Structuring an Essay Take a seat Keegan Moran

Structuring an Essay Take a seat! Keegan Moran Peer Tutor UCLU Writing and Language Support

Aims of this workshop o To think about how essays should be structured o To look at what language and phrases are useful when structuring essays o To critically review a (short!) essay and suggest improvements

What is an essay? o Frederick Crews, professor of English at the University of California at Berkeley: "a fairly brief piece of non-fiction that tries to make a point in an interesting way. "

What do you think? o In pairs, discuss and complete the following sentence: The structure of a good essay…

A good essay in a simple diagram…

In brief: Introduction, main body and conclusion o These are your basic elements of an essay! o Activity 1 – are the sentences describing the introduction, main body or conclusion?

o The introduction: b, e, h o The main body: a, c, f, j o The conclusion: d, g, h, i o c) PEAL = Point Evidence Analysis Link o h) Note that many feel that 10% should be assigned to the introduction and another 10% to the conclusion!

Structuring an essay = giving the reader a tour of your mind… o This is why a clear introduction, structured main body and conclusion are important. o Language can help you ‘signpost’ your exact thoughts…

Language and Essay Structure o In groups. Each group will be assigned either: Introduction, Main body, or Conclusion. o Think about what function your section has. Come up with what you think are the 5 most important phrases for that section. o To be presented to the group!

Introduction phrases o Your examples?

Main Body phrases o Your examples?

Conclusion phrases o Your examples?

Applying concepts and language o ‘London is a fantastic place of study for International students’. Discuss. o You are going to read a short essay on the above question o In pairs/groups: discuss the effectiveness of the essay in terms of structure. What is good/bad and why?

When structuring an essay… o Remember to section out an introduction (10%), main body (80%) and a conclusion (10%) o Introductions should contextualise; Main bodies should develop; Conclusions should demonstrate o Use appropriate phrases help you to ‘lay out’ your thoughts!

Next Steps o When essay writing, keep these notes next to you o Still stuck? Book an appointment with us Thank you, and have a great afternoon!