what are the techniques of essay writing

9 essay writing tips your uni teachers want you to know

October 29, 2024

Essay writing can feel overwhelming, but a few expert tips can make a world of difference. Your university teachers share their top academic writing tips, so you can plan, polish, and perfect your next assignment.

When assessment time looms, crafting an essay can feel a lot like looking up at Mount Everest with zero idea how you’ll ever reach the top. But with a few expert-backed tips and tricks, it’s possible to scale that mountain with ease—confidence even. 

Here, we share 9 valuable essay writing tips from university teaching staff to help you break down the process, overcome common challenges, and elevate your essay game. 

1. Plan before you write

Associate Professor Victoria Kuttainen from James Cook University  says planning your essay is just as important as writing it.

“Writing an essay is not like putting up a Christmas tree, where you pre-construct a formulaic set of ideas and then look for a few quotable soundbites to hang on it afterward.” Instead, start with what she calls “pre-search” where you gather general knowledge before diving deep into research. 

Once you have a foundation, you can create a roadmap for your essay by grouping ideas into themes, organising them logically, and outlining your main points.

2. Use diagrams to plot out your roadmap

Mapping out your essay with a simple diagram or an outline before writing it is a great way to break it down into those key points, says Dr Russell McPhee from Bond University .

“Finding the right way to express an idea in formal, academic language is tough enough on its own, without the added challenge of not having a clear plan,” he says. 

3. Build your content knowledge

A rich understanding of your topic will help strengthen your argument. “Engaging deeply with the subject matter is crucial,” says Dr Nathaniel Swain from La Trobe University .

This means doing a deep dive in your research phase, going beyond basic sources and taking time to summarise important points in your own words.

Not only will this reinforce comprehension, it will help prevent accidental plagiarism. 

4. Be strategic about reading and note-taking

Dr Jennifer Vaughan from the University of New England  says adopting an active reading approach can help keep your research phase on-track. 

She suggests asking questions as you read, such as, “Does this information answer the essay question?” 

Strategic note-taking—like jotting down keywords, main ideas, and referencing style—saves time and helps you retain critical details for your essay.

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5. Break down the writing process

Tackling a complex writing task like an essay can be easier if you break it down into three manageable stages: planning, drafting, and revising. 

Dr Swain says after starting with your structured outline, you should focus on crafting clear topic sentences for each paragraph. Then, during revision, review each section carefully to make sure it works as a whole. 

6. Kick writer’s block with the imperfect rough draft

One of the biggest hurdles in writing is the blank page.

A good way to overcome this is to embrace the ‘rough draft’ wholeheartedly, advises Dr Swain. Doing so will allow you to write freely without the constraints of overthinking.

It’s about putting ideas on paper, even if they’re imperfect. You’ll have plenty of time to refine your work and clarify your thoughts during later revisions. 

7. Master sentence structure 

According to Dr Swain, strong sentence structure is the bedrock of effective writing. 

He suggests simplifying complex sentences to make writing clearer. You can use a free editing tool like the Hemingway App to check if your sentences are too difficult to read. 

Adding an appositive (a noun or phrase that adds extra detail) can enrich your sentences, adds Dr Swain. For instance, instead of saying “The study involved 170 participants,” you could write, “The study, a comprehensive analysis of early childhood education, involved 170 participants.” Dr Swain explains that adding such descriptive phrases makes your writing more engaging and informative.

He also recommends connecting ideas with subordinating conjunctions, like ‘although’ or ‘while’, to add depth.

8. Write your introduction last

Dr McPhee suggests writing your introduction after you’ve developed the main body of your essay. “If you write the introduction before you’ve done your research or know what direction your argument will take, it will likely feel unfocused: you’re winging it and working things out as you go. This usually results in vague, unconvincing writing.”

Writing your introduction last means you'll have a firm understanding of your argument and can succinctly preview your main points with signposts, such as “There are three main points to consider. First…”, when it comes time to write it, he says.

9. Always make time to polish your essay

The power of revision cannot be overstated. “Essay writing takes time,” Associate Professor Kuttainen says, explaining students should always factor in time to reflect on and refine their essays.

Editing isn’t just about grammar; it’s about improving clarity, flow, and coherence. Each time you look over your essay is an opportunity to adjust structure, find the right words, and ensure it flows logically from point to point, she adds. 

Looking for a university tutor who can support you with your essay writing? Read our tips on choosing the right service . Or explore our hacks and guides  for even more study advice.

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Essay Papers Writing Online

Tips and tricks for crafting engaging and effective essays.

Writing essays can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and strategies, you can create compelling and impactful pieces that captivate your audience. Whether you’re a student working on an academic paper or a professional honing your writing skills, these tips will help you craft essays that stand out.

Effective essays are not just about conveying information; they are about persuading, engaging, and inspiring readers. To achieve this, it’s essential to pay attention to various elements of the essay-writing process, from brainstorming ideas to polishing your final draft. By following these tips, you can elevate your writing and produce essays that leave a lasting impression.

