We’ve all been there.
You’re looking forward to getting home and relaxing, but suddenly you’re hit with an essay that has got to be done. Where do you start?
Writing an essay isn’t always an easy task, but there are some tips to make the process a little easier. We’ve outlined four essay writing tips that every student should know below. Keep reading to find out what they are, and you should be able to get that essay completed!
- Make Sure You Plan
As tempting as it might be to just start writing straight away, you’ll create a better essay if you plan a little beforehand.
You should be aware of the different types of essays, so you know which you should be writing. For example, your teacher may want you to write a profile essay, in which case you should plan accordingly.
Know your audience too, and then you can get into planning the structure of the essay itself. You don’t need an awful lot of detail — if you like, just bullet points will do — but if you find that using paragraphs to outline the essay is effective for you, you’re welcome to do that.
- Set a Time of Day and Don’t Leave It Late
Some of us are morning people, while some of us are night owls and some of us fall somewhere in between.
We all focus best at different times of the day, so it’s best to schedule in time to write when you know that you’re more likely to be at the top of your game. Your friends might be writing their essays in the afternoon, but if you focus best at night instead, feel free to do your own thing!
Try not to leave the essay to the very last minute, either. It makes things a lot more stressful, and you’re unlikely to produce your best work if you’re rushing just before the deadline.
- Check Samples and Past Essays
Chances are, you won’t be the first student ever to write this essay — at least, past students are sure to have written something similar.
Ask your teacher or professor if they’ve kept any past essays from former students, or if they have sample essays for you to read. Look at the mark these essays received, and see what you might be able to do to improve.
Of course, there is the risk of plagiarism here, so be mindful not to copy anything. Just use these essays for guidance.
- Edit, Proofread, and Peer-Review
Even when you’ve finished writing the essay, you’re not finished. It’s worth proofreading your work to pick up on any typos or spelling or grammatical errors before you hand it in.
If a friend is writing the same essay, you could swap and review each other’s, not only proofreading but giving each other some constructive criticism too. This is a sure-fire way to develop your writing skills.
Lastly, there are numerous resources online to help you check over your work. They might pick up on a little error you didn’t notice while reading it through yourself, so it’s worth running your essay through one of these too.
Using Essay Writing Tips
Essay writing is often tricky, but with our essay writing tips, you should be able to get started and have a go on that tricky paper you’ve been avoiding. Set yourself a schedule, check over your work, and make sure you’re planning everything, and you’ll be set for success!
For more study advice, be sure to check out the rest of our posts.
