Essay writing

There are no precise rules governing what makes a first class essay at undergraduate level and you are expected to improve this skill as you progress through your degree.

Nevertheless, there are certain criteria that distinguish good essays from weak ones. Of the factors listed below, planning and presentation are a necessary feature of all written work but it is what you achieve in relation to relevance, substance and argument which will affect your grade the most.

You should note that although all of the factors below are important in all essays, the significance of the criteria may vary from essay to essay, depending on the nature of the question.

What makes a good essay?

Planning

All essays should be researched and planned in advance.

Work out what you want to say and how you want to say it before the essay is written.

Bad essays tend to be written at the last minute, on the basis of inadequate research and with no forethought about structure and argument.

Relevance

Does the essay answer the question?

A good essay answers the question fully and concisely. All discussion in a good essay is relevant to the question. Bad essays answer the question not at all or only partially, and/or include a lot of irrelevant material.

Some guidelines to follow are:

make sure you understand and focus on the topic set
think about the question, and how to answer it
when planning, writing and reviewing your essay, check the relevance of the material you want to use
try to plan out what you want to say, and leave time for editing and if necessary redrafting

Knowledge and sources

Is the essay based on relevant reading?

A good essay displays a knowledge of relevant material gained from a variety of sources. This will include knowledge of both empirical facts (where appropriate) and the debates about them in the reading.

There is a difference, however, between knowing facts and using them to help make an argument. Carefully select only those facts which back up and challenge your argument and then weigh them up.

Bad essays include little and/or misleading material, are based purely on one source, or consist of a mass of factual material without any analysis.

Some things to think about:

demonstrate that you have read and understood the material relevant to the subject
don’t be intimidated by the literature - authors often disagree and they can’t all be right, be critical, but respectful
remember that the essay is an opportunity to express an informed opinion – yours

Balance

Are different views discussed in a detached way?

try to identify and understand different points of view - do not present only one side of an argument
have respect for positions you do not agree with
do not prejudge issues
be prepared to alter or modify your opinions
aim to assess the strengths and weaknesses of arguments in the literature

Presentation

Is the essay legible, logical, grammatical and fluent?

be clear and concise, avoid jargon, keep within the prescribed length
write clearly and simply, avoid using language which is either colloquial or grandiose
identify key ideas and arguments, and construct your essay around them write your essay with an introduction, a middle and a conclusion
set out the issues you discuss, and how the discussion is structured
sum up the main points at the end use separate sections and sub-headings
where appropriate make sure your discussion flows, try reading your work aloud to make sure it makes sense
check for spelling and grammar, and don't just rely on an automatic spell-check

Citation

Are sources cited correctly and fully?

always give sources for the evidence and arguments you present
use the system of referencing recommended above and always include a full bibliography (or references cited)

Full information on the lunch-time study skills sessions and other resources for study and learning may also be found via the TLA website.

Plagiarism

You must avoid plagiarism, which is the reproduction without acknowledgement of the whole or part of the work of another author.

Referencing and avoiding plagiarism

References

References are an integral part of an essay and allow you to show your intellectual debts.

You should include references systematically, to indicate the sources of the arguments and evidence presented in your work.

Referencing style

Give references as a matter of course for all quotations, but also for any important points or arguments that are based on your reading.

Most subject areas in SPS prefer the Harvard system, but check your course handbook or look in Learn for details of the appropriate referencing style to use. There can be exceptions, for example, in Canadian Studies.

You can also look at the University’s referencing guidance or try out Cite Them Right, an online referencing tool.

Listing your references

An essay will normally be followed either by a list of References Cited, or a Bibliography.

References Cited designates a complete list, in alphabetical order, of only those sources cited in the essay.

A Bibliography, again alphabetical, will normally include both works cited and any other works you have used in preparing your essay.

You may want to check with course organisers about which (if either) is preferred.

Prejudice

Avoiding prejudicial language

Avoid prejudicial language. You should avoid such overtly sexist terms as the use of ‘man’ or ‘he’ when you mean to include both sexes.

Alternatives are available, such as ‘people’ for ‘man’ and ‘s/he’ or ‘they’ instead of ‘he’.

In general you should be sensitive to the assumptions embedded in language. For example, unqualified reference to ‘white’ and ‘black’ people may reflect unwarranted assumptions about the homogeneity of very diverse populations.

Talk of ‘the poor’ or ‘the unemployed’ ignores the flows of people into and out of poverty or unemployment.

Be careful not to pigeon-hole people into categories such as ‘the disabled’ or ‘the elderly’. Try to avoid expressions which may be patronising or offensive.

Spelling and grammar

Pay attention to spelling and grammar. Poor spelling creates an unfavourable impression and bad grammar may make it difficult for the reader to understand your arguments.

Accuracy and clarity are important aspects of effective communication and you should take steps to recognise and remedy any problems you have with spelling and grammar.

If you have (or suspect you have) a particular difficulty, such as dyslexia, make sure you draw this to the attention of your Director of Studies as soon as possible, so that due allowance can be made.

Student Disability Service

You can also seek advice and support from the Student Disability Service.

Study Skills sessions

The University's Centre for Teaching, Learning and Assessment runs lunchtime sessions in study skills in the first semester.

These cover note-taking, essay-writing, tutorial work and preparing for exams, as well as other more general problems.

For details, check the notice-boards or get in touch with the Centre.

Teaching and Learning