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Table of contents
Writing home
General writing
Essay writing
What makes a good essay?
Essay topics
Interpreting an essay topic
Different topic interpretations
The essay plan
Provisional essay plan
Elaborated essay plan
Planning for the topic
Developing a provisional plan
Selecting readings
Reading passages
Assessing a text's relevance

Skimming a text for relevance

Taking notes from texts
Sample notes
Drafting the essay
Drafting the introduction
Outlining the essay's structure
Outlining the essay's argument
Sample essay
Analysing structure
Analysing the language of critique
Analysing citations
Sample Oxford essay
Sample Harvard essay
Different citation forms
Direct quotes
Embedded citations
The conclusion
Analysing conclusions
Essay references
Analysing reference lists
Reference element quiz
Identifying essay references
Summary
Report writing

Case study report

Writing literature reviews
Matching introductions and conclusions
Giving reader directions
Citing previous research
Ordering citations
Use of tenses
Paraphrase or quotation?
Reporting words
Plagiarism
Signalling your position
Active or passive voice?
Useful references - literature reviews
Reviewing books and articles
Editing your thesis
Helping the reader
Headings
Reader directions
Purposes and patterns of organisation
Organisation of a paragraph
Defining your topic
Linking
Bullets
Handling the writing conventions

Your presence in the text

Integrating quotations
Style standards
Revising your work
Editing
Proofreading
Further reading
Why do we reference?
Acknowledging sources
Critiquing new ideas
What to reference
Following the right conventions
Referencing digital and online material
Improving your technique
Referencing checklist
Plagiarism
What is plagiarism?
How to avoid plagiarism
Monash University policy
Citing your sources
Other plagiarism resources
Academic writing
What is academic writing?
Authority and credibility

Referring to tendencies
Acknowledging exceptions and limitations
Style and clarity
Formal language
Impersonal style
Clear sentences
Use of acronyms and abbreviations
Logical development of ideas
Structure
Writing effective paragraphs
Signposts
An analytical approach
Attribution of references
Some common problems
Other academic writing resources
Writing in Art and Design
Researching skills for Art and Design
Reading as research
FAQs for reading
Reading for assignments
Reference record sheet
Reading to expand your practice
Effective library use
Observing as research

FAQs for observing

Observing for assignments
Observing to expand your practice
Visual journal
Staff tips on observing
Experimenting as research
FAQs for experimenting
Experimenting for assignments
Experimenting to expand your practice
Staff tips on experimenting
Writing skills for Art and Design
Visual analysis
FAQs for Visual Analysis
Where do I start?
How do I structure my Visual Analysis?
How do I write my Visual Analysis?
Look at the image again
Sample visual analysis
Language of a visual analysis
Essay writing
FAQs for Essay writing
Where do I start?
How do I structure my Essay?
How do I write my Essay?

Sample essay
Report writing
FAQs for Report Writing
Where do I start?
How do I structure my report?
How do I write my report?
Sample report
Developing your academic skills
Referencing and plagiarism
Editing your work
Proofreading your work
Grammar
Using a glossary
Glossary for Writing in Art and Design
Writing in Arts
English essay
Lecturer's advice
Skills for writing in Literature
Topic analysis
Structuring an argument
Focusing on the topic
Writing a qualified answer to a question
Linking main points
Interpreting texts

Narrative vs analysis
Making judgements
Further resources for Literature
Annotated assignments
Claire's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Claire's essay
Claire's essay and what her lecturer thought
Claire's comments
Kiren's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Kiren's essay
Kiren's essay and what her lecturer thought
Joseph's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Joseph's essay
Joseph's essay and what his lecturer thought
History essay
Lecturer's advice
Skills for writing in History
Making and supporting claims
The topic sentence
Supporting evidence
Focusing on primary evidence

Documenting sources with footnotes

Analysing historical arguments
Identifying summary and evaluation
Focus on summarising
The language of summary
Elements of a summary
Focus on evaluating
Approaches to evaluation
Annotated assignments
Owen's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Owen's essay
Owen's essay and what his lecturer thought
Owen's comments
Meg's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Meg's essay
Meg's essay and what her lecturer thought
Philosophy essay
Lecturer's advice
Skills for writing in Philosophy
Terminology
Explanation of terms
Understanding philosophical terms

