When writing an essay, don't be tempted to simply summarise other writers' ideas. It is your discussion and analysis of ideas that should form the backbone of your essay.
What is an essay?
In an academic essay, you explore and discuss a topic through the analysis and discussion of published work in your discipline. One way you can demonstrate this is by summarising and paraphrasing other writers to compare, contrast and evaluate their ideas, findings and conclusions. You can use this analysis to construct your own opinions, questions or conclusions.
When writing an essay, you need to have a clear position on a topic (sometimes called a ‘thesis statement’) in the introduction. You then support your thesis statement in the body of the essay, using relevant ideas and evidence from credible sources. When you use someone else’s ideas, you must acknowledge them by appropriately referencing the source.
Essay writing is different to: reflective writing, which is usually based on personal experiences; and report writing, which focuses primarily on reporting facts and making recommendations.
Before you begin your essay
Before you begin writing your essay, there are some important steps and study routines to consider that will make the writing process much easier:
Here are some broad ideas for structuring your essay; however, always check the assessment instructions and rubric for any specific requirements.
As a general rule, try to begin and end each paragraph with your own thoughts rather than quoting someone else. Remember that your marker will be looking for your opinion, your discussion and your analysis of ideas.
Your essay will include:
an introduction, where you address the essay question
a series of body paragraphs, which outline your main points, supported by citations
a conclusion, where you summarise your main points, and
a reference list or bibliography.
Remember these are the first words your marker will read so try to make a great first impression. Ensure you provide your marker with a clear and accurate outline of what is to follow in your essay. Don’t go into too much detail in the introduction. Save the detail for the body of your essay. Try to include the following elements in your introduction:
Respond directly to the assessment task and clearly state what your essay intends to achieve.
Provide background information about the topic. You might also introduce and define some of the key concepts you will discuss.
Provide an overview of some of the main points, or direction, of the essay.
Note: Many people like to write their introduction last after they have completed the body paragraphs. Other writers prefer to write a draft introduction first – but be sure to revise the introduction in your final draft so that it accurately reflects any changes you may have made in the essay.
Body paragraphs in an essay usually contain one main point and have supporting evidence from multiple sources that are cited appropriately, according to your referencing style.
A useful approach to structuring your essay is to develop paragraphs that include the following five elements:
A topic sentence, which clearly states what your paragraph is about.
Appropriately cited evidence and examples that support the statement or claim made in the topic sentence.
Your analysis (discussing, questioning, evaluating, comparing and contrasting the supporting evidence.
Conclusions are primarily for summing up what you have presented in the body of your essay. No new information is presented in the conclusion.
Summarise the main points discussed in the body of the essay but not in too much detail.
Tell your reader how your essay has successfully responded to the essay question.
You may return to discuss the background/context of the topic, if relevant.
Where you see a gap in knowledge, you might provide suggestions for further research (optional).
Setting aside time to write multiple drafts of your essay will allow you time to digest and analyse your sources, and to refine your writing to a higher standard.
Begin an early draft with broad ideas, topic sentences and some supporting citations, without worrying about language and expression. You can refine your writing in later drafts, as well as add further supporting evidence and analysis.
Proofreading is an essential last step. Text-to-voice tools or reading your work aloud can be useful at the proofreading stage. AI tools that offer advice around improving language can also be useful – but do not over rely on these. Remember: you are being assessed on your task response and your abilities to analyse and synthesise information.
