and organisation - presentation - My.Anglia ...
Essay writing - Structure and organisation - presentation - My.Anglia ...
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Student Services<br />
<strong>Essay</strong> Writing<br />
<strong>Structure</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Organisation<br />
Study Support<br />
Service,<br />
Student Services<br />
www.anglia.ac.uk/stud<br />
ysupportservice
<strong>Essay</strong> Writing<br />
Help!<br />
“I I can’t t get down to it – I keep putting it off then have to<br />
rush to finish it.”<br />
“<strong>My</strong> mind goes blank when faced with a blank sheet of<br />
paper.”<br />
“I I just don’t t know where to start with an essay.”<br />
“I I have lots of ideas but can’t t seem to organise them.”<br />
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Help! ! (continued)<br />
“I I find it hard to stick to the word limit.”<br />
“I I lose track of my argument half way through.”<br />
“I I lose marks for not answering the question<br />
properly.”<br />
“I I tend to waffle!”<br />
“Some people just write an essay overnight –<br />
why can’t t I?”<br />
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Session Objectives<br />
• Underst<strong>and</strong> what a good essay structure is<br />
• Appreciate the stages involved<br />
• Be aware of range of planning strategies<br />
• Be aware of resources available<br />
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A good essay structure:<br />
• Makes clear how question will be addressed<br />
• Sets out main ideas clearly<br />
• Makes clear how main ideas relate<br />
• Uses logical, progressive order<br />
• Helps reader remember<br />
• Organises related information in paragraphs<br />
• Uses connecting words <strong>and</strong> phrases<br />
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A model essay structure:<br />
Introduction<br />
• Arouses interest<br />
• Sets scene<br />
• Explains how you interpret question<br />
• Defines or explains key terms<br />
• Identifies issues<br />
• Give brief outline of how issues to be dealt with<br />
<strong>and</strong> order<br />
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A model essay structure (cont.):<br />
Argument/Main Body<br />
Contains points outlined in intro, in paragraphs:<br />
Para 1<br />
Covers first point.<br />
First (topic) sentence introduces main idea.<br />
Then topic developed: examples, details,<br />
evidence, quotations, references.<br />
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A model essay structure (cont.):<br />
• Paragraph 2 <strong>and</strong> other paragraphs<br />
• First sentence:<br />
• links paragraph to previous paragraph<br />
• introduces main idea of new paragraph<br />
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Breaking down an essay into<br />
chunks:<br />
• http://edenskills.co.uk/wordpress/wp-<br />
content/uploads/2009/05/essay-106010<br />
106010-<br />
h<strong>and</strong>out6.pdf<br />
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A model essay structure (cont.)<br />
Conclusion<br />
•Draws Draws everything together<br />
•Summarises main themes<br />
•States States general conclusions<br />
•Shows Shows why conclusions important or significant<br />
•Last Last sentence sums up argument briefly, linking to title<br />
•Sets Sets issues in broader perspective/wider context<br />
•Does Does not introduce new material<br />
•Mentions what failed to do – answers not clear, space<br />
limited<br />
•Suggests further questions<br />
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<strong>Essay</strong> <strong>writing</strong> – Main Stages<br />
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Stage 1 – Analyse Question<br />
• Read question several times.<br />
• Underline “instruction” words.<br />
• Highlight key subject words.<br />
• Circle “limiting” words.<br />
• Note terms to define.<br />
• Write question out in own words.<br />
• In introduction say how question interpreted.<br />
• In conclusion, refer back to question.<br />
• Write question out on plans, notes, drafts.<br />
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Analysing the question (cont):<br />
• Eden Skills list of “Task Words”<br />
• http://edenskills.co.uk/wordpress/wp-<br />
content/uploads/2009/06/task-words<br />
wordsh<strong>and</strong>out5.pdf<br />
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Stage 2 - Planning<br />
• Keep question in sight.<br />
• Try visual approaches - “spider” or “pattern<br />
plans” , “mind maps.<br />
• Try Mind Mapping software<br />
• Try Outline view in Word<br />
• Try charts to plan argument or<br />
compare/contrast essay<br />
• Try physical planning – index cards/post-its<br />
its.<br />
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Planning - useful software<br />
• Planning<br />
• MindGenius Education:<br />
• www.mindgenius.com<br />
• costs £57 for a single user licence<br />
• available to use on pcs in University library <strong>and</strong> Tindal second floor<br />
• Free 21 day trial can be downloaded at home<br />
• Inspiration:<br />
• www.inspiration.com<br />
• costs £57 for a single user licence<br />
• Free 30 day trial can be downloaded at home<br />
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Planning – useful software (cont):<br />
