How to Write Essays & Assignments
Smarter Study Guides
By Kathleen McMillan, Jonathan Weyers
September 2007
Prentice Hall / Financial Times
Distributed By Trans-Atlantic Publication
ISBN: 9780273713579 
256 pages, Illustrated, 5 3/8 x 8 1/2"
$26.50 paper original
How to write great essays covers everything a student is likely to need to research, plan and write academic essays and assignments that will get you great marks.
Contents
CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Why expressing yourself in writing is important (NEW)
What markers are looking for
2. Identifying key elements and content - What criteria will your essay will
be judged against (NEW)
Choosing the question/getting started
3. Tackling writing assignments - How to get started
Reading & Research
4. Effective academic reading - How to read efficiently and with understanding
5. The library as a resource - How to make the best use of the facilities
6. Thinking critically - How to develop a logical approach to analysis and
problem-solving
Time management
7. Time management - How to balance study, family, work and leisure
Note-taking
8. Note-making from texts - How to create effective notes for later reference
Writing a first draft
9. Academic writing format - How to organise your writing within a standard
framework
10. Planning writing assignments - How to respond to the task
11. Academic writing style - How to adopt appropriate language conventions
12. Sentences and paragraphs - How to shape your text
13. Grammar - How to avoid some common errors
Spelling & Punctuation
14. Punctuation - How to use punctuation marks appropriately
15. Spelling - How to spell competently
16. Vocabulary - How to improve your use of academic terms and language
Editing & Revision
17. Reviewing, editing and proof-reading - how to make sure your writing
is concise and correct
Referencing & Plagiarism
18. Citing and listing references - how to refer appropriately to the work
of others
19. Plagiarism and copyright - how to avoid being accused of ‘stealing’ the
ideas & work of others
Presentation
20. Presentation of assignments - how to follow the appropriate academic
conventions
Feedback
21 Exploiting feedback - how to understand and learn from what lecturers
write on your work
Features
This book will provide all the tips and techniques needed to ensure students
of all disciplines get the most from the essay-writing process. It supports
students in preparing and crafting their essay through consideration
of:
- How to get started
- How to read and take notes effectively
- How to plan your essay and write to a deadline
- How to improve your academic writing style and use of conventions and vocabulary
- How to shape your essay and avoid common grammatical and structural pitfalls
- How to cite references and avoid plagiarism
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