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Academic skills

Assigment Types

An academic essay is a form of writing that often contains an answer to a question and usually contains an argument. Making an argument means taking a position on a topic and critically analysing information and ideas that are relevant to that topic. An essay should both inform the reader about the topic and convince the reader that the writer's argument is valid. Writing essays helps develop critical thinking skills as the writer organises ideas into paragraphs and an orderly sequence of points.

Essay Structure

To be convincing and to make sense, an essay needs to be presented as a well-structured piece of writing. The general framework of an academic essay consists of the following:

  • Introduction
  • Body
  • Conclusion

Example structure of an essay:

  • Introduction (10% of total essay length)
  • Body Paragraphs (80% of total essay length)
    • Paragraph 1: First supporting statement, Definition, Explanation, Evidence
    • Paragraph 2: Second Supporting Statement, Definition, Explanation, Evidence
    • Paragraph 3: Third Supporting Statement, Definition, Explanation, Evidence
  • Conclusion (10% of total essay length) 

Example for a 2,000-word essay:

  • 200-word introduction
  • 1600-word body
  • 200-word conclusion

Introduction

The introduction opens your essay and introduces the reader to the main argument and points which you will discuss and develop in your essay. An introduction can be broken into three parts:

  • General statement(s)
  • Indication of essay structure
  • Thesis statement

Body

The body is the place to fully develop the argument that you outlined in the introduction. Each paragraph within the body discusses one major point in the development of the overall argument. Each main point needs to be clearly stated in the form of a topic sentence, which is then supported with evidence.

There are four types of paragraphs:

  • Narrative – Tells a story
  • Persuasive – Convinces the reader
  • Descriptive – Describes something
  • Explanatory – Gives information/explains something

Each paragraph should explain one major point and can be laid out in the following format:

  • Define – Describe the main idea of the paragraph
  • Explain – Clearly outline the main idea of the argument and link to research
  • Evidence – Use research and examples to support your main idea

Conclusion

The conclusion is where you wrap up the essay. You should restate the main argument or thesis and reinforce the most important evidence supporting the argument.

You can break up a conclusion into three parts:

  • Restate your thesis statement
  • Summarise key points in your essay
  • Reflect

 Since the conclusion is the last opportunity to convince the reader to accept your argument, ensure you end on a strong note. 

Essay Tips

Check out the Academic Style section of our Study Toolbox for information on the type of style used in academic essays (e.g. formal language, avoiding cliches). Also, see the writing guides in the Guides box on this page for helpful information relevant to essay writing and formatting.

Transitions and Links

Paragraphs focus on one main point, but all individual paragraphs should link together as a whole. There are plenty of words and phrases that can be useful to help link together paragraphs. These transitions can also be used to link ideas within paragraphs. Below are some examples:

Adding to a point or introducing a new point:

Also; further; in addition; following this; subsequently; in regards to.

To reinforce a point:

With this in mind; in other words; that is to say.

Identifying a stage in process:

First; second; third; in addition; consequently; next; following this.

Explaining or introducing an example:

For example; such as; for instance; namely.

Showing cause and effect:

As a result; it is evident; hence; for this reason; this suggests that.

Showing concession:

After all; granted; however; in any case; admittedly.

Showing conditions:

In these circumstances; provided that; even if; unless; although; despite.

Compare/Contrast:

In comparison; on the one hand; on the other hand; on the contrary; alternatively; otherwise.

Adding emphasis:

Evidently; conceivably; conclusively; undoubtedly; unfortunately.

Summing up/concluding:

To sum up; in conclusion; to summarise; therefore; to sum up.

Essay checklist

  • Have you proofread your essay for spelling and grammatical errors?
  • Does your essay answer the essay question?
  • Have you gone in-depth and backed up evidence with research?
  • Are your discussion points relevant to the essay question?
  • Is your introduction clear and concise, giving the reader a preview of what your essay is about?
  • Do your paragraphs link to each other? Are they concise and clear?
  • Does your conclusion sum up the key points in your essay?
  • Have you adhered to the word count limit?
  • Do you have a reference list and have you checked your citations?
  • Have you used the correct referencing style?

 

A report is a well-organised assignment which defines and analyses a subject, problem or hypothesis. Its purpose is to communicate the results or findings of a project. A report generally has a set structure with headings and sub-headings, and each section has a specific focus. In comparison to an essay, a report usually has shorter paragraphs and does not require linking sentences and phrases because it has headings to guide the reader through the writing.

The 6 stages of report writing

1) Understand your audience

It’s important to think about whom you are informing and what information they need. This will help you have a clear focus. Make sure to ask yourself “Who is going to read my report?” Try not to think of your lecturer as the reader but instead the CEO of a large company or an expert in the field. 

2) Plan your work

Make sure you use time management techniques to help make a clear plan and timeline for your report. Use mind maps to help in the initial planning stages, group together key points and start to plan your headings and sub-headings for your report. Think about the order in which you want to introduce your various topics. Keep it relevant to your topic and take out anything that you think may be off topic or irrelevant.

3) Structure

Headings and sub-headings will help guide your reader through the contents of the report. Information should gradually develop and cascade from one section to the next.

4) Information gathering

There are many places you can use to find information for your report. You can search library books, scholarly journals which can be found via Google or through MIT Library search, newspaper articles, and interviews with experts, observations, experiments and surveys. If you need any help, you can also book in an appointment with one of our librarians here at MIT.

5) Critical reading of sources

Use critical reading to find out what relevant information is needed for your report. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Which parts are relevant?
  • How do they fit in with my report?
  • What do they tell me?
  • How will it help me to answer my question?
  • Is the argument consistent?
  • Is the evidence convincing?
  • Does one support or disagree with another?
  • Does it raise a different issue?

Questions to ask yourself when taking notes from these readings are:

  • Do you really need this information?
  • Will you use it? When and how?
  • Have you already noted similar information?
  • What questions do you want to answer with this information?

Report structure

Make sure your report has clear sections with headings and sub-headings which are numbered. Also check your marking rubric to see if your lecturer has any set guidelines or specific structure you need to follow.

A basic structural format for a report is as follows:

  • Title Page
  • Executive Summary / Abstract
  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Recommendations
  • References

Reflective writing is a type of personal response to life experiences where you think about yourself in relation to the subject material and questions being asked. Note that with reflective writing there is no right or wrong answer. The goal is to help you explore how you think, feel and behave and communicate that in writing. It allows you to be yourself and show your own personal and professional development as it relates to your area of study. 

When you write reflectively, you need to go beyond just describing your experience and actually make connections between your experience, yourself, and any theories in what you are studying. Think about the 'why' and 'how' rather than just the 'what'. You may give a description (what happened), then move on to interpretation ('how' and 'why') and the result of how it has affected you. This shows you are critically reflecting, not just explaining.

Check out UNSW's examples of reflective writing with breakdowns of the different parts.