Essay writing is a major component of the university academic
curriculum for many programs. It can also be pretty daunting for anyone who has
never written an essay for university. Get off to the best possible start or
improve upon your existing writing skills with these tips.
Plan Your Paper
If you’re going to write a successful essay, you need to
understand the topic and create a good plan. Good planning includes effective
time-management, essay mapping, and goal completion. First, create a schedule
and stick to it. Next, map out the steps for completing your paper. For
example, the first step should be to choose a topic. Additional, important
steps should be:
·
Do
some research
·
Take
notes from the research on your essay topic
·
Create
an outline
·
Write
your first draft
·
Submit
the first draft to a writing centre, professor, or your peers for feedback
·
Use
feedback to complete your final draft
·
Proofread
before turning in the paper
While mapping your essay is important, you should also take
note of and meet any milestones/deadlines set by your professor. These
milestones will also help with essay planning and time management. However,
setting your own milestones and/or goals could boost your confidence and
performance. Mark these goals off as you complete them. The final step in a
successful essay-writing plan is simply to turn in the paper on time.
Show Your Critical
Thinking Skills
Unbeknownst to most university students, the true purpose of
essay writing is to test and enhance critical thinking skills. Of course,
essays can also be an expression of students’ general knowledge, understanding
in certain areas, and learned skills. However, blatant critical thought and
analysis may be the greatest testament to what a student knows and has learned.
Critical thinking can also be the difference between an average essay and an
excellent one. If you want yours to stand out, engage with the theories and
arguments you present, provide an academic and intelligent analysis – don’t
just repeat other authors’ points and thoughts or information from your
research.
Understand the Topic
Not understanding the essay topic is actually the top reason
why students receive failing grades on essay assignments. Before starting your
paper, make sure you understand the topic or research questions, as well as
your professor’s expectations for the paper. If you’re unsure, then ask
questions – even the simple ones. It can be extremely helpful to simply ask
what you should do on the paper. This will help you decide what and how much to
research. Remember that some essay assignments require more in-depth research
and analysis than others. However, make sure you perform targeted, concise
research that thoroughly covers your essay topic or questions. Think of the
process as similar to what you'd do when looking for the best student
housing Ottawa has
to offer. Your search should be as narrow as possible and be based on your
needs and pre-determined criteria. And the more you know about what you're
looking for, the better the results. This applies to writing a great essay and
finding great housing!
Build a Solid Structure
An essay that flows well is easier to read and follow. It
also aids in conveying your messages throughout the paper. So, make sure your
essays always have a logical structure. The most basic structure, includes:
·
An
introduction, stating your hypothesis or the main ideas of your essay
·
A
body, presenting your main points or arguments
·
A
conclusion, summarizing the main points covered in the essay and presenting any
reflection on them
To ensure your paper follows this basic structure, just
create an outline to use as a guide. This will also help you create a focused
argument or story arc. Furthermore, a strong structure can ensure your paper
stays on track and only covers points relevant to the essay topic.
Additionally, the order of your paragraphs should make the paper cohesive and
comprehensive. Just remember to use logical transitions between the main points
and paragraphs and reorder them as needed. Good luck!
