This document provides advice on various aspects of essay writing such as developing an argument, organizing ideas, composing drafts, understanding topics, planning and outlining, structuring paragraphs and using sources. Some key points covered include having a clear thesis, revising for objectivity, taking effective notes, using topic sentences and quotations properly, crafting introductions and conclusions, and editing for clarity and mechanics. The overall guidance is aimed at helping writers develop strong research, analytical and composition skills for academic 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/