Essay Writing Guide

Essay writing guide: stages of writing an essay

When writing an essay, certain things need to be done at several stages.

1. Analyse and define the topic or question

* Analyse the topic or question if it is already set - what EXACTLY is the lecturer asking you to do?

* If answering a set question, use the subject-angle-process method of analysis.

* If writing on a general topic, consider making it into a question as a specific question is easier to research and write on than a general topic.

2. Identify some key ideas

* Look at course outlines, lecture notes, tutorial/seminar readings to identify key themes of the course.

* Use brainstorming or mind-mapping techniques to identify key ideas.

3. The first literature search

* Based on the topic and the brainstorming session, identify some KEYWORDS with which to search library catalogues, abstracts and databases for material.

* Pay particular attention to journals in the general field - skim back issues.

* Cover the key writers in the field - how can you identify these?

* Ask your lecturer/tutor to recommend articles, books.

4. Read

* Initially, it may be useful to go over the seminar/recommended readings on the topic or set question before looking at the materials discovered during independent research.

* Read to obtain an overview of what people are writing on the topic: where are the debates within this topic? What are the key issues of these debates? Are there any key theorists writing on the topic? What evidence is being used to justify each position or interpretation of the topic?

* Take careful notes as you read.

5. Formulate your argument in relation to the topic

* Try to express your argument or position in one clear sentence, eg, "It is argued that . . .".

* The argument requires supporting evidence and ideas.

* Next, consider what things you need to do to persuade the reader of your position. Will you need to define key terms, compare and contrast, critically evaluate the literature, provide background context, analyse a case study, and so on? Once you have thought of the things you will do, this is called the structure of argument and it provides a potential outline of the main sections of the essay.

6. Develop the preliminary outline of the essay

* The