Essays
Essay writing is a learning process in which you develop and then express your knowledge through reading the research literature, gleaning information from a range of sources, and presenting it in a methodical and appropriate way. You are constructing a piece of writing which will evolve as you learn more. Don’t worry if your ideas seem disjointed at first. Start writing and ideas will flow. Reviewing and rewriting naturally follow as you show what you think by seeing what you say!
What makes a 'good' essay?
'Good' essay checklist
There are characteristics of a ‘good’ essay, so does your essay have these?
Essays allow students to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of a topic based on research and reading. The skill of good essay writing is to be able to critically discuss and evaluate ideas within a set word limit. The focus of an essay is usually on developing an argument or analysing ideas rather than on description.
In this section you will learn a step-by-step approach to researching and writing essays. You will also learn about basic essay structure, and look at six different types of essay that you may need to write in the course of your study.
Essay writing
This video lecture will take you through the process of preparing and writing an essay.
34:34A step-by-step approach
The good news is that essay writing does not need to be a daunting experience. The easiest way to approach the task is by breaking it into stages and progressing through one step at a time.
Step 1: Understand the essay question
It’s important that you take the time to understand what you’re being asked to do. You can do this by analysing the instructions. It is useful to highlight the key words.
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Topic: These words tell you the topic.
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Focus words: These significant words tell you what aspect of the topic you should write about.
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Instruction words: These words tell you what you must do.
Step 2: Key instruction words
It is important to understand what you have been asked to do. In order to do this, you should look at the key instruction words, which are defined below in the Essay question instruction words section.
Step 3: List potential sources of information
If there is a choice of questions, think carefully about what you already know and the availability of relevant resources and materials.
Potential sources of information are:
- Library
- Websites
- Government departments
- People
- Experiments
Step 4: Make a time management plan
Take the time to work out a time management plan like this example below:
Assignment due: 9th April
| Task | Date to be completed |
| Search resources | 13 Feb |
| Read and make notes | 13 Mar |
| Draft assignment | 27 Mar |
| Get friend to check spelling | 30 Mar |
| Check with a learning advisor | 31 Mar |
| Redraft | 7 Apr |
| Hand in | 9 Apr |
Often your assignment instructions will include suggested resources.
Step 5: Do the research
Start with the recommended reading list for your assignment. Scan or survey chapter headings, summaries, indexes, etc to find key information. You will not have time to read everything. Once you find useful material, make notes from it, always recording the name of the article or book, the author, and the date and place of publication.
When you have a lot to read it can seem overwhelming, so get some tips from the reading section if needed. You can use the reference section in each assigned reading to find other relevant sources. Alternatively, go to the library or look up the topic on the Internet. Be warned: there will be a vast amount of information available on the Internet, so be as specific as you can and keep to trusted search engines such as Google Scholar and reliable websites.
Some tips:
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Gather information from all sources as planned.
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Carefully note all reference details such as author, title, publisher, date, and place of publication and page number(s).
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For websites, copy the web address and paste into your document so you don’t need to type it out.
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Decide on appropriate main headings to enable you to group your notes meaningfully. You can do this by brainstorming or by making a mindmap.
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Save time now by entering the main headings in your typed assignment document.
- Group notes under these headings, checking back with the assignment instructions to ensure relevance.
Step 6: Draft the essay
Once you’ve done the research and decided on the main points or ideas, you need to put the essay in a logical order. Don't worry about style or presentation at this stage - just start writing. You are the only one who is going to see this draft. Focus on getting all your information down in the best possible order.
An essay is made up of an introduction, a body and a conclusion. See “The basic essay structure” section to learn how to structure an essay.
If you have enough time, try to leave at least one day between the first and second drafts. When you return to it and read it through (aloud) with a fresh approach you will be able to make necessary changes and find errors more easily.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Make the appropriate changes and ensure that your writing shows your understanding of the issues. At this stage it is a good idea to get someone else to read it through and tell you if it is easy to read, makes sense and flows well. Ask for realistic feedback.
Step 7: Write the essay
This is where grammar becomes important! To put together an effective argument, you need to have correct grammar, structured sentences and logically ordered paragraphs.
Pay attention to spelling and presentation. If you are using a word processor, and you know that your spelling and grammar aren't perfect, use the spell check and grammar check facilities (but realise they're not always perfect either!). Proofread your work carefully by reading it aloud. Number your pages, do a word count and check that your references are complete.
