Learning Lists for Science 3
How To Write Essays

Abstract

© 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

1. Organises thoughts
2. Personal expression—own point of view
3. Diagnostic—discover strengths and weaknesses
4. Important practice for exams
5. Don’t treat as a chore—chance to show your ability.

B. Understanding the Task

1. 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

1. Purpose essential:
   • promotes effective reading
   • saves time.
2. Ask questions at the outset
3. Ask more questions while researching
4. Start as soon as the essay is given:
   • you will be alert for relevant ideas
   • your unconscious mind will work on the problem.
5. Keep a notebook for ideas
6. Sources of information:
   • tutor’s references
   • references in books, journals, encyclopaedias, etc
   • library—staff will help
   • informal sources—lectures, tutorials, newspapers, conversations, etc.
7. Record the sources:
   • title, author, publisher, place, date
   • credit sources used (author, date).

D. Planning the Essay

1. Select the relevant material:
   • reject trivial,~obscure, tentative material
   • select enough to support the argument.
2. Write an outline:
   • use creative patterns
   • helps logical sequence (continuity) and fluency
   • saves time wasting, crossing out and re-writing unnecessarily.
3. Introduction:
   • comment on subject and treatment
   • survey background information.
4. Main body:
   • argue through 2 or 3 main ideas
   • support with examples and evidence.
5. 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

1. Write conclusions first:
   • gives a sense of purpose
   • gives a clear ending—not a “fadeoout”.
2. Style:
   • simple and direct
   • short sentences
   • be concise.
3. 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

1. Reasons:
   • more objective
   • fresh approach
   • chance to notice weaknesses
   • chance for criticism.
2. 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?
3. Eliminate all weaknesses.
4. 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!

References

• D Rowntree, How to Study, chapter 4
• T Buzan, Use Your Head, Organic study

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