Advice on Academic Essay-Writing

2. Some General Advice
An essay should have an argument.
An essay should try to develop a single thesis
or a set of closely related points
An essay should have an organization
How it begins, develops, and ends.
Methods of composing

3. Methods of Composing
Practices of Good Writers
Keep the essay´s overall purpose
and organization on mind.
Revise extensively to see
the work-in-progress more objectively
Write for discovery and exploration
Revise in detail
transitions: sequence sentences ,
diction: exactness and aptness of words, and
economy: the fewest words but clear and thoughtful

4. Understanding Essay Topic
Developing and displaying
powers of reasoning
Find differences and similarities.
Provide an opinion based on well defined
criteria and evidence.
Argue a solid point of view
Look behind the surface of source material

5. Planning and organizing
Integrating note
taking and planning
 Index cards to write down
idea, fact, quotation, or
paraphrase.
The Circle Method: write
down ideas on a paper and
draw a circle around it,
adding a page reference.
The computer
Planning Advantages
Logical and orderly
argument
Economical paper , avoid
repetition
Thorough paper, avoid
omission
Writing issues such as
grammar, word choice and
clarity

6. The structure of an essay
Following the typical features of a book review , the
outline may be also divided in three parts:
 Summary,
 Discussion of strengths and weaknesses
 Overall evaluation
However, the structure of and essay should not be
determined by the structure of its source material.

7. THESIS STATEMENT
Writer´s position
Comes at the end of the first paragraph.
 Is one sentence in length,
no matter how many clauses it contains.
Is perfectly stated from the very beginning ,
although it may be refined.
Gives three points of support,
in order to explain and give evidence for its assertion

8. INTRODUCTIONS
Catch reader´s attention
Find a startling statistic
to illustrate the seriousness of the problem,
Quote an expert,
Mention a common misperception
to be argued against,
Give background information
for understanding the essay,
Exemplify the reasons for choosing the topic

9. CONCLUSION
Reader´s reminder
Involves critical thinking
Reflects upon writer´s intention
Encourages reader´s way of thinking
One well-developed paragraph

10. PARAGRAPH
 ILLUSTRATION: Examples, details, quotations.
DEFINITION : Specific terms to the subject
ANALYSIS: distinguish and discuss the topic
COMPARISON: Similarities and differences
QUALIFICATION: Untrue assertions
PROCESS: Step-by-step description

11. FLOW ON THE PARAGRAPH
MOVEMENT LENGTH
Show connections
Repetition:
key words or synonyms
Strategic
Use of Pronouns
Specialized
Linking words
Long paragraphs make
prose dense
Break it at a logical space
Short paragraphs need
further development

12. TOPIC SENTENCE
Is a mini Thesis
at the very beginning of paragraph
Establishes connection with
the thesis statement
Contributes to
the development of the argument,
avoiding redundancy

13. CRITICAL WRITING
and READING
Critical reading of sources to make
judgments and interpretations of texts.
Skimming research materials,
introductions and conclusions
Highlight places in the text
explaining analytical movements.
Use the quotation critically
Not only seek for information
but also for ways of thinking

14. TAKING NOTES
FROM RESEARCH READING
Review the commonly known facts about the topic
Make a preliminary list of the topics
Choose a component of interest and controversy
Find out facts and theories to answer assertions
Choose impressive quotations
Write the most important ideas as
labels or headings.

15. LABEL NOTES INTELLIGENTLY
Record bibliographic information in
a master list to look at each source
Identify each note by
the author´s name and page number
Keep a format guide handy
Put notes on separate cards, allowing for
Grouping and synthesizing ideas
Take note of questions, reactions , and
cross references for your virtual first draft

16. READING
FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES
Clearly defined goals in mind
Focus on relevant elements of reading
Start previewing the text
 Title
 Subject matter
 Author biography
 Publisher
 Chapter titles and headings

17. METHODS
FOR THOUGHTFUL READING
SKIMMING SCANNING
 Read carefully
 the introductory paragraph
to predict arguments
 the first one or two
sentences of each paragraph
and the concluding
sentences
 the concluding paragraph
 Read through the text again to
note its complexities
Read carefully
 To locate a particular fact
or figure
 To see whether the text
mentions a subject
researched

18. DEALING WITH NEW WORDS
Do not interrupt reading to look up new words
Examine the Structure
(familiar words, prefixes, suffixes)
Look at the Context. Deduce word meaning
Turn to the Dictionary or textbook´s glossary,
if necessary, find the most relevant meaning,
and check pronunciation

19. USING QUOTATIONS
When a brief sentence introduction is followed
by “that”, to introduce a complete sentence quoted,
no punctuation is needed.
When a quotation is introduced with a full sentence,
place a colon at the end of the introductory sentence.
When a quotation is introduce with an incomplete
sentence, place a comma after the introductory phrase.
When the quotation is longer than four lines, do not place it
in quotation marks. Set text off as a block quotation,
beginning with an indentation.
Enclose the added text within square brackets

20. ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Time allotted
Use of notes or texts
Use of various media (slides, hand-outs, projector)
Define the scope of research
Organize the talk as an essay

21. REVISING AND EDITING
Fulfil the intention of the assignment:
 Check details
 Add or delete sentences and paragraphs,
shifting or reshaping them
 State genre: critique, essay, personal response,
book review, research report
Look at overall organization
 Clear introduction
 Connections between sections
 Conclusion : real paraphrase

22. REVISING AND EDITING
Use reference material
 Handbooks, handouts
Use spell check and print dictionary
Don´t depend on a thesaurus
and a grammar checker

23. A NOTE ON APPEARANCE
 Cover page ..............................
 Number of pages ....................
 Double-space ............................
 Leave margins ..........................
 Use a standard font ..................
 Put bibliography .......................
 Staple the pages
 Title of the paper, Name of the
course, student´s name, date,
instructor´s name
 on the top right-hand corner.
Omit the first one,
start in with 2
 the text , indented quotations,
footnotes and reference list.
 of 2.5 cm on all sides of the
page
 twelve-point size
 on a separate page at the end

24. SOURCES
Freedman, L. & Plotnick J., Introductions and Conclusions, from Planning and Organizing.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/intros-and-conclusions/
Freedman, L., Previewing, from Reading and Researching.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/researching/preview/
Freedman, L., Skimming and Scanning, from Reading and Researching.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/researching/skim-and-scan/
Hall J., & Plotnick, J., Using Topic Sentences, from Planning and Organizing.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/topic-sentences/
Knott, D., Critical Reading Towards Critical Writing, from Reading and Researching.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/researching/critical-reading/
Perret, N., Oral Presentations, from Specific Types of Writing
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/types-of-writing/oral-presentations/
.

25. SOURCES
Plotnick, J., Organizing an Essay, from Planning and Organizing.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/organizing/
Plotnick, J., Using Quotations, from Using Sources.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/using-sources/quotations/
Procter, M., Understanding Essay Topics: A Checklist, from General.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/general/essay-topics/
Procter, M., Using Thesis Statements, Planning and Organizing.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/thesis-statements/
Procter, M. & others, Paragraphs, from Planning and Organizing.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/paragraphs/
Procter, M., Taking Notes from Research Reading, from Reading and Researching.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/researching/notes-from-research/
Procter, M., Dealing with New Words, from Reading and Researching.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/researching/new-words/
Procter, M., Revising and Editing, from Revising.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/revising/revising-and-editing/
Silver, C.A., Some general advice on Academic Essay-Writing, from General.
http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/general/general-advice/