2. Some General Advice on Academic Essay-Writing
An essay should have an argument.
It should prove something by reasoning and evidence.
The writer should formulate questions to answer in the essay.
The writer should develop a hypothesis.
Organization should be designed to present a clear argument.
3. Planning and Organizing
Characteristics of a good Thesis statement
It makes a definite and limited assertion that needs to be explained and
supported by further discussion.
It shows the emphasis and indicates the methodology of your argument.
It shows awareness of difficulties and disagreements.
4. Introductions and conclusions
A good introduction should:
Identify the topic.
Provide essential context.
Indicate the particular focus in the essay.
Engage the reader’s interest.
A strong conclusion will:
Provide a sense of closure.
Add stimulus to further thought.
5. Paragraph
A paragraph is a series of related sentences developing a central idea, the topic.
How to unify ideas in a paragraph
The most effective way to achieve paragraph unity is to express the central idea of the
paragraph in a topic sentence.
A topic sentence is the main point of the paragraph.
A topic sentence has a unifying function. A paragraph is unified if all the sentences
relate to the topic sentence.
Opening and closing paragraphs, generally, do not have topic sentences.
6. In academic writing, the topic sentence nearly always works best at the beginning of
a paragraph so that the reader knows what to expect.
How to develop ideas in a paragraph.
The body paragraph develops the topic sentence through an ordered, logical
progression of ideas.
Illustration supports a general statement by means of examples, details or relevant
quotations.
The definition paragraph defines a term. The definition will be specific to the
subject area.
Avoid dictionary definitions that do not inform the analysis in a meaningful way.
7. The analysis or classification paragraph develops a topic by distinguishing its component
parts and discussing each of these parts separately.
A comparison or contrast paragraph zeroes in on a key similarity or difference between two
sources, positions or ideas. A single comparison can be spread out over two separate
paragraphs.
A qualification paragraph acknowledges that what has previously been asserted is not
absolutely true or always applicable.
The process paragraph involves a step-by-step description, following a chronological
sequence.
8. How to make ideas flow in a paragraph
Flow: the way a paragraph moves from idea to idea. This movement occurs both
within the paragraph and between paragraphs.
The best strategy to enhance flow is to show connections:
Repetition of key words or synonyms of key words.
Strategic use of pronouns.
Specialized linking words.
9. Topic Sentence
States the main point of paragraphs.
Helps protect the readers from confusion by guiding them through the
argument.
Usually appears at the very beginning of paragraphs.
10. Reading and Researching
Critical Reading
To read critically is to make judgements about:
how a text is argued.
How the evidence is used and interpreted.
How the text reaches its conclusion.
Do not read looking only or primarily for information.
Do read looking for ways of thinking about the subject matter.
11. Looking for ways of thinking
Determine the central claims or purpose of the text.
Make judgements about context: audience, historical context.
Distinguish the kinds of reasoning the text employs (concepts, theories,
methods)
Examine the evidence (the supporting facts, examples) the text employs.
Critical reading may involve evaluation.
12. Effective reading
Textbooks
Primary sources
Research readings
Read with comprehension and memory.
Look for facts and theories.
Compress ideas in our own words.
Label our notes.
Skimming and scanning.
Summarizing.
13. Using Sources
How not to Plagiarize
Give proper references to all the reading you have done and all the ideas you
have encountered.
Standard Documentation Formats
Traditional endnotes or footnotes with superscript numbers. (humanities)
MLA system: parenthetical Author – Page references. (humanities)
APA system: parenthetical Author – Date references. (social sciences)
Numbered note systems (sciences)
Electronic sources (give author, title, date)
14. Paraphrase
Provide a reference.
Use your own words.
Create your own sentence structure.
Summarize
Absorb the meaning.
Capture the most important elements from the original.
Use your own words.
A summary is shorter than a paraphrase.
15. Using quotations
If the language is powerful or memorable.
To confirm the credibility of the argument.
If the passage is worthy of further analysis. (useful in essays for literature
courses)
To argue with someone else’s position in detail.
To provide some sort of indication about the source.
Use a brief introduction when the quotation is short.
16. A long quotation is introduced with a full sentence that helps capture how it fits into
the argument.
Use ‘ellipsis’ to alter quotations.
Use ‘square brackets’ to alter or replace text from the original.
17. Specific Types of Writing
Book review: comments on and evaluates the work.
Annotated bibliography: gives an account of the research that has been
done on a given topic.
Literature review: an account of what has been published on a topic and
what their strengths and weaknesses are.
Comparative essay: compares at least two items, considering similarities
and differences (compare and contrast)
Writing about History, Literature.
18. Writing about a Philosophy essay.
Effective Admission letter.
Application letter.
The academic proposal.
The Lab report.
Oral Presentations.
19. English Language
Articles, determiners or markers.
Expressions of quantity.
Subject – verb agreement.
Gerunds and infinitives.
Verbs for referring to sources.