Using philosophical terms in an essay

Essay questions
Interpreting questions 1
Interpreting questions 2
Different interpretations
Introductions
Analysing a sample introduction
Stating your case
Strong and weak cases
Summarising
Writing a clear summary
Using your own words
Using reporting language in summaries
Analysing, reporting, and direct quotes in a summary
Writing your own summary
Evaluating
Identifying evaluation in writing
Structuring evaluation in writing
Evaluation in philosophical debates
Indicating your position
Writing your own evaluation
Structuring
Exploring essay structure

Annotated assignments
Roslyn's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Roslyn's essay
Roslyn's essay and what her lecturer thought
Ben's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Ben's essay
Ben's essay and what his lecturer thought
Ben's comments
Chloe's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Chloe's essay
Chloe's essay and what her lecturer thought
Sociology essay
Lecturer's advice
Skills for writing in Sociology
Using evidence
Identifying types of evidence
Structuring an argument
Focusing on the topic - introductions
Focusing on the topic - conclusions
Linking main points
Academic style

Avoiding the personal pronoun 'I'

Avoiding emotive language
Using formal language
Being precise and accurate
Annotated assignments
Renee's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Renee's essay
Renee's essay and what her lecturer thought
Renee's comments
Writing in Business and Economics
Commercial Law assignment
Lecturer's advice
Skills for writing in Commercial Law
Assignment tasks
Structuring a written response
Style of writing
Clear writing
Sentence structure
Using paragraphs
Paragraph structure
Structure of legal arguments
Other Commercial Law resources
Annotated assignments

Steve's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Steve's sample assignment
Steve's assignment and what his lecturer thought
Steve's comments
Economics assignment
Lecturer's advice
Skills for writing in Economics
Reading
Read, understand, and identify key terms
Applying theory
Analysing
Analysing the topic
Instruction words
Economics style
Types of thinking
Diagrams
Headings
Other Economics resources
Annotated assignments
Rebecca's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Rebecca's sample assignment
Rebecca's assignment and what her lecturer thought

Rebecca's comments
Management assignment
Lecturer's advice
Skills for writing in Management
Identifying problems
Ordering information
Using theory and evidence
Referring to theory
Alternative solutions
Stating disadvantages
Combining advantages and disadvantages
Recommendations
Creating recommendations
Creating subheadings
Other Management resources
Annotated assignments
Amy's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Amy's sample assignment
Amy's assignment and what her lecturer thought
Amy's comments
Angus's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Angus's sample assignment

Angus's assignment and what his lecturer thought

Cindy's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Cindy's sample assignment
Cindy's assignment and what her lecturer thought
Marketing assignment
Lecturer's advice
Skills for writing in Marketing
Research
Finding time
Locating sources
Structure
Method of structuring
Writing the introduction
Writing the conclusion
Using sources
Types of sources
Magazines and academic journals
First-year standards
Reference list
Citing and referencing
Defining and discussing
Annotated assignments
Helen's assignment

Lecturer's expectations
Helen's report
Helen's report and what her lecturer thought
Helen's comments
Amanda's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Amanda's report
Amanda's report and what her lecturer thought
Amanda's comments
Briohny's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Briohny's report
Briohny's report and what her lecturer thought
Troy's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Troy's report
Troy's report and what his lecturer thought
Writing in Education
Perspectives on Learning essay
Lecturer's advice
Skills for writing in Education
Introducing your assignment
Functions of an introduction
Writing the introduction

Interpreting observations
Observation and interpretation
Two kinds of observation
Making the 'correct' interpretation
Analysing from theory
Being logical
Annotated assignments
Hannah's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Hannah's report
Hannah's report and what her lecturer thought
Hannah's comments
Reflective writing in Education
Why reflect?
Features of reflective writing
Writing a reflective response to a text
Examples of reflective writing
Example of the reflective writing process
Reflection on a theoretical perspective
Writing in Engineering
Writing technical reports
Title page
Sample title page
Summary

