Dr Julia Miller
School of Education
Copyright © 2014 The University of Adelaide
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The University of Adelaide
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The University of Adelaide
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Session outline
1. What is an essay?
2. Why do we do essays?
3. How do I approach an essay?
4. What does an essay look like?
5. How is an essay marked?
6. What is referencing?
7. What is critical thinking?
8. What if I can’t finish in time?
9. Where can I go to improve my writing?
The University of Adelaide
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What is the purpose of a university?
‘Studying at the University of Adelaide means being part of
a rich tradition of excellence in education and research, with
world-class academic staff and a vibrant student life.’
‘We are committed to producing graduates recognised
worldwide for their creativity, knowledge and skills, as well
as their culture and tolerance. Our graduates make an
impact on the world.’
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/uni/
The University of Adelaide
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
Count your score for the quiz questions on
the following slides.
The University of Adelaide
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a) A collection of facts
b) A short piece of writing about a
particular subject
c) A story
d) Another word for a report
Correct answer: b
(taken from the Longman dictionary of contemporary
English 2003, p. 531)
The University of Adelaide
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
Formal

Coherent

Connected

Structured

Persuasive

Referenced
The University of Adelaide
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
It’s looooooonger . . .
◦ IELTS essays are about 250 words
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◦ university essays vary from 1000 to 5000+ words

It doesn’t follow a formula

It’s based on research
◦ IELTS asks you to ‘include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience’
(http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/test_sample.aspx)

It includes references, in the text and in a
reference list at the end
The University of Adelaide
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a) Because the lecturers like to torture us
b) Because exams are no longer in fashion
c) Because essays allow us to demonstrate
our knowledge
d) Because lecturers like marking them
Correct answer: c
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


Don’t we have to agree with all the
literature?
Can’t we just write what the lecturers tell
us?
Can’t we just do an exam with multiple
choice answers?
No
The University of Adelaide
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‘We are committed to producing graduates
recognised worldwide for their creativity,
knowledge and skills, as well as their culture and
tolerance.
Our graduates make an impact on the world’.
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/uni/
The University of Adelaide
Slide 12
3. What is the first thing to do when
you approach an essay?
a) Go to the library and start reading
b) Start writing immediately
c) Keep calm and carry a big
stick
d) Analyse the question
Correct answer: d
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zookyworld.wordpress.com
The University of Adelaide
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If all else fails, read the instructions!
 Actually, read the instructions first!
 What do you have to do?
 Discuss, compare, critique . . .
 How many words should you write?
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The University of Adelaide
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How should I approach an essay?

What are the question words?
How accurate . . .?
How well . . .?
Can and should . . .?

Do you understand the key words?

What is your response to the question?
Why do you think that?

Response to question + reasons for response
= conclusion
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Brainstorm
Mind Map
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
Read the abstract or first paragraph

Next apply a reading strategy
Can you put the strategies in the correct
order and match them to the meanings?
a) Note
1. Look quickly to get a general idea
b) Predict the content
2. Read the useful sections in more detail
c) Scan
3. Write down important information
d) Skim
4. Look for specific words and information
e) Analyse some sections
5. Look at the title and work out the
content
The University of Adelaide
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Can you match the meanings to the
strategies and put them in the correct
order?
b) Predict
5. Look at the title and work out the content
d) Skim
1. Look quickly to get a general idea
c) Scan
4. Look for specific words and information
e) Analyse
2. Read the useful sections in more detail
a) Note
3. Write down important information
The University of Adelaide
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
How do I know what to read?

Where can I find material?
◦ library
◦ research librarian
◦ databases
◦ Google scholar

