Getting Started

When writing an essay its easy to become stuck or lose your focus.

Remember to follow the steps of writing an essay: 1. Understand the task Note the keywords on the topic that you choose. Present ideas supported by an explanation and example (TEEL). 2. Brainstorm ideas Start by jotting down any ideas which come into your head about the topic (brainstorming). 3. Organise ideas Write your plan. This should be a series of headings and key words to remind you of what should be in each paragraph. 4. Write the essay Use TEEL. Make sure you use paragraphs. 5. Edit and proofread

Common Mistakes
Nondescriptive Words Structure Referencing Grammar
Logic Sequencing Conjunctions Tense Sentence Starters SMS text and Casual Language Spelling Commonly Confused words

Nondescriptive Words
Nondescriptive words are commonly used in many different ways to indicate a range of meanings. They are ambiguous, vague, inefficient and suggest that you dont have a clear idea of what you are talking about. NonAlternatives Descriptive similar, reminiscent, comparable, analogous, like Word related done/do completed, organised, prepared, accomplished good/nice virtuous, satisfactory,superior, beneficial, useful appalling, dangerous, faulty, bad corrupt, defective, harmful who they are they Unless you have said something What THING are you talking about? Be more specific interesting fascinating, appealing, remarkable, significant, relevant

Structure: Logic and Sequencing

Yes youve heard it all before: every essay should have an introduction, body and conclusion. What you dont know is that every paragraph also has a structure. Each paragraph needs to follow logically from the one before it. Planning your essay before you write it is the BEST way to make sure your ideas follow logically. Always use TEEL to help you organise your ideas.

Logic

Look out for logic traps, does your argument actually make sense? Do you have facts to support your case or was it just in your head

Logic Errors
Spot the errors in logic (real student essays):
For a nosebleed : Put nose much lower than the body until the heart stops. For asphyxiation : Apply artificial respiration until the patient is dead. A fossil is an extinct animal. The older it is, the more extinct it is. The skeleton is what is left after the insides have been taken out and the outsides have been taken off. The purpose of the skeleton is something to hitch meat to. The tides are a fight between the Earth and moon. All water tends

Sequencing
Sequencing is the order in which you present your essay. When an essay is in some sort of order, it is easier for the writer to put the essay together and for the reader to understand the main ideas presented.

Sequencing
Sequencing requires you decide in what order should the facts and arguments be presented. If you start talking about examples before you mention the topic your reader will not be able to follow. It is common to move paragraphs around in your essay so that the reader can follow your argument.

Sequencing
Sequencing Activity: Place these sentences in logical sequence.
In 2009 on the 7th of October, Sex Crimes Squad Detectives arrested and charged a 29 year old Moss Vale, NSW, man for having sexually explicit online conversations with a girl under the age of 16 and arranging to meet her to engage in sexual activity. This is one of the biggest ethical issues with internet use and highlights the need for laws and policies to protect children. The internet gives predators an easy gateway to embark on child grooming, the

Referencing
Referencing takes time, but it is a critical part of any essay. Once you get the hang of it referencing is actually easy. You must reference any articles or ideas you use in your essay, not just those that you copy and pasted. Make a Bibliography with the format:
Books: Author (Year) Title Place of Publication: Publisher Internet: Author (Year) Title [online] Available http://www. [date accessed]

DONT forget to include in text referencing after every quote or idea that is not yours. Use the format:

Referencing
1. A Bibliography: a) Is the study of biology and graphing b) is a list of all the resources used to write an essay c) should include only the references cited anywhere in the work d) should never be used in short articles. 2. Each entry in the Bibliography must be: a) Listed alphabetically by Author b) cited in text where it has been used c) published in a credible journal d) all of the above. 3. When quoting either pictures, tables or text in your document you must: a) provide the authors name in the text b) provide the year and page citation in the text c) include a complete reference in the Bibliography d) do only a and c e) do a, b and c.

