How to Write an Area of Study Essay

[conic curve]

DO all essays (i.e. AOS, Mod A, Mod B and Mod C all have the same/similar structure?

[ssarahj]

DO all essays (i.e. AOS, Mod A, Mod B and Mod C all have the same/similar structure?

Not necessarily. By all means you CAN, but often the structure will vary simply because you will have different ideas and different ways of approaching each module, so each essay is going to be very different. It really comes down to figuring out the most effective way of presenting your ideas and the text/s you're going to discuss.
It can be very much a process of trial and error, so do lots of brainstorms and lots of drafts and discuss with your teacher (or here on the forum) to figure out what's going to work the best for your essay.

[fizzy.123]

For my Go Back essay, i have 1000 words and i'm aiming for 1200 words for the HSC exam. So far, i have 2 main themes and each theme has 2 paragraphs (1 for PT & 1 for RT). I don't know where i could add another 200 words because already my paragraphs are really long.. Can someone please guide me? Should i make a new paragraph?

[conic curve]

For my Go Back essay, i have 1000 words and i'm aiming for 1200 words for the HSC exam. So far, i have 2 main themes and each theme has 2 paragraphs (1 for PT & 1 for RT). I don't know where i could add another 200 words because already my paragraphs are really long.. Can someone please guide me? Should i make a new paragraph?

You could make another essay paragraph and talk about another point

Most people usually have 3 paragraphs

[elysepopplewell]

For my Go Back essay, i have 1000 words and i'm aiming for 1200 words for the HSC exam. So far, i have 2 main themes and each theme has 2 paragraphs (1 for PT & 1 for RT). I don't know where i could add another 200 words because already my paragraphs are really long.. Can someone please guide me? Should i make a new paragraph?

Do you think you have enough in there as is? It mightn't be necessary for you to go another 200 words! Perhaps you could use the extra time to spend on another part of the exam?

Consider, do your examples need beefing up? Or, do you think that perhaps the 200 words you've spared yourself might come in handy for when the exam question throws something at you?

Personally, I'd be inclined to cut it at 1000 if you can get your point across clearly there What do you think?

[jamonwindeyer]

For my Go Back essay, i have 1000 words and i'm aiming for 1200 words for the HSC exam. So far, i have 2 main themes and each theme has 2 paragraphs (1 for PT & 1 for RT). I don't know where i could add another 200 words because already my paragraphs are really long.. Can someone please guide me? Should i make a new paragraph?

I think with 1000 words and 4 paragraphs, you are exactly where you need to be. Definitely no need to add another paragraph, perhaps you could add a little more detail to your others? How long are your introduction and conclusion?

Most people usually have 3 paragraphs

Fizzy has 4 paragraphs already and although you are right, this isn't a hard and fast rule! I've seen incredible essays with more than 3 paragraphs, and ditto with less paragraphs (though those were semi-split by text), so it is very much a case of personal preference, even though 3 is normally a good choice

[fizzy.123]

Do you think you have enough in there as is? It mightn't be necessary for you to go another 200 words! Perhaps you could use the extra time to spend on another part of the exam?

Consider, do your examples need beefing up? Or, do you think that perhaps the 200 words you've spared yourself might come in handy for when the exam question throws something at you?

Personally, I'd be inclined to cut it at 1000 if you can get your point across clearly there What do you think?

I'm not too sure if i have enough analysis within each paragraph? I've read through it a few times and think there is enough analysis maybe, but i'll wait till i have 15 posts so i can post my essay for you to check!

[fizzy.123]

I think with 1000 words and 4 paragraphs, you are exactly where you need to be. Definitely no need to add another paragraph, perhaps you could add a little more detail to your others? How long are your introduction and conclusion?

Fizzy has 4 paragraphs already and although you are right, this isn't a hard and fast rule! I've seen incredible essays with more than 3 paragraphs, and ditto with less paragraphs (though those were semi-split by text), so it is very much a case of personal preference, even though 3 is normally a good choice

My intro and conclusion are about 100 words each.

[jamonwindeyer]

I'm not too sure if i have enough analysis within each paragraph? I've read through it a few times and think there is enough analysis maybe, but i'll wait till i have 15 posts so i can post my essay for you to check!

Sounds like a plan to me!! But based on this...

My intro and conclusion are about 100 words each.

I reckon you could add 50 words in your introduction, a nice solid 150 word introduction would be beneficial for your conceptual focus!! besides that, perhaps one extra technique/effect in each paragraph?

