How to Write How to Write Geography EssaysGeography Essays

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Essay StructureEssay Structure Paragraph 1: Introduction:Paragraph 1: Introduction:

• Thesis Thesis Your argument that you must proveYour argument that you must prove

• Identify issuesIdentify issues Paragraph 2: BackgroundParagraph 2: Background

• Define/clarifyDefine/clarify• Significance of this topicSignificance of this topic• Broader implicationsBroader implications

Paragraph 3,4,5 etc: BodyParagraph 3,4,5 etc: Body Final Paragraph: ConclusionFinal Paragraph: Conclusion

• Restate main reasonsRestate main reasons• Restate thesisRestate thesis• Final thoughtsFinal thoughts

For example:

Evaluate the challenges of living in megacities in developing countries

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IntroductionIntroduction Thesis Thesis

• First sentenceFirst sentence For exampleFor example: People living in megacities in : People living in megacities in

developing countries can face enormous developing countries can face enormous difficulties.difficulties.

• Then: Identify 4-5 issues that you will Then: Identify 4-5 issues that you will developdevelop

Refer to the syllabus (Refer to the syllabus (this is vitalthis is vital)) For example: housing, traffic infrastructure, For example: housing, traffic infrastructure,

water and power, sanitation, employment, water and power, sanitation, employment, social and health issues.social and health issues.

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One example of an introductiOne example of an introductionon

People living in megacities in People living in megacities in developing countries can face developing countries can face enormous difficulties. These enormous difficulties. These difficulties include: housing, traffic difficulties include: housing, traffic infrastructure, water, power and infrastructure, water, power and sanitation.sanitation.

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Background paragraphBackground paragraph

Second paragraph in the essaySecond paragraph in the essay Define important termsDefine important terms Clarify; provide context and Clarify; provide context and

background to the questionbackground to the question Significance, broader implicationsSignificance, broader implications

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Example of a background Example of a background paragraphparagraph

A megacity is a city with a population of over A megacity is a city with a population of over eight million (Paine et al). They are a relatively eight million (Paine et al). They are a relatively recent development. For example, in 1950, there recent development. For example, in 1950, there was only one: New York, with a population of 12.3 was only one: New York, with a population of 12.3 million; but today there are 22 megacities in the million; but today there are 22 megacities in the developing world alone. Examples of megacities developing world alone. Examples of megacities include Mumbai, Shanghai and Lagos. Lagos is include Mumbai, Shanghai and Lagos. Lagos is the fastest growing megacity in the world – 6% a the fastest growing megacity in the world – 6% a year. As the global population continues to grow, year. As the global population continues to grow, an understanding of megacities and their an understanding of megacities and their problems is critical.problems is critical.

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Body paragraphsBody paragraphs

Topic sentence (‘lead’ sentence)Topic sentence (‘lead’ sentence) Clarification sentence (if necessary)Clarification sentence (if necessary)

• Clarify/define important terms in the Clarify/define important terms in the topic sentencetopic sentence

Support sentence(s)Support sentence(s) Complication/ refutation sentence(s)Complication/ refutation sentence(s) Resolution/conclusion of paragraphResolution/conclusion of paragraph

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Topic sentence Topic sentence

Topic sentence (lead sentence)Topic sentence (lead sentence)• Very importantVery important • Main idea of the paragraph Main idea of the paragraph • Topic sentence has a topic and a Topic sentence has a topic and a

controlling idea controlling idea • Topic sentence Topic sentence supports the thesissupports the thesis• Not too general, not too specificNot too general, not too specific• A topic sentence should not include too A topic sentence should not include too

many unrelated ideasmany unrelated ideas

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Topic sentenceTopic sentence Examples:Examples:

• In the first two examples below, the topic is megacities and In the first two examples below, the topic is megacities and the controlling idea is housing. (Notice that the topic may the controlling idea is housing. (Notice that the topic may come before or after the controlling idea.)come before or after the controlling idea.)

People living in People living in megacitiesmegacities can face extreme can face extreme problems with problems with housinghousing..

HousingHousing is a severe problem in all is a severe problem in all megacitiesmegacities of the developing worldof the developing world..

All All megacities megacities experience problems associated experience problems associated with with traffic infrastructuretraffic infrastructure..

Water and sanitation systemsWater and sanitation systems are basic to the are basic to the operation of any city and most operation of any city and most megacities megacities in in developing countries lack these services.developing countries lack these services.

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Clarification (context) SentenceClarification (context) Sentence Second sentence in the paragraphSecond sentence in the paragraph Define/clarify terms introduced in the topic Define/clarify terms introduced in the topic

sentencesentence For example, if the topic sentence was: For example, if the topic sentence was: All All

megacities experience problems megacities experience problems associated with traffic infrastructure, associated with traffic infrastructure, a a clarification sentence might clarify the clarification sentence might clarify the term infrastructure.term infrastructure.• For example: For example: Traffic infrastructure includes Traffic infrastructure includes

both motorised and non-motorised vehicles.both motorised and non-motorised vehicles. A clarification sentence is not always A clarification sentence is not always

needed. needed.

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Supporting SentencesSupporting Sentences Supporting sentences develop the topic sentence. Supporting sentences develop the topic sentence.

They provide reasons for the topic sentenceThey provide reasons for the topic sentence It is vital that support sentences are not just It is vital that support sentences are not just

assertionsassertions An assertion is a confident statement made An assertion is a confident statement made

without supporting evidence. They must be without supporting evidence. They must be supported with evidence.supported with evidence.

In other words, aIn other words, a successful paragraph contains successful paragraph contains ‘concrete’ support for the topic sentence. You ‘concrete’ support for the topic sentence. You should support your topic sentence by using should support your topic sentence by using specific and factual details.specific and factual details.