What kind of sources should I use?
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Is this an academic source? (1)
a or b – yes; c or d - no
The University of Adelaide
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Is this an academic source? (2)
a or b – yes; c or d - no
The University of Adelaide
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Is this an academic source? (3)
a or b – yes; c or d - no
The University of Adelaide
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Is this an academic source? (4)
a or b – yes; c or d - no
The University of Adelaide
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Is this an academic source? (5)
a or b – yes; c or d - no
The University of Adelaide
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Look at the:

author

sponsor (e.g. company)

publisher

website appearance (e.g. adverts)

methodology

references
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1. __________
(about 10%)
2. _________
Body points
3. _________
(about 10%)
4. __________
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1.
a. Referencelist
b. Introduction
c. Conclusion
d. Thesis statement
The University of Adelaide
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1. Introduction
2.
a. Referencelist
b. Introduction
c. Conclusion
d. Thesis statement
The University of Adelaide
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1. Introduction
2. Thesis statement
a. Referencelist
b. Introduction
c. Conclusion
d. Thesis statement
3.
The University of Adelaide
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1. Introduction
2. Thesis statement
a. Referencelist
b. Introduction
c. Conclusion
d. Thesis statement
3. Conclusion
4.
The University of Adelaide
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Introduction
(about 10%)
Thesis statement
Body points
Conclusion
(about 10%)
Reference list
The University of Adelaide
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

Each paragraph should make only one main
point.
It should include a topic sentence.
e.g. Many people like dark chocolate because it is
not too sweet.

If possible, link your paragraphs in the first
sentence.
e.g. Although milk chocolate is probably the most
popular, many people like dark chocolate
because it is not as sweet.
The University of Adelaide
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Course Reader
A collection of book chapters and journal
articles compiled by the course convenor. A
reader is compiled by the course convenor in
order to provide the basic reading material for
your course. They are available from the
university bookshop.
(Abbreviated from: University of New South Wales 2007, First
steps: a beginner’s guide to University, viewed 1 March 2007,
<http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/firststeps/prep_glossary.html>.)
The University of Adelaide
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Essays
 Address a question or
topic, with many
forms of question
 Have an introduction,
body paragraphs and
conclusion, ideally
with a flow of ideas
Reports
 Usually investigate a
specific issue or problem
 Provide information used to
make decisions or take
further action
 Contain an executive
summary,
recommendations and
possibly appendices
 Have distinct, numbered
sections with headings and
sub-headings
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Article reviews
 One article
 Summary
 Critique
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

Use several sources to talk about a topic or
show a gap in the literature on a topic
Form a chapter in a thesis
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
Content

Structure (introduction, body, conclusion)

Clarity of ideas

Cohesion (how the ideas are linked)

Language

Referencing
The University of Adelaide
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The University of Adelaide
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What percentage
do you need to get
a distinction?
a) 85 – 100 %
b) 75 – 84 %
c) 65 – 74 %
d) 50 – 64 %
e) 1 – 49 %
The University of Adelaide
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




High distinction
Distinction
Credit
Pass
Fail
85 – 100 %
75 – 84 %
65 – 74 %
50 – 64 %
1 – 49 %
The University of Adelaide
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6. What is referencing?
Referencing means you give the
details of any source you have used
in your essay.
Do you reference quotes?
Do you reference ideas?
Do you reference paraphrases?
Yes, reference any source you have used.
The University of Adelaide
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The University of Adelaide
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




i. presenting work that is not your own in any
format, without appropriate attribution or
reference to the original source.
ii. paraphrasing or copying work that is not your
own, without due acknowledgement by way of
reference to the original work.
iii. adopting the ideas of others, or the structure
of an existing analysis, without due
acknowledgement by way of reference to the
original source.
The work of others may be submitted only when
use of the work is appropriate and duly
acknowledged.
(University of Adelaide Honesty Policy 2012)
The University of Adelaide
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 In the text; or
 Sometimes in the footnotes at the
bottom of the page; and
 In a reference list at the end.
There are many different referencing styles.
Check which one is used in each of your
subjects.
The University of Adelaide
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In-text
Boynton (1982, p.47) suggests that carrots
may be ‘a catalyst to weight-gain when
chocolate is present’.
It has been suggested (Boynton 1982, p.47)
that if someone has already eaten chocolate,
then eating carrots later may cause that
person to put on weight.
The University of Adelaide
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National Biodiesel Board, Environmental safety and
information, viewed 21 August,
<www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/Envi&Safetyinfo.pdf>.
Agarwal, AK & Das, LM 2001, ‘Biodiesel development and
characterization for use as a fuel in compression ignition
engines’, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and
Power, vol. 123, no. 2, pp. 440-447.
G Rosner 1996, Diesel fuel and exhaust emissions, World
Health Organization, Geneva.
Demirbas, A 2005, ‘Biodiesel production from vegetable
oils via catalytic and non-catalytic supercritical methanol
transesterification methods’, Progress in Energy and
Combustion Science, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 466-487.
The University of Adelaide
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Agarwal, AK & Das, LM 2001, ‘Biodiesel development and
characterization for use as a fuel in compression ignition
engines’, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and
Power, vol. 123, no. 2, pp. 440-447.
Demirbas, A 2005, ‘Biodiesel production from vegetable
oils via catalytic and non-catalytic supercritical methanol
transesterification methods’, Progress in Energy and
Combustion Science, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 466-487.
National Biodiesel Board 2006, Environmental safety and
information, viewed 21 August 2006,
<www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/Envi&Safetyinfo.pdf>.
Rosner, G 1996, Diesel fuel and exhaust emissions, World
Health Organization, Geneva.
The University of Adelaide
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 You write the text
 You write the arguments in your
own words
 You give a reference for every idea
from another source
 You incorporate those ideas into
your own writing
The University of Adelaide
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7. What is critical thinking?
Critical thinking means:
 You think for yourself
 You do not necessarily agree with
a reading
 You ask questions
 You solve problems
 You look at the evidence
The University of Adelaide
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


