Writing An Essay
WRITING AN ESSAY
(See simplified example at the end)
Intro:
Actually state the question or title that you are going to answer
Say what you are going to do: State that you will define the key words and concepts
That you will discuss the background to the key concepts and major, relvant, opposing theories
That you will weigh up the pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses, arguments for and against
And state that you will then summarise the question, i.e “…in order to summarise and amswer the question”
Now set about doing what you have said you will in your introduction. So:
Paragraph: Define an introduce the key words, concepts and any background to them
Paragraph: Take a couple of paragraphs to explore these concepts in depth, using relevant, cited examples of them, discussing their strengths and weakness as you go.
Summary: Don’t mention anything here that you have not already discussed in the essay. This is where you simply summarise what you have discussed, weigh up your answer, and if appropriate (different lecturers like different things) state your personal opinion of the answer.
Throughout the essay you should be objective, stating facts and documented theories, written in the third person. Now it is often acceptable to say something along the lines of “there are many reasons for and against, however I feel that…”
You do not have to explicitly side with one answer to the question. It is often easier to state that “I have weighed up the pros and cons to both arguments, and whilst ‘a’ is the preferred option, ‘b’ has a lot of value, and we should be mindful of a combination of approaches, so as to neither rule out one option, or to focus too narrowly on another.
EXAMPLE
Here is a very simplified, (and very silly example) to demonstrate the basics to writing an essay.
Essay Question: Which are better for happiness, ice cream or holidays?
Intro:
In this essay I am going to discuss whether ice cream or holidays are better for happiness. I
(See simplified example at the end)
Intro:
Actually state the question or title that you are going to answer
Say what you are going to do: State that you will define the key words and concepts
That you will discuss the background to the key concepts and major, relvant, opposing theories
That you will weigh up the pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses, arguments for and against
And state that you will then summarise the question, i.e “…in order to summarise and amswer the question”
Now set about doing what you have said you will in your introduction. So:
Paragraph: Define an introduce the key words, concepts and any background to them
Paragraph: Take a couple of paragraphs to explore these concepts in depth, using relevant, cited examples of them, discussing their strengths and weakness as you go.
Summary: Don’t mention anything here that you have not already discussed in the essay. This is where you simply summarise what you have discussed, weigh up your answer, and if appropriate (different lecturers like different things) state your personal opinion of the answer.
Throughout the essay you should be objective, stating facts and documented theories, written in the third person. Now it is often acceptable to say something along the lines of “there are many reasons for and against, however I feel that…”
You do not have to explicitly side with one answer to the question. It is often easier to state that “I have weighed up the pros and cons to both arguments, and whilst ‘a’ is the preferred option, ‘b’ has a lot of value, and we should be mindful of a combination of approaches, so as to neither rule out one option, or to focus too narrowly on another.
EXAMPLE
Here is a very simplified, (and very silly example) to demonstrate the basics to writing an essay.
Essay Question: Which are better for happiness, ice cream or holidays?
Intro:
In this essay I am going to discuss whether ice cream or holidays are better for happiness. I
References: or Bibliography: Bloggs, J (1997). Title. City: Publisher. p27-28.