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Check your course outline for the assessment guidelines, including formatting requirements.Ìý

Read the essay question carefully to determine what you are being asked to do and take note of any key words in the question.Ìý

Tip: The required length of the essay will indicate the amount of research and level of depth you should go into.Ìý

Next, work out your initial thoughts and ideas about the topic.Ìý

• Do you have an initial response to the question? What could some possible answers be?
• Do you have opinions about the topic? Write them down, no matter how creative or non-academic they might be.
• What do you already know about the topic? Do you have knowledge that can be built on, such as familiarity with related topics or frameworks? Write it all down - you might know more than you think!

Further your thinking by 'questioning the question'. This will help you focus your thoughts by drawing out sub-questions about the question and topic:

• Question the terms - is there a generally agreed-upon response or approach to the question or topic?
• If not, how do the different approaches, theories or arguments differ? Which ones could you use? 
• What are the key concepts in the question and how do they relate to each other? 

Constructing an essay plan, based on the ideas you generated in Step 2, will help you avoid getting lost in the research process.

Your initial plan should consist of:

• A thesis statement:
  One or two sentences that answer the essay question clearly and a claim that you can discuss throughout your essay.
• Possible main points:
  A set of points that indicate the 'reasons why' for your answer. For a 1000 to 1500 word essay, aim for 3 to 4 main points.Ìý
• Structure:
  A rough outline of your essay, including the introduction, body and conclusion.
• Indication of research:
  Your plan should include some indication of the sources you might use to research the topic later.

As you research and develop your understanding of the topic, your ideas and answers will likely change. Look at your essay plan as something that evolves as you further engage with your topic.

Strong academic writing draws on the work of other writers and researchers. This means that reading and researching are vital to essay writing and will help you develop a thesis and argument to answer your essay question.Ìý

Reading for your essay

Start reading early so you have plenty of time to familiarise yourself with the topic and develop your ideas. Always read with a purpose. Ask yourself:

• What do I already know about the topic? Start with what you know. If a topic is unfamiliar, do some introductory reading. View your lecture notes and course reading for help.
• What do I need to read to be able to answer the essay question?
• Is this material useful and relevant to my thesis or argument?
• How will this material help me further explore my argument?

Reading lists

If you are given a list of suggested readings, consult as many as possible. Otherwise, locate relevant material in the library. Use the catalogue to perform topic and subject searches.Ìý

Once you have your readings:

• Use the table of contents and index to find relevant material
• Skim through the text to locate specific information
• When you find something you need to read closely, mark the pages with a post-it note so you can return to it later for a close reading
• Photocopy useful sections of texts so you can underline key points and make notes.Ìý

Taking notes from your readings

Your notes will form the basis of your essay, so it's important to take notes from what you read.Ìý

• Don't take notes during your first reading. Absorb the material first and return to it later to take notes
• Have the essay question clearly in mind when you're taking notes. You must use evidence to support your argument, so look carefully for relevant information.Ìý
• Take note of your sources by copying down the bibliographic details of everything you've read. This will help you with referencing later.Ìý

Should I write while I'm researching?

Yes! Writing is a means of thinking and working out ideas.

Try the following strategies:

1. During each study session, spend 5-10 minutes writing. Try to express your ideas in short paragraphs. You might produce some that are well developed and require little revision. Other fragments will need to be revisited for rewriting. Either way, you won't be starting with a blank page.Ìý
   
   
2. Use the split-page note-taking method as you read. Divide your page into two columns. In the left column, note specific information from your research. In the right column, write your comments and ideas. You don't have to write perfect sentences, but writing as you go will give you a framework of notes and comments to build on when it's time to write your first draft.
   
   As you read and write, consider these questions:
   
       - How is this relevant to my essay?
       - What more do I need to find out and why?
       - How does this link to what I already know?
   
