Top Ten Tips for Student Essay Writing -

Top Ten Tips for Student Essay Writing Tip 1: Answer the Question. Keep the question in mind as you write, and be sure to clarify how each point you make relates to it. Do not introduce irrelevant information: however interesting you may think it is, if it does not help you to answer the question, you will not get credit for it. Tip 2. Make focused notes. A proper understanding the question set should guide not only what you write, but also what you read. You cannot write notes on everything, so only include what may be relevant to answering the question. Â   Tip 3. Set an early deadline. Begin by outlining what you are going to say, how you will structure your arguments, and what evidence you will draw upon in order to substantiate your claims. This means setting an early deadline for your first draft, leaving ample time for later revisions and improvements. Tip 4. Provide a clear structure. Use the introductory paragraph to clarify your understanding of the question and to outline what you will cover. Ensure that each step in the argument is clearly signposted so that the reader is never left wondering why a particular point is being made. Tip 5. Use plain language. Avoid verbiage and convoluted sentences. Long words and sentences are more likely to obscure your key arguments and annoy your examiner than gain you extra credit. If you are not sure how a word should be used or what it means, leave it out and use another instead. Tip 6. Get straight to the point. Do not ramble or beat around the bush. Nothing should appear in your essay that does not contribute to the overall argument. If you cannot summarise the argument of your essay in a few sentences, you probably need to gain more clarity about what you want to say. Tip 7. Provide critical analysis and elaboration. Showing that you have correctly understood the course material is important but only a starting point. Â  Summarising without providing critical analysis and argumentation will not earn you a high grade. Tip 8. Anticipate objections. A good academic essay not only provides arguments and evidence for its claims, but also attempts to demonstrate why opposing views are flawed. Spend some time, then, thinking about possible counter-arguments. If you can refute them, do so; if you can't, you may need to revise your argument. Tip 9. Summarise your argument. Use the conclusion to provide a succinct summary of your essay, to draw your themes together, and to clearly demonstrate that and how you have answered the question. Try to push your argument through to some kind of resolution, and avoid just sitting on the fence. Tip 10. Proofread, revise and format. Carefully proofread your work (and/or have somebody else do it for you) in order to ensure correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. Make revisions and amendments, tightening up sentences, sharpening your prose, and deleting redundant words and phrases. Format and reference your essay in accordance with your department's preferred specifications.