Essays
Essay writing does not need to be a daunting experience. The easiest way to approach the task is by breaking it into stages and progressing through one step at a time.
The essay writing process
The essay writing process can be broken into five stages:
Understand > Plan > Research > Write > Revise and edit
These stages of writing also apply to reports, case studies, reflections, and other written assignments.
Essay writing resources and tools
Essay structure
The structure
An introductory paragraph is the first paragraph in an essay. It often contains three parts:
- A hook: To grab the reader's attention.
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General statements: A few sentences about your subject that catch the attention of your reader. It helps to state the purpose of your essay.
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A thesis statement: One or two sentences that tells your reader the main points of your topic and states the overall ‘plan’ of your essay.
The body consists of a series of paragraphs following the introduction (the amount of paragraphs depends on the length of the essay).
Each paragraph should contain one main idea. It develops that idea in three parts:
• A topic sentence
• Body sentences
• A concluding or linking sentence.
Each paragraph supports the main idea of your essay by breaking it down into smaller ideas or sub topics. Arrange the material going from general to specific (this should be done in your planning). Whenever you use an idea that is not yours, whether quoted or paraphrased, it must be referenced.
A conclusion usually has 2 main parts:
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A repeat of the thesis statement but worded differently
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A summary of the main points covered and what they mean. Do not add any new information or have any references in your conclusion.
The reference list should be on a separate page.
Find out more about referencing and citing and how to create a reference list.
Essay examples
Introduction example
The introduction is usually about 5% to 10% of the total word count. Here is an example of an introduction paragraph:
| Begin with a relevant context | An important issue that affects the health services in many countries relates to providing care for their greying population. |
| Explain the topic’s significance. Define key terms if necessary. | The ageing process presents many changes that can be challenging for the elderly and for nurses who provide care for aged clients. |
| End your introduction by clearly stating the objectives of the essay. |
This essay will discuss the common biological, psychosocial and behavioural changes that the elderly face. These changes will then be linked to the nature of nursing practice that meets the needs of aged clients. |
Body paragraph example
The main body is usually 80% to 90% of the word count. Each paragraph should contain:
| The main idea | A key biological change in the physical status of the elderly is osteoporosis... |
| Relevant information from appropriate sources |
Smith (2012, p. 352) stated that... |
| How it relates to your practice or learning | Therefore nurses must ensure that aged clients are protected from knocks and falls, by takings precautions such as... |
Conclusion example
The conclusion one parapraph only and is often 5% to 10% of the word count. Be specific and don't give any new information.
| Summarise and give an overview of the main ideas |
The changes that occur in ageing are varied and complex. Common biological changes are... and... The psychosocial changes... and... are strongly linked in that... |
| Close the conclusion by relating the key points to the wider context | Possessing a good understanding of both the common changes that occur with ageing, as well as the complex interrelationships between these effects of ageing, is thus essential for nurses to be better able to provide quality care for elderly clients. |
More essay examples
Attributions
