Start writing essays - Audio
by The Open University
Returning to study or starting it for the first time can be daunting. Many students are frightened of writing essays, but it’s a craft that can be learnt. This album will help you to build confidence in all areas of essay writing. A student discusses with two tutors her writing methods and how she adapts her techniques for exams and assignments. With tips shared from Professor Richard Dawkins, TV personality Matthew Kelly, former MP Brian Walden, Baroness Helena Kennedy, journalist John Pilgner and radio presenters John Humphrys and Peter White. This material forms part of The Open University course A172 Start writing essays.
Episodes
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Start writing essays
An introduction to this album.
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Researching an essay
Open University tutors Tim Baugh and Lesley Hoose discuss essay titles, research and schedules with OU student Beth Lewis.
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Early stages of essay writing
John Humphrys stresses how important it is to know your subject and know your position in the argument.
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What is good writing?
There is a fine line between good and pretentious writing, John Pilger knows that getting your grammar right is essential.
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Getting the tone right
Professor Richard Dawkins describes his tone as simple as possible but not simpler. Don’t spell out every tiny detail.
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Writer's block
Baroness Helena Kennedy’s cure for writers block is to go to the meat of the argument, then come back to the start later.
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A student's approach to planning
Student Beth Lewis explains how she re-reads all her course notes, this helps her to adjusts and add to her research.
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Different approaches to research
Brian Waldens approach is to research a variety of different points, if it is boring then he picks away at it until the process of elimination is complete.
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Writing your introduction
Using a subtle but powerful approach when writing an introduction will grab the reader’s attention.
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The main body of the essay
It is important to write with the mindset that the reader is intelligent but misinformed.
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Giving both sides of the argument
Matthew Kelly’s approach is to try and talk himself out of an argument, he often ends up switching sides.
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Writing your conclusion
It is important to make sure it doesn’t sound like you have too much more to say, it should be conclusive.
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A student's approach to drafting and revising
Student Beth Lewis writes her drafts by hand, this reduces her word count.
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Different approaches to drafting and revising:
Professor Richard Dawkins explains how important it is to spot what could be misunderstood or interpreted differently.
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Getting another perspective
Don’t get to close to your subject, keep your reader in your consciousness, pretend your someone else.
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A student's approach to examination essays and writing style
Beth Lewis believes her writing style changes in an exam room, a time limits forces her to a heed to a strict essay plan.
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Different approaches to examination essays
In an exam room Mathew Kelly gets his notes down straight away so he can refer to them quickly.
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How to improve your writing
The way to familiarise yourself with good writing is to read a lot. Nothing is too boring to write about it’s about how you write about it that’s important.
Topics in this show
About this show
Returning to study or starting it for the first time can be daunting. Many students are frightened of writing essays, but it’s a craft that can be learnt. This album will help you to build confidence in all areas of essay writing. A student discusses with two tutors her writing methods and how she adapts her techniques for exams and assignments. With tips shared from Professor Richard Dawkins, TV personality Matthew Kelly, former MP Brian Walden, Baroness Helena Kennedy, journalist John Pilgner and radio presenters John Humphrys and Peter White. This material forms part of The Open University course A172 Start writing essays.
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