Sample summary
Table of contents
Sample contents
Introduction
Sample introduction
Body of the report
Headings in the body of the report
Sample headings
Incorporating figures, tables, and equations
Conclusions
Sample conclusions
Referencing
Sample reference list
Appendices
Writing lab reports
Tasks involved
Points to remember
Report structure
Title page
Introduction
Aim
Method
Results and Discussion
Conclusions

Using an impersonal style in lab reports

Other lab report resources
Other Engineering resources
Writing in Information Technology
IT report
Interpreting the assignment topic
Identifying unknown words
Analysing the question
Considering the additional assignment notes
More help - assignment writing
Developing a plan
Thinking about the assignment topic
Refining the plan
Developing a plan for the assignment
Writing the report
Abstracts and introductions
Writing from a plan
Sample report
Plan vs. report
Business Systems data commentary
Report structure
Paragraph structure
Tables, figures, appendices
Academic style

References
IT case study
Topic analysis
Topic annotation
Using sources in IT
Selecting sources
Plagiarism
Avoiding plagiarism
More help - plagiarism
Referencing sources
Indirect quotes
Direct quotes
Author vs. information
More help - referencing
Integrating references
Using evidence to substantiate your argument
Using direct quotes selectively
Paraphrasing and summarising
Integrating informal language into academic writing
Reference list
More help
Writing in Law
Legal Process essay
Lecturer's advice

Skills for writing in Law

Analysing
Establishing the task
Researching for the topic
Analysing topics
The introduction
The introduction's function
Stating your case
Developing the case
Supporting your claims
Demonstrating your reasoning
Dealing with counter arguments
Other Legal Process resources
Annotated assignments
Michael's assignment
Lecturer's expectations
Michael's essay
Michael's essay and what his lecturer thought
Further comments on the essay
Michael's comments
Writing in Medicine
Health Sciences case report
Annabelle's sample assignment
Annabelle's assignment and what her lecturer thought

Additional lecturer comments

Reflective writing
What is reflective writing?
What is a 'critical incident'?
Critical incident analysis
The reflective learning process
Conditions for reflection
Conditions inhibiting reflection
The action-reflection model
Format for the critical incident report
Sample critical incident report
Criteria for assessment
Common errors in reflective writing
Characteristics of reflective writing
Tenses
Speculative and hypothetical writing
Self reflection v self criticism
Other reflective writing resources
Writing in Psychological Medicine
Report structure for writing in Psychological Medicine
Case History structure
Introduction examples
History of presenting complaint examples
Past psychiatric history examples

Past medical history examples

Mental state examination structure
Mental state examination examples
Physical examination structure
Physical examination sxamples
Summary and diagnosis structure
Summary and diagnosis example
Formulation structure
Formulation example
Management structure
Management example
First-year essay
Analysing the question
Reading and notetaking
Essay structure
Possible structures
Academic language
Signposting
Citations
Tense use in essays
Revising
Common sentence level problems
Writing in Pharmacy
Sample Human Behaviour essay

Writing in Science
What makes a good Science communicator?
Features of academic writing
Tentative statements
Academic wording
Avoid writing subjectively
Personal or impersonal style?
Write objectively
Acknowledging your sources
Referencing
Citing research
The Harvard referencing system
In-text citations
Reference lists
Summarising and paraphrasing
Quoting
The writing process
Planning and writing the assignment
Planning and task analysis
Writing the assignment
Checking your work
Learning from feedback
Presentation and formatting
Using figures, tables and graphs

The lab report

The annotated bibliography
A checklist for the annotated bibliography
The literature review
How to write the literature review
A standalone literature review
A checklist for the literature review
The Science essay
The Science report
Tenses in Science
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
The Science poster
Visuals to accompany oral presentations
Writing good sentences
Parts of a sentence
Sentence level errors
Punctuation
Punctuation challenge
Paragraphing
The topic sentence