[elysepopplewell]

My intro and conclusion are about 100 words each.

This is an addition to what Jamon has mentioned. I try to make introductions and conclusions about four sentences long minimum. Don't sell yourself short on either of these, they are incredibly important. The introduction sets the tone for your essay and the conclusion leaves a taste in the marker's mouth about your work. I usually set up my conclusion something like this:

-Sentence about my thesis
-Sentence about the first text and its argument
-Sentence about the second text and its argument
-Sentence about the essay question to tie it all together.

Obviously this is quite rigid and needs some bending, but you get the point. I find that introductions that are a sentence or two long can let down the essay. If you've got 100 words, you aren't letting the essay down. But, do consider a similar structure to that!

[angiezhang9]

Hey

I am still really confused on how I should create points in response to an AOS essay question. I am planning to memorise my essay for the HSC so I am aiming to make my 3 points as adaptable as possible. My text is Go Back to where you came from.

I started off with 3 thematic points (identity, truth, hope).
I then changed my points to 1. how an environment stimulates discovery, 2. how discoveries can challenge an individual's perception, 3. how discoveries can affirm an individual's perception. I did this for trials but the feedback I got was to explore the beginning, process and impacts of the discoveries on the participants.
After trials, I changed my structure to 1. how an environment stimulates discovery ( I discussed the pre packaged introductions of Adam and Raye), 2. the emotional/physical process of discovery (I discussed key scenes such as Masudi family, immigration raids) and 3. The transformative impacts of discovery (changing perspectives of Raye and Adam). However, my teacher suggested that I shouldn't just talk about the prepackaged introductions in one paragraph. She said I should also include their discoveries and show how the discoveries change the participant's beliefs from their introductory videos.
So now I am thinking of changing my points to 1. the transformation of an individual's perception towards themselves, 2. the transformation of an individual's attitude towards others and i am still thinking of a third point.

What is your suggestion on how I should create three, easily adaptable points?

Thanks for your help!
 

[Emerald99]

Hi, I was wondering if i should write an integrated essay for discovery?

[elysepopplewell]

Hey

I am still really confused on how I should create points in response to an AOS essay question. I am planning to memorise my essay for the HSC so I am aiming to make my 3 points as adaptable as possible. My text is Go Back to where you came from.

I started off with 3 thematic points (identity, truth, hope).
I then changed my points to 1. how an environment stimulates discovery, 2. how discoveries can challenge an individual's perception, 3. how discoveries can affirm an individual's perception. I did this for trials but the feedback I got was to explore the beginning, process and impacts of the discoveries on the participants.
After trials, I changed my structure to 1. how an environment stimulates discovery ( I discussed the pre packaged introductions of Adam and Raye), 2. the emotional/physical process of discovery (I discussed key scenes such as Masudi family, immigration raids) and 3. The transformative impacts of discovery (changing perspectives of Raye and Adam). However, my teacher suggested that I shouldn't just talk about the prepackaged introductions in one paragraph. She said I should also include their discoveries and show how the discoveries change the participant's beliefs from their introductory videos.
So now I am thinking of changing my points to 1. the transformation of an individual's perception towards themselves, 2. the transformation of an individual's attitude towards others and i am still thinking of a third point.

What is your suggestion on how I should create three, easily adaptable points?

Thanks for your help!

Wowee! You've been suggested a few conflicting things I see!

I think your second structure is perfect! So, to combine this with your most recent structure, I'd make a paragraph about environments being a fertile ground for discoveries. That way, you're taking in some of the work you did earlier in the year, and combining it with what you have now! You don't want to sell yourself short if the essay question asks you to talk about the process of discovery - and an environment paragraph is an excellent way to address the prompt for discovery! How does this sound?

[elysepopplewell]

Hi, I was wondering if i should write an integrated essay for discovery?

Integrated between texts or integrated between ideas? What is your current structure?

[angiezhang9]

Wowee! You've been suggested a few conflicting things I see!

I think your second structure is perfect! So, to combine this with your most recent structure, I'd make a paragraph about environments being a fertile ground for discoveries. That way, you're taking in some of the work you did earlier in the year, and combining it with what you have now! You don't want to sell yourself short if the essay question asks you to talk about the process of discovery - and an environment paragraph is an excellent way to address the prompt for discovery! How does this sound?

Thanks so much Elyse <3 you are a massive help