Workshop: Essay Statements and Plans

Learning outcomes: By the end of this lesson, you will have analysed effective essay
statements and plans, and had the opportunity to work on your own essay statement and
plan.

1. What are the elements of a good essay title? Work in pairs, and make a list.

2. Look at these essay statements. Tick (ü) the effective titles and cross (û) the ineffective
ones.
3. Say why the titles you crossed are ineffective.

Essay title ü or û Comments

Globalisation has contributed
to the spread and treatment of
HIV in developing countries.
How far do you agree with this
statement?
The globalisation of fast food
has led to health issues in
developed countries. To what
extent do you agree with this
statement?
The ‘Age of Discovery’ has had
a positive impact.

Globalisation has had a positive

impact on retail in China. Do
you agree with this statement?

Discuss the development of

virtual currency.

4. Look at your own essay title. Can you improve it?

5. Work in a small group. Read your partners’ essay title. Is it effective? Why / why not?
 6. Now look at the essay plans your teacher will show you. Give some feedback on each
one. Are they effective? Why/why not?

Example A

Example B

7. This reference list is faulty. Correct it. (You can use the MMU referencing guide to help
you:
http://libguides.mmu.ac.uk/c.php?g=281251&p=1875090)

A book Cottrell, S. 2008. The study skills handbook. 3rd ed., Palgrave Macmillan:
Basingstoke.

A journal article Edith Whitehead and Tim Mason. (2003) Study skills for nurses. Social
Science and Medicine, 58/2 p. 369-378.

A newspaper Travis, A. and Topham, G. ‘Airlines raise pressure to relax border controls.’
(2012) The Guardian. 24th April. p.8.

An online source 2009. Teenage obesity link to future MS. BBC. [Accessed on 13th January
2017] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8342585.stm [Online]

8. Start planning your essay. Use the template your teacher will give you.

Homework
Download the essay plan template from Moodle, complete it, and submit it.

i It is a good idea to check your plan with another student before you submit it.