Writing a Great Essay

Study Skills Support, Faculty of ArtsArts.support@adelaide.edu.au

Dr Jillian SchedneckJillian.schedneck@adelaide.edu.au

How does the idea of writing an essay make you feel?

Go to Michaelshiel.comType out a few words in answer to the questionThe answers will soon appear on screenSend more than one answer

What is an essay?

FormalLogical ConnectedStructuredPersuasiveReferenced

• A writer's attempt to convince readers of the validity of a particular position

Why do we write essays in university?

• To help you develop knowledge and critical thinking skills

• To demonstrate your logical thinking and ability to articulate clear, ordered thoughts

• To help you think more deeply and work out your reasoned opinion about important issues

Example questions1. Should Charles Dickens be considered the greatest English novelist?

2. Why do men and women generally behave differently? Are the reasons biological or social, or both? Explain your answer.

Think about how you might answer either of these questions. What are both questions asking you to do?Give your reasoned opinion, commonly referred to as making an argument.

Step 1: Thesis statementDecide on your opinion. Write down your thesis statement.Your thesis statement is your one sentence answer to the question being asked.

Examples:Charles Dickens should not be considered the greatest English novelist. Charles Dickens should not be considered the greatest English novelist because there are too many other authors who are equally great. Men and women behave differently because of social and biological differences.Men and women behave differently mainly because of social influences, but biological differences play a small role as well.

Step 1: Thesis statement

• usually one sentence• a statement, not a question• identifies the subject of the paper• takes a stand rather than simply announcing a

subject

It is a one-sentence description of your topic and the argument that you plan to make in the essay.

Step 2: Introduction paragraph

Begin broadly and then become more specific.

Your thesis statement should be the last sentence of your introduction.

This paragraph can be shorter than the others, from 3-7 sentences.

Think of your Introduction paragraph as shaped like an inverted triangle, or a funnel.

Step 3: Support• Decide on some good reasons that will help prove your position• Collect evidence from the course lectures and assigned readings,

as well as your own searches on the library database• Gather one reason for each body paragraph, and have evidenceto support each reason Create an outline listing your thesis statement and main reasons

—check that your reasons clearly support your thesis.If your essay is 1500 words, how many paragraphs do you need? Hint: 250 words to a page, so 1500 words is roughly 6 pages.

Math problem!

7-8 body paragraphs = 7-8 reasons

Step 4: Topic sentences• Each topic sentence should begin by stating one of your

reasons from Step 3. This is an argumentative statement providing reasons for your position. This statement does not only provide information, but reasoned opinion.

Examples:Jane Austen is an English author who should be considered equal to if not greater than Charles Dickens.

During childhood, children are given gender specific toys and clothes which give them strong clues to influence their gendered behaviour.

Step 5: Developing paragraphs• Provide evidence to support each reason• Paraphrase from the research you’ve collected• Quote sparingly from the research you’ve

collected• Explain your evidence in your own words• Include a concluding summary sentence at the

end of each paragraph• Each new topic sentenceshould transition the reader into the next point

Step 6: Conclusion

• Everyone worries about the conclusion, but it’s nothing to get anxious about.

• It can be just three sentences, summarising your thesis statement and main points from your body paragraph, but using new words.

Step 7: Revise and Proofread

• If possible, print out your draft and wait at least 24 hours. Then revise and proofread.

Writing is a process! It won’t be perfect the first time. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn how to fix them.

• Double space and 12 point font (don’t hurt your tutor’s eyes!)

Common problems with essays• Lack of argument• Introduction too long and complicated• Content goes off topic• Lack of structure or organisation • Paragraphs are either too long or too short• Evidence used within body paragraphs are not clearly

explained• Missing topic sentences• Missing conclusion sentences to paragraphs (summary

sentences to end each paragraph) • Lack of conclusion

Academic Skills Resources course in your MyUni under ‘Other Courses’

• Essay Writing Basics• Making an Argument• Using Sources• Paragraph Writing• Considering your Audience• Grammar Basics• Advanced Grammar: Cohesion

Final Tips:• Think of each essay as series of one paragraph

units rather than 1500 to 2500 words in total (which can be overwhelming)

• Write research write

• If you’re having trouble, ask for an extension. The worst that can happen is that your tutor says “no.”

• Hand SOMETHING in. Your essay draft is probably better than you think.

• Your tutors and lecturers WANT YOU TO DO WELL.

There is help! Study Skills Support: Napier G60, email arts.support@adelaide.edu.au to make an appointmentAcademic Skills Resources: MyUni course with online tutorials for writing essaysEnglish for Uni: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/english-for-uni/Writing Centre: Hub Level 3Writing Centre learning guides:http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/learning_guides