Get Great Marks for Your Essays

by Germov, John

• ISBN13: 9781865082042
• ISBN10: 186508204X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-09-01
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Summary

Preface Introduction: what this book can do for you 1 First things first: being an academic detective 2 The rules of the essay writing game 3 We need a plan 4 The art of analysis 5 Muckraking: how to find what you need 6 Untangling the web 7 Making sense of it all: effective reading and note taking 8 Doing essay drafts 9 Easy marks: the unwritten rules of academic writing 10 Write it right: handling the nitty-gritty 11 How to reference demystified 12 Other types of writing 13 The end...or just the beginning? Web resources and further reading Index

Table of Contents

Figures	ix
Handy hints	xi
Preface to the second edition	xiii
Introduction: What this book can do for you	xv
First things first: Being an academic detective	1	(10)
Into the great unknown: What is an essay, anyway?	1	(2)
Essays as detective work	3	(1)
Time management	4	(2)
How much time, how much effort?	6	(1)
Together alone: The benefits and hazards of group work	6	(3)
If in doubt, ask for help	9	(2)
The rules of the essay writing game	11	(9)
An essay in three parts: The game rules	11	(3)
Making the logic flow: Micro-essay paragraph structure	14	(4)
Subheadings: A word of caution	18	(2)
We need a plan	20	(15)
Lauren Williams
Choosing and interpreting an essay topic	20	(2)
The pre-plan	22	(6)
Brainstorming---mapping out your plan	28	(6)
Start developing your argument	34	(1)
The art of analysis	35	(11)
What's this thing called analysis?	35	(1)
Being critical: Knowing the right question to ask	36	(1)
Why theories?	37	(2)
Arguing your case	39	(2)
Supporting evidence: The Good, the bad and the ugly	41	(3)
Analysis as art	44	(2)
Muckraking: How to find what you need	46	(12)
Debunking myths	46	(1)
Where to start looking for information	47	(4)
How to find the material you need	51	(1)
Finding journal articles: Information technology at your fingertips	52	(6)
Untangling the web	58	(11)
Searching the web	58	(3)
Web time-saving tips	61	(6)
Evaluating the credibility of web information	67	(2)
Making sense of it all: Effective reading and note taking	69	(10)
How to read academic work	69	(1)
Finding relevant information: Let's go skimming	70	(1)
Taking notes: Three easy steps	71	(4)
Paraphrasing: Avoid copying and use your own words	75	(1)
Direct quotes	76	(1)
How many notes?	77	(2)
Doing essay drafts	79	(12)
Stuck for words: Overcoming writer's block	80	(2)
Creating versus editing	82	(3)
Atmosphere: Setting the scene	85	(1)
The first draft	85	(1)
The impasse: Time to seek help	86	(1)
Drafts 2 and 3: Place yourself in the marker's shoes	87	(1)
Word limits: Quality, not quantity	88	(3)
Easy marks: The unwritten rules of academic writing	91	(13)
The skill and art of writing	91	(1)
The rude shock	92	(1)
Key features of good academic writing: Write, don't speak	93	(11)
Write it right: Handling the nitty-gritty	104	(10)
Use abbreviations rarely and carefully	104	(2)
How to use apostrophes	106	(1)
Common spelling mistakes: Beware of computer spell-checkers	107	(3)
Avoiding discriminatory language: Sexism and racism	110	(1)
Capitals, emphasis and italics	111	(1)
Numbers, dates and percentages	112	(1)
Tables, figures and diagrams	112	(2)
Referencing demystified	114	(24)
The key features of referencing	115	(3)
The Harvard and APA referencing systems	118	(1)
How to compile a reference list	119	(1)
How to reference in the Harvard/APA style	120	(2)
The footnote method	122	(2)
The Vancouver system	124	(2)
More referencing tips	126	(8)
How to reference the web	134	(4)
Other types of writing	138	(8)
Book and article reviews	138	(2)
Abstracts and summaries	140	(1)
Reports	141	(2)
Exam essays	143	(3)
The end ... or just the beginning?	146	(7)
Proofreading: The last important task	146	(2)
Marker expectations: How your work is assessed	148	(3)
Applying for extensions	151	(1)
Student rights	151	(1)
A final word: Goodbye and good luck!	152	(1)
Web resources and further reading	153	(2)
Appendix: Glossary of Latin phrases and abbreviations	155	(4)
Index	159