Oxford Uni Essay Writing Workshop!!

Learn about how essays saved the world, and how you can write better essays!

[@clairepaterson2374]

I feel like you’re talking directly to me when you say do we view essays as just cramming as much as we can and adding enough references to pass 🤣🙌🏻 Lockdown learning with OU is very isolating, so I’m thrilled to come across you on KZbin.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you for your kind words! Best wishes to you

[@isabels9866]

This is gold for all first year students. It helped me get a first. Every time I forget what to do I remember it is me trying to find a solution and contribute to the wider world of academic work, Giving some solution to the problem. Not showing off and cramming ideas, but what we truly think to inspire our reader.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@sceptical7]

I like the way u illustrate examples!

[@chronicskeptic]

Thank you for the excellent presentation!

[@nataliemagness9872]

Thank you so much for making these videos, they are incredibly helpful!! Please do continue sharing these!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Will do! Many thanks

[@spritesheets]

I've watched this a few times. Thank you.

[@princessofproductivity]

Your teaching abilities are so admirable; thank you very much for sharing!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Wow, thank you!

[@Rebelqiyas]

Thank you so much, absolutely loved it. You are a great teacher indeed.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

That's very kind of you! Thank you

[@carolynholmes6269]

Absolutely brilliant and essential! I was engrossed from start to finish. Thank you!!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you Carolyn! That's very kind of you!

[@andriaprieto2922]

Dr Williams! I love all of your videos and really appreciate the way you communicate everything with positivity! I am mexican and my biggest ambition is to get into oxford and your videos have helped me a lot. I just entered the oxford royale essay competition and your video gave me a lot of motivation to be confident in myself. Thank you, keep it up

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Excellent! Thank you for your kind message. I wish you all the best!

[@elizabethshannon100]

Thank you so much. You are a brilliant communicator and such a positive human. I was procrastinating this morning, but your eloquence and kindness have motivated me to finish my essay.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Wonderful! Thank you for your kind comment!

[@emilycarter8922]

You might want to check this out kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ3Sp2mjfduJd9E

[@tharrison202]

Excellent lecture, thank you for posting!

[@davidpage411]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/anPTkpqgrc-Upq8

[@ATINUKE67]

supercalifragilistic brilliant discussion! thank you

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you!

[@gracecummins6886]

Thanks Matt! This video is incredibly helpful :)

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@ryancarter6922]

I am currently in my second year of studying International Relations and Politics at Northumbria University, and I must say, I have struck gold by finding this workshop. I will be using your brilliant advice for the rest of my academic career. Thank you very much.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Excellent news! Thank you for your comment!

[@davidpage411]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/anPTkpqgrc-Upq8

[@ryancarter6922]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Update. I went from a 2:1 average in my second year (62%) to graduating with a first class honours degree and an average of 77% in my final year modules. Thank you very much.

[@youtubeonly3027]

Hello Dr. Williams, What you produce here is incredibly valuable. I love it so much and I'm very grateful to you for this workshop. It would be great if, in the future, you produce one more workshop which provides the same content as this one. That one can focus on writing the whole essay step by step and it would be awesome if you give out more critics in some essay samples of undergraduate students. Thank you so much, Dr. Williams.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

It's in the works! Thank you so much for your comment

[@srav1842]

Thank you. I will be using this in my uni work.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Wonderful!

[@joannechapman6013]

Thank you so much I was having trouble starting essay writing again after the summer break. I struggle with my memory and had forgot how to structure an essay. I feel so much better after listening to this.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Oh, great! Thanks!

[@mollyking4500]

Hi Matt, I'm a graduate (2003, St Hilda's) in French and German. I'm now 41 and am only learning now, thanks to your video, how to write proper essays. Thank you so much for this video. My essays were terrible before. Perhaps they'll be better now! Many blessings to you xx :)

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Hi Molly, thank you for your kind comment!

[@XinniLi]

That's what exactly I'm looking for, thank you sooo much. it literally answers all my questions. Rly helpful

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Glad I could help!

