essay writing workshop for nursing students
TRANSCRIPT
ESSAY WRITING WORKSHOP FOR NURSING STUDENTS
STRUCTURE OF PRESENTATIONEssay structure
Getting started
Sample essay topic: group work activity
Conclusions
Essay structure
• Introduction
Steps….
1. Introduce topic: re-state in your own words
2. Give background/context to topic
3. Statement: specific essay argument and list sub-topics of main topic
Essay structure
• Body paragraphsSteps….
1. Give clear and relevant topic sentence, usually at beginning of
each paragraph. Introduce general topic of paragraph, and what
will be discussed about the topic.
2. The following sentences develop / support / explain the topic of the paragraph, using examples and details. The supporting sentences will incorporate your research and cite your sources.
3. Summarise important points and link to the next paragraph.
Essay structure
• ConclusionSteps…
1. Re-instate the argument in different words
2. Summarise main points / arguments of essay using different wording
3. Make recommendations (if relevant)
4. You may like to finish with an interesting statement or question
5. Avoid: introducing new ideas and discussion of specific examples. Just comment on what you have already discussed.
Getting Started
• Analyse the question/topicExample
‘Describe and discuss one of the Chronic Health Problems and how does it impact on the client.’ (1500 words)
Strategies for tackling the question??
Getting started
Identify ‘content’ words: words that deal with the subject matter of the topic.
E.G. : “ Chronic health problems”, “client”
Identify ‘limit’ words: words that indicate the limitations of the essay.
E.G.: “One of the Chronic health problems”, “1500 words”
Identify ‘direction’ words: Words that tell you what to do with the topic.
E.G. : “Describe and discuss”
Getting started
Essay Plan
Example
“Describe and discuss one of the chronic health problems and how does it impact on the client’ (1500 words)
Introduction
General statements: Define topic, provide definitions.
Statement / Argument: restate topic and include sub-topics…
E.G. Essay Statement…
This essay will consider the following example of chronic health problems that exists: COPD, the pathophysiology, the prognosis, diagnosis, treatments…..
Body
COPD
-pathophysiology
-diagnosis
-medical management
Getting started
Essay PlanConclusion
Summarize main points / arguments of essay using different words.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a respiratory condition that affects many people. The condition is….
and is diagnosed by …….
Statistics show that most people who suffer from COPD have smoked or …….
Research and preparation
Reading and making notes
-Select appropriate sources (databases, approved websites, books, newspaper articles and journals)
-Avoid Google and Wikipedia
-Note carefully all bibliography sources and record them as you go
Reference:
http://www.ic.holmesglen.edu.au/
Writing the Essay
Use signal words to show transition from one point to another.
E.G.
Show cause and effect:
Therefore, consequently, because, as a result….
Making comparison:
also, similarly, as well as…
Sequencing:
Firstly, secondly, finally, then
Concluding:
In conclusion, overall, in the end, summing up…
Editing
Check for overall relevance of essay
Check for logic and reasoning in your sentences and ideas
Check structure: paragraphing, topic sentences are clear and relevant, paragraphs are well linked
Check spelling, grammar, punctuation
Check that sentence structure varies to avoid repetition
Check that there is no colloquial expressions, slang, contractions (e.g. ‘do not’ rather than don’t)
Check for sentence length: break sentence into separate ideas if it is three lines or more
Referencing
Consult and adhere to the Holmesglen Referencing Guide
Academic essay writing requires careful citing of sources in texts, and a reference list or bibliography at the end
E.G.
“Aboriginal people argue that their people simply do not access mainstream medical services because they feel that such services discriminate against them” (Funnell, Koutoukidis & Lawrence 2009, p.21).
Reconciliation Australia (2006) state that Division 2 nurses may have better understanding of the behaviour of ATSI people.
It is better for Division 2 nurses to learn about culturally sensitive communication skills when working with ATSI people (Benson 2005).
ASU MATERIAL COPYRIGHT HOLMESGLEN 2010/12 SEPT.2010