Step 8: Check referencing
Check that you have used correct referencing. Use the Word Referencing tool to save you time and ensure that citations and references are in the correct format, as specified by your institution. Eg. APA.
Step 9: Proofread the essay
Go through the following check list to ensure you have covered everything.
Have I...?
Step 10: Hand in the essay on time
Step 11: Read the teacher’s feedback.
When you get your essay or assignment back from your teacher, read the comments carefully. This is a valuable opportunity for learning how to improve your work. If you don't understand the comments or a loss of marks in one area, ask the teacher to explain.
The basic essay structure
How do I know what I think until I see what I say?
E.M. Forster
Introduction
5-10% of the word count.
The purpose of the introduction is to set the scene for the whole essay. This is where you let your audience know the position being argued and the main reasons for that perspective.You should not rewrite the essay question, but focus upon setting the context. A good introduction captures readers' attention, telling them what the essay is about.
Tips:
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Make a good first impression – the opening sentence should engage the reader
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Introduce the topic(s) – define the key terms, explain the relevance or importance of the topic(s), provide context
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State your main idea or purpose – this is the thesis statement
Writing introductions
Use these helpful phrases for introductions.
- The fundamental / crucial / essential / main / most important / principal issue is…
- The current debate on / controversy over…has received much attention…
- …are a recent phenomenon
- The question of whether to…is controversial / contentious
- …is the main factor in the success of…
- …needs to be viewed in the wider context of…
- The process primarily / largely / mainly / generally consists of / comprises / involves four main / key stages
- E-technology includes mobile phones, computers and the internet
- There are numerous but similar definitions of…
- When describing what... is, it is essential to clarify that it is not synonymous with…
- This essay will address / consider / focus on / centre on / discuss / be concerned with the topic of / the subject of….
- The purpose / objective / aim / goal of this essay is to identify…
- This essay will discuss two main elements of…
- This essay will argue / propose that…….is essential to…
- I will discuss two different aspects of…
- This essay will focus / centre on the causes of…
- It is not possible / feasible to discuss all the issues in this essay
- It is not relevant / appropriate / pertinent to cover all areas / aspects of the debate in this essay
- This concept. / idea can be considered from several different viewpoints / perspectives
- There are two different views / opinions in this complex debate
- Misconceptions about … are widespread / prevalent
- There are diverse opinions as to whether…
- One benefit / advantage of...
- One drawback of / disadvantage of / problem with…
- There is considerable research to show / prove that…
A thesis statement must present a relevant and specific argument.
Central idea: Writing a thesis statement
For every essay you write, you must focus on a central idea. This idea stems from a topic you have chosen or been assigned or from a question your teacher has asked. It is not enough merely to discuss a general topic or simply answer a question with a yes or no. You have to form a specific opinion, and then articulate that into a controlling idea – the main idea upon which you build your thesis.
Remember that a thesis is not the topic itself, but rather your interpretation of the question or subject. For whatever topic your professor gives you, you must ask yourself, “What do I want to say about it?” Asking and then answering this question is vital to forming a thesis that is precise, forceful and confident.
A thesis is one sentence long and appears toward the end of your introduction. It is specific and focuses on one to three points of a single idea – points that are able to be demonstrated in the body. It forecasts the content of the essay and suggests how you will organise your information.
A strong thesis statement contains the following qualities:
A thesis statement must concentrate on a specific area of a general topic. The creation of a thesis statement begins when you choose a broad subject and then narrow down its parts until you pinpoint a specific aspect of that topic. For example, health care is a broad topic, but a proper thesis statement would focus on a specific area of that topic, such as options for individuals without health care coverage.
A strong thesis statement must be precise enough to allow for a coherent argument and to remain focused on the topic. If the specific topic is options for individuals without health care coverage, then your precise thesis statement must make an exact claim about it, such as that limited options exist for those who are uninsured by their employers. You must further pinpoint what you are going to discuss regarding these limited effects, such as whom they affect and what the cause is.
A thesis statement must present a relevant and specific argument. A factual statement often is not considered arguable. Be sure your thesis statement contains a point of view that can be supported with evidence.
For any claim you make in your thesis, you must be able to provide reasons and examples for your opinion. You can rely on personal observations in order to do this, or you can consult outside sources to demonstrate that what you assert is valid. A worthy argument is backed by examples and details.
A thesis statement that is forceful shows readers that you are, in fact, making an argument. The tone is assertive and takes a stance that others might oppose.
