TYPES OF WRITING – GENERAL:

ESSAYS

An essay is the still the most usual type of writing students have to produce. Typical length is 1500-2000 words though some may be as long as 5000 words. This includes all the complete continuous writing and thus does NOT include:

• Title page
• contents page
• acknowledgements
• abstract
• bibliography
• appendix/appendices

Essay titles may be given by the lecturer OR a topic around which you the student have to devise the title. (See the section "Understanding the task/title").

The difference between essays and reports in academic work is usually that an essay discusses the issues surrounding a topic whereas a report has to consider the issues surrounding a problem that needs a solution and thus may include recommendations for action and/or an action plan.

In terms of presentation, it is most important to write continuous connected sentences and paragraphs. In some subject areas, it is usual to use headings and even numbered headings but NOT all - check with your lecturer if they consider headings appropriate IN the essay.