Political system in Japan

Writing an essay: The purpose of an essay is to present a logical, reasoned argument in response to a specific question. An effective structure helps your argument to unfold clearly to the reader. You want your response to be focused and progressive, rather than just a jumble of ideas. It is important that your essay has a clear introduction, main body and conclusion.

The body of your essay explains, describes and argues your topic. Each main idea that you wrote will become a separate section within the body of your essay.

The written version of the students’ presentation should include:
– Introduction – Introduce briefly the topic with the main chronological and geographical aspects of it. Then you explain why the topic is relevant to understand the Contemporary Civilization and/or a specific culture and the impact of globalization. Lastly, ask the question you want to respond with your essay.

– First point – Explain your topic: Despite its obviousness, it is not unnecessary to remind that the subject given for the essay must first and foremost be understood. Highlighting and defining the key words constitute an efficient way to proceed. Words have a meaning which must be given due consideration so as to avoid going out of the subject.
Explain also its significance for a particular culture/or for the contemporary civilization as a whole. Then illustrate with one or two examples.

– Second point – Describe your topic: a good description provides information about the background (historical, economic, cultural, political, etc.) and answer the following questions: When? Who? How? Why? Etc. Then illustrate with one or two examples.

– Third point – Argue your topic: analyse whether or not the globalization has an impact on the topic. More generally, think of your topic at an international level. Then illustrate with one or two examples and give your opinion on your topic.

– A Conclusion: The conclusion brings closure of the topic and sums up your overall ideas while providing a final perspective on your topic. Your conclusion should consist of three to five strong sentences. Simply review your main points and provide reinforcement of your thesis.
Key structuring conventions to be used:

– Group similar ideas together rather than jumping around.
– Individual paragraphs should be differentiated typographically ie, by indenting or by
allowing additional line spaces between
– Each paragraph should make only one main point.
– Think of paragraphs as mini-essays. Start with a topic sentence to introduce the main point
of the paragraph; explain that point further; provide evidence for the point; interpret/analyse the evidence; then summarise the point and indicate how it links into your overall argument.
– Each paragraph should link to the next using transition words or phrases – such as ‘alternatively;’ ‘consequently;’ ‘as a result’; ‘furthermore…’

– The paragraphs should be placed in a logical and consistent order. Play around with them until you get the best flow. They should feel progressive rather than list-like.
References:

1) Books:
Whenever you read or research material for your writing, make sure that you include in your notes, or on any photocopied material, the full publication details of each relevant text that you read. These details should include:
• surname(s) and initial(s) of the author(s);
• thedateofpublication;
• thetitleofthetext;
• if it is a paper, the title of the journal and volume number;
• if it is a chapter of an edited book, the book’s title and editor(s)
• the publisher and place of publication*;
• the first and last page numbers if it is a journal article or a chapter in an edited book.

2) Online ressources: https://
student.unsw.edu.au/how-do-i-cite-electronic-sources