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Essay Writing Skills:Research Essays and ReportsSPA WORKSHOPS PRESENTS

WARNING:

Before making any attempt at all to start your assignment, read it over carefully twice and if you have any questions at all, ASK YOUR PROFESSOR OR TA IMMEDIATELY!

STEP ONE: Devising your research question/topic.If there is a specific research question/topic given in your assignment, try to interpret exactly what your professor wants you to do about the research question/topic.

If you are not assigned a specific research question, be sure to choose a topic and research question that interests you. That way, you can learn, achieve, and enjoy all at the same time! KEY WORDSInformation words: ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.

Define to give the subject's meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject's meaning.Explain to give reasons why or examples of how something happened.Research to gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you have found.KEY WORDSRelation words: ask you to demonstrate how things are connected.

Compare to show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different).Contrast to show how two or more things are dissimilar.Apply to use details that you've been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation.KEY WORDSInterpretation words: ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject using support by concrete evidence and examples.

Prove, justify to give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth.Analyze to determine how individual parts create or relate to the whole, figure out how something works, what it might mean, or why it is important.Argue to take a side and defend it with evidence against the other side.STEP TWO: Finding your research sources.The York Library site (http://www.library.yorku.ca/) is a good place to start your research you can search for books available to you at the libraries on campus as well as access journal articles from online databases.

Some databases that you can access through the York Library site include: PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, and more.

When conducting your research, keep in mind if there are any requirements regarding the research sources, such as: the minimum number of research sources you are required to use and the type of sources you are required to use (books, journal articles, internet, etc.).

To search the databases for different subjects, simply find your subject on the list under SUBJECT RESEARCH GUIDES and click GO.

STEP THREE: Writing an essay outline.Writing an essay outline may appear to be an unnecessary step to writing an essay, but it actually helps lay out your entire argument so that you know exactly what you have and what you may need to add to make your argument more solid.

Components of an essay:Introduction (consists of the Thesis Statement), First argument, Second Argument, Third Argument, and the Concluding Paragraph.

Thesis statement: a sentence that clearly and specifically states what you intend to prove/argue.

STEP FOUR: Putting the essay together and proofreading.Simply transform your arguments into paragraph form and add a few sentences here and there to make your entire essay flow and sensible.

Proofread it once right after you complete your essay, then again a few hours later, and finally if youre still doubtful, get a friend with a high English mark to proofread it or book an appointment to go in the Writing Centre for access to some professional proofreading done!

STEP FIVE: Creating your bibliography referencing.Referencing your sources appropriately is one of the most important steps in completing your assignment because improper referencing of sources may lead to an accusation of plagiarism!!!

Remember to ask your professor what format of referencing they would like you to use (APA, MLA, etc.) so that these easy marks wont get deducted!

If you have any questions regarding referencing, check out the Scott Library, where you will have access to all the different publication manuals.

TOP FIVE TIPS ON HOW TO WRITE AN IMPRESSIVE ESSAY If your professor handed out a marking rubric for the assignment, read it over and make sure that you have incorporated all the criteria in your essaybecause then, its almost a guaranteed A+!

Be clear and concise when writing your essay! Dont give your professor a headache with all the flowery language and unnecessary run-on sentences, because thats almost a guaranteed NOT A+!

Do not leave your assignment to the night before its due! Have it done at least three days before its due so that there will be plenty of time for proofreading and polishing.

If you think you should reference, then reference! Do not give plagiarism a chance to get you!

Make use of the Writing Centre located in S329 Ross Building youre paying for this service!!!

THANKS FOR COMING AND GOOD LUCK!

If you need anything, please feel free to drop by the SPA office!