Essay Writing Syllabus

Cheatsheet Content

The Writing Process: Key Decisions A) Selecting a Topic Brainstorming: Generate multiple ideas related to the assignment. Interest & Knowledge: Choose a topic you are genuinely interested in or have some prior knowledge about. This makes research and writing more engaging. Scope: Ensure the topic is neither too broad (e.g., "History") nor too narrow (e.g., "The exact number of grains of sand on one specific beach"). It should be manageable within the given word count and research time. Availability of Resources: Confirm that sufficient academic sources (books, journals, reputable websites) are available for your chosen topic. Relevance to Prompt: Always double-check that your chosen topic directly addresses the essay prompt or question. B) Analyzing Your Audience Who are they? Consider their background, education level, and prior knowledge of your topic. What do they already know? Avoid explaining basic concepts they are likely familiar with, but don't assume too much either. What do they need to know? Identify the information necessary for them to understand your argument. What are their expectations? Are they looking for a formal academic argument, a persuasive piece, or an informative overview? Tone: Adjust your tone (formal, informal, persuasive, objective) to suit your audience and purpose. C) Determining Your Purpose Inform: To present facts, data, or explanations (e.g., a research paper, a summary). Persuade: To convince the reader to agree with your viewpoint or take a specific action (e.g., an argumentative essay, an editorial). Analyze: To break down a topic into its components and examine their relationships (e.g., a critical analysis, a literary review). Entertain: To amuse or engage the reader (less common in academic writing, but present in creative essays). Explore/Explain: To investigate a topic or clarify a concept. Thesis Statement: Your purpose should be clearly articulated in your thesis statement, guiding your entire essay. D) Deciding on Content, Language, and Package Content: Main Ideas: What are the core arguments or points you want to make? Supporting Evidence: What facts, examples, statistics, quotes, or expert opinions will you use to back up your main ideas? Counterarguments & Rebuttals: If applicable, address opposing viewpoints and explain why your argument is stronger. Structure: Plan the logical flow of your arguments (e.g., introduction, body paragraphs with topic sentences, conclusion). Language: Vocabulary: Choose precise and appropriate words. Avoid jargon unless your audience is familiar with it. Sentence Structure: Vary sentence length and structure for readability and impact. Clarity & Conciseness: Express ideas clearly and directly, avoiding unnecessary words or convoluted phrasing. Academic Tone: Maintain an objective and formal tone in academic writing, avoiding slang or overly casual language. Active vs. Passive Voice: Generally prefer active voice for clarity and directness. Package (Presentation): Formatting: Adhere to specified formatting guidelines (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago) for citations, headings, margins, and font. Organization: Ensure logical paragraphing, clear transitions between ideas, and a coherent overall structure. Grammar & Punctuation: Proofread carefully for errors that can distract the reader and undermine your credibility. Referencing: Properly cite all sources to avoid plagiarism and give credit where due. Readability: Ensure the essay is easy to read and follow, with clear paragraphs and headings where appropriate.