Psychology Essay Writing Skills

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of writing essays in an academic context?

To fulfill a requirement for promotion

To demonstrate understanding and critical thinking skills (correct)

To entertain readers with creative stories

To replicate previously published work

Which of the following is NOT a marking criterion for essays?

Reading and referencing

Essay structure

Knowledge and understanding

Use of illustrations (correct)

What is the first step in the essay writing process?

Analyse the essay title (correct)

Proofread for grammar errors

Organise your essay

Develop the main argument

What does 'critically evaluate' entail in essay writing?

Weighing arguments for and against a topic Signup and view all the answers

Which type of essay task requires you to examine and debate different viewpoints?

Discuss Signup and view all the answers

In the context of essay writing, what does 'organising your essay' refer to?

Arranging content to convey the main argument Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a formal academic writing style?

Adhering to standard grammar and vocabulary Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'summarise' in an essay?

To draw out the main points only Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk associated with the rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

It may lead to human de-education. Signup and view all the answers

How should the relationship between humans and machines ideally be viewed?

As one of collaboration. Signup and view all the answers

What is a necessary component when summarizing an essay's conclusions?

It should be an effective summary of the main points. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of implication related to research findings?

Artificial Signup and view all the answers

What do the recommendations in a research essay need to be?

Clear and specific. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the conclusion is NOT evaluated during self-assessment?

Is it free of citations? Signup and view all the answers

In summarizing an argument, which of the following must always be included in the final sentence?

A link to the significance of the argument. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of citation is typical for referencing a journal article?

In-text citation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a critical evaluation in an essay?

To weigh arguments for and against an idea Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT typically included in the structure of an essay?

Detailed examples from outside sources Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of effective paragraph structure in writing?

Introducing the point and then discussing evidence Signup and view all the answers

Which transitional phrase is best used to present a new argument in a paragraph?

It could be argued that Signup and view all the answers

What does 'discuss' imply in the context of writing an essay?

To examine arguments and give reasons for and against Signup and view all the answers

How should issues be outlined in academic writing?

By exploring each issue with a brief outline Signup and view all the answers

In an effective essay introduction, what should be clearly conveyed?

Interpretation of the question and an overview of arguments Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of knowledge and understanding in essay writing?

Demonstrating sound knowledge of the topic with accurate terminology Signup and view all the answers

What role do transitional sentences play in academic writing?

They link one paragraph to another or to the thesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts is important for synthesizing information in an essay?

Combining separate elements into a cohesive whole Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the concept of 'assessing the usefulness' of a theory in an essay?

Analyzing how the theory applies to specific situations Signup and view all the answers

Which question examines the impact of online behavior on individuals?

To what extent does online trolling cause psychological harm? Signup and view all the answers

What should a well-structured conclusion in an essay achieve?

Follow logically from the arguments presented and provide justification Signup and view all the answers

What is an appropriate action to take when defining terms in academic writing?

Provide clear definitions for necessary terms Signup and view all the answers

The process of summarizing entails which of the following?

Abstracting only the main points without details Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a transitional phrase for starting a sentence?

Unfortunately Signup and view all the answers

What psychological effect did college seniors experience when receiving negative comments on Facebook?

Lower self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

Which group was specifically studied in relation to self-loathing and negative comments on social media?

Female university students in Denmark Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as necessary to determine the consequences of online trolling?

Experimental studies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best summarizes the potential impacts of online interactions mentioned in the content?

They lead to both positive and negative psychological consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the synthesis task presented in the content?

Summarizing two mini articles in 50 words Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary argument related to the impact of AI mentioned in the content?

AI contributes to advancements in multiple fields. Signup and view all the answers

Which age demographic was studied regarding online trolling effects on self-esteem?

College students aged 18-22 Signup and view all the answers

What does the conclusion imply about the relationship between online trolling and psychological harm?

Online trolling may cause some psychological harm, but it's unproven. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Essay Writing Skills

Essays in psychology/neuroscience courses are used to develop writing skills and demonstrate deep understanding.
Essay writing is a specific form of writing, with a particular purpose, structure, and layout, and typically structured in response to a question.
Essays require a formal, academic style and demonstrate understanding of critical thinking skills.
Essay grading uses clear criteria, including knowledge and understanding, analysis, reading and referencing, and use of language.

Essay Marking Criteria

Essays are assessed based on knowledge, understanding, analysis, reading and referencing, and language skills.

Essay Assessments in LC to LH

Topics in various modules have essay components as coursework or examinations.
Examples include: Introduction of Psychobiology outlines, Lifespan Psychology A/B, Topics in Social and Differential Psychology, Language and Communication, and Social and Cognitive Development.
Optional modules often include essay coursework and/or examinations (at least 50% of the mark).

Marking Criteria Range

A grading rubric exists with specific descriptors for different scores (from inadequate to outstanding).
The rubric breaks down scoring into different ranges of marks.

How to Write an Essay

Analyze the essay title, including process words, essay type, main arguments, and ultimate message for readers.
Develop the main argument or thesis.
Structure the essay to effectively convey the argument.

Different Types of Essay Questions

Summarize: Draw out the main points, omit details/examples.
Describe: Give an observational account of something, details of when/where/who involved.
Explain: Offer a detailed rationale of an idea, principle, or situation.
Discuss: Investigate by argument by sifting and debating reasons. Critically evaluates arguments from both sides.
Critically evaluate: Weigh arguments from both sides and assess the strength of the evidence.

Knowing What to Write About

Mark schemes for essays are less prescriptive, indicating that evidence of existing knowledge and terminology is important.
Knowledge and understanding of the subject is crucial.
Lectures and essential reading are critical starting points in the writing process
Examples are provided in the form of questions, such as assessing the usefulness of adult attachment theory.

Breadth and Depth

A structure to follow when assessing theories (e.g., adult attachment theory) in relationships, showing how breadth and depth can be incorporated into the essay.

Essay Structure

The essay should establish clear and coherent argument and discussion.
There is a clear structure, composed of an introduction, main body, and conclusion supporting coherent discussion and argument.
The introduction outlines the aim of the essay.
The main body develops logical arguments.
A clear conclusion follows the points raised in the main body.

The Introduction

Explain the interpretation and summarize the conclusion regarding the topic.
Identify the issues and the order in which they will be explored. Present a brief outline of how the essay will handle each issue.

Main Body Structure

Basic paragraph structure: Introduce the point, discuss evidence supporting the point, and restate the point and relation to the thesis/main body.
Integrated paragraph structure: Use transitional phrases to link different paragraphs or relate to the thesis.

Transitional Words/Phrases

Useful words/phrases to use to connect different arguments logically. Examples can include "To illustrate," "Specifically," "For example," "As an example," and "In particular."

Synthesis

Combine separate elements to form a whole: This could include research studies, concepts, ideas in the form of key points.
Summarize and conclude an essay.

Referencing

In-text citations use parentheses to include author and year.
Provide full references and lists.

Example... (Various Examples)

Providing examples of how to approach different essay topics; for instance how to tackle the concept of nature vs nurture.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the essential skills required for writing essays in psychology and neuroscience courses. It covers the specific structures, academic styles, and grading criteria necessary to demonstrate deep understanding and critical thinking. Prepare to enhance your essay writing proficiency through this assessment.