Module 5
Requirements for a university essay
Part 1
Transition Module 5
developed by Elisabeth Wielander
Learning objectives
At the end of this module, you will
• be familiar with different types of academic essays
• know how to find a topic, organise your ideas, and structure
an academic essay
• have an understanding of the formal aspects of essay writing
• know the differences between personal writing and
academic writing
What is an essay?
An essay is a piece of writing which is written to a set of writing
conventions.
The purpose of an essay is to analyse, compare, describe, discuss,
evaluate, explain, interpret, summarise, etc
The ability to write academically is a crucial skill you will acquire
and/or perfect at university.
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• Analyse the question
• Research
• Plan
• Write
• Edit
Based on CSU,2011
Choosing a topic
Usually, you will be given a topic or choice of topics to work on by your tutor.
It is important that you understand the purpose of any essay you work on.
Should you aim to …
 give a general overview or a
specific analysis of something?
 evaluate something?
 comment on something?
 persuade the reader?
Once you are clear on the purpose of your essay, make sure you consult
relevant academic literature and source material to get an idea of the context
Throughout the process of drafting then writing-up your essay keep checking
back to the essay title or essay question to ensure you are addressing the topic
Frequently used terms
Ensure that you know exactly what analytical process you are expected
to carry out in an essay. Use a dictionary to clarify terms or ask your
tutor if needed.
Some frequently used terms:
Analyse
Examine
Define
Compare
Contrast
Critically evaluate
Discuss
Describe
To what extent
Outline
Interpret
Organise your ideas
Once you have chosen a topic, it is best to
start by organising your ideas.
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If you find learning visually most effective,
you may find it useful to draw a mind map
to visualise your ideas and log the
information you find as you search the
relevant literature.
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This will help you to:
• identify what you already know
• identify the areas you need to develop
• identify what you need to research
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topic
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