Transcript Essay - Mr. Stott

How to write an Essay
Example: Give 3 major reasons why
Egyptian civilization remained nearly
unchanged for nearly 3000 years.
Provide specific examples from the
text, lectures and your own research.
How to approach essay writing
Three Steps
to essay success
(It really is this easy)
Don't Panic!
Step One
Introductions
Tell them what you are going to tell them
(The beginning)
Step Two
The substance
Tell them what you've got to tell them
(The middle)
Part Three
A Conclusion
Tell them what you've told them
(The end)
Preparing
and
Planning
1) Read
widely
Research is the
key task!
2) Work out a
broad structure
4) An
emerging
answer
3) Put your work in a
logical sequence
All of this should seamlessly blend into writing the essay.
Essay Structure
Introduction
Abstract
Middle
Substantive
Conclusion
Conclusive
Introduction
Keep it
relevant
Context
Beginning (or abstract)
What is being
discussed,argued or
demonstrated
Use the key
phrases in the
essay title
Introduction Example
“Egyptian gods in the underworld, hearing the
prayers of their Egyptian subjects through the
priests of their Gods awaken, open the vast
caverns of the underworld and push up the
precious silt which separates Egypt’s people
from the parched desert which surrounds
them. In the minds of the Egyptians, this
happened almost every year on schedule. This
regular pattern served to assure that divine
order would continue and change held at
bay.”
Thesis Statement
A one- or two-sentence condensation of
the arguments or analysis to follow.
For example: “Ancient Egyptian society
remained relatively unchanged for almost
3000 years due, in part, to geographical,
religious and social factors.”
The Main Body (Substantive)
Present evidence using specific information
Logical order (Chronological?)
Analysis (avoid absolutes!)
Refer often to the title
Balance! (Especially in a question that
begins with a quote)
 Refer to all parts of the question





The Main Body (example)
Paragraph 1: Description of geographical
influences using specific examples: ie. Nile
deposits soil, seen as a magical event, etc.
Paragraph 2: Egyptian religion discussed using
specific examples: names of gods, myths
described, holy of holies mentioned, etc.
Paragraph 3: Strict Egyptian social structure
discussed, pharaoh, Ma’at, nobles, priests
etc.
Conclusion
 Re-state your argument using the key
words from the title
 Be confident in your argument
 Hint at a broader context?
 What other issues would you explore,
given more time?
Conclusion Example
“As illustrated above, geographical,
religious and social factors influencing
Egyptian society played a large role in
creating a remarkably stable, but at times
stagnant and vulnerable civilization in the
Nile River Valley. This situation was very
different from early civilizations in
Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean and Asia
Minor. Given more time the writer would
explore the role of artistic apprenticeship
and its connection to Egyptian tomb
“paint-by-number” stylistic artwork.”
Essay Writing: A Final Word
 Remember that confidence
comes from the hard work
that you put into your notes
and research- if you don’t do
this you will not build a logical
argument, nor show any
understanding of the subject
matter.
 ESSAY WRITING IS LIKE
GARY PLAYER’S VIEW ON
GOLF AND SUCCESS……..
“The more I
practice, the
luckier I get.”