STUDY SKILLS - THE EASY GUIDE TO WRITING A FIRST ESSAY (OR A SECOND OR A THIRD ....)
See 3. THE EASY EASY GUIDE for the foolproof method.
This information is taken from:
Mann, S. (2011): 6: Academic and written assignments.
Academic writing presents information gained from research. Research begins with secondary sources (reading) and can be further developed with primary research if appropriate (your own drawings of the design object, interviews, questionnaires). It should reference your major texts (quotations and citations) and include a References and Bibliography list at the end.
The aim should be to present a particular aspect or viewpoint of a subject (not everything). You will need to include the relevant historical and technical information (what, when, where, how?) along with a broader social and theoretical perspective (why?)
Mann, S. (2011): 6: Academic and written assignments.
Academic writing presents information gained from research. Research begins with secondary sources (reading) and can be further developed with primary research if appropriate (your own drawings of the design object, interviews, questionnaires). It should reference your major texts (quotations and citations) and include a References and Bibliography list at the end.
The aim should be to present a particular aspect or viewpoint of a subject (not everything). You will need to include the relevant historical and technical information (what, when, where, how?) along with a broader social and theoretical perspective (why?)
Academic writing is expected to be both critical and analytical, with limited description.
Think of critical as questioning: looking around the subject, asking why, not making assumptions, ... considering what different experts think and whether this is valid when applied to your area of interest.
Think of analytical as taking something apart - an ideas, an artefact, an object - assessing the importance of each component individually and overall.
Think of description being limited to saying what is there and setting the scene for your critical analysis. ...
1. A GOOD ESSAY WILL ...
address a set topic or question ...
set out an argument or point of view ...
be supported by evidence, examples and illustrations ...
be structured in a logical order ...
be completed within the set word limit ...
2. EXAMPLE ESSAY PLAN INCLUDING WORD COUNT FOR 1500 or 3000 WORD ESSAY (AIM AT THE MINIMUM WORD COUNT AND YOU WILL PROBABLY WRITE MORE)
Introduction 250-500
Any or all of the following:
Historical background/theoretical perspective 500--1000
THIS SECTION SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE HISTORICAL AND TECHNICAL AND CONCLUDE BY INTRODUCING THE SOCIAL AND THEORETICAL ISSUES RELEVANT FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION IN THE NEXT SECTION.
Discussion/analysis 500-1000
All supported by evidence ... examples, fully referenced.
Conclusion 250-500
Summary relating discussion back to title and introduction. Sum up each main point from the paragraphs/sections of the essay.
Bibliography
All books, journals, websites ...
List of illustrations
3. THE EASY EASY GUIDE TO UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE
3:1. INTRODUCTION (250-500)
Any or all of the following:
3:2. GENERAL INFORMATION (500-1000)
3:2a HISTORICAL AND TECHNICAL CONTEXT (250-500)
3:2b SOCIAL AND THEORETICAL CONTEXT (250-500)
3:3. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION (500-1000)
Identify key points of learning from the general background for further discussion.
This should present a point of view or argument with critical anaylsis of key points. THIS IS THE DIFFICULT BIT. FOCUS ON PARTICULAR EXAMPLES OR CASE
STUDIES IN ORDER TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST.
This section must be supported by evidence (quotations and citations).
3:4. CONCLUSION (250-500)
Relate the discussion back to the essay title and introduction. Sum up the main points.
4. DRAFTING THE ESSAY
No essay can be completed in one session or draft - when planning the project you need to allow time for a number of drafts. You may find it beneficial to print with 1.5 or double line spacing so that you have room to make corrections.
Make sure you check the brief:
4. WHEN TO REFERENCE
You reference when you:
Think of critical as questioning: looking around the subject, asking why, not making assumptions, ... considering what different experts think and whether this is valid when applied to your area of interest.
Think of analytical as taking something apart - an ideas, an artefact, an object - assessing the importance of each component individually and overall.
