Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Have you ever wondered why some people can produce a well-structured, relevant essay written in a style that seems to glide across the page with the minimum of fuss? Do you think some people simply have these skills, and others don't, and that there is nothing we can do about it? This book just might change your mind. Addressing each landmark stage of the essay writing process, How to Write Better Essays teaches you how to...

* analyse the question and break down difficult terms and concepts
* brainstorm effectively and generate your own ideas
* evaluate and criticise arguments
* express your thoughts coherently and develop your own style of writing
* plan and structure your essay from introduction to conclusion

... and along the way, practical techniques show how to analyse, criticise, discuss and evaluate material, improve your style, revise your final draft and avoid plagiarism.


The third edition of this bestselling book includes new chapters on critical thinking, tackling reflective writing assignments, and how to create and analyse concepts. It also features a new companion website providing annotated essays to illustrate the successful outcome of the methods you learn in the book, exercises to develop critical thinking skills, and additional examples of how to analyse concepts.

For every student who needs to write essays, from whatever discipline, this book is a constant source of the help and inspiration you need to tackle your essays with confidence.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction (p. ix)
• Why Write Essays? (p. 1)
• The Stages (p. 6)
• Stage 1 Interpretation of the Question (p. 9)
• Introduction (p. 9)
• 1 Revealing the Structure (p. 11)
• 2 A Practical Example (p. 19)
• 3 Learning to Analyse (p. 26)
• 4 The Three-Step Technique - Steps 1 and 2 (p. 30)
• 5 Creating Your Own Concept (p. 39)
• 6 Step 3 - Test Your Concept (p. 45)
• 7 Brainstorming (p. 52)
• 8 Flexibility (p. 61)
• 9 Using the Right Ability (p. 68)
• 10 The Range of Abilities (p. 72)
• 11 Changing Our Pattern of Study (p. 77)
• Stage 2 Research (p. 83)
• Introduction (p. 83)
• 12 Reading Purposefully (p. 86)
• 13 Processing the Ideas (p. 90)
• 14 Note-taking for Analysis and Structure (p. 97)
• 15 Remembering Your Notes (p. 102)
• 16 Note-taking for Criticism and Evaluation (p. 109)
• 17 Thinking and Reading Critically (p. 120)
• 18 Organising Your Retrieval System (p. 134)
• 19 Organising Your Time (p. 142)
• 20 Your Own Personal Timetable (p. 151)
• Stage 3 Planning (p. 159)
• Introduction (p. 159)
• 21 Planning: Getting the Highest Grades (p. 162)
• 22 Editing and Ordering Your Material (p. 169)
• 23 Planning for the Exam (p. 178)
• 24 Revising for the Exam (p. 184)
• Stage 4 Writing (p. 191)
• Introduction (p. 191)
• 25 Getting Your Own Ideas Down (p. 194)
• 26 Introductions (p. 201)
• 27 Paragraphs - Topic Sentences (p. 206)
• 28 Paragraphs - Development and Evidence (p. 214)
• 29 Conclusions (p. 220)
• 30 Style - Simplicity 1: Sentences (p. 225)
• 31 Style - Simplicity 2: Words (p. 234)
• 32 Style - Economy (p. 239)
• 33 Style - the Dos and Don'ts (p. 243)
• 34 Working with Evidence (p. 250)
• 35 Plagiarism (p. 260)
• 36 Referencing and Bibliographies (p. 268)
• 37 Reflective Writing (p. 278)
• Stage 5 Revision (p. 285)
• Introduction (p. 285)
• 38 Preserving Your Best Ideas (p. 288)
• 39 Revising the Structure (p. 292)
• 40 Revising the Content (p. 297)
• Conclusion (p. 308)
• Bibliography (p. 310)
• Index (p. 311)