Avoid sweeping generalisationsAvoid sweeping generalisations (using words like (using words like ‘all’, ‘every’ and ‘always’). ‘all’, ‘every’ and ‘always’).

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Supporting Sentences: Concrete Supporting Sentences: Concrete supportsupport

Concrete support can include geographical Concrete support can include geographical reasons, authority, statistics, examples, reasons, authority, statistics, examples, quotations, diagrams, sketches and case studies.quotations, diagrams, sketches and case studies.

Diagrams and sketches should be carefully Diagrams and sketches should be carefully labelled.labelled.

To score highly, To score highly, each paragrapheach paragraph should have should have concrete support for the topic sentence.concrete support for the topic sentence.

Examples of words that can be used to introduce Examples of words that can be used to introduce concrete support:concrete support:• According to, insist, report, suggest, claim, maintain, According to, insist, report, suggest, claim, maintain,

say, write.say, write.

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Examples of ‘concrete support’ Examples of ‘concrete support’

• According to the Head of the Lagos According to the Head of the Lagos Water Corporation, only 30% of the city Water Corporation, only 30% of the city has access to safe water.has access to safe water.

• The Guardian Weekly reports: “Only the The Guardian Weekly reports: “Only the rich (in Lagos) have water...”rich (in Lagos) have water...”

• In Delhi, only 20% of the city’s population In Delhi, only 20% of the city’s population has a continuous supply of water (Paine has a continuous supply of water (Paine et al).et al).

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Developing your argument further: Developing your argument further: consider both sides of the argumentconsider both sides of the argument

Rarely is any issue black and whiteRarely is any issue black and white The The bestbest argumentative writing will argumentative writing will

acknowledge evidence that challenges acknowledge evidence that challenges your argument your argument

Where possible, complications should be Where possible, complications should be refuted (countered) so that the argument refuted (countered) so that the argument is not lost. is not lost.

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Developing your argument further: Developing your argument further: consider both sides of the argumentconsider both sides of the argument

For example:For example:

Water and sanitation systems are basic to the operation of Water and sanitation systems are basic to the operation of any city and many megacities in developing countries lack any city and many megacities in developing countries lack these services. Some megacities in developing countries these services. Some megacities in developing countries have very few dwellings with inside running water. For have very few dwellings with inside running water. For example in Jakarta and Dacca, there is less than 10%. Lagos example in Jakarta and Dacca, there is less than 10%. Lagos is another megacity with unsatisfactory water and sanitation. is another megacity with unsatisfactory water and sanitation. According to the Head of the Lagos Water Corporation, only According to the Head of the Lagos Water Corporation, only 30% of the city has access to safe water. However, not all 30% of the city has access to safe water. However, not all megacities in developing countries experience such problems; in megacities in developing countries experience such problems; in Shanghai for example, 100% of dwellings have inside Shanghai for example, 100% of dwellings have inside running water. Nevertheless, these cities are the exception.running water. Nevertheless, these cities are the exception.

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Concluding sentenceConcluding sentence A concluding sentence is not always necessaryA concluding sentence is not always necessary It signals the end of the paragraph and It signals the end of the paragraph and

summarises the main pointssummarises the main points It gives the final comment on the topic and It gives the final comment on the topic and

leaves the reader with the most important ideas leaves the reader with the most important ideas to think aboutto think about

Examples of words that can be used to Examples of words that can be used to conclude: finally; as a result; in conclusion; conclude: finally; as a result; in conclusion; indeed; in summary; in brief; therefore; in short; indeed; in summary; in brief; therefore; in short; thus. thus. But words such as these need not be But words such as these need not be used.used.

A concluding sentence is recommended where A concluding sentence is recommended where your argument is complex; that is, you have your argument is complex; that is, you have dealt with complications and refutationsdealt with complications and refutations

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Concluding paragraphsConcluding paragraphs

• Restate main reasonsRestate main reasons• Restate thesis (do not simply repeat it)Restate thesis (do not simply repeat it)• Final thoughtsFinal thoughts• Concluding paragraphs should not be Concluding paragraphs should not be

too long; 3-4 sentences is normally too long; 3-4 sentences is normally plenty plenty

• Don’t bring up new pointsDon’t bring up new points

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Concluding paragraphs – an Concluding paragraphs – an exampleexample

Access to clean water, sanitation, housing and Access to clean water, sanitation, housing and

power are just some of the issues that regularly power are just some of the issues that regularly

confront people living in megacities inconfront people living in megacities in

developing countries. With few exceptions, these developing countries. With few exceptions, these

problems are acute and a top priority for many problems are acute and a top priority for many

communities.communities.

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Sentences: General thoughtsSentences: General thoughts

Get to the subject quickly, then get Get to the subject quickly, then get to the verb quickly. Detailed to the verb quickly. Detailed information (new information) comes information (new information) comes at the back end of the sentence.at the back end of the sentence.• Globalisation has dramatically increased Globalisation has dramatically increased

China’s trade flows and investment China’s trade flows and investment flows. flows.

• Developing countries are generally Developing countries are generally areas of rapid economic growth.areas of rapid economic growth.

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WordsWords

Develop your vocabularyDevelop your vocabulary Tip: Use strong verbs to add interest Tip: Use strong verbs to add interest

to your writing.to your writing.• For example:For example:

This growth This growth has stimulatedhas stimulated an increase in the an increase in the transient population…transient population…

Shanghai’s basic traffic infrastructure Shanghai’s basic traffic infrastructure has sufferedhas suffered from many years of neglect…from many years of neglect…

Attempts were made by authorities to Attempts were made by authorities to divertdivert resources…resources…