Fact
- something which is known to have happened or
to exist, especially something for which proof
exists, or about which there is information
Opinion
- a thought or belief about something or someone
Assumption
- something that you accept as true without
question or proof
(All definitions from Cambridge University Press 2011, Cambridge
dictionaries online, viewed 15 February 2012,
<http://dictionary.cambridge.org>.)
The University of Adelaide
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All international students have a lot of
money and do not need to have a job.
Fact
International students often
speak English very well.
Opinion
All international students should
have an IELTS score of 8 to enter
university in Australia.
Assumption
All Chinese students are
international students.
The University of Adelaide
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Can you think critically?
English is the main language
spoken in Australia.
Fact
If someone lives in Australia,
that means they are able to Assumption
speak English.
All people who live in
Australia should speak
English.
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Opinion
Slide 52
a) A man appeared after the owner had turned
off his store lights.
b) The robber was a man.
c) Someone opened a cash register.
d) The man who appeared did not demand
money.
Which statement is true?
The University of Adelaide
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Assessing a source
Compare:
Leite (2007) shows that most people prefer white
chocolate to milk or dark chocolate.
Leite’s study (2007) claims that people prefer white
chocolate to milk or dark chocolate. His research,
however, is limited, as his sample size consisted of
only five small children in Portugal. It is therefore more
realistic to consider the implications of Brown’s study
(2009), which found that in a sample of ten thousand
adults from France, Germany, China, the United States
and Mexico 65% preferred milk chocolate and 30%
preferred dark chocolate, while only 5% preferred white
chocolate. This suggests . . .
The University of Adelaide
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How do I know if it's useful information
or a reliable source?
Here is a good example to help you
think critically about your sources:
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/11November
/Pages/chocolate-mental-health-cut-stressclaim.aspx
The University of Adelaide
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8. What if I can't finish in time?
 Are you trying to write too much?
 Did you have trouble finding
sources?
 Were you ill?
 Are you having trouble doing all
your work?
The University of Adelaide
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Can't finish in time?
 Ask for an extension
 Reconsider your priorities
- How much do you earn in your part-time job?
- What will it cost if you have to retake a topic?
 Look at your time management – try
the Assignment Planning Calculator
 Talk to your course coordinator
The University of Adelaide
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25+ points
You’re an essay expert! Would you
like to give this lecture next time?
20-24 points Well done! You have lots of great essay
writing ideas.
15-19 points Good. There are still a few things for you
to work on, though.
8-13 points
I hope this lecture was helpful – you still
have quite a lot to learn.
0 – 8 points
What a good thing you came today!
The University of Adelaide
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Writing Centre, Hub Central.
Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre

The English for Uni website
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/english-foruni/essay-writing/

The University of Adelaide
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The University of Adelaide
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For further thought
 Write down 2 things you really
need to remember from this
session.
 Is anything still unclear?
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Have a great year!
The University of Adelaide
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