Understanding the Essay Prompt

Before you start writing your essay, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the essay prompt or question provided by your instructor. The essay prompt serves as a roadmap for your essay and outlines the specific requirements or expectations.

Here are a few key things to consider when analyzing the essay prompt:

• Read the prompt carefully and identify the main topic or question being asked.
• Pay attention to any specific instructions or guidelines provided, such as word count, formatting requirements, or sources to be used.
• Identify key terms or phrases in the prompt that can help you determine the focus of your essay.

By understanding the essay prompt thoroughly, you can ensure that your essay addresses the topic effectively and meets the requirements set forth by your instructor.

Researching Your Topic Thoroughly

One of the key elements of writing an effective essay is conducting thorough research on your chosen topic. Research helps you gather the necessary information, facts, and examples to support your arguments and make your essay more convincing.

Here are some tips for researching your topic thoroughly:

By following these tips and conducting thorough research on your topic, you will be able to write a well-informed and persuasive essay that effectively communicates your ideas and arguments.

Creating a Strong Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a crucial element of any well-crafted essay. It serves as the main point or idea that you will be discussing and supporting throughout your paper. A strong thesis statement should be clear, specific, and arguable.

To create a strong thesis statement, follow these tips:

• Be specific: Your thesis statement should clearly state the main idea of your essay. Avoid vague or general statements.
• Be concise: Keep your thesis statement concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary details or lengthy explanations.
• Be argumentative: Your thesis statement should present an argument or perspective that can be debated or discussed in your essay.
• Be relevant: Make sure your thesis statement is relevant to the topic of your essay and reflects the main point you want to make.
• Revise as needed: Don’t be afraid to revise your thesis statement as you work on your essay. It may change as you develop your ideas.

Remember, a strong thesis statement sets the tone for your entire essay and provides a roadmap for your readers to follow. Put time and effort into crafting a clear and compelling thesis statement to ensure your essay is effective and persuasive.

Developing a Clear Essay Structure

One of the key elements of writing an effective essay is developing a clear and logical structure. A well-structured essay helps the reader follow your argument and enhances the overall readability of your work. Here are some tips to help you develop a clear essay structure:

1. Start with a strong introduction: Begin your essay with an engaging introduction that introduces the topic and clearly states your thesis or main argument.

2. Organize your ideas: Before you start writing, outline the main points you want to cover in your essay. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow of ideas.

3. Use topic sentences: Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This helps the reader understand the purpose of each paragraph.

4. Provide evidence and analysis: Support your arguments with evidence and analysis to back up your main points. Make sure your evidence is relevant and directly supports your thesis.

5. Transition between paragraphs: Use transitional words and phrases to create flow between paragraphs and help the reader move smoothly from one idea to the next.

6. Conclude effectively: End your essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis. Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion.

By following these tips, you can develop a clear essay structure that will help you effectively communicate your ideas and engage your reader from start to finish.

Using Relevant Examples and Evidence

When writing an essay, it’s crucial to support your arguments and assertions with relevant examples and evidence. This not only adds credibility to your writing but also helps your readers better understand your points. Here are some tips on how to effectively use examples and evidence in your essays:

• Choose examples that are specific and relevant to the topic you’re discussing. Avoid using generic examples that may not directly support your argument.
• Provide concrete evidence to back up your claims. This could include statistics, research findings, or quotes from reliable sources.
• Interpret the examples and evidence you provide, explaining how they support your thesis or main argument. Don’t assume that the connection is obvious to your readers.
• Use a variety of examples to make your points more persuasive. Mixing personal anecdotes with scholarly evidence can make your essay more engaging and convincing.
• Cite your sources properly to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. Follow the citation style required by your instructor or the publication you’re submitting to.

By integrating relevant examples and evidence into your essays, you can craft a more convincing and well-rounded piece of writing that resonates with your audience.

Editing and Proofreading Your Essay Carefully

Once you have finished writing your essay, the next crucial step is to edit and proofread it carefully. Editing and proofreading are essential parts of the writing process that help ensure your essay is polished and error-free. Here are some tips to help you effectively edit and proofread your essay:

1. Take a Break: Before you start editing, take a short break from your essay. This will help you approach the editing process with a fresh perspective.

2. Read Aloud: Reading your essay aloud can help you catch any awkward phrasing or grammatical errors that you may have missed while writing. It also helps you check the flow of your essay.

3. Check for Consistency: Make sure that your essay has a consistent style, tone, and voice throughout. Check for inconsistencies in formatting, punctuation, and language usage.

4. Remove Unnecessary Words: Look for any unnecessary words or phrases in your essay and remove them to make your writing more concise and clear.

5. Proofread for Errors: Carefully proofread your essay for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Pay attention to commonly misused words and homophones.

6. Get Feedback: It’s always a good idea to get feedback from someone else. Ask a friend, classmate, or teacher to review your essay and provide constructive feedback.

By following these tips and taking the time to edit and proofread your essay carefully, you can improve the overall quality of your writing and make sure your ideas are effectively communicated to your readers.

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