Great Essay Writing in 8 Steps

Can great essay writing really be condensed down into just 8 steps? Well, whilst it's true that there is a lot that goes into academic writing of any kind, these top takeaways are a great place to start if you want to improve your essay writing.

To some, essay writing comes naturally. But for many, knowing how to answer an essay question in a way that will score high marks is something that must be learnt, and practised regularly. You can take comfort in knowing too that, once you learn how to write a great essay, you can apply the same techniques and formulas to almost any piece of academic writing, whether it's a standard essay, a reflective essay, a dissertation or thesis, a course assignment, coursework or something else.

So without further ado, let's dive in and learn the eight steps to writing an essay.

1. Understand the question

This may, at the face of it, sound like somewhat banal advice – but fact of the matter is that failing to properly understand the question set is one of, if not the most common reason behind a disappointing grade when it comes to essay writing. Are you being asked to critically evaluate something? Compare and contrast? Analyse a particular circumstance? Evaluate the usefulness of a particular concept?

These are some of the common phrases found in essay questions, and each indicates a different set of expectations. If you are asked to critically evaluate a particular theoretical approach, for instance, you have to gain an understanding not only of said theory, but also other common approaches. They must all be weighed against each other, highlighting the relative strengths and weaknesses of each theory and, importantly, you must come to a well-justified and confident conclusion. Is the theory good? What are its flaws? How can it be improved?

If you are asked to evaluate the usefulness of something, however, you don’t necessarily need to go into as much critical depth. Yes, you should still acknowledge alternative approaches, and yes, you should still note some strengths and weaknesses – but the bulk of the work must emphasise the concepts practical usefulness. Perhaps the best approach is to find one, or a few, case studies where the theory has been used – what was the outcome of this? Does the application of the theory reveal any particular shortcomings, or strengths?

“Compare and contrast” essays, meanwhile, are essentially a hybrid of the above – you need to take a critical approach and evaluate the literature, but your focus has to remain solidly on the theories that you have been asked to compare and contrast. It is important to show that you understand both (or all) core theories in great depth, both on a theoretical and applied level.

In essence, the wording of the essay question will tell you how the essay should be written. It will indicate where the focus of your essay should lie as you research and write.

2. Plan and schedule

Understanding the question is the first step, but it is equally important that you make efficient use of the available time. Students often underestimate the amount of work required to write a good essay, which results in two things: (1) late nights at the library, and (2) a disappointing grade. If you want to achieve a good mark, you should start planning your essay the moment you receive the essay question. The following table may be a useful aid:

By setting deadlines for yourself and committing to stick to them, you are ensuring that you won’t be left with too much work right before your hand-in date. It is also important that you leave time, ideally a couple of days, between finishing your first draft and proofreading.

3. Write a comprehensive introduction

Your introduction plays a crucial role in setting the tone and direction of your essay. It should clearly outline the main focus of your discussion, the central argument you intend to present, and how the essay will be structured. This initial section serves as a roadmap, guiding the reader through the key points they can expect to encounter.

An engaging introduction does more than just introduce the topic—it captivates the reader’s interest, providing a compelling reason to continue reading. Additionally, a strong introduction subtly hints at the conclusion or the insights your essay will ultimately deliver, creating a sense of cohesion and purpose from the outset.

4. Develop relevant body paragraphs

Another fundamental step to follow when writing an essay is crafting powerful body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should focus on a single, well-defined point that directly supports your overarching argument or thesis statement. Start with a clear and concise topic sentence that summarises the main idea of the paragraph. Follow this with evidence, examples, or data that substantiate the point you're making. This might include quotations, statistics, or references to academic research.

After presenting the evidence, engage in critical analysis to demonstrate how it supports or strengthens your thesis. Explain the significance of the evidence, connect it back to your central argument, and address any potential counterarguments. This analytical approach showcases your ability to think deeply and critically about the topic.

Ensure each paragraph transitions smoothly to the next to maintain a logical and cohesive flow throughout your essay. Use linking words or phrases to connect ideas and help the reader follow your line of reasoning. This structured method keeps your essay focused, persuasive, and easy to follow, ensuring that each paragraph contributes meaningfully to your overall argument.

5. Structure, flow and focus

How you present your argument is nearly as important as the argument itself, which is why it is imperative that your essay follows a logical structure. A classic piece of advice is to "tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, and tell them what you told them". This, in essence, summarises the core introduction, main body, and conclusion structure of your essay.

Having a clear and logical structure will help ensure that your essay stays focused, and doesn’t stray from the question being answered. Each section, paragraph, and sentence should add value to the argument you are presenting. As you are writing, it’s good to take a step back and ask yourself: what value does this sentence/section add? How does it link to my overarching argument? If you find that you can’t answer those questions, there is a high risk that you have strayed from your core argument, and you may want to reconsider the path you are taking.

