Skip to main content
Students
Sign inSearchJump to menu
Write Your Essay
Write a first draft
Your first draft will help you work out:
the structure and framework of your essayhow you will answer the questionwhich evidence and examples you will usehow your argument will be logically structured.
Your first draft will not be your final essay; think of it as raw material you will refine through editing and redrafting. Once you have a draft, you can work on writing well.
Structure
Structure your essay in the most effective way to communicate your ideas and answer the question.
All essays should include the following structure.
Essay paragraphs
A paragraph is a related group of sentences that develops one main idea. Each paragraph in the body of the essay should contain:
a topic sentence that states the main or controlling ideasupporting sentences to explain and develop the point you’re makingevidence from your reading or an example from the subject area that supports your pointanalysis of the implication/significance/impact of the evidence finished off with a critical conclusion you have drawn from the evidencea concluding sentence that restates your point, analyses the evidence, or acts as a transition to the next paragraph.
Tips for effective writingStart writing early —the earlier the better. Starting cuts down on anxiety, beats procrastination, and gives you time to develop your ideas.Keep the essay question in mind. Don’t lose track of the question or task. Keep a copy in front of you as you draft, edit and work out your argument.Don’t try to write an essay from beginning to end, especially not in a single sitting. Begin with what you are ready to write—a plan, a few sentences or bullet points. Start with the body and work paragraph by paragraph.Write the introduction and conclusion after the body.
