Essays/ Assignments

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Essays/ Assignments

• Structuring

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• http//student.brighton.ac.uk/ask
• www.learnhigher.ac.uk

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Session Aims

• To discuss
• Planning and structuring essays
• The writing process/ developing your writing
• Academic writing
• Reading, note-taking and referencing

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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.

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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..
• Use 1 A4 page
• Spider diagram
• Bring together key points
• Begin mapping an essay structure

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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.

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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! gt)
• 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.

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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)

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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)

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The writing process

• Sometimes it is hard to get started
• Or, when experiencing a blockage midflow
• How can you develop your academic voice?

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 Some ways to get more critical analysis into
your essays

• Avoid unnecessary description
• Interpret your evidence
• Be specific
• Use counter-arguments to your advantage

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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
  counter-arguments?
• Do I agree with the text and why do I agree or
  disagree?

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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?

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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

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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!