You’ve just finished your essay, and now you face the daunting task of citing all of your sources. Not only that, but the essay guidelines state that you must cite your references in the correct formatting! MLA, APA, what does it all mean!?
Fear not, we’ve written this super simple guide on the differences between MLA vs APA citations. We’ll cover what they are, when to use them, and why to use them. Let’s dive in!
MLA vs APA: The Key Differences
When writing any academic paper, you have to cite your sources. Failure to do so could possibly lead to penalties for plagiarism. The very last thing you want after hours spent behind your laptop!
Two of the most common citation styles are MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association). MLA format is mainly used for humanities subjects, such as English, Literature, and Arts. While on the other hand, the APA format is used for social sciences topics, like Psychology, Sociology, and Education.
Both MLA and APA are used in academic writing, but they serve different purposes and have distinct rules. Let’s break those down below.
Title Page
APA format requires a title page that includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institution’s name.
The MLA format does not require a separate title page. Instead, your name, instructor’s name, course, and date are placed at the top of the first page.
In-Text Citations
MLA citations include the author’s last name and page number. APA citations include the author’s last name and year of publication, and the page number if quoting directly.
Works Cited vs References
The MLA format lists sources on a “Works Cited” page, while the APA format lists them on a “References” page.
Now that you have an overview of the differences between MLA and APA, let’s take a deep dive into each style.
MLA Format
MLA format is mostly used to credit sources in humanities papers. It helps in giving proper credit to authors and provides readers with a way to find the original sources. You’re essentially giving credit where it’s due to the author of the information you got your idea, fact, or statistic from.
In-Text Citations
In MLA style, you use parenthetical citations in the text. These include the author’s last name and the page number from which the information was taken.
Example:
(Smith 123)
If you mention the author’s name in the sentence, only the page number is needed in the citation. So the above becomes:
Smith states that… (123).
Works Cited Page
At the end of the paper, the MLA format requires a “Works Cited” page. This page lists all the sources you cited in your paper in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
Example:
Smith, John. The Art of Citation. New York: Citation Press, 2020.
MLA Formatting Guidelines
When using MLA in your essays or papers, consider the following:
- Double-space your entire paper, including the Works Cited page.
- Use a legible font like Times New Roman, size 12.
- Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.
- Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
- Indent the first line of each paragraph at one half-inch from the left margin.
APA Format
Unlike MLA, the APA format is largely used for academic writing in Social Sciences. It helps ensure clarity of communication and provides a consistent structure for citing sources. Again, clarifying to the reader that you are not claiming any statistics as your own findings!
In-Text Citations
In APA style, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If directly quoting, include the page number as well.
Example:
(Smith, 2020, p. 123)
If you mention the author’s name in the sentence, include the year in parentheses immediately after the author’s name. So the above becomes:
Smith (2020) states that…
References Page
The APA format requires a “References” page at the end of your paper. This page lists all the sources you cited in your paper in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
Example:
Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. New York, NY: Citation Press.
APA Formatting Guidelines
If you are using APA style in your essay, keep in mind the following:
- Double-space your entire paper, including the References page.
- Use a legible font like Times New Roman, size 12.
- Include a page header (also known as the “running head”) at the top of every page.
- Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
- Indent the first line of each paragraph at one half-inch from the left margin.
MLA Style and Parenthetical Citations
The MLA style uses parenthetical citations within the text to credit sources. The citations include the author’s last name and the page number from which the information was taken.
Works Cited Entries
Entries in the Works Cited page are formatted with the author’s last name first. This is followed by the first name, the title of the source, and publication information.
Example:
Smith, John. The Art of Citation. Citation Press, 2020.
Title Case
In MLA format, titles of sources are capitalized in title case, meaning the first letter of most words is capitalized.
Quotation Marks
For titles of short works like articles, essays, and short stories, the MLA format uses quotation marks.
Example:
Smith, John. “The Art of Citation.” Citation Journal*, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 123-134.*
APA and In-Text Citation Style
The APA style uses author-date citations within the text to credit sources. These citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication.
References Page
Entries within the References page are formatted with the author’s last name first. This is then followed by the first initial, the year of publication, the title of the source, and publication information.
Example:
Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press.
Sentence Case
In APA format, the titles of sources are capitalized in sentence case. This means only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
Title Page
The APA format requires a separate title page that includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institution’s name.
Italics
For titles of books, movies, and journals, the APA format uses italics.
Example:
Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press.
Journal Articles
When citing journal articles in APA format, include the volume and issue number, and the page range.
Example:
Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Journal, 10(2), 123-134.
MLA Examples
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the formatting differences between MLA and APA. Take a look at a few examples of MLA citations below. Have a think about what would be different if they were formatted in APA.
- Book: Smith, John. The Art of Citation. Citation Press, 2020.
- Article: Smith, John. “The Art of Citation.” Citation Journal*, vol. 10, no. 2, 2020, pp. 123-134.*
- Webpage or PDF: Smith, John. “The Art of Citation.” Citation Press, 2020, www.citationpress.com/art-of-citation.
APA Examples
Here are a few examples of APA citations. Do the same as before and think about what these APA examples would look like in MLA format.
- Book: Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press.
- Article: Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Journal, 10(2), 123-134.
- Webpage or PDF: Smith, J. (2020). The art of citation. Citation Press. Retrieved from www.citationpress.com/art-of-citation
Frequently Asked Questions
What are in-text citations?
In-text citations are brief references within the text that give credit to the original sources of information.
How do you format the title page in MLA?
In MLA format, you do not need a separate title page. Instead, place your name, instructor’s name, course, and date at the top of the first page.
How do you format the title page in APA?
In APA format, you need a separate title page that includes the title of the paper. Follow with the author’s name and the institution’s name.
How do you cite a book in MLA format?
Cite a book in the MLA format by listing the author’s last name, first name, and the title of the book in italics. Always include the publication information.
How do you cite a book in APA format?
Cite a book in APA format by listing the author’s last name, first initial, the year of publication in parentheses. Follow this with the title of the book in italics, and the publication information.
MLA vs APA Citation Style: Use Smodin and Excel in Both
There you have it— a thorough but simple breakdown of MLA vs APA citation. Understanding the differences between MLA and APA citation styles is crucial for academic writing. The last thing you want is to be pulled up for self-plagiarism, all because you didn’t use the correct citation formatting!
Just to remind you, MLA is commonly used in Humanities topics while APA is used in Social Sciences. Both APA and MLA ensure that sources are credited properly and that readers can find the original sources.
Ready to master your citations? Enhance your academic writing with Smodin’s AI-powered writing tools, including its Citation Generator. Smodin can help you generate accurate citations, improve your writing, and ensure your papers are top-notch. Visit Smodin today to explore our tools and take your writing to the next level.
Learning how to write an explanatory essay can be daunting when you’re just getting started.
Why? Ever tried explaining a difficult concept to a friend in an easy-to-understand way? Tricky, right? It’s one thing to know about a challenging topic yourself. However, understanding how to describe that topic to a total beginner can be a tough task.
As such, explanatory essay writing takes a good bit of practice if you’re new to the style. But the good news? Once you learn the basics, you can research effectively and create clear, concise written pieces on any topic. And this, ultimately, is the key to getting top grades.
So, to help you, we’ll break down our eight-step process for creating a brilliant explanatory essay. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, let’s take a look at what “explanatory essay” even means.
What Is an Explanatory Essay?
An explanatory essay is a type of essay that explains a particular topic, viewpoint, situation, or event objectively. The goal is to provide information and present evidence in a straightforward way. So, the reader feels knowledgeable about your chosen topic.
With an explanatory essay, you don’t have to argue a position on the topic you’re writing about like you would with an argumentative essay. In fact, you shouldn’t tell people what you think at all. Explanatory writing isn’t the place for controversial opinions and curious theories.
Instead, your goal is to lay out all of the facts so that your reader feels educated about the topic. That way, they can form their own opinion on the subject. Achieve that, and you’ve just created a brilliant explanatory essay.
Now that you no longer have to wonder “What is an explanatory essay?” let’s have a look at what’s the difference between expository and explanatory essays, two similar types of essays.
What’s the Difference Between Expository and Explanatory Essays?
In most educational settings, “expository essay” and “explanatory essay” are used interchangeably. That said, in some cases, your teacher might want to distinguish between the two. In that case, there is one key difference.
Expository essays usually focus almost exclusively on evidence and hard facts. Meanwhile, an explanatory essay may include evidence but also emphasize clarifying key terms and explaining big ideas in accessible ways.
This is the primary difference. But it’s very subtle, and in most cases distinguishing between the two is unnecessary. Ultimately, each aims to lay out all the facts in a non-biased way. So, the reader can form their own opinion about the topic. Get that part right, and you’re setting yourself up for success.
When Should I Write an Explanatory Essay?
In some situations, your teacher may explicitly tell you to write an explanatory essay. But other times, you might have to figure it out for yourself. When that happens, you need to know what to look for.
Fortunately, working out that you need to write an explanatory essay is pretty straightforward. Most will include one of the following keywords: Explain, Describe, or Define. For instance, some possible prompts could include:
- Define “Enlightenment” and explain how it impacted the French Revolution.
- Explain the structure of DNA and its role in genetic inheritance.
- Describe the concept of biodiversity hotspots and their importance for conservation.
If you receive a prompt with one of these keywords, it’s a good indicator you need to write something explanatory. Now, with that out of the way, let’s take a look at a typical explanatory essay outline.
An Example Explanatory Essay Outline Template
The best explanatory essay structure will vary depending on your topic and why you’re writing your essay. But in general, most will follow an explanatory essay format like this:
- Introduction
- Hook – An engaging opening sentence that hooks the reader in.
