How to write better essays

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This indispensable guide takes students through each step of the essay writing process, enabling them to tackle written assignments with confidence. Students will develop their ability to analyse complex concepts, evaluate and critically engage with arguments, communicate their ideas clearly and concisely and generate more ideas of their own.

Chapters are short and succinct and cover topics such as reading purposefully, note-taking, essay writing in exams and avoiding plagiarism. Packed with practical activities and handy hints which students can apply to their own writing, this is an ideal resource for students looking to improve the quality and clarity of their academic writing.

This book will be a source of guidance and inspiration for students of all disciplines and levels who need to write essays as part of their course.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction (p. ix)
• Why Write Essays? (p. 1)
• The Stages (p. 6)
• Stage 1 Interpretation of the Question (p. 9)
• Introduction (p. 9)
• 1 Revealing the Structure (p. 11)
• 2 A Practical Example (p. 19)
• 3 Learning to Analyse (p. 26)
• 4 The Three-Step Technique - Steps 1 and 2 (p. 30)
• 5 Creating Your Own Concept (p. 39)
• 6 Step 3 - Test Your Concept (p. 45)
• 7 Brainstorming (p. 52)
• 8 Flexibility (p. 61)
• 9 Using the Right Ability (p. 68)
• 10 The Range of Abilities (p. 72)
• 11 Changing Our Pattern of Study (p. 77)
• Stage 2 Research (p. 83)
• Introduction (p. 83)
• 12 Reading Purposefully (p. 86)
• 13 Processing the Ideas (p. 90)
• 14 Note-taking for Analysis and Structure (p. 97)
• 15 Remembering Your Notes (p. 102)
• 16 Note-taking for Criticism and Evaluation (p. 109)
• 17 Thinking and Reading Critically (p. 120)
• 18 Organising Your Retrieval System (p. 134)
• 19 Organising Your Time (p. 142)
• 20 Your Own Personal Timetable (p. 151)
• Stage 3 Planning (p. 159)
• Introduction (p. 159)
• 21 Planning: Getting the Highest Grades (p. 162)
• 22 Editing and Ordering Your Material (p. 169)
• 23 Planning for the Exam (p. 178)
• 24 Revising for the Exam (p. 184)
• Stage 4 Writing (p. 191)
• Introduction (p. 191)
• 25 Getting Your Own Ideas Down (p. 194)
• 26 Introductions (p. 201)
• 27 Paragraphs - Topic Sentences (p. 206)
• 28 Paragraphs - Development and Evidence (p. 214)
• 29 Conclusions (p. 220)
• 30 Style - Simplicity 1: Sentences (p. 225)
• 31 Style - Simplicity 2: Words (p. 234)
• 32 Style - Economy (p. 239)
• 33 Style - the Dos and Don'ts (p. 243)
• 34 Working with Evidence (p. 250)
• 35 Plagiarism (p. 260)
• 36 Referencing and Bibliographies (p. 268)
• 37 Reflective Writing (p. 278)
• Stage 5 Revision (p. 285)
• Introduction (p. 285)
• 38 Preserving Your Best Ideas (p. 288)
• 39 Revising the Structure (p. 292)
• 40 Revising the Content (p. 297)
• Conclusion (p. 308)
• Bibliography (p. 310)
• Index (p. 311)