Our guides provide help with a very wide range of topics on the essay writing and dissertation writing process, from planning to polishing your work. You can find additional guides in our ‘info and guides‘ section.
The dialectic essay is typically used in philosophy to explore the whole range of perspectives about a philosophical stance. Students often tend to endorse one opinion without being able to see the merits of the opposition’s point of view. For example, if the student is against abortion, they may be unable to understand why the … Read more
The abstract is a summary, usually of approximately 150-300 words, of what the reader can expect to find in the dissertation. Be concise and don’t reference or use quotes in this part. Your dissertation abstract is a highly condensed version of a longer piece of writing that highlights the major points covered. The abstract concisely … Read more
The Purpose Instructors and professors often assign a five-paragraph essay to their beginning composition students. The five-paragraph essay is a useful assignment because the rigid structure helps students get a good grasp on how to organize an argumentative essay. This foundational format allows them to continue on to write longer and more sophisticated essays with … Read more
Purpose The purpose of an admissions essay is to help level the playing field between students applying to college who have different educational backgrounds. In addition, it helps schools identify students who have the capability to do well at the college or university who did not have a remarkable record in high school. By evaluating … Read more
What is an argumentative essay? An argumentative essay is an essay in which the author researches a controversial topic, takes a stance, and attempts to persuade the audience to agree with his or her position based on the evidence he or she has uncovered. This type of essay is carefully planned and usually takes several days … Read more
Understanding Cause and Effect Essays A cause and effect essay is one in which the writer makes a claim for why something happens (the cause) or what the result of something is (the effect). The essay may also deal with both causes and effects, exploring the intricate relationships between events and their outcomes. This type … Read more
Purpose The classification essay is designed to get students to think creatively and critically about categorizing information. In a classification essay, a student defines categories within a broader definition, breaking down complex topics into manageable and understandable segments. This type of essay requires students to analyze and organize information logically. For example, students might classify … Read more
Understanding Critical Essays A critical essay is a type of academic writing where the writer examines the work of another creator, be it a writer, artist, or a piece of legislation, and judges how successful that work is in achieving its aims. Unlike a simple review or a literary analysis, a critical essay goes deeper … Read more
Understanding Definition Essays A definition essay is a type of essay in which the writer defines a word. However, a definition essay must go beyond a dry dictionary interpretation. It should explore the word in different contexts, examine varying meanings of the word, and compare and contrast it to similar words. The aim is to … Read more
Understanding Analytical Essays An analytical essay requires that the writer go beyond simply describing or reporting on something. This type of essay involves a detailed examination of the elements or structure of the subject, which could be a text, event, or phenomenon. For example, an analytical essay on the Great Depression might look at the … Read more
Purpose The personal statement is a crucial component of the application process for admission into a graduate program. It serves as a platform for applicants to present themselves beyond their academic records and test scores. Given the competitive nature of graduate program admissions, where there are often dozens of applications for each available spot, the … Read more
Understanding Expository Essays An expository essay is a type of academic writing that provides information, explains a topic, or clarifies an idea to the reader. This form of essay is objectively written and usually research-based, aiming to present facts and details without personal bias or opinion. Examples of expository essays include a history class essay … Read more
Understanding Informal Essays An informal essay, unlike most formal academic essays, puts the writer and maybe even the audience front and center. This type of essay is characterized by a personal tone, conversational style, and the freedom to explore various topics in a less structured format. An informal essay can cover a variety of topics … Read more
Purpose An illustration essay is the simplest form of an argumentative essay. The primary objective of an illustration essay is to prove that something exists or to demonstrate a particular phenomenon. For example, a topic of an illustration essay might be sexism in the workplace. The main argument would be that sexism exists in the … Read more
Purpose The purpose of an evaluative essay is to teach students how to think critically and how to use examples to support their points. This type of essay encourages students to assess an item, idea, or piece of work, and then present an informed judgment based on specific criteria. Evaluative essays are relatively simple and … Read more
Understanding the Thesis A thesis is the final research project conducted as the capstone to a postgraduate degree. In the United States, a thesis refers to the final project for a master’s degree, while the final project for a doctoral degree is called a dissertation. In the United Kingdom, however, the term “thesis” is not … Read more
Understanding Simple Essays A routine or formula can make writing a simple essay relatively painless. There are many types of essay formats, such as narrative, analysis, argumentative, or comparison and contrast. Familiarizing yourself with these different conceptual frameworks can improve and enrich your writing. But for a simple essay, all you really need to know … Read more
Understanding Descriptive Essays In a descriptive essay, the writer uses the five senses to describe something as vividly as possible for the reader. This type of essay goes beyond mere reporting to bring an experience to life for the reader through detailed, sensory-rich descriptions. A descriptive essay may describe an object, a person, a place, … Read more
