STAY AHEAD 10th November 2012
Getting going with your writing
Sara Steinke
Aims of the session
• Understand what is meant by a 'good essay‘
• Recognise why we write essays
• Identify ways of generating ideas to get you
started
- brainstorming
- free-writing
- mind maps
• How to structure your ideas
- pyramid concept
- essay plan
Why do you think writing gives
students the most anxiety?
A. They have not written an essay in a long
time.
B. They do not know what an academic essay
looks like.
C. They miss deadlines as a result of poor time
management.
D. They have no idea why they are writing an
essay.
Answer: A, B, C and D
What is a ‘good’ essay?
• logical structure
• effective paragraphing
• considers the reader
• evidence of research around the topic
• addresses the question
• adheres to style/presentation requirements
• uses quotes and referencing
• indication of critical thinking/reading/writing
Why write essays?
• deepens your learning of the subject
• you learn to use ideas to argue a case
• enables you to extend and refine your critical
and writing skills
• enables you to demonstrate your progress
• different situations - coursework and exam
essays
• because you have to!
Self evaluation: S.W.O.T.
• What are the strengths of your writing? Are you able to
express complex ideas clearly? Do you know how to structure
your essay well?
• What are the weaknesses of your writing? Do you struggle
with spelling and grammar? Are you simply not used to
writing in a formal/academic way?
• What opportunities do you have to improve on your writing?
Have you attended one of the essay writing workshops?
• What threats do you face in your writing? Do you understand
the essay question? Are you struggling to find enough time
for proof reading? Do you lack confidence in your ability to
write?
Generating ideas: brainstorming
• use a large piece of paper A3 or flipchart
Tips
• do something that you find
relaxing, for example listen to
• identify and write down as many
your favourite music
different possible answers (rather
than ‘one solution’) to the question • think about the material as
you go about another activity,
that you can think of
for example on a walk
• asking ‘what if’ or
‘supposing’ questions will help you • try visualising your ideas, such
as drawing, photographing or
painting your ideas
• allow yourself to think of crazy or
wild suggestions - don't think of an • see if changing your routine
idea as ‘stupid'
helps, such as listening to
some unfamiliar music or
• it’s fine to make mistakes studying in a different location
they may turn out to be productive
Generating ideas: free writing
• use A4 lined paper
Tips
• write nonstop for a set period of • writing freely, unreservedly
time (about 3-5 minutes)
about your topic will help
you find a specific focus
• do not make any corrections
• makes you feel more used
• do not write in sentences
to writing
• use the writing tool you are
• can be a valve to release
most comfortable with
tensions or problems
(pen/computer)
• helps you discover ideas
• write/type as fast as you can
• can indirectly improve your
formal writing
• do not cross anything out
• do not punctuate
Generating ideas: map mapping
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
turn the paper sideways, A3 landscape is best
write the topic in the centre of the page
write related ideas around this centre
add secondary ideas to the main ideas
link up these ideas to show relationships
use colours, different line thickness, symbols, pictures
add details to points as you go along
Produced on Inspiration 8.0, on all
library computers
Activity (3 minutes)
Question
What are your reasons for applying to university?
Task
Choose one method and generating ideas for the
question
Reflection
In your own time, use another method of
generating ideas. Which method of generating
ideas did you find most useful? Why?
Structuring ideas
• methods of generating ideas will produce
many ideas on the question
• next stage in developing your
ideas/arguments is to structure them in a
logical order that builds your argument
• use a concept pyramid - places ideas into a
hierarchy, with the most general information
at the top of the pyramid or triangle, and
more specific details placed below
Activity (3 minutes)
Question
What are your reasons for applying to university?
Task
Use your ideas from the first activity and create a
concept pyramid
Superordinate
category
Studying
Intermediate
category
Reasons for
applying to
university
Subordinate
category
job prospects
personal interest
in a subject
personal
satisfaction
based on your
present and
knowledge and
skills
Examples
to increase
chances of
promotion
to develop your
knowledge of
subject
you left full time
education early
want to try a new
subject
to facilitate a
change of career
to develop your
amateur skills in
an area
to gain self
confidence
arts, humanities,
science
Choice of subject
- next step is to
produce an
essay plan
- use linear or
mind mapping
method
- avoid temptation
to start writing
draft before writing
a plan - this does
not mean that you
can not make changes
Overcoming writer’s block
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Scribble - what ever comes to mind
‘Its only a draft’ - something you are working on
Write in pencil - reminds you that the draft is rough
Write on loose paper - can throw it away
Ignore mistakes in early drafts - can sort out later
‘For you eyes only’ - handwriting/mistakes do not
matter
7. Start anywhere - in order to suit you
8. Write by talking - if you find it hard to express
yourself in writing
9. Take one step at a time - break task into manageable
steps
10. Rest and relax - avoid stress
Recap of the session
• Be clear on the aspects of a ‘good’ essay
• Be aware of why you writing the essay
• Be honest about your strengths and areas for
improvement for academic writing
• Use a variety of methods to generate ideas
• Make use of concept pyramids to organise
your ideas, and an essay plan to structure your
essay