1. ESSAY
WRITING
HOW TO PLAN AND WRITE YOUR
ESSAY

2. Types of essay –
discursive and persuasive
 Discursive - systematically presents arguments in favour
of both sides through specific examples, reasons, and
justifications. After finishing this type of discursive
essay, the informed reader should be able to reach a
concrete conclusion given available information.
 Persuasive - to persuade readers and often deals with a
contentious topic or one over which there are conflicting
opinions.
 Current affairs issues are a rich source of persuasive
essay topics - whether the monarchy is an outdated
institution and same-sex marriage etc.

3. Essays are important
because…
 It deepens your learning of the
subject you are studying
 You learn to use ideas to argue a
case
 It enables you to enter into a dialogue
with your tutors
 You can extend and refine your
thinking and your writing skills

4. PLAN YOUR ESSAY
 Introduction – what the topic is and what
it involves. Signpost what you will be
looking at in the essay.
 3 paragraphs which deal with points in
favour of the issue.
 3 paragraphs which deal with points
against the issue.
 A conclusion in which you reflect upon
the issue and detail your own point of
view.

5. STYLE
 The style should be formal
 No contractions such as
didn‟t, couldn‟t, wouldn‟t, shouldn‟
t
 No slang
 No use of “I”
 Use quite long, complex
sentences

6. STYLE - LINKING
 Introducing a contrast
 Making connections
 However  Furthermore
 On the other hand  Additionally
 Alternatively  In addition to
 Despite this  As well as
 Having said that  Moreover
 Although
 Therefore
 Nevertheless
 Likewise
 but
 also

7. Top essay mistakes!
 The student fails to address what is being asked of them
– for example, they are asked to „discuss‟ an issue but
they present a one-sided-argument
 The essay is poorly structured, perhaps missing an
introduction or failing to reach a conclusion based on the
evidence presented
 The arguments are weak, not supported by
evidence/reason or authority, or are non existent
 The materials used are not properly referenced or no
supporting material is cited
 The student has included too much background or
description and not enough critical analysis

8. REFERENCING
 You must reference any quoted material and
include a bibliography at the end of your
essay.
 Use the Harvard System …but more about
that in the next slideshow
 I have put some information on the blog for
you under the useful website section