Mastering Essay Writing: Key Features, Structure, and Thesis Statements
Explore the essential elements of essay writing, including the purpose, structure, and crafting effective thesis statements. Understand how to approach essay questions, develop arguments, and hone your writing skills to excel in academic writing.
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Be in top form Key features of essay writing
Learning outcomes By the end of this session you will be able to understand: the purpose and structure of an essay the role of referencing that essay writing is a process
What makes an essay an essay? When you think essay , what do you think? What s the purpose of an essay? What is the expected structure?
The purpose of an essay is to... Make an argument Imagine you are a lawyer presenting a case Argument: take a position / thesis statement / answer the question
An argument / thesis statement For some essays, you can turn the essay question into a thesis statement. Take a position (yes, no, it depends) Say why (the because ) Example essay question: Why is human resource planning a good idea for NZ organisations? Example thesis statement: Human resource planning is a good idea for NZ organisations because
Come up with thesis statements for the following: 1. Are cats better than dogs? Cats are better than dogs because they re more independent, not as smelly, and you do not have to take them for walks. 2. Is it possible to eat too much chocolate? It is not possible to eat to much chocolate because your natural instincts will guide how much chocolate you need, so therefore how much chocolate you eat is the right amount. For more information on thesis statements, see: http://owll.massey.ac.nz/assignment-types/essay-thesis-statement.php
Understanding the essay question The question is made of different parts: What are you being asked to do? (command words) Discuss, analyse, compare/contrast, establish the extent of something. What is the topic? The topic is often the big picture view. What is the focus (or scope)? the focus is the direction you need to take: like a compass pointing in the right direction or binoculars going into focus on a particular aspect. What will you need to define (or clarify)?
What are you being asked to do? Common command words Analyse Assess Compare To break the subject up into its main ideas, and evaluate them To judge the value of a subject critically. To show the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. To investigate and present the different aspects of a problem or subject, usually in support of a position or argument. To appraise or estimate the worth of something, to some extent an explained personal opinion. To inquire into, and consider a problem carefully. To survey and critically examine a subject. Discuss Evaluate Examine Review For this list and more, see: http://owll.massey.ac.nz/academic-writing/command-words.php
Essay question #1 To what extent is there a correlation between the levels of happiness experienced by cats, and the dog being made to sleep outside? What are you What are you being asked to being asked to do? do? What will you need What will you need to define or clarify? to define or clarify? What is the topic? What is the topic? What is the focus? What is the focus? Happiness in cats. Happiness in cats. Whether there is a Whether there is a correlation between correlation between the happiness in cats the happiness in cats and the dog being and the dog being made to sleep outside. made to sleep outside. Comment on the Comment on the extent of the extent of the correlation. correlation. (Is there one? (Is there one? Is it strong? Are Is it strong? Are there any there any exceptions?) exceptions?) The concept of happiness The concept of happiness in cats? in cats? What correlation means What correlation means (as opposed to causation?) (as opposed to causation?) Cats? All cats? Some Cats? All cats? Some breeds of cats? breeds of cats?
Essay question #2 The Kardashians are the epitome of popular culture (Brown, 2011, p.15). Discuss. What are you being What are you being asked to do? asked to do? What is the focus? What is the focus? What is the topic? What is the topic? Whether the Whether the Kardashians are the Kardashians are the perfect example of perfect example of popular culture popular culture To To discuss discuss: examine or consider a or consider a subject/topic subject/topic : examine The Kardashians The Kardashians Define? Define? Clarify? Clarify? You ll need to define You ll need to define popular culture popular culture You might need to You might need to clarify who the clarify who the Kardashians are Kardashians are
Essay structure The introduction and conclusion mirror each other The body paragraphs are where you: a) Define key concepts b) Explain your argument/s (often it s where you go through the because/s )
Essay structure: the pattern Broad opening statement Narrowing topic Thesis statement Define core concept Body paragraphs - Start with a main or topic sentence - Followed by evidence and examples Thesis statement Summary of key points Broad statement of significance of topic
Back to our essay question The Kardashians are the epitome of popular culture (Brown, 2011, p.15). Discuss.
Introduction The first sentence is a broad opening statement that establishes the context. Mass media and popular culture have the capacity to shape the values and norms of society. In contemporary society, the role of the celebrity is particularly pervasive. The Kardashians are an American family with their own TV show ( Keeping up with the Kardashians ). As such, they are an example of the mass media genre of reality TV and the celebration of celebrity. Moreover, the Kardashians are the epitome of popular culture because their show and subsequent lifestyles reflect consumerist values, trivial pastimes and superficiality. This is the thesis statement (the answer to the question). The thesis statement is the argument you will be making in your essay. The Kardashians ARE the epitome of popular culture BECAUSE... These three areas listed (in the because )will become the structure of the essay each of those would be discussed in turn in the essay.
Definition paragraph This paragraph is defining the key concept of popular culture . Popular culture is a debated concept (Brown, 2011; Henry, 2008; Smith, 1999). Smith (1999) suggests that popular culture constitutes values and norms that are promoted by the mass media and enjoyed by the majority of the population. Henry (2008) adds that popular culture is the mass publication and promotion of what is glitzy and superficial. Brown (2011), furthermore, argues that popular culture is inherently negative and damaging. Popular culture sees the death of difference and in-depth thinking, and is ultimately the celebration of the trivial (Brown, 2011, p.19). Often also a good place for a direct quote.
Conclusion Can start with In conclusion Nice cue for the marker and you. Re-state the thesis statement. In conclusion, their lifestyle and reality TV show have made the Kardashians the epitome of popular culture. The consumerist values promoted in the design of their reality TV series, their trivial pastimes, and the high level of superficiality all blend together to reinforce and perpetuate the celebration of celebrity, which in turn shapes the norms and values of society. Discussion and analysis of examples of popular culture are vital, as they lead to a greater understanding of the influences shaping contemporary society. Summarise the key points. End with a broad statement often highlighting why an important area of study.
Role of referencing You need to make an argument not unsubstantiated opinion You need to make your argument by referring to the work of others Definitions, facts, theories, ideas all need a citation
Body paragraph The consumerist values reflected in the show and lifestyles of the Kardashians illustrate how they are the epitome of popular culture . For example, the short-lived wedding on the TV show was paid for entirely by advertising revenue. Furthermore, Harris states that consumerism and popular culture are entwined and produce a self-fulfilling prophesy . This integrated reinforcement of consumerism and popular culture is also represented in the Kardashians lifestyle and TV show in that the clothing worn by the lead women (in particular, Kim Kardashian) are part of the Kardashians fashion label and available for sale.
Body paragraph with citations The consumerist values reflected in the show and lifestyles of the Kardashians illustrate how they are the epitome of popular culture . For example , the recent wedding on the TV show was paid for entirely by advertising revenue (Kenny, 2012). Furthermore, Harris (2009) states that consumerism and popular culture are entwined and produce a self-fulfilling prophesy (p.212). This integrated reinforcement of consumerism and popular culture is also represented in the Kardashians lifestyle and TV show in that the clothing worn by the lead women (in particular, Kim Kardashian) are part of the Kardashians fashion label and available for sale (Laylor, 2012).