Find the topic sentences

Linking by repetition
Using pronouns to link
Using synonyms to link
Words which belong together
Connecting ideas - examples
Paragraph exercises
Connections between paragraphs
Other writing in Science resources
Other writing resources
Assignment Builder

Tutorial

THE EASY ESSAY

By Barry Morse

Email:
Pass:

Easy Essay Writing

Introduction
In the past, writing an essay was a thing to be feared. A dreaded
assignment usually put off until the last possible moment. A prayer
usually accompanied an essay exam. but why?
An essay should have a simple form used for the expression of an idea
or the proof of a point. Unfortunately, until now, all the rules were too
nebulous to allow the writer the freedom found in standardized form.
For example, we were told that a paragraph changed when the idea
changed. What if the idea of my essay was my life story? Should this

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then make my essay one long paragraph?

Therefore, we have developed an organized form that gives the writer
the framework within which to express his or her ideas. This method
shows when to start each paragraph, what goes into each paragraph,
how to end the paragraph, and the order of the paragraphs. By
following the form, the inclusion of extraneous material is prevented
and as an eventual side benefit teaches the writer to think in a more
logical manner. Yet, in spite of all the attention to form, it allows the
writer the freedom to express him or herself with all the creativity in
the world.
With the use of this writing style, the writer can spend his or her time
on the formulation of ideas, not the formation of form.

The Basic Paragraph

A paragraph is an organized expression of a complete idea. It begins
with a topic sentence. The topic sentence informs the reader as to
exactly what will be discussed in the paragraph. It limits the range of
the subjects. The next part or body of the paragraph proves or clarifies
the topic sentence. Only statements that directly refer to the topic
sentence are used in this section. The end of the paragraph is the
clincher sentence. The clincher sentence is the conclusion and may
restate the topic sentence as proven. All paragraphs must have a
beginning, a middle and an end in the form of a topic sentence, body
of proof, and a clincher sentence.

The Short Essay

To write a short essay, one simply expands the basic paragraph. This
paper begins with a thesis statement. It is similar to the topic
sentence in that it begins the first paragraph and all following
information must be, in some way, relate to it. A thesis statement is a
statement of fact. A fact is something that can be discussed. If it cant
be discussed, you cant write about it. The thesis statement is
followed by major proofs. These are used to prove or clarify the thesis
statement. Then, as always, a clincher sentence is used as a
conclusion for the paragraph and restating the thesis.
The next section of the essay is the body. It is similar to the body of a
simple paragraph, except that it is a group of paragraphs. Combining
the thesis statement with each of the major proofs forms the topic
sentence of each paragraph. (A separate topic sentence and
paragraph is needed for each major proof.) Following the topic
sentence, in each case, are minor proofs whose purpose is to directly
prove the topic sentence and indirectly prove the thesis statement.
Each paragraph in the body is ended with a clincher sentence.
The paper is ended with a paragraph of conclusion. This paragraph
begins with a restatement of the thesis statement and also restates
the major proofs. Any conclusions that the writer has conceived are
included in this paragraph. This paragraph, as with all others in this

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style of writing, ends with a clincher statement. In this case, the

clincher restates the thesis as proven.

The Five-Paragraph Essay (in five paragraph essay form)

The five-paragraph essay is the most organized way to elaborate on
any expository theme. It begins with a paragraph of introduction. It
follows with three paragraphs of proofs. The essay concludes with a
paragraph of conclusion. Using this device the modern writer can
easily analyze, in an organized fashion, any subject he or she desires.
The five-paragraph essay begins with a paragraph of introduction. This
starts with a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a statement of
fact (a fact being anything which can be discussed). This is followed
by three major proofs that directly assert the validity of the thesis
statement. The paragraph concludes with a clincher statement, that
is, one that restates the thesis as proven. All essays of this style must
begin with a paragraph of introduction.
The main body of this expository style of writing contains the thesis
statement combined with the major proofs. The first major proof is
combined with the thesis statement to form the topic sentence of the
second paragraph. Three minor proofs are used to validate this topic
sentence. Again, as in all proof style paragraphs, it ends with a
clincher statement. The same process is used for the other major
proofs.
The final part of the essay is, logically the conclusion. This is
essentially a restatement of the introductory paragraph as proven. It
must contain the thesis statement, major proofs, and a clincher
statement. This paragraph completes the essay.
With this tool for writing expository essays todays author can logically
analyze any subject. With the use of a paragraph of introduction, a
body of proof, and a conclusion he can discuss knowledgeably almost
any subject of which he has the necessary information. The use of this
form provides the modern writer with a method to lambaste, lampoon,
or legitimatize almost any subject under the sun.

