An essay will usually explore one or two issues or ideas raised by a specific topic. It requires you to assert and defend a particular point of view (an argument) related to your topic. The essay’s argument should remain consistent from the beginning of the essay to its conclusion.
Planning: Begin essays by brainstorming or mind-mapping your initial ideas. Jot down everything you can think of in relation to your title, and try to ‘clump’ together and link ideas in a way that seems interesting and appropriate. You will find that this process (which can be repeated as you build upon your research) will give you a clearer idea of how your essay will ‘hang together’.
Structure: Every written piece of work that you produce should be structured accordingly. In an essay the structure may vary in detail (depending on the subject or the writer’s intentions) but there are some conventions you should observe:
Section
Content
Introduction
The purpose of the introduction is to indicate to the reader the topic about which they are going to read, and go some way to suggest the attitude/ argument the writer is taking.
Background
The background acts as the essential link between the introduction and the main body. In this section you should include any information about the subject of the essay that any reader would need in order to understand the main body of the essay. Be careful not to give a complete biography or run-down of a situation. In the background you may explain any key terms which will be discussed, or introduce artist or designers being referred to.
Main Body
The main body is where you ‘weigh up’ your arguments, or discussion points. You must determine how many paragraphs you will need to convey all of the relevant information, and ensure that it reads as a logical progression. The main body will also include your discussion and analysis of relevant artists and illustrations, as a way of providing evidence for you argument.
Conclusion
You must always conclude your essays as a way of rounding off your argument or discussion. Summarise what you have been discussing and emphasise the main point of your argument.
Writing your essay
When working on your essay:
Leave enough time before the submission date to word process your work
Double space your essays so that your tutor can make notes between the lines
Double check your spelling and punctuation:
If you have a computer, perform a spell check
Ask a friend or family member to proof read your work for you
Ask a study support tutor to proof read your work for you
Editing your essay
Before you are ready to submit your written work, ask yourself the following questions:
Information and Format
Is my overall argument clear to the reader and is the essay easy to follow?
Have I included and discussed all of my main points?
Are all of my arguments supported by textual and/or visual evidence?
Is the information I have included relevant?
Is the essay repetitive? If so, what parts need to be altered?
Accuracy
Are there spelling or punctuation mistakes?
Have I referenced all of my sources correctly?
Have I included and labelled photocopies of images discussed?
Have I included a list of illustrations and a bibliography?
Presentation
Is the layout clear and visually appealing?
Is my essay creatively presented?
Does my essay have a title page, including my name, course, date and title?
