Essay Writing Guide

This document offers a comprehensive guide to essay writing, emphasizing the importance of a clear structure with a strong introduction, supporting arguments in the body, and a concise conclusion restating the main points. It mandates a minimum of eight academic references, correctly cited using the Harvard referencing style. The guide also details formatting requirements, including font size, line spacing, margins, and page numbering. It stresses the importance of proofreading and provides access to example essays and business submissions for guidance. The document highlights the need for accurate citation to avoid plagiarism and emphasizes the use of SafeAssign for plagiarism detection. The overall tone is instructive, providing students with a step-by-step approach to crafting a well-structured and well-referenced essay.

Essay Structure
A starting point for answering the essay questions are the key readings as set out in
the course for the chosen topic. The readings in the Readings (left-hand menu) will
provide additional sources. Read these sources critically.
There is no correct or incorrect answer. It requires development of an argument
based on your position and what evidence (references) you use to support your
position. In this, you need to state this position in the introduction of your essay. In
the body of the essay you should provide points and arguments that support your
position. In the conclusion of your essay you should re-state your position and key
points supporting that position. Overall the essay should make clear your own
opinion on the essay question based on evidence you have presented (ie,
references).
In the structure of the essay, it is very important that you have
 a clear introduction that sets out what argument you are making and how you intend to
make and support it.
 The body will consist of points in support of your position.
 The conclusion restates the arguments and offers some observations based on your
research.
A minimum of 8 references is required, which should include academic
sources. All material drawn from these references must be appropriately cited.
Use SafeAssign (see Draft submission point below).
There is also an example of an Essay in the Examples folder below.
Make sure you check the rubric below for the assessment marking criteria.
BOTH ESSAYS AND BUSINESS SUBMISSIONS: PRESENTATION &
REQUIREMENTS
Written assignments both essay and business submission must conform to the
standards specified below:
 A title page with your name, student number, title of essay/submission and word length
must be included.
 The font size must be read comfortably.
 The following examples should be used as a guide: Arial - 10 point and Times Roman - 12
point.
 Line spacing is either double or 1½.
 Both margins (left and right) are at least 3 cm.
 Pages are numbered.
 References cited in the text conform to the Harvard reference style. If a reference is
taken from a particular page, or pages, within the article or book, then the page
number(s) must be included. The format should include the author, date of
publication, and page number. For the business submission, use web sources
correctly - put web addresses in the Reference List, not in the text of the
submission.

 When words are taken directly from other sources (books, articles and web sites) and
reproduced in an essay/submission quotation marks must be used.
 A reference list is attached and the entries are in alphabetical order by author.
 The assignment has been proof read.
ALWAYS keep a copy of your assignment.
There is also an example of both a business submission and essay in the
Examples folder below. Please read these documents carefully. Further information
about the essay and the submission will be provided in the lectures and in
workshops.