Effective essay planning
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- čas přidán 14. 02. 2015
- Advice on how to effectively plan essays to maximise your success.
Including understanding the question being asked, brainstorming your argument and how to plan out the structure of your essay.
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I need this person as my english teacher
ikr, her accent is perfect
Every time I need to write an essay (a few times per year) I come back to this video for a refresher. Love the video (and the teacher!) but the hardest thing for me is always to understand the question. On my course they are not so clearly defined, very woolly at times, and that's where I struggle to make a plan because I just don't get what I am being asked.
Hi Lawry, For what it's worth, if you're faced with a woolly question, it can be worthwhile, if the teacher for the subject isn't forthcoming, to clarify your interpretation of the question in your intro. You can do this both through defining the elements of the question and then shaping it into something more specific to which you then apply analysis. That way, no one can say you have misinterpreted either because you have simply refined the question yourself into something clearer...
Step 1: What is the question asking?
Step 2: Brainstorm
Step 3: Plan the essay structure with points supported by examples or quotations.
Step 4: Start writing
I want to ask where does the very important step of researching belong to? Is it after analyzing the question or after brainstorming? Or maybe you do it both after step 1 and after step 2 to gain even more insight and understanding to back up your essay.
Hi Ryan and thanks for a good question! This technique is aimed primarily for students sitting exams - where research doesn't come into it as the expectation is that students have all they need to answer the question in their head - it is simply a matter of communicating it effectively. If we look at the research paper example instead, I usually direct my students to, as you say, do the main block of research after Step 1, but to dig further after they have decided on the points they want after brainstorming on Step 2. Thanks very much for making this point - and nicely done on when to do it! :)
Thank you very much for your prompt reply! And thank you for this helpful video tutorial on how to plan for an essay! ;D
Hi, as this is my first time attempting to write an 2000 word essay, I am having a lot of difficulties. Please help me!
I spent like 5 days trying to plan and research for my essay.
On the first day, I had analyzed the essay topic and did some general research to create a draft of the essay structure. However, I think I did not draft out a good essay structure as I had to change it at the end.
Next, I used 2 days to search for a total of 20 different references, from academic journals to online books to online articles. Each reference file has an average of 15 pages of written material. I thought to myself, "Do I really have to read through over 300 pages?!"
So anyways I used the last 2 days to read through ALL 20 reference files to draw out any information that can support my main essay points.
However, I ended with a mishmash of information all over the place when I tried to write down the points. I just don't know how I am going to use all the information to write an essay that presents a good flow of ideas and arguments. There is too much evidence that I found and many of them are somewhat similar.
I think I did not do a good research.
I would really appreciate your feedback or advice on this. Thank you!
Hi Ryan...am really happy to help, but it's not going to be before this weekend as I am busily balancing clients with moving house (!) this week. I just wanted to let you know I'm not ignoring you. I'm not sure of your deadline, but I think you need a comprehensive reply, from the sounds of things, so let me see what I can do for you over the weekend. Hang in there. First one is always tough, but it gets easier...
Hi thank you so much for your reply! Even though you are busy, you made time to reply to me. I really appreciate it but I do not wish to trouble you as well.
My essay is due in two months time so I still have time. I attended an essay structuring workshop yesterday so I feel a lot clearer about how to approach essay assignments.
But, I think my main problem is that I don't know how to read through academic journals and identify the good main topic sentences, which I can expand on further, to structure my essay.
A most excellent video. I am a retiree returning to college and haven't written an essay in years.Just got back from taking the Texas TSI Writing Test, which includes writing an essay. It is scored 1-8 with 8 being the highest score.; used the 'Miranda Method' and scored an 8. Thanks a bunch.
Thanks for sharing, I'll be using that method on my next essay.
this was one of the best videos I have ever seen on essay planning, thank you so much
Thank you, that is the best explanation of planning I have found on the net. Very useful.
Thank you so much for helping. It helped me with my MA essay. :)
Thank you so much! This saved my life!
Very informative and concise. Thank you for taking the time to offer this instruction on essay planning.
I just love her. Excellent teacher
I need u in my life. Thats clear and useful.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you!
Great video the lady is so good at her job! 😊
Very useful ! Very cultured and eloquent teacher 👌
very helpful thank you!
Thank you very much! This was very useful!
Great tutorial...Thanks a lot
very helpful thanks.
Thank you for the video
Beautiful ❤️
I need here to talk to me face to face. This is a brilliant video, thank you so much. I hope I can apply it now. Now I just need to understand the question.
What book do you recommend me to learn how write a good essay.Thank you.
Thank you
Help me lots
Could you do one on research papers. I'm dyslexic and I have the hardest time finding material to support my points.
+sophie isaac I'm happy to give some points on how to structure a research paper, Sophie, but I am not sure that this will help with you finding material to support your points... Or I am not quite understanding what you're after... :)
How would you break down a Law question?
Awesome video! this has saved my life!!!! I always get comments from teachers you need to plan but I never knew how!
I am just wondering what you would use instead of 'how much' in part three for this question below:
How is the theme ‘teenage romance’ position you to respond to Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet?
