Notes on Essay Writing

The following has been designed as a guide to making essay writing easier.

General

Begin work well before the essay is due;
Read the topic carefully, select reading materials and take notes;
Make a first draft containing all your main points—'think on paper or computer’;
Check that all points are relevant to the topic; for example do not just state that something is a problem without explaining why;
Observe the normal conventions of grammar, spelling and punctuation;
Give your own views supported by the views of authorities on the topic; however, do not use the ideas of others unless you have thought about them and understood them. You must supply a reference for ideas which are not your own (See the Plagiarism section below).

Presentation

To enable you to gain maximum feedback on your work, you need to give the marker room to comment:

essays must be laid out in 1.5 line spacing (minimum) or in double spacing
use A4 paper;
leave a margin of no less than 4 cm to allow for the marker’s comments;
all essays should be word processed;
all essays must be page numbered, including bibliographies or works cited, (not including cover sheets or title pages).

Language Policy

Use non-sexist and non-racist language. The pronouns ‘he’, ‘him’, himself’ can be replaced by ‘s/he’, ‘he or she’, ‘him/her’, ‘himself/herself’. The terms ‘man’ and ‘mankind’ can just as easily be replaced by ‘human beings’, ‘humans’, ‘men and women’, ‘humanity’, ‘humankind’, etc. Using plurals is another way of avoiding sexist language.

Referencing Guide

Consult the relevant Program for the appropriate referencing guide. If no guide is provided, the Harvard system is the University’s default system. The Library has links which explain the Harvard system of referencing.

http://www.library.uow.edu.au/