S.R.I.A.

Province of the East Midlands

NOTES ON ESSAY WRITING from your Provincial Director of Studies Fra AAA

NOTES ON ESSAY WRITING

Many of you need no guidance from me, so I urge you to write Papers for your Colleges and to share your work. However, a growing number of Fratres are asking for guidance on writing Papers, so here are a few basic ideas to help those for whom essay writing has been a dormant activity since leaving school. (I left school over fty ve years ago, so I know how daunting the prospect can seem!) Now, this need not be a complicated exercise and one need not be an academic to write an interesting, informative short Paper. It is no bad thing to begin by writing short Papers. Remember, our Society is largely about researching a topic and sharing your work. Therefore, it is quite permissible to read work or essays written by others if you think it will interest your Fratres and stimulate discussion. You do not have to be an original thinker. Sadly, few of us are! At the end of these Notes I have referenced an excellent book available at bookshops, that contains very detailed advice on Essay Writing. To begin then, be aware of the following four points: Most people can maintain concentrated listening only for about twelve minutes. If you must talk for longer, break the paper up into about ten-minute sections. (Of which, more later.) A thousand (1,000) words takes about ten minutes to read at comfortable listening speed. (Dont gabble at a hundred miles an hour... people switch off.) One side of A4 typed in 12 point font uses about ve hundred words. (For example, this is 12 point font, and this page has 528 words.) Always reference the sources of your information to avoid the charge of plagiarism. (Few people write without reading, listening to or seeing information elsewhere... you will be forgiven for copying if you openly acknowledge your sources.) There are many ways to write successful essays, but the following formula is always successful; The essay has three parts; 1. Introduction, 2. Argument, 3. and Conclusion. Looking at these three parts then; 1. Introduction This includes your title for the essay, and a brief explanation that will set the scene as it were, to set the subject of your essay in the minds of your audience so they know what you are going to talk about, and hopefully, make them want to listen. It is often helpful to briey say what sources you researched, but dont go into detail here. Also, it is good to include here whether or not you will take questions or discussion after the talk. This is a good way to avoid being interrupted and sidetracked from the theme of your essay. 2. Argument Here the story or idea or concept that you wish to explain and share with your audience is spelt out in as much detail and at such length as you judge is appropriate for your audience. You can mention the authors you consulted in researching the Paper at appropriate places. The Argument is where you make your point; the idea that you want to express or convey to your listeners. It may be that you are teaching or communicating something or conveying an
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S.R.I.A. Province of the East Midlands

NOTES ON ESSAY WRITING from your Provincial Director of Studies Fra AAA

explanation or concept to the audience. In other words, this is where you express what you want to talk about. If you use diagrams, graphics or pictures in your Argument, include them at the appropriate place. 3.Conclusion The Conclusion draws your Argument, or explanation to a close in a way that rounds off the point you were trying to convey to your audience. Any questions raised by your Argument should be answered here, or explained why they may be inconclusive. This may simply be that time available does not allow your essay to go fully into the subject; if this is so, say so. Your audience might even be grateful to you! Also, the Conclusion is a good place to suggest further lines of study or investigation to your audience. Ensure that any answers or conclusions you draw here reinforce the points raised in your Argument, so that the ending leaves the audience feeling fullled and understanding what they have heard. (Do you remember lms and plays that have good or bad endings?) Always end with Thank you for listening or words to that effect, thus clearly signaling the end of your talk. So, that briey explains the structure of your Paper and in so doing, you will see that for this essay only, I have typed this one in three different colours. Why? Well, these mark my Introduction, Argument and Conclusion for this brief essay which has taken you about ten minutes to read and contains about a thousand words. I hope it illustrates the points Ive made. In conclusion then, we must think about how to deliver the Essay to the audience. Again there are a few simple guidelines. Do not be shy about reading it; most important speakers do so. If you know the subject inside-out you may not need to, but better to read it uently and coherently than to lose your way and leave parts out or have to back-track to include them. Having typed it, read it verbatim. Dont ad-lib or add bits here and there. Every talk you write, you will improve next week, so to speak. Jokes are good when they work, but be careful, most of us are not funny! Injection of humour every thousand words can a good way to hold audience concentration during long Papers, but use jokes sparingly. Other methods, such as an illustration, or reference to a model if available, are often more successful. Read the Paper to yourself several times out aloud, as rehearsal before delivering. increases your self condence. This

Write your detailed references immediately after the end of your Paper. (Include a Word Count as this will help you tremendously with future Papers.) Give le copies to your Secretary and director of Studies. I hope this is helpful and encouraging. Thank you for reading it.
REFERENCE The Arts Good Study Guide. Chambers. E, and Northedge. A, 2002, Keynes. ISBN 0749287454

The Open University, Milton

Word Count - 1,007

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