UNIT4
ESSAY WRITING
An essay question is intended to measure your ability to
express your understanding of selected material (topic)
in an organized, written form. Writing an essay for a test
needs critical thinking and writing skills. A well-written
essay must completely answer the question, i.e. it must
contain sufficient amount of information that
demonstrates thorough knowledge of the topic.
Essay questions usually focus on specific tasks as
expressed by a certain verb. Following below are the
verbs usually found in essay questions:
1. Analyse – take a topic apart and see how each part
works.
2. Argue – take a viewpoint and give reasons to support
it.
3. Compare – point out likeness.
4. Contrast – point out differences.
5. Demonstrate/illustrate/present/show – provide
examples to support a point.
6. Describe – give a picture in words (give a detailed
account of a topic).
7. Discuss – examine a topic in detail.
8. Explain – give reasons.
9. Identify – point out specific persons, places, things, or
characteristics responsible for something.
10. Interpret – give the meaning or significance of
something.
11. List/outline/trace – give all steps in order or all
details about a subject.
13. Summarize – give a brief overview of the main
points.
Useful tips:
1. Read the question carefully and ensure that you
understand it.
2. Identify the task at hand and focus on it.
3. Avoid including irrelevant details or going off-topic.
4. Take a moment to use prewriting strategies, i.e. take
some minutes drafting and planning your essay, e.g. on
a rough draft.
5. Evaluate and revise before submitting.
Note: In an exam, it’s not possible to go through the
different writing strategies, but you can brainstorm
ideas, organize and plan and re-read, check and edit.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD ESSAY
1. It must be well-organized.
2. The main ideas and supporting points are clearly
presented (properly paragraphed).
3. It should be in complete and well-written sentences.
4. It must be free of spelling, punctuation and language
mistakes.
FORMAT:
A standard essay must have:
a) A title
b) An introduction
c) A body
d) A conclusion
WRITING AN INTRODUCTION
The importance of an introduction
The introduction serves basically two purposes:
a) To catch or attract your reader’s attention and to
motivate them to read further.
b) To identify the topic and to give some insight about
the topic.
Note: in short essays, the introductory paragraph
shouldn’t be too long; it’s only in long essays where it
can be several paragraphs or even several pages.
A good introduction should:
1. Have a hook (striking or interesting statement) at the
beginning to grab the reader’s attention.
2. Provide background information about your topic.
3. Give your reader an idea about the main points and
claims that you are going to discuss.
Ways of introducing your topic:
a) Asking a stimulating question, e.g. on an HIV topic: Is
there anybody who doesn’t know that Aids is one of the
biggest killers in the world?
b) Making a striking or shocking statement, e.g. on
‘Causes of accidents in Uganda’: Thousands have been
killed or injured on Ugandan roads due to reckless
driving!
c) Giving a captivating statistic, e.g. on ‘Population
growth in Africa’: At 9%, Africa has the fastest
population growth, and unless strict family planning is
put in place, 70% of her population will soon be under
twenty years of age!
d) An attention-grabbing quote, e.g. by a prominent
figure or scholar.
Note: Your first sentence should catch or attract your
reader’s attention. This should be followed by two or
three more sentences that provide details about your
topic or your process or what you intend to achieve in
your arguments.
Avoid the following mistakes in your hook or
introductory paragraph:
a) Using clichés like ‘First and foremost…’
b) Giving dictionary definitions
c) Writing generalizations, e.g. ‘We’re all dishonest’ for
‘Many/most of us are dishonest.’
d) Making sweeping statements with words like
everybody, everywhere, always, etc.
e) Including too much background information
f) Using too many quotes.
THE BODY OF AN ESSAY
This is the main part of your essay. This is where the
focus of your essay is, i.e. here you give the detailed
discussion of your arguments. Ensure that you pay
particular attention to the coherence of your sentences,
logical development of your paragraphs and correct
punctuation.
WRITING A CONCLUSION
The importance of a conclusion
It reminds the reader of the arguments in the essay by
offering the reader a solution, a question or insight into
the topic.
Ways of writing a conclusion:
a) Writing a summary conclusion, i.e. summarizing the
main ideas into a short paragraph.
b) Giving your own view in a short paragraph, i.e. giving
your own judgement or assessment.
c) Linking your conclusion to the introduction, i.e.
restating the importance of your opening remarks.
d) Suggesting a solution to a problem or giving the
implications of your arguments.
Avoid the following mistakes:
1. Avoid introducing the topic, new ideas or evidence
for the first time in the conclusion.
2. Ensure that your tone is consistent with the rest of
the topic.
3. Don’t begin your conclusion with phrases like ‘in
closing’, ‘in summary’ or ‘in conclusion’. These phrases
are redundant and unnecessary. It’s obvious that your
last paragraph is your conclusion.
Include the following in your conclusion:
a) End the essay on a positive note.
b) Show the importance of your ideas and the topic.
c) Provide your reader with a sense of closure.
d) Repeat and summarize your main points.
e) If possible, suggest a solution to the problem.
Note: Although it shouldn’t be too long, a conclusion
should be a paragraph on its own and not just one or
two sentences.
