How to Write Better Essays

Description

This book takes the reader carefully through each stage of the essay writing process from the interpretation of the question, to the research, planning and revision. They are shown not just how to improve their study skills such as note-taking, reading, organisation and writing, but their thinking skills too. The reader will learn how to analyse difficult concepts, criticise and evaluate arguments, use evidence and develop more ideas of their own. It provides clear and practical advice throughout and gives students the confidence they need to tackle written assignments. New for this edition - A new chapter on maintaining focus and gathering ideas, which will help students to switch off from distractions and create a clear space for good thinking - A new chapter entitled 'creating your own arguments: synthesising ideas' which will show students how to go beyond recycling the arguments and ideas they read and, instead, will give them the tools to make connections, generate insights and create innovative explanations of their own. - Chapter 36 (referencing and bibliographies) will include a new section on how to use sources more effectively - Chapter 35 (plagiarism) will be updated to include a new section on plagiarism detection software, and will contain additional examples of plagiarism to illustrate more clearly the different forms this can take. Cover Contents Introduction Why Write Essays? The Stages Stage 1 Interpretation of the Question Introduction 1 Revealing the Structure 2 A Practical Example 3 Learning to Analyse 4 The Three-Step Technique – Steps 1 and 2 5 Creating Your Own Concept 6 Step 3 – Test Your Concept 7 Brainstorming 8 Using the Right Ability: Instructional Verbs 9 The Abilities Essays Assess Stage 2 Research Introduction 10 Maintaining focus – Gathering ideas 11 Reading Purposefully 12 Processing the Ideas 13 Note-taking for Analysis and Structure 14 Remembering Your Notes 15 Note-taking for Criticism and Evaluation 16 Thinking and Reading Critically 17 Note-taking for Creativity 18 Creating Your Own Arguments – Synthesizing Ideas Stage 3 Planning Introduction 19 Planning: Getting the Highest Grades 20 Editing and Ordering Your Material 21 Revision: Planning for the Exam 22 Exam Technique: Planning in the Exam Stage 4 Writing Introduction 23 Finding Your Own Voice 24 Suspending Your Judgement 25 Introductions 26 Paragraphs – Topic Sentences 27 Paragraphs – Development and Evidence 28 Conclusions 29 Style – Simplicity 1: Sentences 30 Style – Simplicity 2: Words 31 Style – Economy 32 Style – The Dos and Don’ts 33 Working with Evidence 34 Choosing the Best Word 35 Plagiarism 36 Referencing and Bibliographies 37 Reflective Writing Stage 5 Revision Introduction 38 Preserving Your Best Ideas 39 Revising the Structure Sample essay 1: Revising the Structure 40 Revising the Content Sample essay 2: Revising the Content 41 Learning from Feedback Conclusion Bibliography Index