Planning, organising and writing academic essays (APA / Harvard)

Summary

This video provides a practical guide to writing a problem-solution essay at university. It covers planning strategies, including brainstorming problems, effects, and solutions, and emphasizes supporting each point with evidence. The introduction is broken down into three key parts: WHAT (topic and background), WHY (importance and key issues), and HOW (overview of the essay structure). Body paragraphs should focus on a single idea, with a clear topic sentence, supporting evidence, and concluding sentence, optionally using paragraph hooks for smooth transitions. The conclusion should summarize main points and offer a strong final opinion without introducing new information, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Takeaways

• 📝 Problem-solution essays discuss a problem and propose solutions, sometimes focusing on effects first.
• 💡 Planning is crucial: brainstorm problems, solutions, and gather supporting evidence for each point.
• 🎯 The introduction should answer three key questions: What, Why, and How.
• 📌 The 'What' section introduces the topic, provides background, and interprets the question.
• 🌟 The 'Why' section explains the importance of the question and highlights main issues.
• 🛠️ The 'How' section outlines how the essay will address the question, summarizing main points.
• 📄 Each body paragraph should focus on one idea, typically structured as topic sentence → supporting evidence → concluding sentence.
• 🔗 Paragraph hooks, linking back to the previous paragraph, help improve essay flow and coherence.
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• 📚 Supporting evidence, such as research or references, strengthens arguments and moves beyond personal opinion.
• ✔️ Conclusions should summarize main points and offer an opinion without introducing new information.
• 💪 Strong introductions and conclusions leave a lasting impression on the reader.
• 📌 Consistency in structure across paragraphs ensures clarity and organization in your essay.
• 🌐 Additional resources on problem-solution and discursive essays are available on eLearn and CILL.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video script?

The primary focus is on teaching how to plan, organize, and write a problem-solution essay at university, although the techniques can be applied to other types of academic essays.

What are the main components of a problem-solution essay?

A problem-solution essay generally includes discussing a problem (causes and/or effects) and then proposing solutions. It usually has an introduction, body paragraphs addressing each problem and solution, and a conclusion.

How should the introduction of a problem-solution essay be structured?

The introduction should be divided into three parts: WHAT (introduce the topic and provide background), WHY (explain the importance of the topic and main issues), and HOW (outline how the essay will address the question).

Why is it important to include supporting evidence in an essay?

Supporting evidence strengthens arguments by showing that points are based on credible sources rather than just personal opinions, making the essay more persuasive and academically rigorous.

How many ideas should each body paragraph focus on?

Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea only, ensuring clarity and coherence.

What are the three essential parts of a body paragraph?

The three parts are: 1) Topic sentence – introduces the paragraph's main idea, 2) Supporting evidence – provides data, examples, or references to back the idea, and 3) Concluding sentence – links back to the main topic or context.

What is the purpose of using paragraph hooks?

Paragraph hooks link the content of one paragraph to the next, creating smooth transitions and improving the overall flow of the essay.

How should the conclusion of a problem-solution essay be written?

The conclusion should summarize the main points and present the writer's opinion. No new information or references should be included. It should aim to leave a strong, memorable impression.

What is the recommended approach to planning a problem-solution essay?

Start by brainstorming problems and corresponding solutions, then gather supporting evidence for each point. Decide how many paragraphs are needed based on the number of problems and solutions.

Why are the What, Why, and How questions useful in essay writing?

They help organize the introduction, focus the writer's answer to the question, and guide the structure of a clear, well-organized essay.

Can the techniques described in the video be applied to other essay types?

Yes, the planning, paragraph structuring, evidence usage, and clear introduction/conclusion techniques can be applied to discursive essays and other university-level writing.

What is the recommended length of the 'How' part in the introduction?

The length of the 'How' part depends on the overall essay length. In a short essay (e.g., 800 words), it can be brief, while longer essays require a more detailed 'How' section.