Janet Godwin - Planning Your Essay

PLANNING YOUR ESSAY

POCKET STUDY SKILLS

Series Editor: Kate Williams, Oxford Brookes University, UK Illustrations by Sallie Godwin

For the time-pushed student, the Pocket Study Skills pack a lot of advice into a little book. Each guide focuses on a single crucial aspect of study giving you step-by-step guidance, handy tips and clear advice on how to approach the important areas which will continually be at the core of your studies.

Published

14 Days to Exam Success (2nd edn)

Analyzing a Case Study

Brilliant Writing Tips for Students

Completing Your PhD

Doing Research (2nd edn)

Getting Critical (2nd edn)

Managing Stress

Planning Your Dissertation (2nd edn)

Planning Your Essay (3rd edn)

Planning Your PhD

Posters and Presentations

Reading and Making Notes (2nd edn)

Referencing and Understanding Plagiarism (2nd edn)

Reflective Writing

Report Writing (2nd edn)

Science Study Skills

Studying with Dyslexia (2nd edn)

Success in Groupwork

Successful Applications

Time Management

Wheres Your Argument?

Writing tor University (2nd edn)

PLANNING YOUR ESSAY

POCKET STUDY SKILLS

Janet Godwin

THIRD EDITION

Janet Godwin, under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2009, 2014, 2019

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This edition published 2019 by

RED GLOBE PRESS

Previous editions published under the imprint PALGRAVE

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ISBN 9781352006100 paperback

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Contents

Acknowledgements

I thank Kate Williams, colleague, series editor and friend, for her unflagging enthusiasm and support; colleagues who allowed access to materials used; the many students I have supported over the years for having taught me as much as I have taught them (and in particular those who kindly contributed to this book); my daughter Sallie for her common sense and perceptive illustrations; and my son Oli for his patience.

Introduction

It is one of the pleasures of working in a university study advice service to see students marks improve as they begin to understand that there is a generic structure to writing essays. Students concentrate hard on finding facts and trying to write the right answer when they are really being assessed on how they present their argument.

This guide is designed to be easy to follow and picks up the areas that most tutors say are issues for undergraduates at university. It aims to demystify the process of essay writing at university in a show not tell fashion, and uses clear, concise text with illustrations, examples and tips included where this will clarify the point.

This quick reference guide to essay writing covers the complete process: from planning the task, timeline and word count through analysing the question, structuring your essay, to the drafting and redrafting stages. Finally, there is advice about how to reference and use appendices, and then tips on how to use the feedback you get from your tutor. So try the book and see your marks rise!

How to use this guide

If you know what you are looking for, just dip in and out of this guide. For example, you may have lots of ideas but find it hard to structure your essay. For this, go to , which suggests structures for different types of essay.

However, if you find the whole process of essay writing at university a bit overwhelming or your feedback has highlighted areas needing development, then start at the beginning and work your way through. You can miss out bits you dont need for now, but as the guide is quite short why not just look through it all?

Janet Godwin

The purpose of essays

The purpose of essays

Essays are set so you can display your knowledge and understanding. They may have different formats depending on your subject. If you have been given a format to follow, make sure you follow it as closely as you can.

How does doing an essay display your knowledge and understanding?

Writing the assignment involves you in different activities that improve your understanding of the topic.

To write an effective essay you must:

have a clear idea of what you are being asked to do

gather information

present your argument

use the language and style most appropriate to the discipline you are studying

do all this in a limited time and limited word count.

In doing this you will be using different academic skills:

decision making to focus your work

research skills

planning skills to produce a logical argument

writing skills used in a way suitable to your discipline

time management and ability to work to deadlines.

What does your tutor want?

Your tutor wants to see that you have:

addressed any learning or knowledge outcomes either for your course or this particular piece of work ( p. 22 )