Essay Writing Tips - SGClub Forums

**Lancelot** · 25-09-2008, 07:24 PM

You guys need help. Here it is. If you have any queries, feel free to ask me, or post your essays for me to look through.

1. Formatting

Be clear in your essay format. 1 introduction, 1 conclusion and 3 main arguments. If you have time, inclination and skill to add in another argument, good for you.

2. Introduction and Conclusion

Many teachers who bother to think will agree with me that a good introduction and conclusion always leaves a very strong impression, and these are the types of essays that always get better marks, even if the content isn't as strong as the first and last paragraphs. How is this possible? Because of how the human brain kinda works.

Introduction and Conclusion are your advertising markers. If you create a really beautiful advertisement and end it well, you got yourself a deal. Would you rather buy from a salesperson that just rambles on in this demonstrations and pitching or someone who can briefly tell you precisely what you will see and know within a 2 minute opening speech?

I'm just stressing the importance of the introduction and conclusion, we'll come back to it later.

3. Paragraphing

Before we head into main arguments proper. Here is what you must do for your paragraphs.

They must be concise enough to stand on their own !

Here's how it works:

1. Topic Sentence
2. Elaboration
3. Example/illustration
4. Conclusion.

Topic sentence is the main message you want to give to the reader at first read, treat it as a chapter name that will tell you all about what you are about to read. Once you have this down, the reader knows what is going on and will read on smoothly.

Elaboration is an expansion of your topic sentence. You have said the core of the message in that paragraph, now its time to explain it to make it better.

Example/illustration is where you bring in an example to reinforce your argument. "blah blah blah, now see this examples blah blah there it works" It helps the reader to accept your argument when you have examples to back it up.

Conclusion is where you round up your paragraph and move on to the next topic. A clean start and end for all your main points makes it infinitely more enjoyable to read and understand. Unclean breaks and entries tend to muck up your essay, make it look cluttered and messy. Disorganised essays are a chore to read, so don't give the reader a headache.

4. Arguments

Contrary to popular belief, all essays require you to make a stand, require you to make your arguments. Simply listing stuff won't do, you need to mould the stuff you have in your head to convince the reader that what you say should be considered. All that balancing act between giving both sides of the story is bullshit. Following that too strictly makes you look undecided and weakens your entire essay. Readers want to know if you can be assertive and decisive in your views, don't ruin your essay by jumping both sides of the fence.

On the other hand, while you may support your side of the fence, do not come across as offensive, demeaning or cocky. Outright offensive tactics makes you look like a bigot and certainly chops your credibility by alot. Argue your point objectively. Do not make emotional statements or unqualified judgements. Simply use your evidence as your weapon, not your heart. We are scholars here, not ah bengs trying to prove their point with their fists and shouts.

So yes, make your argument, elaborate it, give an example or illustration, conclude that main point, and move on to another argument. Clean, simple and effective.

5. Introduction and Conclusion revisited

Ok we are now in this topic proper. For your everyday homework essays, I recommend writing your introduction and conclusion last because it is better to know your main arguments before introducing them. Have your main points planned out, find out and refine what you want to say and then you make an introduction for it. Remember, your introduction is supposed to introduce your main points, and there is no way you can introduce something you have not written yet. And in the context of homework, you have alot of time to plan your essays properly.

In an exam situation, start by planning your essay out the same way. Write out a skeleton checklist of what you want to say, what examples you will use. Once you have that figured out, you know what you want to introduce and conclude.

One main problem I noticed in many people, is not in their introductions, but their conclusions. Some kind of irrational fear of conclusions that people do not know what to do with it. Here's the big secret. Your conclusion IS your introduction.

Very simply, reword your introduction, reintroduce your main points with a final tone and end it. You are afterall introducing your arguments, and to end with a final short and summarised view of your same main points is the best way to end it.

6. Sample essay planning

Is there any justification for war? Discuss

1. Introduction (what makes a just war, what makes an unjust war? / weighing the loss of life to millitary objectives / war affects everyone, even children, where is the justificiation in that?)

2. Main point 1 (what is justification), elaboration (what constitutes a just war, what does war actually achieve), example (Iraq war), conclusion (justification for war depends on the people waging it. There is always agenda on the line for war and no true unanimous calls for justice can be made)

3. Main point 2 (loss of life), elaboration (sanctity of life and the important to preserve rather than terminate life), example (WW2 losses or other war casualty rates), conclusion (life is sacred, treasure life)

4. Main point 3 (effects war have on the world), elaboration (civillian life will be disrupted, families broken etc), example (post war economic slump due to lack of manpower, extra millitary spending, increased social problems), conclusion (war cannot justify the price that ordinary people pay)

5. Conclusion (what makes a just war, what makes an unjust war? / weighing the loss of life to millitary objectives / war affects everyone, even children, where is the justificiation in that? reworded and reintroduced)

Lancelot added 2 Minutes and 7 Seconds later...

Post reserved for sample proper essay.

