INTRODUCTION

Copyright © 2011. Pearson Education UK. All rights reserved.

McMillan, K 2011, How to Write Essays & Assignments : UEL, Pearson Education UK, Harlow. Available from:
ProQuest Ebook Central. [28 February 2023].
Created from bcu on 2023-02-28 13:14:16.
Copyright © 2011. Pearson Education UK. All rights reserved.

McMillan, K 2011, How to Write Essays & Assignments : UEL, Pearson Education UK, Harlow. Available from:
ProQuest Ebook Central. [28 February 2023].
Created from bcu on 2023-02-28 13:14:16.
 Why expressing yourself
1 well in writing is important

How to develop your writing skills

Writing an essay or assignment is a challenging and fulfilling
activity. It brings together all your relevant knowledge and
understanding of a topic in response to a particular task – but
it is more than that. From writing tasks, you will gain both an
adroitness in use of language and effective communication skills.
In addition, you will carry the associated critical thinking skills
with you into your professional life after university. This chapter
outlines the importance of developing your ability to express
yourself well in written assignments; a contribution to your
training as a wordsmith.

Key topics
● Making sure that you have the necessary writing skills
● Intellect and writing
● Writing as part of the process of communication
● Taking a long-term view
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Key terms
Critical thinking Genres Register

Writing is something that will not be confined to your university days.

Indeed, your ability to use the transferable skill of writing will mark
you out as a competent communicator of facts and opinions. In your
professional life, in all sorts of contexts and for all sorts of purposes,
you will draw on the training you receive at university in presenting
your ideas effectively on paper. Thus, writing well is an integral facet
of the skills set that you take away with you from the university
experience. However, it takes time and dedication to acquire and
develop the facility in writing that you’ll need. This means that the
act of writing essays will help you to hone your writing skill into an
effective tool of communication.

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 ●● Making sure that you have the necessary
writing skills

Writing to express ideas can only be achieved if you have the

right skills at your disposal. You need to work through the
practicalities of locating relevant material, researching information,
and checking so that you will be able to extract what is relevant to
your purpose. Once you have this information, you need to organise
and structure it to meet the requirements of your task. From this
starting point, you then need to learn to ‘play’ with language. Apart
from avoiding the obvious errors of grammar, punctuation and
spelling, you need to think about and experiment with each choice of
word, each grouping, the ordering of words, and the construction of
each sentence and paragraph (Table 1.1). This focus on manipulating
writing is important for a number of reasons:

● it demonstrates your ability to group ideas in a logical way;

● it allows you to exploit the flexibility that language offers you to
express your thoughts as clearly as possible; and
● it ensures that you maintain the reader’s attention and interest.

Table 1.1 provides several examples of ways in which language can be

manipulated to improve communication.

i
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Developing your writing skills

Chapters that relate to improving your competence in writing are:
● Effective academic reading (Ch 4)
● Library and learning resources (Ch 5)
● Academic writing formats (Ch 8)
● Academic writing style (Ch 10)
● Shaping your paragraph (Ch 11)
● Improving your grammar (Ch 12)
● Better punctuation (Ch 13)
● Better spelling (Ch 14)
● Enhancing your vocabulary (Ch 15)

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 Table 1.1 Examples of how ‘playing with language’ can improve your
writing. Writing can often be improved by rearranging the order of words
or phrases, by choosing more suitable words or by separating out ideas into
independent elements. Examples A–C below illustrate possible techniques
that you might adopt.

A. Heads and tails

Sometimes a sentence works better if you experiment by shifting elements
around within it. A phrase or clause that is at the tail end of the sentence might
be more powerful, and emphasise your meaning more strongly, if it is positioned
at the head of the sentence. For example:
Version A1: The practical application of ‘duty to disclose’ in relation to the onset
of multiple sclerosis was deliberately entrusted to the discretion of the medical
profession because it was seen as impossible to define in policy.
could become
Version A2: Since it was considered impossible to define ‘duty to disclose’ in
policy in relation to the onset of multiple sclerosis, the practical application was
deliberately entrusted to the medical profession.
Both instances have validity. However, as a writer, you might wish to place the
emphasis on the reason for the failure to define a policy. In that case, Version A2
would be better. However, if you felt the emphasis should rest with the role of the
medical profession, then Version A1 would be better. This shows the importance
of considering your intention as you construct and review your writing, and it
emphasises how important applying logic is to the whole process.
B. Better word, clearer meaning
Academic writing should, by definition, be both precise and concise. However,
sometimes in the process of writing the need to record the ideas overtakes the
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accuracy and clarity that might be desirable. Consequently, take time to review
your work to identify ways in which you can use words more appropriately to
achieve clarity. For example:
Version B1: The practical application of ‘duty to disclose’ in relation to the onset
of multiple sclerosis was deliberately entrusted to the decision-making process
operating in the medical profession because it was seen as impossible to define
in policy.
could become
Version B2: The practical application of ‘duty to disclose’ in relation to the onset
of multiple sclerosis was deliberately entrusted to the discretion of the medical
profession because it was seen as impossible to define in policy.
Not only is Version B2 clearer than Version B1, but it expresses more aptly the
leeway that the situation implies.
▲

