How to plan an essay

A Beginner’s Guide

For international students, essay planning is vitally

important. Why do you think this is?

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. What does this saying mean?

What should you include in your plan?

How detailed should your plan be?

Reading

Critical

Thinking

PlanningWriting

Redrafting

They tell you what you have to write.

Remember most academic essay questions ask you to explain WHY.

What instruction words can you think of?

To what extent do you agree

Discuss

Analyse

Explain

Show

Compare and contrast

Many people are now travelling to other countries to find jobs.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

What are the key words?

Many people are now travelling to other countries (focus) to find jobs (Topic)

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. Pros and cons

What is the TOPIC?

What is the FOCUS?

What is the INSTRUCTION?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1. Introduction

2. Main Body: First topic

3. Main Body: Second topic

4. Main Body: Third topic

5. Conclusion

Make a list of topics /ideas related to the question.

Then choose the most interesting

Make a list of topics /ideas related to the question.

Why do people go to other countries to find jobs?More moneyGet social benefitsGet experienceWant to live in a different countryFew possibilities in your home countryTo increase possibilities of emigrationBetter quality of lifeTo increase work opportunitiesHigh unemployment in home countryProblems with religion, cultureWant to learn a new language

Narrow and deep

Get the readers’ attention

Provide context

Thesis statement

• Introduce topic

•Support with reasons, examples and explanations

•Conclude topic1

• Introduce topic


•Conclude topic2

• Introduce topic


•Conclude topic3

Summarise

Restate thesis

Interesting final comment

How to plan an essay

Education

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