Five Paragraph Outline

INTRODUCTION
I. Thesis statement (A thesis statement is a statement of fact.
Fact=something that can be discussed.)
A. }
B. } Major proofs
C. }
D. Clincher sentence (thesis to be proven)
BODY
II. Topic sentence (Thesis statement plus major proof A)
A. }

B. } Major proofs of I-A

C. }
D. Clincher sentence (I-A as proven)
III. Topic sentence (Thesis statement plus major proof B)
A. }
B. } Major proofs of I-B
C. }
D. Clincher sentence (I-B as proven)
IV. Topic sentence (Thesis statement plus major proof C)
A. }
B. } Major proofs of I-C
C. }
D. Clincher sentence (I-C as proven)
CONCLUSION
V. Topic sentence-restate thesis
A. }
B. } Restate major proofs
C. }
D. Clincher sentence- Thesis as proven
The Simple Essay
Mickey Mouse is great. He is funny. He is smart. He is cute. That is
why Mickey Mouse is great.
Mickey Mouse is great because he is funny. He tells jokes. He does
funny things. He makes everyone laugh. Mickey Mouse is
great because he is funny.
Mickey Mouse is great because he is smart. He says smart things. He
does smart things. He has smart friends. Mickey Mouse is
great because he is smart
Mickey Mouse is great because he is cute. His voice is cute. His ears
are cute. He does cute things. Mickey Mouse is great because he is
cute.
So, Mickey Mouse is great. He is funny. He is smart. He is cute. That is
why Mickey Mouse is great.

Comparison/Contrast Essay
In a comparison or contrast essay it is most important to remember
that for every point the counterpoint must be stated or there is no
valid comparison. Simply state as major proofs in the paragraph of
introduction both sides of the issue. Then in each paragraph of the
body of the essay present a direct comparison of all aspects of the
subject.

The Longer Essay

The expansion of a five-paragraph essay form into a longer essay is a
simple matter. Write a basic thesis statement with three basic proofs
and clincher sentence. Then form a five-paragraph essay using the
basic thesis and the first basic proof of your thesis for the first section.

Repeat the process for two more five-paragraph sections. End with a
paragraph of conclusion that restates the opening paragraph of the
essay. Remember to use transitions to tie all the parts together.
As you will see in the following outline, the longer paper can be
viewed in a simplified manner, as follows:
Paragraph I- Introduction
II-VI A five-paragraph essay based on the basic thesis and the first
basic proof.
VII-XI A five-paragraph essay based on the basic thesis and the second
basic proof.
XII-XVI A five-paragraph essay based on the basic thesis and the third
basic proof.
XVII Conclusion
Or put another way, the process is as follows: p=paragraph
5 p essay to longer essay
p2 stays p2 and is repeated as p6 (conclusion) and builds all topic
sent. and clincher sent.
p3 of short essay becomes p7 and p11 (concl) of longer and builds
topic sent. and clincher sent,
p4 of short essay becomes p12 and p16 (concl) of longer and builds
topic sent. and clincher sent.
p5 of short essay is repeated as p17 (p1 as proven)

Remember, these outlines are only a basic guide. Fit them to your
subjects needs.

