Essay Writing: The Basics

Essay Writing: The Basics

The following principles are a general outline of the steps a student might use when writing essays and assignments.

What Does a Good Essay Need?

An academic essay aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence.

• An academic essay should answer a question or task.
• It should have an argument.
• It should try to present or discuss something: develop a 'thesis' or a set of closely related points - by reasoning and evidence.
• An academic essay should include relevant examples, supporting evidence andinformation from academic texts or credible sources.

Basic Steps in Writing an Essay

In no strict order . . .

• Analyse the question and define key terms
• Establish your argument/point of view
• Research the topic. Use books, journals and other credible academic sources for support and evidence.
• Take notes from your readings.
• Write your plan and organise your ideas
• Write your first draft to include your introduction, body and conclusion
• Set the draft aside for a day or two, then read it through and make changes
• Edit and redraft your essay
• Have a friend/parent/colleague read it
• Complete or check your references and bibliography
• Final draft completed - hand it in

Starting Your Essay

Although there are some basic steps to writing an assignment, essay writing is not a linear process. You might work through the different stages a number of times in the course of writing an essay. For example, you may go back to the reading and notetaking stage if you find another useful text, or perhaps to reread to locate specific information.

Start work early

You can't write a successful essay unless you give yourself enough time to read, research, think and write. Don't procrastinate or leave it until the last minute; start as early as possible.

Define the question and analyse the task

Writing down everything you know about a topic is not enough to make a good academic essay. Analysing, then answering the essay's question or task is central.

• Be sure that you understand exactly what the question requires you to do.
• Identify the key words (like discuss or analyse) and clarify the approach you are required to take.

The Illustrated Guide to a Ph.D.

Matthew Might, a computer science professor at the University of Utah, writes: “Every fall, I explain to a fresh batch of Ph.D. students what a Ph.D. is. It’s hard to describe it in words. So, I use pictures.” Here it goes. Matt’s Illustrated Guide:

Imagine a circle that contains all of human knowledge:

By the time you finish elementary school, you know a little:

By the time you finish high school, you know a bit more:

With a bachelor’s degree, you gain a specialty:

A master’s degree deepens that specialty:

Reading research papers takes you to the edge of human knowledge:

Once you’re at the boundary, you focus:

You push at the boundary for a few years:

Until one day, the boundary gives way:

And, that dent you’ve made is called a Ph.D.:

Of course, the world looks different to you now:

So, don’t forget the bigger picture:

Keep pushing.

Investing with UNSW

The teaching and research conducted at UNSW has significant effects throughout Australian society and overseas. The University is an important training ground for the best and brightest minds, and our international outlook provides opportunities for the global networking that has the potential to produce faster solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges.

Supporting the work of the University and helping us to develop our capabilities is an investment in future of the world. Your support may be instrumental in building a stronger Australian economy, saving lives internationally and domestically, creating healthier environments or offering greater possibilities for world peace.

You may choose to invest with UNSW through:

• the establishment of new research facilities and funding to attract world class researchers or the support of existing research
• the provision of industry-linked scholarships, like the UNSW Co-op Program, which gives sponsors access to high achieving students and graduates
• the Alumni Business Partners Program, which gives business the opportunity to partner the University in providing services to graduates
• offering professional pro bono work to UNSW Schools and Centres as well as our outreach activities which serve the community.
• support of University sporting activities and other special events which offer the opportunity for raised community profile.

Beyond the social good which results from investing in the University’s activities, sponsors can receive considerable community recognition for their activities, including naming rights; be kept up-to-date with cutting-edge developments in research, and have improved access to the University’s facilities and staff.

UNSW is well-placed to structure sponsorships to match a sponsor’s unique choices and needs.

