How to write an essay
The English course requires you to analyse and interpret texts you read and discuss in
class. This requires you to be able to write sustained, well planned and expressively
written essays. (Of which you are all very capable of) The trap that some students
may fall into is merely to recount the narrative without any analysis of the issues
demanded by the topic, in effect, they retell the story. The key thing to do is to answer
the question, to be clearly responding to the prompt (or exam question).
1. Explore the topic and its ramifications
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Read the topic more than once. (Refer back to it all throughout your essay –
reread it over and over!)
Underline key words
Search for definitions of words you are even slightly unsure of, and consider if
any of the words in to topic need defining.
Rewrite the topic in your own words if you think it will help.
Work out your position on the topic
Read the topic or prompt again
2. Developing a contention (point of view or position)
The most effective way to begin an essay is to develop a contention from the topic;
this ensures that your answer will be relevant and appropriate to the topic!
Sometimes developing a concept map (like a character map) helps you explore the
issues within the question. Look at strands that may be useful to explore – remember
don’t rush into writing!!!!!! Start by listing as many things as you can and then draw
connections and links between them, creating sequences, cause and effect associations
or contrasts. Some students may be able to do this in their heads, other more visual
learners will benefit from using pen and paper.
Develop your contention, your hypothesis or more simply put – your answer! It is the
basis for your essay; it is your main idea. It should be clearly communicated in your
introduction with reasons given. Use the key words, agree or disagree. Your
contention is what you intend to prove or support in your essay.
3. Plan your essay
You should list the three to five major arguments you have to support your contention
(plan people plan!!!!) and then develop the essay with each of these major arguments
discussed in a paragraph of its own, Each body paragraph should discuss in some
detail, including quotes and examples, one of the key arguments in favour of your
contention.
These paragraphs should be linked to ensure that they arguments develops as it goes;
many writers like to leave their most powerful arguments until near the end of the
essay, others will use an early paragraph to dismiss counter-arguments, almost in
debating style.
Conclusion
The essay then concludes by reiterating your contention, showing the reader just how
effectively you have proved your central point through the carefully planned and
carefully expressed piece of writing.
Four steps to developing and effective essay
1. Read the essay question carefully looking for key words, key concepts and
opportunities for you to demonstrate your reading and understanding of the
text. Don’t jump in too quickly into your first impulse; consider how the
question might be interpreted.
2. Develop and answer. You can call this a contention, hypothesis or main idea,
but essentially it’s the whole point of what your essay is trying to prove or
demonstrate.
3. Plan your essay in point form with your answer forming the core of your
introduction and giving the three to five core arguments or reasons to back up
your answer, each of which will develop into a paragraph of its own. Plan to
use effective words and quotes in your paragraphs so that you don’t omit you
best evidence.
4. Write your essay, referring closely to your plan. If you have worked carefully
through the first three steps, this should be straightforward, elaborating and
detailing each of your dot points into complete and expressive sentences.
Essay structure
Introduction:
The introduction should state your main idea, contention or answer in an interesting
way, answering the question as well as providing an indication of where the essay will
develop from here. Listing the main arguments that are to follow in the order that you
intent to make them.
Paragraph 1: T - E -E -L
This is the first major argument in support of your answer or contention, including
evidence in the form of quotes and examples from the text to support your arguments.
Make sure that the paragraph uses the key words and concepts from the essay
question and that they topic sentence or main idea of this paragraph is clearly
supporting your contention.
Paragraph 2: T- E -E-L
This is the second major argument in support of your contention, as above.
Paragraph 3: T-E-E-L
This is the third major argument in support of your contention, as above.
Paragraph 4: T-E-E-L
This is the fourth major argument in support of your contention, as above. Most
essays will generally have three to five paragraphs in the main body of the essay.
Conclusion:
The conclusion should draw together your arguments in and interesting way,
reiterating your arguments and referring again to the question and demonstrating just
how you have answered it.
Remember:
T - Topic sentence.
E - Explanation
E - Evidence
L - Link
Also other variations which we talked about in class. Also the E, E steps can be
repeated as long as it is explaining your topic sentence.
Language and fluency
Naturally, accurate and appropriate language is essential for Year 10 English and
therefore your writing should be clear and accurate. However, writing fluency and
coherence is important too. It’s not just a matter of what you say in the essay but how
it’s said; the fluency and expressiveness of the language itself. This fluency isn’t easy
to learn quickly, but there are some strategies you can adopt to improve the
expressiveness of your essay writing.
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Create multiple word banks of words and phrases you’ve heard that might be
useful in your essay writing.
Listen actively in class when I or other students are discussing a text. Note
down words you like.
Be aware of the structure of your sentences. Are they all the same length? Do
they have the impact you want?
Look for effective, accurate words whenever you can; don’t try to impress
with big words you don’t understand and don’t go thesaurus hunting, but do
think of better ways of saying what you feel.
Know the text well and have something to say about it. The most effective
way for your writing to sound coherent and expressive is to know what you’re
talking about, and care about the issues you are discussing.
Self-editing tips and techniques.
Because your course work is completed mainly in class, and I cannot look at multiple
drafts you write, it is essential you are able to edit your own work. You can do a lot
yourself to edit your own work by being systematic about the kinds of things you’re
looking for. Use the following questions in evaluating your own text writing.
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How can I demonstrate I know the text apart from including quotes?
What sort of detail would have improved my response?
What the word length appropriate? How important is this?
Was my paragraphing accurate and clear?
Did I establish clear links?
How can I develop my language further in my response?
Editing tips
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When writing your first draft, use double spacing to allow corrections (not
essential but may help)
Read aloud what you have written (not in the classroom however!)
Check for careless spelling and grammatical errors.
Use your dictionary
Circle words of which you are unsure
Check that your paragraphs are clear and reflect appropriate planning.
After you have read all this take some time to let it sink in. Don’t try to write and
essay straight after. Take a break, go for a walk, do something else not related to
school or go to bed if you are reading this at night. Especially sleeping and walking
straight after will help your brain process this information. But remember to refer
back to 'how to write an essay' when you are writing your essay if you need to.
Bibliography:
Heintz, K and Stracey, M ‘Cambridge VCE English’ Cambridge University Press
2007
Baxter, D and Wynne, W ‘The English Book’ Thomson Nelson 2008