- Background – Basic details that give necessary background context to your essay.
- Thesis – The main idea or central point your article will explain.
- Body paragraphs (3-5)
- A clearly defined point.
- Evidence to support the point.
- Explanation of the evidence provided.
- A concluding statement that ties the point back to your thesis statement and leads into the next paragraph.
- Conclusion
- Restate your thesis statement.
- A summary of the key points.
- A final statement or perspective on the subject.
A standard article in schools usually includes three body paragraphs. But depending on the complexity of your topic, you may need more.
Now that we are done with our explanatory essay example template, it’s time to focus on your essay writing skills and take a deep into what to include in your essay step by step.
A Guide To Create the Best Explanatory Essay
Now that you know the structure, these are the steps we recommend you follow to create a first-class explanatory essay. We’ll also include an example throughout to show how the writing process works in practice. You can also use our steps below to create an explanatory essay checklist.
1. How To Choose Your Topic
Got the opportunity to choose a topic? It’s worth spending a bit of time thinking about what you want to write about. But of course, this will all depend on your assignment:
- Have the freedom to choose anything you like? Brainstorm some ideas and come up with some possible explanatory essay topics based on your interests.
- Need to write about a specific subject? There’s still room for creativity. A subject like “the impact of technology” has a lot of potential. You can take it in any direction.
- Your teacher has provided you with a specific essay prompt? You can still approach the explanation from a unique angle. A task to “explain the significance of space exploration” may seem cut and dry. But you can approach it from the perspective of technology, society, the environment, or even ethics.
Whatever your task, the key takeaway is to have a clear idea of your angle before you start writing. Once you have that, you can move on to the next step.
2. How To Do the Research
With your angle in mind, it’s time to do your research. The evidence you gather here will ultimately form the basis of your explanatory essay.
Google is a great place to start for all research papers. Look for information on key subtopics surrounding your main point and take note of any important facts.
Remember to choose websites wisely. Aim to find reliable sources like journals and scholarly articles. These sources are more reputable. This makes them more valuable for backing up your explanation with facts. You can also leverage AI writing tools to speed up this process and get credible information faster.
Top Tip: For an explanatory essay in an exam, you’ll have to rely on what you know from your lessons. Your teacher will hope you have some facts in mind. But don’t worry if you forget a statistic or specific date. Just prioritize organizing your thoughts and presenting your knowledge in a clear way.
3. How To Create the Perfect Plan
With your research complete, it’s time to plan. Use the outline above as a starting point.
Your introduction hook and conclusion paragraph aren’t too important as you write. Sometimes, the best opener and closer will come to mind as you write the body of your essay. At the very least, you should have your main thesis statement and three points that support it planned out. This will improve your flow and save you time.
Top Tip: In an exam? Our advice is to spend around 5%-10% of your total time creating a brief outline. Write and underline your main thesis statement and then jot down three to four key points that support it.
Got your plan laid out? Brilliant! Time to start writing.
4. How To Write a Hook for an Explanatory Essay
If you don’t know how to write a hook for an explanatory essay, we’ve got you covered! Your article’s hook does exactly what it says on the tin. It “hooks” the reader into your essay. As such, begin with an opening sentence that is exciting and engaging. You should also leave enough to the imagination to make the reader want to find out more.
This can take a bit of practice, so here are a few ideas to get you off the mark.
- Pose an interesting question.
- Start with a strong fact.
- Open with a startling statistic.
For instance, let’s say we were writing an essay based on this prompt:
“Explain the impact of fossil fuels on global warming and describe potential solutions.”
Here are three great hooks that may get the reader interested in the topic:
- Interesting question: How could our daily lives change in the next 10 years due to global warming?
- Strong fact: If we don’t take urgent action to avoid global warming, the IPCC predicts climate change could be irreversible by 2030.
- Startling statistic: 2023 was over 2.12 degrees warmer than the 20th-century average, making it the hottest year ever since records began.
Each of these hooks either poses a question to your audience or presents a concrete fact. Remember that we’re always trying to avoid personal opinions. It’s important to remain objective throughout.
5. How To Write the Introduction for an Explanatory Essay
Following on from your hook, we need to write the bulk of our explanatory essay introduction. Here, you should provide any basic contextual information that the reader needs to understand the rest of your article.
Let’s go back to our example to explain this. We’ll expand on the startling statistic we mentioned in the previous step.
“2023 was over 2.12 degrees warmer than the 20th-century average, making it the hottest year ever since records began. This worrying trend is set to continue as global warming intensifies. Human activity is the primary cause behind this phenomenon. Specifically, our overreliance on fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, increasing the Earth’s average temperature”.
As you can see, this section provides factual background information about global warming and how fossil fuels impact the environment. It gives the reader all the necessary context they’ll need to understand the rest of your article.
6. How To Write a Thesis for an Explanatory Essay
You’ve hooked the reader in and provided some background on the topic. Now, it’s time to end your introduction with a clear thesis statement.
Wondering how to write a thesis for an explanatory essay? We explain all you need to know below.
Your explanatory essay thesis statement should clearly state the main idea your essay will explore. But unlike an argumentative essay, you shouldn’t rely on personal opinion. Instead, you should make a clear, factual statement that you will back up throughout the article.
Let’s go back to our global warming example. Our thesis statement might look something like this:
“Burning fossil fuels leads to extreme weather patterns and the melting of our ice caps. Society must transition to renewable energy sources in order to reverse these effects.”
This thesis statement clearly outlines the main idea the article will explore. Crucially, it also leaves plenty of information for you to explain and evidence in your body paragraphs.
Lastly, you’ll note that this statement is objective. It is a fact that you can justify in the body of your essay.
7. How To Write Body Paragraphs for an Explanatory Essay
Next, we have the body paragraphs. We recommend following a typical Point, Evidence, and Explain structure. Here are some tips to make each paragraph as good as the last.
Start With a Clearly Defined Point
The first line in every paragraph should clearly outline the topic for that section. It should also tie back to your main idea. For instance, if we return to the thesis statement above, we might create three points to support our main idea:
- Fossil fuels are the primary cause behind extreme weather patterns worldwide.
- Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to the melting of the polar ice caps.
- Renewable energy sources like solar are the best way for humanity to combat global warming.
Each of these sentences opens the door to different discussions, but they all tie back to the original thesis. Once we’ve made our initial points, we can now begin to support these statements with evidence.
Back Everything Up With Examples
Now that you’ve created a point, you need to back it up with evidence. Choose a credible source that proves the point you’re making. Let’s select our first idea as an example. We could justify it with a statistic from a credible source like the United Nations:
“The UN reports that fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas account for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions.”
We now have our evidence presented clearly. Next, we can spend the rest of our paragraph explaining how this statistic supports our point.
Explain How Your Evidence Supports Your Point
It’s not enough to provide evidence and hope that the reader understands the correlation. We need to lay everything out in an easy-to-understand way to show exactly why our evidence proves our initial point.
Let’s expand on our example to show how this looks in practice:
“The UN reports that fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas account for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As these gases increase in concentration in the Earth’s atmosphere, they trap heat from the sun. This causes the global average temperature to increase. Aside from causing dangerous heat waves, droughts, and wildfires, a warmer ocean means there is more moisture in the air. This leads to intense bouts of rain, as well as hurricanes and tropical cyclones.”
As you can see, this explanation ties your evidence to the main point. It leaves nothing to the imagination and proves a correlation between fossil fuels and extreme weather events.
All done? Not quite. The last thing we need to do is wrap this up by linking back to the thesis.
Tie the Paragraph Back to Your Thesis Statement
This is the final step for a great body paragraph. We need to clearly show how the paragraph (at least in part) answers our thesis statement. Here’s a suggestion based on the example above:
“Therefore, it is clear that greenhouse gases are the leading cause behind the growing number of extreme weather events worldwide. Furthermore, it is also evident that burning fossil fuels is the driving force behind this monumental change.:
That’s a wrap! We’ve just created a clear and well-evidenced body paragraph. You can apply this general structure to each of your further paragraphs to create a compelling, well-written explanatory essay.
8. How To Write a Conclusion for an Explanatory Essay
Lastly, you need to conclude your explanatory essay. When you know how to write a great conclusion, you can tie everything together. You can leave the right lasting impression on your reader.
Here are the steps we recommend if you don’t want to wonder how to write a conclusion for an explanatory essay.
Restate Your Thesis Statement
First, you should restate your initial thesis statement in a different way. For instance, we might open our conclusion with:
“In conclusion, fossil fuels are the leading cause of melting ice caps and extreme weather events. We must respond by transitioning to renewable energy sources if we hope to reverse the effects of global warming.”
Recap Your Main Points
Next, you should recap the points that prove your thesis statement:
“The burning of fossil fuels is the largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world. These gases trap heat, raising the Earth’s average temperature. This leads to extreme droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, and floods, as well as the gradual melting of our polar ice caps. By transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, we can curb our use of fossil fuels. Thus, we can reverse these devastating effects.”
As you can see, we’ve reiterated each point succinctly and included how these points tie to the thesis statement. Now, all that’s left to do is finish with a flourish.
Make an Impact With Your Concluding Statement
Lastly, you need to make a final concluding statement. This is your chance to give the reader something to think about. As with the hook, you should raise an interesting idea that gets the reader thinking. Here’s an example based on our initial prompt.
“This raises the question: How will the world respond? Will the global average temperature continue to rise, or will renewable energy initiatives undo the damage caused by fossil fuels? The answer to this question will ultimately decide the future of our landscapes and potentially the future of our planet.”
