Welcome to IST

1. Welcome to IST Department of Psychology 2014-15

2. Outline of today’s lecture Academic skills • Essay writing • Paraphrasing • Summarizing

3. Where find lectures? students.ist.edu.gr Public folder st (user name & password) psy UL 1year

4. Academic SkillsTips for Essay Writing Maria Takousi, MSc, PhD cand 2014-15

5. Before you start • Read your Module Handbook for information about your assignment (s), e.g.: title marking criteria learning outcomes recommended reading word count deadline, etc. If unsure, ask your lecturer.

6. Begin with the Essay title (1st step) • Make sure you understand it. The verb (s) in the title are most important, as these tell you how to approach the subject. • Underline key words in the essay title.

7. For example • Analyze -describe the main ideas: show how they are connected to each other and why they are important • Compare and contrast -say how things are similar and different • Define - give the meaning and write down an example • Describe – give a picture in words

8. Discuss – write about the subject in detail and present all sides of a topic • Evaluate – give the good (positive) and bad (negative) points and say what you think about a topic • Explain – give the reasons for something • Justify – say why; Give reasons

9. Reflect – review an experience in order to describe, analyse and evaluate to inform learning and future practice • Review – give an overall view of the important aspects of a topic, provide evidence for your claims • Summarise – bring together the main points and write about them in a clear, brief way Based on ideas from Elizabeth Burns (2004)

10. “Why do you want to become a psychologist?” Circle key words What kind of approach? Explain and justify

11. Brainstorming2nd step • Write down your thoughts related to the question. What type of psychologist? Expertise Why Become psychologist

12. Gathering material • Use onlineAthens sourcesto find material • Use textbooks, journals, for knowledge and evidence.

13. Essay structure Your essay needs to have a structure: • Introduction • Main Body (divided into paragraphs) • Conclusion • References (& Bibliography)

14. Introduction • Briefly explains the aim and content of the essay (8-10% of word count) . • Demonstrate the background of your topic. • Use indications to guide your reader through your essay eg: first, second, then, afterwards, finally

15. Main Body • Each paragraph should only address one topic or issue. Two paragraphs can state one issue BUT not two issues in one paragraph.

16. Main Body • Paragraphs contain PEEEL. • Each one has a main Point. – first sentence of the paragraph • The rest of the paragraph is used to say more about that topic. It will contain Evidence of the main point, an Explanation/Examination, some Examples • it will Link to the next paragraph

17. Linking words • Use the following words or phrases to order and add further arguments or add emphasis: also, as well as, moreover, further, furthermore, in addition, additionally, firstly, secondly, thirdly, next, lastly, finally

18. To show importance: …most importantly, above all, the most significant reason etc

19. To make comparisons or highlight similarities: likewise, in the same way, equally, also, etc

20. To show contrast or highlight differences: ... but, although, however, yet, despite, whereas, on the contrary, otherwise, nevertheless, in contrast to this

21. To explain results/effects: as a result, hence, therefore, thus, etc

22. To provide examples/clear explanations: ...for example, for instance, such as, in other words, to put it another way etc

23. To draw conclusions: ...as has been discussed, in brief, in short, to summarise, to sum up, in conclusion

24. Conclusion • 8-10% of word count • Do not introduce new material / arguments. • Summarise the key points from the main body. • [Suggest implications or areas worthy of further consideration]

25. References • Use APA referencing. • List the sources alphabetically by the author’s surname initial. • Do notnumber, bullet point or divide sources by type, i.e. journals, websites, etc. • Double check that all your references in the text are full acknowledged at the references section at the end

26. Exercise • Write a brief essay 150 words following the guidelines discussed. • Essay topic “Why do you want to become a psychologist?”

27. To avoid this… • Start working on your essay as soon as possible. • Avoid leaving things for the last minute… • ‘SAVE’ your document frequently • Make sure you do not lose any documents from your PC/laptop.