Transcript FGS: How do I come up with my own essay question? [PPTX 67.62KB]

How do I come up with my essay
question?
Cath Senker
Writer, editor, teacher
The scope of an essay question
Learning outcome: Analyse the impact of America
at war on the American economy
Here’s a lazy question:
Describe the impact of America at war on the
American economy.
Improved question:
Analyse the impact of America at war on the
American economy by explaining how the different
effects of war combined to affect the economy.
Cath Senker, Spring 2014
Academic keywords
There are 3 types of keywords:
• Directive words - words which tell you to do
something, eg analyse, discuss, evaluate
• Topic words – the main topic areas or themes
outlined by the question
• Limiting/focus words – words which provide
boundaries or constraints for your assignment
Source: http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/writing-for-university/academicwriting/approaching-the-question/
Cath Senker, Spring 2014
Identify the keywords
Critically discuss the effect that entry into the
European Union has had on the sovereignty of
the UK Parliament.
Critically discuss [directive words] the effect that
entry into the European Union has had on the
sovereignty [topic words] of the UK Parliament
[limiting/focus words].
Cath Senker, Spring 2014
How to come up with the question
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Highlight the keywords
Check definitions
Plan for length – allocate word count to each section
Do your research so you can work out which topic to
focus on.
• Make notes and then plan your essay. Now you can
come up with a focused essay title.
Remember the 3 types of keywords:
• Directive keywords – to allow you to analyse
• Topic area – what you’ll cover
• Limiting words to focus your essay.
Cath Senker, Spring 2014
Further help
• Sussex University S3 website: Writing well:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=26
• The Royal Literary Fund: Writing
http://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowshipscheme/writi
ng/essayguide.cfm
• Book a one-to-one writing tutorial with the
RLF:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/tldu/studentskills/rlf
Cath Senker, Spring 2014