And that’s it. You’ve just created a brilliant explanatory essay conclusion. Now that you have finished your first draft, all that’s left to do is proofread your entire essay. Remember to tidy up any grammar and punctuation errors and check for additional ways you can simplify your explanation.
Explanatory Essay Examples
This guide so far has given you the knowledge you need to write a tremendous explanatory essay. But ultimately, the best way to improve your skills is to practice. So, with that in mind, here are 10 explanatory essay examples to sink your teeth into:
- Describe the importance of mental health counseling in modern society.
- Explain the cultural significance of the 4th of July.
- Define “globalization” and explain its impact on innovation.
- Describe the process of natural selection.
- Explain the concept of supply and demand in economics.
- Define “emotional intelligence” and its importance in building relationships.
- Describe the importance of constants in a scientific experiment.
- Explain the impact of artificial intelligence on education.
- Define the “decentralized web” and its impact on the internet.
- Describe the main causes of the American Revolutionary War.
Give one of these a try and apply the steps above. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.
FAQS
How long is an explanatory essay?
Explanatory essays will usually be a couple of pages long, maximum. Most explanatory essays are composed of five paragraphs.
How do you end an explanatory essay?
At the end of the essay, you will write your conclusion. Outline why the explanatory paper was important and make sure you do not repeat yourself. Articulate your thoughts clearly.
What is a good hook for an explanatory essay?
If you want the reader hooked from the beginning, you can start your explanatory essay with a surprising fact, an anecdote, a statistic, or a well-known misconception.
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And the best part? Because Smodin pulls facts directly from the web, it will also provide sources for its data. This makes it the ideal research companion.
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When you write a paper, you often need to cite sources. This is essential because it gives credit to the original authors and allows your readers to trace where the information came from.
Apart from gathering books from the library to do your research, you may also seek out other sources online. Hence, sometimes, the information you include in your essays originates from a source in a Portable Document Format (PDF). Books, journal articles, reports, or even web pages are saved as PDFs online.
But how do you cite a PDF in MLA format? Citing PDFs can be a bit tricky because they can be any type of document.
This guide will break down step by step how to cite a PDF in MLA style and give you some examples of using the MLA format with different documents.
MLA Format
The MLA format is a set of rules for writing and formatting papers to ensure consistency and clarity. MLA stands for Modern Language Association, an organization that sets standards for scholarly writing.
This format is widely used in humanities subjects like English, Literature, History, and the Arts.
The MLA Handbook provides detailed guidelines on how to cite various types of sources, including books, articles, and digital media, ensuring writers can properly credit their sources and avoid plagiarism.
Among these guidelines are specific rules for citing PDFs, which can be especially useful given the diverse nature of documents available in PDF format online.
How To Cite a PDF in MLA: The Basic Format
To cite a PDF in MLA, you need to know what type of document it is. A PDF file can be a book, an article, a report, or something else. Here is a basic formula to start with:
“Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Document.” Website Name, Day Month Year of Publication, URL, or DOI.”
If the PDF is a scan of a print source, you add “PDF Download” at the end. For example, if you have a PDF of a book:
‘Author’s Last Name, First Name. Book Title. Publisher, Year of Publication. Website Name, URL, or DOI. PDF Download.’
Additionally, summarizing PDFs using AI can streamline the process of extracting key information from lengthy documents, making it easier to accurately cite sources in MLA format.
In-Text Citations
An in-text citation, or a narrative citation, are brief references in the body of your paper that show where you got your information. They guide your readers to the full citation in your “Works Cited” list. This makes it easy for them to find the source.
In MLA format, these citations typically include the author’s last name and the page number where the information can be found. This information comes in the form of a parenthetical citation. For example:
(Smith 23)
This format lets your readers know that the information on that part of your paper comes from page 23. The format also shows that you have cited work by an author named Smith.
If the PDF you are citing does not have page numbers, you should still include the author’s last name. In this case, leaving out the page number would be acceptable. Your in-text citation would look like this:
(Smith)
Using in-text citations correctly helps maintain the flow of your writing while giving credit to your sources. It also shows your readers that you have researched your topic thoroughly and are presenting information from credible sources. By including in-text citations, you make your paper more trustworthy and easier to verify.
Citation Style
Citation style refers to the rules for formatting citations. MLA is one type of citation style. Other styles include APA and Chicago. The MLA format has specific guidelines for citing PDFs, which are covered below.
Cite a PDF in MLA Format: 5 Most Common Examples
Take a look at the following examples to help you cite different types of PDFs in MLA format.
1. PDF of a Book
If you have a PDF of a book, use this format:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. Book Title. Publisher, Year of Publication. Website Name, URL, or DOI. PDF Download.
Example:
Doe, Jane. The Art of Writing. Writing Press, 2020. Writing World, www.writingworld.com/artofwriting.pdf. PDF Download.
2. PDF of a Journal Article
For a journal article in PDF format, include the article title, journal name, volume, issue, and page numbers:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Date of Publication, pp. #-#. Website Name, URL, or DOI. PDF Download.
Example:
Smith, John. “The Importance of Reading.” Journal of Education, vol. 10, no. 2, 2021, pp. 100-110. Education World, www.educationworld.com/importanceofreading.pdf. PDF Download.
3. PDF of a Newspaper or Magazine Article
For newspaper or magazine articles, include the publication title and date:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Newspaper or Magazine Name, Day Month Year, pp. #-#. Website Name, URL, or DOI. PDF Download.
Example:
Brown, Emily. “The Future of Technology.” Tech Times, 5 May 2022, pp. 20-22. Tech World, www.techworld.com/futureoftechnology.pdf. PDF Download.
4. PDF With No Author
If there is no author, start with the title:
“Title of Document.” Website Name, Day Month Year of Publication, URL or DOI. PDF Download.
Example:
“Climate Change Report.” Green Earth, 15 Mar. 2021, www.greenearth.com/climatechangereport.pdf. PDF Download.
5. PDF With No Date
If there is no date, use the date you accessed the PDF:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Document.” Website Name, URL, or DOI. PDF Download. Accessed Day/ Month/ Year.
Example:
Doe, John. “Guide to Healthy Eating.” Health World, www.healthworld.com/healthy-eating.pdf. PDF Download. Accessed 2 July 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MLA format?
MLA format, established by the Modern Language Association, is a set of rules for writing and formatting papers, particularly in subjects like Humanities. It includes detailed guidelines for citing various sources such as books, articles, and PDFs.
Why do I need to cite sources?
Citing sources is essential because it gives credit to the original authors and helps you avoid plagiarism. Additionally, citations provide a pathway for readers to locate the sources you used, thereby enhancing the credibility and traceability of your work.
Can I use the MLA format for all subjects?
The MLA format is primarily used for Humanities subjects like English and History. For other fields, such as Social Sciences, you might use the APA citation format. Also, the Chicago Style Guide might be preferred in other subjects.
What if my PDF does not have an author?
If your PDF lacks an author, you should start the citation with the title of the document. This helps readers identify the source even in the absence of an author’s name.
Do I need to include the date I accessed the PDF?
Include the access date only if the publication date of the PDF is not available. This indicates when you retrieved the document, which can be important for sources that might change over time.
Use Smodin for Your Citations and Enhance Your Writing Skills
Learning how to cite a PDF in MLA format is essential for academic writing. Proper citation gives credit to the original authors and lends credibility to your work. Additionally, don’t forget to use in-text citations to reference your sources within your paper.
Following these steps will help you create a well-cited, professional-looking paper. Proper citation is a skill that will serve you well throughout your academic journey and beyond. It will ensure that you respect intellectual property and contribute to the ongoing evolution of your field of study.
If you ever need help with citations or any other aspect of writing, tools like Smodin.io can be incredibly helpful. Smodin.io offers various services to assist with writing, ensuring your papers are well-organized and correctly formatted. So, keep these tips in mind and use Smodin to improve your essay writing now!
No one can remember every single detail from a meeting. Queue meeting minutes: a way for you to transcribe all points discussed. If you’re writing meeting minutes for the board chair or your manager, you have an important task ahead!
Think of it like this. Meeting minutes act as a reminder for all members present. It’s like taking notes, but they need to be detailed. If you miss any detail (and we mean any), members will get confused, and you won’t have done your job.
If you want to know how to write meeting minutes that will be detailed and helpful for the participants of a meeting, then check out our article below. We go through all the tips and tricks of how to best take advantage of your time in the meeting and take down notes that will be concise and helpful for everyone.
Image from Unsplash
What Are Meeting Minutes?
Meeting minutes are a comprehensive written record of everything that happens during a meeting. They include everything from the key points discussed to actions assigned to a designated employee.
These documents serve more than one purpose. Think of them as providing a reference for any future meetings to make sure everyone stays accountable. They help maintain an official record for organizational or even legal purposes.
Minutes should be clear and concise. They need to reflect the essence of the meeting accurately. Usually, meeting minutes are assigned to employees like secretaries or administrative assistants. According to the Harvard Business Review, executives may spend 23 hours a week in meetings. Hence, the staff that is taking notes will probably do the same.
Therefore, it is essential to be as detailed as you can when taking minutes but ensure you do not spend too much time on parts of the meeting that may not be important.
Image from Unsplash
Why Are Meeting Minutes So Important?
Meeting minutes are crucial for keeping a business functioning and there are several reasons why they are important during board meetings.
They’re an official record of what happened in the meeting. Members will refer back to them when they need to jog their memory. These minutes will cover who is assigned to what task so no one is unclear about what’s expected of them. Sometimes, meeting notes act as legal evidence, proving what the business’s decisions and actions were at the time.
