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Video: Essay Writing in a Nutshell

Essay Writing in a Nutshell -FINAL

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Essays and dissertations

  • An Introduction To Academic Writing
  • Planning
  • Researching
  • Organising
  • Drafting
  • Reviewing
  • Video: Essay Writing in a Nutshell
  • PDF: The Essay Guide (complete)
  • Top Tips
  • Resources

1 - Read the brief carefully for

Check that you know:

  • What sort of writing is expected (format, style etc).
  • How much research is expected.

2 - Plan your time

See Assignment Calculator

3 - Integrate research, thinking and writing

  • See research, notemaking, critical thinking.
  • As you research, plan an outline.

4 - Create a writing plan based on research

  • Spidergrams and concept maps are a good start.
  • Allocate the word count.
  • The first draft will help you clarify ideas.
  • You should aim to make your intention/argument clear.

5 - Consider paragraphs as building blocks

  • Point, evidence, explain is a good starting point.
  • Integrate quotation, paraphrase and summary.

6- Add references as you go

7 -The introduction and conclusion are important; they need your time and attention

8 - Don’t forget the editing and proof reading!

Written Assignments

  • Link to book in Library catalogue

    How to use your reading in your essays

    How to quote, paraphrase and summarise sources. Has real examples of students' writing and information about common errors.

  • Image of My Study Bar dashboard

    My Study Bar

    A set of freeware apps to help with reading, writing, planning and organisation. Comes with tutorials and can be run from a flash drive. PC only.

  • Word

    All Falmouth University and University of Exeter Students with a valid email account have access to Microsoft Office, which includes Word.

  • Link to University of Leeds website on annotated bibliographies

    Writing annotated bibliographies

    Useful guidance from the University of Leeds.

  • mage of book cover 'Writing Essays' by Richard Marggraf Turley

    Writing Essays

    A short and readable guide - particularly useful for English and History students. Especially good on how to relate your writing to the critics/theorists.

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