Academic and Career Skills Top Tips

Writing Essays and Other Assignments Make sure you are clear about what is required Prepare

Choose topic or question

Consider:

Available time and resources

Your interest in the topic

How easy or useful you will find the topic

Analyse the question (eg ‘Discuss the effects of 1860s goldrush on NZ society.’)

Identify the key words

- topic words (‘the 1860s goldrush’)

- focus words (‘its effects on New Zealand society’)

Rephrase question in you own words

Check criteria for assessment

Read assignment instructions, marking schedule, course outline

Talk to tutor or lecturer

Make a tentative plan

Generate further questions that explore the topic

Identify key issues

Develop a tentative plan for essay to guide research

Stay focused while you research Research

Search for information

Read widely

Read efficiently (previewing and skimming)

Read actively

Look for different points of view

Question what you read

Make notes

Be selective

Summarise or paraphrase

Keep detailed bibliographic info for accurate referencing

- instruction words (‘Discuss’)

Keep purpose of research in mind

Keep question in front of you

Keep reviewing your tentative plan

Sort information into key points

Remember that clear writing comes from clear thinking Organise

Reflect / think

Mull over the question

Decide on your focus

If you cannot come up a central idea or answer continue reading, thinking and talking

Summarise your answer or central idea in one or two sentences

Develop a writing plan eg outline, mind map or hierarchical tree

Identify key points

Decide on a logical order

Identify evidence or details to support points

Get the ideas on paper

Start with the easiest section

Don’t aim for perfection

Concentrate on getting your ideas across Write the first draft

Use paragraphs to highlight the logical structure of your essay

One main idea per paragraph

Express main point in first one or two sentences; use the rest of paragraph to expand, support or argue that point

Give the source of all evidence

Include an introduction

To lead reader in, highlight central idea, preview key points

Include a conclusion

To sum up the key points

To reinforce central idea, provide sense of completion

Change from ‘writer’ to ‘reader’ or ‘critic’ Review

Revise for sense and content

Is content relevant, sufficient, balanced?

Are facts and concepts used correctly?

Is there a clear gist or point of view?

Are there clearly stated points supported by reliable evidence?

Edit for structure and style

Is there a logical thread?

Appropriate essay or report structure?

Formal English?

Clear, simple style?

Proof read for errors and presentation

Is the spelling, grammar and punctuation correct?

Does the layout etc meet the course requirements?

Are all cited sources in the reference list?

Introduces the topic (eg background, key definitions,

‘problem’ being addressed)

States the central idea (the ‘thesis’) and /or the purpose of

the paper

Previews the key points

Introduction

Body (discussion) paragraphs

Para 1

Focuses on a key point related to the theme of the essay

Includes supporting detail for the key idea

Para 2

Para 3

Link word or phrase:

Link

(Continue with as many paragraphs as needed)

Conclusion

Summarises the main points

Reinforces theme or central idea

Finishes with a final comment

Essay Structure

All types of academic writing (essays, reports etc) include a clear introduction and conclusion, and a series of logically ordered paragraphs.

An introduction leads the reader in to your essay or report and provides a map of what they will read.

Usually it is 5—10% of the total word count.

Paragraphs are the building blocks of your essay or report. Each paragraph introduces and develops a key point to back up the overall ‘thesis’ or theme of your essay.

Usually the key point is expressed in the first few sentences, and the rest of the paragraph explains the point in more detail and provides evidence to support the point.

When you use the opinions and finding of others as evidence, you need to include a reference (citation).

A conclusion draws together the ideas you have discussed and provides a sense of finality with a strong statement.

Usually it is 5—10% of the total word count.

Need more advice?

Check out our detailed booklet ‘Writing Essays and other assignments’

Available on Level 0, Library, Teaching and Learning and on our web page at https://ltl.lincoln.ac.nz

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