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Define the Topic:
The first step in writing an essay is to determine what the question requires. Identify any key words which tell you how to approach the question. You should use these key words as a focus for your essay to ensure that you are answering the question. Here is a list of some of the most commonly used terms and their meanings:
Basic Essay Structure:
Before attempting to write your essay, you need to organise your ideas and draw up an outline (an essay plan). The basic structure of your essay should have three main parts:
| INTRODUCTION | BODY | CONCLUSION |
|---|---|---|
| What are you going to say The INTRODUCTION should clearly express the main ideas of the question and give an indication of how you are going to develop your ideas and arguments. |
Saying it The BODY should logically develop ideas in a direct and concise manner. Each paragraph should include one main idea, supported by evidence to reinforce it. |
What you have said The CONCLUSION should draw together all the points which have been made in the body of the essay and provide a summary of your arguments. |
The Redraft:
You will need to write at least two drafts of your essay. The purpose of the first draft is primarily for you to sort out what you want to say. The main aim is to get your ideas flowing and to write them down on paper. Once you have done the first draft, you are over the hardest part of the writing process. The redraft will enable you to look at your essay more objectively and involves looking at the style, as well as the flow of arguments and ideas. Make sure you check at this time the correctness of spelling, grammar, punctuation and paragraphs. Note down as well all your references in your footnotes for the bibliography. The length of your essay also needs to be checked to make sure that it corresponds closely with the specified word length. Once this has been done, read your essay out aloud. If it reads smoothly and deals with the question/topic competently and successfully, then you have produced a 'well-crafted' essay.
Referencing:
Referencing is essential in any essay where sources have been consulted and cited. Material 'lifted' from the work of others without acknowledgement is plagiarism. Two forms of references are used in an essay: Footnotes/Notes and Bibliography.
Presentation:
The presentation of your essay is important. Essays which are well presented, well set out and typed will please markers! The following basic requirements of presentation should be incorporated into your essays and assignments:
