Essay Writing

Summary

This video provides a detailed guide on academic essay writing, emphasizing structure, style, and key elements. It breaks down the essay into three main sections: introduction, body, and conclusion, with tips on how to allocate word count effectively. The introduction sets context, while the body offers critical interpretive analysis and support. The conclusion wraps up the paper, leaving readers with a clear takeaway. Additionally, it stresses the importance of formal, objective writing, clear organization, and relevance to the task. Tips for improving academic writing include reading models, understanding rubrics, and committing to consistent improvement.

Takeaways

• 😀 Essays have three main sections: introduction, body, and conclusion, with the body making up the majority of the word count (90%).
• 😀 The introduction and conclusion should each be roughly 5% of the total word count, while the body takes up the rest.
• 😀 Descriptive parts of an essay typically occupy fewer words compared to the critical, interpretive parts, which should be more substantial.
• 😀 The introduction should begin with general statements, narrow down to a specific focus, and end with a thesis statement outlining the paper's main argument.
• 😀 The body section is divided into subsections based on the thesis statement and contains clearly structured paragraphs that support the argument with cited examples.
• 😀 Each paragraph should represent one main idea, introduced by a topic sentence, and vary in length based on the elaboration of that idea.
• 😀 The conclusion should summarize the paper without introducing new material, and also provide a clear, concluding answer to the main question posed in the essay.
• 😀 To write effectively, it's important to analyze the task, break it into sections, gather research, write the body first, and then create the introduction and conclusion.
• 😀 Academic writing requires formal language, full forms (no contractions), and objectivity. It's also important to avoid first-person unless the writing is reflective.
• 😀 Academic essays should not use headings; the structure is maintained through the introduction, body, and conclusion, and the paragraphs should be organized logically.
• 😀 To improve academic writing, regularly read relevant materials, review model papers for structure and style, and commit to continuous improvement based on feedback.

Q & A

What is the basic structure of an academic essay?

An academic essay typically consists of three main sections: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction provides context and a thesis statement, the body elaborates on the topic with supporting arguments, and the conclusion wraps up the paper, summarizing the key points and offering a final stance.

How should the word count be distributed in an essay?

In general, the introduction and conclusion should each account for roughly 5% of the total word count, while the body section should make up 90%. For example, in a 2,000-word essay, the introduction and conclusion would each be about 100 words, and the body would be about 1,800 words.

What is the role of critical interpretive elements in an essay?

Critical interpretive elements should take precedence over descriptive parts in an essay. While descriptive sections may come at the beginning and be relatively shorter, the critical analysis and interpretation of the topic should form the core of the body and occupy a larger portion of the word count.

What should an introduction in an academic essay include?

The introduction should start with general statements to set the context, moving from broader background information to a more specific focus. It should culminate in the thesis statement, which presents the main argument or position of the paper.

How does the thesis statement influence the structure of the essay?

The thesis statement guides the structure of the essay by outlining the main points or sections that will be discussed. It helps organize the body into subsections, with each section representing a distinct argument or topic related to the thesis.

What is the importance of paragraphs in academic essays?

Paragraphs are essential for organizing ideas logically. Each paragraph should contain one main idea, with the topic sentence at the start signaling that idea. Well-structured paragraphs make the essay easier to read and understand, and help to maintain clarity and coherence.

How long should a paragraph be in an academic essay?

There is no fixed length for a paragraph, but it should be long enough to fully develop one main idea. Paragraphs that are too short may lack elaboration, while overly long paragraphs can become difficult to follow. Generally, paragraphs should be concise and focused on one clear point.

What should be avoided in the conclusion of an essay?

The conclusion should not introduce new material. Instead, it should summarize the key points discussed in the body and revisit the thesis, concluding the discussion. The main takeaway should be clear—answering the question 'What do I now know that I didn't know before?'

What is the typical writing style in academic essays?

The writing style in academic essays is formal and objective. First-person pronouns are generally avoided, as the focus is on the topic rather than the writer. The essay should be cohesive, using clear and structured language to connect ideas, and there should be no use of contractions.

What are some tips for improving academic writing skills?

To improve academic writing, read a lot of academic papers to understand structure and style. Study past papers, pay attention to feedback, and practice writing regularly. Also, ensure that you carefully read the task instructions, identify key terms, and stay on topic throughout your work.