They help in tracking the progress of projects and ensuring that action items are completed on time. They also provide a way for people who missed the meeting to catch up on decisions that were made without them. You can make your life easier by using tools like AI summarizers to take notes during a meeting but ensure you proofread those notes first before handing them in for approval.
Image from Unsplash
How To Take Meeting Minutes
Before you start taking any notes, you always should prepare well before the meeting. You also need to have an idea of the meeting purpose to write down effective meeting minutes. Below we go through some tips on what you need to do before, during, and after a meeting, including ways to save time during this whole process.
1. Prepare for the Meeting
When you find out the meeting date, you should start preparing thoroughly. Talk to the meeting leader to discuss what’s expected of you.
Examine Previous Meeting Minutes
Reviewing previous meeting minutes helps you understand the format, style, and level of detail required. It also gives you context for the ongoing discussions and helps identify any unresolved issues that might be addressed.
Review the Meeting Agenda
You should be given a meeting agenda before you attend. This normally provides you with a list of things to be discussed. You’ll likely also get an overview or the order of the things that are going to be discussed. Study it so that you can predict how the meeting will go and get ready to take down notes.
Gather All the Documents You Need
Ensure you have all the necessary documents, such as reports, supplementary documents, and any materials provided by the speakers. Having these at hand will help you understand the discussions and take accurate notes.
Set Up Recording Devices
Record the meeting using either a recording device or a smartphone if you can. This will act as a fallback to assist in filling any voids when transcribing your notes.
2. What To Do During the Meeting
Taking down minutes of a meeting can be very demanding. Notably, you are making an instant transcription of what is being said. Here is the procedure that should be followed right from beginning to end.
Record Key Details
Begin by noting:
- The date and time
- The location of the meeting
- The names of attendees and absentees
All of this information is crucial for context and reference.
Document All Discussions and Decisions
Capture the essence of each discussion, including the main points, differing opinions, and any decisions or resolutions. Be sure to note any motions, who proposed them, and the outcomes. This is particularly important in a board meeting where official decisions are made.
3. Take Effective Notes
Use abbreviations or shorthand notes to keep pace with the discussion. Avoid being too brief because this will affect your writing flow! Concentrate on getting the key messages and conclusions across rather than attempting to reproduce every word.
Moreover, identify action items and due dates. Observe the meeting structure to make sure all vital points are noted down.
Roll Call and Introductions
Note the roll call if it’s a regular part of the meeting procedure. Record the names of all meeting attendees and any introductions made by the meeting leader.
Agenda Items and Talking Points
As the meeting progresses, follow the agenda closely. Record discussions under each agenda item, including talking points and key issues raised. This helps maintain a clear and organized document for meeting minutes.
Identify Action Points and Assignments
Clearly document any action points, including who is responsible for each task and the due date. This ensures that all meeting participants know their responsibilities.
4. Arrange Your Notes After the Meeting
Once the meeting is finished, you need to start compiling all your documents so they are easy to view. Let’s take a look at what you should do.
Transcribe and Organize All Your Notes
Immediately after the meeting, change your notes into a coherent and systematic document. In this way, you will always remember all the details without making any mistakes. When doing this job, MS Word or Google Docs may be used.
Review and Revise
In order to ensure the factualness and comprehensibility of the minutes, try to read them through again. Also, make sure that they are easy to read and understand. They can’t be verbose but need to include all relevant points. Therefore, examine any audiotapes available for crosschecking purposes where necessary.
Incorporate Feedback
If you have any questions or need clarifications, reach out to the meeting leader or other participants. This ensures that your meeting minutes are accurate and complete.
5. Approve and Distribute Meeting Minutes
Once you’ve finished your meeting minutes, you have to get the approval of board members. This needs to be done before the next meeting starts.
Presenting Minutes for Approval
To get the minutes approved present them to your manager or whoever was in charge of the meeting. You need to do this before the next meeting. This is an opportunity for people to suggest corrections or additions. Ensure that the minutes are approved before proceeding to new business.
Recording Approval
Once the minutes are approved, note this in the new meeting minutes document. This official record of approval is important for maintaining accurate meeting history.
6. Send Out Final Meeting Minutes
Now, all that’s left is to send out your finalized meeting minutes to the right people!
Share With All Meeting Participants
Once you have approval, distribute the final minutes to all participants. This can be done via email, an internal document management system, or an online sharing platform.
Store and Archive Meeting Minutes
You may record the minutes in a way that they can be easily retrieved whenever needed, perhaps as a digital archive or physical file according to your organization’s needs. This is important for future reference and compliance.
Online Sharing and Cloud Storage
Using cloud storage solutions like Google Docs makes meeting minutes easily accessible to all relevant parties. This also facilitates quick updates and collaboration if needed.
FAQs
What should I include in my meeting notes?
Your notes from the meeting need to always include:
- Date and time, location, names of attendees
- Agenda items, a summary of key discussions, and decisions made
- Action items, next meeting date, and ending time of the meeting
Should meeting minutes be a verbatim record?
Don’t make meeting minutes a verbatim record. Instead, they should paraphrase the main points and decisions taken during the meeting. The aim is to capture what was discussed in essence and any actions that arose as a result, but not necessarily with every word transcribed. This saves time and makes the minutes briefer and more readable.
How soon should I prepare the minutes after the meeting?
Just after the meeting, try to have your minutes ready. You should aim to do this within a day or two. This is important because it would help keep them up-to-date and accurate. You need to be able to easily give them to the participants, facilitating quick follow-up on action points.
Are there legal requirements for meeting minutes?
Meeting minutes may be required by law, depending on the nature of your business. Corporate board meetings must sometimes keep minutes to meet corporate governance rules. So it is important that you understand and comply with any relevant local by-laws or legal obligations.
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Transcribing meeting minutes can be a daunting task, especially if the meeting is long and detailed. Smodin AI offers a solution to this challenge. The Summarizer tool can help you accurately capture and organize meeting minutes. This works by saving you time and reducing the risk of errors.
With Smodin AI, you can focus on participating in the meeting rather than worrying about missing important details. Sign up to Smodin today to make your life that little bit easier!
Securing an internship program can be a significant stepping stone in your career. It offers a chance to gain valuable experience and get a foot in the door of your chosen industry. It is also a great way to gauge if your chosen career is the right one for you.
Internships are particularly beneficial for professionals at the starting stages of their careers. Whether you are a student seeking to complement your academic learning with experience, or a recent graduate entering the world of work.
There are typically a few steps in the process of gaining an internship. However, one critical component of your internship application is the cover letter. A great cover letter can grab the attention of a hiring manager and showcase your enthusiasm and suitability for an internship opportunity.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to write a cover letter for an internship. We’ll discuss how to use clear and concise language and ensure a good writing flow. We’ll also detail some expert tips and tricks to set you apart from other applicants.
What Is a Cover Letter for an Internship?
A cover letter for an internship is essentially a personalized introduction to your resume. A resume provides an overview of your qualifications, while a good cover letter delves deeper into your motivations and skills.
The primary objective is to grab the hiring manager’s attention and make them want to learn more about you. It should highlight relevant experiences or coursework that demonstrate your suitability for the internship. It is also an opportunity to express genuine interest in the company and your passion for the work.
Cover letters allow you to tell your story, invoke mood in your writing, and explain why you are particularly interested in an internship. They offer you the chance to convey your personality and enthusiasm for the role in a way that a resume cannot.
For instance, you can discuss specific projects or coursework that sparked your interest in the industry. You can also detail experiences that have equipped you with the skills the internship requires. By providing context, you make it easier for hiring managers to understand why you would be a valuable addition to their team.
Moreover, a cover letter demonstrates your communication skills and ability to articulate your thoughts clearly. It’s your opportunity to show that you have both the hard skills and the soft skills that will make you a successful intern.
By following our guidelines below, you can create a strong and effective cover letter that will enhance your internship application.
A Step-By-Step Guide on Writing Internship Cover Letters
Following a structured process, you can create a compelling narrative showcasing your enthusiasm, skills, and fit for the role. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you write an impactful cover letter that captures the attention of hiring managers and sets you apart from other candidates.
1. Prepare to Write Your Internship Cover Letter
Preparation is key. Start by researching the company thoroughly. Understanding its values, mission statement, and recent projects will help you tailor your cover letter to align with their goals.
Review the internship description carefully and identify the key qualifications the employer seeks. Match these qualifications to your skills and experiences and incorporate them into your cover letter.
2. Choose an Internship Cover Letter Template
Using a cover letter template can ensure that your letter includes all necessary information and is formatted correctly. It saves time and helps maintain a professional appearance.
3. Use the Correct Internship Cover Letter Format
Your cover letter should follow a standard business letter format, consisting of three main parts:
- Introduction: Include your contact information, a salutation, and a brief overview of why you are the best candidate.
- Body: One or two paragraphs detailing your relevant qualifications, experiences, and why you want the internship.
- Conclusion: A summary of why you are the best candidate, gratitude for the reader’s time, and an invitation for further discussion are all parts of a good conclusion to your cover letter.
4. Add Your Contact Information
Include your full name, city, state, ZIP code, email address, and phone number at the top of your letter.
5. Add the Employer’s Address
Below the date, include the potential employer’s name, title, company name, and mailing address. Ensure this information is up-to-date and accurate.
6. Greet the Hiring Manager With a Professional Salutation
Address the hiring manager by their full name if possible. If you can’t find their name, “Dear Hiring Manager” is an acceptable alternative.
7. Write a Compelling Internship Cover Letter Introduction
Start by introducing yourself and explaining why you are writing the letter. Mention the internship position you are applying for and express your enthusiasm for both the role and the company.
8. Talk Up Your Internship Qualifications in the Body Paragraphs
Highlight your relevant qualifications, skills, and experiences. Use specific examples to demonstrate how your background makes you a great fit for the role. Avoid repeating your resume verbatim.
9. Wrap It Up With an Inviting Conclusion and Call to Action
Reiterate your excitement about the internship and thank the hiring manager for their time. Always invite them to contact you for further discussion.
10. Sign Off Professionally
Use a formal closing phrase such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.”
Internship Cover Letter Examples
To give you a better idea of the format of a cover letter, we have included an internship cover letter example for two different jobs.
Example 1: Marketing Internship Cover Letter
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am excited to apply for the marketing internship position at [Company Name] as advertised on [where you found the job posting].
With my background in marketing and my passion for [ marketing niche], I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team.
During my studies at [Your College], I have completed coursework in digital marketing, consumer behavior, and market research.
I have also gained hands-on experience through my involvement in [relevant extracurricular activities or part-time jobs].
These experiences have equipped me with strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as a deep understanding of marketing principles. I am particularly drawn to [Company Name] because of your innovative approach to [specific marketing strategy or campaign].
I am eager to bring my skills and enthusiasm to your team and contribute to [specific projects of the company].
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 2: Engineering Internship Cover Letter
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the engineering internship position at [Company Name].
As a junior at [Your University] majoring in mechanical engineering, I have developed a strong foundation in [specific engineering skills]. I have utilized both my coursework and hands-on projects with the view to gaining an internship in [internship role].
In my previous internship at [Previous Company], I worked on [specific project], where I honed my skills in [relevant skills]. I also collaborated with a team to [describe a specific achievement or project].
These experiences have prepared me to contribute effectively to [Company Name]’s engineering team. I am particularly impressed by [Company Name]’s commitment to [specific company value or project].
I am eager to bring my technical skills and enthusiasm to your team and contribute to [specific company project]. Thank you for considering my application.
I look forward to discussing how my background, skills, and certifications can benefit [Company Name].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
12 Tips for Writing an Impactful Cover Letter for Internship Positions
Writing your own internship cover letter is crucial to making a positive first impression on potential employers. A well-crafted cover letter can distinguish you from other candidates and highlight your suitability for the role.
Here are some additional top tips to ensure your cover letter stands out and effectively communicates your qualifications and enthusiasm:
- Review internship cover letter examples: Studying examples can give you a better idea of what works and what doesn’t. By analyzing successful cover letters, you can identify effective strategies and formats.
- State the exact job: Be clear about the position you are applying for to help the hiring manager quickly identify your application. Mention the job title and department, and if applicable, the job reference number.
- Describe your internship goals: Show that you have a plan for your future and are enthusiastic about the position. Explain how the internship aligns with your career aspirations and what you hope to gain from the experience.
- Showcase relevant skills and experiences: Highlight your transferable skills and how they apply to the internship role. Use specific examples from your academic, extracurricular, or volunteer experiences to demonstrate your abilities. Focus on skills that are directly relevant to the job, such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.
- Include relevant coursework and projects: Showcase your knowledge and skills gained through academic work. Mention specific courses or projects that you have worked on that are pertinent to the internship. This shows that you have a solid foundation in the field and are prepared to contribute to the organization.
- Use keywords from the job description: This helps make your cover letter ATS-friendly and shows that you meet the qualifications. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen applications. Ensure, however, not to copy-paste any info. You can paraphrase what the job description says.
- Keep it concise: Focus on relevant details and avoid unnecessary repetition. A concise cover letter is more likely to be read in its entirety. Aim for one page and use short paragraphs to make it easy to read. Stick to the most important points and avoid including irrelevant information.
- Use action verbs: Illustrate your achievements and experiences with dynamic language. Action verbs make your statements more impactful and engaging. Instead of saying “I was responsible for,” use verbs like “managed,” “led,” “developed,” or “implemented” to convey your contributions more effectively.
- Proofread meticulously: Ensure your cover letter is free from grammatical errors and typos. A well-written cover letter reflects your attention to detail and professionalism. Read it multiple times, use spell check, and consider asking a friend or mentor to review it. Even a small mistake can create a negative impression.
- Customize each cover letter: Tailor your cover letter to the specific internship and company. Avoid using a generic template for all applications. Research the company’s values, mission, and recent projects, and incorporate this information into your letter. Personalizing your cover letter shows that you are genuinely interested in the organization and the role.
- Start with a strong opening: Grab the reader’s attention from the beginning. Your opening sentence should be compelling and relevant to the position. Mention a recent achievement, a mutual connection, or a specific aspect of the company that excites you. A strong opening sets the tone for the rest of your letter.
- Show enthusiasm and positivity: Convey your excitement about the opportunity. Employers want to hire interns who are eager to learn and contribute. Use positive language and express your enthusiasm for the role and the chance to work with the company.
By following these tips, you can create a cover letter that effectively highlights your qualifications and makes a strong impression.
A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of securing the internship you desire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cover letter for an internship?
A cover letter for an internship is a personalized introduction to your resume. It delves deeper into your motivations, relevant experiences, and skills. It highlights your suitability for the internship, relevant coursework, and genuine interest in the company.
Why is a cover letter important for an internship application?
A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other candidates by showcasing your enthusiasm, relevant skills, and experiences. It allows you to tell your story and express your passion for a role.
How should I start my cover letter for an internship?
Start by addressing the hiring manager by name if possible. Mention the exact internship position you are applying for and briefly explain why you are interested in it. This immediately shows that you have tailored your cover letter to the specific role.
What should I include in my cover letter to make it stand out?
Include your relevant skills and experiences, mention specific coursework and projects, and use keywords from the job description. Highlight any transferable skills and explain how they apply to the internship role. Demonstrating your enthusiasm and describing your internship goals can also make a positive impression.
Write an Impressive Cover Letter With Smodin
Crafting a compelling cover letter for an internship requires careful preparation, research, and attention to detail. It’s not just about listing your skills and experiences; it’s about presenting them in a way that resonates with the employer. Ultimately, the goal is to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Remember, a well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of securing the internship. It’s your chance to make a strong first impression and showcase why you are the ideal candidate for the position.
Ready to craft an impactful cover letter? Enhance your writing with precision and creativity using Smodin’s AI writing tool. Join now and make your application stand out with confidence, and let your unique qualifications and passion for the role shine through.
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There are many different types of essays that students need to write, and one of them is an expository essay. In this kind of essay, you must present factual information clearly and logically, making it easier for your audience to understand the topic.
Want to learn how to write an expository essay that will impress? This guide will teach you all the tricks and tips to help you write an expository essay through detailed step-by-step instructions. Let’s get started!
An Introduction to Expository Essays
Expository essays provide a structured way to present information, ensuring that readers can grasp complex ideas through a logical and organized format. They essentially focus on explaining a particular subject.
This type of essay is most common in educational settings, where it serves as a tool to assess students’ understanding of a topic. It provides an opportunity for students to showcase their ability to communicate that understanding clearly.
For professionals, the ability to write clear and concise expository essays can enhance their communication and essay-writing skills that may be required for their job role. They can make it easier to convey technical information or explain processes in a straightforward manner.
According to a paper published in the Journal of Technology and Science Education regarding students’ thoughts about their essay-writing skills, 50% of students claimed to have a fair ability when composing essays. Hence, it is important to understand how to write a good essay if you want to enhance your ability past fair.
What Is an Expository Essay?
Expository essays explain a topic or concept using facts and evidence, hence the expository essay definition is not too complex to grasp. Unlike persuasive or argumentative essays, expository essays do not aim to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint. Instead, they provide a balanced and comprehensive explanation of the subject.
An expository essay is all about clarity and detail. Complex topics are broken down and hence become more accessible to the reader. Expository essays are used in academic settings to test students’ understanding of a subject and their ability to convey information clearly.
Now that you know what is an expository essay, we can look at the various forms these essays come in, each serving a unique purpose. Here are some of the more common types of expository essays:
- Definition essays: A definition essay defines a specific term or concept. They go beyond dictionary definitions, providing a deeper understanding by exploring the term’s significance and context.
- Classification essays: These essays categorize subjects into different groups or types. Each category is explained with its distinct characteristics and how it fits within the broader subject.
- Process essays: Also known as “how-to” essays, provide step-by-step instructions on how to complete a particular task or process. A process essay is practical and straightforward and aims to guide the reader through a series of actions to achieve a specific outcome.
- Compare-and-contrast essays: These types of essays take a deep dive into the similarities and differences between different subjects. A compare-and-contrast essay will help readers understand the subjects in relation to each other and highlight key points of comparison and contrast.
- Cause and effect essays: When writing this kind of essay you thoroughly explore the connections between events or phenomena. They explain how one event leads to another and detail the causes and effects in a logical sequence.
By focusing on factual information and logical structure, expository essays enable writers to present a thorough analysis of their subject. This approach helps readers gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the topic being discussed.
The Purpose of Expository Writing
While expository writing may be used to entertain or persuade a reader, it mainly serves to provide information. A well-crafted expository essay demonstrates the writer’s expertise on the topic and explains the subject in detail.
The main objective of expository writing is to convey information concisely. As previously discussed, expository essays can serve a valuable purpose for both academics and professionals. Here are some key purposes of expository writing:
- Informing: Expository essays provide readers with essential information about a topic. This could include scientific processes or technical procedures. The goal is to enhance the reader’s knowledge and understanding of the subject.
- Explaining: Expository writing breaks down complex ideas into simpler, more manageable components. By explaining how things work or why certain events occur, these essays make difficult concepts more accessible to the reader.