[@saritaanang7352]

Thank you for this video, just what I need for my assignment.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great! Good luck with the assignment.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Stellar advice, excellent presentation. Thank you - greetings from Greece!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Many thanks! Hope all is well for you in Greece.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Jesus College Oxford - Doing o.k. Thank you for the response. Just subscribed - cheers!

[@Pema_t]

Thank you sir! Super helpful session and I now have a newfound love for essay writing.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Excellent!

[@Nziiinga]

Brilliant. Best video so far and from.an Oxford teacher. I was intimidated but he explained it so well. Thank you I now have an increased confidence writing my first essay.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iot3136]

Thank you for sharing this invaluable lesson during this covid times. Your teaching style is engaging and interesting. May I request you a future video? Could you do a live essay writing. I would love to see your thought process and techniques using and learn from you. Maybe a short essay atleast. Stay safe and blessed.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

That's a great idea. I'll see what can be done. Thank you!

[@shayshaw6031]

Thank you! I learned so much more about essay writing in the past hour. I was feeling a little deflated having just had my last assignment returned and realising I had been completely off the mark. I'm actually looking forward to attempting the next one now.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great! Thanks for your comment.

[@gilliganmcneuter4550]

Thank you kindly for the information!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Of course! Thank you for the comment!

[@yongchaozhao8971]

Well telling lecture! Respect.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

So nice of you, thanks!

[@yikessis7312]

Im a first year at Exeter and Im writing my first uni essay ever and im so thankful I found this!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great! All best to you

[@stephaniem2581]

Thank you so much! You are the reason I am attending Harris Manchester this October! I highly doubt i'd have gotten in without your video on the entrance essay questions :)

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Fantastic! Thank you for letting me know. I've done a lot of teaching at HMC and it's an amazing place!

[@stephaniem2581]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 I’m studying psychology and philosophy. If I see you around I’ll be sure to say hi!

[@mariebliss]

This was so informative! Thank you so much ☺️ I have a changed perspective on essay writing now 🙌🏾

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paulcoy5201]

I still feel the same, I hate writing them, go out of my way to get away from them.

[@rameshmahadeo1700]

This is great, thank you.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

You're very welcome!

[@ashishbshinde]

Thank you so much !

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you!

[@gingetaylor4489]

Love this, has helped on my Masters

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great to hear! Thanks

[@fetabrown]

Really appreciated this, and the humour as well as the lesson in the toddler analogy. Thank you for publishing it to youtube.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidpage411]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/anPTkpqgrc-Upq8

[@NS-wo6ze]

Thank you , sir. Naeem

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Most welcome

[@joanamor2224]

Thank you very much Sir for sharing this Essay writing workshop. This is very helpful especially to me who is struggling to even write a simple article for my website. More power!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MuhammadHasnain-ij1mi]

Your teaching approach is really great. Essay writing was a big problem but now, it will be no longer. Thanks you Sir. A great Thanks!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

That's great! Thanks for your comment!

[@MuhammadHasnain-ij1mi]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 You are welcome sir

[@sirisaksirisak6981]

This valuable advice direct to the point in writing essay to Saiid.How to transform your idea into word and must make the reader see the picture logically as you described in correct grammartically, meanings and so on.Thank you so much sir.

[@davidpage411]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/anPTkpqgrc-Upq8

[@DrDinooshDeLivera]

Thank you!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

You're welcome!

[@blueskye5911]

Thank you so much, sir, for sharing this video. It is very helpful; and I learned a lot from watching it. Your presentation is clear and concise. I hope you upload more videos about writing better essays because I want to improve my writing skill and your videos would definitely help me. :)

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Oh good! Thank you for your comment

[@64Rubix]

This is an exceptionally useful video - all essay writing students could benefit from watching this.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you!

[@anne-luciebugain5298]

Thank you for sharing! I now have a new and improved game-plan for answering questions, conducting research and structuring essays. It's good to know that Oxford not only tolerates but encourages using a range of audiovisual sources for research.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for your comment

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great to know! Good luck!

