- •Planning a Text
- •1. In the case of essays written in exams, it is best to begin planning by analysing the title and then writing down any ideas that seem relevant.
- •2. Having assembled your ideas, it is then necessary to find a suitable framework for the essay.
- •3. Complete the plan for the title in (1) using ideas from (1).
- •4. Decide which of the three frameworks in (2) would be most suitable for the following titles.
- •5. Study the title below and the ideas collected for the essay. Add to the list if possible. Then choose a suitable framework and complete the plan below.
- •1. Read the following paragraph.
- •2. A paragraph is a collection of sentences that deal with one subject.
- •3. Read and analyse the following paragraph.
- •6. Choose one of the titles below and note at least six ideas that might be used in the essay. Then select a suitable framework and write a plan.
- •7. In the case of longer essays, written as coursework, planning will normally be a two-stage process:
- •Organising Paragraphs
- •Organising the Main Body
- •3. Shorter essays (in exams, for example) tend to have simpler structures:
- •4. Inside the main body, ideas need to be presented in the most logical fashion, linked together to form a coherent argument.
- •5. It is useful to mark the beginning of new paragraphs or the introduction of new subjects with special phrases.
- •6. Complete with suitable phrases the following extract from an essay on ‘British weather’.
- •Introductions
- •8. There is no such thing as a standard introduction, and much depends on the nature of the research and the length of the essay.
- •9. Prepare to write an introduction to an essay with the title ‘Higher education should be available to everyone – Discuss’ by answering the questions below.
- •10. Write the introduction (about 100 words), using your answers from (9) and the notes provided below.
- •11. Write an introduction to an essay on one of the following subjects, or choose a subject from your own discipline.
- •Conclusions
- •1. Not every academic essay has a conclusion.
- •2. Compare the following conclusions to two essays on ‘Public transport in a modern economy’. Complete the table to show the main differences between them.
- •3. The following may be found in conclusions. Decide on the most suitable order for them (a–e).
- •4. Below are notes for the main body of an essay. Read the notes and complete the conclusion, using your own ideas if necessary.
- •Implications –
- •5. Study the notes for the essay below and write a conclusion in about 100 words.
- •1. After finishing the first draft of an essay you should, if you have time, wait for a while and then re-read the essay, asking the following questions.
- •2. Read this short essay written by a Japanese student to the title ‘Compare the university system in your country with the British system’. Answer the questions above by making notes below.
- •3. A careful re-reading of the essay would suggest the following points.
- •4. Use the notes below to re-write the introductory paragraph.
- •5. Read this extract from the main body of an essay on ‘Education is the most important factor in national development – Discuss’. Study the notes below and then re-write the extract.
- •Proof-Reading
- •1. Before handing in any piece of written work for marking, it is important to check it carefully for errors that may distort your meaning or even make your work difficult to understand.
- •2. When proof-reading, it is a good idea to exchange texts with another student, since you may become over-familiar with your own work.
- •3. Proof-reading a longer text is more difficult.
2. Compare the following conclusions to two essays on ‘Public transport in a modern economy’. Complete the table to show the main differences between them.
a) As has been shown, public transport is likely to play an important role in the future. Despite possible changes in patterns of work and leisure, it seems possible that mass transport systems will remain necessary for the efficient movement of people. What is not clear is how such transport systems should be funded. Various schemes have been discussed, but the most effective model will probably contain some element of public funding. Market forces alone are unlikely to provide a satisfactory solution.
b) In such a brief study it is hard to draw definite conclusions about the future shape of public transport. The main areas of debate have been outlined, but much more research is needed before firm recommendations can be made. It can be seen that this is a controversial area, with strong protagonists on either side. Whether public transport flourishes or deteriorates in future is still unclear, though further studies may eventually suggest an answer.
a
b
3. The following may be found in conclusions. Decide on the most suitable order for them (a–e).
Implications of the findings
Proposals for further research
Limitations of the research
Reference to how these findings compare with other studies
Summary of main findings
4. Below are notes for the main body of an essay. Read the notes and complete the conclusion, using your own ideas if necessary.
Cultural adaptation among overseas students at a British university.
a) The research programme
purpose: to study how students from different cultural backgrounds adapt to academic life in the UK
size and method: 250 questionnaires returned (30% Chinese, 25% SE Asian, 20% Middle Eastern, 25% other)
b) Findings – culture was only one factor in determining successful adaptation.
Other important factors: age/previous experience of living abroad/language proficiency
c) Discussion – how accurate was research? How could it have been improved? What can be done to help students adapt better?
summary – The aim of the study was to explore differing degrees of adjustment to life at a British university among overseas students from a variety of cultural backgrounds. 250 valid questionnaires were completed, representing about a third of the overseas student population, with significant numbers of Chinese, SE Asian and Middle Eastern students. The results suggest …………
Implications –
limitations –
proposals for –
further research –
5. Study the notes for the essay below and write a conclusion in about 100 words.
A comparison of classroom learning with internet-based teaching.
a) Reasons for increasing use of online education:
cheaper if large numbers involved
allows students to study in their own time
students do not have to travel to university
b) Reasons why classroom-based education remains popular:
students can be part of group; receive support and advice; learn from colleagues
students have face-to-face contact with a teacher
is seen as traditional and effective
c) Discussion
can a solitary student in front of a computer enjoy the same learning experience as
a member of a class?
pressure of numbers in universities makes more online education likely
is internet learning really a new method of education? Distance learning has been
popular for many years (e.g. Open University)
Re-reading and Re-writing
When you have finished the conclusion it may be tempting to hand in your work immediately. However, it is almost certain that it can be improved by being revised. With longer assignments, it may be worth asking a classmate to give an opinion.