- Clarifying: Sometimes, topics can be misunderstood or misrepresented. Expository essays aim to clarify such topics by presenting accurate facts and logical explanations. This helps dispel misconceptions and provides a clear, unbiased perspective.
- Describing: Expository essays can also describe a particular process or phenomenon in detail. This includes outlining the steps involved and their significance.
- Analyzing: Expository writing often involves analyzing information to uncover deeper insights. Such as examining data and exploring relationships between variables.
By focusing on these purposes, expository essays can help readers gain a thorough and accurate understanding of the topic at hand.
If you are describing a technical process, the goal is to provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the subject. In this case, you must also ensure your essay has a good writing flow. By the end of the essay, the reader’s knowledge and understanding of the subject should be significantly better.
6 Essential Steps to Follow When Writing an Expository Essay
A clear understanding of expository essay structure helps organize your writing, ensuring a logical flow from the introduction to the conclusion. These are the steps you should consider when compiling an expository essay.
Step 1: Choose an Appropriate Topic
Select a topic that is both interesting and manageable. Ensure it is specific enough to cover in detail but broad enough to provide ample information.
Step 2: Conduct Thorough Research
Gather reliable sources to support your essay. Use academic journals and books to find factual information. Take notes, organize your research, and reference them.
Step 3: Create an Expository Essay Outline
An outline will help you structure your essay logically. It typically includes three parts: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Step 4: Write the Introduction
The introduction should grab the reader’s attention and provide background information on the topic. It should end with a clear thesis statement that outlines the main points of the essay.
Step 5: Develop Body Paragraphs
Each body paragraph should focus on a single point related to the thesis statement. Begin with a topic sentence, provide supporting evidence, and explain how it relates to the thesis. Use transition words to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs.
Step 6: Write the Conclusion
The point of the conclusion is to offer a summary of the main points presented in the essay. A good conclusion should also provide a final thought or call to action for the reader.
To help you get a better idea of how to craft different parts for these types of essays, we have included some expository essay examples below.
How To Write an Introduction for an Expository Essay
Imagine you’re writing an expository essay on the impact of social media on mental health. Your introductory paragraph should look like this:
“Social media has become an integral part of modern life, influencing how we communicate, share information, and perceive the world. While having its benefits, such as connecting people and providing a platform for self-expression, it also has significant effects on mental health. This essay will explore all impacts of social media on mental health and examine how it affects self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.”
The above is a good expository essay example if you want to write an introduction to engage your readers.
How To Write a Body Paragraph for an Expository Essay
Each body paragraph when you write expository essays should provide a detailed examination of one aspect of the topic. For example, if your essay is about social media’s impact on mental health, you might have paragraphs on:
- Self-esteem: Discuss how social media influences self-esteem, both positively and negatively.
- Anxiety: Explore the connection between social media usage and anxiety levels.
- Depression: Analyze how social media can contribute to depression and offer potential solutions.
For example:
“One of the most significant impacts of social media on mental health is its effect on self-esteem. Studies have shown that frequent use of social media platforms can lead to increased feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. This is often due to the tendency to compare oneself to others, who may present an idealized version of their lives online. However, social media can also boost self-esteem by providing a platform for positive feedback and support from peers.”
How To Write a Conclusion for an Expository Essay
The conclusion should summarize the main points and leave the reader with a lasting impression.
Below is an example of how to write a conclusion for an expository essay that will engage the reader:
“In conclusion, social media has a profound impact on mental health, affecting self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression. While it provides opportunities for connection and self-expression, it also has some significant risks. By understanding these effects and promoting healthy social media habits, we can mitigate its negative impact and harness its benefits.”
How To Write a Thesis for an Expository Essay
A thesis statement for an expository essay will be placed near the end of your intro. It is one of the most challenging aspects of an expository essay, and that is why we included a separate section in our article for it.
When using thesis statements, you should be able to explain your topic thoroughly and concisely to provide an answer to your research question. At this point, your communication skills and the ability to describe complex concepts in an articulate way should be pretty good.
Below we include a step-by-step process on how to write a thesis for an expository essay:
- Select your topic.
- Think about an interesting question to engage your readers.
- Answer the question based on what you have discovered in your essay but ensure to make it sound interesting to entice your reader to check out the rest of your essay.
Remember to be concise when writing thesis statements for expository essays. You don’t need to overexplain as this may tire the reader and put them off from reading your essay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of an expository essay?
The main purpose of an expository essay is to explain or describe a particular topic using factual information. It aims to inform the reader without expressing personal opinions.
How do I choose a topic for my expository essay?
Choose a topic that interests you and has sufficient information available. Ensure it is specific enough to cover in detail but broad enough to provide ample content.
If you want extra help in writing your expository essay, you can always use AI tools to help you. The Smodin AI Essay Writer is one such tool that you can use for free, and you can create an expository essay in seconds.
What is a thesis statement in an expository essay?
A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main points of your essay. It should be clear and specific, outlining the essay’s purpose and the points you will cover.
What types of evidence should I use in my expository essay?
Use factual evidence from reliable sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. Avoid using personal opinions or anecdotal evidence.
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Writing an expository essay is a valuable skill that can benefit students and professionals alike. By focusing on clear and logical presentation of factual information, expository essays allow writers to convey complex topics in an accessible and comprehensible manner.
Expository essays serve a range of purposes, from informing and explaining to clarifying and analyzing. Regardless of the specific focus, the overarching goal remains the same: to enhance the reader’s understanding of the subject.
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The most difficult aspect of composing an academic essay is writing the introduction. Creating an introduction that engages is crucial. It’s supposed to capture the reader’s interest and introduce the main ideas of the entire essay. However, this can be a challenging task.
A lot of students get stuck in the introduction part of their essays. But, there is light at the end of the tunnel. You don’t have to dedicate endless hours to perfecting your introductory paragraphs!
Begin writing without going into too much detail or making things complicated; just get started! In our article, we go through various tips on how to start an essay, take a deep dive into different types of essays, and give you various essay introduction examples. Keep reading if you want to write an essay introduction in no time!
What Makes a Good Academic Essay Introduction?
An effective essay introduction paragraph is supposed to get the reader psyched about your work and there are plenty of ways you can choose to do this. There’s no formula for writing a strong introduction in our academic essays.
You could start with a fact or a quote. Or, you could choose to state the main point of your essay. Whatever you decide, you need to make sure it relates to your essay topic. You wouldn’t begin by quoting Einstein for a Geography essay!
How To Write an Essay Introduction
If you’re wondering how to write an essay introduction that will engage your readers, then you should know that this depends on the type of content you’re writing. Informative essays don’t start the same as a thesis statement, for example. All academic writing has some requirements, however. Hence, when you write an introduction to your essay, you must:
- Ensure it is an attention-grabber. Begin with a fascinating fact or question that gets the reader thinking.
- Include background information. Give necessary context about the subject and its importance.
- Add a strong thesis statement. Clearly state what you plan to prove or argue in your essay; this sets up where everything else is headed.
- Provide a roadmap. Summarize the structure of your essay with the main points listed briefly so that readers know what’s coming next.
- Be concise. Stay brief and on point. Avoid going into too much depth for an introduction section.Keep reading below if you want to know how to improve your essay-writing skills and discover how to create an essay introduction that will leave your readers wanting more.
1. How To Start an Informative Essay
For informative essays, the focus should be proving that you know everything about your subject. You can do all of this with a good introduction. Early on, you can let the audience know what will be discussed so they want to learn more. Consider it as a way of preparing an audience for the rest of the essay.
Poor introduction: “Water is very important. This essay will talk about water resources and why they are important.”
Why is the above not how to start an informative essay? Because of the following:
- It starts with a generic statement.
- It doesn’t give background or information.
A good introduction, however, would look more like this:
“Over 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. And yet, only 2.5% of it is fresh. This startling fact shows just how important water conservation is. In this essay, we will explore the current state of global water resources. We’ll also look at the challenges of water scarcity, and potential solutions to ensure sustainable water use.”
This is better because:
- It starts with an interesting fact that draws the reader’s attention.
- It helps to establish the context of the essay.
- It adds some much-needed context on what is going to be discussed.
2. How To Start an Argumentative Essay
Wondering how to start an argumentative essay? Introductions to argumentative essays must set the points you’re going to make. Do this by providing the background information on the issues you’re discussing. This sets the stage for your later argument and prepares the reader for what they’re about to read.
Here is a good argumentative essay introduction example:
“Imagine a world where public healthcare is accessible to all. Regardless of income. Universal healthcare is a controversial topic. But, it is necessary for equality and public well-being. In this essay, I will argue that universal healthcare should be implemented in the United States. I will discuss its benefits and address some common counterarguments. This article will also examine successful models from other countries.”
This is good because:
- It starts with a provocative statement.
- There’s a setup for what’s coming next.
Bad introduction: “Universal healthcare is a big topic. This essay will discuss why it should be implemented.”
This doesn’t work. Here’s why:
- It’s too short.
- It doesn’t explain “why” universal healthcare is a “big topic.”
- The introduction doesn’t set up the overall argument.
3. How To Start an Expository Essay
Academic writing has its do’s and don’ts, and expository essays, specifically, give you a bit more freedom when it comes to your introduction. This is because they present evidence without an argument, so you don’t need to present your main idea early on.
It’s still important to try to engage the reader with either interesting context or a surprising fact. An expository essay introduction should work in your favor by setting up the tone of the essay.
Here is a bad introduction example:
Bad introduction: “AI is a topic. This essay will talk about AI and what it does.”
You should not start your expository essay like this because:
- It doesn’t provide context that sets up the necessary background information on the topic.
- The introduction is far too generic. There are no hints on future discussions.