Events @ UNSW - Sept 15 2010

Current Events - Wed Sep 15 Wed Sep 15 Albie Sachs in Conversation With Bob Debus Australian Human Rights Centre After returning to South Africa from a period of exile, during which he survived an assassination attempt, human rights lawyer, Albie Sachs played a significant role in drafting South Africa's post-apartheid Constitution and was appointed by Nelson Mandela to the country's first Constitutional Court which interprets South Africa's Bill of Rights. Bob Debus was appointed Minister for Home Affairs under the Rudd Labor Government in 2007. Prior to his Federal appointment, he was NSW Attorney General, Environment Minister and Minister for the Arts. For further information please contact Amber Rowe on (02) 9385 1803 or visit http://www.ahrcentre.org/ahrcevents.html New College Lecture Series: Music, Modernity and God. Lecture 2: Freedom - Can we be Free with God in Our space? New College It has been said that the quest for freedom defines the modern age. And it is often assumed that the more God is involved in our lives, the less freedom we have. In this lecture, Jeremy Begbie will show that 'musical space' can help us develop a far more biblical account of human freedom and discover that God is not freedom's enemy. For further information please contact Jonathan Billingham on (02) 9381 1999 or visit http://www.newcollege.unsw.edu.au/newcollegelectures.html The Art and Architecture of the South African Constitutional Court Australian Human Rights Centre Former South African Constitutional Court judge, Albie Sachs, will screen and discuss a 30 minute documentary about the design of the South Africa's 'Court of Transformation'. For further information please contact Amber Rowe on (02) 9385 1803 or visit http://www.ahrcentre.org/ahrcevents.html Utzon Lecture Series: Recent Parks, Sydney's Great Design Strengths Built Environment Pre-function drinks and refreshments will be served from 6-7pm . The lecture will commence at 7pm. Sacha Coles- Intro and Chair - Transformative projects. Setting the scene through Sydney's recent projects. Linda Corkery - Open space at the metro scale. Linda will present on Metro Parks as the Green infrastructure of the city. Her talk will cover the social imperatives of ensuring public access to healthy environments and how the aesthetic and visual qualities of these parks and places give shape to the surrounding urban form. Adrian McGregor - The Waterfront Transformation. Adrian's presentation will look at how the translocation of fossil fuel land uses on the city waterfront have lead to the remediation of post industrial sites for community recreation and environmental restoration. Adrian's talk will look in detail at two of McGregor Coxall's recent projects in Sydney. Jane Irwin - The Local. Jane will present on the value of the local network of parks and spaces that provide social spaces and opportunities for enriching life in the city. Jane will focus on recent public projects from her office from Auburn to Camperdown. For further information please contact Holly Ferreira on (02) 9385 4800 or visit http://www.fbe.unsw.edu.au/ Warrane Lecture 2010: Colours and Sizes of the Black Dog Warrane College Professor Gordon Parker AO, Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, will deliver the 2010 Warrane Lecture: Colours and Sizes of the Black Dog. Professor Parker is a leading critic of the current unitary classification of major depressive disorder in the current DSM IV-TR paradigm, and has proposed the revival of the old diagnosis of melancholia. For further information please contact Dr Phillip Elias on (02) 9313 0300 or visit http://www.warrane.unsw.edu.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=102 Thu Sep 16 Australia Ensemble Lunch-Hour Workshop 5 Music Performance Unit The Australia Ensemble with composer Nigel Butterley explore his chamber piece Spindles of the Stars. For further information please contact Ursula Bremner on (02) 9385 4874 or visit http://www.ae.unsw.edu.au/ Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology Information Evening School of Chemistry The UNSW School of Chemistry is pleased to invite Year 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents to attend an information evening featuring Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology. Learn about career opportunities and speak with current students and academic staff over refreshments. For further information please contact School of Chemistry on (02) 9385 4666 or visit http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/chemistry-information-evening/ New College Lecture Series: Music, Modernity and God. Lecture 3: Language - Can we Speak About God Without Words? New College While language is powerful, many point to its severe limits. This lecture explores the ways music has been caught up in the debate about the power and limits of language. Many say music can 'transcend' words. What place is there for music in a faith that depends on God using human words to make himself known? For further information please contact Jonathan Billingham on (02) 9381 1999 or visit http://www.newcollege.unsw.edu.au/newcollegelectures.html Sat Sep 18 Australia Ensemble Subscription Concert 5 Music Performance Unit This night showcases a variety of musical styles as the Australia Ensemble performs: Peggy Glanville-Hicks - Concertino da camera Nigel Butterley - Spindles of the Stars Robert Schumann - Piano Trio no.2 in F Op.80 Wolfgang Mozart - Clarinet Quintet in A, K581. For further information please contact Ursula Bremner on (02) 9385 4874 or visit http://www.ae.unsw.edu.au/ Mon Sep 20 Obesity Surgery, Morality and Anti-Obesity Policy in the UK Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) Dr Karen Throsby, Department of Sociology, University of Warwick, UK discusses: "I'd be embarassed to have it out because I had it done on the National Health Service": Obesity Surgery, Morality and Anti-Obesity Policy in the UK." For further information please contact Duncan Aldridge on (02) 9385 7802 Tue Sep 21 The Asylum Debate Faculty of Law A Q&A - style panel discussion with international refugee law experts: > Professor Guy Goodwin-Gill (Oxford) > Professor Geoff Gilbert (Essex) > Professor Kate Jastram (Berkeley) > Associate Professor Jane McAdam (UNSW). The discussion will be moderated by Professor George Williams (UNSW). Following this, Professor Stephen Castles (Sydney) will launch a new book edited by Jane McAdam, Climate Change and Displacement: Multidisciplinary Perspectives (Hart Publishing, Oxford, 2010). For further information please contact Jane McAdam (please RSVP online) on (02) 9385 2210 or visit http://www.law.unsw.edu.au/news_and_events/events/event-detail.asp?id=3552 Wed Sep 22 Fairest Flowers - Burgundian Consort Recital Music Performance Unit The Burgundian Consort's annual evening recital, featuring works on floral themes including Britten's Five Flower Songs, and members of the Australia Ensemble @UNSW. For further information please contact Adult $10, Concession $5 on (02) 9385 4874 Thu Sep 23 So, what? Lecture: Always With Me: How Mobile and Social Media are Changing Us Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Professor Kate Crawford from UNSW Journalism and Media Research Centre speaks on her research on how mobile and social media are changing us. For further information please contact Duncan Aldridge on (02) 9385 8512 or visit http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/so-what/ Fri Sep 24 Biomedical Imaging Symposium 2010 - From Seeing to Believing: Quantitative Microscopy Biomedical Imaging Facility (BMIF) The inaugural symposium From seeing to believing: Quantitative Microscopy, will be held in conjunction with the opening of the Biomedical Imaging Facility (BMIF). The focus of the talks is on how emerging imaging technologies and advanced image analysis tools can be utilised to address biological questions that cannot be resolved with traditional approaches. For further information please contact Lin Chin on (02) 9385 1721 or visit http://www.bmif.unsw.edu.au/ Sat Sep 25 Lights and Shadows Conference Creston College The focus of this conference is 'New Directions For Global Times: Women in Corporate and Public Life'. The key note address, 'Reality Check: New Light on the Work-Life Balancing Act', will given by the ACT Telstra Business Woman of the Year and ABC Spokesperson Lynne Pezzullo. The conference will end with testimonies and performance of soprano Helen Zerefos. For further information please contact Isabella Conde on (02) 0403 864 952 or visit http://www.crestoncollege.edu.au/tabs/LightsandShadows.html Mon Sep 27 UNSW JD (Juris Doctor) Information Session - UNSW Postgrad Study Expo Faculty of Law UNSW JD (Juris Doctor) is the new professional law degree for graduates of disciplines other than law. Register now to find out more about the UNSW JD. For further information please contact Susie Phe on (02) 9385 9531 or visit http://www.law.unsw.edu.au/future_students/jd/information-sessions.asp Tue Sep 28 Lowy Cancer Research Centre Student Information Night Lowy Cancer Research Centre Information evening for students seeking projects for Honours, Masters or PhD in medical research for 2011. Meet with potential supervisors from our Adult Cancer Program, Centre for Vascular Research and Children's Cancer Institute Australia over pizza and refreshments and take a tour of the new Lowy Cancer Research Centre facilities. For further information please contact Amanda Philp on (02) 93851709 or visit http://www.cancerresearch.unsw.edu.au/crcweb.nsf/resources/Lowy+Student+Info+Night+Flyer+2010.pdf/$file/Lowy+Student+Info+Night+Flyer+2010+V2+(2).pdf UNSW Canberra Postgraduate Information Day ADFA Public Relations Office Postgraduate Information Day For further information please contact Karen Leung on (02) 6268 8296 or visit http://pgday.unsw.adfa.edu.au/ Sat Sep 4 to Mon Oct 4 CrisisCamp Sydney: Hacking for Pakistan Floods Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship This CrisisCamp helps with the collection, organizing and sharing of disaster response information for relief agencies in Pakistan. The event is in partnership with the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), World Bank, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) and Drumbeat. For further information please contact Martin Bliemel on (02) 9385 5671 or visit http://cie-unsw.blogspot.com/2010/08/crisiscamp-sydney-hacking-for-pakistan.html Mon Sep 27 to Thu Sep 30 UNSW Postgrad Study Expo Student Recruitment Office There's never been a better time to take the next step and complete your 'to do' list. Please visit our week of events showcasing the many coursework and research programs available. It's your chance to chat with specialist advisors and have your questions answered. For further information please contact Student Recruitment Office on (02) 9385 1844 or visit http://postgradexpo.unsw.edu.au/