   
3. Try free writing (or 'stream of consciousness' writing), which involves writing continuously for a set period of time. Write in full sentences but don't worry about spelling or grammar. If you can't think of what to write, don't slow down, just repeat the last phrase you wrote. This is a great way to collect your initial thoughts and ideas on a topic as a preliminary to formal writing. It is also helpful in overcoming writer's block.Ìý

Your first draft will help you find out:

• The structure and framework of your argument
• How you will answer the question
• Which evidence and examples you will use

Your first draft will not be your final essay. Think of it as raw material you will refine through editing and redrafting. Once you have a draft, you can work on strengthening your writing.

Essay paragraphs

A paragraph is a group of related sentences that develop one main idea. Each paragraph in the body of your essay should contain:

• A topic sentence that states your main idea
• Supporting sentences to explain and develop the point you're making
• Evidence from your research or an example from the subject area that supports your point
• Analysis of the significance of the evidence
• A concluding sentence that restates your point, analyses the evidence or acts as a transition to the next paragraph.

Once you've completed your first draft, step back and review your work with a fresh perspective. Re-reading is crucial to ensure your that argument flows logically and that each section contributes to answering the essay question.Ìý

Here are some questions to guide your review:

• Is the structure clear and logical? (Does it have a clear introduction, body and conclusion? Do your ideas flow smoothly between paragraphs?)
• Does each paragraph support your thesis? Each paragraph should focus on one idea that ties back to your thesis.Ìý
• Have you answered the essay question? 
• Is your evidence well-integrated? All examples and quotations should be relevant, referenced and clearly linked to your argument.Ìý

Fresh eyes can often catch things that you might miss after working closely on your essay for a long time. Get useful feedback by:

• Asking a classmate or friend to read your draft. Someone unfamiliar with your topic might point out unclear points or gaps in logic.Ìý
• Consult your tutor or lecturer. Some tutors offer feedback on draft essays or can provide advice during consultation hours.Ìý
• Book an appointment with the to get free support with academic writing and professional feedback on your structure, argument and clarity.Ìý

Feedback can give you new insights into your writing and highlight areas for improvement that you hadn't considered.Ìý

Editing is where your essay comes together.Ìý

After you've read through your essay and received feedback, it's time to polish your writing. Editing involves checking for clarity, style and coherence. You should also ensure your essay meets all assessments requirements.Ìý

While editing, focus on these key points:

• Clarity: ensure your ideas are clearly expressed and easy to follow.
• Style and tone: academic essays should be formal, objective and evidence-based. Check that your tone is appropriate.Ìý
• Flow and transitions: your paragraphs should be ordered logically and your ideas should transition smoothly.
• Grammar and spelling: proofread carefully to avoid grammatical errors and typos that can distract from your argument.Ìý
• Word count: stay within the world count by removing unnecessary words or ideas that don't directly answer the essay question.Ìý

You may need to redraft some sections of your essay. Writing is an iterative process and each new version should be an improvement.

Correct referencing is crucial in academic writing. It will help you avoid plagiarism and strengthen your argument by demonstrating your research process.Ìý

When referencing, you should:

1. Check the referencing style: different faculties may require different referencing styles (eg APA or Harvard).
2. Include in-text citations: each time you quote, paraphrase or summarise someone else's work, add an in-text citation in the correct format.Ìý
3. Compile a reference list or bibliography: list all sources you've used at the end of your essay. Ensure the list is complete, alphabetised and formatted correctly.Ìý

Taking the time to properly complete your references will demonstrate academic integrity and prevent loss of marks.Ìý

You haven't completed your assessment until you've handed it in!

Your course outline should tell you how your lecturer or tutor would like assessments presented.Ìý

In general:

• Make sure you've noted the correct due date (late submissions usually incur a penalty)
• Understand where and to whom your essay should be submitted
• Check if your essay requires a cover sheet
• Make sure you've satisfied formatting requirements and have used a readable font
• Keep a copy of your essay for yourself.Ìý