Becoming a better writer isn’t just about mastering linguistic flourishes or breaking out the thesaurus. It’s about communicating yourself in a more organized, thoughtful and clear way. And its benefits shouldn’t be understated.
Students who regularly practice how to write will naturally gain an edge in classroom assignments, on university or college applications, and even in the workplace one day (workplaces run on effective communication). Where does a student start on their quest for better writing?
Whether you attend a brick-and-mortar school or a cutting-edge online institution like Ontario eSecondary School, follow this straightforward 8-step process to creating an A-plus-worthy paper.
Understand the Assignment
Too often, students shoot from the hip, writing the essay they want to write rather than the one the assignment calls for. This is an easily avoidable mistake.
Before you put fingers to keyboard, spend some time with the prompt. Read and re-read it, making notes about the various requirements and objectives. This process will give you a “cheat sheet” as you start the next step.
Research Thoroughly
"OK, so it's time to write!" Not quite. Good writing, like many other crafts, is forged in the preliminary and preparatory stages. Failing to prepare adequately for an essay is like rowing out to sea without provisions, a map, or a life raft – a recipe for getting perilously lost.
Begin your research by gathering information from reliable sources to support your arguments. Take notes and organize your findings. It's OK not to have an argument at this stage; you can let your findings guide your argument. Remember to fastidiously document your sources in this stage as it will help you further down the line when you cite sources.
Develop a Strong Thesis Statement
Once you’ve collected and absorbed the various research materials, you will feel yourself naturally gravitating toward an argument. If you don’t get that feeling, work backwards through your notes to try and develop a unique point of view on the topic.
Then, in a separate document from your essay, craft a clear and concise thesis statement that presents your main argument or perspective.
Create an Outline
An essay outline is like the scaffolding on a building. It guides and delineates construction so you (in this metaphor) aren't mindlessly pouring concrete.
Plan your essay structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. This will help you stay organized and focused. Once you have a structure, consider how you will integrate your thesis into the introduction, and how each body paragraph serves to support the thesis in different ways.
Use Clear and Concise Language
Finally, you’re ready to write the essay. With all that meticulous pre-planning, writing should be a matter of punching information and thoughts into the predetermined structure.
Yet, here’s where so many students overdo it. They aim for unnecessary jargon and complex, multi-clausal sentences in an attempt to telegraph importance and intellect. In most cases, this is not a winning strategy. Instead, opt for clarity and simplicity in your writing. Choose your words carefully, and construct your sentences with an eye toward readability.
Support Your Arguments with Evidence
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a whole host of prior thought and statistical research to raise an essay. It's OK to rely on past research, data and historical examples to bolster your point; in fact, it is expected.
As you support your arguments with evidence, ensure you cite your sources correctly.
Revise, Edit and Seek Feedback.
Lastly, take a step away from the computer and get some air. Come back in a day or two. With fresh eyes, review your essay for grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, and structural issues. Next, pass your essay to a respected peer, teacher, or tutor for thoughts. Then, start the whole revision process over again. Revising and re-revising is the key to a polished final product.
Whether you're turning in a final essay for an online high school English course or fighting through a tough semester in a university Psychology degree, these simple tips will steer you to a better-written essay.