The Purpose of the Scholarship Essay Many scholarships awarded by private schools, universities, and private organizations require that applicants write a scholarship essay as part of the application process. The purpose of this essay is to get a better sense of who the applicant is as a person. The theme of the essay is often … Read more
What is a report? In writing, a report is a document that is both systematic and defines or analyzes the subject matter. Systematic is relative to the content, which should be written in such a way that the data is presented in the correct order, making the document very readable. A report can be an … Read more
Understanding Research Essays A research essay combines many of the skills learned from writing other types of essays. In a research essay, the writer must incorporate the ideas of others, analyzing and integrating information to support their own thesis. This type of essay can overlap with other essay formats such as literary analysis, persuasive essays, … Read more
A process essay explains how something is done. It gives the reader specific instructions, guiding them through the steps of a particular task or procedure. Writing a process essay involves a detailed, step-by-step explanation of a process that leads to a specific outcome. Whether the task is simple or complex, the key to success lies … Read more
An exploratory essay is a unique form of writing that focuses on investigating a topic, presenting the research, and explaining different perspectives without drawing conclusions or making recommendations. This type of essay encourages students to explore a topic in depth, gather information, and present it objectively. It is often assigned as a precursor to more … Read more
Purpose The purpose of the deductive essay is to guide students in the process of using deductive reasoning. In Western countries, deductive reasoning is the most commonly used method to arrive at a valid conclusion. Deductive reasoning uses facts to draw a conclusion. For example, a simple deductive argument might be: “Only depressive students exhibit … Read more
Purpose In a literary essay, a writer analyzes some aspect of a piece of literature. The goal is to explore and interpret the deeper meanings, themes, and elements of the work. This type of essay goes beyond summarizing the plot and delves into the various components that make up the literature, providing a deeper understanding … Read more
A guide to writing effective research proposals This article explains how to write a research proposal, including the purpose of the proposal, what to include, the structure and common problems that are encountered by students as they research or write their proposal. Purpose of the research proposal A research proposal may have several purposes, including to receive … Read more
Purpose Response essays are typically assigned as a precursor to an evaluative essay or a critique. These papers are typically written in response to a short literary passage, an editorial, a speech, or an artistic work. The response essay is useful because it gives students the opportunity to express their opinions in a professional manner … Read more
Proper referencing is a crucial aspect of writing a dissertation. It not only gives credit to the original authors whose work has informed your research but also helps you avoid the serious academic offense of plagiarism. In this guide, we will explore the importance of referencing, the different types of plagiarism, how to avoid it, … Read more
Purpose Writing a business research proposal is a valuable exercise that can help students develop critical thinking skills and enhance their career opportunities. The proposal serves as the first attempt to tackle an issue that is interesting to the writer and/or the business community. It introduces the concern and acts as a promise to investigate … Read more
Definition Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns. They may come before the word they describe (That is a cute puppy.) or they may follow the word they describe (That puppy is cute.). Adverbs are words that modify everything but nouns and pronouns. They modify adjectives, verbs, and other adverbs. A word is an adverb if it … Read more
The quality of the marketing dissertation you produce reflects your acquired knowledge and understanding of the marketing concepts. It is a chance to demonstrate you creativity, organizational and analytical skills and an opportunity to incorporate those skills to a specific marketing issue or a problem. A marketing dissertation requires you to understand, evaluate and analyze a specific marketing concept. … Read more
Strong Link between the Research Proposal and the Education Field The education research proposal will demonstrate how you will focus on a particular field of intellectual endeavour, such as special needs education, innovation in education, differentiation in education, technology in education and so on and how your field of inquiry relates to its broader intellectual … Read more
Writing a law thesis is undoubtedly a challenge. However, getting it right can lay the foundations for recognition as an expert in your field. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that you’ve delivered your best effort. This guide contains all the information you need to produce an outstanding law thesis and impress your examiners. Preliminary Stages … Read more
The distinction between fact and opinion in academic writing can often be subtle and complex. In disciplines outside the pure sciences, academic arguments frequently intertwine opinion with facts to bolster claims. Recognizing the difference between the two is crucial for critical reading, effective writing, and robust argumentation. This guide explores the definitions of facts and … Read more
Basic Rule The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb while a plural subject takes a plural verb. The trick is in knowing whether the subject is singular or plural. The next trick is recognizing a singular or plural verb. Hint: Verbs do not form their plurals by adding an “s” … Read more
A review essay examines a piece of writing, a film, or some other form of art. However, it differs from a literary essay in a couple of key ways. A review essay is evaluative, meaning that its purpose is to tell the reader whether the work is good or not and whether it is recommended. … Read more
What is the Extended Essay? The extended essay is an independent research project on a topic chosen by the student, working in collaboration with their supervisor. This essay is a formally presented scholarly paper that typically should not exceed 4000 words (approximately eight typed pages, double-spaced, with Times New Roman font – but do refer … Read more
