In my third article entitled 'Teaching How to Research and Plan an Essay' I discussed the reasons for research and how to research and reasons for planning and how to plan. In this final article, I discuss and outline lesson content on how to teach step four, writing your essay and step five, editing/revising your essay.

Step 4: Writing your essay writer

Teacher: Tell students there are three main sections to the essay writer. Present the following information to the students both verbally and possibly as a powerpoint presentation.

4.1.

Introduction

Explain clearly why you are writing this essay or what the essay writer is about (Purpose). (For example, 'this essay will explore the benefits of reflective learning and teaching to students' academic success').

Explain how you will do this. (For example, 'I will define reflective learning, teaching and student academic success and provide evidence from the 'literature' to demonstrate benefits').

State your main idea/argument (For example, 'I will use this essay to (argue/support the claim) that reflective learning and teaching contributes to students' academic success').

Don't make the introduction too long.

(Just a summary of why you are writing the essay writer, how you will do this, and your main idea/argument) Do change your main idea/argument if you wish to do so after you have done more research and writing.

Student activity: Writing an Introduction Exercise (Small Group work), Using the question that was formulated in the small group, ask the students again in their group to write an introduction

Teacher: present the following information to the students both verbally and possibly as a powerpoint presentation.

4.2.

Body

The first paragraph defines concepts and other main ideas

Provide more specific information

Make an argument based on the information you have presented to the reader

Do ensure that each paragraph represents one main idea

Do ensure that it is clear when you are continuing an idea from one paragraph into the next

Do use the first sentence in each paragraph to show what the paragraph is about

Do arrange your ideas into a plan

Par.

2 (This comes after your introduction) critical examinations of various definitions of reflective learning, teaching and student academic success. Par 3. State the main benefits. Par 4 to_? __ (if applicable) use the statement of the main benefits and your notes taken during reading and research to argue/support the claim that reflective learning and teaching contributes to students' academic success.

Do use more than one paragraph to make your argument/support your claim

Do link your paragraphs back to the main argument/ idea expressed in your introduction (e.g., the conclusion drawn by Schon (1987) is evidence of the contribution of reflective learning and teaching to students' academic success

Teacher: present the following information to the students both verbally and possibly as a powerpoint presentation.

4.3.

Conclusion

Summarize the argument you have made and re-cap the evidence you have used

Don't re-write your introduction as the conclusion.

Do re-cap the main information you have presented and summarize the main argument you have made.

For example, in this essay, I have argued that… And I have used…..

Do not introduce new material.

Step 5: Editing/Revising your essay

Teacher: present the following information to the students both verbally and possibly as a powerpoint presentation.

Reasons for editing/ revising:

Failing to edit/revise your work will impact on your marks despite all your hard work.

It may mean the difference between a pass and argumentative essays fail or a pass and distinction.

How to edit/revise

Check that your spelling, grammar and punctuation are correct Always use your spelling and grammar checker, but be aware that this may not pick up all errors Check for i need help writing a paper for college consistency and correctness in your referencing Check if your 'essay makes' sense Put your essay writer aside for a day or two before you edit, otherwise, you will be inclined to read what you expect to see, not what you've written. Often the best way to edit your work is to read it aloud or read it to someone. Give your essay to someone else to read.

Good luck as you create your teaching session!

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