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Essay Writing

“…all reasoning is an interpretation of signs of some kind.”

(Pierce, circa 1894, MSS404, as cited in The Pierce Edition Project)

Why an essay? Writing essays involves developing and demonstrating many high level skills, e.g: •  Research •  Argumentation •  Critical thinking •  Synthesis of disparate textual material and ideas •  Analytical and evaluative reading and writing •  Organisation (practical and ‘in the head to the page’) (OK, so it’s also the dominant western academic paradigm…)

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Step 1: Analyse the question Select one image. Use a semiological approach to examine

denotations and connotations in the image and how meaning is constructed in the text. You must discuss the ideological implications inherent in the image. Pay particular attention to any cultural and technical codes and conventions used to construct meaning.

Directive Verbs Content & topic words

Thoughts, questions & actions

Verbs (to do)

Content & topic words Thoughts, questions & actions

Select Image from Blackboard Family group? Lots to write about. Clear power relationships.

Use A semiological approach Need to briefly define: semiological, denotative, connotative, sign, signifier signified (use handout…)

Examine How meaning is constructed through •  denotation & connotation •  major signs (divide into signifier (denotes) and signified (connotes)

Need to briefly describe the denotative aspects of the image and closely analyse how/what these communicate through their connotative aspects

Pay particular attention to

•  technical codes •  cultural codes

What are these???? Systems of meaning eg Camera angle Autumn colours/male clothing

Discuss The ideological implications within the image (so major meanings/myths/sets of ideas, binaries communicated)

Man controls family environment. Man has power in the family. Woman serves man

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The image

Step 2: Prepare & Pre-read

1.  Closely analyse image - lots of notes, maybe in table form.

2.  Explore key issues - database search for family power relations.

3.  Make connections between analysis of the image and theory.

4. Record all the bibliographic info so can reference properly.

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Step 3: Plan (This is ONE possible plan)

Essay 2,000 – 2,500 words – approx 14-18 paras

Definitions – semiology, denotation, connotation … (1 para)

Image Description – general outline of denotative aspects/ signifiers (2 paras)

Major myths/ideologies identified – research required for this part (2-3 paras)

Image Dissection – detailed breakdown of signs (9-11 paras), cultural codes and technical codes; analysis of how they create meaning, what meanings they create, and how these meanings reflect the ideology identified

Introduction (1 para)

Conclusion (1 para)

Reference List

Step 4: Research & Read •  List key words from your topic •  Look at the references in your readings •  Try electronic books in the catalogue •  Try the databases (entering through Library Onesearch) •  Try Google Scholar (make sure you have ECU links) •  Try the databases (entering through the database list) •  Try reputable web-sites •  Only use WIKIPEDIA as a starting point. •  Organise your notes using your plan as a guide

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Step 5: Write

Essay structure

Introduction •  Context (background) - Why is the topic important? (Be a bit global and/ or interesting here - importance of understanding culture etc. )

•  Topic - What is your subject matter? This may include some key words from the question

•  Thesis – What is your argument or contention re the topic (Why analyse? Why semiology? Etc.)

•  Overview of structure/content – What content is covered and how is the essay organised?

(foreshadow actual structure - topics mentioned in same order as in body)

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Body Paragraphs, each with a topic sentence,

supporting sentences and concluding linking sentence

Topic sentence (linking words, key words about the topic of the paragraph)

Supporting sentences with detail, evidence, quotes, paraphrases, facts and figures; evaluative/explanatory sentences commenting on detail

Concluding sentence; often refers back to key words in thesis; may link forward

Conclusion

•  Outlines main points covered

•  Restates thesis

•  Finishes with a reflection on the topic or a thought for the future or a call for action SOMETHING MEMORABLE

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Writing – a process Most difficult for many people. Behaviours: •  Unable to set pen to paper – fear of ‘getting it

wrong’, blankness, fear of leaving out something important, fear own words not ‘good enough’. In this state people procrastinate, panic, fight with someone, go out, drop out…

•  Unable to stop writing – in this state students don’t plan, don’t reflect, don’t have a thesis (a clear concept of what they want to show), don’t answer the question, don’t check they have the key words, don’t stick to the word limit, don’t conclude properly.

This is OK If you EDIT

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Step 6: Edit Don’t hand in your draft: Warning – bad example

I chose this advert because of it’s fascinating juxtaposition of the three central figures of man, woman and child. It’s important to analyse it using semiology. This will tell us lots of information about the advert, especially if we analyse it great detail. Semiotics is a wonderful tool for analysing images. Although the terminology may at first make the science appear obscure, I am going to make it krystal clear. Firstly I will describe the myths and define my terms and then I will analyse in detail and after that, I will draw my conclusions.

Not a good place or way to start. If you use ‘I’ (first person), do it sparingly

Refer to the text as an image. Don’t use slang.

Poor proofreading

This bit is useful, but in the wrong place. Belongs in the body of the essay.

Poor proofreading

This is the thesis, but it is underdeveloped and poorly expressed. Needs to briefly link to myths/ideology WHAT?

And it’s plagiarised

Poor proofreading

Need to set the agenda, but this is awkward, not specific enough, and uses first person unnecessarily.

Editing notes •  Patent and horrific plagiarism!!!! •  No context (except personal context) •  Poorly structured (not to mention the spelling and

careless mistakes) •  Missing a sense of purpose - reason for writing •  Missing a thesis statement which is detailed enough to

frame the question and develop the essay •  Muddled outline of what the essay will cover •  Clumsy and poorly chosen language (inc. cliches and

slang, advert instead of image) •  Uses first person indiscriminately

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Warning

•  When you write the essay, don’t investigate product brands.

•  Don’t concentrate on advertising

•  Treat the image as a cultural text to be analysed, not an advertisement to be analysed.

Step 7: Present •  Attach Cover page (download)

•  Use a standard font: Cambria 12, Arial 12, Times New Roman 12

•  Double or 1.5 space (except Ref list and long quotes)

•  Fully block paragraphs (so don’t use an indent)

•  Left align with a minimum 2.5 margin on the left

•  Avoid sub-headings

•  Number images (Figure 1)

•  In-text reference correctly

•  Include the Reference List on a separate page at the end

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Getting Help

The learning advisors offer ten hours of assignment drop-in sessions a week.

For more details go to the FEA Academic Skills Centre Blackboard site, under the My Communities heading on your Blackboard homepage.

Ann Beveridge - a.beveridge@ecu.edu.au, ML 17.116 Bethany Andersson - b.andersson@ecu.edu.au, ML 17.114