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As students progress through school, essay writing is one of the most critical skills they can seek to attain. Essay writing is the basis of a multitude of English assessments and a host of other humanities based subjects, and applies throughout school and into higher education.
So what are the top tips for breezing through an essay with ease?
The essay question contains essential clues about how your work should be shaped. Keep an eye out for phrases like “how, why, and what” and “limiting words” such as those that define the subject and location.
These set the parameters of your writing. The best essays will answer all elements of the question set, within the word limit while arguing a point, accurately citing relevant research, and without getting bogged down in extraneous detail.
All essays conform to a general structure. The essential ingredients are:
The introduction – Often written last, this outlines the argument you are about to embark on, addressing all areas of the question while giving the reader a heads up of what’s to come. The introduction is general in nature but indicates you will be relating to specifics.
The body – The body will be restricted by your word limit but regardless of whether that’s 500 or 2000 words, every paragraph begins with a topic sentence noting what you will cover within the following text.
The body is where you argue your case, point by point. It is also how and where you display your research, with each paragraph backed up by reading and notes. These paragraphs will contain:
If your question has more than one part, structure your essay to deal with it accordingly, ensuring you answer all parts of the question.
The conclusion – This is the final salvo in the battle to ram your point home, recapping essential elements and rounding up your argument. It offers the natural conclusion you have come to after discussing and discovering the facts contained in the body. Never introduce new information here.
An essay is based on the research and facts of others, and must be attributed to them accordingly. Any text, quotes or arguments you use as reference must be accurately cited according to the guidelines of your academic institution.
It’s likely to include the publication name, author’s name, publishing date and page numbers.
Research – Sources and research make or break an essay so start early and keep track of your references as you go.
Brainstorm – It’s a great idea to brainstorm before you start drafting your essay, listing down common topics, themes and mapping out where you may go in your final piece.
Then note this information down in an ordered form, breaking it into the topics you intend to cover. This will form the body of your essay.
Draft and redraft – Writing the essay isn’t the end of the process. Be prepared to go back over your work numerous times with a critical eye, honing the structure and argument here you need to, and seeking more references where required.
It’s a great tip to leave time between drafts, so you come back with a fresh eye, and read what you are actually saying on paper, not what you intend to say in your head.
Grammar and spelling – Be sure to leave enough time for a final spelling and grammar check. While spellcheck is a great resource, it’s not as honed as an excellent proofreader, so have someone else cast a critical eye over your work also.
Like most arts, essay writing takes practise. Chalkwall has a host of resident geniuses to offer assistance honing this art and perfecting your writing technique. You can learn more about our tutoring services here, or contact us directly.
