K
eep to the topicI
nsert other peoples' thoughts.S
tatement, statement, conclusion.
Essay writing the easy way?
The secret to essay writing is "kis"
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K eep to the topicI nsert other peoples' thoughts.S tatement, statement, conclusion. |
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What things make up a good, readable and to the point essay?
A good essay has a Synopsis, Introduction, Body and a Conclusion.
Synopsis: An overview of the essay. Introduction: Short and to the point.Body: This is where you answer the essay topic.Conclusion: This is where you bring all the threads together.Bibliography: List of books used in essay |
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Things you must not do! 1. Do not give your opinion unless asked in the essay question. The lecturer is more interested in the experts opinion than yours. Other people have done more research than you; So use them! |
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2. Do not answer some other topic other than the one you have. You may have some very interesting things to say, but if its not on the topic don't say it. Don't waste words; make every word count. Lecturers know when you are filling in to make up the word count. 3. Do not sermonise. This is not a sermon but an essay. An essay is a formal piece of literature, so don't write like you speak. Write in the third person. Example: It may be seen, We have noted, It would seem that, We have seen that. Do not use "I" unless asked for. |
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The Main Parts to your Essay
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Synopsis: The synopsis is not to be longer than 150 words. It is one paragraph. It gives an overview of the essay. This will be the first separate page after the title page. Introduction: Short and to the point. No more than fifty to a hundred words. An introduction is to introduce the topic not write about it.Body: This is where you answer the essay topic. It is here that you will provide proof for the argument that you will make. The body will take up 90% of the essay. (That is, the introduction 5%, the conclusion 5%, leaving 90% for the body.- approx) Make sure that the body sticks to the question or topic. If you do not answer the question it does not matter how well you write. |
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Conclusion:
This is where you bring all the threads together. It is here that you will state what you have written. Paragraphs: Don't make them to long! The longer the paragraph the harder it is to follow the argument. Statement, statement, conclusion.Bibliography:
Make sure you have a bibliography of all the books you have read from, not just quoted from. (Be careful to follow the footnoting and bibliograhy method of the institution you are studying with).
The Use of Quotations.
1. Make lots of quotations; the lecturer wants you to find the facts from scholars who are more capable than you. The more quotes you have, can mean, you have a better understanding of the topic. When you make statements about the topic, make sure you can back it up with a footnote or a quote.
2. Where possible get two opposite opinions, show which is correct and for what reasons.
3.You must give the credit to the writer. Even if you do not directly quote a book, but your ideas are drawn from a book, give the credit to the author with a footnote or end note. Example: It can be noted that the eschatological significance of the redemption of the Israelites is a present and future salvivic work. This may be your words but not your thoughts. (Note the formal English and theological words.)
Punctuation.
Don't use comas etc. unless you know what you are doing. Stick to simple sentences. Full stops are fine!
If you follow these simple rules your essays and exams will be easier!
© 1997 Captain Jack Starmans.
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