Transcript Essays/ Assignments

Essays/ Assignments
Structuring
http://student.brighton.ac.uk/ask
www.learnhigher.ac.uk
Session Aims
To discuss:
• Planning and structuring essays
• The writing process/ developing your writing
• Academic writing
• Reading, note-taking and referencing
Planning and structuring
• Answering the ‘question’ (Essay Title)
Is the question open-ended or closed?
Underline key words
Try breaking the question down into sub- questions
Top tip:
Set the question in context – how does it fit with the key
issues, debates and controversies in your module and
your subject as a whole? An essay question often asks
about a specific angle or aspect of one of these key
debates. If you understand the context it makes your
understanding of the question clearer.
Planning and structuring
• Before reading – generate some ideas..
- What do you already know about the topic – from
lectures, seminars, general knowledge?
- What things don't you know about the topic, but need
to find out in order to answer the question?
- What are your initial responses or answers to the
question – what you think your conclusion might
possibly be?
• After reading – summarise your findings..
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Use 1 A4 page
Spider diagram
Bring together key points
Begin mapping an essay structure
Planning and structuring
Introduction: Address the question, show why
it's interesting and how you will answer it.
Main Body: Build your argument. Put your
groups of ideas in a sequence to make a
persuasive argument. One main point in each
paragraph.
Conclusion: Summarise your arguments and
evidence, and show how they answer the
original question.
Academic writing
The style of writing you will be expected to use for academic
work is likely to be different to other styles you use every day.
Think b4 u rite! :>)
Avoid shortened forms:
• Shouldn't, it's for it is
Avoid popular phrases or cliches such as:
• at the end of the day; in a nutshell; when it comes to the
crunch
• Replace with: finally, in summary, in a crisis
Avoid casual everyday words such as really, okay, maybe.
Academic writing
Academic essays should be written in a formal style.
Avoid:
• clichés ("the flaws in this argument stand out like
a sore thumb")
• contractions ("don't", "aren't", "it's")
• phrases that sound like speech ("well, this bit is
really fascinating")
• subjective descriptions ("this beautiful
sculpture")
• where possible use the third person (“it can be
argued” rather than “I think”)
Academic writing – including evidence
and your own ideas
A suggestion on how you can construct a paragraph that
includes evidence and your own ideas:
• Introduce your point (your own words)
• Add the evidence to support your point (quoted or
paraphrased evidence that needs to be referenced)
• Explain how and why this evidence supports your point
and what you think of it (your own interpretation and
critical thinking)
• Explain how the point helps answer the question (your
own argument)
The writing process
Sometimes it is hard to get started
Or, when experiencing a ‘blockage’ – midflow
How can you develop your academic ‘voice’?
Some ways to get more critical
analysis into your essays
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Avoid unnecessary description
Interpret your evidence
Be specific
Use counter-arguments to your advantage
Reading and note-taking
Reading critically
• Who is the author and what is their viewpoint or bias?
• Who is the audience and how does that influence the
way information is presented?
• What is the main message of the text?
• What evidence has been used to support this main
message?
• Is the evidence convincing; are there any counterarguments?
• Do I agree with the text and why do I agree or
disagree?
Referencing
Referencing includes:
• Citations (direct quotes, paraphrases,
reference to other peoples ideas or work)
• Bibliography/ reference list – alphabetical list
of sources
Find out which style your subject area uses..
Harvard? Chicago?
Editing and proofreading
• Are your points in the right order and relevant
to the question?
• Be ruthless – irrelevant? Cut it out!!
• Are your points clear? Any gaps?
• Leave at least a day before re-reading
• Read your essay aloud
• Check your references are complete and
accurate
Your questions answered
In pairs or small groups, discuss what you have
learned today during this workshop, and talk
about what you wish you could ask/ still are
unclear about.
We can try to help you find the answers!