• Outline view – a feature of Microsoft Word :<br />
• Click on view, then outline<br />
• Collect initial ideas then use the arrows to organise them into<br />
headings, sub headings<br />
• http://office.microsoft.com/en-in/word<br />
in/word-help/create-an-outline-from-<br />
scratch-HP005187998.aspx<br />
• Writing<br />
• Windows Speech Recognition is a new feature in Windows Vista that<br />
allows you to dictate documents <strong>and</strong> emails:<br />
• www.microsoft.com/enable/products/wondowsvista/speech.aspx<br />
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Planning framework for a compare/contrast<br />
essay<br />
Introduction. Main themes.<br />
Areas to be<br />
compared/contrasted<br />
Similarities<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
Differences<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
Significance of similarities/differences<br />
Conclusion – draw attention to main points<br />
A<br />
B<br />
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Planning framework for<br />
an “argument” essay<br />
Main proposal/hypothesis/argument:<br />
Reasons for arguments for:<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
Reasons or arguments against:<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
Evidence <strong>and</strong> examples:<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
Evidence <strong>and</strong> examples:<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
Reasons why “for” argument stronger; weaknesses in<br />
reasoning/evidence for opposing argument<br />
Conclusion.<br />
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Signposting<br />
• http://edenskills.co.uk/wordpress/wp-<br />
content/uploads/2009/05/signpost-<br />
words.pdf<br />
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Stage 3 -Refine plan<br />
• Add points drawn out in research.<br />
• Delete irrelevant or unimportant points.<br />
• Work out order of key points.<br />
• Convert pattern into linear plan – list main headings.<br />
• Code (colour, letters, numbers) headings.<br />
• For each main topic note main<br />
information/examples/supporting details<br />
• Divide word allowance between headings – one<br />
tenth each for introduction <strong>and</strong> conclusion<br />
• Work out number of words per page<br />
• “map” out topics per page.<br />
• Sort notes – use code colour, number or letter to<br />
relate to plan<br />
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Stage 4 - Drafting<br />
• Start with “middle”.<br />
• Take each main topic/idea <strong>and</strong> write a paragraph.<br />
• Don’t t worry about style/spelling yet – let ideas flow.<br />
• Leave space for editing.<br />
• Include a “topic sentence” for each paragraph.<br />
• Write conclusion – sum up content of “middle” <strong>and</strong><br />
relate back to title.<br />
• Write introduction.<br />
• Print off hard copy for editing.<br />
• Put draft aside for day or so.<br />
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Stage 5 - Editing<br />
• Re-read, checking for structure <strong>and</strong> meaning:<br />
• Does main body do what introduction says it will?<br />
• Clear what each paragraph about?<br />
• Every paragraph relevant to main “topic”?<br />
• Enough in each paragraph to support the “topic”?<br />
• Anything superfluous?<br />
• Everything in right place?<br />
• Sentences in each paragraph in right order?<br />
• Every paragraph relates clearly to others?<br />
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Editing - continued<br />
• Read again for style <strong>and</strong> clarity:<br />
• Ideas clearly expressed?<br />
• Grammar/spelling accurate?<br />
• Style appropriate?<br />
• References cited correctly <strong>and</strong> listed at end?<br />
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Writing skills – useful guidance<br />
• http://www.dyslexstudyskills.group.shef.a<br />
c.uk/<br />
• Includes tips <strong>and</strong> practice activities on<br />
planning, introductions, conclusions <strong>and</strong><br />
paragraphing<br />
• http://www.mantex.co.uk<br />
www.mantex.co.uk/<br />
• Free downloads on essay <strong>writing</strong><br />
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Writing skills – useful guidance (cont.)<br />
• www.learnhigher.ac.uk<br />
• Academic Writing section includes:<br />
• Initial skills assessment;<br />
• Structuring your <strong>writing</strong>;<br />
• Planning.<br />
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Further Reading<br />
• Cottrell, S., 2003.The study skills h<strong>and</strong>book, 2nd ed. Basinstoke:<br />
Palgrave Macmillan<br />
• Crème, P., <strong>and</strong> Lea, M.R., 2003. Writing at University: : a guide for<br />
students, 2nd ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press/McGraw Hill<br />
• Fairbairn, G.J. <strong>and</strong> Winch, C., 1996. Reading, Writing <strong>and</strong><br />
Reasoning: a guide for students, 2nd edn. Buckingham: Open<br />
University Press<br />
• Rose, J., 2001. The mature student’s s guide to <strong>writing</strong>. Basinstoke:<br />
Palgrave<br />
• Buzan, , T., 2006. The Mindmap Book. London: BBC Active.<br />
• Buzan, , T., 2003. Use Your Head. London: BBC Active.<br />
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Questions? Concerns?<br />
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