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How to Write an Essay - Attached is notes.

BUSS1000 (University of Sydney)

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How to Write an Essay (For Umaire)

Before you write

1. Read and watch your texts if it’s a movie

2. Analyse them according to the module.
3. Do any additional research you need into the context of the text, main ideas etc to gain additional
knowledge. This will allow deeper insight which allows you to write in a more detailed and critical way.

The Basic Structure

1. Introduction
 Needs have a thesis – your overarching and
central argument of your entire essay.

Consider: Discuss how discoveries can lead to

transformations that are both intellectual and emotional.

 Thesis needs to answer this explicitly +

you need to link your arguments to
this.
 Framework: A summary of key ideas
that will support this thesis.
 Think of the star player in a team, he
needs the supporting members to help
him succeed.

 From my essay:
Thesis: Unexpected discoveries have the capacity to
profoundly impact an individual’s sense of self and
understanding of the world, through the re-
evaluation of previous values - instigated by the
emotional and intellectual responses to difficult
circumstances.
Framework: The intellectual discovery often has an
underlying emotional transformation, which gives
more weight to a protagonist's growth, allowing the
audience to connect with the texts and protagonists
on a deeper level. In Ang Lee's film, Life of Pitransformations are conveyed through symbolism and animal
allegories that reflect the emotional and intellectual evolution of Pi’s identity.

 2. Body – A series of paragraphs that will substantiate/prove your thesis in your introduction. Recall
the PEEL structure
 Needs a topic sentence – Presents a key idea you are going to discuss and link it to your thesis.
 Evidence – backs up your topic sentence, i.e. the proof of your argument.

 When it comes to techniques I like the TEE method:

 Technique, Example, Effect.
 Try to have at least 3 TEES in each of your body paragraphs.

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 A standard Band 6 Essay will expect you to have at least 20 TEES explained, linking to
your idea coherently.
 Other tips I have for you when it comes to your body:
1. Start with your best argument. The one you’re the most proud of. First impressions
are critical, a marker will look at 1000 essays and if yours starts off strong and stand
out, he/she will look at it favourably.
2. Try to have an equal amount of words in each paragraph. I sucked at this and it just
comes down to being concise.
3. Always have AT LEAST 3 body paragraphs.
4. When it comes to the time you’re doing a comparative essay, I suggest the following
structure:
 Doing a 2:2 split with your paragraphs i.e ABAB. Discuss text A, then text B etc.
Note that you can do a 3:1 which is fine, but markers generally mark better with
an even split.
 An integrated essay where you simultaneously discuss both texts in the same
paragraph. This is very hard to pull-off because students usually tend to talk
about one more than the other.
 I personally don’t like this approach because I feel restricted with my analysis.
But this method is received very well if you can pull it off.

5. Avoid using words like Firstly, Secondly, etc.

6. With techniques (and we’ll work on this), don’t keep reusing it. By this mean, don’t
keep littering your analysis with metaphors, similes etc.
7. Quality over Quantity

Conclusion
 Restate your thesis (paraphrase it) and summarise the logic of your argument.
 A final statement that reinforces the argument.

Honestly, teachers will tell you it’s important to have a solid conclusion. But inevitably, you’re
gonna be pressed for time and you’ll end up halfassing one.

Personally, I never really put a lot of effort in my conclusion. I just did the basics restating thesis,
reinforcing arguments etc. As long as you don’t have a one liner in your conclusion, you’ll be
fine. Most of the marks are pretty much awarded before the conclusion anyways.

In terms of writing a topic sentence:

1. Consider what the focus of your paragraph will be.
2. Reread the question and connect your thesis to it.
3. Critical Question: How will you combine these two? This is essentially your topic sentence.
4. Convey this in one or two sentences.

 Once you got this, validate this with evidence.

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Creative Writing: Let’s look at in terms of the Module: Discovery

 HSC creative writing can be a pain for some and the time to shine for others. Getting started is the
most difficult part. When you have something to work with, it is simply a matter of moulding it to
perfection. When you have nothing, you have a seemingly difficult road ahead.
 Let’s get into it:

1. Write about what you know. No one expects you to be J.K Rowling.
 Your text will gain integrity from having a sense of reality which will organically appear in the
description you provide.
 The best creative pieces honestly come from the heart, and if you’re really struggling of or ideas,
think of past experiences.
 But if you’re a creative person, be out there with your idea. Stand out from everyone else.

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 Abstain from violent stories, the lovey dovey stuff etc.

2. The form: You’re not limited to a short story unless told so – you can always do opinion articles,
memoirs, monologues, letters, diary entries etc.
3. Think about the tense you use.
 Tense is a very powerful tool that you can use in your writing to increase intensity or create a tone of
detachment, amongst other things. Writing entirely in the present tense is not as easy as it seems, it
is very easy to fall into past tense. The present tense creates a sense of immediacy, a sense of
urgency. If you’re writing with suspense or about action, consider the present tense.
 The past tense is the most common in short stories. The past tense can be reflective, recounting, or
perhaps just the most natural tense to write in

4. Giving your setting tome texture: Choose a setting that will give your story depth and meaning.
5. Show don’t tell.
 Literally 90% makes the mistakes of ‘telling’.
 This is what I mean:
Telling: The beach was windy and the weather was hot.
Showing: Hot sand bit my ankles as I stood on the shore.
 Convey what you want to say to the reader without explicitly saying so.

6. Giving your character/persona depth

 Give them qualities beyond the page.
 What’s unique about them that makes it feel real and relatable?

7. Stimulus + Word Count

 Have Umaire identify what he thinks makes up a solid creative piece.

 Do some sample exercises to establish the foundations of creative writing.
 Discuss common dos and donts.
 Stimulus Based stuff.
 Show Umaire some quality creative (yours too).

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