Essay WritingErina OkeroaErina OkeroaDegree Learning Support Degree Learning Support AdvisorAdvisor

The ProcessThe Process

Analyse and interpret the questionAnalyse and interpret the question - look for the - look for the instructioninstruction words words

““Discuss the major educational issues facing Discuss the major educational issues facing Maori”.Maori”.““From your reading this far, identify and discuss From your reading this far, identify and discuss themes which have emerged as being central to themes which have emerged as being central to the area of culture and education. Then the area of culture and education. Then critically evaluate their application in practise”.critically evaluate their application in practise”.

Make a plan of attack to focus Make a plan of attack to focus your workyour work

Identify content questions:Identify content questions:

What, where, why, who, how, whenWhat, where, why, who, how, when

““Discuss Discuss the the major educational issues major educational issues facing facing Maori”Maori”

Find relevant sources of Find relevant sources of informationinformation

Seek to back up your thinking with evidenceSeek to back up your thinking with evidence

Evidence means you have researched the Evidence means you have researched the arguments of othersarguments of others

Places to find evidence…?Places to find evidence…?

Read to find informationRead to find information

Have your mind map with youHave your mind map with you

Look through index or contents of reading Look through index or contents of reading material for references to your questions.material for references to your questions.

Make notes of this information – bibliographyMake notes of this information – bibliography

Bibliography Bibliography

Title, author, date of publication, publisher, Title, author, date of publication, publisher, place where published, page numbersplace where published, page numbers

APA referencing comes inAPA referencing comes in

Walker, R. (1990). Walker, R. (1990). Ka Whawhai tonu matou – Ka Whawhai tonu matou – Struggle Without EndStruggle Without End. Auckland. Penguin . Auckland. Penguin Publishers. Pg 12 – 14. Publishers. Pg 12 – 14.

Make a plan for writing a bodyMake a plan for writing a body

What is the word limit?What is the word limit?

How many paragraphs will your essay have?How many paragraphs will your essay have?

Write the body first. Intro, conclusion, Write the body first. Intro, conclusion, references lastreferences last

What is an essay?

A piece of writing, several paragraphs longIt is about one topic, and usually answers a set questionIt consists of three parts:

An introduction – usually one paragraphA body – usually several paragraphsA conclusion – usually one paragraphA paragraph is approx 250 words

The body of an essay – the The body of an essay – the mechanicsmechanics• Each paragraph = approx 250 words

• Work out the number of paragraphs needed to meet word limit

• = Number of points to make

• Helps to avoid :o Writing too much, ando Writing too little!

P.E.E.R.L Paragraph RuleP.E.E.R.L Paragraph Rule

Point Point Example Example Explanation Explanation RelevanceRelevanceLinkLink

The IntroductionThe Introduction

• What What question will you be answering? will you be answering?

• Anything you need to define / explain for your Anything you need to define / explain for your essayessay

• How you will answer the question (the fillings How you will answer the question (the fillings of your burger)of your burger)

• Your position – this essay will argue!Your position – this essay will argue!

ConclusionConclusion

Must be a strong ANSWER TO THE QUESTION.Must be a strong ANSWER TO THE QUESTION. Yes or no? Agree or disagree? What is your Yes or no? Agree or disagree? What is your

opinion?opinion?

DO NOT PUT NEW IDEAS HEREDO NOT PUT NEW IDEAS HERE, , but only combine existing ideas.but only combine existing ideas.Give your point of view on the topicGive your point of view on the topicCombine the main points togetherCombine the main points together

Remember…

If you need more help, just ask your Kaiako or

Degree Support Advisor, Student Support

Erina Okeroaerina.okeroa@twoa.ac.nz

027 505 2590