Layout of Essays

---

This chapter focuses on the formatting of essays; a basic chapter to help students format their essays in a way to attract the grader but also stay in line. It will take you through the different ways you can format an essay and how to do it.

---

Alignment of text:

At the top bar, second from the right, is the text alignment option. By selecting a quantity of text, you can move it to the middle, left and right of the page as well as line it all up neatly. However, it does get complicated in formatiting this way as it doesn't quite work just by selecting it. You have to select only a single line, like this:

I loved the way we got to learn about gillyweed

Instead of:

I love the way we got to learn about gilly weed, it was so fun finally being able to know the details.                                    

Also I enjoyed finding out                         

Otherwise the text won't move to the desired position.

Once you've selected the text, click on the formatting options (one from the right on the top bar) and select where you want to move the text, i.e. 'centre text'. The option 'justify text' makes all the text line up evenly for the left and right edges, i.e. compare the lines of text, formatted to the default left option:

I love the way we got to learn about gilly weed, it was so fun finally being able to know the details. Also I enjoyed finding out about gurdyroot as I'd never heard of the plant before. Gillywater I have already tried making but failed at it slightly...it is very difficult.*                      

And then the lines of text formatted to 'justify text':

I love the way we got to learn about gilly weed, it was so fun finally being able to know the details. Also I enjoyed finding out about gurdyroot as I'd never heard of the plant before. Gillywater I have already tried making but failed at it slightly...it is very difficult.*        

When formatting in essays, the default 'align text to the left' is usually used. However, with bullet points or certain information you may want to centre it, as with the title of the essay. Or you may want to make your text neat and justify the whole lot, it's up to you. Personally I am aware that professors and other graders prefer essays to be formatted neatly and simply.

---

Colour:

Usually coloured text it not necessary, but if you want to add a little spice and flourish to your essay it may be nice to do so. However, I am aware that professors and other graders prefer essays to be simply written and bright colours are usually not approved of, though there are subtle ways of using colours if you wish to use them without lowering your grade or making your essay look crude or childish.

Highlighting - when highlighting make sure you use the simply light blue on the highlighting colour pallet you find third from the right on the top bar. Light colours are necessary for correspondence with black text and the simple blue is not reverse or eye-catching yet effective and formal. Pale grey is also advised, but other colours can make the presentation to childish in look.

Colouring Text - when colouring text for titles and bullet points, use dark, subtle colours like a very dark maroon or blue. These add colour but do not look childish or crude.

---

Pictures and Videos:

If permitted to insert pictures or videos, there are few problems with formatting that emerge. My only tips formatting wise would be:

1) Align the video/photo to the centre if there is only one (do this by typing one letter of text, aligning that to the centre and then inserting the video before deleting the original letter)

2) Align the title to the centre and add subtle colour.

3) Separate different videos/photos by a dividing line (end right on top bar)

4) Separate titles from videos/photos by a dividing line

---

Lists:

Lists are often helpful in essays if you want to get something across. On the top bar you have a few options for formatting lists. Let's review them:

1 - Bullet Points.

Bullet points are the most popular way of formatting lists and are recognised and simple. For an everyday list resonation an something that lists comments on what articular thing/subject, bullet points are advisable. 

2 - Numbered Lists.

When trying to get a point across (i.e., listing effects of the gardening effect on the Herbology field), numbered lists are always the best as they can have impact. Also they are neat and recognised and if you want to, say, list different types of lily, then it's another way to show the numbers effectively.

---

Text in General:

There are many ways to change the appearance of your default text excluding colour. Let's view their ups and downs and of course, uses:

Bold - good for titles and important highlights of definitions and names. Effective for attention and will draw the grader to the word/s that is/are bolded.

Italic - good for lists and added information as well as the inside text of brackets. Again, draws grader to the word/s that is/are italic(ed).

Capitals - often suitable titles and announcements, but if overused can make the presentation look crude and pushy.

Code Option - for pretend letters and scripts this is suitable. However it is better to leave normal, everyday information simply texted and turn away from code.

Quote Option - for lists such as this one and of course, quotes, this is a good option. However it is better to leave normal, everyday information simply texted and turn away from the quote option.

Size - titles only need to be larger and bigger than average text for normal information makes the presentation look crude.

Directions to these options:

Bold: third from left at top bar

Italic: fourth from left at top bar

Code, Quote and Size Options: first left, list presented.

NOTE: Text must be selected to format it these ways.

---

That's it for the layout of essays section! Keep the tips in mind - they come in very useful for having an impact on the grader.