Longer Essay Outline

INTRODUCTION
I. Basic thesis statement
A. }
B. } Basic proofs
C. }
D. Clincher sentence
BODY
II. Thesis statement 1 (Basic thesis plus basic proof I-A)
A. }
B. } Major proofs 1
C. }
D. Clincher sentence
III. Topic sentence (Thesis 1, plus major proof II-A)
A. }
B. } Minor proofs
C. }
D. Clincher sentence

IV. Topic sentence (Thesis 1 plus major proof II-B)

A. }
B. } Minor proofs
C. }
D. Clincher sentence
V. Topic sentence (Thesis 1 plus major proof II-C)
A. }
B. } Minor proofs
C. }
D. Clincher sentence
VI. Topic sentence Thesis 1 as proven
A. }
B. } Major proofs 1
C. }
D. Clincher sentence-restate Thesis 1 as proven
VII. Thesis statement 2 (Basic thesis plus basic proof B)
A. }
B. } Major proofs 2
C. }
Clincher sentence
VIII. Topic sentence (Thesis 2 plus major proof VII-A)
A. }
B. } Minor proofs
C. }
D. Clincher sentence
IX. Topic sentence (Thesis 2 plus major proof VII-B)
E. }
F. } Minor proofs
G. }
H. Clincher sentence
X. Topic sentence (Thesis 2 plus major proof VII-C)
I. }
J. } Minor proofs
K. }
L. Clincher sentence
XI. Topic sentence (restatement of Thesis 2)
A. }
B. } Major proofs 2
C. }
D. Clincher sentence-restate Thesis 2 as proven
XII. Thesis statement 3 (Basic thesis plus basic proof C)
A. }
B. } Major proofs 3
C. }
D. Clincher sentence
XIII. Topic sentence (Thesis 3 plus major proof XII-A)
A. }
B. } Minor proofs
C. }
D. Clincher sentence
XIV. Topic sentence (Thesis 3 plus major proof XII-B)
A. }
B. } Minor proofs
C. }

D. Clincher sentence
XV. Topic sentence (Thesis 3 plus major proof XII-C)
A. }
B. } Minor proofs
C. }
D. Clincher sentence
XVI. Topic sentence (restatement of Thesis 3)
A. }
B. } Major proofs 3
C. }
D. Clincher sentence restate Thesis 3 as proven
CONCLUSION
XVII. Restate Basic Thesis
A. }
B. } Basic proofs
C. }
D. Clincher sentence-Basic Thesis as proven.
Helpful Hints
1.

Have an interesting beginning and an interesting ending.

2.

Proof read - Everything!

3.

Avoid repetitiveness (vary your restatements).

4.

Order of paragraphs:
a) People remember the last thing they heard the most, so
save your best point for last. Then they remember the first
point, so let that be your second best point. Your weakest
proof should be in the middle, as it will be least remembered.

5.

Basically in this form:

a) You say it
b) You prove it
c) You say youve proven it.

6.

Stick to the subjectavoid digression.

7.

Use active rather than passive tense.

8.

Each paragraph and paper must have an introduction, body,

and conclusion or a beginning, middle, and end.

9.

Proof read.

10. Transitionsbe it a word, phrase, sentence or paragraph. The

use of transitions makes your writing more cohesive. Sample
Transitions:

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

in addition to
in contrast with
additionally
on the other hand
interestingly enough
to begin with
following this
secondly, thirdly etc.
in conclusion
considering this
taking this into account
allowing for this

11. Dont use I or me unless you have a lot of initials after

your name (Ph.D., M.D.)
12. Using the longer form takes 10-20 pages. In a book 10-20
pages is considered a chapter. Congratulations! Now you know
how to write a book.
13. In an essay exam you can take the question and invert it into
a statement and use that as your thesis statement for your
answer.
14. If you are unable to complete your essay in a single sitting,
place an "x" in the empty fieldss so the program can save the
work you have done thus far.
15. Save relavent notes (in MS Word or Notepad) to edit into final
essay.

* The statements which constitute those proofs may be any, all, or

more than the following: facts, folklore, common knowledge, common
sense, logic, philosophy, expert accounts, quotations, eyewitness
reports, statistics, records, historical (or biblical) accounts, religious
doctrine, etc

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