Features of academic essay
- 1. Features of Academic Essay
- 2. Structure ïŻ What is a paragraph? ïŻ A combination of related sentences which aim to develop the key idea of the paragraph. ïŻ What types of paragraphs are there in an academic essay? ïŻ Introductory, body, concluding paragraphs ïŻ What is the function of the first paragraph? ïŻ -to paraphrase the rubric ïŻ -outline the plan of the essay ïŻ -present the writerâs position, point of view or thesis
- 3. Structure ïŻ What is the thesis statement in the essay? ïŻ Such films make violence appear entertaining, exciting and even something to be copied. ïŻ What do we call the key idea of the paragraph? ïŻ Topic sentence ïŻ Are topic sentences general or specific? ïŻ They tend to be general ïŻ Where does it go in the sentence? ïŻ It can come at the beginning, the end and even at the middle? ïŻ Identify topic sentences in every paragraph
- 4. Structure ïŻ What are supporting sentences? ïŻ specific and detailed, providing facts and example, evidence. ïŻ they answer the questions the reader will develop in their mind after reading your topic sentence ïŻ Is the whole essay a logical transition from one paragraph to another or just a group of non-related paragraphs? ïŻ Logically-related whole
- 5. Structure ïŻ How can we link all the paragraphs in a logical sequence? ïŻ That depends on the position of the topic sentence ïŻ Letâs read the first paragraph where the topic sentence comes first ïŻ How are the first and second paragraphs connected in this case? ïŻ With the last sentence of the first paragraph that acts as a connection to link the information with that coming up in the next paragraph ïŻ Letâs read the paragraph where the topic sentence comes last ïŻ Supporting sentences build up arguments and examples to make a case for the main idea contained at the end
- 6. Content ïŻ All the questions raised in the rubric are to be answered, otherwise the essay will leave a feeling of being incomplete.
- 7. Register-Academic style ïŻ Formal words ïŻ Major cities ïŻ Passive constructions ïŻ Violence is shown in films, to be copied, heroes are shown ïŻ to be copied, what is needed, must be prevented ïŻ General nouns ïŻ concern, trend, development, problems, reality action
- 8. Register-Academic style ïŻ Noun phrases with prepositions ïŻ -cause of concern, sense of reality ïŻ -consequences of violent acts ïŻ Hedging language ïŻ It seems to be increasingly clear ïŻ The government should regulate the films industry ïŻ Producers must be prevented from ïŻ Films could emphasise the tragic consequences of violent acts ïŻ This would educate people ïŻ Violence can bring serious social problems
- 9. Register-Academic style ïŻ Signposting ïŻ However, it seems to be increasingly clear; First of all ïŻ They therefore lose their sense of reality ïŻ Heroes are shown as people to be admired even though they are very violent characters ïŻ and so the levels of violence increase, especially in major cities throughout the world ïŻ The government should regulate the films industry on the one hand, and provide better education on the other ïŻ To conclude ïŻ Attributive adjectives ïŻ real consequences, worrying trend, violent characters, impressionable people, aggressive behaviour, tragic consequences ïŻ serious social problems
- 10. Register-Academic style ïŻ Noun phrases with the main headword ïŻ After the headword ïŻ Violence in films (where) ïŻ problems in our society. ïŻ people to be admired, ïŻ Such films make violence appear entertaining, exciting and even something to be copied ïŻ the only way to improve this situation
- 11. Criteria ïŻ Structure (5 points) ïŻ Does it follow a clear plan of organization? ïŻ Does it offer effective support for the ideas it puts forward? ïŻ Is there a clear relationship between all the parts and the whole essay? ïŻ Content (5 points) ïŻ Does it answer the question that is asked? ïŻ Accuracy (5 points) ïŻ Does it use appropriate and accurate grammatical constructions, and vocabulary ïŻ Register (5 points) ïŻ Is it written in an informal style? ïŻ Variety of the language used (5 points) ïŻ Does it use varied and ambitious grammar and vocabulary?
- 12. Presentations /Essays ïŻ Many bad presentations have too much repetition or unnecessary information. All irrelevant information must be cut down ïŻ Successful presentations are easy to follow because they are well organised ïŻ Effective presentations have their main ideas organised into three or four points/in essay into three or 4 paragraphs ïŻ The main points/topic sentences can be framed as questions to which both readers and listeners ( if the questions are good ones) will want to know the answers. ïŻ Both good presentations and essays donât end abruptly. They should leave their readers and listeners with a clear summary of everything you have covered.