In addition to using force in your thesis statement, you must also use confidence in your claim. Phrases such as "I feel" or "I believe" actually weaken the readers’ sense of your confidence because these phrases imply that you are the only person who feels the way you do. In other words, your stance has insufficient backing. Taking an authoritative stance on the matter persuades your readers to have faith in your argument and open their minds to what you have to say.
Main body
80-90% of the word count
Use evidence in the main body from academic readings, to explain and support in detail the reasons for your point of view previously provided in the introduction. The body contains a number of paragraphs that link together, to develop a strong argument or discussion of the topic. You should present one main point at a time, it is important that the argument flows smoothly and logically.
Tips:
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Divide the body into sections based on your assignment instructions and marking guide.
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Divide each section into paragraphs.
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Each paragraph should deal with one main idea only.
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Each paragraph should begin with a sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph: the topic sentence.
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Each topic sentence should logically follow on from the main idea of the preceding paragraph and be linked to the essay’s main point or argument.
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The main idea of each paragraph should be developed with evidence, arguments (from sources such as appropriate books, articles, websites, etc) and/or examples related to the topic.
Example of an effective body paragraph:
Closely linked to the issue of inadequate agricultural training is that of farmers suffering from a lack of access to relevant technology. Agricultural practice in the developed world has shifted markedly in the past three decades (Liesbeth, 2011). Advances in technology have led, for example, to the development of precise machinery and tools with which those working in the agricultural sector are able to maximise yields and minimise wastage (Blaker 2003). It would be no exaggeration to label these changes as revolutionary, with advances in technology at the heart of the revolution. In contrast, farming methods in Africa have in general changed little in the past three centuries. As stated previously, this is partially due to a lack of access to training in more effective methods. Even more influential is a lack of access to better and relevant technology. According to Liesbeth (2011), there are several reasons for this lack of access.
You can find extra information on paragraph structure in the Academic Writing section
Conclusion
5-10% of the word count
The purpose of the conclusion is to summarise and synthesise, and make final evaluative comments on the ideas presented in the essay. It should not contain new ideas or examples. It is crucial to link the conclusion to the essay question and reminds the reader to the central idea of the essay.
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The first sentence of your conclusion should restate (but not word-for-word) the main argument or purpose of your essay as outlined in the last sentence(s) of the introduction.
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The sentences that follow should summarise the main findings or points of your essay, suggesting how the main ideas of your paragraphs link to the essay’s argument or purpose.
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Do NOT introduce new evidence or ideas into your conclusion.
Tips on writing a conclusion:
The construction of the conclusion is similar to the introduction, in which you make general introductory statements and then present your thesis. The difference is that in the conclusion you first paraphrase, or state in different words, your thesis and thenfollow up with general concluding remarks. These sentences should progressively broaden the focus of your thesis and manoeuvre your readers out of the essay.
Many writers like to end their essays with a final emphatic statement. This strong closing statement will cause your readers to continue thinking about the implications of your essay; it will make your conclusion, and thus your essay, more memorable.
When closing your essay, do not expressly state that you are drawing to a close. Relying on statements such as ‘in conclusion’, ‘it is clear that’, ‘as you can see’, or ‘in summation’ is unnecessary and can be considered trite.
Example of a strong conclusion:
The effects of famines in African countries would be significantly reduced if developed countries were prepared and able to provide support. This support could take the form of agricultural and horticultural training, and the provision of relevant technology. This level of engagement would lead directly to lower rates of mortality and a higher standard of living in the affected countries. It would also lead to closer relations between countries, which can only be beneficial for the future of all humanity.
Essay structure: Visual format
The illustration below presents the basic structure of an essay, in a visual format.
