Every student wants to write a truly great essay: one that is inspiring, clear, and convincing. Whether it’s a college admissions essay or a class paper, learning the craft of how to write high-quality essays help you develop your skills.
I’m sharing about this topic because I’m a bestselling author and leading Behavioral Change Expert, with over 2 million books and courses sold.
Here are six strategies to help you become a confident and prolific academic writer.
6 Techniques for Writing High-Quality Essays
1. Understand the Essay Prompt Thoroughly
Never dive into writing before you’ve thought carefully about what the essay prompt is asking. Getting off on the wrong foot by misinterpreting the prompt is a common yet easily avoidable mistake. Distill the question into its required elements, determine the crucial terms and clarify the theme or issue that the writer needs to address.
2. Plan and Outline Your Essay
Planning your essay properly is the first step to successful writing. To do this, write out a brief outline of your essay in the form of an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Begin with the introduction. This is where you will put your thesis statement. Next, create some body paragraphs to support your thesis by outlining the main points. Finally, write out a conclusion in which you will summarise your arguments and reinforce your thesis. A good outline will keep your essay in order and guide you through the writing process, allowing you to move from one point to another naturally.
Do this while outlining your essay:
- Identify the main points that support your thesis.
- Arrange the points in a logical sequence.
- Note down evidence or examples under each point.
- Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs.
3. Develop a Strong Thesis Statement
The crucial piece of your essay is the thesis statement, which is a one- or two-sentence statement of your main point and the guiding force of the entire essay. A good thesis statement is specific, arguable, and clearly expresses the central claim or argument of your essay. It needs to be compelling enough to make the reader interested in your argument and informative enough to give the reader an idea of what your argument will be.
4. Use Credible Sources to Support Your Arguments
Strong essays are built on evidence from good sources. Whether your goal is to write a persuasive or an analytical essay, using research to substantiate your claims adds depth and authority to your writing. Draw from scholarly articles, books, and websites that have a sound reputation and that are relevant to your topic, then weave them into your argument as you go. Not only does citing sources make your essay look good, but it also indicates your ability to find and use quality information.
5. Write Clearly and Concisely
If readers can’t understand what you’re saying, then you’re not going to convince them of your ideas. Therefore, clarity and concision are key. Avoid sentences that are too long and convoluted, and avoid jargon that might cause a reader to lose the thread of your meaning. Make sure you have one idea per every paragraph. This not only makes your essay easier to read but also makes your arguments more convincing.
6. Finding the Right Help
If you want to be the best writer you can be, getting outside help is often a very smart move. Modern students can find the best essay writing assistance online. These services can offer samples of writing that will help you see how a well-crafted argument is sustained throughout an essay. A professional can help you see where your argument’s flow can be improved. Perhaps you have a section of your essay that you simply can’t see how to revise. A professional can help you to find the way forward. If you have a thesis statement, a professional can offer feedback as to how this thesis is crafted and how it might be improved. Perhaps you are not happy with your grammar, and you would like help to improve it. A professional can assist you here.
Here’s what an expert writer can help you with:
- Offer feedback on your draft to identify weak areas.
- Reveal professional insights to understand what makes an essay stand out.
- Share free examples of essays for inspiration.
- Suggest good editing services to polish your essay.
- Offer constructive criticism to improve your writing.
Writing Essays with Purpose and Precision
Learning to write essays is a long process. If you pay close attention to your essay prompt, organize your ideas carefully, create a solid thesis, provide support for your arguments with relevant and reliable evidence, write with clarity, and ask for the right help, your essay writing skills will improve greatly. The essay is your chance to showcase your creativity, vision, and talent. Every time you compose an essay, your writing gets more persuasive and powerful. Keep up the good work!
Learn How To Stay Calm In Challenging Times
Explore my bestselling audio and video program: The Anxiety Cure Course.
Think happier. Think calmer.
Think about subscribing for free weekly tools here.
No SPAM, ever! Read the Privacy Policy for more information.
One last step!
Please go to your inbox and click the confirmation link we just emailed you so you can start to get your free weekly NotSalmon Happiness Tools! Plus, you’ll immediately receive a chunklette of Karen’s bestselling Bounce Back Book!