McMillan, K 2011, How to Write Essays & Assignments : UEL, Pearson Education UK, Harlow. Available from:
ProQuest Ebook Central. [281February
Why 2023].
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 Table 1.1 continued

C. Long and short sentences

Sometimes it is better to split an overly long or complex sentence. For example:
Version C1: The practical application of ‘duty to disclose’ in relation to the onset
of multiple sclerosis was deliberately entrusted to the discretion of the medical
profession because it was seen as impossible to define in policy.
could become
Version C2: The practical application of ‘duty to disclose’ in relation to the
onset of multiple sclerosis was deliberately entrusted to the discretion of the
medical profession. This decision was reached because it was seen as impossible
to define in policy.
Version C1 places the reason as a tag on the end of the main clause, whereas
Version C2 emphasises the reason by stating it as a separate sentence.

Although it is possible to enjoy the luxury of writing well when

there is time to polish the finished version of essays and other
assignments written over a reasonably long time frame, there may
not be the same opportunity to indulge this attention to detail
under examination conditions. Nevertheless, the practice gained
constructing essays within the scheme of your coursework develops
the skill of writing which helps you to write well under pressure
within the time limits of exams.
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● Intellect and writing

Writing is an expression of logic that is the product of thinking.

Thus, the writing that you produce is a reflection of your intellectual
abilities. It puts into words your knowledge and your conceptual
understanding and shows evidence of your critical thinking.
Furthermore, it demonstrates your competence in expressing
higher-order concepts in ways that, for example, show your
ability to:
● provide evidence of your problem-solving abilities;
● construct arguments and counter-arguments;
● engage with the higher-order thinking of others and to integrate
the essence of that thinking into your own work; and
● express opinions based on sound analysis, synthesis and evaluation
of multiple sources.

McMillan, K 2011, How to Write Essays & Assignments : UEL, Pearson Education UK, Harlow. Available from:
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 Often problems of writing stem from lack of logic and this can be
overcome by planning the structure of the entire text as well as the
paragraphs and sentences that it contains.

It would be an exceptional author who could write fluently and

without error at the first attempt. Therefore, offering your material to
a ‘study buddy’, friend or family member for comment can provide
insights into areas where your logic has slipped either in expression
or rationale. Learning to accept criticism of your writing from others
helps you to develop skills in refining your thoughts and your use of
language. Ultimately, you should aim to be self-critical as part of the
writing process.

Demonstrating your higher-order skills in writing i

Chapters that relate to demonstrating your intellectual ability in
writing are:

● Tackling writing assignments (Ch 3)

● Thinking critically (Ch 7)
● Planning writing assignments (Ch 9)
● Plagiarism and copyright infringement (Ch 17)
● Citing and listing references (Ch 18)
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● Writing as part of the process of communication

If writing is the product of thought, it is also a vehicle for

communicating that thought to others. Communicating your ideas
in writing is important because:

● it shows that you can meet the expectations and marking criteria
of those who grade your work;
● it demonstrates your intellectual abilities to others;
● it identifies you as a higher-order thinker who can engage with
more sophisticated ideas;
● it demonstrates your ability to analyse and explain complex ideas
to others; and
● it illustrates your competence as an effective communicator to
future employers.

McMillan, K 2011, How to Write Essays & Assignments : UEL, Pearson Education UK, Harlow. Available from:
ProQuest Ebook Central. [28 1February
Why 2023].
expressing yourself well in writing is important 7
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 i Demonstrating good communication skills
in writing
Chapters that relate to demonstrating your ability to absorb
information and communicate well in writing are:

● What markers are looking for in your essays and assignments

(Ch 2)
● Note-making from texts (Ch 6)
● Academic writing style (Ch 10)
● Reviewing, editing and proof-reading (Ch 16)
● Presentation of assignments (Ch 19)

Without the combination of effective use of writing skills and

your intellectual abilities, you will have limited success in
communicating your ideas to others. This may mean that the
effort you expend on producing your essays may not be reflected
in good grades. Attributes of your academic writing that can
impede or enhance the communicative effectiveness of your
essays include:

● Register. To express yourself well in writing, you need to be

aware that the form of communication that you might use in
speech is not suitable for the more formal ‘register’ of academic
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essay-writing (Ch 10). Register relates to the levels of informality

or formality that can sometimes impede communication. A piece
of text that is written in an informal manner may fail to
communicate ideas for a number of reasons:
– Informal language is, by its very nature, limited and imprecise
and can resort to use of transient slang expressions which may
rapidly become dated and obsolete.
– Since informal language is closely related to speech, there
is a greater likelihood that it will be more emotive and less
objective in its tone.
– Informality in writing may not be seen as a serious attempt
at responding to the essay task. (On the other hand, an essay
written in an over-complex register with a style of language
that is convoluted or archaic is just as likely to impede
understanding and effective communication.)

