Essay Writing,如何写好英文论文

Writing Essays

Types of Essays

There are two main types of essays: those based on theory and those based on the application of theory to a practical situation or scenario.

Essays based on theory:

? focus on problems or issues under debate, and

?

generally require a formal response to a set question, statement or proposition.

You are encouraged to research and think critically about the various viewpoints and ideas presented in the literature to enable you to form your own viewpoint/position/answer to the question. So in this kind of essay you have to have a viewpoint (argument) and convince the reader, that your viewpoint or perspective is credible , i.e. develop your argument.

justify your viewpoint.

Essays based on theory and practice:

?

generally require

you to relate and/or evaluate a theory (or theories) practice/s (e.g. explain communication theory/theories and give examples from everyday life), or

?

to evaluate a practice by using criteria from theory (e.g. analyse and evaluate communication practices in your workplace).

Again you must form your viewpoint/answer and use and acknowledge the ideas in the literature to support your viewpoint.

Common problems with the presentation of ideas in essays

? Not developing an argument. This is one of the most common problems in particularly those essays that ask the student to respond to a question or proposition. ? Not making the link between theory and practice (where appropriate of course!)

? Not justifying the analysis/evaluation/reflection with sufficient theory and thus use of in-text referencing.

? Not writing to convey analysis and/or evaluation but rather writing descriptively i.e. telling a story.

? Not communicating the link between the ideas in the essay and the assignment task/question.

? Not writing in paragraphs (i.e. having a couple of sentences together rather than having groups of at least 4 sentences that follow from one to the next). ?

Not inserting a space between paragraphs.

Essay Structure

Introduction

The purpose of the introduction position or outline your respons covered, set parameters, definitions until the first paragra

Body

The purpose of the body is to d the assignment task. It is imp paragraphs to develop your ide arranged in a logical order.

In the body, ask yourself what it ? Do you need to describe ? Do you need to give a rea ? Do you need to present a ? Do you need to give your ? Do you need to give your issue?

Conclusion

The purpose of your conclusion conclusion that reaffirms feeling that you have answered

Important

Headings MAY be used throughou used in an essay. Regardless of wh paragraphs. It is a good idea to e paragraph position the paragraph paragraph. Such words act like a you use headings in an essay, ensu

between the ideas in the essay and uction is to set the scene for your essay, i.e. to s sponse to the assignment task, the main ideas th e.g. any limitations and define key terms (l aragraph after the introduction). s to develop and provide justification for your res s important to use a series of appropriately con ur ideas. It is also important that these paragr hat it is you need to do in your paragraphs: cribe e.g. a situation or a workplace? e a reason for your viewpoint? sent an analysis e.g. of a practice or behaviour?e your evaluation e.g. of a situation, practice or be e your reflection or opinion e.g. on a practice, situ usion is to draw the ideas presented in the body to your position. This leaves the reader (marker) ered the assignment task.

ughout (consult your lecturer), but generally point fo of whether headings are used or not used, an essay sh a to ensure that the words in the introductory senten raph in the essay as well as introduce the ideas presen ike a ‘thread’ to lead the reader through the essay. ensure that words in the paragraphs are used to crea

y and the assignment task.

. to state your eas that will be ms (leave long ur response to ly constructed paragraphs are ur? or behaviour? e, situation, ody to a logical rker) with the oint form is not say should have entence of each presented in the ssay. So even if o create the link