Think of description being limited to saying what is there and setting the scene for your critical analysis. ...
1. A GOOD ESSAY WILL ...
address a set topic or question ...
set out an argument or point of view ...
be supported by evidence, examples and illustrations ...
be structured in a logical order ...
be completed within the set word limit ...
2. EXAMPLE ESSAY PLAN INCLUDING WORD COUNT FOR 1500 or 3000 WORD ESSAY (AIM AT THE MINIMUM WORD COUNT AND YOU WILL PROBABLY WRITE MORE)
Introduction 250-500
Any or all of the following:
- analysis of the title
- summarise issues to be raised
- reasons for choice of topic
- reasons for choice of examples
- relationship to own practice
- definition of terms
Historical background/theoretical perspective 500--1000
THIS SECTION SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE HISTORICAL AND TECHNICAL AND CONCLUDE BY INTRODUCING THE SOCIAL AND THEORETICAL ISSUES RELEVANT FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION IN THE NEXT SECTION.
- Brief biographical details ...
- Context (location, time, influences) ...
- Literature review (introduce and summarise your main texts) ...
- Theoretical and critical models/method of analysis (political, feminist, semiotic ...)
Discussion/analysis 500-1000
- Presentation of the argument/point of view
- Discussion of issues
- Critical and personal opinion
All supported by evidence ... examples, fully referenced.
Conclusion 250-500
Summary relating discussion back to title and introduction. Sum up each main point from the paragraphs/sections of the essay.
Bibliography
All books, journals, websites ...
List of illustrations
3. THE EASY EASY GUIDE TO UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE
3:1. INTRODUCTION (250-500)
Any or all of the following:
- analysis of essay title
- summary of issues to be discussed
- reasons for choice of topic
- reasons for choice of examples
- relationship to own practice
- definition of key terms
3:2. GENERAL INFORMATION (500-1000)
3:2a HISTORICAL AND TECHNICAL CONTEXT (250-500)
- what is your subject?
- biographical/historical/technical details.
- identify key texts important in your research.
3:2b SOCIAL AND THEORETICAL CONTEXT (250-500)
- how does the subject relate to society?
- social, political background.
- introduce any theoretical and critical models (feminism, semiotics) which are relevant.
3:3. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION (500-1000)
Identify key points of learning from the general background for further discussion.
This should present a point of view or argument with critical anaylsis of key points. THIS IS THE DIFFICULT BIT. FOCUS ON PARTICULAR EXAMPLES OR CASE
STUDIES IN ORDER TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST.
This section must be supported by evidence (quotations and citations).
3:4. CONCLUSION (250-500)
Relate the discussion back to the essay title and introduction. Sum up the main points.
4. DRAFTING THE ESSAY
No essay can be completed in one session or draft - when planning the project you need to allow time for a number of drafts. You may find it beneficial to print with 1.5 or double line spacing so that you have room to make corrections.
- Draft 1 - write to get your ideas down, use your plan, check that you keep to the topic at all times. Do you have enough information? ...
- Draft 2 - check the structure and that information is grouped in the right places and in paragraphs. Is your argument clear and to the point? Are the sentences and paragraphs linked? ...
- Draft 3 - check the style and flow. Read out loud ... Fill in the gaps as required. Check word count, spelling and grammar. ...
Make sure you check the brief:
- Word count - if you have too much information, make sure that everything you use contributes to the argument - this is the time to edit out anything that is not relevant. ...
- Presentation - check that you meet the presentation requirements, especially fonts to be used or avoided, type size to be used ...
4. WHEN TO REFERENCE
You reference when you:
- quote an author's words
- refer to ideas or concepts gathered or paraphrased from a particular source (Mann, 2011, pp.101-115).
REFERENCE
Mann, S. (2011) Study skills for art, design and media students, Harlow: Pearson.
Mann, S. (2011) Study skills for art, design and media students, Harlow: Pearson.
