1. Use reporting verbs Reporting verbs help strengthen and support a line o argument while also indicating to the examiner why or how the source is useul.
There is a near innite amount o reporting verbs but some o the most common can be ound below:
i. verbs that present the
authors viewpoint
Jefery (1997) argues ... Thurston (2001) disputes ... H enderson (2014) conceded ... Birimac (201 1) reinorced ...
ii. verbs that ofer a neutral or
objective assessm ent
Chittenden (1 998) describes ... Pagomenakis (2004) states ... H alstead (1 992) defnes ... Jones (1999) highlights ...
iii. provide insight into the
thoughts and eelings o the author
Santrampurwala (1999) contested ... M c Glinchey (2000) evaluated ... M c M ullen (2010) investigated ... Bell (1 978) estimated ...
Richardson (1996) believes ... Rees (2003) recognizes ...
iv. other useul verbs Analysed Indicated
Claimed N oted
Compared Observed
Commented Pointed out
Concluded Reported
Criticized Showed
Demonstrated Suggested
Discussed Validated
2. Skip a line When writing, skip a line between paragraphs to indicate to an exam iner that you are m oving on to another analytical point.
3 . Use linking words In order to ensure your argum ent fows you must link your ideas together so they read as one developing argum ent. The best way to ensure this is by m eans o linking words.
i. when building up an argum ent and, also, as well as, m oreover, urther, urtherm ore, in addition, additionally,
next, secondly, thirdly, in conjunction
ii. when drawing com parisons similarly, likewise, in the sam e way, equally, challenging
iii. when highlighting contrasts although, or all that, however, on the contrary, conversely, otherwise, yet,
but, even so, despite
iv. when indicating both
sim ilarities and/or dierences
yet, even so, despite, notwithstanding
v. when providing reasons or a
rationale
or this reason, to this end, or this purpose, because, since, so that
vi. when explaining results as, as a consequence, as a result, hence, thereore, thus, inevitably, so
vii. when citing exam ples or exam ple, or instance, in other words, by way o illustration, such as, this
demonstrates, which can be seen in, as cited by
viii. when arriving at conclusions as has been noted, nally, in brie, in short, to sum m arize, consequently,
thereore, in conclusion, in other words, accordingly
4. Create a logical order Read through your work and then m ove the paragraphs or sections around so that the argum ent fows or develops in a logical order.
5. Use sources
*All quotes below have been written by the author or dem onstration purposes only.
Sources m ust always act as the bedrock o any analysis as they provide an externally validated support to your own ideas and writing.
Sources should be used to ensure the ollowing:
i. provide further explanations. U se a source to add urther detail to a line o
argum ent or to som e relevant acts youve reerred to.
For exam ple: The Fourth Lateran Council provided Pope Innocent III with a platorm to re-im pose Papal authority over European bishops, which Geralt adds was also a m uch needed stim ulus or the Papacy.
CONCLUSION
Conclusion
The conclusion to an E xtended E ssay must be taken very seriously as it brings your essay to a ormal close.
A co n cl u s io n m u s t .. .
AN SWER TH E RESEARCH QUESTI ON
The conclusion should reiterate the key fndings and main points developed in the body o the essay and provide a resolution to your research question.
ii. provide agreem ent. U se a source to provide agreem ent or arrive at a consensus on a point or key
issue.
For example: The Fou rth Lateran Cou ncil was a watershed m om ent or Pope Innocent III as it not only provided him with a basis or re-im posing papal authority over the bishops but also signalled the power o Papal institutions. This is a view shared by M erigold who argues that Innocents council m arked the beginning o a return to orm or the Papacy.
iii. provide alternative viewpoints or approaches.
U se a source to provide alternative points o view or varied approaches to a key point or issue.
For example: The Fou rth Lateran Cou ncil was a watershed m om ent or Pope Innocent III as it not only provided him with a basis or re-im posing papal authority over the bishops but also signalled the power o Papal institutions. H owever, Riannon argues that Innocents council marked a last ditch, desperate m ove by the Pope to regain the initiative.
6. Be heard Provide your own voice to any discussion or debate by com menting on the results, data and any fndings youve come by.
Ask the ever important question: What does this information reveal about m y research question?
B elow are a list of things that can feature in a conclusion and things to avoid at all costs.
Good:
1. A response to the actual question on your title page (ensure you have not drited into responding to a slightly diferent question or ocus) . 2. Comment on any inconclusive ndings or multiple interpretations i that
is what your research has indicated.
3. Disprove your core thesis i your evidence has led you to this conclusion.
4. Ofer an evaluation o the value and limitations o the methodology, process or sources you have utilized.
5. M ention any unresolved or additional questions that have arisen as a result o your research and why their answer goes beyond the remit o the current work.
6. Summarize the key points raised in the main body and synthesize them into a nal analysis.
Avoid:
1. Introducing any new material (this includes quotes not seen beore in the essay) .
2. Ofering no conclusion whatsoever (you should ofer a resolution even i it is partial or incomplete) .
3. Including any emotive or personal statements. 4. Including any accusations (it is not your role to judge) .
5. Answering a question that is diferent to the one on the cover.