Eight(8) Steps to write Winning Essays

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However the first step is obviously writing a great essay. Granted, most of you can write to some extent, but do you really have what it takes to write a winning essay? Well here are some steps, you should follow:

1. Read the Instructions Carefully

The moment you fail to read the instructions carefully, you begin to fail. This is because the instructions will contain your theme, length and scope, all the basics you need to know. So do not rush into writing without knowing this basics. It will also help you to identify the topic words that indicate the particular subject of the essay.

2. Research properly

After you are conversant with what you need to write on, then you need to do some research. Remember to use sources which are relevant and accessible and write notes in your own words. Write down quotations that may be particularly useful, but ensure the source of these quotes is acknowledged if they’re used. Take note of sources so they can be provided in footnotes and the bibliography to avoid plagiarism.

3. Brainstorm

After your research, you may need about 15 minutes, depending on time available to you to brainstorm on the topic and other relevant points that might be added.

4. Develop Your Argument

The thesis or argument should be a statement that strongly expresses the overall response to the question or the topic of discussion. Avoid a thesis that’s too simplistic – show thought has been put into some of the complexities behind the question. The thesis is the backbone of the essay – it will be stated in the introduction.

5. Create an Outline

This is the skeleton of your essay, how you plan to tackle the topic and sequence in which you intend to write. To do this, you have to:

• Order ideas in a logical sequence.
• Make sure every point in the plan is relevant to the question.
• After the plan has been written it should be clear where the essay is going.

6. Write Your Introduction

In the introduction, you should be able to open up the discussion. Introduce the thesis. Indicate how the questions will be answered. Name any texts to be discussed, if appropriate and of course engage the reader.

7. Write the main Body

This should be done:

• Ensure each point is given a new paragraph.
• Use words or phrases at the start of each paragraph that will indicate to the reader how it relates to the previous paragraph, eg, ‘however’, ‘in addition’, ‘nevertheless’, ‘moreover’.
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that clearly links the paragraph to the rest of the essay, eg “A striking example of Gary Crew’s use of light and darkness imagery to suggest notions of knowledge and ignorance occurs in the scene on the jetty”.
• Provide supporting evidence for each point that you make.
• Revisit the thesis, and express it in different ways if possible, to emphasise how the question is being addressed.

8. Conclusion and Editing

In the conclusion, you need to summarise the main ideas and demonstrate how you have proven your thesis, then finish with an interesting or thought-provoking, but relevant, comment. Then quickly do the following:

• Check for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Delete any sections that are not particularly relevant.
• Change vocabulary to improve expression.

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