Advice on Writing Your End of Semester Essay

1) The essay you are to write is only 1500 words long. So dont waffle!
Make your introductions brief and ensure that you stick to the set task at
all times. When you have finished your essay, go back through it and ask
yourself of every paragraph: is this helping me construct and support my
argument? How? It is isnt helping, delete it and see how the paper reads.

2) Each of the essay questions asks you whether you think a particular thing
is ethical or not. To answer the question you need to construct an
argument. It has to be an ethics argument and that means you must
articulate a principle and say why that principle is the appropriate principle
for the case and why it is more appropriate than competing principles. I
think it is easiest to think of this process in terms of the parts of your essay.

3) The first part of the essay should set out the basic facts of the case. A
factual basis for your argument is important, so make sure you set out the
important facts. Use good sources for these facts; dont rely on everybody
knows that back-up for your claims or low-quality sources like blogs.

4) The second part of the essay should offer your primary argument. X is
right/wrong because if adheres to/violates principle Y, and it does so in
this way.

5) The third part of your essay should be a defence of this choice of principle.
Principle Y is a valid principle because. (we use it in many similar
cases, because it tends to maximize general welfare; because it reflects
what it is to respect the autonomy and worth of all who are involved in the
situation). By all means, refer to moral theories to support your
argument here.

6) In the fourth part of your essay you should defend your argument by
considering alternatives and saying why they are not appropriate to the
situation. E.g. We could argue that principle Z is applicable to the case,
but principle Z is not plausible in situations like this, where the people
involved have in effect forfeited their right to have their autonomy
respected. Then say why the situation is like this. (This it just an
example.)

7) In the conclusion, briefly sum up what you have achieved in your paper;
dont change topic and talk about something else. Sum up what you have
argued.

8) It isnt necessary to follow this guideline exactly to write an argumentative

ethics essay, but this is a very useful way of thinking about the task.

9) In our essays, we look for clarity of expression. Your paper should be

carefully written so that the meaning of each sentence is clear and the way
it helps build up your argument is clear. You dont have to impress us with
 your enormous vocabulary or your capacity to invent complicated
sentences. Clarity is what you should aim for.

10) Your best chance of writing a good essay is to do extra research. But make
sure you use only good quality sources of information. (No blog entries!)
You can cite the opinions of others, but remember that these are just
opinions. You cannot use them as authority. (In argumentative essays,
using authorities like this is called committing the fallacy of argument by
authority.)

11) When you use a source in writing your paper, you must cite it. If you read
something, but dont adopt any of the ideas in it for your paper, then you
dont need to cite it. You can add it to a list of Works Consulted at the
end of your paper, but that is up to you. If you use any idea from another
persons writing, you must cite that writing. If you use the actual words of
another person, always, we really mean always, put quotation marks
around the passage and cite the source. Dont paraphrase another persons
ideas and pass them off as your own: this is plagiarism, just as much as
stealing other peoples words.

12) Use quotations sparingly. Dont include too many of them in short essays
like this one. Two or three, perhaps four, quotations are perfectly fine, as
long as they are relevant and not too long. If you include more quotes than
this, a significant percentage of your essay becomes made up of other
peoples words. Your tutor cannot assign you marks because of words you
have merely quoted.

13) You may use any of the standard citation systems. Make sure that full
bibliographical details are included. (Author, publisher, place of
publication, year of publication, page numbers). When citing internet
sources include the URL and your date of access.

14) Remember that your lecturer and tutors are there to help you. You can run
your ideas for the essay by them either during consultation hours or
through an email query. Marking criteria for the essay are attached to the
essay questions on iLearn.

My vision of success in life is being able to do what I am passionate about in a way

that can positively impact and help others. It is for this reason that I would be a
perfect fit at the RBA, which is an organisation that is dedicated to bringing economic
prosperity and welfare to the Australian people. While I share the same qualifications
as the other applicants, I differ from my peers through my dedication and passion for
working for others. Furthermore, my inherently ambitious and determined nature will
fuel a high degree of initiative that others without my passion will lack.

With my experience in various insurance lines, as well as current Actuarial and Data
science studies, I possess the combination of skills and qualities that will make me a
successful and hardworking employee. Furthermore, completing my higher education
at Bond University has allowed me to grow comfortable in a fast-paced, competitive
environment. Subsequently, I can state with absolute conviction that I would make an
excellent addition to the Graduate Development Program.