Essays ! Arghh

Thank-you Son-in-distress for your questions on writing University essay responses.


Not wanting to sound like your mother but probably going to ... here's a few simple tips for getting on with those essays - follow these for stress-er-free essay writing experience. 


* Warning: you may have to use paper and pen !

• Begin early !  Like - as soon as you have the titles !
• Spread out the process in stages.

• Get some topic-related books from the Uni library !  
• List all the books on a Bibliography - asap.                                           

• Look at key words in your title and jot down on separate pieces of paper. 
• Look the words up in a dictionary and thesaurus.
• Note anything you know from lectures, want to discuss or learn about.                                               

• Decide roughly how many Topic Key Points will cover your answer i.e. 5.
• Head pieces of paper with each Topic Point / other Ideas for paragraph.
• Head other pieces of paper with: Quotations, Introduction, Conclusion.

• Read or flick through books - jot down related points and page numbers under headings on the papers - to return to later.
• Research internet - jot down findings under related headings on papers.                          
• Put all internet sitings/dates on Bibliography                                           

Now you have the Basis to Transfer your Information, Ideas and Quotations to your computer screen. Transferring will help you absorb the subject matter.


Type these temporary headings:


QUESTION AND PROPOSAL 
[say what you're going to do - research - consider - answer - discuss - contrast]
INTRODUCTION 
[introduce your ideas about the subject matter]
PARA 1 - [insert topic here]
PARA 2 - [insert topic here]
PARA 3 - [insert topic here]
PARA 4 - [insert topic here]
PARA 5 - [insert topic here]
CONCLUSION 
[bring together your points and state your opinion/answer to the question]


Use the headings. 
[These can be deleted when you've finished each topic area]


Work in stages - Write one paragraph or one topic area at a time - ie one a day.


*Make a point / Back it up with research or quotation  / Discuss it.
*Ensure you name authors scientists etc with correct name. 
*Use full name first, then surname. Repeat same name-use throughout.
*Remember to put correct link to author, book, page, in brackets after quotations.


Most of all - try to enjoy learning.
Don't see essays as a chore - see them as an opportunity.


Email for further essay pointers: gmhesketh@yahoo.co.uk


Gillian


]BA Hons English lit/lang/creative writing. MA creative writing]