A good introduction example of how to start an expository essay is the following:
Good introduction: “Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a concept found in science fiction. It is now a reality. It impacts our daily lives in many ways. From virtual assistants to autonomous vehicles, AI technology is rapidly evolving. This essay will explore the history of AI and its current applications. It will also look at potential future developments.”
The above is a good introduction to an expository essay because of the following:
- It includes specific details about the scope of AI.
- It has a good hook.
- It includes the key points that will be explored in the rest of the essay.
4. How To Start an Analysis Essay
Wan to learn how to start an analysis essay to compel your readers to want to know more? Analysis essay introductions should include an engaging hook. You could also choose to present a bit of background information about the text or subject that you’re analyzing.
Because you need to carry out a deep examination of a subject, writing a strong introduction is necessary. It prepares the reader for the new and exciting insights you’re about to provide.
Here’s a good introduction for an analysis essay about Shakespeare:
“Hamlet’s central theme is the human condition. It’s filled with complex characters and intricate themes. The character of Hamlet himself embodies the struggle between action and inaction. This is a central theme of the play. In this essay, I will analyze Hamlet’s soliloquies. The aim is to uncover how Shakespeare uses them to develop this theme and reveal Hamlet’s internal conflict.”
This is a good introduction because it:
- Sets up the key themes of Hamlet
- Explains what the essay will cover
Bad introduction: “Hamlet is a play by Shakespeare. This essay will analyze Hamlet and what he says.”
This is a poor opening statement because:
- The introduction is far too short and doesn’t provide any context on Hamlet.
- It’s too simple for an analysis essay. It doesn’t set up the key themes that are going to be explored.
5. How To Write an Essay Starting With a Quote
Knowing how to write an essay starting with a quote can be a useful skill to have. Starting with an interesting quote within the first paragraph can pack a punch when done properly. Use the following techniques to create an engaging essay introduction:
- Start with the quote itself, making sure it is relevant to your topic.
- Explain the relevance of the quote to your essay’s topic.
- Provide context for the topic you are discussing.
- Clearly state your main argument or purpose.
- Write an overview for the rest of your academic essay.
6. How To Start a Thesis Statement
A clear thesis statement is essential. It works by guiding the direction of your essay and informs the reader of your main argument. Creating a strong introduction with your thesis statement sets the tone for the rest of your academic essay.
Here’s how to make sure your thesis statement begins well:
- Consider your stance or perspective on the topic. Think about what you want to discuss, explain, or analyze in your essay.
- Narrow your focus. Think about your topic and choose an angle that you can cover within your essay.
- Craft a declarative statement. This should clearly express your main argument or position on the topic. It needs to be both specific and focused.
- Briefly outline why your argument matters. What is the significance of your thesis statement?
- Review your thesis statement to ensure it is clear and concise. Be specific and make adjustments to clarify your argument.
7. How To Start a Literary Analysis
A literary analysis essay introduction needs to be systematic so that you’re showing readers how you’re exploring the work. Before you write your introduction, you need to choose a niche angle to explore. Then, provide the relevant background information and why you’ve chosen your theme.
Let’s look at a great example of a literary analysis introduction for the book “1984:”
“In George Orwell’s novel, “1984,” the pervasive theme of totalitarianism is central to understanding dystopian societies. Using the character of Winston Smith, Orwell explores the dangers of a government’s control over its citizens’ thoughts. This essay will analyze how Orwell uses symbolism to portray the oppressive regime in “1984” and its impact on freedom.”
This works because:
- It provides a concise summary of the key themes that are going to be explored.
- It discusses key elements from the book to add much-needed context.
FAQs
Can Smodin AI assist me in creating an essay introduction?
Smodin AI can help you create an essay introduction that will captivate your readers. Whether you need a strong opening line or a clear thesis statement, it can do it all! To get help, simply input your essay topic and the type of introduction you want. Smodin will then write it for you!
How can I make my essay introduction effective?
To make your essay introduction effective, begin with something that catches the reader’s attention. This could be a fact or quote. Provide context by giving necessary background information about the subject matter. State clearly what exactly you’re going to prove or argue throughout the essay in one sentence.
Make sure to let the reader know briefly about the main points and what you will be discussing. This sets up the reader’s expectations from when your essay begins.
What is the ideal length of an essay introduction?
Make sure your essay introduction is neither too short nor too long but straightforward. Normally, it should be around 10-15% of the whole word count limit given for your assignment. So, if your entire essay should be 1000 words, then aim to write between 100-150 words for your introduction.
This ensures that everything necessary gets included without overloading the reader with information that might discourage them from continuing reading.
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If you are an academic, you must possess the ability to write clear and concise sentences. Having this skill can help you express complex ideas and thoughts more easily. At the same time, it shows off your knowledge regarding complex topics.
Knowing how to make sentences longer is not only a useful skill to have in creative writing. When working on an essay or research paper it helps increase your word count and at the same time improves the sophistication of your writing. So, we are here to help you find the easiest ways to expand your sentences, practice this skill, and perfect it. Keep reading to learn more!
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Why Should You Use Complex Sentences in Academia?
Academic writing demands precision and clarity. But it also values complexity and depth of understanding.
Using an expanded sentence allows you to connect ideas more intricately. It showcases your critical thinking skills and deeper understanding of a topic.
Consider the following short and long sentences:
Shorter sentence: “The experiment yielded interesting results.”
Longer sentence: “Despite initial skepticism, the experiment conducted under controlled laboratory conditions not only validated the hypothesis but also yielded statistically significant results that challenge existing theories in the field.”
In this example, the longer sentence provides more detail and context. It demonstrates a more thorough analysis of the experiment’s outcomes.
Writing a longer sentence structure can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re used to a shorter sentence length. With a powerful sentence expander tool, you can enjoy better grades without having to put in the work.
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What Is a Sentence Expander Tool?
AI writing tools, like sentence expanders, are valuable resources for writers looking to enrich their sentences.
These tools use algorithms to analyze text and suggest additional words or phrases to make your sentences longer. They can even help you avoid repetitive language and improve the flow of your writing.
For instance, using a sentence expander tool like Smodin AI can transform a straightforward sentence into a more elaborate one. Our tool will suggest synonyms or alternate phrases to turn simple sentences into sophisticated ones.
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5 Best Ways To Expand Sentences
Below we outline the five easiest ways to expand your sentence structures.
1. Add Details
Adding specific details is a powerful way to enrich your sentences. For example:
Short sentence: “The economic situation has improved.”
Expanded sentence: “Following a series of strategic policy adjustments and increased foreign investment, the economic situation in the country showed significant improvement, leading to a steady rise in GDP and a decline in unemployment rates.”
By incorporating specific details like policy adjustments or foreign language, the expanded sentence shows that you’ve done your research and you understand the topic thoroughly.
2. Use Conjunctions
Conjunctions are essential for connecting ideas and creating complex sentences. They help to establish logical relationships between clauses. All this improves the flow of your writing. Compare these examples:
Short sentence: “The team won the championship.”
Expanded sentence: “The team won the championship, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and resilience despite facing formidable opponents.”
Here, the conjunction “despite” introduces a contrasting element. This enriches the sentence by highlighting the challenges the team overcame.
3. Provide Examples
Examples serve as concrete evidence to support your arguments or explanations. They illustrate abstract concepts and make your writing more persuasive. Let’s look at the following:
Short sentence: “Climate change poses significant challenges.”
Expanded sentence: “Climate change poses significant challenges, such as rising sea levels the threatening of coastal communities, extreme weather events disrupting agricultural productivity, and biodiversity loss endangering ecosystems worldwide.”
By providing relevant examples, like “rising sea levels or extreme weather,” you showcase your knowledge. The added benefit? You’re turning basic sentences into complex ones with relevant details.
4. Explain Your Ideas Thoroughly
Elaborating on your ideas with extra information by using more words and better sentences enhances the depth and clarity of your writing. Observe below:
Short sentence: “The new policy was implemented.”
Expanded sentence: “In response to public outcry and mounting pressure from environmental organizations, the government swiftly implemented a new policy aimed at reducing carbon emissions by 30% within the next decade.”
Including more details about “public outcry and environmental organizations” gives a clearer picture of the policy’s objectives.
5. Use a Sentence Expander Tool
Adding a sentence expander tool into your writing process will make crafting sophisticated sentences easier than ever.
These tools use natural language processing to analyze your text and suggest how to improve sentence structure. For example:
Original sentence: “The study focused on consumer behavior.”
Expanded sentence (using Smodin AI): “The comprehensive study conducted by researchers at XYZ University delved deeply into aspects of consumer behavior, including purchasing decisions, brand loyalty, and the impact of marketing strategies on consumer preferences.”
Using Smodin AI, the expanded sentence not only provides additional details but maintains coherence and readability.
How To Make Sure Your Extended Sentences Flow Smoothly
As you expand your sentences, it’s crucial to ensure that your writing maintains readability and flows well. Here are some tips to enhance your writing:
- Use transition words. Incorporate transitional phrases and words (e.g., however, therefore, moreover) to guide readers through your arguments. This enhances the logical flow between your sentences and paragraphs.
- Check sentence structure. Vary your sentence structures to maintain reader interest. Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences to create a more rhythmic flow. This will help you to avoid monotony.
- Proofread and edit your work. After expanding your sentences, thoroughly proofread your work. Look closely to eliminate grammatical errors and improve clarity. Don’t rush the editing stage. It helps you refine the overall coherence of your writing.
FAQs
What should the word count of a complex sentence be?
There’s no strict word count for a complex sentence. Its length should be chosen depending on the need to convey complete thoughts clearly.
