INTRODUCTION

In writing an academic essay, you are constructing an academic argument; in other words, taking part in academic debate.  Your essay should therefore meet the same standards of production and presentation as those which govern papers published in academic journals and books.  Although you may only be starting out, this does not mean that standards are different for you: rather, it means that you should be striving from the outset of your academic career to produce work of the highest standard of which you are capable.

The English Department expects students to observe certain conventions when handing in written work. These conventions exist mainly to ensure readability and clarity. Your reader needs, first and foremost, to be able to understand clearly, and be convinced by, your argument.  Secondly, your reader must be able to trace validation of your argument backing in the primary and secondary texts used in your construction of your essay (more about all these issues later).