Essay writing
Essays are shorter pieces of writing that often require the student to hone a number of
skills, such as close reading, analysis, comparison and contrast, persuasion, conciseness,
clarity, and exposition. As is evidenced by this list of attributes, there is much to be gained
by the student who strives to succeed at essay writing.
Essays need to be short, precise, and clear.
This exercise develops the following skills: information gathering, understanding, logic,
thinking, and focus on the material.
These skills are used in: studying faster and smarter, understanding the material, exams
(oral & written exams), and giving explanations
The expository essay requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence,
expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and
concise manner. This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition,
example, the analysis of cause and effect, etc. You will use this type of essay for exams.
How to
First, you will need to prepare for your topic. You will need to gather information about the
subject and learn it. Make notes on your topic/study subject, that you will be able to revise.
Second, once you have received your assignment, study your questions. Make sure you
understand them before starting your essay.
You will need to divide your essay into 3 main parts: the introduction, the main body, and
the conclusion.
Introduction
The introduction part should be relatively short. In case of the General English MTO, it
should be 1-3 sentences long. Here, you introduce the topic and give a statement about it.
We start with general statements.
Ex:
The invention of Braille marked a major turning point in the history of disability. I was the
first writing system designed for blind people’s needs. Furthermore, it also helped change
the cultural status of blindness.
Main body
The body of your essay is where you make arguments supporting your thesis, provide
evidence, and develop your ideas. Its purpose is to present, interpret, and analyze the
information and sources you have gathered to support your argument. On average, the
body comprises 60–80% of your essay. In general English, this will be around 2-5
paragraphs long.
You will use paragraphs to introduce different ideas/topics. Start paragraphs in new rows.
You will use transition words for a clear connection between sentences. When you have
specific questions, the answers can be written into different paragraphs.
Here, you will need to show what you know about the topic. You will start from the general
to the specific: give a statement, explain why. If you are talking about a controversial topic,
you will need to write about both pro- and contra arguments.
Example paragraph:
Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in
nineteenth-century society. While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination,
blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability. It was commonly believed that blind
people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture.
This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time:
without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind
people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted
people for information and education.
Conclusion
The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It should generally take up no more than
10–15% of the text. In General English, it will be 2-4 sentences.
You will have to write a short summary and say why your text is important. You only draw
conclusion here.
DO NOT add new pieces of information.
Ex:
Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated
and the opportunities available to them. Furthermore, Braille helped drive broader social
changes in the status of blindness, acceptance of blind people, and how they are viewed
by society.
How to connect your sentences
You will use so called linking words to connect your sentences and make them more
fluent. Here are a few examples:
Additional comments or additionally; also; moreover; furthermore
ideas
Alternatives in comparison; by contrast; another view is…; although
Analysing results as a result of; the result is/results are; the consequence is;
for this reason; in that case; that implies; it can be seen
Cause / Reason as a result of; because (mid-sentence only)
Compare compared with; in the same way; likewise
Contrast by contrast; although; compared with; despite; however;
nevertheless; yet
Effect / Result As a result; therefore; thus
Emphasising earlier however; nonetheless; furthermore; in the final analysis;
statements despite x; notwithstanding x; in spite of x; while x may be
true, nonetheless; although; though; after all; at the same
time; even if x is true;
Introducing examples for example; for instance; such as; including; especially;
mainly
Re-phrasing in other terms; rather; or; better; in view of this
Sequencing first (ly); second (ly); third (ly); another; additionally; finally
moreover; also; subsequently; eventually; next; then
Summary or Conclusion in conclusion; therefore; to conclude; on the whole; hence;
thus to summarise; altogether; overall
Writing musts
1. use shorter sentences: a sentence shouldn't be longer than 2 written lines
2. use grammar that you know: do not overcomplicate it
3. make sure your writing is legible: professors often give a 1 for papers that are hard
to read. Your professor won't spend an hour trying to decipher your writing, so make
sure it is as pretty as possible
4. use words that you know: using words incorrectly may make your sentence
incorrect
5. avoid short forms: only use do not instead of don't etc
6. leave room on the edges
7. write each paragraph into a new row
