How to Write Better Essays

Fourth edition

by Bryan Greetham

Table of contents

  • Introduction
  • Why Write Essays?
  • The Stages

Stage 1 - Interpretation of the Question

Introduction

  1. Revealing the Structure
  2. A Practical Example
  3. Learning to Analyse
  4. The Three-Step Technique - Steps 1 and 2
  5. Creating Your Own Concept
  6. Step 3 – Test Your Concept
  7. Brainstorming
  8. Using the Right Ability: Instructional Verbs
  9. The Abilities Essays Assess

Stage 2 Research

Introduction

  1. Using our Study Skills Effectively
  2. Reading Purposefully
  3. Processing the Ideas
  4. Note-taking for Analysis and Structure
  5. Remembering Your Notes
  6. Note-taking for Criticism and Evaluation
  7. Thinking and Reading Critically
  8. Note-taking for Creativity
  9. Organising Your Retrieval System


Stage 3 Planning

Introduction

  1. Planning: Getting the Highest Grades
  2. Editing and Ordering Your Material
  3. Revision: Planning for the Exam
  4. Exam Technique: Planning in the Exam

Stage 4 Writing

Introduction

  1. Finding Your Own Voice
  2. Suspending Your Judgement
  3. Introductions
  4. Paragraphs – Topic Sentences
  5. Paragraphs – Development and Evidence
  6. Conclusions
  7. Style – Simplicity 1: Sentences
  8. Style – Simplicity 2: Words
  9. Style – Economy
  10. Style – the Dos and Don’ts
  11. Working with Evidence
  12. Choosing the Best Word
  13. Plagiarism
  14. Referencing and Bibliographies
  15. Reflective Writing

Stage 5 Revision

Introduction

  1. Preserving Your Best Ideas
  2. Revising the Structure