1) Make sure that you fully understand the task.
In other words, make sure you know what the word count/page count should be, when it is due, what style of referencing is required and so on.
2) Read the question or topic numerous times.
...even if it is really short. Often people write entire essays without having answered the question or topic at all because they haven't read and understood the question properly. If there are parts of the question or words that you do not understand, Google them or speak to your lecturer or tutor for clarification.
3) Breakdown your question.
The longer you take a class/subject, the more complex the questions become. If there are numerous things which you need to compare, contrast, discuss or analyse and if you have sub-topics which you need to include then divide your question up (in point form) accordingly so that you do enough research to cover each point.
3) Work backwards!
This is a technique that I only began using this year, but it works so well and helps you manage your time efficiently so that you don't miss the deadline or hand in something that isn't finished. How this works is you write down everything you need to do for the essay from last to first. So for example, the last thing you will need to do is submit it/hand it in, the second last is print it, the third last will be to proof read and edit, the fourth last is your bibliography and so on right up until the first thing which will be to choose your topic or to begin researching it. Then you write it out in order (from first to last) and divide it up into days. So you say on Monday I want to choose my topic and begin researching it. On Tuesday I want to get books out of the library and read them. On Wednesday I want to finish reading the books and then get journal articles and so on. Make it into a checklist so that you can make sure you have completed your tasks towards the essay each day and if you don't finish what you have planned for that day then you can move it to the next day.
**NOTE: For a lot of people (I am one of them), the pressure of leaving things until the last minute actually means that they will produce of a higher standard, but even if this is the case, plan backwards so that you at least have all your research done and you are ready to write at the last minute. You don't want to still be looking for information to write about the night before!
4) Do your reading.
For me, this is what takes the longest when writing an essay. Once you've read everything you need to write about then writing flows quickly. If your writing takes you longer than it does for you to read, then allot more time in your backwards planning for writing rather than reading. It depends on how you work.
5) Plan your essay.
If you have read sufficiently, your planning will be easy because you will already know what you want to say. Lay your planning out in headings and then include points underneath, for example:
- Introduction
- Introduce argument
- Define problem
- First Paragraph: Social Theory
- Explain theory
- Place theory in context
- Apply theory to case study.
I never used to plan my essays and my thoughts an arguments would never flow properly because my ideas were all over the place.
6) Start writing.
Make sure you stick to your headings. If you are not allowed to include headings within your essay, delete them in your editing process. They help you to know where you are in the essay - especially if you want to add points to it later.
7) If you get stuck, take a break.
Do something completely unrelated and then come back. This way it will be easier for you to notice mistakes and tighten up your points.
8) PROOF READ!
I cannot emphasise proofreading enough! Once you have completed your essay, read over it a few times (take a break before you do this). In most cases you will get marks deducted for sloppy presentation and formatting, poor spelling and grammar etc. It does not take long and it will help you in the long run.
And you're done! :)
