Be in top formKey features of essay writing

Learning outcomes

By the end of this session you will be able to understand:

• the purpose and structure of an essay

• the role of referencing • that essay writing is a process

What makes an essay an essay?

When you think “essay”, what do you think?

What’s the purpose of an essay?What is the expected structure?

The purpose of an essay is to...

• Make an argument • Imagine you are a lawyer

presenting a case

• Argument: take a position / thesis statement / answer the question

An argument / thesis statement For some essays, you can turn the essay

question into a thesis statement. • Take a position (yes, no, it depends)• Say why (the “because”)Example essay question: Why is human resource planning a good idea

for NZ organisations?Example thesis statement:Human resource planning is a good idea for

NZ organisations because…

Come up with thesis statements for the following:

1. Are cats better than dogs?Cats are better than dogs because they’re more independent, not as smelly, and you do not have to take them for walks.

2. Is it possible to eat too much chocolate?It is not possible to eat to much chocolate because your natural instincts will guide how much chocolate you need, so therefore how much chocolate you eat is the right amount.

For more information on thesis statements, see:http://owll.massey.ac.nz/assignment-types/essay-thesis-statement.php

Understanding the essay question

The question is made of different parts:– What are you being asked to do? (command

words)• Discuss, analyse, compare/contrast, establish the

extent of something.

– What is the topic?• The topic is often the big picture view.

– What is the focus (or scope)?• the focus is the direction you need to take: like a

compass pointing in the right direction or binoculars going into focus on a particular aspect.

– What will you need to define (or clarify)?

What are you being asked to do?

Common command words

Analyse To break the subject up into its main ideas, and evaluate themAssess To judge the value of a subject critically.Compare To show the similarities and differences between two or more

subjects.Discuss To investigate and present the different aspects of a problem or

subject, usually in support of a position or argument.Evaluate To appraise or estimate the worth of something, to some extent

an explained personal opinion.Examine To inquire into, and consider a problem carefully.Review To survey and critically examine a subject.

For this list and more, see: http://owll.massey.ac.nz/academic-writing/command-words.php

Essay question #1

To what extent is there a correlation between the levels of happiness experienced by cats, and the dog being made to sleep outside?

Comment on the extent of

the correlation.

(Is there one?Is it strong?

Are there any exceptions?)

Whether there is a correlation

between the happiness in cats and the

dog being made to sleep outside.

Happiness in cats.

The concept of happiness in cats?What correlation

means (as opposed to causation?)

Cats? All cats? Some breeds of

cats?

What are you being asked to

do?

What is the topic?

What will you need to define or

clarify?

What is the focus?

Essay question #2

“The Kardashians are the epitome of popular culture” (Brown, 2011, p.15). Discuss.

Clarify?You might need to clarify who

the Kardashians

are

Define?You’ll need to define popular

culture

What are you being asked to

do?

What is the topic? What is the focus?

The Kardashians

To discuss: examine or consider a

subject/topic

Whether the Kardashians

are the perfect example of

popular culture

Essay structure

The introduction and conclusion mirror each other

The body paragraphs are where you:

a) Define key conceptsb) Explain your argument/s

(often it’s where you go through the “because/s”)

Essay structure: the patternBroad opening statement

Broad statement of significance of topic

Narrowing topic

Summary of key points

Thesis statement

Thesis statement

Define core concept

Body paragraphs- Start with a main or topic sentence - Followed by evidence and examples

Back to our essay question

“The Kardashians are the epitome of popular culture” (Brown, 2011, p.15). Discuss.

Introduction

Mass media and popular culture have the capacity to shape the values and norms of society. In contemporary society, the role of the celebrity is particularly pervasive. The Kardashians are an American family with their own TV show (“Keeping up with the Kardashians”). As such, they are an example of the mass media genre of reality TV and the celebration of celebrity. Moreover, the Kardashians are the epitome of popular culture because their show and subsequent lifestyles reflect consumerist values, trivial pastimes and superficiality.

The first sentence is a broad opening statement that establishes the context.

This is the thesis statement (the answer to the question). The thesis statement is the argument you will be making in your essay. The

Kardashians ARE the epitome of popular culture BECAUSE...

These three areas listed (in the “because”)will become the structure of the essay – each of those would be discussed in turn in the essay.

Definition paragraph

Popular culture is a debated concept (Brown, 2011; Henry, 2008; Smith, 1999). Smith (1999) suggests that popular culture constitutes values and norms that are promoted by the mass media and enjoyed by the majority of the population. Henry (2008) adds that popular culture is the mass publication and promotion of what is glitzy and superficial. Brown (2011), furthermore, argues that popular culture is inherently negative and damaging. “Popular culture sees the death of difference and in-depth thinking, and is ultimately the celebration of the trivial” (Brown, 2011, p.19).

This paragraph is defining the key concept of “popular culture”.

Often also a good place for a direct quote.

Conclusion

In conclusion, their lifestyle and reality TV show have made the Kardashians the epitome of popular culture. The consumerist values promoted in the design of their reality TV series, their trivial pastimes, and the high level of superficiality all blend together to reinforce and perpetuate the celebration of celebrity, which in turn shapes the norms and values of society. Discussion and analysis of examples of popular culture are vital, as they lead to a greater understanding of the influences shaping contemporary society.

Can start with “In conclusion…” Nice cue for the marker – and you. Re-state the thesis statement.

Summarise the key points.End with a broad statement – often highlighting why an important

area of study.

Role of referencing

• You need to make an argument– not unsubstantiated opinion

• You need to make your argument by referring to the work of others

• Definitions, facts, theories, ideas – all need a citation

Body paragraph

The consumerist values reflected in the show and lifestyles of the Kardashians illustrate how they are the epitome of popular culture . For example, the short-lived wedding on the TV show was paid for entirely by advertising revenue. Furthermore, Harris states that consumerism and popular culture “are entwined and produce a self-fulfilling prophesy”. This integrated reinforcement of consumerism and popular culture is also represented in the Kardashians lifestyle and TV show in that the clothing worn by the lead women (in particular, Kim Kardashian) are part of the Kardashians’ fashion label and available for sale.

Body paragraph – with citations

The consumerist values reflected in the show and lifestyles of the Kardashians illustrate how they are the epitome of popular culture . For example , the recent wedding on the TV show was paid for entirely by advertising revenue (Kenny, 2012). Furthermore, Harris (2009) states that consumerism and popular culture “are entwined and produce a self-fulfilling prophesy” (p.212). This integrated reinforcement of consumerism and popular culture is also represented in the Kardashians lifestyle and TV show in that the clothing worn by the lead women (in particular, Kim Kardashian) are part of the Kardashians’ fashion label and available for sale (Laylor, 2012).

Essay writing process