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Lecture 9 Session 20

This document provides guidance on writing effective business essays. It outlines the key components of an essay, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The introduction should state the central argument and introduce key concepts. Body paragraphs should each focus on one main point, using a topic sentence and evidence to support the argument. References should be used to support claims. The conclusion restates the argument and answers the original assignment question.

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32 views16 pages

Lecture 9 Session 20

This document provides guidance on writing effective business essays. It outlines the key components of an essay, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The introduction should state the central argument and introduce key concepts. Body paragraphs should each focus on one main point, using a topic sentence and evidence to support the argument. References should be used to support claims. The conclusion restates the argument and answers the original assignment question.

Uploaded by

c.ronaldo.bedo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LB170

Session 20: Writing Business


Essays

Prepared By Miss. Sheikha AL-Dosarry

1
Learning Outcomes:
Understand what makes an essay different from other writing.
Identify the features and organisation of a business essay.
Develop an argument in a business essay effectively.
Write a successful business essay.

2
Essay writing

 In this session you will explore how to develop a


successful essay and write your own essay in a
business studies context, on the broad business
topic of globalisation.
What is an essay?
Essays: are texts. They consist mostly of words organised in particular
ways to fulfil particular purposes in particular situations.
 They are written exclusively by students as a way of learning
about an aspect of business in response to assignment task.
 The purpose is to show to your tutor that you can construct a
coherent argument and develop critical thinking skills in writing by
using appropriate business concepts and theories.

4
Tips for writing Effective essay

ss i n
p ro ce
do a sa
n e e d to
s yo u
th in g y.
e r o f e ssa
um b e c ti ve
re a n n e ff
e re a u c e a
T h p ro d
d e r t o
or

5
Handling Assignment Question
Assignment title tells you what output to produce and frames the way
you read the text input.

Before you do anything, you must look for two things:


– Instructions (examine, show, outline, write, compare, contrast,
highlight, discuss, describe)
– Key concepts (external environment, outsourcing policy, costs &
benefits, selection process)
Making an outline of your essay

• Once you have your notes ready, the next step is to make a mind-map,
linear notes or diagrammatic boxes with links and keywords to prepare
an outline of your essay.

• An outline is a broad ‘map’ of the content and sequencing of an essay. It


usually takes the form of a series of headings, each of which may be
accompanied by sub-headings or brief references to evidence or examples.
These should be in the order in which they will appear in the essay.
Writing your introduction; So what should an
?introduction introduce
The introduction comes at the beginning of the essay.
The introduction should introduce (functions):
 Links back to assignment question.
 States the central argument of the essay
 introduces the situation & key concepts (the company under study and relevant
information the reader needs to know about it), and the concepts and dimensions
through which the question will be addressed; when you choose a company
unknown to the reader, you should give an indication of its location, products and
size.
 Introduces this text (essay) argument
 Brief guide to the reader on how the text will be organised. Activity 20.1 Task 2 P.280
Developing paragraphs for your essay: building
arguments
• The body paragraphs of the essay develop and support the
argument. Each paragraph introduces and elaborates one
major point to develop the main argument of the essay. The
beginning sentence, often called ‘topic sentence’ or ‘high-
level generalisation’, usually states the main point, which is
explained and elaborated with evidence in the rest of the
paragraph.
Activity 20.13 P.281 Example Book 2 P.73 Michael’s essay
Activity 20.13
Michael’s essay body paragraphs (paragraphs 2 and 3)
Cost drivers
Cost drivers have an impact on Mapco’s globalisation. They are factors which may allow an organization to lower the costs of
a product or service. Factors such as gaining economies of scale, lower labor and resource costs, technological advances
aiding engineering and communication, and improvements in delivery and infrastructure systems can all enable
organizations to save costs (Ball, 2012). Mapco has been enabled in its globalisation by the technological innovations that
have created affordable dehydration equipment. Although not discussed in great depth by Hurley (2013), it is reasonable to
assume that modern technological advances creating greater communication, infrastructure and delivery capabilities all have
.significant effect on enabling the globalisation of Mapco
Market drivers
Market drivers have also affected the globalisation of Mapco. These drivers are factors which represent the demands of the
consumers. Greater per capita income, brand recognition and desire for fashions, and low cost travel creating a
homogeneous, global society all can impel globalisation (Ball, 2012). In contrast, with regards to Mapco, it is the opposite of
these traditionally recognized factors which drive the organization towards globalisation. Lower per capita income,
disenfranchisement of African consumers and availability of cheap foodstuff which the western world does not want
.(effectively its waste (Hurley, 2013)) are the factors which have allowed Mapco to take steps towards globalisation
16
Activity 20.13
?What are the key concepts that frame each paragraph
Answer
.First paragraph: Cost drivers. Second paragraph: Market drivers

?Which source(s) do the key concepts come from


Answer
There are two sources: Ball (2012), which is used to explain the key concepts, and Hurley (2013), which is the case study on
.Mapco and is used to provide evidence or data to support the main point

?What does Michael use to signal a new paragraph in the essay


Answer
.He uses sub-headings (cost drivers and market drivers) and topic sentences with a new key point in each

?What are the topic sentences in each paragraph


Answer
First paragraph: Cost drivers have an impact on Mapco’s globalization. Second paragraph: Market drivers have also affected
.the globalization of Mapco
Activity 20.13

Comment
The key concepts from the introduction or the assignment
question are signalled by the sub-headings and used to develop
each paragraph. For example, the first paragraph is framed by the
key concept cost drivers in the topic sentence and also signalled by
.the sub-heading (‘Cost drivers’)
In order to develop his key point in support of the argument,
Michael first defines the key concept and then explains it. This is
.followed by a discussion of the relevance of the concept to Mapco

18
How to organise your essay paragraph

A body paragraph has four functions in support of the argument in the


essay:
• States the main point or claim. Sometimes, the claim may come in the
end of the paragraph.
• Defines key concept.
• Gives an explanation of the concept.
• Gives evidence/data/examples to support the main point.
Supporting your argument: referencing

referencing is used to highlight the sources you have used to


support your claim or argument, and to demonstrate that you
have read relevant concepts and theories which you can
apply to a new context. Your tutor assesses your referencing
skills (in-text citation and reference list) when marking your
essay.
(Refer to Session9 for further details)
Writing your conclusion
• The final part of your essay is a conclusion. The function of the conclusion is
to restate or summarise your argument or main points in the body of the
essay. More importantly, your conclusion should answer the assignment
question by pulling key points together. Successful business essay conclusions
tend to have the following functions. They:
• link back to the assignment title/topic
• (re)state the argument
• summarise the supporting reasons for the argument
• make recommendations or look to the future.
• It is good practice not to introduce new ideas or data in the conclusion.
Refer to book 1 p.94
23

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