Table of Contents
Preface to the third edition and acknowledgements
1 Introduction
1.1 How to use this guide
1.2 Will the guide tell you everything about essay writing?
2 What is a social science essay?
2.1 The structure of a basic social science essay
2.2 What is distinctive about a social science essay?
2.3 Common errors in essays
2.4 Four golden rules for writing a social science essay
2.5 Why an essay is not a report, newspaper article or an exam answer
3 Stages of writing, from preparation to final version
3.1 Reading the question and any guidance notes
3.2 Identify and organize the relevant material; drafting an essay plan
3.3 Drafting stages
3.4 Time management
4 Matching the answer to the question
4.1 Reading the question
4.2 Command words and cognitive skills
4.3 Types of Social Science Essay Questions
5 Reading, note-taking and literature searches
5.1 Reading
5.2 Taking notes
5.3 Academic literature searches and gathering data
6 Thinking critically and formulating an argument
6.1 Critical thinking
6.2 Formulating an argument
7 Writing introductions
7.1 Longer or ‘full’ introductions
7.2 Basic short introductions
7.3 When do you write the introduction?
8 Writing the main section
8.1 Structuring your argument
8.2 Using evidence to support your argument
8.3 Adding weight to your argument
8.4 Communicating your argument
9 Writing conclusions
9.1 What a conclusion should aim to do – and should not do
9.2 What a conclusion should contain
10 Referencing
10.1 What is a reference?
10.2 Why are references needed?
10.3 What should be referenced?
10.4 Basic principles
10.5 Advanced referencing
10.6 Compiling your references
11 Some common worries
11.1 Writing too much
11.2 Using the ‘I’ word, ‘subjectivety’ and ‘objectivety’
11.3 Using your own experience
11.4 Presentation, spelling and grammar
11.5 Plagiarism and poor academic practice
12 What tutors look for when marking essays
12.1 Marking schemes: criteria related to grade bands
12.2 Writing skills: ‘introductory’, ‘intermediate’ and ‘advanced’ essays
13 Examples of student essays
Essay 1
Essay 2
Essay 3
Essay 4
Appendix A: abbreviations and words in foreign languages
Appendix B: editors’ symbols – common notations made by tutors
References
Index |