Introductions & Conclusions

Introductions & Conclusions Choose relevant points only, ones that most reveal the theme or help to make a convincing and interesting argument. In the main body of the essay every paragraph should demonstrate both knowledge and critical evaluation. Quality of Written Communication - writing clearly and succinctly with appropriate use of paragraphs, spelling and grammar. All sources referenced accurately and in line with APA guidelines. A good conclusion should summarise your main points and, in most cases, make some sort of judgment. It should also refer back to the question, so that you more or less bring the reader back to the starting point. That means that the best essays are about surprise, “You probably think it’s one way, but in reality, you should think of it this other way.” See tip #3 for more on this. Now let’s summarise the main points of this tutorial. Remember to follow the formula to structure your introduction. The real value of writing introductions based on a simple structural formula is that you’re more likely to feel more confident about what you’re writing. As you develop your writing skills you can modify your style to suit your needs. Ensure that you let the introduction speak for itself. Try to create an introduction that captures the target reader; and don't let the target reader second guess what you’re trying to say. This is the first paragraph of the introduction. Ideally the conclusion should summarize the key themes / arguments of your essay. State the take home message â€" don’t sit on the fence, instead weigh up the evidence presented in the essay and make a decision which side of the argument has more support. Be clear why each point is is relevant to the argument. It would be useful at the beginning of each paragraph if you explicitly outlined the theme being discussed (.e.g. cognitive development, social development etc.). It is best to structure your essay according to key themes. Themes are illustrated and developed through a number of points . Click through the slides below to learn about the key characteristics of academic writing. The reference list is at the end of your essay and is a list of all the sources you used in-text to support your argument. Essays usually have an introduction, body paragraphs, a conclusion and a reference list. At undergraduate level, more so than at A-Level, you will need to demonstrate evidence of further reading. Lectures are supposed to be a pointer and guide for your further reading. If there is a word count for your essay try to devote 10% of this to your introduction. When you are writing an evaluation paragraph use the PEC system. It is more appropriate to use original content to demonstrate your understanding. Each paragraph should have a purpose / theme, and make a number of points - which need to be support by high quality evidence. By reading, we mean published, peer-reviewed literature; Wikipedia does not count! Other websites should not be cited in essays, but you can use them to further your understanding and get lists of peer-reviewed literature to read. Finally, make sure you read carefully any feedback you are given on your essays. Your tutors will be keen to help you learn and progress. You can read my ten best tips for having fun while writing an essay that earns you the top grade, or checkout this presentation designed by our friends at Canva Presentations. Yes, you need to follow the guidelines in your assignment. If your teacher tells you to write a five-paragraph essay, then write a five-paragraph essay! However, within those guidelines, find room to express something that is uniquely you. Stop trying to write a good essay (or even a “good-enough” essay). Instead, write aninterestingessay, write an essay you think is fascinating. And when you’re finished, go back and edit it until it’s “good” according to your teacher’s standards. Because when you focus on external approval, you shut down your subconscious, and the subconscious is the source of your creativity. You also need to check spelling, sentence structure and punctuation. Correct all of these on your first draft unless you are making drastic changes which require a significant amount of rewriting. If you choose to use a printed copy of your writing, you might find it useful to use a different pen so that the corrections and alterations are clearly visible. Check sentence structure, spelling and punctuation as you revise.