There are many steps to writing a successful essay. Sometimes, it’s hard to know where to begin. However, as with most processes in the scientific realm, the best strategy is to break the task down into manageable chunks. From there, you can approach the essay systematically.
For any essay, the process should be the same:
Step 1: research the topic, inform yourself, locate appropriate sources to support any arguments, take notes
Step 2: brainstorm, mind-map, decide on what your overall argument and main ideas will be, identify supporting evidence for those main ideas and think of some examples
Step 3: create an outline (see below) of your essay with a clear thesis statement
Step 4: write the body paragraphs first (use the SEXI formula below if it helps)
Step 5: summarise the main ideas from your body; this will be your conclusion
Step 6: now that you have all your main ideas in a logical format, write an introduction that includes your thesis statement
Common traps
Many students make the error of getting some ideas together then just writing the essay. They will then go about finding sources to support what they have written. This is the wrong way around! This often results in vague, incohesive arguments with weak supporting evidence.
Ideally, do the research first; this will give you more informed ideas about the science behind the movie and help shape your argument.
Instead of just starting with the introduction and writing “organically”, follow the above steps and try a structured approach. That is, plan out specific points of your essay. What are the main points you want to focus on? Sketch an outline of the essay starting with your thesis statement. Then make sure that your main ideas in the body all relate to the thesis statement.
Use the documents below to help you take a very systematic approach to this writing task.
Download the following essay structure template:
How do I write a body paragraph?
For body paragraphs, you can use the SEXI formula to shape a logical, coherent argument.
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S: |
Open your paragraph with a Statement. This is your topic sentence that indicates to the reader what the paragraph will be about. This should not be an overly long sentence – be concise!
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E: |
Now Elaborate on your topic. Provide more context and specific details. This should be the bulk of your paragraph.
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X: |
Provide some eXamples to support the ideas you have just presented.
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I: |
Finally, state why/ how these points are Important to the essay and how they are relevant to your thesis statement
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Here is an example of how you can plan a body paragraph:
References
Graf, J. (2015, March 26). NASA developments in personnel protective equipment [presentation], Air Quality Technology Event, Houston, Texas, USA. http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20150006962
Hooper, R. (2015, September 25). The Martian: the science of surviving a space catastrophe. NewScientist.
Morrisey, D. (1992). Historical perspective: Viking Mars lander propulsion. Journal of Propulsion and Power 8(2), 320-331. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.23481
Pakdehi, S., & Rasoolzadeh, M. (2015). Comparison of Catalytic Behavior of Iridium and Nickel Nanocatalysts for Decomposition of Hydrazine. Procedia Materials Science (11), 749–753. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mspro.2015.11.071
Simson, D. K. (1986, August 26-28). Safety and handling of hydrazine [seminar minutes], 22nd Department of Defense Explosives Safety Seminar, Anaheim, California, USA. https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/p005339.pdf
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