The foundation of morality is to… give up pretending to believe that for which there is no evidence, and repeating unintelligible propositions about things beyond the possibilities of knowledge.
Thomas H Huxley
Learning Lists for Science 3
How To Write Essays
Abstract
This page is a check list of tips on how to write essays
© Dr M D Magee
Contents Updated: Wednesday, 03 December 2003
Don't let it bug you. Writing essays can be enjoyable, and goes a long way to helping you to understand. You need to be fairly systematic to be a scientist, and a bit systematic even in ordinary life, and planning essays can help you.
A. Value of Essays
- Organises thoughts
- Personal expression—own point of view
- Diagnostic—discover strengths and weaknesses
- Important practice for exams
- Don’t treat as a chore—chance to show your ability.
B. Understanding the Task
- Note the precise requirements:
- general or specific?
- broad or detailed?
- objective survey or personal judgments?
- particular sources of data?
- purely descriptive or explanations?
- discussion of implications?
- applications? etc.
C. Collecting Material
- Purpose essential:
- promotes effective reading
- saves time.
- Ask questions at the outset
- Ask more questions while researching
- Start as soon as the essay is given:
- you will be alert for relevant ideas
- your unconscious mind will work on the problem.
- Keep a notebook for ideas
- Sources of information:
- tutor’s references
- references in books, journals, encyclopaedias, etc
- library—staff will help
- informal sources—lectures, tutorials, newspapers, conversations, etc.
- Record the sources:
- title, author, publisher, place, date
- credit sources used (author, date).
D. Planning the Essay
- Select the relevant material:
- reject trivial,~obscure, tentative material
- select enough to support the argument.
- Write an outline:
- use creative patterns
- helps logical sequence (continuity) and fluency
- saves time wasting, crossing out and re-writing unnecessarily.
- Introduction:
- comment on subject and treatment
- survey background information.
- Main body:
- argue through 2 or 3 main ideas
- support with examples and evidence.
- Conclusion:
- summarise the argument
- what are the firm or tentative conclusions from the evidence
- review the wider implications, signifance for the future, further work, etc.
E. Write First Draft
- Write conclusions first:
- gives a sense of purpose
- gives a clear ending—not a “fadeoout”.
- Style:
- simple and direct
- short sentences
- be concise.
- Iayout:
- should help the reader
- reflect the structure of the argument
- each main idea—a new paragraph
- illustrations save words
- distinguish your ideas from others
- name sources
- for quotations—“quotation marks”
- use headings and sub~headings
- end with a brief bibliography.
F. Rewrite
- Reasons:
- more objective
- fresh approach
- chance to notice weaknesses
- chance for criticism.
- Criticise:
- ask friends/colleagues to comment
- check:
- does it fulfil title?
- are the main aspects covered?
- is the depth of treatment right?
- is it logical?
- is it well supported with evidence?
- are there any obscure or pompous phrases?
- Eliminate all weaknesses.
- Presentation:
- Essay marking is subjective
- must create a good impression
- write legibly—illegible writing can cause the loss of a whole grade
- examiners/tutors have a lot to mark—make it easier for them.
- use illustrations as much as possible
- be presentation conscious!
- Essay marking is subjective
References
- D Rowntree, How to Study, chapter 4
- T Buzan, Use Your Head, Organic study
Last uploaded: 05 October, 2008.
Moses and Exodus