Hi Cara! I am glad to have helped :) So, the 'how much' column for that essay question will relate to each of your points. It is an oddly phrased question, but it is basically asking you to discuss R and J from the perspective of it being a teenage romance. If I were marking you, I would expect you to show both sides of the argument - the points that show the theme of it being a teenage romance and the points that show that it is not just a teenage romance. For the 'how much' column, I would expect you to evaluate your points in that context. In other words, how much does your first point 'for' really support it being a teenage romance? Is it a biggie or is it merely suggestive? I usually use words like 'strongly significant' or 'less significant but nonetheless indicate that...' I think the wording of the question probably threw you a little and it is always worth checking with the teacher to ensure that it is a question requiring an answer to show both sides of the argument (a Level essay) v one sided opinion (GCSE level essay)...those comments in brackets assuming you are in the UK education system. Apologies if you're not, but the same principle applies! Good luck :)
@@excelinexams1056 Thank you so much!! that helped so much! and a huge thank you for the prompt reply (my essay is tomorrow) I really appreciate it
Can you add a contrasting view in the “How much” column?
Hi and so sorry to miss this question. Am sure by now the moment has passed, but...No, not really. The How Much column amount should actually be a single 'quantification' that reflects both views. It is, in effect, your final call on the analysis and how important that particular point is. By the end of your essay, you should have a clear position or else it can come across as being a bit too airy fairy and sitting-on-the fence. I hope that makes sense!
Thankyou so much mam
Most welcome 😊
Hi Miranda, I’m a new subscriber based in Auckland NZ. I have now watched all your videos and spent time on your website. I have some viewer Feedback for you. Firstly, your mark….Im giving you an A+ Brava!
I’d like to note here that your whiteboard sessions are the standout videos on this channel from impact and presentation perspectives. That leads me to The conclusion that your bookcase soirée videos would benefit immensely if this presentation format was employed in any future reproduction of your vid’s. I would also recommend that you spend some time reviewing the mechanics and continuity of your website from a audience POV.
Thank you so much for helping those people that need a leg up. Your CZcams comments confirm your impact. You are changing peoples lives for the better. You could perhaps even publish some useful links in the channels description. I see a gap for a new video on why and how to petition learning assistance resources at the students college or University. Most of these people who are commenting are saying they are shy or too scared to ask for help.
Best regards
PS I am also eager to learn how you managed to teach blogging skills to your beautiful beagle Boy. Are Beagles THAT smart?😊
Justin❤
Hi Justin, I'm super touched that you took the time to review and give such helpful feedback. And to check the website out as well! I am not terribly good at updating (am fairly flat out being a psychologist!), but I know it could do with some work and I need to set the time aside to look at it with my IT team. I know these are such important topics, not least from the comments on here (always gratefully received!), but also from the fact that I see it so much in my practice too. Sending really good vibes your way. Auckland is a cool place to live (and to visit!). Very best wishes to you and all the readers and subscribers who participate in the chat provoked by the videos. You all humble me; you really do.
Thanks so much.
You're welcome!
Mam plz add captions in english substitle
hi ma'm, how to write a long essay say 2500 words?
Hi Naeem, To be honest, you follow exactly the same format as I have laid out. However, to increase the depth of analysis, add in a few more examples and expand your explanation of why something is important and how it links to your title. You can use this format to write an essay from 800-10 000 words! Or more! The difference will be in the amount of detail you give to each section. You may also want to give additional context and content in your introduction and rationale for why you are looking to analyse a topic. 2500 words can disappear fast at that rate! Good luck!
should i focus on 1 idea or include several ideas in short
Hi Elena. Sorry about the delay, but generally in a typical essay of 1200 -5000 words, you have an over-arching theme that answers the actual question and then, for an essay that requires you to look at both sides of the argument, you would tend to have three points on one (stronger) side and two points for the other (weaker) side. You then develop those points as I have shown in the video. For longer essays (3000-5000 words), you would still stick to that general rule, but expand your development of your points and their evaluation.
Hey Maranda it’s ur favourite student bertie
Bertie! Hello! If I don't see you at school again this week, have a brilliant Summer and I shall see you in September! :)
Is this for university students too ?
Yes, it works for uni students too, but if you are writing a uni assignment that requires research and you're struggling with how to do the research component (which enables you to work out what your points are going to be), then take a look at my responses to Ryan Elf below. Good luck! :)
I am doing a essay what do I do ?
how do I plan a essay for uni?
synapse needed
😉
Where can one like myself go, who has a learning disability. I personally find you talking in circles
Hi James. It sounds like you need one-to-one support, to show you exactly how to apply it in your situation with a specific essay question. I would suggest that you go to Student Support in the first instance - often called Learning Support in a school setting. Good luck!
James McCluskey
Please I ask this kindly, please use nearer handwriting, I struggled to read yours
IM A BANANA
usefull vid but please never say bish bosh bash again, its bish bash bosh.
Such a bad hand writing
Double d Channel i have a bad writing as well. Let me see how you write.then Ill judge you.