The Basics of Essay Writing Essay writing is an essential skill for any student, and the ability to produce clear, well-argued essays is fundamental to good coursework and written exams. This book offers all the superb guidance and advice you need to dramatically improve your essay writing skills – and your grades. The Basics of Essay Writing explains in Nigel Warburton’s acclaimed no-nonsense style why it is so important to write a good essay, and proceeds through a step-by-step exploration of exactly what you need to think about in order to improve. You will fnd help on how to: • focus on answering the question asked • research and plan your essay • build and sustain an argument • improve your writing style and tone. Packed full of handy tips and practical exercises, this book will give you the confidence to turn unruly piles of revision notes, coursework, or handouts into clear and focused essays. Students of all ages and in every subject area will fnd it an easy-to-use and indispensable aid to their studies. Nigel Warburton is Senior Lecturer at The Open University and a bestselling author. His other books include Thinking from A to Z (3rd edition), Philosophy: The Basics (4th edition), Philosophy: The Classics (3rd edition), Philosophy: The Essential Study Guide, The Art Question and Freedom, all published by Routledge. NIGEL WARBURTON The Basics of Essay Writing First published 2006 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon Oxon OX14 4RN Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business This edition published 2007 © 2006, 2007 Nigel Warburton Typeset in Rotis by Keystroke, 28 High Street, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Warburton, Nigel, 1962– The basics of essay writing/Nigel Warburton p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. 1. English language—Composition and exercises—Study and teaching (Secondary) 2. Report writing—Study and Teaching (Secondary) I. Title. LB1631. W246 2006 808′.042′0712—dc22 2005023377 ISBN10: 0–415–43404–1 ISBN13: 978–0–415–43404–1 Contents Acknowledgements ix Introduction 1 How to use this book 3 Key points 4 1 What’s the point? 5 Writing essays 7 Writing is thinking 8 Cultivate good habits 9 Key points 11 2 Start writing 13 Overcoming psychological obstacles 15 Avoid the weight of unfnished business 17 Do something rather than nothing 18 Customise your approach 19 Take breaks 19 Less than perfect can be good enough 20 Key points 21 3 Answer the question 23 The worst mistake 25 Direct questions 26 Instruction words 26 Key points 29 4 Research and planning 31 Discover what you need to know 33 v Contents Use reading lists 33 Stop researching and write something 34 Think on paper 35 Use the Internet 36 Key points 37 5 Beginnings, middles, ends 39 Beginnings 41 Middles 42 Ends 43 Key points 43 6 Making a case 45 Defend your conclusion 47 Paragraphs as units of thought 47 Use signposts 48 Keep to the point 49 Consider counterarguments/counterexamples 50 Argue to a conclusion 50 Key points 51 7 Plagiarism, quotation, reference 53 Avoid plagiarism 55 Use quotation marks 60 Give clear references and a bibliography 60 Key points 62 8 The craft of writing 63 Get the tone right 65 Be economical with adjectives 67 Punctuate effectively 67 Use the active voice 70 Avoid convoluted sentences 71 Be concise 73 vi Contents Avoid adverbs 73 Avoid clichés 74 Learn from others’ clarity 75 Avoid these common mistakes 75 Avoid sexist language 78 Spelling 79 Key points 82 9 The exam essay 83 Understand the genre 85 Be prepared 86 Use active revision techniques 87 Coping with exam nerves 88 Read the questions 90 Handwriting 90 Key points 91 10 Improving your writing 93 Rewriting and editing 95 Checklist 95 Learn from feedback 96 Learn from other students’ essays 96 Eliminate bad habits 97 Do you recognise yourself here? 98 Key points 108 Conclusion 109 Good luck 111 Bibliography and further reading 113 Bibliography 115 Further reading 115 Internet resources 116 vii Acknowledgements I am extremely grateful to my agent Caroline Dawnay at pfd for suggesting that I write this book, and to my editor at Taylor & Francis, Philip Mudd. I am also grateful for comments on the draft from publisher’s readers, and from Anna Motz, Lucy Thorp, and Peter Harrison. Many students at various universities and colleges have contributed to my understanding of the basics of essay writing without realising it. Thanks to them too. Nigel Warburton Oxford 2005 ix