Essay structure - Macquarie University

LEARNING SKILLS GROUP Essay structure

Overview of this workshop

•  What is an essay? •  First steps in essay writing •  Planning your essay •  Structuring your essay

•  introductions •  body paragraphs •  conclusions

•  A brief look at cohesion •  Final steps in checking your structure COPYRIGHT*©*LEARNING*&*TEACHING*CENTRE*I**LEARNING*SKILLS*GROUP*2015*

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An*essay**

is an ordered and logical answer to a specific question.*

is often presented as an argument that defends a point of view. *

contains a series of main points that support the point of view, each one in a separate paragraph*

is often used for assessment purposes in order to find out whether you: * understand the topic *have researched the topic * have thought critically about the topic

An*essay**

is an ordered and logical answer to a specific question.*

is often presented as an argument that defends a point of view. *

contains a series of main points that support the point of view, each one in a separate paragraph.*

is often used for assessment purposes in order to find out whether you: * understand the topic *have researched the topic * have thought critically about the topic.

Essay writing experiences

In small groups, discuss •  What do you see as some common difficulties

with writing essays? •  Do you think there are any benefits to doing

essay assignments?

WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW?

COPYRIGHT*©*LEARNING*&*TEACHING*CENTRE*I**LEARNING*SKILLS*GROUP*2015*

?

Types of essays

Type Func)on+ Argument/+Persuasive To*present*a*point*of*view*and*support*it*with*

reasons;*to*convince*a*reader*

Discussion+ To*discuss*an*issue,*theory*or*situaKon,*oLen*giving*

different*viewpoints*and*making*a*judgment

Cause+&/or+effect To*explain*the*reasons*for*and*results*of*something

Comparison+&+contrast To*explain*the*similariKes*and*differences*of*two*or*

more*theories,*situaKons*or*things

Descrip)ve+ To*describe*a*theory,*situaKon*or*thing*

Expository To*explain*a*process,*situaKon*or*theory*

Personal To*write*about*oneself*for*a*purpose,*such*as*

gaining*admission*to*a*school*or*program

Review/+Cri)cally+review To*evaluate*something* COPYRIGHT*©*LEARNING*&*TEACHING*CENTRE*I**LEARNING*SKILLS*GROUP*2015*

Argument as a main feature

Type Func)on+ Discussion+ Discuss*the*role*of*digital*technology*in*teaching*today.*

Cause+&/or+effect 1.  What*were*the*primary*causes*of*World*War*I?**

2.  What*are*the*effects*of*early*bilingualism*on*

cogniKve*development?*

Comparison+&+contrast Compare*the*behavioural*and*cogniKve*approaches*to*treaKng*depression.***

Descrip)ve+ Describe*the*major*transiKons*in*evoluKon*on*earth.***

Expository Explain*how*a*consumers*risk*preference*may*affect*her*decision*to*purchase*a*consumer*durable.*

Review/+Cri)cally+review How*effecKvely*does*Franz*Ka[a*incorporate*the*ideas*of*alienaKon*and*isolaKon*in*the*novel*Metamorphosis?*


WHICH OF THESE ESSAY QUESTIONS CONTAIN ARGUMENT?

First steps in essay writing ANALYSING THE QUESTION

In a globalised world, the spread of English has adversely affected language diversity and cultural identity. Discuss this idea. What is the general topic and what specifically do you have to discuss? Do you have to decide if you agree or not? +++ A\end*the*

Analysing2Assignment2Ques5ons2workshop*to*learn*more*


Planning your essay

Read and research, always looking for evidence to answer the essay question(s). Take notes, using the themes of your essay to organise them. *

READING AND TAKING NOTES

Source++ Spread+of+English+ Language+diversity++ Cultural+iden)ty++

Guo*2011* Growth*in*English*language*speakers*–*first*circle*see*chart*p.*29**

(Chapter*11)*languages*dying*out*NOT*the*result*of*spread*of*English*“when*it*comes*to…’”*

f*

Nunan*2009* PredicKons*for*2020*spread*of*English*and*loss*of*other*languages**

Evidence*that*cultural*diversity*is*affected*by*dominant*English*cultures***


Planning your essay

I.  Introduction: Thesis - spread of English has not caused a reduction in language diversity, but it has caused changes in cultural identity

II.  Spread of English language – background information III.  Effect of English on language diversity

A.  Arguments for (Metlock 2001) B.  However, arguments against stronger (Guo 2009, 2010)

IV.  Effect of English on cultural identity A.  Argument 1: English language culture impact on media

is changing culture (Nunan, 2001) B.  Argument 2: English language culture impact on

education is changing culture (Lee, 2000, Nunan 2001) V.  Conclusion

CONSTRUCTING AN OUTLINE OR MIND MAP


Mind map example (Coggle)


Structuring your essay THE BASIC STRUCTURE

•  Background/importance/definitions •  Thesis: your answer to the question •  Preview of essay (in order of

presentation)

Introduction (10%)

•  Topic sentence –the main idea of the paragraph

•  Supporting sentences: evidence to support the topic statement

Body paragraphs

(80%)

•  Restatement of thesis and summary of main points

•  Concluding comments (prediction, opinion, recommendation)

Conclusion (10%)

Introductions THE FUNNEL SHAPE: FROM GENERAL TO SPECIFIC

Introduce*the*topic*&*specific*issue(s)*

State*your*thesis*

Provide*overview*of*essay's*main*points*in*the*same**

order**as*presented*


To get ideas for suitable opening sentences, think what when, where and why is the issue important

Introductions

As the world economy has become further interconnected through the process of globalisation, English has become a truly global language, with over 1.1 billion speakers. While this has made communication between people of various nations easier, there are significant issues, such as language diversity and cultural identity, that need consideration. This essay will firstly discuss the effect of the spread of English on language diversity and argue that English has not caused the loss of languages. Secondly, it will argue that it has had negative effects on cultural identity.

