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.
Start writing essays
An introduction to this album.
1/20/2010 • 59 seconds
Transcript -- Start writing essays
Transcript -- An introduction to this album.
1/20/2010 • 0
Researching an essay
Open University tutors Tim Baugh and Lesley Hoose discuss essay titles, research and schedules with OU student Beth Lewis.
1/20/2010 • 5 minutes, 42 seconds
Transcript -- Researching an essay
Transcript -- Open University tutors Tim Baugh and Lesley Hoose discuss essay titles, research and schedules with OU student Beth Lewis.
1/20/2010 • 0
Early stages of essay writing
John Humphrys stresses how important it is to know your subject and know your position in the argument.
1/20/2010 • 3 minutes, 1 second
Transcript -- Early stages of essay writing
Transcript -- John Humphrys stresses how important it is to know your subject and know your position in the argument.
1/20/2010 • 0
What is good writing?
There is a fine line between good and pretentious writing, John Pilger knows that getting your grammar right is essential.
1/20/2010 • 2 minutes, 54 seconds
Transcript -- What is good writing?
Transcript -- There is a fine line between good and pretentious writing, John Pilger knows that getting your grammar right is essential.
1/20/2010 • 0
Getting the tone right
Professor Richard Dawkins describes his tone as simple as possible but not simpler. Don’t spell out every tiny detail.
1/20/2010 • 1 minute, 12 seconds
Transcript -- Getting the tone right
Transcript -- Professor Richard Dawkins describes his tone as simple as possible but not simpler. Don’t spell out every tiny detail.
1/20/2010 • 0
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.
1/20/2010 • 2 minutes, 52 seconds
Transcript -- Writer's block
Transcript -- Baroness Helena Kennedy’s cure for writers block is to go to the meat of the argument, then come back to the start later.
1/20/2010 • 0
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.
1/20/2010 • 3 minutes, 7 seconds
Transcript -- A student's approach to planning
Transcript -- Student Beth Lewis explains how she re-reads all her course notes, this helps her to adjusts and add to her research.
1/20/2010 • 0
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.
1/20/2010 • 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Transcript -- Different approaches to research
Transcript -- 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.
1/20/2010 • 0
Writing your introduction
Using a subtle but powerful approach when writing an introduction will grab the reader’s attention.
1/20/2010 • 2 minutes, 29 seconds
Transcript -- Writing your introduction
Transcript -- Using a subtle but powerful approach when writing an introduction will grab the reader’s attention.
1/20/2010 • 0
The main body of the essay
It is important to write with the mindset that the reader is intelligent but misinformed.
1/20/2010 • 3 minutes, 57 seconds
Transcript -- The main body of the essay
Transcript -- It is important to write with the mindset that the reader is intelligent but misinformed.
1/20/2010 • 0
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.
1/20/2010 • 4 minutes, 53 seconds
Transcript -- Giving both sides of the argument
Transcript -- Matthew Kelly’s approach is to try and talk himself out of an argument, he often ends up switching sides.
1/20/2010 • 0
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.
1/20/2010 • 54 seconds
Transcript -- Writing your conclusion
Transcript -- It is important to make sure it doesn’t sound like you have too much more to say, it should be conclusive.
1/20/2010 • 0
A student's approach to drafting and revising
Student Beth Lewis writes her drafts by hand, this reduces her word count.
1/20/2010 • 3 minutes, 46 seconds
Transcript -- A student's approach to drafting and revising
Transcript -- Student Beth Lewis writes her drafts by hand, this reduces her word count.
1/20/2010 • 0
Different approaches to drafting and revising:
Professor Richard Dawkins explains how important it is to spot what could be misunderstood or interpreted differently.
1/20/2010 • 3 minutes, 25 seconds
Transcript -- Different approaches to drafting and revising:
Transcript -- Professor Richard Dawkins explains how important it is to spot what could be misunderstood or interpreted differently.
1/20/2010 • 0
Getting another perspective
Don’t get to close to your subject, keep your reader in your consciousness, pretend your someone else.
1/20/2010 • 3 minutes, 17 seconds
Transcript -- Getting another perspective
Transcript -- Don’t get to close to your subject, keep your reader in your consciousness, pretend your someone else.
1/20/2010 • 0
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.
1/20/2010 • 2 minutes, 27 seconds
Transcript -- A student's approach to examination essays and writing style
Transcript -- Beth Lewis believes her writing style changes in an exam room, a time limits forces her to a heed to a strict essay plan.
1/20/2010 • 0
Different approaches to examination essays
In an exam room Mathew Kelly gets his notes down straight away so he can refer to them quickly.
1/20/2010 • 3 minutes, 31 seconds
Transcript -- Different approaches to examination essays
Transcript -- In an exam room Mathew Kelly gets his notes down straight away so he can refer to them quickly.
1/20/2010 • 0
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.
1/20/2010 • 7 minutes, 18 seconds
Transcript -- How to improve your writing
Transcript -- 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.
