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Good essay writing : a social sciences guide / Wendy Maples, Peter Redman.

By: Maples, Wendy (Wendy E.) [author.].
Material type: materialTypeLabelBookPublisher: Thousand Oaks, CA : SAGE Publications, 2017Edition: Fifth edition.Description: vii, 184 pages ; 24 cm.Content type: text Media type: unmediated Carrier type: volumeISBN: 9781473982161 (paperback); 9781473982178 (hardback).Subject(s): Essays | Social sciencesDDC classification: 808.042
Contents:
Introduction -- What is a social science essay? -- Stages of writing, from preparation to final version -- Matching the answer to the question -- Reading, note-taking and literature searches -- Thinking critically and formulating an argument -- Writing introductions -- Writing the main section -- Writing conclusions -- Referencing -- Essay-writing skills and other forms of social science writing -- Some common worries -- What tutors look for when marking essays -- Examples of student essays.
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Copy number Status Barcode
General lending MTU Bishopstown Library Lending 808.042 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 00161743
General lending MTU Bishopstown Library Lending 808.042 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 00213390
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Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Writing good essays is one of the most challenging aspects of studying in the social sciences. This simple guide provides you with proven approaches and techniques to help turn you into a well-oiled, essay writing machine.

Good Essay Writing demonstrates how to think critically and formulate your argument as well as offering water-tight structuring tips, referencing advice and a word on those all too familiar common worries - all brought to life through real student examples from a range of subjects.

Now in its fifth edition, this fresh update contains:

New essay examples are analysed and discussed, so you have a clear understanding of what makes a good essay A new chapter on essay writing skills and other forms of social science writing, helping you transfer the skills you learn to different types of written assessments A new Companion Website providing additional exercises and examples, helping you practice and apply the skills.

This practical guide is an absolute must for everybody wanting - or needing - to brush up on their essay writing skills and boost their grades.

The Student Success series are essential guides for students of all levels. From how to think critically and write great essays to planning your dream career, the Student Success series helps you study smarter and get the best from your time at university. Visit the SAGE Study Skills hub for tips and resources for study success!

Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-178) and index.

Introduction -- What is a social science essay? -- Stages of writing, from preparation to final version -- Matching the answer to the question -- Reading, note-taking and literature searches -- Thinking critically and formulating an argument -- Writing introductions -- Writing the main section -- Writing conclusions -- Referencing -- Essay-writing skills and other forms of social science writing -- Some common worries -- What tutors look for when marking essays -- Examples of student essays.

CIT Module SOCI 6018 - Core reading.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • About the Authors (p. viii)
  • Preface and Acknowledgements to the Fifth Edition (p. ix)
  • Companion Website (p. xi)
  • 1 Introduction (p. 1)
  • 1.1 How to use this guide (p. 2)
  • 1.2 Will the guide tell you everything about essay writing? (p. 4)
  • 2 What Is a Social Science Essay? (p. 6)
  • 2.1 The structure of a basic social science essay (p. 6)
  • 2.2 What is distinctive about a social science essay? (p. 7)
  • 2.3 Common errors in essays (p. 10)
  • 2.4 Four golden rules for writing a social science essay (p. 12)
  • 3 Stages of Writing, from Preparation to Final Version (p. 14)
  • 3.1 Read the question and any essay guidance notes (p. 15)
  • 3.2 Use feedback (p. 16)
  • 3.3 Identify and organize the relevant material: drafting an essay plan (p. 18)
  • 3.4 First draft to final version (p. 21)
  • 3.5 Time management (p. 22)
  • 4 Matching the Answer to the Question (p. 24)
  • 4.1 Unpacking the question (p. 24)
  • 4.2 Command words and cognitive skills (p. 25)
  • 4.3 Types of social science essay questions (p. 31)
  • 5 Reading, Note-taking and Literature Searches (p. 38)
  • 5.1 Reading (p. 38)
  • 5.2 Taking notes (p. 45)
  • 5.3 Academic literature searches and gathering data (p. 49)
  • 6 Thinking Critically and Formulating an Argument (p. 55)
  • 6.1 Critical thinking (p. 55)
  • 6.2 Formulating an argument (p. 58)
  • 7 Writing Introductions (p. 61)
  • 7.1 Longer or 'full' introductions (p. 62)
  • 7.2 Basic short introductions (p. 66)
  • 7.3 When do you write the introduction? (p. 67)
  • 8 Writing the Main Section (p. 69)
  • 8.1 Structuring your argument (p. 69)
  • 8.2 Using evidence to support your argument (p. 72)
  • 8.3 Adding weight to your argument (p. 84)
  • 8.4 Communicating your argument (p. 87)
  • 9 Writing Conclusions (p. 95)
  • 9.1 What a conclusion should aim to do - and should not do (p. 95)
  • 9.2 What a conclusion should contain (p. 96)
  • 10 Referencing (p. 99)
  • 10.1 What is a reference? (p. 99)
  • 10.2 Why are references needed? (p. 100)
  • 10.3 What should be referenced? (p. 101)
  • 10.4 Basic principles (p. 101)
  • 10.5 Advanced referencing (p. 115)
  • 10.6 Compiling your references (p. 118)
  • 11 Essay-writing Skills and Other Forms of Social Science Writing (p. 121)
  • 11.1 Academic essays and other critical writing (p. 121)
  • 11.2 Why an essay is not a news article or a report (p. 122)
  • 11.3 Using essay-writing skills in other forms of written assessment (p. 123)
  • 12 Some Common Worries (p. 127)
  • 12.1 Writing too much or too little (p. 127)
  • 12.2 Using the 'I' word, 'subjectivity' and 'objectivity' (p. 128)
  • 12.3 Using your own experience (p. 129)
  • 12.4 Presentation, spelling, grammar and punctuation (p. 129)
  • 12.5 Plagiarism and poor academic practice (p. 130)
  • 13 What Tutors Look for When Marking Essays (p. 136)
  • 13.1 Marking schemes: criteria related to grade bands (p. 137)
  • 13.2 Writing skills: 'introductory', 'intermediate' and 'advanced' essays (p. 140)
  • 14 Examples of Student Essays (p. 146)
  • Essay 1 (p. 147)
  • Essay 2 (p. 155)
  • Essay 3 (p. 160)
  • Essay 4 (p. 166)
  • Appendix A Editors' Symbols - Common Notations Made by Tutors (p. 173)
  • Appendix B Abbreviations and Words in Foreign Languages (p. 175)
  • References (p. 177)
  • Index (p. 179)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Peter Redman is Director of Teaching in Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology at The Open University.
Wendy Maples is a freelance higher education consultant with over 20 years' experience in higher education teaching and learning.