Required Components of Academic Essays - Dr. Kimberly Bunts-Anderson’s helpful tips suggestions and requirements for your essays.

Use a Cover Sheet ! Assignment name Title Course and Section  Instructor’s name Your Full Name and Student ID 2011/Month * Note your page numbering should start here whether visible or not (invisible is standard)

Ask your instructor if an abstract is required in your assignment. If yes, include the following: If no, go to the next slide. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document.  If you did some research you should outline your approach and result(s).   Note* Use your course template! A header and footer should be visible with your information, the assignment and page number  

Ask your instructor if an index is required in your assignment. If yes, include the following: If no, go to the next slide. An Index page is usually helpful to your reader if you are doing a report essay or long research essay where Multiple Headings and subheadings are required, and a variety of sections are needed. It should look like this Contents     introduction            1   report body               2.-3 Discussion                  4  Conclusion      4 Recommendation   5 References                6 Appendices               7-9  

Formatting Note* The information or sentences required in most academic essays are highlighted in red.   You should start with a ‘title’ centered on your first page.       The Big Cheese : Important UAE people.

Introduction 1.Should start with a general thesis statement that briefly introduces your topic. Should provide background information on the topic. 2.Should include a reason why the topic is interesting and indicates who the audience will be. Should inform the reader of the writers’ role and how the topic will be addressed i.e. (is the writer neutral, arguing, explaining, reporting informing) (what type of essay: compare contrast, narrative, report, expository, research, proposal, argument, problem solving etc.’) 3. A detailed thesis statement which clearly addresses the prompt or question given in the assignment.

Body Paragraph I 4.. Should start with a topic sentence that states the topic or main idea of the paragraph and any subtopics or areas that will be covered it should be connected to the detailed thesis above and the prompt given in assignment. Have sentence that explains or defines the topic clearly for the reader. 5..Should have a sentence explaining why the topic is important to the reader in other words(why is it being written about or why is it a reader should read it). 5A.Should have a sentence that introduces subtopics or areas that support the main idea or topic introduced in topic sentences above in the author’s own words . Should have sentence(s )that provide the reader with new information on the main topic and any subtopics described in paragraph. Should have sentence(s) that any new information or facts are supported by reading or research. 6a Here you could use course reading info as support. (paraphrase or quote cited in APA) For each new fact introduced there should be supporting information that follows that describes additional reading on the topic. Should have a sentence that concludes that topic and introduces transitions to another topic or that carries on to another area that the topic covers.

Body Paragraph II 7. Should start with a topic sentence that states the topic or main idea of the paragraph and any subtopics or areas that will be covered it should be connected to the detailed thesis above and the prompt given in assignment. Should have a sentence(s) that describe the topic in the writers own words. Should have sentences that  introduces subtopics or areas that support the main idea or topic introduced in topic sentences above . Should have sentence(s )that provide the reader with new information on the main topic and any subtopics described in paragraph. Should have sentence(s) that any new information or facts are supported by reading or research..At least 1 sentence that shows you have used outside materials through ideas or words.   For each new fact introduced there should be supporting information that follows that describes additional reading on the topic. 8. Here you can use something from course reading (paraphrase or quote cited in APA). Note* Transitions- Paragraphs-Should have a sentence that concludes the topic above or introduces transitions to new main idea or topic or that carries on with the topic above.

Body paragraphs III, IV … will follow the same pattern until all the main ideas in the thesis are covered and the prompt given in the assignment has been completely responded to. Make sure that in your body paragraphs you have used different types of support quotations, examples, paraphrases and terms about the topic you have learned from the readings or your research.   NOTE* The number of Body paragraphs you have depends on how much information you are providing how you have organized your response to the prompt given in your assignment and how many words the assignment is supposed to be.  

What about assignments for your course? Assignments for Col 140 typically are covered in 2-3 body paragraphs sometimes more Assignments for Col 145 are typically covered in 3-5 body paragraphs sometimes more Larger assignments like those in Col 240 require more body paragraphs.  

