http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/-t1.htm Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:27:26 GMT 10 http://i82.servimg.com/u/f82/13/72/96/99/logo110.gif http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/-t1.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-00-how-to-write-an-essay-introduction-t35.htm studyaids The basis of most academic work is the ability to construct a good essay. Although this sounds obvious, it is a skill which most students need to develop as none of us is born with the natural ability to write an essay, never mind one which will both address a given topic effectively and adequately support an argument with evidence. It is possible to learn how to do this, however, and this guide sets out to define the major skills which need to be acquired in order to see the writing of ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:27:26 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-00-how-to-write-an-essay-introduction-t35.htm#37 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-00-how-to-write-an-essay-introduction-t35.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-01-getting-started-t34.htm studyaids The first and most important aspect of writing a good essay is to examine the question. The importance of close analysis of the question as the basis of a good essay cannot be overestimated. Despite this, it is surprising how many students simply write down everything they know about a subject without reference to what the question is actually asking you to do. Whether you have chosen the topic yourself or it has been assigned to you, look carefully at the key words which the question contains, ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:26:46 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-01-getting-started-t34.htm#36 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-01-getting-started-t34.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-02-researching-your-topic-t33.htm studyaids Having thought carefully about what you are being asked to do, the next stage is to gather your evidence. It is worth saying straight away that you should jot down the details of all and any resources to which you refer – either directly or indirectly – because plagiarism is a major concern and it is easy to plagiarise without meaning to. It’s simple to forget where your ideas start, and someone else’s end.” It is a good idea to begin to compile an alphabetical list of all books ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:26:15 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-02-researching-your-topic-t33.htm#35 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-02-researching-your-topic-t33.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-03-planning-t32.htm studyaids It is very tempting to omit this stage – don’t! Thorough planning saves time although it might seem to be wasting it at this point when you just want to start writing. However, even in an examination essay, a plan is essential to complete a structured, reasoned and researched response on any given topic. Begin by looking back over the question and those ‘key words’ that you selected. Next, consider the evidence you have collected and consider how the two complement each other: if ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:25:44 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-03-planning-t32.htm#34 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-03-planning-t32.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-04-writing-your-essay-t31.htm studyaids At last, the moment has arrived when you begin to write. If you have followed through carefully all the stages above, then this should be the easy part but if the notes are your evidence then the essay is your case and you should present this with as much attention to detail as you paid to your research. It should go without saying that your spelling, grammar and punctuation should be perfect. Nothing makes a worse impression on examiners than bad spelling and punctuation, especially if ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:25:11 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-04-writing-your-essay-t31.htm#33 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-04-writing-your-essay-t31.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-05-structure-introduction-t30.htm studyaids Whichever approach you choose, remember that your introduction is the first statement your examiner will read. Again, this sounds obvious but many students are careless about introductions, saying either too much or too little. A good introduction sets out clearly your response to the topic and how you are going to present that response. It’s as simple as that. It is commonly agreed that quotation should be omitted from your introduction as this is where you are going to say what your response ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:24:38 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-05-structure-introduction-t30.htm#32 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-05-structure-introduction-t30.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-06-structure-main-body-t29.htm studyaids In the main body of your essay, each paragraph should be based on a separate but related aspect of the main topic of the essay. Following the plan you made earlier, write each paragraph almost as though it were under a sub-heading to the main title and supplement each of your points with the evidence you have collected. Students are often unsure about the length of paragraphs but though there is no hard and fast rule, it is a good idea to keep them to four or five sentences. Supporting your ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:21:30 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-06-structure-main-body-t29.htm#31 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-06-structure-main-body-t29.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-07-structure-conclusion-t28.htm studyaids The conclusion should be a summation of your argument. Students often lose marks for presenting an abrupt conclusion which overlooks the implications of the overall argument, its future development and unavoidable contractions/omissions due to shortage of space. It is acceptable to use quotations in conclusions but not to introduce new ideas at this stage. By now, your reader should have been given such a strong sense of your central argument that no further information is necessary anyway. In ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:18:47 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-07-structure-conclusion-t28.htm#30 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-07-structure-conclusion-t28.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-08-general-points-style-t27.htm studyaids The importance of following the required referencing style has already been stated. However, there are other stylistic features which should be adhered to and these will normally be set out in the instructions you are given when an essay is set. As a general rule, do not write in the first person unless specifically asked to do so i.e. avoid the use of phrases such as ‘I think’ or ‘in this essay I am going to’. Rather, allow your essay to reflect a personal perception whilst being presented ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:18:18 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-08-general-points-style-t27.htm#29 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-08-general-points-style-t27.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-09-general-points-final-checks-t26.htm studyaids When your essay is completed, read it through to check for errors. As mentioned above, it can be useful to ask someone who has not seen your work to proof-read it for you, maybe even reading it aloud, as we tend to see what we expect to see and typographical errors can easily be overlooked. Correct any errors before handing in your work otherwise you are throwing marks away. Ensure that you have correctly referenced all quotations and completed a bibliography according to the stylistic requirements ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:17:34 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-09-general-points-final-checks-t26.htm#28 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-09-general-points-final-checks-t26.htm http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-10-and-finally-t25.htm studyaids Remember that your essay is essentially a response to a suggested idea. Different academic disciplines will, of course, require different content but no matter what you are writing about your argument should be clear, coherent, well-referenced and appropriately structured. You need to follow any instructions carefully, especially those relating to style and word count. Bear in mind that although you are answering a question, you are also writing to engage your reader’s interest so try ... How To Write An Essay Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:16:28 GMT http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-10-and-finally-t25.htm#27 http://dissertation.forumotion.net/how-to-write-an-essay-f11/part-10-and-finally-t25.htm