In persuasive writing, the author is trying to convince the audience to agree with a point of view. Persuasive essay writing differs from an academic argument in that an academic argument uses reason and logic to persuade its readers while a persuasive paper may rely on other techniques such as emotion. Persuasive writing examples can … Read more
The exemplification essay is a type of argumentative essay. The purpose of an exemplification essay is to prove a point through the use of examples. Instead of relying solely on scholarly sources to support the main point, the writer makes use of specific examples. These examples may be hypothetical, or they could be real examples … Read more
The familiar essay is a type of essay that has fallen by the wayside in most primary and secondary school curricula because it is difficult to write. The familiar essay is a personal reflection on an elevated topic, such as “people worth knowing,” or “How religion informs morality.” It is similar to a personal essay … Read more
Writing a compare and contrast essay involves examining two or more subjects and analyzing their similarities and differences. This type of essay goes beyond simple description or summary; it requires a thorough examination of the topics to reveal nuanced differences and unexpected similarities. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you craft a compelling compare and … Read more
In real life, students are often called upon to classify and divide categories of items. Whether they are classifying and dividing types of jeans for a display at their job, or if they are sorting their expenses into categories for a spreadsheet or for tax purposes, knowing how to classify and divide is an essential … Read more
What is the table of contents? The table of contents is an index of everything in the dissertation – it should not include the title and contents page! A table of contents, TOC for short, lists in order the varying chapters of your dissertation all the way through to the bibliography and appendices. This allows the reader of the document … Read more
Notes: A standard research paper proposal should not in general be longer than ten per cent of the total length of your planned paper. For example, if the required word limit for your research paper cannot exceed ten thousand words, the proposal should be approximately one thousand words in total. A standard research paper proposal contains: the … Read more
The following will be a guide to writing an effective and legally sound legal opinion. It will begin by discussing the qualities of good writing which is central to writing a successful legal opinion. It will then move on to discussing the formulation of the legal opinion itself. Finally it will discuss the use of law in … Read more
Writing an evaluation requires thorough knowledge of the texts and/or topics which you are being asked to evaluate. You need to provide an overview of the texts and/or topics and then provide detailed discussion resulting in a balanced presentation supplemented by evidence correctly referenced according to the style required by your school, college or university. Writing … Read more
Report and essay writing requires a clear and sustained focus of information that directly supports the central topic or argument. In many cases, however, the research project will yield much more information. The problem with this bulk of material is where to include it. If it is only loosely related to the topic, adding it to the … Read more
A discursive essay thoroughly investigates an argument by offering two opposing perspectives. It’s a practical method of establishing the writer’s opinion on a topic and persuading one’s stance by exploring the reasons why each view may or may not be valid. The author usually maintains a calm and neutral stance throughout the text to establish … Read more
Abstract There are many different ways to write a paper, this is a research paper on how to write an APA formatted paper. The objective is after a person reads this paper they will have no questions on how to write a proper APA paper. Some key points contained in this paper are how to … Read more
The first essay outline for your course has been handed to you and you don’t have a clue regarding what to do. Here are some tips on how to write a great essay and save yourself the stress or panic. The first thing you will need to do is read the essay question carefully. Go … Read more
Reading and using a guide before and during the essay writing process can be extremely beneficial for students. A guide can provide students with the necessary information and guidance needed to write an effective essay. It can also help the student to become familiar with the essay writing process, develop their writing skills, and ensure the essay is well-written and structurally sound.
When a student reads and uses a guide before beginning the essay writing process, it can help them to set realistic expectations for their essay. A guide can provide information about the structure and format of an essay, what should and should not be included, and the most important elements to consider when writing. This information can help the student to plan their essay, decide on the topic, and determine what information they need to include and how they should go about researching it.
Using a guide during the essay writing process can be beneficial in many ways. For example, a guide can help the student to identify logical errors in their essay and provide advice on how to correct them. A guide can also help the student to develop their writing skills, offering tips and advice on how to improve their essay. A guide can also provide useful information on how to cite sources and how to structure an argument.
Using a guide can also help the student to better understand the importance of editing and proofreading. A guide can provide advice on the best techniques to use when editing and proofreading, as well as the importance of ensuring the essay is free from errors and typos. This can help the student to create a well-written and structurally sound essay.
Finally, using a guide can help the student to become familiar with the essay writing process. A guide can provide detailed information on the different stages of the essay writing process, such as brainstorming, researching, writing, and editing. This can help the student to become more confident and comfortable with the essay writing process.
In conclusion, reading and using a guide before and during the essay writing process can be extremely beneficial for students. A guide can provide students with the necessary information and guidance needed to write an effective essay. It can also help the student to become familiar with the essay writing process, develop their writing skills, and ensure the essay is well-written and structurally sound.
