ESSAY WRITING: PROCESSAn essay presents a wellargued discussion or response to a question or proposition, usinganalysis and critique of relevant literature. It establishes a proposition or thesis and presents apoint of view. The following are suggested steps for writing an essay.Essay tasks generallycontain:• Content words: what theassignment is about• Limiting words: definethe scope of the topic• Direction/instructionwords: tell you what todo, e.g. discuss,evaluate.1. Analyse the question• Circle key content words and phrases.• Underline any instructional words, e.g. discuss, explain, identify, evaluate.• Be sure you understand what the task is: put the question in your own words.• Look for hints on structure, i.e. how many parts are there to the question? Is itcompare/contrast, cause/effect? A number of factors, features, principles, etc.?2. Brainstorm the question• Bring all your ideas together on one page to:– take stock of what you already know– identify any gaps in your knowledge– give you the beginnings of a plan for your essay• Mindmaps are useful at this stage.3. Start your research• Begin with general reading – start with recommended texts, course notes and books from the library.• Look for potential ways to structure your essay.• Record all bibliographical details, including page numbers for your references, as you go to avoid plagiarism.4. Plan the essay• Decide on your main points and organise the information – use headings and make connections.• Decide on a logical order for your points.• Your plan should include:– main points and their relationship to the question– supporting information and its relationship to the main points– references– a draft of the introduction.Study Tips: Essay writing 1 20155. Continue your research• Focus your research, expanding on the main points and arguments, and refine the plan.• Use search terms from your earlier research to locate precise information/evidence (e.g. from databases).6. Write• Write using your detailed plan.• It may be useful to write the body paragraphs first, then the conclusion, then finalise the introduction.• Write paragraphs containing one main idea stated in the topic sentence. Other sentences should explain,support and give detail, with evidence from research and/or examples.• Integrate theory and include references as you go.• Expect to write several drafts. Try to avoid getting stuck looking for the ‘right’ word.7. Edit• Focus on checking that the essay is logical, points are linked to the purpose, and information is relevant.• Make sure your reference list includes all works cited and is correctly set out.• Proofread for spelling, punctuation and grammar errors. Reading aloud can be useful.• Check layout, margins, page numbers, line spacing and title page. Check your lecturer’s expectations.• Save additional copies of your essay in different locations, e.g. Google Drive, RMIT Hdrive, USB, or Dropbox.Thesis statement Topic sentenceTopic sentenceParagraph 1Paragraph 2TopTopic sentenceParagraph 3 (etc.)CONCLUSION INTRODUCTIONESSAY WRITING:STRUCTUREIntroduction – an outline of the argumentBegins with a brief general statement setting the essay in acontext (connecting it to the world)May define termsIndicates the areas and perspectives discussed in the essayLeads to a thesis statement, which summarises the essay in onesentence, and contains a point of viewBody – made up of connected paragraphsEach paragraph contains one main idea, expressed in a topicsentence (usually the first sentence).The other sentences in the paragraph expand on the topicsentence, giving details and evidence (with references to thesources), and/or examples.The final sentence is linked back to the main idea in the topicsentence.The topic sentences carry the theme or outline of the essay andrelate directly back to the thesis statement. This creates logicaldevelopment and flow of the argument.Tip: If you cover the main text and read only the topic sentences,the essay should make basic logical sense.Conclusion – the ‘answer’Provides an answer: a restatement of the thesis in different wordsGives a very brief summing up of the main pointsOften restates the significance of the issue and responseContains no new points.Study Tips: Essay writing 2 2015
