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Essay Writing: The Basics

What does a good essay need?

An academic essay aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence.

Basic steps in writing an essay

Although there are some basic steps to writing an assignment, essay writing is not a linear process. You might work through the different stages a number of times in the course of writing an essay. For example, you may go back to the reading and notetaking stage if you find another useful text, or perhaps to reread to locate specific information.

Possible Steps (In no strict order)

Starting the essay

Start work early

You can't write a successful essay unless you give yourself enough time to read, research, think and write. Don't procrastinate or leave it until the last minute; start as early as possible.

Define the question and analyse the task

Writing down everything you know about a topic is not enough to make a good academic essay. Analysing, then answering the essay's question or task is central.

See The Learning Centre guide Answering Assignment Questions

Construct an initial plan

Your starting point for an essay is your initial response to the topic or question. This response is based on what you already know. However, this is only the starting point. You then need to research, question your response and find some answers.

Draw up an initial essay plan:

See The Learning Centre guide Essay & Assignment Planning

Next step: Researching the topic

Links

Beginning the Academic Essay Harvard University Writing Centre

Essay Writing James Cook University Learning Centre

Essay Writing Language and Learning Online, Monash University

Academic Writing Tips James Cook University Learning Centre

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Authorised by The Director, The Learning Centre, UNSW • Last updated 4 February, 2013
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