How to write an Essay
Example: Give 3 major reasons why Egyptian
civilization remained nearly unchanged for nearly 3000
years. Provide specific examples from the text, lectures and your own
research.By Prof. G. Javier Burgos
How to approach essay writing
S tep O n eIn trod u c tion s
Te ll th em wh at you are g o in g to te ll th em(Th e b eg in n in g )
S tep TwoTh e su b s tan ce
Te ll th em wh at you 've g o t to te ll th em(Th e m id d le )
P art Th reeA C on c lu s ion
Te ll th em wh at you 've to ld th em(Th e en d )
Th ree S tep sto essay su ccess
(It rea lly is th is easy)D on 't P an ic !
Preparingand
Planning
Research is the key task!
1) Read widely
2) Work out a broad structure
3) Put your work in a logical sequence
4) An emerging answer
All of this should seamlessly blend into writing the essay.
Essay Structure
Introduction
Middle Conclusion
Abstract Substantive Conclusive
IntroductionIntroduction
Beginning (or abstract)
Context
What is being discussed,argued or demonstrated
Use the key phrases in the essay title
Keep it relevant
Introduction ExampleIntroduction Example “Egyptian gods in the underworld,
hearing the prayers of their Egyptian subjects through the priests of their Gods awaken, open the vast caverns of the underworld and push up the precious silt which separates Egypt’s people from the parched desert which surrounds them. In the minds of the Egyptians, this happened almost every year on schedule. This regular pattern served to assure that divine order would continue and change held at bay.”
Thesis StatementThesis StatementA one- or two-sentence
condensation of the arguments or analysis to follow.
For example: “Ancient Egyptian society remained relatively
unchanged for almost 3000 years due, in part, to geographical, religious and social factors.”
The Main Body The Main Body (Substantive)(Substantive)
Present evidence using specific information
Logical order (Chronological?)Analysis (avoid absolutes!)Refer often to the titleBalance! (Especially in a question that
begins with a quote)Refer to all parts of the question
The Main Body The Main Body (example)(example)
Paragraph 1: Description of geographical influences using specific examples: ie. Nile deposits soil, seen as a magical event, etc.
Paragraph 2: Egyptian religion discussed using specific examples: names of gods, myths described, holy of holies mentioned, etc.
Paragraph 3: Strict Egyptian social structure discussed, pharaoh, Ma’at, nobles, priests etc.
ConclusionConclusionRe-state your argument using the
key words from the titleBe confident in your argumentHint at a broader context?What other issues would you
explore, given more time?
Conclusion ExampleConclusion Example“As illustrated above, geographical, religious and social factors influencing Egyptian society played a large role in creating a remarkably stable, but at times stagnant and vulnerable civilization in the Nile River Valley. This situation was very different from early civilizations in Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Given more time the writer would explore the role of artistic apprenticeship and its connection to Egyptian tomb “paint-by-number” stylistic artwork.”
Essay Writing: A Final Essay Writing: A Final WordWord
Remember that Remember that confidence comes from confidence comes from the hard work that you the hard work that you put into your notes and put into your notes and research- if you don’t do research- if you don’t do this you will not build a this you will not build a logical argument, nor logical argument, nor show any understanding show any understanding of the subject matter.of the subject matter.
ESSAY WRITING IS LIKE ESSAY WRITING IS LIKE GARY PLAYER’S VIEW GARY PLAYER’S VIEW ON GOLF AND ON GOLF AND SUCCESS……..SUCCESS……..
““The more I The more I practice, the practice, the
luckier I luckier I get.”get.”
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