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

10. Using our Study Skills Effectively

11. Reading Purposefully

12. Processing the Ideas

13. Note-taking for Analysis and Structure

14. Remembering Your Notes

15. Note-taking for Criticism and Evaluation

16. Thinking and Reading Critically

17. Note-taking for Creativity

18. Organising Your Retrieval System

Stage 3 Planning

Introduction

19. Planning: Getting the Highest Grades

20. Editing and Ordering Your Material

21. Revision: Planning for the Exam

22. Exam Technique: Planning in the Exam

Stage 4 Writing

Introduction

23. Finding Your Own Voice

24. Suspending Your Judgement

25. Introductions

26. Paragraphs – Topic Sentences

27. Paragraphs – Development and Evidence

28. Conclusions

29. Style – Simplicity 1: Sentences

30. Style – Simplicity 2: Words

31. Style – Economy

32. Style – the Dos and Don’ts

33. Working with Evidence

34. Choosing the Best Word

35. Plagiarism

36. Referencing and Bibliographies

37. Reflective Writing

Stage 5 Revision

Introduction

38. Preserving Your Best Ideas

39. Revising the Structure