Many of us experience a sinking feeling when the word essay crops up in conversation. If you’re preparing to sit exams, or you have assignments due in, now is the time to knuckle down and master your essay writing technique. Writing doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but with the right guidance, you can achieve incredible feats. Here are some simple steps to follow to make essay writing easier.

Read the Question

This may sound incredibly obvious, but answering the question is a must. You can submit the most eloquent, beautifully written piece in the world, but if it doesn’t do what it’s supposed to, you’ll get a low mark. If the question is long, break it down into segments. There may be several questions within one title. Make sure you understand exactly what your tutors or teachers want you to do in this assignment. If you’re not clear, double check. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice or clarification. You don’t want to spend hours writing to realize that you’ve missed the main points.

Make a plan

Before you put anything down on paper, always make an essay plan. Your plan should act as a template to follow when you begin writing. This document will not only make writing easier. It will also make your response clearer and more concise.

Work out what you want to say in your essay and structure your answer. Start with an introduction and end with a conclusion. The middle section should contain your main arguments and a discussion. By the time the reader has finished your essay, they should have a clear understanding of your stance on the question.

Do Your Research

Writing essays is so much easier when you know what you’re writing about. This sounds obvious, but most of us are guilty of attempting to create an essay without doing much reading beforehand. Make use of the resources available to you. If you’re not the most talented essay writer, use other people’s ideas for inspiration. Don’t underestimate the importance of reading journals and books. You can access a whole host of documents online or visit your college or school library. Use quotes or example to support your arguments. Put your side of the story across, but don’t forget to discuss other points of view.

If you research the topic thoroughly, you may find that you have lots of ideas, and this is why planning is essential. Making a formula enables you to organize your ideas and get them down on paper in an orderly manner.

Try to avoid repeating yourself or going over the same points. Keep reading your essay back once you start reading it. Make sure you use proper grammar and punctuation to make your assignment read well. Never make assumptions that the reader will have extensive knowledge in the subject area. Be clear, and make your answer succinct and informative.

Give Yourself Time

Even the most intelligent people can stumble if they’re forced to write an essay in a hurry. If you’re rushing, you’re likely to leave important points out and the quality of your writing may suffer. Start working on your assignment as soon as it is set. Draw up a timetable so that you can work through all your projects and get them done in plenty of time. Time management is particularly important if you have numerous essays to write. Prioritize your workload in order of deadlines and importance.

Once you’ve started one assignment, try and complete it before you begin work on a different essay. If you’re juggling all kinds of different topics and subjects, this can be confusing.

Ask for Feedback

Once you’ve got a draft version, ask others for feedback. Does the essay read well? Are your points clear and your arguments persuasive? Sometimes, you can send drafts to tutors. If this is not possible, ask friends or relatives to have a look for you. Sometimes, it can be beneficial to give your work to somebody who has no knowledge of the area. This enables you to get a layperson’s perspective and ensure that your essay is descriptive and accessible. If you do get notes from your teacher or lecturer, make sure you take them on board. Address any issues and follow recommendations and suggestions. This will help to improve your mark.

My Say

Writing essays can be stressful, but there are ways of making the process easier. Give yourself time and plan in advance. Do your research and read up on the subject matter. Take other people’s ideas and question why you either support or reject them. Use case studies or quotes to support your arguments. Have a clear structure in place and be thorough, but concise. Try not to panic if you’re struggling with the question. Ask for help if you need advice or clarification.