You should also make sure that all the different parts of your essay fit together as a cohesive and logical whole, and that the transition from one argument to the next is fluid. Students often treat essays as lists of arguments, presenting one after the other with little consideration for how they fit together, which inevitably leads to a lower grade. Make sure to tell your reader why you are transitioning from one argument to the next, why they are in this particular order, and how each argument helps shed light on a particular aspect of what you are discussing.

6. Quoting, paraphrasing and plagiarism

Academic writing requires a careful balance between novel argument, and drawing on arguments presented by others. Writing a completely 'novel' essay, without drawing on a single source, indicates that you haven’t made yourself familiar with what has already been published. Conversely, citing someone for every point made suggests that you haven’t produced a novel argument.

As such, it is important that you provide evidence (a credible citation) when you are making a statement of fact, or drawing on arguments, frameworks, and theories presented by other academics. These, in turn, should support the overarching novel argument that you yourself are making.

When drawing on other authors it is important to understand the distinction between quoting and paraphrasing. The general rule of thumb is that you should paraphrase wherever possible, and quote only when necessary or if it clarifies the point you are making. That said, paraphrasing can be difficult without losing the inherit value of the argument presented.

In case you are unsure about the difference between quoting and paraphrasing, we’ve included an example below:

Quote: "Cultural capital can be acquired, to a varying extent, depending on the period, the society, and the social class, in the absence of any deliberate inculcation, and therefore quite unconsciously" (Bourdieu, 1986: 18).

Paraphrase: Unlike economic capital, the amassing of which requires some conscious effort, cultural capital can be built simply by existing and consuming (Bourdieu, 1986).

Both the quoted and the paraphrased versions carry essentially the same meaning, with the exception that paraphrasing shows slightly wider knowledge of Bourdieu (through mentioning another form of capital), and presents an argument that, while true to the writings of Bourdieu, better fits the overall argument.

Properly citing the sources upon which you draw also ensures that you will not be accused of plagiarism, which is a serious offence in academia. In fact, repeated and grievous plagiarism can lead to the suspension of your studies at the majority of academic institutions!

7. Construct an impactful conclusion

Your conclusion is the final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader, so it should be concise yet powerful. Begin by succinctly summarising the main arguments or points made in your essay, ensuring they are directly tied to the essay question or thesis statement. This reinforces the relevance and coherence of your discussion.

Avoid introducing new ideas or evidence in the conclusion, as this can confuse the reader and undermine the sense of closure. Instead, focus on reflecting on the implications of your findings. Highlight why your analysis matters, emphasising its importance to the broader topic or field of study.

An impactful conclusion also leaves the reader with a strong impression of your essay’s value. You might end with a thought-provoking statement, a call to action, or a forward-looking remark that suggests areas for further exploration. This helps to underscore the significance of your work and ensures your essay resonates with the reader long after they’ve finished reading.

8. Write academically

Another common issue – particularly amongst first and second-year undergraduates – is that they tend to use rather non-academic language:

In this essay I will look at how people who buy art use cultural capital. My theory is that having more cultural capital will change their taste in art, as they are able to understand the pieces differently to other people.

Examples such as the above are unfortunately rather common, and should give you a good idea of what to avoid. The sentiment behind the text is good, but it reads more like a second-rate blog post than an academic essay. Academic writing should be more formal, concise, unbiased and include good use of rhetoric. As for the above example, an academic might instead write:

This essay explores the role of cultural capital in the consumption of art, and the impact of cultural capital on consumers’ perception of artistic expressions.

You will note that this second example is far more concise yet none of the meaning is lost. It also uses present (rather than future) tense, and avoids informal terms. Clear, concise, and precise language is a hallmark of academic writing.

FAQs on essay writing

1. How much time should I spend on each essay writing step?
Divide your time evenly between understanding the question, research, writing, and proofreading. Allocate more time to writing and revising since these steps have the most impact on the quality of your essay.

2. What is the best way to research for an essay?
Start with academic databases like Google Scholar. Use relevant keywords to find articles, read abstracts and conclusions to assess their usefulness, and track citations to explore related literature.

3. How many paragraphs should an essay have?
The number depends on the essay’s length and complexity. Typically, a standard essay includes an introduction, 3–5 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

4. How can I make my essay more engaging?
Use clear and concise language, compelling evidence, and logical flow. An intriguing introduction and critical analysis also enhance engagement.

5. What are common mistakes to avoid in essay writing?
Avoid misinterpreting the question, lack of structure, over-reliance on a single source, and weak analysis. Proofread carefully to eliminate grammar and spelling errors.

6. How can I manage my time while writing an essay?
Create a realistic schedule, break tasks into smaller steps, and stick to deadlines. Avoid procrastination by starting early.

7. How can I ensure my essay meets the word count requirement?
Plan your sections proportionately to the word count. Be concise