Essay Writing

Workbook 1
Where to Begin

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What Is an Essay?
The word ‘essay’ comes from the French verb ‘essayer’, meaning to attempt
or to try. Writing an essay is therefore a learning process. The word ‘Essais’
was first used to describe a piece of writing composed in 1588 by the
French writer Michel de Montaigne, who explained, “It is myself I portray.”
This refers to the fact that an essay is a presentation of a writer’s own
thoughts on any given topic.

Therefore, an essay is a written composition to present the writer’s views

on a particular subject in a clear and specific manner.

Essays are used by teachers and examiners to assess your

understanding of ideas and your ability to explain these in your
own words. They are a form of non-fictional prose that describe,
clarify, argue or analyse a subject, usually in answer to a
specific question.

Essays are common forms of assessment in many

different academic subjects, such as English literature,
history or business studies. Essays are usually relatively
short pieces of writing but the same skills can also be
applied to longer pieces of academic writing, for example
coursework, theses and dissertations - although these are
often much greater in length.

Essays and similar forms of academic writing follow a standard

format and are made up of an introduction, a main body (where
the main points are presented) and a conclusion.

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How to Begin Writing an Essay
The subject matter of an essay may be assigned to you in the form of a question,
sometimes as a statement. It is important to first make sure that you
understand the question before you begin writing.

If you have not been given a specific question, it is a good

idea to think about the general topic you have been
assigned and devise a specific question which you
could answer. For example, if the topic you have been
given is ‘dogs’, think about your current knowledge
of dogs and think of a question that is relevant to
your knowledge and experience but also allows you to
express a clear opinion, for example, ‘Is a dog a good pet
to own?’

Activity One:
Practise making up some specific essay questions for the general topics below.

1. Books

2. Space

3. Games

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Understanding the Question
If you are asked to answer a specific question, you must make sure
that you understand exactly what the question is asking. As a good
essay needs to be specific in its content, you must ensure you only include
information that is relevant to the question. You will never be asked to write
down absolutely everything that you know about a topic. Instead, you will
need to interpret the requirement for one specific aspect of that topic as raised
by the question.

Command Words
Start by underlining or highlighting the key words or phrases in
your question. Use the context around each key word to help
you understand what is required, for example, ‘discuss briefly’
or ‘discuss in the context of…’

The context means the circumstances or situation behind an event,

statement or idea. It is sometimes difficult to understand the specific
meaning of a word without this context.

Instruction or command words indicate what the assessor wants you to present in
your written assignment. It is vital that you understand the meanings of these command
words so that you can answer all parts of the essay question.

Here are some examples:

» Compare » Evaluate

» Contrast » Explain

» Describe » Illustrate

» Define » Justify

» Discuss » Outline

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Activity Two:
Can you think of any other command words often used in essay questions?

Activity Three:
Students who understand the specific meanings of command words are in a better
position to answer any essay question.

Match the following words to the appropriate definition.

Give the precise meaning. Examine the different

Compare possible or often used definitions.

Contrast Give a detailed, full account of the topic.

Examine how two or more things relate to each

Describe other. Focus on differences.

Assess the value of something;

Define define and explain.

Make something plain and clear;

Discuss give reasons for.
Explain, with evidence, why something is the
Evaluate case, answering the main reasons for your view as
you go along.

Examine how two or more things relate to each

Explain other. Focus on similarities.

Investigate by writing an argument or debate;

Illustrate give reasons both for and against.

Give a short description of the main points.

Justify Don’t include minor details.

Explain, clarify, make clear by using lots of

Outline concrete examples.

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Question Analysis Top Tips
The following steps can be used to analyse all essay questions, regardless of topic:
1. Read the whole question twice.

2. Look for topic words.

These tell you the specific topic you need to focus on.

3. Look for command words.

These tell you exactly what the assessor is asking you to do with the
information about a topic. Two or more command words in a question
means that you will have to answer each part of the question in order to
produce a good essay.

4. Rewrite the question in your own words.

This step is good practice to make sure that you understand exactly what you
are being asked to do. If possible, ask the assessor to check your version of the essay
question against the original to make sure that your understanding is correct.

Activity Four:
Take a look at the following essay questions. Follow the steps above in order. Ask someone
to check your rewritten questions / essay titles for accuracy.

1. Discuss how video games can affect children. Use specific examples to support your view.

2. Explain how the main character in Artemis Fowl changes and develops throughout
the novel.

3. Define what is meant by the word ‘absolutism’ in Europe in the 1500s - 1600s.
Refer to the Glorious Revolution in your answer.

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Essay Writing Workbook 1: Where to Begin
Answers
Activity One:
1. Books

Responses will vary. The wording of the essay question should create the opportunity to
express a clear opinion or to develop a clear argument.

For example:

» What is your favourite book?

» Who is your favourite author?

» How does the character of [insert character name] develop in the story of [insert
book name]?

2. Space

Responses will vary. The wording of the essay question should create the opportunity to
express a clear opinion or to develop a clear argument.

For example:

» What were the most important developments in space exploration in the

twentieth century?

» Is space exploration a good use of money?

» Who do you think has been the most influential person in the history of space
exploration and why?

3. Games

Responses will vary. The wording of the essay question should create the opportunity to
express a clear opinion or to develop a clear argument.

For example:

» Should children under ten be allowed to play video games?

» Does playing video games lead to violent behaviour?

» What is your favourite game and why?

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 Essay Writing Workbook 1: Where to Begin Answers
Activity Two:
Can you think of any other command words often used in essay questions?

Responses will vary. Answers should include action/command/instruction verbs used in

exam questions, for example:
» Analyse » Consider » Devise » Interpret

» Argue » Criticise » Examine » Predict

» Assess » Demonstrate » Explore » State

» Clarify » Determine » Give » Suggest

» Comment » Develop » Identify » Summarise

Responses may also include reference to question words such as:

How? What? Which? Where? and Why?

Activity Three:
Give the precise meaning. Examine the different
Compare possible or often used definitions.

Contrast Give a detailed, full account of the topic.

Examine how two or more things relate to each

Describe other. Focus on differences.

Assess the value of something;

Define define and explain.

Make something plain and clear;

Discuss give reasons for.
Explain, with evidence, why something is the
Evaluate case, answering the main reasons for your view as
you go along.

Examine how two or more things relate to each

Explain other. Focus on similarities.

Investigate by writing an argument or debate;

Illustrate give reasons both for and against.

Give a short description of the main points.

Justify Don’t include minor details.

Explain, clarify, make clear by using lots of

Outline concrete examples.

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 Essay Writing Workbook 1: Where to Begin Answers
Activity Four:
1. Discuss how video games can affect children. Use specific examples to support your view.

Responses will vary.

For example:
Are video games good or bad for children?

2. Explain how the main character in Artemis Fowl changes and develops throughout
the novel.

Responses will vary.

For example:
How does Artemis Fowl change in the book?

3. Define what is meant by the word ‘absolutism’ in Europe in the 1500s-1600s. Refer to the
Glorious Revolution in your answer.

Responses will vary. For example:

What was the Glorious Revolution and what was absolute monarchy?

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