How to Write a Better Essay for School or University
Many essays become difficult halfway through because the writer starts before deciding what to say. You may have several good ideas and still be unsure which ones belong in the answer. A short plan helps you decide what each paragraph needs to do and gives you something to check when you finish writing.
Work out what the question expects
Read the question slowly and identify the instruction. If it asks you to compare two approaches, look for relevant similarities and differences. If it asks you to evaluate an argument, consider how well the evidence supports it. Pay attention to any limits, such as a particular period, text or number of examples.
Plan your answer before writing the introduction
Write one sentence that expresses your main answer. Then list the points that will help you develop it. Decide what evidence belongs with each point. You might use an event from a novel, information from a prescribed reading or a result from an experiment, depending on the assignment. Put the points in an order the reader can follow.
Explain what your evidence shows
A useful paragraph makes a point, gives evidence and explains the connection. In a literature essay, naming a scene is only the first step. Explain what the character’s actions or words reveal and how that supports your answer. If you find yourself retelling the scene, ask which detail actually helps make your point and build the paragraph around it.
Give yourself time to revise
Read your draft once for meaning and again for spelling, punctuation and references. On the first read, ask what each paragraph contributes. If two paragraphs make the same point, decide whether they belong together or whether one can develop a different idea. Check that the conclusion follows from the evidence you discussed.
Under exam conditions, practise planning within the time available. For an assignment, keep a record of sources from the start and follow the referencing instructions you were given. Reading your opening and closing paragraphs together can also help you see whether you answered the question you set out to address.
Bright Nerds Solutions encourages learners to try this process with one essay question before their next assessment. Spend a few minutes planning, write one complete paragraph and check whether your explanation connects the evidence to the question.
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