1

Before we start: What does the word text mean? Where does it come from and what does this show us?

GUIDELINE - HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ESSAY

First of all a good essay consists out of more than just one aspect. We have different points to consider when creating a really good essay. The first question is: Which type of essay do we have to write? We have to ask ourselves: What are the different aims of these essay types? Argumentative: Opinion: Narrative: Defining: Pro/Con: The next point is the content. NEVER NEVER NEVER, really never start writing without making up your mind about what you are going to write. The best will be when you make a short list with all the points you want to deal with in your essay. This may take you some time but you will save a lot of time when you write the essay, because then you can completely concentrate on the structure and style and you do not have to think about the content anymore.

When you have your list, make a short

draft

(Entwurf) of the sequence of

argumentation. Which argument has to follow the other, which ones are more important/interesting... Which ones are less important/interesting, etc. Generally it is the best to start with the weakest, or the most boring point and to finish with the most interesting or the strongest argument. So the reader does not lose the interest and wants to go on reading. (use the BBB chain Behauptung Begrndung Beispiel to develop a good draft and later to have a good argumentation in your essay) when writing the essay you can also start each paragraph easily with a topic sentence. Check afterwards if every point relates to the topic sentence and of course to the topic of the essay ;) Always think about counterarguments (Gegenargumente) and weaken them with your argumentation. ( have a look at the sample essays, find an example for weakening counterarguments) After being conscious about the type of essay, having strong arguments and a great sequence of arguments, LANGUAGE is the next important tool you have to use when writing a successful and fantastic essay.

Aichinger Essay Writing _ Guideline

2
You have to use FORMAL language. This means you have to use good vocabulary, avoid boring or cheap words (like I think, I think, I think, ), do not use short forms (I am, it would instead of Im, itd, ), etc. Use transitions and functions to develop your style and improve your language. (However, Furthermore )

Be aware of the parts of an essay: Introduction Main body Conclusion. How can an introduction look like?

Concerning the main body, make paragraphs after each idea! Each paragraph has to deal with one idea. You can start with a topic sentence ( have a look at the sample essays), being followed by a statement, the argumentation and examples. What do you think, why do you have to use (good!) examples?

You can finish each paragraph with a concluding sentence. If you write a short essay you do not need one. However, when writing long, well developed essays, a concluding sentence might round each paragraph. Concerning the conclusion you have to know that you can conclude or sum up. Where is the difference? To conclude means: To sum up means: Never forget: When you make a summary NEVER NEVER NEVER mention a new point! If you do not write an opinion essay, the conclusion is always a good place where you can state your opinion.

AND FINALLY! Some advice what you should consider when writing essays: 1. Answer the question No matter how interesting or well-written an essay, you will not be given any credit for your efforts unless it answers the question that was set. Your argument and evidence must be relevant to the question. This is the most important feature of what makes a good essay. It must deal with the subject or the topic(s). Your answer should demonstrate that you have understood what the question is asking for, that you have understood its key terms, and that you have followed all its instructions. 2. Clear structure
Aichinger Essay Writing _ Guideline

An essay should be like a good piece of architecture - built on firm foundations to carefully made plans. The points of your argument should be arranged in some structure which is logical and persuasive. If you are dealing with a number of issues, the relation between them should be clearly explained. The connections between each stage of your argument and the original question should be evident throughout the essay. 3. Appropriate style For an academic essay the third person ('he', 'she', or 'it') rather than the first person ('I') is a more preferable style. Occasional use of 'I' may be acceptable if a personal opinion has been specifically requested. You should keep your audience in mind. Try to imagine that you are addressing someone who is intelligent and reasonably, but not necessarily well-informed in the subject. Remember that your writing should be grammatically accurate. Poor punctuation and weak sentence construction will create a bad impression. Mixed tenses and metaphors should be avoided. Spelling mistakes should be corrected. 4. Arguments supported by evidence Essays should not be just a series of unsupported assertions. You need to provide some evidence to support them - either in the form of factual details, your own reasoning, or the arguments of others. You should always reveal the fact that you are using someone else's ideas. Provide attribution by using a system of footnotes or endnotes and accurate referencing. Never try to pass off other people's written words as your own. This is called plagiarism a form of intellectual dishonesty which is severely frowned upon in academic circles. 5. Clarity of thought One of the hallmarks of a good essay is that it demonstrates clarity of thought. This may be your ability to identify different issues and discuss them in a logical manner. It may mean organizing materials into a coherent structure for the essay. It could be showing that you are able to make important distinctions and insights. This may not come easily at first, but with practice it should be possible to gain greater clarity through discipline, selection, and planning. 6. Originality An essay will be rewarded with a good mark if it competently reviews all the well-known arguments in a subject and reaches a balanced conclusion. The highest grades however are often given - deservedly - to essays which display something extra. This may be a demonstration of original ideas or an unusual, imaginative approach. Such essays usually stand out because of their freshness and the sense of intellectual excitement they convey. But remember that you are not usually required to be original. Your teacher(s) will be perfectly satisfied if you simply answer their essay questions in a sensible and competent manner.

ENJOY WRITING!!!
Aichinger Essay Writing _ Guideline

And now