2. Index.
• Some general advice on
Academic Essay-Writing ----------------------------------------------- 1
• Summarizing -------------------------------------------------------------- 5
• How not to plagiarize? -------------------------------------------------- 6
• Using quotations --------------------------------------------------------- 7
• Paraphrase ----------------------------------------------------------------- 10
• Organizing an Essay ---------------------------------------------------- 11
• Introductions -------------------------------------------------------------- 12
• Using Thesis Statement ------------------------------------------------ 13
• Paragraphs ----------------------------------------------------------------- 14
• Using topic sentences --------------------------------------------------- 15
• Conclusions ---------------------------------------------------------------- 17
3. 1
Some general advice on
Academic Essay-Writing.
1. An essay should have an
argument. It should develop a
single “thesis” or a short set of
closely related points by
reasoning and evidence.
2. You should formulate the
questions you will seek to answer
in your essay.
3. The argument has to be clear
and persuasive.
4. 2
Some methods for writing an
essay:
• Start writing early.
• Write what seems readiest to be written.
• Keep the essay’s overall purpose and organization in mind,
amending them as a drafting proceeds.
• Revise extensively, attending the whole essay and
rearranging the sequense of its larger parts, adding and
deleting sections.
• Then, revise sentences, with special attention to transitions,
diction and economy.
• Finally, proofread the final copy.
5. 3
What are transitions, diction
and economy?
Transitions
They are expressions,
words or phrases that
connect the ideas and
arguments of the writer.
They mantain the logic of
the essay.
7. 5
Summarizing.
1. Include the title and identify the author in your first
sentence.
2. The first sentence or two of your summary should
contain the author’s thesis stated in your own words.
3. Omit ideas that are not really central to the text.
4. Omit minor details and specific examples.
5. Avoid writing opinions.
6. Avoid plagiarism.
8. 6
How not to plagiarize?
Plagiarism is a CRIME.
The purpose of any document is to show your own thinking
so:
• Give the reference as soon as you’ve mentioned the
idea you’re using.
• Name the authors, pages and dates to show how your
ideas are related to those of the experts.
9. 7
Using quotations.
Don’t include too
many because it
crowds out your own
ideas.
They show that you
have done some
research and you are
familiar with the
literature on your topic.
10. 8
What verbs and phrases can I use to
introduce my quotations?
Verbs
Argues
Maintains
States
Writes
Suggests
Claims
Points out
Insists
Demonstrates
Concludes
Observes
Says
Comments
Counters
Explains
Notes
Asserts
Reveals
12. 10
Paraphrase.
Paraphrase
Restate someone else’s
ideas in your own language
at roughly the same level of
detail.
Along with quotation and summary, it provides the primary
tools for integrating your sources into your documents.
13. 11
Organizing an Essay.
Questions to ask yourself before starting:
• What type of essay am I going to be writing?
• Does it belong to a specific genre?
IMPORTANT
The structure of an essay
should not be determined by
the structure of its source
material.
14. 12
Introductions.
An introduction must:
• Identify your topic.
• Provide essential context.
• Indicate your particular focus in the essay.
• Engage your’s readers attention (with stadistics, a
quote, an anedote, etc)
16. 14
Paragraphs.
A paragraph is a
sentence or a group of
sentences that
supports one central,
unified idea.
The most effective way
to achieve paragraphs
unity is using topic
sentences.
They vary in
length
depending on
the needs of
the paragraph.
17. 15
Using topic sentences.
They state the
main point of
paragraphs.
They usually
appear at the very
beginning of
paragraphs.
18. 16
How do I come up with a topic sentence?
Ask yourself:
Why have you
chosen to include
the information it
have?
Why is the paragraph
important in the
context of your
argument?
What point are
you trying to
make?
19. 17
A strong conclusion:
• Provide a sense of closure to the essay.
• Place your concepts in a wider contex.
• In some cases, it add a stimulus to further thought.
• It is not only a summary, but if you want to summarize,
please do it in your own words.
Conclusions.
20. Bibliography.
• Writing Advice. (n.d.). Retrieved from University of
Toronto. Last visited: May 25th, 2021. Available at:
https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/
