(aka: Redrafting to improve your essay structure)
What It’s For:
This is a systematic way to figure out what you have done in a draft, so that you can improve the structure of your next draft. We should always expect to write more than one draft, and the first one is just for you. If you’re not ready to put everything in the right order, that’s ok – just get your ideas and information onto paper where you can see what you’ve done and what you still have to do. You can feel free to make a mess of your first draft, if you need to, because you know that you have a way of cleaning up your mess before the final draft!
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No matter what field of study you are engaged in, the same basic process can be used to plan and write your assignment or essay. The use of suitable academic language is also similar. This process can be divided into five steps:
1. Analyse the question – identify key instruction words, the topic/s and specific aspects to be discussed.2. Research the topic - use sources supporting and contradicting your opinion.3. Plan the essay – organise key ideas and related themes, taking into consideration format restrictions and word limits.4. Write the essay – construct these ideas into the key elements of an essay. University assignments require students to analyse material rather than simply describe or recount. The writing style is formal and impersonal, taking into account the use of non-discriminatory language and other conventions.
5. Referencing of sources used is addressed in a separate section.
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What is paraphrasing?
Your re-writing the idea(s) and information of another person, using a different form and different words (ie YOUR words)
Why is paraphrasing so important?
It is a useful way to use source material for your research paper/ essay – providing it is appropriately referenced. In academic essays, it is not acceptable to just cut and paste from the source, add a reference and PRESTO! Finished Essay!
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Essay writing is a process. Having a clear understanding of the key steps involved helps you to effectively manage essay writing tasks.
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