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Essay Writing Tips
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Quick How to write an essay guide
A standard essay will have a title, introduction, body and conclusion. You will also need to include references in the text to say where you found the material you have used, and a bibliography at the end, which is a list of all the publications you read or referred to when writing your essay. Note that a bibliography is not the same as a reference list - a reference list includes ONLY the materials you have directly referred to in your essay. A bibliography can include books you have read but not directly referred to (but that are relevant to what you have studied/written).
1. Choosing a title for your essay
For most undergraduate essay assignments, your university or learning institution will give you a title or question to write about.
If you have to choose your own, you need to remember that your title is a concise synopsis (summary) of what the essay is about. For example:
The Growth of Business as a Result of Mobile Phone Technology 1998-2008"
Sometimes you may want to phrase your title as a question. For example:
"How does Article 25 of the CISG compare with English law relating to Fundamental breach of contract?"
The absolute golden rule to remember when your essay title is a question, is to answer the question!
2. Writing out your essay structure
You may find that you do not stick to your draft structure strictly, but deciding on your essay structure in advance will help you keep on the right track when you are writing. It may help to create sub-headings for different sections (which you can take out later if you like). For example:
How does Article 25 of the CISG compare with English law relating to fundamental breach of contract? Discuss.
Introduction (see below for more advice on what goes in this section)
Points to cover:
Area of law - international sales - increasingly important because of growth in international trade
What is the CISG - when does it apply / when does English law apply?
What is a fundamental breach?
What will this essay do - compare fundamental breach under CISG to English Law
Body (see below for more advice on what goes in this section)
Points to cover:
Provisions of CISG relating to fundamental breach - Arts 25, 46, 49, 51, 64, 70, 72, 73 and key cases
English law on fundamental breach - key cases
Comparison of CISG and English Law re fundamental breach
Conclusion (see below for more advice on what goes in this section)
Points to cover:
Main similarities between CISG and English Law dealing with fundamental breach
Main differences
Any conclusions or recommendations - which is better?
The structure you draft is just a rough outline and as you write your essay you may find you don't follow it exactly, but it will help you stay focused on the question.
3. Deciding on your conclusion - first!
You might find it a little strange to start by thinking about your conclusion but if you have an idea of what point or points you are trying to prove before you start, you will find it easier to write your essay. As you carry out research, you will be able to select material to support your argument. Of course, you must always remember to discuss material that does not support your argument - and then explain why you feel your argument is better. You may also change your mind as you read more about your subject!
4. Your essay introduction
Your introduction will tell the reader what the essay is about. It will also identify any particular issues you intend to deal with in the essay. You should try and show in your introduction why the essay is relevant - why should people read it? How is the subject important? Try and make the introduction interesting so that the reader wants to find out more.
5. The body of your essay
The body of your essay is based on the research and analysis you have carried out to be able to write the essay. In other words, your main arguments, findings and information about the title go in the body.
If you have been given an essay title, such as "Discuss this..." or "Analyse this..." you need to make sure you actually do what you are being asked to do. For example, to "discuss", you need to present two or more sides of an issue (and you will say which is the strongest in your conclusion). So that you fully understand what is being asked of you, it is a good idea to look up the word in the dictionary (e.g. discuss, analyse, critically analyse, consider, etc).
As you write, make sure everything you include relates to the question. As far as possible, you should try and say why any material you include is important for answering the question.
6. Writing your conclusion
Your conclusion will draw on the main points you have made in the body of your essay. If an essay question was set for you, you will answer it here. It should not repeat what has been said already - instead it should summarise concisely the main points relating to what you have found.
Above all, remember - you MUST answer your essay question or make sure you have dealt with ALL of the issues that your essay title raises.
Top Essay Tips
- Use relevant examples - these show that you have understood the ideas that you are talking about, and can apply them
- Only use relevant material - 'prune' out anything that does not directly relate to the question
- Gone over the word count? Go through and see what you can reword, using less words
- State the obvious - you might know what you mean to say, but does your reader? Spell out the points you are trying to make
- Reference any ideas or materials that are not your own. Either put material in your own words and reference it, or put it in "inverted commas" and reference it.
- Be concise and write what you mean, straight to the point - you won't get any extra marks for waffle!
- Don't use long unnecessary words just to impress - they are easy to spot and will have the opposite effect.
For further essay tips and help, visit the essay help section and the essay writing help section.
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