[@micheleturley8758]

This was so helpful. I am studying for an MA and I was a bit overwhelmed. 60 minutes later - inspired to get going. Thank you 😊

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Great to know! Thank you and good luck!

[@micheleturley8758]

4500 words in using all of your super advice. Grade back on 22/01/21 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

[@zinser2289]

Thank you for these extremely helpful videos! I’ve watched all your videos related to essay writing and they taught me to deconstruct problems in a completely new way. I really want to improve my essay writing skills but sadly my school doesn’t have any teachers that can teach essay writing. I wrote a few essays each month according to books I read but it was really difficult to tell whether I made some improvements when there was no teacher to examine them. Could you please recommend me some online classes or websites that can help to examine whether my essay was good or bad? Thank you so much for your time.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your comment! I'm a big fan of Helen Sword: www.helensword.com

[@02_aldebaranrahmanadhitya95]

Thank you so much for uploading this workshop! Writing essays is not something I am particularly good at and this video has helped me understand what to do in an essay and how I should do it. I have an essay competition in a week, I will be applying the knowledge I have gained from this video to win it. Again, thank you very much, Mr. Matthew Williams! I hope you are doing well and have a nice day.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

You're very welcome! Thanks!

[@02_aldebaranrahmanadhitya95]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Hello! I just got news that I didn't win the competition. Though I'm not surprised due to the fact that I am still learning on how to write an essay effectively and the only way to be better is to learn from experience by continuously writing essays. Again, thank your for the knowledge you have given to me - and the public - for free. That is truly a notable act.

[@lily-sv8ye]

Best teacher on earth

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

That's very kind of you!

[@rafidalazwad1547]

Thanks a lot for this great workshop. I have a question. Will it be okay if I present different sides of arguments and then explain the tradeoffs or give a comparative analysis?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Yes, for sure. Just make sure it is clear what you think whilst you're explaining the strengths and weaknesses of other arguments.

[@ahmadkenziearyasatya2956]

I just wonder what type of software/app he uses for the presentation. It's a great thing to see when it moves across single slide

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

It’s called Prezi

[@mrssmurf55]

In universities in Ireland the use I or me is a total no no unless its a reflective essay!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

It's that way in many UK unis as well. There isn't much consistency on the matter. In academic publishing, it's rarely a problem to refer to yourself. Thanks for the comment!

[@DavidBuckingham-Guitarist]

Thank you for the excellent video. Do you recommend any books on essay writing to follow on from this workshop?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your message. My writing style was transformed on hearing a seminar given Helen Sword of Harvard: www.helensword.com/books-on-writing

[@DavidBuckingham-Guitarist]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank you for the link.

[@AkkshadhaSrivastav]

Dr Williams, what is your opinion on rhetorical questions in essays?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Hi Akkshadha. Rhetorical questions can work, provided the answer is clearly given. Also, rhetorical questions tend to be overused and can sound a little sarcastic, EG: "Surely, you would not suggest this is the case?" So, I tend to avoid RQs personally, but I don't think less of a piece of work that uses them, provided they are used with care.

[@krishvids608]

How far have you got with your book so far? I’d be really interested in it

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

It's been a little delayed by the pandemic, but getting there! I have another book: www.amazon.co.uk/How-language-works-politics-legislation-ebook/dp/B07CJKPJPZ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=how+language+works+in+politics&qid=1612161281&sr=8-2

[@user-rq9ms9pi5y]

Hii thanks for this. Do you also have references on reasoning and rhetorical techniques? Something like when I read some scientists argumentations, sometimes they use argumentum ad absurdum... But I have a difficulty to find structured and complete materials about this kind of techniques.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your comment! I don't have resources on that, but these videos are great: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqLFXptmqL2efpY kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5Oyp5earNV9d8k

[@user-rq9ms9pi5y]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thanks!!!

