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Using These PDF Print Files'.: Do Not Chat During This Lecture

how to write an excellent essay

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36 views7 pages

Using These PDF Print Files'.: Do Not Chat During This Lecture

how to write an excellent essay

Uploaded by

ramanjsingh1
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Copyright

! Strodes College Laws students are


free to make use of this Pdf Print files
for study purposes (they should print
them off and take them to class).
! Others should ask before copying or
using these Pdf Print Files.
! Personal copyright of Dr Peter Jepson -
[email protected]

Do not chat during this lecture


1
! Turn off your mobile.
! Raise your hand if you have a question.
! Annotate these notes if you need to.

It is often said that an essay is


a bit like a sandwich
2
It has three layers (an Intro,
Middle and Conclusion).

1
Homework Essays 3
! We expect depth in your Homework essays.
! Research - using textbooks
! We expect you to go into detail and show
some analysis.
! Make sure you answer the essay title/
question.

20 Minute Essays 4
! Fifteen minute exam essays give little
time to explain, in an introduction, how
you intend to answer the question -
and, in a conclusion, how you have
answered the question.
It follows that you often need to go
straight to the meat of the essay.

You must first plan your answer


5
A plan is vital because it helps you produce a
simple and easy draft. You need to use the
Planning/Writing frames we provide (see
http://www.sociologyblog.co.uk/pub/?
p=3405#more-3405 ).

A plan helps you focus on answering the


question.

It helps provide a structured answer.

2
Sub-Headings are also vital 6
! It helps provide structure for your essay.

! Use Sub-Headings in your essay and


establish these from your plan.

You MUST explain your thinking.


7
! Always write as if you are explaining
issues to a little boy or girl.

For example 8
! If you are asked to comment on the
advantages of a lay magistrate over a
stipendiary magistrate.
! Dont simply say a lay magistrate has local
knowledge explain the relevance and importance
of local knowledge etc. For good marks, you could
refer to an academic authority (an author of a law
book) and analyse the presumption that such local
knowledge is an advantage to the magistrates.

3
ALWAYS use sub-headings
in your essay . 9
! Sub-headings help establish structure in
your essay writing. More importantly
they demonstrate the same to the
examiner. Logically, your sub-headings
should relate to your essay plan.

The marks are in the discussion 10


! Carry out your essay plan - by
discussing the issues raised in the
question. Make reference to examples
or case law (explaining the example/
case and the relevance to the essay
topic). REFER and relate back to the
words used in the essay title.

In the core of your essay


11
! Make reference to any authorities
(Authors, Acts of Parliament).
! Try to analyse the issues in relation to
any authority (academic writers and/or
case law). If necessary, critically
analyse any authority.
! Give examples

4
In any Conclusion (be brief). 12
! Summarise the theme of your essay
and any outcome - relating back to the
essay title/question.
! Do NOT raise new issues in the
conclusion.

'Plagiarism' 13
! This means you cannot copy someone
elses work or lift extracts straight from
an article or book and pass them off as
your own
Examiners are very strict on plagiarism.
! - If you quote from an article, book etc
! - you must provide a footnote indicating
the source. Read about Turnitin

Produce a Bibliography. 14
! A bibliography is a list of materials you have
read, then referred to in your answer. The
correct way of listing a book is shown below
(author, title, publisher and year of
publication). A law case (showing the legal
reference) is also shown. Martin J. - 'The English
Legal System' - Hodder & Stoughton (1998).
! Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] All ER 562

5
Dealing with problem
questions ... 15
! Read the entire problem a few times.
! Use a highlight pen to help identify and
mark out key words/issues.
! Try to identify a structure to the problem
question and develop your response/
essay plan in relation to that structure.

Dealing with
problem questions ... 16
! Answer the problem question in essay
form your introduction could explain
the key issues and how you intend to
answer. Subsequent paragraphs could
relate to characters/sections from within
the problem.
! In answering the problem question,
relate to ALL elements that you have
identified.

Dealing with
problem questions ... 17
! Try to use cases and/or statutes to back
up your arguments.
! If ever there is a date in a problem
question it generally relates to an
issue (e.g. the claim for compensation
may be out of time etc).

6
Laws help and advice 18
! Use short-listed essays.
! Discuss essays with a fellow student.
! Establish a study buddy
! Ask your Laws Tutor for advice.
! E-mail [email protected]

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