**darkkRUII** · 25-09-2008, 07:38 PM

Thanks for posting this thread. ^^
It will be helpful for my upcoming examination. ^^

**enirtep** · 25-09-2008, 07:38 PM

Lancelot, you are GOOD!!

very detailed post n ive learnt a lot! my school doesnt teach students how to write argumentative essays and they discourage (no, this is not the word, they DONT WANT) us to write it! 10 out of 10 times you write it instantly you get a cross on the paper. they think we are lousy (neighbourhood sch) and so we should know where we stand. tts why im so angry with "examinations" because they dont want students to fail and tarnish the schs reputation! how can (or could? correct my grammar pls!) they deprive us the rights to learn? and because they dont want us to write it, all the more i want to and so i ended up with a fail hahahahahaahahahah!

btw, good job with that! this thread deserves more attention so bump for you!

**Lancelot** · 25-09-2008, 07:40 PM

I bet they can't explain why a neighborhood secondary school boy like me gets an A2 in english and a distinction in oral examinations without even trying.

+rep my first post if you like this, this will hopefully get enough attention to be stickied. People deserve all the help they can get.

**hawkraven** · 25-09-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enirtep

Lancelot, you are GOOD!!

very detailed post n ive learnt a lot! my school doesnt teach students how to write argumentative essays and they discourage (no, this is not the word, they DONT WANT) us to write it! 10 out of 10 times you write it instantly you get a cross on the paper. they think we are lousy (neighbourhood sch) and so we should know where we stand. tts why im so angry with "examinations" because they dont want students to fail and tarnish the schs reputation! how can (or could? correct my grammar pls!) they deprive us the rights to learn? and because they dont want us to write it, all the more i want to and so i ended up with a fail hahahahahaahahahah!

btw, good job with that! this thread deserves more attention so bump for you!

Never heard of a school that discourages expository texts. You happen to be the first case.
And, it's "how could", not "how can" in this context.

**Lancelot** · 25-09-2008, 07:44 PM

My school discourages academic discourse too because frankly 99% of the population will fail even at the first try. Demoralised as it is, the teaching staff choose not to bother anymore and focus on helping the students score at other things.

But I still love writing short stories, and I did that for my Os. I write stories better than essays.

**wendyang** · 25-09-2008, 07:44 PM

lol,MI !!!

**urawks** · 25-09-2008, 07:47 PM

had my eng paper today..i screwed up everything..

**Apricot** · 25-09-2008, 07:48 PM

This is REALLY useful especially when my paper 1s' tmr!

**Lancelot** · 25-09-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendyang

lol,MI !!!

No I'm not talking about MI. But yes junior, help is available if you want it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by urawks

had my eng paper today..i screwed up everything..

Ns or Os? Don't worry, if you fail, you can always try again. Giving up is a waste of time and energy.

**wendyang** · 25-09-2008, 07:50 PM

Hmm,as you knw Mi gp is always GIST/PEEL/sperm/spear....i don knw y i could nt score well..

**enirtep** · 25-09-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkraven

Never heard of a school that discourages expository texts. You happen to be the first case.
And, it's "how could", not "how can" in this context.

many schools discourage that, really! are you from a good sch?

you see..... even ppl from another forum share the same plight as me

http://www.sgedulab.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1135

schools.... schools.....

**Lancelot** · 25-09-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendyang

Hmm,as you knw Mi gp is always GIST/PEEL/sperm/spear....i don knw y i could nt score well..

I live within walking distance to MI, if you want to meet me and discuss your essays I am more than happy to do so.

**hawkraven** · 25-09-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enirtep

many schools discourage that, really! are you from a good sch?

you see..... even ppl from another forum share the same plight as me

http://www.sgedulab.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1135

schools.... schools.....

St Joseph's Institution.

**shock8** · 25-09-2008, 07:56 PM

ahh, my teacher ask me to write narrative =X easier to score ... anyone guides haha

**wendyang** · 25-09-2008, 07:57 PM

haha,really?tt great.well shall see my promos result for gp.I think i had my GIST (Grabber,interpretation,stand,treatment) for my intro.Then followed to next paragraph I had my PEEL(Point,example,elaborate,link back) with dual perspective.And 3 : 2 counter arguement against my own point.Man,Gp is hard.

**-Fairytale-** · 25-09-2008, 08:07 PM

Nice one sweetheart~

+10 for you~

**Lancelot** · 25-09-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendyang

haha,really?tt great.well shall see my promos result for gp.I think i had my GIST (Grabber,interpretation,stand,treatment) for my intro.Then followed to next paragraph I had my PEEL(Point,example,elaborate,link back) with dual perspective.And 3 : 2 counter arguement against my own point.Man,Gp is hard.

GP is super fun. I love it more than my A level subjects.

**xiaoDinosaur** · 25-09-2008, 08:14 PM

ALAMAK!
Same! My school also DON"T want us to write argumentary,
EVEN NARRATIVE COMPOSITION and GRAMMAR they also never teach me! HOW!

**Lancelot** · 25-09-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiaoDinosaur

ALAMAK!
Same! My school also DON"T want us to write argumentary,
EVEN NARRATIVE COMPOSITION and GRAMMAR they also never teach me! HOW!

If I have time I'll create a thread for narrative composition and grammar seperately...

What's wrong with the education system nowadays...