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Students Zone / Essay plans

In the following essay plans you will find that the introductions are not included, for the simple reason that it is not possible to plan an introduction until you know what you will be introducing. But when you write your introduction it is useful to keep in mind that there are two key things that your readers will look for: two questions that they will want answered.

1. Have you analysed the implications of the question? Let your readers know that you have seen the point of the question.
2. Have you outlined the structure, the map, of the essay, so that readers will know clearly what you are doing at any point in the essay and are in no danger of getting lost?

As for conclusions these, too, are not included in the plans. There are a number ways you may choose to use them to make your essay effective. You can:

1. Present your own opinions in the form of conclusions as long as they match the strength of your arguments.
2. Summarise the main points.
3. Pick up the theme of the introduction.
4. Suggest wider implications.
5. Predict future trends.

For more detailed advice on how to use introductions and conclusions and other aspects of essay writing see, How to Write Better Essays by Bryan Greetham, or our free study skills site at www.skills4study.com.

Please note the below links are to PDF documents. For help with PDF files please see here.

1. ‘All the world is a dream.’ How can we be sure that it is not? Explain and examine critically the role played by clear and distinct perceptions in Descartes’ attempt to arrive at certainty.
   
2. Outline the difficulties involved in the problem of induction. What bearing do these have on the practice and claims of science?
   
3. Do you agree that the order we see around us could have come about only as the result of intelligent planning?
   
4. Is there any sense in which we can argue that we are free because our actions and choices are expressions of our own character?
   
5. Is it true that all our virtuous actions are driven by a concern for our own self-interest?
   
6. The problem for preference utilitarianism is how to count and compare preferences. Explain and assess how successful preference utilitarianism is as a moral theory.
   
7. What is the definition of civil disobedience? Do you think it can ever be justified?
   
8. Are freedom and democracy necessarily linked?
   
9. Is nationalism an anachronism or a liberating force?