Guidelines
1. Take time to select the topic of your choice rank the topics based on how
important they are to you (remember that the most powerful essays are those
that involve writing about something that directly/indirectly influenced you.
Something you have witnessed or read about ; the impact is a personal one)
and how much you already know about the topic given the timeline and the
time you have
2. Decide if this will be an individual or a jointly written essay (2-3 students can
form a group) If it is to be a group essay ensure that you work out what is
involved in writing, distribute tasks and identify the date by which they must be
done.
3. Try to brainstorm with someone your ideas on the topic , make your personal
experience/s central to the essay or what you are going to express opinions
about
4. Research thoroughly (for facts, history, key ideas) the topic on the internet or
in your school, local or home library ; talk to people who you know would be a
good source of knowledge on the topic . When you are researching you will
make notes. Ensure you write down the reference. If it is a book the name of
the book, authors name, date of publication, publisher and page numbers. If it
is a newspaper, the name of the newspaper and the date. If it information
from a website the URL and the date on which the information was accessed.
On completion of your essay write all these sources down in a bibliography.
• Ensure that all sources for research which are used are given proper
reference. Nothing will be COPIED from books /newspapers without
using references.. The coordinators in the schools will help in this area
of work.
5. Begin to write by constructing the layout of the essay, introduction, the
argument flow, the context, description and analysis. You can write in pieces
and then put the puzzle together but write with clarity, logic and emotion.
Something that you feel and think strongly about. Reclaiming Cultural and Social Diversity: Mobilizing Youth for National Harmony and Peace: the Search for Resources Within
35
6. Disagree with this. If this is an essay writing contest that should be the focus
7. Have peers/teachers read the essay for clarity and flow if you feel someone
will be biased and critical for the sake of being critical may not be the right
person ..so choose people for peer review who are neutral and honest.
1. Take time to select the topic of your choice rank the topics based on how
important they are to you (remember that the most powerful essays are those
that involve writing about something that directly/indirectly influenced you.
Something you have witnessed or read about ; the impact is a personal one)
and how much you already know about the topic given the timeline and the
time you have
2. Decide if this will be an individual or a jointly written essay (2-3 students can
form a group) If it is to be a group essay ensure that you work out what is
involved in writing, distribute tasks and identify the date by which they must be
done.
3. Try to brainstorm with someone your ideas on the topic , make your personal
experience/s central to the essay or what you are going to express opinions
about
4. Research thoroughly (for facts, history, key ideas) the topic on the internet or
in your school, local or home library ; talk to people who you know would be a
good source of knowledge on the topic . When you are researching you will
make notes. Ensure you write down the reference. If it is a book the name of
the book, authors name, date of publication, publisher and page numbers. If it
is a newspaper, the name of the newspaper and the date. If it information
from a website the URL and the date on which the information was accessed.
On completion of your essay write all these sources down in a bibliography.
• Ensure that all sources for research which are used are given proper
reference. Nothing will be COPIED from books /newspapers without
using references.. The coordinators in the schools will help in this area
of work.
5. Begin to write by constructing the layout of the essay, introduction, the
argument flow, the context, description and analysis. You can write in pieces
and then put the puzzle together but write with clarity, logic and emotion.
Something that you feel and think strongly about. Reclaiming Cultural and Social Diversity: Mobilizing Youth for National Harmony and Peace: the Search for Resources Within
35
6. Disagree with this. If this is an essay writing contest that should be the focus
7. Have peers/teachers read the essay for clarity and flow if you feel someone
will be biased and critical for the sake of being critical may not be the right
person ..so choose people for peer review who are neutral and honest.