- Knowledge of historical periods and ideas.
- Knowledge of theoretical framework around perception 'language' and meaning.
- Understanding through application of: research skills and information collation in the support and development of critical study.
- Understanding through application of: ability to structure arguments and present as an essay using academic conventions.
- Basic project management skills.
What makes a successful essay?
- Relevance to title
- Reasoned argument
- Use of source materials including texts
- Appropriate presentation
Main sections of an Essay
Introduction
Main Body
Conclusion
Introduction Elements
- Background information
- Links to title through words and key concepts
- Definition of terms
- Claim
What is expected in the main body?
- What does a discussion include?
Investigation or examination of an argument; sift and debate; give reasons for and against; examine implications.- How to construct an argument:
Make a claim, explain and use evidence (source materials) informed/researched opinions of others.
- What to leave out:
Anything that doesn't relate to the essay question.
Source material
Informed/researched opinions of others.
Why use source material?
In academic writing you are required to use other people's ideas. This is an important way of learning about your subject. It's a key way to a successful essay.
How to use source materials in an essayUse source materials to:
- Learn about people's ideas through reading and making notes.
- Identify key ideas in form of quotations and paraphrases.
- Integrate the quotations and paraphrases into your essay. You should link them with the argument and make clear your own opinion about them.
Take a position
- The reader needs to be able to follow your points clearly.
- Remember you need to present more than 1 side of an argument.
Why take a position
The point isn't only "Can you follow the argument", but also "Do you agree with the argument".
What is a written argument?
Arguments are made up of two main elements - claims and bases.
To make a claim convincing, there needs to be a basis for it. In a written argument, there are two main kinds of basis:
- Theory and research carried out by an expert.
- Clear reasoning which shows clear thinking and logic. Successful arguments bring claims, explanations and evidence together in a convincing text.
What is the purpose of the conclusion?
- The purpose of the conclusion is to: show that you have answered the essay question/title. What was the point of the essay.
- It can summarise the main points in support of the claim: and it can show the added value that the argument in the essay has created.
Think about when making the essay
- What does the essay title mean?
- What is it asking you to do?
- What are the possible positions you could take when writing the essay?
- What reading can you do for it?
- What content can go into the essay?
- What images can you use?
Structuring the essay
- Be clear about what the title means
- Read relevant source material
- Use works connected to te title
- Identify key concepts to use in your writing
- Propose a general argument
- Outline the organisation of the writing
- Structure your writing: claim, explanation, evidence.
//All images from Google.com\\
No comments:
Post a Comment