The document provides guidance for writing a high-distinction essay, including advice on structuring the introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should allocate 10% of words to provide an overview of the topic and position of the essay. The body is most important and requires excellent discussion supported by research. Each paragraph in the body should contain a topic sentence, supporting sentences with evidence, and a concluding sentence. Quotes from textbooks should be avoided and critical analysis of sources used instead. The conclusion restates the position in different words and considers implications. Referencing must follow the Q-manual format.

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Nathan’s Unofficial Guide to Writing a HD Essay*
*Note results may vary.
The introduction is worth 10% of your mark so you should be looking at allocating roughly 10% of
the words to it, which for essay one would be roughly 150 to 200 words (Goodmarks, 2008). When
Eva, Inglis and Abeysekera (2012) are marking your introduction they will be looking for two key
areas. First, there needs to be a clear introduction to the topic area. As the essay is about managerial
functions, roles and skills we need to have an overview of this area. Second, there should be a clear
position about what the essay will discuss and if applicable, what side of the argument the author is
on (Cleese, 1978). This can be as simple as saying “This essay will now discuss…” (Student, 2011, p. 6).
The new paragraph starts on a new line, do not leave another line between the paragraphs.
The body of the essay is by far the most important as it is worth 60% of your mark. In order to get a
high distinction you are required to display “Excellent discussion supported by quality research in
the literature in combination with the use of relevant examples to support the arguments”
(Inglis&Abeysekera, 2012, p. 2). This will be a short paragraph as the next point I have to make is a
completely different argument that the one that has been made in the current paragraph (Rambling,
2011).
Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence which states why you are supporting or
arguing a particular position (Spenser, 2007a). For assignment one this may mean discussing
functions in one paragraph, roles in another and skills in the final paragraph (Essay, Lay & Out, 2011).
Kimberley and Crosling (2012) suggest that supporting sentences, which contain evidence to support
the position and an analysis of the evidence, concluding sentences, summing up the paragraph, and
transition sentences, which make a logical step to the next paragraph, used in each paragraph.
This is probably the most important point to remember (Spenser, 2007b). You need to write
analytically for university. That means forget your year 12 English essays. You have to analyse, not

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describe what is happening. That means that “there is no point in including long quotations from the
textbook. As you are simply regurgitating what the textbooks says we do not give any marks for that.
Anyone can copy words from a textbook” (Essay et al., 2011, pp. 12-13). What we want to see is you
using the knowledge gained from journal articles and the textbook as well as relevant management
examples to critically analyse and answer the question. Sum up the strengths and weaknesses of
different arguments and present a clear rationale for why you think that Morphet needs to use
different managerial functions, roles and skills (You, Can, Do & It, 2005). Relevant management
examples will be really easy for this essay as it is a real company with lots of media on it (You et al.,
2005).
With referencing make sure you are using the Q-manual (Goodmarks, 2008). It explains very
clearly how to reference correctly and once you know how to do it, you will not forget it (Trust and
Me, 2000). Ensure you are using at least five journal articles plus the textbook (only if you want to
use the textbook, you do not have to). If you have two or more articles that make the same point
and you want to use them both, why not reference them both (Making, 2010; Multiple, 2007;
Reference, 2011; Work, In and Essay, 2012).
In summary, your conclusion is also worth 10% so make sure you are writing a good one
(Last, Attempt, At and Marks, 2000). You need to bring the argument to a close and restate your
position in different words than your introduction. A really good essay will conclude by making
implications from the essay and what needs to be looked at in the future. Once again try to use 150
to 200 words for the conclusion. Good luck.

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References
Clease, J. (1978, April 8). You came here for an argument. Python Times, 159, 46.
Eva, N., Inglis, L., &Abeysekera, L. (2012).Marking students in MGF1010. In J. Monash (Eds.), Marks,
marks and more marks (pp. 180-205). Caulfield, Australia: Publisher.
Goodmarks, G. (2008). Getting a high distinction at Monash, How to be Awesome at Life Journal,
13(4), 324-339.
Inglis, L., &Abeysekera, L. (2012).Winning at mgf1010: How to be Sheen not heard (2nd
ed.). Clayton,
Australia: Publisher.
Kimberley, N., &Crossling, G. (2012). Q-Manual: A student guide for producing quality work on time.
Clayton, Australia: Publisher.
Rambling, O. N. (2011, February 4). Pointless sentence that was.News of Your World, p. 5.
Spenser, O. (2007a). How to be a give great support.The Journal of Supporting Actresses, 20(12), p.
484-512.
Spenser, O. (2007b). Did you miss me? The Journal of Supporting Actresses, 20(12), p. 512-514.
Student, A. (2011).Assignment from a previous year: I didn’t quite get it done on time (Working Paper
93.26). Caulfield, Australia: Monash University, Department of Management.
Make sure every reference you use in the essay is in the reference list (unlike this example).
However this will give you a guide to the different ways to reference each article.