My first essay?

Question

I am starting ou and have never written an essay before, are they looking for accuracy or imagination. subject is social sciences

Thanks Roxy, the bleeding obvious to most is completely new to me, so all advise is appreciated, please ashume I know nothing

Answer 1

You've already got a fair bit of advice here so I'm just going to give you a link to a good university website that gives help and advice on writing all sorts of academic essays. I found it helpful, but I'd advise you to google university writing sites as they can be really useful. Don't forget the spell check and careful proof reading on a hard copy before you hand/email it in:
http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/index.xml
Good Luck!

Answer 2

By accuracy, they mean that you have to do some research on your subject matter, and then when you write it you show where you got your information from, by referencing the books/articles that you've read, and who wrote them, and when.

Imagination is just that - using your imagination to set and scene and play it out. I'm guessing they want to see just how much you can 'work' your imagination - like how you can tie it in with the subject matter believably, without going off on tangents, and also, how you can work in material they gave you in lectures into your essay.

Good essay writing is part regurgitation of lectures and part regurgitation of material you've read on the subject, and a good bit of it is how you present this, which I think is where the imagination thing comes into play.

A tip: When you're doing your research, write down the name of every single book, article, web page you use, and the pages you find the most relevant. This is so important and time-saving when you are actually writing your essay later on.

When you're ready to write, put down the essay title. Then make a list of the things you want to discuss in your essay, and why they are relevant. Then 'flesh out' your list topics, and these will become the individual paragraphs. (You'll find that you write more than you need to, which is good. You can always cut back later.)

Then when you've done your paragraphs, you need to write an introduction and a conclusion, and these are best left until you have written the rest and gone through your ideas. They don't need to be long, they just need to have a bit of a punch to them.

It's not actually that hard, but it does help to have a system to go about doing it.

Answer 3

The OU recommends a book that will give you guidelines on how to set out the essays. Accuracy/correct spelling is a MUST in all essays.

The timescales between essays are VERY tight considering the amount of reading you had to do. For example, one of my essays HAD to be with the Tutor on 31st December 2006, and the next one is due with the Tutor on 26th January 2007.

I started an OU Course in August 2006.

Answer 4

I've heard it said that true intelligence is the ability to link ideas which have never been put together before. If I was marking an essay I would want to see evidence of a widely-read, well thought through argument, backed up by examples (from wherever you think is appropriate). You can argue that blue is green if you argue well and have examples to back up your argument.

Don't forget that every good essay also has a beginning, a middle and an end (without wanting to state the bleeding obvious and without wanting to patronise), so begin by outlining your ideas, then go into detail, then sum up, reinforcing your arguments. Good luck!

Answer 5

Essay needs introduction- about 10% of wordage, outline what you are going to discuss and why, main body- discuss essay title, conclusion- about 10% wordage, review what you have said stating main conclusions, NB do not add any new information.

Important to consider the major theories with regards to your essay subject and REFERENCE them. Then you can show some imagination by putting forward your own views, pros, cons etc but in an academic essay it is very important to back up everything you say with research. If you have something to say and dont back it up with evidence be sure to say "in my opinion", this shows that you havent simply forgotten to reference.

Eg.Social Disengagement Theory (Cummings and Henry, 1961) states......... this however promotes a very negative view of ageing........(Walker et al,2004). In my opinion........etc.

I know this sounds like they think you dont have a brain but in my experience this is how its done, hope this helps.

Answer 6

writing essay is always about languages, points-suite the title given and clear elaborations. Your essay must be unique and yet reveal that you are mature in writing and describing. A good essay will make readers understand on what you are trying to express. Good luck!

Answer 7

first,think of some ideas that are related on that topic, list them down on a sheet of paper to remember them. think of a suitable title to your essay,then if you listed the different facts, make it in to a paragraph form and insert some helping words to make your first essay interesting,nice to hear and people that will read it will like it too. you can also make a research on it,hear the opinions of other people or on things that youve experienced to make it realistic. reading more books or references can increase your vocabulary skills too! just find the meaning of those difficult words,remember those and you can insert them to your essay..

Answer 8

both. you need to research the subject so you can write about the facts/other peoples views (this is wear accuracy comes in), them form you own opinions about the topic and what other people have said ( here you imagintion).

Answer 9

try writing a essay plan first, like a brain storm and then keep adding information to it. its much easyer doing that first then writing your essay.

Answer 10

I think they'd be looking for both of those....plus how much of your own thoughts were put into it.