Essay writing

Have a planWriting Skills – brevity is clarity. Write fluently - no slang

Interpret the implications of the questionStructure the essay – use a map

Keep an open mindDon’t lose your reader

Thesis or open discussion

• Have a thesis and defend it• Have a thesis but question it at all times• Open discussion • Have more than one view

Writing skills

• Don’t be stodgy• Write fluently• No colloquialisms • No slang• No padding for the sake of it• Brevity is clarity• Map out where you are going • And return to the map but don’t do it tediously• Link your paragraphs• Close the map

Keep the reader involved

• hang a question over what you are writing• Don’t tell your reader what to think• Have a viewpoint but allow for multiple views• A thesis can allow for structure to develop a

coherent argument • But it suggests a closed mind

Question

• What is the question getting at? • What is the point?• Analysis of the question• What is the context

Structure

• Structure does not rely on preconceived idea it requires an interpretation of the implications of your question

• A thesis statement is a way of providing structure but:

• Suspending judgement requires analysis of the question

• Repeatedly question what you are writing

Introduction Interpret the question

• Demonstrate that you understand the question within a few sentences

• What is the question asking?• What is the main problem?• What are the main set of problems?• What is the central importance of one or two

concepts?• This does not require a discussion in the introduction

it requires you to point your reader in the direction you were going

Introduction 2

• An introduction is vital for the reader to know where you are going

• The reader can then follow with ease and interest

• And watch out for the main points

Introduction - conclusion

• So in conclusion• An essay needs to show that you have

correctly interpreted the question• Provided a structure by outlining the map• Kept your reader interested and informed