[@iot3136]

Thank you again Professor. I am looking for an English language textbook specifically about learning different types of writing (informative, descriptive, argumentative, discursive) with annotated examples (from published articles). I would be really grateful if you could recommend me a textbook if you have come across it.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

I really like the works of Helen Sword: www.helensword.com/books-on-writing

[@merveileuxdushimeshema2188]

Sir could u ask for me in the Physics department, if the fourth year someone can peak not 2 but actually up to 3 options of fields.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

I'm sorry, I have no idea. You can contact the physics department here: www.physics.ox.ac.uk/about-us/contact-us

[@alexmichellelottie]

Do supervisors at Oxford formatively assess work before summative assessment of the work?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Yes we do. There are regular essays that are formative, and mock exams called "collections" at the start of every term.

[@aimanfariz762]

Hi there sir, can you help me? How do I answer a question that sounds like this, “Courtesy costs nothing but buys everything”.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Hmm... good question! First, think very carefully about what the question means. Then work out whether you agree, disagree or agree in part with the question. Then structure your argument around the hook words in the question (costs/buys): For example: INTRODUCTION -- courtesy is not cost free in all contexts, if your courtesy is targeted at someone who demeans you. It costs your dignity. This is an immaterial cost, but creates reputational harm. Similarly, it will not obtain you any advantage (will not buy you everything) if it is targeted at someone who is indifferent to your gestures. Paragraph one: analyse the question wording Paragraph two: cost/benefit [buy] analysis depends on who courtesy is targeted at Paragraph three: cost/benefit [buy] analysis depends on when Paragraph four: cost/benefit [buy] analysis depends on how far targeted

[@angelakelly4372]

hi! sorry to bother you with this but i was just wondering if you could please write down the name of the website which was to do with essay writing and e.g. gave the question ‘are humans ruining the Earth?’ as I didn’t quite catch it during the video. Thanks!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Sure! It's called Oxplore.org

[@hafsanak685]

how do I engage with secondary sources?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

A great repository of secondary sources is the Project Gutenberg website. There you can search for all sorts of books and manuscripts.

[@JTJaniceTek]

good evening sir, are we allowed to use " I believe that..." or " I argue that..." in LNAT section B essay?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

I wouldn't ever say "I believe" in an essay. This is because belief is not a sound basis for a claim. You can say "I contend", or "I argue" without any trouble.

[@JTJaniceTek]

ah i see, thanks sir!!! btw your videos are so helpful I wish you would’ve posted more!!! especially videos on essay writing 🫣

[@teresahopemiller1008]

Thank you for your insights. British people are far more smarter. You changed my outlook on this challenge. Have you ever seen a braille essay. or one submitted by someone blind? The topic of how you are expressing this could fall into being a essay.( Laugh out loud.).Has there been a Essay on which fish and chips shops make the better one. Tucson need some.I miss Fish and Chips. I have to do my own. Frozen is better than nothing.Youngs from the UK is tops.Walmart stopped stocking it. How Dumb.Bless you, Happy New Year! Happy Christmas. McVeeties Digestives are tops and also Marmite.Ive yet to get some Treacle.Thanks from a Beatles Fan.I am Psychology student, Major in Trauma and persons with disabilities. Im sight impaired and My spouse is too. He lived in Kent.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks from another Beatles fan! Yes, I’ve taught two blind students and their essays were fantastic!

[@ahmedaldarwish9102]

Hello, thank you so much for uploading this lecture. May I ask for your permission to copy the introduction samples @48:44? I'm designing a writing course for advanced L2 users of English (majority are Arab students). It focuses on critical thinking and argumentation.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Dear Ahmed. Yes, please do! Thank you for your comment.

[@jacobb7379]

You're a great speaker. But I don't know what else I expected from a political academic!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

That’s very kind of you! Thank you

[@vaishnavipanicker43]

Thanku for this video so much, but i just want to ask at which age should i apply for a Scholarship, is it possible to apply at a young age like 14 or 15?? and if there is are their any scholarship??