Select the correct answer from the following:

Referencing

4. From the examples below select the correct form of citation for a reference taken from the World Wide Web a) What is the Internet? (July 1, 1998). Keith, K. www.library.unisa.edu.au/internet/intguide/intintro.htm b) Keith, K. What is the Internet? Retrieved June 23, 1999 from the World Wide Web: http://www.library.unisa.edu.au/internet/intguide/intintr o.htm c) Keith K 1998, What is the Internet? viewed 23 November, 1999. <http://www.library.unisa.edu.au/internet/intguide/intin tro.htm d) Web:http://www.library.unisa.edu.au/internet/intguide/intint ro.htm Keith, K. (July 1,1998). What is the Internet? viewed June 23, 1999 5. When citing an electronic source in the text include: a) The web address b) The author(s') name(s)

Conjunctions
Conjunctions link words, phrases, and clauses together. They should be used sparingly, and only to link related ideas together. Dont link unrelated ideas or long sentences, it confuses the reader! You need to consider the relationship between the 2 sentences or phrases you are linking. Then choose an appropriate type of conjunction to use.

Table of English Conjunctions (selected examples)

Common Conjuntions
Logical Meaning Across Sentences Addition and Replacement Also, in addition, furthermore moreover, further Contrast and However, on the other Comparison hand, in contrast, nevertheless, even so, despite this, in the same way, likewise, similarly Cause and Condition for this reason, therefore, because of this, thus, hence, as a result, consequently, in that case, otherwise Time and Place Then, afterwards, previously up till now, first , second third, next, finally Within Sentences and, and also nor or, or else But, whereas, while, even though, although, both and neither ..nor Because, since, so, so that in order that, if, unless

When, after, before

Co-ordinating Conjunctions
Co-ordinating Conjunctions simply link words, phrases, and clauses together:
Conjunction for and when but so

I paid the price for failing to study. He sat the exam when he was ready.

Where it should be used Aimed at, to benefit/behalf/instead of, towards, because, In addition to To indicate the time at which point something happens To introduce something that is true, despite whatreason for an action/situation or its The has just been said that is contrary result.

Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions indicates the nature of the relationship among the independent clause (A) and the dependent clause (B). They are more specific and should be used where a subordinate relationship exists.
After she had learned to drive, Alice felt more independent. Conjunction Where it should be used He excelled at the exam although he was not althoughready. spite of the fact that A, B. In

after though since whether

B occurring later in time than A. An admission that B partially contradicts A. A is happening because of or following from B Used to introduce doubt between A and B

Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions always appear in pairs to link equivalent sentence elements. The are used to link elements that are related or may be related in some way.
Both my grandfather and my father worked hard at school. He either passed or failed the exam.

Conjunction and both, either, or Not only, but also Whether, or

Where it should be used Where A and B are true or related Only 2 options: A is true, if it is not B must be true To highlight that A in particular, with the addition of B are true A or B may be the To indicate that either case.

Conjunction Conniptions 1
Choose an appropriate conjunction for the blanks: 1.There's so much rain lately! Maybe it's because of El Nino, _______ maybe it's just coincidence. 2.James was cold, _______ he put on a coat. 3.The teacher was not very nice, ______ the video was awesome. 4.I went to buy a Rolling Stones CD, _______the shop didn't have it. 5.Julie has a guitar, ______ she plays it

Conjunction Conniptions 2
Tie the following sentence elements together by using the conjunction in brackets. 1.Surfing is fun. It can be dangerous. (though) 2.The boat could not move. There was no wind. (since) 3.You should stay away from bears. They are dangerous. (because) 4.I took my umbrella. It was raining. (as)

Conjunction Conniptions 3
Tie the following sentence elements together by choosing a correlative conjunction. (both ... and; not only ... but also; either ... or; neither ... nor) 1.We could fly. We could go by train. 2.She will have to study hard. She will have to concentrate to do well on the exam. 3.The speaker will not confirm the story. The speaker will not deny the story. 4.Pneumonia is a dangerous disease. Small pox is a dangerous illness. 5.Fred loves travelling. Jane wants to go around the world. 6.It might rain tomorrow. It might snow tomorrow. 7.Playing tennis is good for your heart. Jogging is

Sentence Starters
Sentence starters are the words or phrases used to begin sentences Dont start sentences using the same starters.
It was a great day. It was sunny. It looked

Dont explain what you are going to talk about literally, introduce the idea and then get to it! Dont waste your words saying:
I will be talking about in this section The topics to be discussed in this essay will

like Jim could do his essay

If you are talking about a person use their name in the first sentence, followed by

be..

