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Essay writing techniques. Assessment 1.

Essay writing techniques. Assessment 1. BUSM1080 Semester 1 , 2016. Referencing.

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Essay writing techniques. Assessment 1.

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  1. Essay writing techniques.Assessment 1. BUSM1080 Semester 1, 2016

  2. Referencing • Essay must be referenced using the RMIT Business Referencing Style, a version of the Harvard method, as set out in the College of Business Guidelines for referencing and presentation in written reports and essays: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s9sx559hurvc.rtf • The key is to indicate what is the source of your ideas and words. It must be clear to the reader what ideas and phrases/sentences you have obtained from other sources and what ideas and phrases/sentences are your own. • You must cite all the sources you use in your essay with a references. You must place all quotations in quotation marks or indent them. RMIT University

  3. Basics of RMIT Business referencing format Harvard has two basic elements: In-text reference each time you use another source, and an entry in the reference list for each item used. In-text reference when you quote another source: According to Stone (2008, p. 7), ‘Two extreme theoretical approaches to HRM can be distinguished: instrumental HRM and humanistic HRM.’ In-text reference when you paraphrase another source: According to Stone (2008), the two main types of HRM are instrumental and humanistic. Entry in the reference list in either case: Stone, R 2008, Managing human resources, 2ndedn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Qld. RMIT University

  4. Essay writing • Importance of argument, structure. An essay must provide a structured, coherent, intellectually justifiable answer to the question. • Requires you to make a judgement, come to a verdict on the question • Essential to answer the set question. Explicitly. RMIT University

  5. Essay writing • No one ‘correct’ answer to most essays and this is certainly the case with this question. • But whatever argument or stance you adopt in your essay, you must assess evidence which both supports and contradicts your point of view. You need to deal with key counterpoints • Onus is on the student in essay writing. Student needs to provide a reasonable, intellectually justifiable interpretation of the question. You need to construct a logical, convincing argument. • Opinions not sufficient – evidence needed – research, references. RMIT University

  6. Keeping the big picture in mind • Need for coherence of the essay as a whole. Keep essay’s big picture in mind. Explicitly link all the component facts, back to the big picture argument. No ‘floating’ or extraneous material. • Need to be able to see the forest, not just individual trees. All the bones of dinosaur skeleton in the museum must relate to the back bone. RMIT University

  7. Essay components • Introduction, body, conclusion, paragraphs, signpost sentences, headings RMIT University

  8. Introduction • Setting the scene, introducing the topic, draw the reader in to the topic, incentive for the reader to read, why the topic is important, broad background or history of topic. • If necessary, state the limited scope or concern of essay. • Explain and justify your interpretation of the question if necessary. • Thesis statement or statement of author’s position; thesis must be intellectually justifiable, convincing; need to deal with alternative arguments and points seriously. • Overview of main content, clear and detailed map of essay content. RMIT University

  9. Body • Where the argument is elaborated on, evidence is provided in detail. ie the trees are provided, but always related back to central argument (the forest) RMIT University

  10. Conclusion • Remind reader of thesis statement and summarise main points • Point to significance of findings • No new material RMIT University

  11. Paragraphs Main building block of academic writing. Around 4 sentences? First sentence is the topic sentence/main idea. Then other sentences providing explanation, amplification illustration of that topic or idea. Paragraph should have unity – ie be based on one main idea. Paragraphs should be coherent – ie sentences should flow logically. RMIT University

  12. Signpost sentences and headings Can use signpost sentences as alternative to headings. Headings can be useful in organising your drafts. Can be used in the final essay but restrict to only one level in a 2,000 word essay, ie not sub-headings, sub-sub-headings. RMIT University

  13. Essay writing process • Analyse the question • Brainstorm - taking stock of existing knowledge • Plan • Research • Draft, re-draft, edit, proof-read RMIT University

  14. Assessment 1: Individual essay Assessment 1: Individual Essay • Due Date: 22 April 2016 • Weighting: 50 per cent • Length: 2,000 words • QUESTION: Compare and contrast an aspect of employment relations in Japan and in one other country in the Asia-Pacific. In this regard, which of these two countries is more pro-labour and which is more pro-management? RMIT University

  15. Essay format and marking criteria • Your answer must be in essay format; that is, it must be structured around an argument that answers the question. • The essay will be marked according to the Marking Criteria Sheet which is on the last page of the Learning Guide . The criteria are: understanding of the question and comprehensiveness; written expression; structure; sources; originality; and presentation. RMIT University

  16. Marking criteria sheet – see final page of Learning Guide RMIT University

  17. Sources • The best way to score well on the criteria of ‘sources’ and ‘originality’ is through undertakingresearch and using the materials and ideas from that research in your essay RMIT University

  18. Sources • You must use a minimum of 6 scholarly sources in this essay • You can also use non-scholarly materials if they are useful and appropriate. • Refer to the RMITiSearch website for information and advice on choosing appropriate sources for academic writing. http://emedia.rmit.edu.au/isearch/ See particularly the following tabs: ‘Why can’t I just google?’, ‘Scholarly information’, and ‘Non-scholarly information’. • One sort of Googling I do recommend is via Google Scholar via the RMIT Library RMIT University

  19. Essay writing exercise “Compare and contrast Chinese food and American-style fast food. Do you agree that in all respects, American fast food is superior to Chinese food?” • Analyse • Brainstorm • Introduction • General statement introducing topic • Limitations • Thesis statement • Outline, map of essay • Definitions • Signpost sentence for second section RMIT University

  20. RMIT Learning Lab • https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/ RMIT University

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