Bailey.Academic_Writing

1.3 From Titles to Outlines
Most written work begins with a title, and students must be quite
clear what question the title is asking before starting to plan the
essay and read around the topic. This unit deals with analysing titles
and making basic essay outlines.
1. When preparing to write an essay, it is essential to identify
the main requirements of the title. You must be clear about
what areas your teacher wants you to cover. These will then
determine the organisation of the essay. For example:
The state should play no part in the organisation of
industry – discuss.
Here the key word is discuss. Discussing involves
examining the benefits and drawbacks of something.
Underline the key words in the following titles and consider
what they are asking you to do.
a) Define information technology (IT) and outline its
main applications in medicine.
b) Compare and contrast the appeal process in the legal
systems of Britain and the USA.
c) Evaluate the effect of mergers in the motor industry in
the last ten years.
d) Trace the development of primary education in one
country. Illustrate some of the issues currently facing
this sector.
Note that most of the titles above have two terms in the
title. You must decide how much importance to give to
each section of the essay: e.g. title (a) might require 10%
for the definition and 90% for the explanation.
2. The following terms are also commonly used in essay titles.
Match the terms to the definitions on the right.
Analyse
Describe
Examine
State
Suggest
Summarise
Give a clear and simple account
Make a proposal and support it
Deal with a complex subject by giving
the main points
Divide into sections and discuss each
critically
Give a detailed account
Look at the various parts and their
relationships