Tense
Tense are the tools use to explain time in the English language. Tenses are divided in to past, present and future NEVER swap tense mid sentence Avoid swapping tense multiple times in an essay.

Tense
You will need to decide whether you are talking about something that has happened, will happen or is happening now. Tenses can be simple, continuous or perfect
Simple Past I study science every day. Past Continuous

Simple

Present

Simple Future I am going to study science next year. Future Continuous

I was studying I will be studying science when you science when you arrive Past Perfect . Future . Perfect called yesterday tonight I had studied a I have studied science I will have studied little science in several different science by the time I before I moved here. countries. finish this course.

Two years ago, I studied science Present. Continuous overseas I am studying science now. Present Perfect

Tense
Choose the appropriate tense in the following examples: (you will need to decide the correct tense for the words in brackets). First decide past, present or future?
1.You look really great! (you, work) out at the fitness center recently? 2.What (you, do) when the accident occurred? 3.I (try) to change a light bulb that had burnt out. 4.I (have) the same car for more than ten years. I'm thinking about buying a new one. 5.If it (snow) this weekend, we (go) skiing near Falls Creek. 6.Sam (arrive) in Helensvale a week ago. 7.Samantha (live) in Berlin for more than two years. In fact, she (live) there when the Berlin wall came down.

SMS Text and Casual Language

It should go without saying that an essay is a professional document. Dont use SMS text speak in an essay. Dont use casual or flowery language Always use scientific terms, explaining them to your audience if appropriate
Casual Term Alternatives yes awesome etc as well as such as pretty much ok certainly, without doubt, the evidence suggests outstanding, exceptional, accurate, successful Are you just being lazy? List all the options or the most important ones in addition for example, to illustrate generally, on the whole, in most cases acceptable, reasonable, satisfactory, tolerable

Spelling
Spelling shouldnt be a big deal these days, with spell checking in built into most programs. So why is it still an issue? As good as software has become it cant replace proofreading. Ask a friend to read your essay, BEFORE you hand it in. The best way to prevent spelling problems is tooRead anything and everything...just for the fun of it! Just like anything else, you must practice to make perfect!

Spelling Bee
C h e ck th e w o rd s b e l w . o R e - w ri a n y te rm s th a t a re sp e l i co rre ctl w i te t n y th th e co rre ct sp e l i g : ln

1.Fraise 2.Sucess 3.Freind 4.Especially 5.Liscence 6.Aceptable 7.apparent

8.acqire 9.Remeber 10.Maintenence 11.Vacum 12.Sceince 13.Specificially 14.whitch

Commonly Confused Words

Make sure you check your use of the following terms.
Term there where weather affect adverse here number Meaning a place a situation or place Snowing, raining or hot to influence something harmful negative or results a place a calculable figure Term Meaning their belonging to people were be used in the past tense whetherindicates possibilities effect or alternatives action the result of an averse opposed to something hear what your ears do amount An incalculable quantity

Commonly Confused Words

Pick the right term for each sentence: 1. Scientists continue to study the effects/affects of sweeteners on humans. 2. Controversies over sweeteners have not seriously effected/affected the sales of diet soft drinks. 3. The scientists stood altogether/all together at the front of the stage. 4. Despite the positive result, the scientists sorrow was altogether/all together clear. 5. Expect a certain number/amount of madness when you marry someone with pets. 6. A great number/amount of pets can drive you mad. 7. Fate chooses our relatives, but we choose/chose/chosen our friends. 8. Last year, she choose/chose/chosen to ignore me, but now I have choose/chose/chosen to ignore her.

9.

Go forth and Write!