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Writing Essays

This guide outlines the structure of a successful academic essay, which includes an introduction (5-15%), body (70-80%), and conclusion (5-15%). The introduction should engage the reader and set expectations, while the body presents the argument with clear organization and transitions. The conclusion summarizes the main points and provides a final judgment, ensuring all required topics are covered and the writing is grammatically correct.

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vanesa miranda “vanivanita”
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5 views11 pages

Writing Essays

This guide outlines the structure of a successful academic essay, which includes an introduction (5-15%), body (70-80%), and conclusion (5-15%). The introduction should engage the reader and set expectations, while the body presents the argument with clear organization and transitions. The conclusion summarizes the main points and provides a final judgment, ensuring all required topics are covered and the writing is grammatically correct.

Uploaded by

vanesa miranda “vanivanita”
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
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WRITING ESSAYS

SHORT GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL WRITING

Success in Academic Writing (Trevor Day)


Text organisation
Typically, an essay has the
following broad structure:
 Introduction (5–15% of the
whole)
 Body (70–80%)
 Conclusion (5–15%)
• The introduction to your essay
should encourage your reader
to read on. It should also

introductions manage your reader’s


expectations about what is to
follow. Commonly, the
introduction includes some or
all of the following:
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 It reveals why the topic or theme of the
essay is of interest.

 It defines or interprets relevant technical


terms.

 It explains how you have interpreted the

introductions essay title.

 It asks questions that you mean to answer


or sets aims that you intend to meet.

 It establishes the limits of the essay (what


will be included and excluded), perhaps
with justification as to why you have made
that choice.
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In addition, it may...
Explain the approach you are
taking, e.g. ‘I give greater weight to
those studies that report on the
voice of the practitioner.’
introductions Include a thesis statement (one or
two sentences that summarise the
conclusion that will be reached).
Outline the structure of the rest of
the essay (particularly if it is a long
one).
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The Body
The middle part of your essay
normally makes up 70–80% of the
whole. It gives the line of reasoning
that connects the various parts of
your argument.
 a series of paragraphs, each of
which contains one idea or a
closely related set of ideas and
is likely to be less than 250
words long; and
The Body
will include...
 transitional words or phrases
that connect one paragraph
with another and explain to
the reader at which point in
the overall argument the
paragraph lies.

 Topic sentences and


supporting ideas or examples.
 headings and subheadings
that signpost the reader to
different stages of the
The Body
argument; and may also include...
 images or other kinds of
material, e.g. graphs or
tables, that complement the
text

These are, of course, not possible to


include in an exam.
The conclusion typically makes
up the final 5–15% of the essay’s
length. Overall, the conclusion
should relate well to the

Conclusion expectations set up in the


introduction. Being the last part
your assessor reads, the
conclusion performs several
vitally important functions. A
conclusion typically:
 reminds the reader how the
essay has interpreted and
responded to the essay title
or the assigned task;
Conclusion  summarises the main points
in the argument; and
 includes a final judgement
based on evaluation of
evidence and reasoning.
Checking moment

Make sure you have covered all the


topics required for the task.
Remember the items each part of the
essay must include and ask yourself
Overseeing whether they are present in your essay
or not. Systematize this practice.
tasks Check grammar: Tenses, correct use of
passive and other formal structures,
avoid repetition, use varied synonyms
and linkers, check spelling and double
check prepositions.
Always try to keep the reader engaged.
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