Professional Documents
Culture Documents
REQUIREMENTS OF AN ACADEMIC
ACCOUNT
The developmenr of higher order rhinking
skills has been adopted as an educational goal
in order to prepare nurses to meet the challenges of rhe rapidly changing, complex
health-care sysrem. There is almosr universal
agreement that essays at undergraduate level
should be analytical rather than descriptive
and should demonstrate rhe development of
critical thinking (Jones and Brown, 1991;
Bowers and McCarthy, 1993).
Higher order rhinking is characterized by
rhe ability to:
# Present and explore a range of alrernarive
viewpoints and comprehend rhar rhere
may be equally valid inrerpretations on
any one issue
# Challenge accepted knowledge, practice,
ideology and values, and recognize
the difficulties in establishing objective
facts in nursing
Abstract
Writing academic essays can be a maior hurdle and source of anxiety for*
many students. Fears and misconceptions relating to this kind of wrtttng
can be dispeiied If the task Is approached In a Io0cal and systematic
manner. This articie outlines the key steps involved In successfully
completing an essay and provides some practical tips to facllftate crMt
and analytical writing. These steps are: analysing the task; explortng tfie'
subject; ptanning the essay; writing the account; and revising the drafts.
Although this process is chalien^ng, academic writing Is a means of
developing both personally and professionally.
EDUCATION
Academic
writing often
takes a critical
approach, and it is
likely that more will
be required than a
summary of the
relevant literature.
If there is any
uncertainty about
what sort of
approach to take,
the issue should be
discussed with a
tutor or
supervisor.
I
I
Do I agree with the perspectives presented? Why might some findings be better than others in particular settings?
Were there important issues or questions that were not addressed?
What are the implications for nursing, now or In the future?
Source: Poltt and Hungler (1993): Price (1994)
EDUCATION
Saying it clearly
There is a difference between spoken and
written language. Words must be selected
carefully and abbreviations avoided. It is
absolutely vital to make sure that the meaning
of each sentence is clear. Ir is wrong to assume
that the reader will understand if the sense is
at all vague. Writing for an academic essay
should be simple and direct, e.g. short sentences and clear paragraphs. Imposing words
or complex sentences get in the way of
intended thoughts.
Guiding the reader
The reader needs to be guided through the
essay. The introduction provides an outline of
the author's aims and intentions. The main
body of the essay should lead the reader from
one section to the next. Finally, the conclusion draws together the key points and
presents rhe final position. Some useful
link words which help to mamtain continuity
and examples of signposts which help direct
readers through the essay are provided
in Table 2.
Paragraphs should deal with one main
theme only and should link sequentially and
thematically with preceding/following paragraphs. In order to present a coherent argument, ideas, points and concepts should be
linked to one another in a logical way.
REVISIONS
Supporting arguments
Academic essays must be supported with
appropriate research and theory rather than
pcrson.il nbservjtiuns al)ntr. Northcdge
Once some of the essay has been written revisions can then be made. In order to facilitate
this editing process it is a good idea to double
approached in a logical and systematic manner, and adequate time is set aside for this
process.
In this article many of the key steps
involved In successfully completing an academic essay are presented and practical tips to
facilitate critical and analytical writing provided. Although the process Is challenging.
Immense personal and professional satisfaction may he gained from successfully completing an essay.
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11: 53-56
KEY POINTS
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