how to write an essay.pptx

8/14/2019 HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY.pptx

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HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY

/WIN THE HSC


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INTRODUCTION

Is this important? You better believe it is!

Your marker will judge your whole essay

based on your intro and first body paragraph

Three parts to the introduction


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INTRODUCTION

ThesisYour answer to the question.

This should not just be a restatement of the

question.

Give an insightful answer unless youre notinsightful.

Try to include your themes here.


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Introduce your texts

Ensure this includes authors name and text

name

Shorten long text names, but do not usingacronyms

Underline text names except for poems

quotation marks are acceptable for poems

E.g. This is clear in Damion McLindonsJack and

Lily(Herein Jack) and Peter SkrzyneckisPoems

Immigrant Hostel (herein Hostel) and Feliks

Skryznecki (herein Feliks).

The word herein isnt necessary, it just sounds cool


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INTRODUCTION

Signpost your main arguments

Direct the reader to what you will be arguing

Explain your main themes/ideas that will be used

as topic sentences


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AN EXAMPLE

Explain how representations of peoplesexperiences in the texts you have studiedhave given you insight into the concept of

belonging. An individuals interactions in the world will allow their

sense of belonging to develop through the identity theycreate and experiences they share with others. This isclear in and Peter SkrzyneckisPoems Immigrant Hostel

(herein Hostel) and Feliks Skryznecki (herein Feliks)and Damion McLindonsTropfest short film Jack and Lily(Herein Jack) . These texts illuminate the way those withcongruent identities will inherently find a sense ofbelonging together. They further emphasise that peoples

experiences, when shared with others, will create a senseof connectedness.


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TOPIC SENTENCES

Topic Sentences

Your topic sentences at the start of a paragraph

need to identify the theme youre talking about

A theme is an idea in the text Topic sentences do no need to include author or

title of the text

You will have four topic sentences.


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BELONGING TOPIC

SENTENCES When coming up with arguments/topic sentences,

think about the syllabus

Belonging to People

Places Groups/Communities

The larger world

Notions of Identity

Shared experience

Understanding/acceptance

Relationships

You are not limited to these themes, but they are easy

ideas to use.


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STRUCTURING YOUR ESSAY

Essay structure isnt important said no one

ever!

A good structure allows you to answer the

question

For effective structure, pick TWO

points/arguments. You can use three, but two

is better. The use of 2 points for 4 body paragraphs

allows us to compare texts.


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STRUCTURE

Ideally, our essay should have 6 paragraphs intotal.

Introduction

Point One Text One (First poem)

Text Two (Related text)

Point Two

Text One (Second poem)

Text Two (Related text)

Conclusion


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EXAMPLE OF STRUCTURE

Introduction

Individuals experiences ultimately expose them to otherswith similar identities. These parallels in identity act as aninsight into why they are able to effectively find a sense

of belonging. [Analysis of poem 1] A similar importance of experiencing analogous identities

is seen in Jack and Lily. [Analysis of related text]

Often several people will have been through the sameexperience. This shared experience engenders an

understanding that allows a connection to be formed.[Analysis of poem 2]

A similar shared experience is present in Jack and Lily.[Analysis of related text]

Conclusion


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BODY PARAGRAPHS

Lets go back to the basics of TEE

You should repeat TEE 3-4 times each paragraph

Technique: Metaphors, symbols, repetitions. Adescription of WHAT the composer is doing.

Evidence: You need a quote where this technique isshown. The only exception is for visual techniques.

Explanation: This is where most students are toobrief. Your explanation needs to be detailed and clear.

Try to include What that technique shows us

What we understand about the topic sentence/thesis

Hence if explanation is only half a sentence, it is most likelytoo brief.


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Dont expect your

marker to infer what

you are saying. You

have to clearly explain

everything, or they will

not take it the way you

want them to!


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LANGUAGE

Language in an essayneeds to be FORMALand FLUID.

FORMAL

No contractions (cant,wont, doesnt etc)

No colloquialism (kids,stuff, pretty wicked sicktechnique Shakespeare!)

No quotations(Sykznecki was notcool at school) idk whybut students do this

No starting sentenceswith and or but or

because Always use full


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FLUID

Be afraid of commas! More than one comma and

your sentence will be too long and unclear.

Generally keep sentences under 30 words. Try tovary sentence length a bit.

Avoid superfluous/unnecessary words and saying

the same thing twice (e.g. the composer uses

this to show the frustrating and difficult conditionsjust say frustrating!)


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THE QUESTION

THE QUESTION IS KING

Everything above means nothing if you do not

answer the question

Your thesis, topic sentences, and synthesises

are where you can best answer the question.

UNDERLINE KEY WORDS


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PRACTICE IS KEY

Send essays to your teacher AND your tutor

Have them marked and rewrite them and you

receive feedback

how to write an essay.pptx

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