Good Essay Writing Is Creative Writing
A good essay is driven by a passionate engagement with the subject. It should demonstrate a broad understanding of the area under investigation but it is not about recycling other people’s theories.
The development of a good essay is a gradual and creative process where you discover what it is that you have to say about a topic
Two key aspects of academic scholarship that assist this process of discovery are:
- Synthesis,
- Relationship building
You need to find creative ways of condensing big ideas and a variety of theoretical models in ways that communicate the essential points. Then you need to show how these different ideas and theories relate to each other and to your empirical data.
Discovering and describing research relationships should not just focus on the complimentary relationships but should also explore areas of conflict.
Some Dos And Don’ts
- Always provide references or evidence from your data for assertions even if you think it is a commonplace or commonsense assertion.
- Present critiques as well as descriptions of theory. Don’t just relate what Bourdieu has written about “Habitus” but explain the views of those who have critiqued his theories. Indicate your own point of view but back it up with argument and/or data. “In the context of this study I believe that Habitus is best understood as….” My analysis of x and x will show that….”
- Avoid simple cause and effect arguments. The situation is usually more about a range of factors influencing a position or a change.
- Stay on track, be specific, stick to your main argument.
- Show that you have taken into account other “off-track” matters with the judicious use of footnotes. This highlights the depth of your research but keeps your main narrative flowing.
- Revise, revise, revise! The clearer and more polished your expression the easier it is to make a convincing argument.
- Use sub-headings intelligently to help you map the narrative of the essay.
- Look at the way paragraphs and sections follow one another. Is there need for a linking sentence or sentences?
- Sign-post your arguments and research strategies: indicate what you are setting out to prove at the beginning, indicate what body of theory will form the major framework for your analysis, indicate if you will be returning or developing a particular point later in the essay. If you promise to return to a point later - make sure you do!