How to apply

Admission to UNSW is based on academic merit. If you are seeking admission to an undergraduate program you must be able to provide evidence that you have the potential for tertiary study.

For admission purposes there are two groups of applicants to UNSW programs:

• Local applicants are classified as Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens
• International applicants are classified as citizens of a country other than Australia or New Zealand

Local applicants

Local applicants (as classified above) must have completed Year 12 in Australia and must apply through theUniversities Admissions Centre (UAC). Please use the UAC code provided in the undergraduate program you wish to study when applying.

International applicants

International applicants completing an Australian Year 12 (either in Australia or offshore), the NZ NCEA Level 3 qualification or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia, should apply via UAC International at theUniversities Admissions Centre (UAC).

All other international applicants who have completed or are completing qualifications other than those listed above should apply directly to UNSW. Please read the UNSW step by step guide to applying for an undergraduate program.

Can I transfer between programs?

A minimum of 6 courses must be completed before re-applying to UAC for transfer into a program with a higher Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). UAC will assess your request for transfer on the basis of your ATAR result and the academic results from your studies at university. UNSW offers their students the option of an internal program transfer.

Further info: UNSW Program Transfer (Internal) How do I apply for a program? Local students who have completed Year 12 in Australia apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) www.uac.edu.au. International students who have completed Year 12 in Australia or the International Baccalaureate (IB) also apply through UAC. All other international students apply directly to UNSW at www.apply.unsw.edu.au Further info: Apply online

UNSW Campus Tours

Every Friday at 3:30pm, students, parents, high school staff and visitors are invited to participate in a tour of the UNSW Kensington Campus. The one hour tour takes in most of the university campus and offers participants the opportunity to ask questions about Faculties, courses, student life, etc.

Tour Guides are highly trained Student Ambassadors with a wealth of knowledge of the University and have first-hand experience studying at the University.

Registration for these tours is essential as group size is limited to 10.

When: 3:30pm; Every Friday, rain or shine, except for 2 April, 24 and 31 December 2010.
Register: Registration is essential and should be completed at www.campustours.unsw.edu.au

How to Apply to UNSW

How to apply

Admission to UNSW is based on academic merit. If you are seeking admission to an undergraduate program you must be able to provide evidence that you have the potential for tertiary study.

For admission purposes there are two groups of applicants to UNSW programs:

• Local applicants are classified as Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens
• International applicants are classified as citizens of a country other than Australia or New Zealand

Local applicants

Local applicants (as classified above) must have completed Year 12 in Australia and must apply through theUniversities Admissions Centre (UAC). Please use the UAC code provided in the undergraduate program you wish to study when applying.

International applicants

International applicants completing an Australian Year 12 (either in Australia or offshore), the NZ NCEA Level 3 qualification or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia, should apply via UAC International at theUniversities Admissions Centre (UAC).

All other international applicants who have completed or are completing qualifications other than those listed above should apply directly to UNSW. Please read the UNSW step by step guide to applying for an undergraduate program.

Can I transfer between programs?

A minimum of 6 courses must be completed before re-applying to UAC for transfer into a program with a higher Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). UAC will assess your request for transfer on the basis of your ATAR result and the academic results from your studies at university. UNSW offers their students the option of an internal program transfer.

Further info: UNSW Program Transfer (Internal) How do I apply for a program? Local students who have completed Year 12 in Australia apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) www.uac.edu.au. International students who have completed Year 12 in Australia or the International Baccalaureate (IB) also apply through UAC. All other international students apply directly to UNSW at www.apply.unsw.edu.au Further info: Apply online