Exam Essay Writing Advice (2018 ) PDF

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Basic guide as to how to concisely write essays on university exams...

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Patrick Stratmann

2018

Mannix College - Writing Support Program 2018 - Essay Writing Advice & Tips This is a general outline as to essay writing under exam conditions. Whilst markers import different expectations and criteria in grading an exam essay, relative to a take-home assignment, there are various inclusions, objectives and ideas that can assist in boosting grades. Structure: Essay  Generally, exam essays adhere to a basic conventional structure: o Introduction o Body paragraphs o Conclusion  Introduction: o Simply & openly outline your thesis statement/contention  It is generally unwise to extend this beyond 30/35 words (if possible)  Eg – “Discuss how strain theory can explain youth crime”  “Application of Merton’s strain theory to youth crime establishes only a fractional explanation of youth offending” o Provide contextual background details necessary to holistically discuss topic:  Often reserved for 2nd &/or 3rd sentences:  Eg – “How did Nazi Germany socially transform the nation?”  “As Hitler’s oppressive authoritarian regime from 1933-1945 …”  Ensure that these sentences also advance an explanation of your contention  “… social transformation in Germany under such a system extended to de-population of the Jewish middle-class and enforced social Aryanism as a dominant popular discourse” o Methodically summarise the course of your essay:  “This essay will evaluate/contend/assert/purport to/affirm/illustrate …”  “Such an argument/discussion will also reference …”  “By extension, an outline of … will also be presented as to …” o Particularly units pertaining to social sciences (ATS1281/ATS1873), it may be appropriate to problematise your essay question:  Approach your essay prompt/question in such a way that it forms a problem:  Eg – “Discuss the modern implications of nuclear energy”  “Nuclear power accounts for 13% of the world’s energy supply … However, it has also enabled nuclear arsenals …” o Provide direction to the examples/case studies the essay will discuss:  Eg – “What arguments can be made against euthanasia?”  “Observation/evaluation of (topic) will pertain to an examination of euthanasia policies & laws in Scandinavia, South America and Middle-East” 

Body Paragraphs: o Similar to the thesis statement, the topic sentence should be short & succinct:  “Developments in nuclear power are inextricably linked to the expansion of humanitarian nuclear crises” 1

Patrick Stratmann o

2018

The essay can adhere to one of two trajectories: Immediately introduce evidence in relation to the topic sentence:  “Stratmann (2018, 4) has contended”  Provide additional background as to the topic sentence:  “This concept outwardly interrogates that …

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Often, a hybrid between these forms is recommended:  “Stratmann (2018) has considered this topic a matter of “intense media scrutiny”, which identifies that this concept outwardly interrogates the nature of nuclear energy uses …”

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Provide a case stud(ies)y &/or example(s):  “This is evident in/demonstrated by the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, which caused/led to an aggressive wave of radioactive isotopes to permeate the Western hemisphere.”  “The adverse nature of nuclear energy & the crises it can establish is evident through the Chernobyl disaster of 1986.” o Analyse case stud(ies)y/example(s) in relation to the paragraph argument:  “This is significant in affirming that developments in nuclear energy have a direct relationship with humanitarian crises.” o Optional (but recommended): introduce supporting scholarly arguments:  "Rockman (2018) has also stated that nuclear power inherently outwardly involves "endangerment of public life" and threatens "civil order" o Subsequently establish a link to the topic sentence argument:  “Therefore/Thus, the example of Chernobyl is illustrative of how nuclear energy advances are predicated on a propensity for humanitarian crises.” Structure: Short Answer Questions  Generally written as hybrid introduction/conclusion & body paragraph o Outline a succinct & direct topic sentence:  Eg Question - "How does the law facilitate social inequality?"  "The criminal law facilitates a manifestation of social inequality through the unaffordability of legal representation." o Provide background context to the subject of the question (if necessary, though this step can often be missed):  "The capitalist doctrine of independent wealth fails to account for an equal distribution of capital. For the access to justice implications, this inequality is pertinent to whether people can afford private legal representation, or whether individuals are forced to self-represent in court." o Immediately outline evidence & examples (as proximately as possible):  "Such inequality is outwardly evident in (example), which provides an archetypal representation of what Stratmann (2018) considers to be "(perspective)". o Establish a succinct link to the topic in analysis of the example:  "This examination of economic inequality articulates …" o Succinctly conclude your argument:  "Therefore, the social inequality of an uneven distribution of capital identifies how the criminal law facilitates inequality" General Advice & Tips 2

Patrick Stratmann  

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2018

Ensure your writing does not stray from the scope of the topic or your argument o Include only relevant examples & evidence that will advance your contention Statistics/scholarly opinions are not directly necessary in all exam circumstances o However, implementing such as support to your writing will make you stand out Keep your eye on the clock; calculate allocated times per each exam section  Do not stray from these allocations (if so, understand you need to catch up)

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