Previous ed.: 2001.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [116]) and index.

Preface to the third edition and acknowledgements -- 1 Introduction -- 1.1 How to use this guide -- 1.2 Will the guide tell you everything about essay writing? -- 2 What tutors look for when marking essays -- 2.1 Marking schemes: criteria related to grade bands -- 2.2 Writing skills: 'introductory', 'intermediate' and 'advanced' essays -- 3 What is a social science essay? -- 3.1 The structure of a basic social science essay -- 3.2 What is distinctive about a social science essay? -- 3.3 Common errors in essays -- 3.4 Three golden rules for writing a social science essay -- 4 Matching the answer to the question -- 4.1 Answering advocacy questions -- 4.2 Answering evaluation questions -- 4.3 Answering compare and contrast questions -- 5 Stages of writing from preparation to final version -- 5.1 Use feedback -- 5.2 Read the question and any guidance notes -- 5.3 Identify and organize the relevant material -- 5.4 First draft to final version -- 5.5 Time management -- 6 Writing introductions -- 6.1 Longer or 'full' introductions -- 6.2 Basic short introductions -- 6.3 When do you write the introduction? -- 7 Writing the main section -- 7.1 Structuring your argument -- 7.2 Using evidence to support your argument -- 7.3 Adding weight to your argument -- 7.4 Communicating your argument -- 8 Writing conclusions -- 8.1 What a conclusion should aim to do -- 8.2 What a conclusion should contain -- 9 Referencing -- 9.1 Why are references needed? -- 9.2 What should be referenced? -- 9.3 Basic principles -- 9.4 Advanced referencing -- 9.5 Compiling your references -- 10 Some common worries -- 10.1 Writing too much -- 10.2 Using the 'I' word -- 10.3 Using your own experience -- 10.4 Presentation, spelling and grammar -- 10.5 Plagiarism -- 11 Examples of student essays -- Essay 1 -- Essay 2 -- Appendix: abbreviations and words in foreign languages -- References -- Index.