essay_structure.docx | |
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File Type: | docx |
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The State Library of Victoria site has information about how to attack an essay question:
http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/learn-skills/essay-writing-skills/essay question/clarify-language |
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Introduction
Your introduction needs to open with a clearly stated summary of your whole 'answer' along with an equally brief summary of the aspects of the text you'll be analysing to show your stated view is sound.
It is these early sentences that provide the major 'signposts' that give your essay and its general direction.
Importantly, you need to set a confident tone early on in the essay. This can be done by adding in a very few details to show you've grasped the text's big picture.
This should be a brief comment (brevity is everything in the opening paragraph) on the major details of the text in relation to the question, along with an equally brief statement of any relevant context, (that is the situation you feel brought the writer to want to write their text, including key aspects of their social, cultural and literary contexts). This will, though, always need to be focused on the needs of the essay question
Notice how you are constantly seeking to avoid waffle and generalised 'bolted on' comments; instead, you need to keep all you write tightly focused on the needs of the essay question.
from: http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/mainguides/analysis.htm
Your introduction needs to open with a clearly stated summary of your whole 'answer' along with an equally brief summary of the aspects of the text you'll be analysing to show your stated view is sound.
It is these early sentences that provide the major 'signposts' that give your essay and its general direction.
Importantly, you need to set a confident tone early on in the essay. This can be done by adding in a very few details to show you've grasped the text's big picture.
This should be a brief comment (brevity is everything in the opening paragraph) on the major details of the text in relation to the question, along with an equally brief statement of any relevant context, (that is the situation you feel brought the writer to want to write their text, including key aspects of their social, cultural and literary contexts). This will, though, always need to be focused on the needs of the essay question
Notice how you are constantly seeking to avoid waffle and generalised 'bolted on' comments; instead, you need to keep all you write tightly focused on the needs of the essay question.
from: http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/mainguides/analysis.htm
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Body
The body of an essay is where you develop your essay. This occurs in a series of paragraphs with each paragraph logically flowing to the next. Thus a good use of topic sentences and correct paragraph structure are important.
The first sentence of each paragraph, often referred to as a topic sentence, introduces the paragraph by stating and summarising the main point being made in the paragraph.
Topic sentences often contain transition signals, which aid in the smooth transition from one paragraph to the next.
This first sentence should inform the reader of the point you are making and how this paragraph relates to the question. In fact, if the reader were to scan your topic sentences, they should be able to obtain a sketch of the entire essay. This sketch should show the logical progression of the points you are making.
Absence of topic sentences leaves the reader wondering what you are trying to say and why, ultimately confusing the reader.
from: http://www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/mystudies/learning/pdfs/essay.pdf
The body of an essay is where you develop your essay. This occurs in a series of paragraphs with each paragraph logically flowing to the next. Thus a good use of topic sentences and correct paragraph structure are important.
The first sentence of each paragraph, often referred to as a topic sentence, introduces the paragraph by stating and summarising the main point being made in the paragraph.
Topic sentences often contain transition signals, which aid in the smooth transition from one paragraph to the next.
This first sentence should inform the reader of the point you are making and how this paragraph relates to the question. In fact, if the reader were to scan your topic sentences, they should be able to obtain a sketch of the entire essay. This sketch should show the logical progression of the points you are making.
Absence of topic sentences leaves the reader wondering what you are trying to say and why, ultimately confusing the reader.
from: http://www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/mystudies/learning/pdfs/essay.pdf
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