ESSAY WRITING TIPS

STEPS TO WRITING A GOOD ESSAY

1. Understanding the question
The first task in writing an essay is to understand what the question is asking.
Answer the question, the whole question and nothing but the question.
You have to deconstruct the question. This means focusing on each part of the
question, as follows.
Topic
Dates (time-frame)
Key concepts or specific factors
Command words instructions
For example: To what extent was the Treaty of Versailles after the First World
War a harsh treaty on Germany?
Topic= the Treaty of Versailles
Dates= after the First World War (1919)
Key concepts or specific factors= harshness of the treaty
Command words=To what extent? (or How far?)
2. Command words
TO WHAT EXTENT/HOW FAR=examine the merits of a particular view or
argument and weigh this against an alternative view or argument.
ASSESS THE INFLUENCE OF/ THE ROLE OF/ THE CONTRIBUTION OF=make a
judgement as to the influence/role/contribution of an event or a person
DISCUSS=examine in detail an issue or argument presenting a range of
arguments and evidence
EVALUATE=reach a judgement by examining strengths and limitations
EXAMINE=consider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the
assumptions and interrelationships of the issue
3. Key concepts or words
Sometimes the questions will contain key concepts or key words that will need
defining if your answer is to make sense. Eg: radical, economic, social,
authoritarian, right-wing etc
4. Planning
Why is a plan so important?
You need to have a clear argument sorted out in your head before you
start writing the essay.

A plan will allow you to see if your argument works to see if you have
enough evidence to support it.
It will allow you to sort out your key paragraphs and decide in which order
to present them
It will make writing your essay faster.
It helps you organize your thinking and your time under pressure.

How to plan the answer:

a. Brainstorm. Simply write down everything you can think of in brief notes
and in no particular order just to get it out of your mind and on to paper. You will
have a record of relevant points and information to include.
b. Jot down the main line of argument that will form the backbone of your
essay as it will form part of your introduction.
c. Now you have to organise the 'mess' that was your brainstorm.
o Decide whether the question is asking for a thematic approach, or
chronological.
o Is it asking for causes to be evaluated or for a discussion of two sides of
an argument?
o

Decide what each paragraph is going to include. Look at your

brainstorm and begin to group ideas

5. Introduction
Show that you understand the question; this could involve referring to the
dates set or events mentioned in the title and putting them into context.
Here you give your definitions of the key terms, and here you establish
the relevant time-frame and related issues that you will develop in the
paragraphs of the body
Here you formulate an argument, or perhaps voice alternative lines of
argument, that you will discuss later in the essay.
State clearly the aim of the essay
6. Body
Deal with one relevant issue per paragraph.
Each paragraph should have:
A clear topic sentence which links to the question and states the key point
or argument of the paragraph.
Evidence to support argument. Precise and detailed factual evidence
including relevant names, statistics and dates. Selecting the appropriate
evidence is key. Only include information that supports your claim and

make it clear why that piece of information supports your claim (dont
leave it for the reader to work out)
Link to the question: analytical links that show how your evidence links to
the question.
Imagine you are a lawyer arguing a case. Now, in the final paragraph, you
are the judge summing up and pronouncing the verdict.

Give most space to the most important issues. It is probably best not to
leave your most important ideas to the end of an essay, especially in an exam,
when you may run out of time.
7. Conclusion

Return to the actual wording of the question and answer it as directly and
succinctly as possible
Summarize your main arguments
Make sure the conclusion is consistent with what you've written earlier.
Link back to the title to show that your argument answers the question
set.
Dont introduce any new points or evidence

8. DOS AND DONTS OF ESSAY WRITING

Avoid using the first person. Using expressions such as I think do not
give the impression that you are being objective.
Make sure you have the correct spelling for key historical figures, events
and concepts.
Use appropriate historical vocabulary. Avoid colloquial language or slang.
Use dates to show that you understand the chronology of events you are
discussing
Only use official abbreviations. An essay is a formal piece of writing and so
all words must be written in full. Br in not an acceptable abbreviation of
Britain.
Dont end the sentence with etc or so on. It sends a clear message
that you have run out of ideas or that you cannot be bothered to write
down more points.
TO
DISCUSS
A TO EMPHASIZE
SEQUENCE
OF POINT
EVENTS OR POINTS

A TO
INFORMATION

Firstly,
secondly, Moreover,
another
thirdly, finally
key point is, in fact,
indeed,
on
the
positive side, on the
negative side

ADD

Additionally,
in
addition,
moreover,
equally important is,
furthermore, likewise,
for example

TO
MAKE
A TO MAKE A SIMILAR TO CONCLUDE
CONTRASTING POINT POINT
OR
TO SUMMARIZE
COMPARE
Although, in spite of Similarly, likewise
this, on the other
hand, however, on
the contrary

OR

As
a
result,
consequently,
thus,
therefore,
in
conclusion,
to
conclude, all in all