Planning your Essay

Session Objectives
In this session you will look at how to:
• Interpret essay questions effectively
• Organise your notes from different sources
• Create a structure for your essay
• Construct essay paragraphs
• Form introductions and conclusions
 The essay writing process
The diagram below shows the stages you will follow when putting together an essay. This process is not always
linear and you may need to go back to certain stages throughout.
 Why plan?
Essays which achieve lower
marks
• Don’t answer the question
• Include limited evidence
and often only paraphrase
lecture notes
• Are poorly structured
• Are too descriptive
• Don’t have a clear argument
Essays which achieve higher
marks
• Respond to the question
• Include appropriate evidence
and demonstrate
understanding of the topic
• Are logically structured
• Are critical
• Develop a clear argument
throughout
 Before you start
• Word count
• Deadline
• Marking criteria
• Referencing style
• Feedback from other essays
• Resources to use
 Understanding the question

Essay questions provide valuable information about the aspects

of a topic you should consider and the skills you are expected
to use when writing your answer.

A key thing to focus on is the command word – you need to be

clear on what this means and keep it in mind for the entire
essay writing process.
 Command words activity
You each have a set of cards on your table. Match the eight direction
words with their definitions.
 Activity answers – command words
Compare and Contrast Evaluate Describe
Show how two things are similar Assess worth, importance or Give a detailed and accurate
and dissimilar and indicate the usefulness of an idea, showing account of something.
consequences of the differences. both its strengths and limitations.

Analyse Justify Discuss

Take something apart and examine Show rational grounds for a Explore a number of different
the components in detail, decision and answer the main points of view about a subject.
systematically and thoroughly. objections likely to be made
against it.

Summarise Define
Provide a concise overview, covering the main Set down the precise meaning of
points about a topic but omitting details and something.
examples.
 Before you start reading

The next step is to identify sources you will use to gather information and
academic perspectives on the topic. Think about:
• What do you already know?
• What do you want to find out?
• What is your initial response to the question?

For more advice on this part of essay planning, have a look at our resources on Finding Information
and Critical Reading Strategies.
 Consider your argument
Your argument is your particular point of view in relation to the issue or
question, which you will have made based on your reading around the topic.

When making an argument in an essay, you are trying to convince someone

else that your point of view in response to the question is correct.

You should be able to clearly articulate your argument in one sentence –

sometimes called a ‘thesis statement’.
 Organising your notes
• Identify key themes discussed in each source.
• Group connected ideas on these themes together and think about how
different sources relate to each other and to your argument.
• You might find it useful to colour code your notes or cut them up and
rearrange them.
• Remove any irrelevant material which will not go towards answering the
question.
 Activity
In front of you are 15 quotes from reviews of the film ‘Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom’.
Try to sort these reviews into themes and place them around the mind map.
For example – one theme might be ‘characters’, and under this theme would fit reviews 3, 8 and
9.

The human component of the cast is

The actors have developed their
characters well – Claire is more
engaging and sympathetic, while
Owen’s more brash, chauvinistic
edges are rounded off – the pair
have real chemistry.
(Empire, 2018)
The characters are so bland and sold and there are some stand-out
thinly written that the actors new characters, including Danielle
have little to do but look scared Pineda’s spirited character Zia.
and run around, making it (Cinema Blend, 2018)
impossible to care about what
happens to them.
(The Verge, 2018)
 Activity answers – Sorting your information

Some of the themes you may have picked up on –

• Characters
• Director/horror movie
• Plot/script
• Set design/special effects
• References to original film
 Building paragraphs out of themes
Poor structure Good structure
Paragraph on the Empire’s view Paragraph discussing viewpoints on the
characters
Paragraph on the Guardian’s view
Paragraph discussing viewpoints on the
Paragraph on the Independent’s view plot
Paragraph discussing viewpoints on the
set design
 Forming a plan
Once you have organised your notes and thought about the key themes and ideas
you wish to present in relation to your argument, you can begin to turn these into a
plan.
• Mind maps can be useful to allow you to see the bigger picture and how your
ideas relate to each other.
• Tables allow you to structure your ideas and group them into sections which
you can order logically.
• Apps such as Evernote, OneNote or Sketchboard can be helpful for organising
your thoughts.
 Building paragraphs

• Use a topic sentence to begin each paragraph, which introduces

the point to the reader.
• Provide and discuss academic evidence relating to the point you
are making. This is your proof to back up your argument.
• Make it clear how the point you are making is relevant to the
essay question, and to your argument.
• Use signpost words to link ideas together.
 Example – Topic sentence
Extract of a paragraph from the essay ‘Discuss the barriers to learning in a primary
education setting’
One of the main barriers to learning is managing students who exhibit negative
behaviour in the classroom. There are a variety of theories surrounding the best
ways of creating a positive environment and eliminating disruption to learning. Povis
(2015) states that getting students to create their own rules for within the classroom is
the most effective method, as this means students feel a sense of ownership over
these, and are less likely to break them. Francis (2018) argues that the use of praise
for good behaviour produces the best results, as it creates an encouraging
environment and engaged students…….
 Including academic sources

You will be expected to reference a variety of academic sources as evidence to support your
points throughout your essay. These provide the proof to support your argument.

Don’t just describe the point another source is making – be critical and discuss the significance of
what they say.

Don’t mention sources in isolation – compare different ideas and perspectives.

Do also show consideration of alternative points of view and potential objections to your
argument. Your own argument is stronger when you acknowledge these.
 Quoting
Quotes should be used sparingly in academic writing, in specific
scenarios.
• If an author has phrased something in a particularly unique or
interesting manner.
• When you need to use a really precise definition of something.
• If you are doing a close analysis of a piece of text (e.g. a poem in
English lit)
 Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing requires you to read a published piece of work and
convey the ideas and concepts in your own words. This allows you to
demonstrate your understandings of the thoughts and arguments
presented by others.

Make sure you substantially change both the wording and structure of
the originally work – and include a reference!
 Activity –signpost words

Signpost words are used to link ideas together and signal to the reader the
direction the essay is taking.

Add some example words on the Padlet wall for different signposting
scenarios – when you are making a similar point, when you are introducing
an opposing point, and when you are showing how an idea or theory has
developed over time.
Download a list of signpost words
 Introductions

These should:
• Be around 10% of your word count
• Engage instantly with the question
• Clearly state your argument in relation to the question.
• Provide a brief outline of the context and define any necessary
theories or concepts
• Explain to the reader what to expect from the rest of the essay
 Which introduction is best?

Read the three essay introductions for the English Literature essay ‘‘Discuss
whether beginnings or endings are more decisive in shaping identity’
Which is the best introduction? Answer in the poll- Pollev.com/knowhow086
 Activity answers

Introduction two is best

- Definitions and context provided
- Argument clearly defined in a simple sentence ‘This essay will argue
how the beginning is more fundamental to this process’
- Lets the reader know what the rest of the essay will cover
 Conclusions

These should:
• Be around 10% of your word count
• Make clear how your essay has answered the original question and
proved your argument
• Bring together the main points from throughout your essay and
explain links between them
• NOT contain any new information/points/theories
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