THE BOB MARLEY ESSAY

© Leonie Wallace

December 2007.

THE ACADEMIC ESSAY

ANALYSE THE TITLE

DO RESEARCH

MAKE NOTES FROM YOUR RESEARCH

PRIORITIZE YOUR IDEAS

MAKE AN OUTLINE

THE PLANNING PHASE

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

BODY PARAGRAPHS

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

BIBLIOGRAPHY

THE ESSAY STRUCTURE

WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH ?

A BLOCK OF TEXT EXPLORING

A SINGLE IDEAA paragraph contains

A BEGINNING : TOPIC SENTENCE A MIDDLE : SUPPORTING SENTENCES

AND AN END : CONCLUDING SENTENCE

INDENTATION

PARAGRAPH APPEARANCE

Indentation is the first example of how to indicate a new paragraph. The first line of each new paragraph starts at an indentation of about 1.5 centimetres from the margin. It is not necessary to skip a line to indicate a new paragraph. Using a Word Processor like Microsoft Word, for example the “Enter” key must only

be used at the END of the paragraph. ¶ Indentation is the first example of how to indicate a new paragraph. The first line of each new paragraph starts at an indentation of about 1.5 centimetres from the margin. It is not necessary to skip a line to indicate a new paragraph. Using a Word Processor like Microsoft Word, for example the “Enter” key must only

be used at the END of the paragraph. ¶

SKIP A LINE

PARAGRAPH APPEARANCE

Skipping a line is the second example of how to indicate a new paragraph. The paragraphs are separated by a space on the page. It is not necessary to indent to indicate a new paragraph, if you skip lines. Using a Word Processor like Microsoft Word, for example the “Enter” key must only be used at the END of the paragraph. ¶

Skipping a line is the second example of how to indicate a new paragraph. The paragraphs are separated by a space on the page. It is not necessary to indent to indicate a new paragraph, if you skip lines. Using a Word Processor like Microsoft Word, for example the “Enter” key must only be used at the END of the paragraph. ¶

PARAGRAPH APPEARANCE

WHAT DO YOU NOTICE WITH THIS PARAGRAPH ?

You must avoid going to a new line in the middle of a paragraph, before the concluding sentence. ¶This is caused because people hit the “Enter” key at the end of a sentence, rather than at the end of the paragraph. ¶Another reason for this habit is probably a lack of preparation, a lack of planning. ¶It means that the essay has not been planned properly and that the writer has not given enough thought to the essay nor to the content and structure of the paragraphs. ¶Technically speaking, this is not a paragraph. ¶

“Analyse the theme of slavery in Bob Marley’s songs”

SAMPLE ESSAY TOPIC

THE OUTLINE = THE BODY PARAGRAPHS

I. SLAVERY AS A HISTORICAL FACT

(Redemption Song, Slave Driver, Buffalo Soldier, Crazy Baldheads)

II. MENTAL SLAVERY

Redemption Song, Babylon System, Concrete Jungle

III. FIGHTING AGAINST THIS OPPRESSIVE SYSTEM

Get Up Stand Up, War

THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

“Analyse the theme of slavery in Bob Marley’s songs”

SAMPLE ESSAY TOPIC

1. TOPIC SENTENCE = A general statement

The theme of slavery, the political and economic system that prevailed in Jamaica for more than 300 years, is one that Bob Marley addressed frequently in his songs.

THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

“Analyse the theme of slavery in Bob Marley’s songs”

SAMPLE ESSAY TOPIC

2. SUPPORTING SENTENCES = Indicate the direction that the essay will take.

Slavery as a historical fact is something that Marley felt that his people needed to be constantly aware of. Certain songs contain actual descriptions of what people were forced to undergo during that period. The psychological effects of slavery, that is, a state of “mental” slavery, is the second aspect of the theme that the artist explores in his lyrics. Finally, Bob Marley’s constant urging that people fight against this and other forms of oppression is also very present in the words of his songs.

THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

“Analyse the theme of slavery in Bob Marley’s songs”

SAMPLE ESSAY TOPIC

3. CONCLUDING SENTENCE = Indicates your intention.

This essay will explore those three aspects of slavery that can be found in Bob Marley’s songs.

The theme of slavery, the political and economic system that prevailed in Jamaica for more than 300 years, is one that Bob Marley addressed frequently in his songs. Slavery as a historical fact is something that Marley felt that his people needed to be constantly aware of. Certain songs contain actual descriptions of what people were forced to undergo during that period. The psychological effects of slavery, that is, a state of “mental” slavery, is the second aspect of the theme that the artist explores in his lyrics. Finally, Bob Marley’s constant urging that people fight against this and other forms of oppression is also very present in the words of his songs. This essay will explore those three aspects of slavery that can be found in Bob Marley’s songs. ¶

INTRODUCTION :

“Analyse the theme of slavery in Bob Marley’s songs”

SUSPENSION DOTS

Used only in a quote :to show that words are missing.

As Stephen Davies wrote in his book, in the 60s, “[…]

Not used as in French at the end of a sentence or paragraph.

CITING SOURCES

FOOTNOTES

As Stephen Davies wrote in his book, in the 60s, “[…] the climate in Jamaica was repressive and unabashedly colonial. Jamaica was being run by lazy bureaucrats for the benefit of the middle class and the old plantation and mercantile families.”[1].

[1] DAVIES Stephen p. 95.

At the bottom of the page, mention the author,

the underlined book title, and the page number.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Footnote references must be included in the Bibliography.

Web-based references

Mention the name of the website, the author, the title of the article, the web address (URL) and the date you consulted the web page. And get rid of the hyperlink.

W. Alan Smith, Florida Southern College, Lakeland (FL), Songs of freedom: the music of Bob Marley as transformative education, 2005. Accessed on the web 13 April 2006 : www.religiouseducation.net/member/05_rea_papers/wasmith_2005.pdf .