Writing An Essay

What is an essay? Essays at university need to respond to the question by developing an argument which is based on evidence and critical reasoning. Logically structured body paragraphs which include supporting evidence from academic sources. A clear conclusion which restates your topic and summarizes your essay and thesis. Why do we write essays? Essays are used as assessment at University to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of a topic. They are also useful tools to promote thinking and learning. You are required to develop an argument and apply critical thinking skills to analyse a range of academic sources in support of your argument. The QUT cite|write booklet (PDF, 726KB) contains information on critical thinking. Before you start, it is important to understand what type of essay you are required to write. The language of the question, especially the directive (task) words, will indicate the type of essay and suggest an appropriate structure to follow in your essay.

Often, assignments have more than one part. The most logical way to approach a multi-part assignment is to address each part of the task in the order that it is stated on the assignment task sheet. The first sentence of each section of the assignment should be a direct response to each part of the task. This is perhaps the most common structure. Examples of this include questions which ask you to discuss, analyse, investigate, explore or review. In an analytical structure you are required to break the topic into its different components and discuss these in separate paragraphs or sections, demonstrating balance where possible. Examples of this type of essay include questions which ask you to take a position on a topic, such as a particular decision or policy, and present arguments which support your position. An effective way to argue a point can be to present the opposing view first then counter this view with stronger evidence.

These follow the same structure for as many arguments as you wish to put forward in support of the topic. These follow the same structure for as many issues as you wish to discuss from the data you have been supplied. Make recommendations or suggest solutions to address the issues arising from the data supplied. Examples of this type of essay include compare, compare and contrast or differentiate questions. In this structure the similarities and/or differences between two or more items, for example, theories or models, are discussed paragraph by paragraph. Your assignment task may require you to make a recommendation about the suitability of the items you are comparing. These essay questions often require you to structure your answer in several parts. An example may be to ask you to investigate a problem and explore a range of solutions. You may also be asked to choose the best solution and justify your selection, allow space for this in your essay. Examples of this type of essay include questions which ask you to state or investigate the effects or outline the causes of the topic.

This may be, for example, an historical event, the implementation of a policy, a medical condition or a natural disaster. These essays may be structured in one of two ways: either the causes(s) of a situation may be discussed first followed by the effect(s), or the effect(s) could come first with the discussion working back to outline the cause(s). Sometimes with cause and effect essays you are required to give an assessment of the overall effects e.g. on a community, a workplace, an individual. Space must be allocated for this assessment in your structure. Understood the question correctly? Answered all parts of the question or task? Included a thesis statement (answer to a question or response to a task) and an appropriate argument? Developed my argument by using logical points which are well reasoned? Used information from academic texts or credible sources to support my argument? Included relevant examples, where necessary, from the supplied case study or other data to demonstrate application? Been analytical and demonstrated critical thinking in my essay? Proofread my work to check that each paragraph links to the previous or the thesis?

Self-Study PlansDoes The Jones Act Put Us Under Maritime/Admiralty Law By Our Birth Certificate? Self-Study PlansWho Is the Rothschild Family? What Is Their History? Does This Family Control the World? Self-Study PlansThe Corporation Of The United States Of America Is It True? We Are Not Under Common Law? Sign in or sign up and post using a HubPages Network account. 0 of 8192 characters usedPost CommentNo HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites. Thank you so much. Didn’t read the entire Hub because i’m going to have supplementary lessons now. Im sending it to all my friends! Very good and very useful, thanks! This is an excellent overview. I have been mind-mapping for many years. I have one tool I prefer to use along with some new tools I am exploring. Perhaps I shall write a companion hub on mind mapping tools. Good outline on being successful in your study habits. I think that a lot of people need to have structure to be successful. Don’t forget the libraries to study in, they also have research books to use. Terrific Hub – thank you so much. I’m bookmarking it so that I can study IT more carefully. I took a day and cleaned off my bills/excess paperwork from my desk and only have my computer on (online class) and any reference material I need on my desk. Thanks for the boost! Thanks a million, my scattered brain needed this guidance. Thank you so much..