Improving Essay Writing (1 Viewer)

[Gregor Samsa]

Originally posted by rhapsodyinblack
Make sure you answer the question!
Seriously... if you don't answer the question they're asking... and write about something else... you'll fuck up.

Yeah, that is the key. Another important aspect is the art of nominalisation, seemingly basic techniques like maintaining the passive voice, and writing in an analytical structure.

For English essays, as a prominently located poster in my (former) English classroom states; Don't tell me what happened, tell me what it means, don't just retell the narrative, that's already been done, write analytically, with a central interpretation/thesis, then support this with your textual 'evidence'.. That is basically what an essay is, an organised argument supported by usage of 'texts' (Varying according to subject.. For History subjects, the 'text' is simply historical evidence and historiography..). Sadly, I never learnt this simple definition until the beginning of this year, but when I did, it made a huge difference in my writing.

[It's amazing how much difference it can make between teachers who are incompetent and ones who are actually good and virtuous.. In Year 11, we were actually told to use questions whenever possible in essays, and quite profanities, in order to make 'an impression on the markers'.. I kid you not. ]