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Pre-Writing
- Requires you to analyse the task
- Produce key verbs and key ideas
- Research information (revision)
- Produce brief notes (or words) -
Brainstorm
Planning - an essay is only as good as its plan
- Produce a written plan - organise your notes (from Stage 1)
- Produce
either flow charts, diagrams or tables to show how points interrelate.
- Reduce
mass of information to essential points only (Essays are
often limited by numbers of words, or, in exams, by time!!)
- Make sure
that if the essay involves argument that you have balanced
both viewpoints.
Drafting - Putting your plan into essay form An
essay has a “fixed” structure:
a) The Introduction should:
- define subject specific terms
- introduce ideas
- be “punchy” - make reader wish to continue!!
b) The Middle should:
- paragraph well - (return to essay title)
- carry the main body of
information
- set out argument / information clearly
- be decisive / take a positive stanc
c) The Conclusion should:
- place the material in different perspectives
- go out with a bang!!
(save a good point to the end!!)
- indicate areas for further study
Editing - this breaks down into:
a) Use of good English
- good punctuation
- proper use of quotes
- well structured sentences
b) Style:
Avoid the following:
- Don’t ramble - one idea,
one sentence
- Don’t use jargon
- Don’t be pompous
- Don’t rewrite the question
Use the following:
- Positive rather than negative statements
- Active rather than
passive
- Be precise
- Humour (if you can!!)
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