Essay question instruction words
| Analyse |
Break the subject into its most important parts and then look at the connections between them. |
| Assess (or evaluate) | Decide on the value or importance of something. Justify your opinion by looking at the positives and negatives. |
| Comment | Give your opinion supported by evidence and examples |
| Compare | Look for similarities and differences between two or more ideas. You will often see ‘Compare and contrast’ given as the instruction (see below) |
| Compare and contrast |
Describe the major similarities, and then the major differences between two or more things. |
| Contrast | Look for similarities and differences between two or more ideas, but focus on the differences. |
| Criticise | Give your judgement about the idea/s, supported by evidence. |
| Define |
State clearly what something is or its characteristics, distinguishing from similar items or ideas. |
| Demonstrate | Show that you understand something by giving examples or experience. |
| Describe |
Show the main features or characteristics of something, or the main stages in a process. |
| Discuss | Analyse a topic by looking at the points for and against it and then come to a conclusion. |
| Evaluate (or assess) |
Decide on the value of an argument or idea by looking at the positives and negatives. |
| Examine | Consider in detail by breaking an idea into its key parts and describing how or why it happens that way, or why it is that way. |
| Explain | Give reasons for something or describe how something happens. |
| Illustrate | Use examples, diagrams, figures, or statistics to explain or clarify your argument. |
| Interpret | Explain the meaning of something using simple terms, and evaluate it using your own knowledge. |
| Justify | Support your opinion or conclusion by using examples and/or evidence. |
| List | List the key ideas in bullet points or numbered points. |
| Outline | Give the main points or ideas, but do not go into too much detail. |
| Prove | Show whether something is true or untrue by providing evidence. |
| Relate |
Show the connection between two things and the extent to which they are similar. |
| Review |
Examine the important views about a subject. |
| State | Describe in precise terms, and brief clear forms without long explanations. |
| Suggest | Propose an idea or solution with explanations of how it would work. |
| Summarise | Provide a summary of the main ideas of a subject or argument, usually without detail. |
| Trace | Present the stages of a topic in the order they occurred. |
Types of essays and suggested structures
Analytical/Explanatory essay
This is perhaps the most common structure. Examples of this include questions which ask you to discuss, analyse, investigate, explore or review. In this structure you are required to break the topic into its different components and discuss these in separate paragraphs or sections, demonstrating balance where possible.
Argumentative essay
Examples of this type of essay include questions which ask you to take a position on a topic, such as a particular decision or policy, and present arguments which support your position. An effective way to argue a point can be to present the opposing view first then counter this view with stronger evidence.
Interpretive essay
Examples of this type of essay include assignments where you are given data such as a case study or scenario, a diagram, graphical information, or a picture and expected to interpret this information to demonstrate your application of knowledge when answering the task. Based on this data, you may be asked to do a range of things such as provide recommendations or solutions, develop a nursing care plan, a teaching plan, suggest legal advice or plan a marketing strategy.
Choose the type of essay and structure which will suit your essay question.
Comparative essay
Examples of this type of essay include compare, compare and contrast or differentiate questions. In this structure the similarities and/or differences between two or more items, for example, theories or models, are discussed paragraph by paragraph. Your assignment task may require you to make a recommendation about the suitability of the items you are comparing.
Problem and solution essay
These essay questions often require you to structure your answer in several parts. An example may be to ask you to investigate a problem and explore a range of solutions. You may also be asked to choose the best solution and justify your selection, allow space for this in your essay.
Cause and effect essay
Examples of this type of essay include questions which ask you to state or investigate the effects or outline the causes of the topic. This may be, for example, an historical event, the implementation of a policy, a medical condition or a natural disaster. These essays may be structured in one of two ways: either the causes(s) of a situation may be discussed first followed by the effect(s), or the effect(s) could come first with the discussion working back to outline the cause(s). Sometimes with cause and effect essays you are required to give an assessment of the overall effects e.g. on a community, a workplace, an individual. Space must be allocated for this assessment in your structure.
Essay templates
Essay templates and maps
References
Attributions
This work includes material from the following sources:
A step-by-step approach to essay writing. NMIT. Retrieved from: https://www.nmit.ac.nz/ Permission granted for use of content.
Essay structure: Part A. CPIT. Retrieved from: http://equella.cpit.ac.nz/cpit/file/11330d34-95b3-4015-b667-13246fca418f/1/Essay_Structure__Part_A__July_2013.pdf Permission granted for use of content.
Essay structure: Part B. CPIT. Retrieved from: http://equella.cpit.ac.nz/cpit/file/0e79080f-50bb-4624-b9ab-3660ff5e6c51/1/Essay_Structure__Part_B_.pdf Permission granted for use of content.
Hero image: Fireworks 4. Thomas Hawk. Image retrieved from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fireworks_4.jpg Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Instructional words. CPIT. Retrieved from: http://equella.cpit.ac.nz/cpit/file/c5d9845a-9520-41d6-8476-37bbe26a2d7f/1/Instructional%20Words_June%202013_Version1.pdf Permission granted for use of content.
The Saylor Foundation. (2013). Writing for success. Retrieved from http://www.saylor.org/site/textbooks/Writing%20for%20Success.pdf Licensed under a Creative Commons 3.0 license
Queensland University of Technology. (2013). Writing an essay. Retrieved from http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/write/essay.jsp Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike3.0 license