A MODEL

First sentence focuses on topic. Second sentence narrows it down to the specific issues. Outline and thesis combined in last two sentences.


The main stuff: body paragraphs BASIC PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE

Essay paragraphs… •  Are a group of connected sentences on one idea •  Are about 150-250 words long •  Are always visually indicated by leaving an extra space or

indenting •  Start with a topic sentence that relates to the thesis •  Contain supporting sentences which give evidence, explanation or

facts supporting the topic sentence Topic sentences… •  Should not be too general or too specific •  Should express the main idea of the paragraph


Topic sentences

1.  International students bring several important benefits to Australian universities.

2.  For example, management students may be asked to solve problems in case studies, while humanities students aim to develop better understanding of the problem itself.

3.  One study showed that the Finnish education system produces students with superior critical thinking abilities.

4.  Nunan (2002) gives the example of the loss of indigenous languages in South America that have been lost due to the local dominance of Spanish.

5.  Barack Obama gave the State of the Union address to the United States Congress in January 2014.

6.  The main argument against fracking is that it can cause contamination of water reserves.

WHICH SENTENCES ARE SUITABLE TOPIC SENTENCES?


Paragraph structure challenge

Essay question: In recent developments, some primary schools are reducing the amount of free play time for children. This has been criticised by a number of early childhood theorists. Discuss the role of play in development and evaluate these recent developments. The student’s thesis is that play is essential and that recent developments are therefore dangerous. Here is one of her body paragraphs, but with the sentences in the wrong order.

PUTTING TOGETHER A COHERENT PARAGRAPH


Paragraph structure challenge

1.  One major investigation (Brown, 2009) into the backgrounds of 26 murderers in the United States found that all of them had a history of play deprivation in childhood, and scored low on an social skills survey.

2.  All of this work indicates that play is vital for healthy social development. 3.  Finally, Pellis (2014) found that juvenile rats who are not permitted to

engage in peer-to-peer play have ‘deficiencies in social, cognitive and motor skills’.

4.  Not only is play important in developing creativity, but in developing healthy social skills.

5.  Another study by Huttenmoser and Degen-Zimmerman (2011) revealed that children with inadequate play opportunities are more likely to record higher scores on social skill scales that measure unhappiness and aggression.

PUT THE SENTENCES IN THE CORRECT ORDER


Answer

Not only is play important in developing creativity, but in developing healthy social skills. One major investigation (Brown, 2009) into the backgrounds of 26 murderers in the United States found that all of them had a history of play deprivation in childhood and scored low on an social skills survey. Another study by Huttenmoser and Degen-Zimmerman (2011) revealed that children with inadequate play opportunities are more likely to record higher scores on social-skill scales that measure unhappiness and aggression. Finally, Pellis (2014) found that juvenile rats who are not permitted to engage in peer-to-peer play have ‘deficiencies in social, cognitive and motor skills’. All of this work indicates that play is vital for healthy social development.

Counter-argument paragraphs

•  No issue is black and white – there are always arguments on other sides.

•  Including a counter-argument or concession shows that you:

o  have considered all aspects o  are aware of complexities

Example Although cultural diversity is, in the main, reduced by the spread of English, there are examples of English providing a vehicle for promoting and spreading aspects of cultural diversity. For example, Poole (2013) attributes the rising interest in remote tribal cultures of Myanmar to the availability of information in English…

SHOWING YOU ARE AWARE OF COMPLEXITY

A brief look at cohesion

…These studies illustrate the role of play in fostering creativity in children, particularly in primary school years. Not only is play important in developing creativity, but in developing healthy social skills. One major investigation (Brown, 2009) into the backgrounds of 26 murderers in the United States found that all of them had a history of play deprivation in childhood. Another study by Huttenmoser and Degen-Zimmerman (2011) revealed that children with inadequate play opportunities are more likely to record higher scores on scales that measure unhappiness and aggression. Finally, Pellis (2014) found that juvenile rats who are not permitted to engage in peer-to-peer play have ‘deficiencies in social, cognitive and motor skills’. All of this work indicates that play is vital for healthy development.

LINKS BETWEEN AND WITHIN PARAGRAPHS

Conclusions

Conclusions provide the signal that the essay is finished. A good conclusion should: •  Restate the thesis briefly •  Summarise the main arguments that support the

thesis •  Provide a final comment, prediction or

recommendation. Conclusions should never contain new arguments or new evidence to support your thesis.

CLOSING THE ESSAY


Conclusions

In conclusion, it is clear from the evidence that play time is vital and that reducing play time in primary schools is a practice not supported by current research. Both the creative and the social development of children have been found to correlate with adequate play time, and the lack of play opportunities correlates with social and behavioural problems, some of them quite severe. Further research may be required to determine the optimal amount of play time, but until this is done, the research indicates educational institutions should be extremely cautious about making any reductions.

A MODEL

First sentence restates the thesis

Second sentence summarises the arguments

Final sentence makes a recommendation


Final steps –

Proofread carefully for content, grammar and sentence structure. You should especially check that your essay is well structured. One method: 1.  Copy your essay 2.  Delete everything except the introduction, the topic sentences,

and the conclusion 3.  Read it (or get someone else to read it) Can you still see the logical organisation? Can you see what the main arguments are? If so, congratulations! Your essay is well-ordered.

Then, read each paragraph to ensure that the supporting sentences adequately support the topic sentences.

PROOFREADING AND CHECKING YOUR STRUCTURE


Thank you!

Essay structure - Macquarie University

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