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Start writing essays: Track 1

Audio

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.

Track 1: Start writing essays

An introduction to this album.



Tracks in this podcast:

Track Title Description
1 Start writing essays An introduction to this album. Play now Start writing essays
2 Researching an essay Open University tutors Tim Baugh and Lesley Hoose discuss essay titles, research and schedules with OU student Beth Lewis. Play now Researching an essay
3 Early stages of essay writing John Humphrys stresses how important it is to know your subject and know your position in the argument. Play now Early stages of essay writing
4 What is good writing? There is a fine line between good and pretentious writing, John Pilger knows that getting your grammar right is essential. Play now What is good writing?
5 Getting the tone right Professor Richard Dawkins describes his tone as simple as possible but not simpler. Don’t spell out every tiny detail. Play now Getting the tone right
6 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. Play now Writer's block
7 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. Play now A student's approach to planning
8 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. Play now Different approaches to research
9 Writing your introduction Using a subtle but powerful approach when writing an introduction will grab the reader’s attention. Play now Writing your introduction
10 The main body of the essay It is important to write with the mindset that the reader is intelligent but misinformed. Play now The main body of the essay
11 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. Play now Giving both sides of the argument
12 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. Play now Writing your conclusion
13 A student's approach to drafting and revising Student Beth Lewis writes her drafts by hand, this reduces her word count. Play now A student's approach to drafting and revising
14 Different approaches to drafting and revising: Professor Richard Dawkins explains how important it is to spot what could be misunderstood or interpreted differently. Play now Different approaches to drafting and revising:
15 Getting another perspective Don’t get to close to your subject, keep your reader in your consciousness, pretend your someone else. Play now Getting another perspective
16 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. Play now A student's approach to examination essays and writing style
17 Different approaches to examination essays In an exam room Mathew Kelly gets his notes down straight away so he can refer to them quickly. Play now Different approaches to examination essays
18 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. Play now How to improve your writing

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