What about Research?        If the Assignment has a large research component it will have body paragraph(s) describing the research process and findings. At least two sentences that show you have conducted original research and or an investigation of the topic (This is required of Assignments that have done literature reviews, studies, observations or interviews.        If the Assignment has a large research component it will have body paragraph(s) describing the analysis of the findings and the conclusions of the researcher or researchers. It will also support those findings with other research or by readings.          If the assignment has a large research component and the findings are significant it may have a body paragraph that discusses how the findings are significant and how they could be applied.

Conclusion Should have a topic sentence(s) that briefly summarizes the information provided in the body paragraphs above. It should have a sentence or sentence(s) that summarize the essay in more detail by reviewing or repeating information introduced in the body paragraphs above in a new way. It should have a sentence that either in the author’s own reflection or a quotation or paraphrase from elsewhere the topic is important. 9. It should have a concluding statement that ends your assignment and that shows that the prompt given in the assignment has been addressed. It could end with a statement that gives the author’s opinion or calls the reader to do something, or describes associated areas of the topic the reader may want to know about. Here you can write in first person!!  

Research assignments should have a section describing ‘future action’s Future Actions: If the essay had a large or significant research component it will discuss the writer’s future plans to continue the research or apply the findings.

Reports should include one of the sections below: Recommendations or Suggestions: If the essay is about solving a significant problem the writer will give suggestions and recommendations to solve the problem based on the information above and may request that the reader become involved.

10. References  Cummings, J. N., Butler, B., & Kraut, R. (2002). The quality of online social            relationships. Communications of the ACM, 45(7), 103-108.     Hu, Y., Wood, J. F., Smith, V., & Westbrook, N. (2004). Friendships through IM:           Examining the relationship between instant messaging and intimacy. Journal of           Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(1), 38-48.     Tidwell, L. C., & Walther, J. B. (2002). Computer-mediated communication effects on            disclosure, impressions, and interpersonal evaluations: Getting to know one            another a bit at a time. Human Communication Research, 28(3), 317-348.     Underwood, H., & Findlay, B. (2004). Internet relationships and their impact on primary             relationships. Behaviour Change, 21(2), 127-140.   Note*  Center the title “References,” and alphabetize the entries. Do not underline or italicize the title. Double-space between all entries. Every article mentioned in the paper should have an entry

If your essay has any original research you should have an Appendices section, following the bibliography above. It should have a cover page with the same layout as your Assignment cover page Appendices Course and Section Your Full Name and Student ID 2011/Month

Each section of the research should have its own  page  Appendix A or B with a description of the research Appendix A or B with a description of the research Use a separate pg for each Appendix A- Interview with Grandfather Name of Interviewer Name of Interviewee Type of Interview (phone conversation, informal, open ended, question answer etc) Place and Date where interview took place Length of Interview       Focus or Topic of Interview Interview questions and answers Interview notes or transcript   Go to another page if there were two interviews   or another interviewee

Appendix B- Grandfather Follow up Questions Name of Interviewer Name of Interviewee Type of Interview (phone conversation, informal, open ended, question answer etc) Place and Date where interview took place     Go to another page if Another Research Tool was used   Focus of Interview Interview questions and answers Interview notes or transcript

Appendix C- Survey Questions Number of Researchers Number of People surveyed Types of People Surveyed Description (Classmates Male Emirati Students, Classmates, People between the ages of 30-60 etc,) Place and Date where survey took place Method of Delivery – electronic, email, hardcopy Copy of Survey questions  

  Appendix D- Survey Results                            Detailed information or Report of Survey Findings and Analysis Remember to use your headings and footers throughout with the assignment name, Your Name – ID class number- section~ 7 ~ and page numbers!

Before you Submit !

 Remember to PROOF your work for Errors BEFORE you submit Be sure to put it all- on your class template or… that all the information required in your template is included with your assignment.  Don’t forget to highlight any of the AWL words you have used from your readings. for