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Oxford scholarships are awarded once you have a place at the University. So you can't apply at 14 or 15, unless you're a student at that age (which is very rare). For financial scholarships, we usually just tell students that are eligible for these, and they don't need to apply.

[@Jordannnnnnnjones]

can you make an essay writing guide for neuroscience and psychology MSc?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Those aren't really in my wheelhouse, but I'll see you what we can do.

[@Whoamiiamis]

😎

[@rudifield5894]

19:00

[@atriagotler]

What if you are asked to write a more analytic essay? An essay which explores the thought process and dosen't have to have an conclusive, absolute answer. Essay with a more speculative than argumentative tone.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Good question! Such essays are (mostly) unheard of at British universities. So my guidance in the video is not targeted at such essays. US universities are more likely to ask for inconclusive essays, but it is exceptional in the UK.

[@atriagotler]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Ok, thanks for the reply!

[@donovane5448]

Am I able to read that essay online on why footballers are not paid more than nurses? Sounds interesting

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Sorry, I am afraid I don't have the essay anymore. It is really interesting!

[@abdulrahmanakinade2879]

Do you have an email that I can contact you with concerning my potential application to Oxford. Thank you

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/access-outreach/our-team/

[@KP_City_Life]

In terms of a comparative essay - suggesting which side/approach is better than the other. How would you necessarily structure the essay? As I find these types of essay end up being quite long - first to explain & define, then pick apart each word, then the hook as you suggest- all before doing the same for the opposite side. Then directly compare against the opposition? As I intend to put a lens as a final paragraph, a solution & further research or even question the statement of the essay as a whole - e.g Language theory -staying whether the essay statement itself is an assumption or statement which already suggests a pre-determined answer. So this is always a struggle to try and condense these ideas & branches of discussion into a set structure that is succinct but effective at the same time.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

I'm sorry for the slow reply to this. It's an excellent question. The main purpose of an essay is to communicate your solution to the problem at hand. So when it comes to critically evaluating different possible solutions, I would usually advise that your solution comes first and any less good alternatives are pushed to the end of the essay. You also need to ensure that your conceptual analysis of any question wording is brief so that you can get to the main point of the problem as efficiently as possible. None of this is easy mind you, and I can understand the struggles you are describing. Just always be focused on communicating your solution to the problem and hopefully the most effective structure will reveal itself to you.

[@nikkivieler3761]

I would prefer to send the suspect to prison, but thanks for the lovely webinar as it is very helpful...

[@nikkivieler3761]

Although I am studying at Goldsmiths Lol...

[@nikkivieler3761]

But war is always a bad thing, even if it is necessary very occasionally to stop fascists and national socialists as better forms of coexistance can be obtained by other means...

[@whitewatersea]

The question I have is what if there isn't a question. In Tsitsi Dangarembga's "Nervous Conditions", it is obvious that colonization was devastating, and patriarchy is oppressive to women, and not allowing women to be educated was criminal. So where is the question? What problem needs to be solved that isn't already so obvious?

[@wallacetf]

you are a good speaker, but please try to not be so close to the camera as to be in my literal cerebrum

[@Dylan-jq7hu]

You lost me at your explanation of what an essay is and the purpose behind it. Your answer was incorrect. The fundamental reason for students to write essays, is to teach them to think! Learning how to write teaches us all how to actually think critically.

[@mitshelke9176]

Well Dylan, the answer isn't incorrect. Finding a solution to a problem is an act of critically thinking itself.

[@Dylan-jq7hu]

@@mitshelke9176 I agree with your premise. Thus, to engage in essay writing is to critically think. However the way in which this was expressed was incorrect, by the professor. The main purpose is to teach University students to think properly, so that they become much more then what they are (as thinkers).

[@MuhammadHasnain-ij1mi]

Honstly I hearted by your straightforward rejection especially word incorrect. Essay also teach us how to use the words. I think it is your misunderstanding please have a look again. Thanks