McMillan, K 2011, How to Write Essays & Assignments : UEL, Pearson Education UK, Harlow. Available from:
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 Carefully worded text, using well-constructed sentences and
paragraphs appropriate to the understanding and ability of
your audience, is more likely to communicate ideas well; and,
in terms of essays, is more likely to earn you good grades.
● Objectivity. If you want to communicate clearly in written
assignments, then it is important to adopt a style of writing
that conveys your ideas in a way that presents an objective
perspective on the topic (Ch 10). If you provide your readers
with a subjectively worded commentary, then they will be less
likely to consider your work a professional piece of writing. It is
possible to write in a detached way, yet convey that the views
are personal.

● Taking a long-term view

Developing your skill in academic writing is a challenging process.

It requires time and patience to learn from the drafting, crafting,
and redrafting that is part of the evolutionary passage of every
assignment from rough notes to final version. As you gain expertise
in critiquing your own writing, you will gain confidence in your ability
to produce good, well-expressed text. In addition, each criticism you
receive, whether from colleagues or from teaching staff, will help
you to refine and enhance your skill as an autonomous and effective
academic communicator and author.
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Practical tips for expressing yourself well

in writing

Become more aware of the different registers of writing. Writing a

message on a holiday postcard is an informal sort of communication;
however, writing an essay or professional report invites a more formal
approach. Scrutinise your writing to ensure that you use language and
structures that are well suited to the more formal style and vocabulary
expected at university.

Learn more about the writing styles used in your subject area.
A commonly held view is that there are considerable differences in
the writing styles employed in different disciplines. While this will
clearly be the case in terms of content, the style of writing will be

McMillan, K 2011, How to Write Essays & Assignments : UEL, Pearson Education UK, Harlow. Available from:
ProQuest Ebook Central. [281February
Why 2023].
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 governed by good use of standard English, written clearly and without
ambiguity – and this holds true for all disciplines. Long words, long
sentences and long paragraphs do not necessarily add up to messages
that are written clearly. Become familiar with the writing of some of
the experts in your field and examine their texts to help you decide
what makes their writing powerful and expressive.

Compare your writing with the writing of a friend. Writing is

essentially a solo process, but getting together with a friend or friends
to compare your writing style and general approach to written work
can give everyone insight into alternative approaches. Some wordy
writers may see the value of short, sharp sentences when wishing
to emphasise a point, while those who write too informally or
idiomatically may gain some insight about writing in a more formal
and impersonal style.

Learn more about how you are expected to write within your
target profession. Many of the tasks you will be asked to undertake
at university are designed to prepare you for writing in your
professional life. Once you graduate you will probably need to
adapt your writing skills further in order to meet the ‘house style’ of
your employer or, perhaps, the style expected by your professional
body. Again, seeking out and surveying some such professional
material – for example, in-house journals, reports or printed publicity
– will help to give you an understanding of what you might be
expected to produce.
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Develop deliberate strategies to help expand your vocabulary.

Often the different nuances that need to be explained in a text can be
lost simply because of the rather limited range of words that writers
have at their disposal. Thus, acquiring a good command of the
specialist terminology (jargon) used in your specific field is essential to
the development of your academic writing. However, these words and
phrases represent only a small part of the language that you will need
to express your ideas with flair and confidence. For this reason,
increasing your vocabulary in general is a good way to enhance your
writing skills and you can achieve this by reading widely within your
own field and beyond. Over time, this will help to develop the style
and fluency of your writing (Ch 15).

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 Spend some time looking at how you can meet the expectations
of markers. Bringing your work up to standard could be as simple
as learning some of the more sophisticated grammatical rules, making
yourself aware of some of the finer points of punctuation, or learning
some fairly routine aspects of presentation. These are the sorts of
things that markers expect to be part of the skills set that students
should possess and so, if you can identify the areas in which you might
improve the way you write and how you present your writing, you may
be able to improve your grades.

GO And now . . .

1.1 Look at your present work and compare the writing with
work you did some time ago. Look for ways in which your
writing is evolving as your studies progress. What sorts of things
have changed? What might you strive to change to make your
writing more expressive and effective?

1.2 Learn more about language. By using your writing skills to

make contributions to your university students’ newspaper or
by joining a creative writing class, you will have an opportunity
to learn about how language works and how it can be used to
good effect in different genres. This will help you to develop as
a writer and also provide you with constructive feedback from
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other more experienced writers.

1.3 Think about your writing skills in context of employment.

Look at job advertisements in professional journals or national
newspapers. See how often posts advertised require applicants
with ‘good communication skills’. This includes the skill of writing
so you should consider just how confidently you could state
that your writing skills might meet these requirements and how
you might provide evidence of this. If you feel your writing skills
could be improved, then much of the material in this book could
be of value as you develop your ability and create a portfolio of
evidence to support your applications.

McMillan, K 2011, How to Write Essays & Assignments : UEL, Pearson Education UK, Harlow. Available from:
ProQuest Ebook Central. [281February
Why 2023].
expressing yourself well in writing is important 11
Created from bcu on 2023-02-28 13:14:16.
Copyright © 2011. Pearson Education UK. All rights reserved.

McMillan, K 2011, How to Write Essays & Assignments : UEL, Pearson Education UK, Harlow. Available from:
ProQuest Ebook Central. [28 February 2023].
Created from bcu on 2023-02-28 13:14:16.