Essay Writing 3

ESSAY WRITING

STEPS OF AN ESSAY
 Analyze your prompt
 Gather your information by research and reading
 Note where your information comes from
 Think of your aim and methodology
 Organize your material
 Draft your essay
 Revise your essay
Source: http://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/research/books/cwtuc/chapter01.pdf
SOURCE: http://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/research/books/cwtuc/chapter01.pdf
THE BODY OF THE ESSAY
 .
This is where the organization of the content is important.
The body of the essay may include any number of paragraphs.
Each paragraph is either a complete section of the overall argument of part of a

section of the argument. This is the writer's opinions, speculation, argument ,
ideas etc. Any quotes, charts, inserts etc all must uphold what the writer is
arguing. Expert opinion is used to support the writer's own argument.
The first major structural concern in the body of the essay
is the arrangement of the argument.
You will need to consider

Which point should be placed first, how does the
Can a logical progression be traced in the
reader get from one point to the next, i.e. what is the
development of the ideas?
connection?
Remember that all quoted material from books or articles

must support your argument. These need to be mentioned
in the text and in the references
Once you have arranged the material in a reasonable order you need to make sure
that there is a logical sence of development within the entire body of the essay
One point must lead to another, by content and/or by the language choices
Essay writing relies on connecting ideas to form a logically developped argument
Make sure your argument covers all the issues referred to in the topic. It does not
matter if they do not have equal significance
DISCURSIVE ESSAY (Discuss)
 Presents a balanced and objective analysis of
a topic
 Presents both sides of a discussion,
supported by facts and research.

 You may give your opinion/suggestions in
the conclusions
 Each issue should be discussed in a separate
paragraph and each paragraph should begin

with a strong topic sentence. Last sentence
should lead to the following paragraph.
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY (Your
opinion)
 Presents a position on a particular topic
usually with the aim to persuade the reader.
 States an initial thesis with your point of view
 Body includes both sides of an argument,
which are refuted.

 May present pros and cons in one paragraph
and refutations in a different paragraph

 Your conclusions state your point of view
REMEMBER
 To cite in the text if necessary. It is much
better to paraphrase.
 All sources mentioned in the references must
be in-text as well.
 You must prove all your opinions. That is, all
your opinions must be supported by other

authors.
 Your voice can only be heard in the
conclusions.
REMEMBER
 Plan before you write. Think of three or four points to support your
view. Make each of these points a paragraph is necessary, and give
details and examples. You MUST support your arguments.
 Do not get emotional. Do not use adjectives that denote emotion.
 You must be as OBJECTIVE as possible.
 Although you are expressing your opinion, do not use ‘I’ or ‘we’.
This is because you want to suggest that your ideas are facts. For
example, instead of saying ‘I think courts of law sometimes make
mistakes…’, it is better to use an impersonal style: ‘Courts of law
sometimes make mistakes’.
 You may want to take an argument against your opinion and say
why that argument is wrong. ‘It is often suggested that the death
penalty prevents crime and that the risk of death acts as a
deterrent. However, …’
ALSO REMEMBER…
 Correct grammar
 NO CONTRACTIONS
 No colloquial words: so, too, kids, really, …
 Paragraph division is essential
 Indent first line of each paragraph
 Always support your arguments
 All ideas must be linked
 You must always cite the sources you are using. APA6
style.
 Avoid plagiarism
 References – in the center of the page and without
capital letters, bold, etc.
ACADEMIC WRITING
 MUST BE CONCISE & PRECISE
 USE IMPERSONAL LANGUAGE
 USE FORMAL LANGUAGE: Avoid slang (kids,

cool, guys, wanna…), casual language (so,
really, too…), avoid “we” & “I”
 ACADEMIC WRITING
CHECK LIST
 CHECK LIST FOR CLASS
EVALUATION – GC 5%
CG 6- Generic competence 6: Quality Orientation: Seek excellence in
academic, personal and professional activities oriented towards results
with a view to continuous improvement.
Level 1: Meet requirements in daily academic work;
Level 2: systematically improving personal work.
Learning Outcomes: The student:

 Follows the rules given for academic work – APA 6/7 references are
correct; in-text citations are correct

 Structures and organizes in an appropriate way their ideas, points of
view, in their assignments

 Develops in depth the topics analyzed in written/ tasks
 Shows care and interest in both formal and content aspects of their work
 Makes good, efficient use of resources
Cites correctly using APA style (6 th or 7th edition)

EVALUATION/ 2- SC – 5%
Specific Competence 3: English Language: show an excellent level of oral and
written English. This competence develops communication in a second language
and comprises the following Levels:
 Level 1: To understand the main ideas expressed in texts of different length and
complexity so as to comprehend implicit meaning.

 Level 2: to be able to express oneself in a spontaneous and fluent way selecting
those appropriate terms and phrases which fit best the communication context
Learning Outcomes: The student:

 Writes essay with special attention to descriptive, argumentative and
opinion texts
 Edits initial and later drafts – Grammar, structures are correct
 Produces coherent, clear texts, well-structured and organized in
academic English
 Introduction, body & conclusion – coherent, well structured - Academic
EVALUATION SUMMARIZED
 APA 6/7 – correct
 Grammar & structures – correct
 Paragraphs – correct; linked
 Introductions, body & conclusion – Academic
 Content – coherent and well exposed
 5% - Apa 6/7, Academic style, etc.

 5% - content & grammar, etc.
WEB PAGES
 http://www.mansioningles.com/first/first_cert05.htm
 http://www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/general_training_writing/activiti
es/different_kinds_conjection_writing.cfm
 http://www.indiana.edu/~deanfac/tepaic/composition.html (e.g. of
testing)
 http://www.flingue.unict.it/docenti/rhalstead/3rd%20year/betterthirdyearc
ompositions.doc
( not too good but can help)
 http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
 http://www.ruthvilmi.net/hut/LangHelp/Writing/
 http://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/research/books/cwtuc/chapter01.pdf

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ESSAY WRITING

The body of the essay may include any number of paragraphs.

Each paragraph is either a complete section of the overall argument of part of a

You will need to consider

Remember that all quoted material from books or articles

Essay writing relies on connecting ideas to form a logically developped argument

supported by facts and research.

paragraph and each paragraph should begin

which are refuted.

and refutations in a different paragraph

your opinions must be supported by other

 USE IMPERSONAL LANGUAGE

 USE FORMAL LANGUAGE: Avoid slang (kids,

Learning Outcomes: The student:

correct; in-text citations are correct

view, in their assignments

 Makes good, efficient use of resources

Cites correctly using APA style (6 th or 7th edition)

complexity so as to comprehend implicit meaning.

Learning Outcomes: The student:

 5% - Apa 6/7, Academic style, etc.

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