Critical analysis

Critical analysis
Introduction: State what is to come in the essay in the order it will come in and say something about how you will approach the essay and the issues to be addressed it in. Say the way in which you intend to address them.

Structure: Answer the question in a logical and coherent order. Ensure that you start a new point in a new paragraph with a ‘topic statement’ and that you use effective linkages that ensure that they ‘flow’ on from one to another to build up your argument.

Conclusion: Summarise the main points of your argument. Address central issues outlined in your introduction and come to a conclusion regarding the essay question that you have supported with reasoning and evidence in the main body of the essay.

Argument
Understanding of topic: Show that you understand the key points of the topic, the significance of the topic in a broader context and the particular ‘angle’ of the essay question.

Other requirements
Critical analysis: Analyse issues and theories – don’t just describe them. Carry out the analysis in a rigorous and thoughtful manner.
Presentation: Ensure that your work is presentable but do not overpackage it. You must use 1.5 spacing in conjunction with a size 12 font to leave space for the marker’s comments. Present your work well, using the appropriate IT skills. Include page numbering and your student number, module code and assessment code using headers and footers, the title at the beginning and word count at the end.

Use of sources: Refer to main authors and theories in the area and make sure your main points are supported by appropriate references in the text of your essay.

Using Cite Them Right available on UEL Plus you must provide:
Reference List: using the Harvard System of all sources cited in the essay itself.
In-text citations: (author’s last name, year of publication, page number).

You will lose marks if you do not:
• Reference your work and set out your reference list correctly using the Harvard system.
• Refer to appropriate sources or insufficient sources.
• Ensure that you have spell checked and proof read your essays to check for clarity.
• Use at least four of the recommended sources in the module guide.
• See below for an essay template which you may find helpful and some further guidance below that.

ESSAY PLAN TEMPLATE
Essay Title: Question
Introduction (explains what the essay is going to do)
Decide how long should this section should be? (10% of the total length of the essay)

What issues will you explore in the essay?

Any definitions required?

What is your thesis statement?

Main body. Paragraph 1
How long?
Topic statement = Your main idea or argument this paragraph will cover
Linkage to next paragraph……
Paragraph 2
How long?
Topic statement = Your main idea or argument this paragraph will cover
Linkage to next paragraph……
Paragraph 3
How long?
Topic statement = Your main idea or argument this paragraph will cover

Linkage to next paragraph……

Paragraph 4
How long?
Topic statement = Your main idea or argument this paragraph will cover

Linkage to next paragraph……

Paragraph 5 and so on …………..
How long?
Topic statement = Your main idea or argument this paragraph will cover

Linkage to next paragraph……

Conclusion – please note no new material in a conclusion
How long? (10% of essay)

Summarise main points/key aspects discussed in your work
State conclusions

Reference List – all sources that you have cited in the main body of the essay, properly formatted using the Harvard System in Cite Them Right (available on UEL Plus) and in alphabetical order.

Use as many sources as you can but you must make sure that you use at least FOUR sources taken from recommended readings for this module and a good range eg books/ papers/articles/web sources. That does not mean only use four sources by the way!

There is an extensive reading list on UEL+ for the whole module and a selection of readings on UEL Plus– make sure that you use them. Read the guidance for the essay carefully before you start.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE TOPIC VISIT