Having said that, you might want to avoid expanded sentences over 35 words. This can make your writing too difficult to read.
Will I get lower grades for using short sentences?
Short sentences can be effective for clarity and emphasis. However, academic writing often requires a balance of sentence lengths. This is to demonstrate that you’ve done a deep analysis and understand the topic.
Will writing longer sentences improve my writing skills?
Writing longer sentences alone may not necessarily improve your writing skills. The goal is to write coherent sentences that effectively communicate your ideas.
How can I avoid making my writing too complex?
Expanding sentences in your writing can help your work look more sophisticated but you need to strike a balance. Avoid unnecessarily convoluted sentences that hide your intended meaning. Each sentence should serve a clear purpose and contribute to the overall coherence of your writing. Simplify where possible without sacrificing any depth or accuracy.
Is it okay to use sentence expander tools for academic writing?
Yes, using sentence expander tools like Smodin AI is a great way to improve your academic writing. These tools help refine sentence structure and enhance readability. Getting suggestions on alternative phrasing will also help to improve clarity and depth.
However, it’s important to use them sparingly. The final output needs to maintain academic integrity and reflect your own understanding. If you use a sentence expander tool too much, you’ll rely on AI to do the work for you in the future.
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Smodin AI proves that technology can help you refine your writing as a student. By using this helpful tool, you can learn how to make sentences longer, use multiple alternative sentence structures, and transform basic sentences into compelling statements.
Integrating Smodin into your writing process can improve the overall quality of your academic work. Your teachers can enjoy improved readability and depth, which will result in a better grade. Sign up today to learn more about how Smodin can help you!
By doing a literature review, you indicate that the context for your academic essay has been studied. It is an overview of relevant literature which helps identify areas where further research should be done.
If you are stuck on how to begin and have no ideas about what to write, keep reading. This in-depth exploration of how to write a literature review is here to help improve your scholarly articles!
What Is a Literature Review?
Literature reviews are a requirement for many subjects and usually come at the beginning of your research project. They outline literature within your research topic, showcasing current theoretical concepts. Within a literature review, you need to explain and analyze previous research, comparing arguments and concepts.
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When Might You Write a Literature Review?
A literature review is common in the majority of subjects. You may be required to write a literature review section for:
- Your undergraduate thesis
- Research papers
- Grant proposals
- Review articles
- Course assignments
You might also write a stand-alone literature review in high school as a way of practicing for college.
What Should a Literature Review Include
There’s a lot that needs to be included in a literature review (besides reviewing literature!). Depending on the subject, you’ll likely need to:
- Have an annotated bibliography
- Perform a critical analysis of the literature
- Showcase relevant theories
- Give context to your own research
- Draw connections between scholars
- Identify patterns and trends in previous research
- Interpret previous findings
If you’re unsure of what your school requires, check the guidelines provided. This should give you a better idea of the key elements you need to add.
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12 Steps for Writing a Literature Review
If you’re not sure where to start with your literature review writing, don’t stay in the dark. While it can feel like a daunting task, breaking it down into manageable chunks will help.
Read on to find out what you should include in a literature review and how you should present your findings if you want to impress your assessors.
1. Define Your Research Question or Topic
Your literature review must have a clear objective of what you’re going to talk about. You should always start by clearly defining the topic of your research paper. This will help you concentrate your search and make sure your review matches the goals of your research paper.
Ask yourself, “What particular aspect of my subject matter am I interested in? and “What do I hope to find out from reading about the subject?”
This step is one of the most important ones as you start to write your literature review. If you choose a research paper topic that you’re not interested in, you’ll struggle to enjoy your project. You’ll likely get a better grade if you’re genuinely excited about what you’ve chosen to discuss!
2. Conduct a Comprehensive Literature Search
As you start thinking about writing a literature review, you need to do your research. Your college or school will likely have a paid subscription to databases like JSTOR and PubMed. From here, you can search for resources like:
- Academic journals
- Books
- Conference papers
- Dissertations
This key literature will form the basis of your review. The amount of existing literature you should use will depend on your subject. For humanities subjects like History and English Literature, you’ll likely need several cultural sources theoretical or real, for example, depending on your topic. While we recommend checking resources provided by your school, here is a breakdown of how many sources to analyze:
- For an 8,000-word dissertation, you’ll need 8-10 books or articles
- For 12,000 to 15,000 words, you’ll need to analyze up to 20 recognized sources
- For 20,000 words plus, expect to analyze 30 or more pieces of literature
If you’re in your final year of college, you likely have some experience gathering resources. If not, try to use keywords and phrases in your subject matter when searching in academic databases.
You may want to keep track of what you search for. Organize the information as soon as possible so that it does not take up too much time later on.
3. Evaluate and Select Sources
Not all sources are created equal – some are more reliable than others! Critically evaluate each source that you have found. Do this according to its credibility, relevance, quality, etc. Remember that there are do’s and don’ts regarding academic writing and research.
Give more preference to peer-reviewed articles and studies published by reputable institutions or journals. You may want to discard those that are outdated, biased, or not directly related to your research question.
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4. Organize Your Literature
Arrange the selected literature in a way that makes sense logically. You could organize your sources by:
- Themes
- Methodologies used
- Chronological order
- Theoretical approaches
The way you choose to approach this should depend on what works best for your assignment and subject.
Once you’ve chosen and organized your sources, we recommend creating an annotated bibliography early on. This can take hours to finish, so it’s better to get it out of the way early. It also helps you to summarize and critique every source you come across.
5. Identify Key Themes and Gaps
As you begin to analyze different texts, you should try figuring out the key themes and findings in each. Then, link each piece of literature by opposing or converging views. Look for patterns to help you highlight key concepts and theories and link these to your research paper topic.
Remember, a literature review isn’t just about analyzing key research. You need to make a case as to why your research paper is necessary. So, identify gaps in research and explain how you’re filling this need. Ensure there is good writing flow when presenting your arguments.
6. Develop a Structure for Your Review
After doing all the above, it should now be possible to come up with a structure. This should organize the different ideas gathered so far.
Some commonly used structures include:
- Thematic
- Chronological
- Methodological
- A combination of all three
Having an outline here will also help you think through things more clearly. It also ensures a smooth flow of information during the actual writing process itself.
7. Write the Introduction
Your introduction section is where you outline your research topic and give some background information regarding its relevance in academia. It also needs to include a section on what you hope to achieve from your research paper, i.e., your objectives.
Don’t use hundreds of words in your introduction. It should be short and punchy but informative enough to let readers know what to expect. Like any introduction, the reader should want to continue reading on.
8. Synthesize and Summarize the Literature
Your key findings from different sources should make up the body of your text. Synthesize information and summarize key points, making sure your literature review is well structured. Try to use one or two sources per idea and compare and contrast them depending on your assignment instructions.
You want to include sources that:
- Agree with each other
- Disagree with each other
- Partially agree with each other
How you synthesize your existing literature will depend on how you’ve chosen to structure your review.
9. Highlight Gaps and Future Directions
The last thing to do before concluding is to identify any gaps left in the research. Do this by looking through all available materials and suggesting areas for future research. This can help bridge any missing information and showcase your expertise.
For instance, you could write something like this:
“Future research on the subject will improve upon the current state of knowledge regarding (X).”
10. Conclude Your Review
In the conclusion section, you should summarize everything covered throughout the entire review. However, don’t repeat the same words or sentences from earlier sections.
The conclusion helps you restate how important your research question is to academia. It will also reflect on your findings so the reader can better understand the context of your search paper. After your concluding paragraph, indicate how your paper will fill in the current gaps in knowledge.
11. Cite Your Sources
Ensure all sources cited within your research paper adhere to the guidelines provided by your school. Pay attention to the citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago) and check your grammar and punctuation. Not complying with the citation style could lead to losing valuable points.
Also, remember to include a comprehensive bibliography with work from other researchers at the end of the document. Readers should be able to easily locate where information was obtained from so they can do their own research.
12. Assess and Modify
Don’t submit your first literature review draft. You need to critique and rework what you have written to make it clear and logical.
Look for little things like grammar mistakes, proper citation format, and the regulations set by your school. If you’re worried, share your work with peers or your supervisor to get ideas on where you can improve.
By following all these steps, you’ll be able to submit a well-structured, accurate literature review. This will set the tone for the rest of your research paper.
FAQs
How long should a literature review be?
The length of a literature review depends on the intent and scale of the research being conducted. For example:
- A review usually consists of 3-5 pages for an undergraduate thesis or course assignment.
- It may be anywhere from 20 to 40 pages for a Master’s thesis.
- Within a dissertation or journal article section, literature reviews might run about 10-20 pages long.
Always make sure that you check with your institution’s guidelines before starting any writing project. They will have more specific information about how many words are expected in each section.
Is a research paper the same as a literature review?
Nope. The research paper and the literature review are not the same thing.
Research papers are original research complete with an introduction, methodology, results, and discussion. They also contribute new knowledge or ideas in a given area of study.
A Literature review analyzes existing research about a specific subject matter. Its main goal is to show what has already been done in relation to your own work. It also points out areas that need further research.
Are journal articles like literature reviews?
Literature reviews can be found in a journal article, but they’re not the same. A journal article is a broad concept covering different kinds of academic writing. It includes original research papers, review articles, and case studies.
Many research articles include literature reviews within their introduction. This sets the stage for undertaking your study.
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Smodin AI can make the process of writing a literature review much easier. It gives you all the necessary tools and support that you need. Smodin AI does this by:
- Helping you to define your research topic
- Conducting an exhaustive literature search
- Organizing sources and synthesizing major findings
And so much more! All you have to do is put your thoughts into words.
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