ESSAY WRITING

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ESSAY WRITING
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KEY WORDS

• Define, Describe, Outline, Relate
• Interpret, Clarify, Explain, Illustrate, Discuss
• Apply, Predict, Choose, Assess
• Distinguish between, Compare and Contrast,
  Justify, Argue, Conclude
• Judge, Appraise, Critically evaluate, Criticise

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Every good essay should have

• A plan
• References
• Quotations properly referenced
• STRUCTURE
• Key words defined
• Sense of ARGUMENT, critical thinking
• Readable English
• Accurate spelling
• No unnecessary points
• ORGANIZATION
• Points linked - signposts

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Planning your essay

• Introduction
• your interpretation/explanation of title
• key issues indicated briefly
• Key terms defined
• Main body
• list, order, back up main points
• Conclusion
• weigh up evidence, point out wider implications

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Signposts make the essay clear to the reader

• Understanding of title
• Frame of reference
• Structure of essay
• Direction through essay
• The main points
• Differences between your ideas and other peoples
• Differences between views of various authors

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Signposts

• Difference between your arguments and examples
  given
• Connection between text and essay title
• Links between sentences to do with same point
• Links between paragraphs in same section of essay
• How sections lead to a conclusion or answer
• Conclusion

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Signpost examples

• This clearly demonstrates that
• It has been argued that
• On the other hand
• However, this conflicts with

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Discussion Essays

• You must cover both sides of the question
• Back up points with facts and discussion
• Weigh up evidence to form a conclusion

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Discussion Essay Strategy

• Note points for and against
• Rank these points in order of importance
• For each point, make brief notes on the facts it
  will cover and your discussion of them
• Decide on an order for your material
• Decide on a conclusion
• Remember signposts

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Explanation essays

• Strategy
• Write in logical steps
• Make good use of signposts
• State at outset where explanation will lead
• State conclusion at end

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General Points

• Read what you have written
• The use of technical terminology, etc.
• What to avoid when writing an essay
• Critical thinking
• Moran, A. (1997). Managing your own learning at
  university. A Practical Guide. UCD Press.
• WRITE SIMPLY!

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Common problems/omissions

• No title
• No Reference Section
• Plagiarism
• No introduction
• Disjointed
• Main point of essay buried in text

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Problems/omissions ctd.

• Assertions with no justification
• Lack of examples
• Use of terms without understanding
• Unnecessary use of psychological jargon

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Typical exam question

• Compare contrast the consequences of visual
  hearing impairment for language development

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How will you approach this question?

• Write down almost everything you can think of
  about visual hearing impairment, child
  development language development
• 3rd Class
• List some of the features of visual hearing
  impairment. List some of the consequences for
  development including a few for language
  development
• Lower 2nd Class

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How will you approach this question?

• Identify the consequences of visual hearing
  impairment for language development. Compare
  contrast these consequences
• Upper 2nd Class
• Identify the consequences of visual hearing
  impairment for language development. Compare
  contrast these consequences, drawing conclusions
  about the nature of language development. Comment
  on the adequacy of theories of language
  development in the light of your conclusions
• 1st Class