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If you’re seeking guidance on how to write a university-level essay, The UK Graduate Samaritan is here to help!
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the full essay-writing process — from research and planning to writing and submission — with clear advice that will genuinely improve your marks.
Breaking the essay-writing process into manageable steps is a vital skill for your university studies, particularly during high-pressure coursework seasons when you have multiple assignments to submit.
Why You Should Focus on Getting High Marks on Your Essay
Achieving high marks in your assignments is one of the most effective ways to secure your desired degree classification — whether you’re aiming for a First, a 2:1, or simply trying to pass a challenging module.
Unlike exams, where performance can be influenced by factors beyond your control (like nerves or fatigue), essays give you the opportunity to showcase your knowledge in a calm, structured way.
You have time to plan, write, revise, and perfect your work before submission. Basically, you have full control over the quality of what you submit. And with university assessments becoming increasingly essay-heavy, mastering this skill is more important than ever.
We strongly believe that learning how to write a high-impact essay isn’t just about good writing — it’s about strategy, structure, and clear thinking. Let’s get started.
Step 1: Essay Research – Gathering Data and Collecting Evidence
Many students dive into writing too early and get stuck halfway. Strong essays are built on strong research.
🎯 Understand the Essay Question
Break down what the question is really asking. Look for keywords like “evaluate,” “analyse,” or “compare” — these determine the kind of argument you need to make.
💬 Ask for Clarification
If the question or topic feels vague or confusing, don’t struggle in silence. Lecturers are there to help, and asking can save you hours of wasted work.
📥 Download and Catalogue Evidence
Use reliable academic sources like Google Scholar, JSTOR, or your university library database. Save each file with clear names so you can easily find what you need later.
🗒️ Take Notes as You Go
While reading, jot down points, quotes, and ideas — even if they seem random at the time. These can form the backbone of your argument later on.
✅ Organise Your Sources
Create a dedicated folder for each essay and use subfolders or colour-coded tags to separate readings by theme, method, or argument.
📚 Use a Citation Manager
Tools like Zotero, EndNote or Mendeley can help you keep track of references, generate citations, and avoid last-minute formatting stress.
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Step 2: Planning and Structuring Your Essay
With your research complete, it’s time to plan. Great essays are structured clearly — no rambling, no repetition.
🔹 Introduction
Start strong. Your introduction should:
- Outline the essay’s aim
Briefly state what your essay will explore or argue. Think of it like telling the reader what journey they’re about to go on. - Mention key themes or approaches
Highlight the main areas you’ll focus on — for example, specific theories, case studies, or perspectives. - Briefly explain how the essay is structured
Let the reader know what to expect in each section. This adds clarity and helps your essay feel more cohesive.
📌 Pro Tip:
Don’t try to answer the full question in your intro. That’s what the main body is for — keep this part focused and to the point. Moreover, many students find it easier to write the introduction as the last step.
🔹 Main Body
This is where the magic happens. Each paragraph should:
- Begin with a clear topic sentence
Start each paragraph by introducing its main point. This helps the reader follow your argument. - Include evidence (quotes, data, citations)
Back up your points with solid references. This shows you’ve done your research and can support your claims. - Explain how the evidence supports your argument
Don’t just drop quotes in — always connect them to your main point so the reader understands why they matter.
🧠 Refer back to the essay question
Every few paragraphs, pause and ask: “Is this still helping me answer the question?” This keeps your writing focused.
📝 Define technical terms clearly
Even if they seem obvious to you, define key terms the first time you use them. It shows academic awareness and avoids confusion.
🔗 Create Paragraph Flow
Use linking phrases like “In contrast…”, “Furthermore…”, or “This leads to…” to keep your argument progressing smoothly.
🔹 Conclusion
The conclusion isn’t just a summary — it’s your chance to make an impact.
- Revisit the question
Start your conclusion by reminding the reader what question you set out to answer. - Summarise your argument
Bring together your key points in a clear, concise summary. This reinforces your case without repeating everything word-for-word. - Highlight any limitations or areas for further research
Show critical thinking by reflecting on what your essay didn’t cover or where future studies could go.
💡 Critical Thinking Tips:
- Were your sources or methods limited in any way? Say how.
- Did the word count prevent deeper analysis? Mention it briefly.
- Did your research lead to other interesting questions? Suggest them for future exploration.
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Step 3: Final Review – Proofreading, Editing, and Submission
Never submit your first draft. Here’s what to do:
🔍 Proofread Aloud
Reading your essay out loud helps catch grammar errors, awkward phrasing, and clunky sentences.
✂️ Simplify Sentences
Clear writing always wins. If a sentence is hard to follow, break it into smaller parts or rephrase it entirely.
✅ Check References
Use the correct citation style (e.g. Harvard, APA) and double-check every source. Poor referencing can cost easy marks.
📄 Meet Submission Requirements
Follow formatting rules, include your student number and module title, and make sure you’ve uploaded everything correctly.
🎯 Final Tip:
Ask yourself: “If I were marking this, would it feel complete and focused?” If the answer is yes — you’re good to go.
Recommended Books to improve Academic Writing (UK-focused)
If you are particularly struggling with academic writing, below you can find some recommended study guides that will help you write better essays and improve your grades.
Depending on your needs, some of those are generic whereas others are designed for specific aspects of academic writing. (p.n. all links to Amazon UK)
- How to Write Essays & Assignments by Jonathan Weyers & Kathleen McMillan;
- How to Write for University: Academic Writing for Success;
- How to Write Better Essays by Bryan Greetham;
- The Student Phrase Book: Vocabulary for Writing at University by Jeanne Godfrey;
- Cite Them Right: The Essential Referencing Guide by Richard Pears & Graham Shields;
- Critical Thinking Skills: Effective Analysis, Argument and Reflection by Stella Cottrell.
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FAQs – How to Write an Essay
Check your course handbook. Most essays range from 1,500 to 3,000 words, but always follow your specific brief.
It depends on the subject. Social sciences often allow it. STEM subjects usually prefer passive voice. Always check your department’s guidelines.
Aim for 10–15 academic sources. Quality is more important than quantity — but under-referencing can hurt your mark.
Don’t start writing right away. Begin by planning your structure and writing a rough outline.
You can use AI to brainstorm or check grammar — but copying AI-generated content is plagiarism. Use tools responsibly.
Avoid slang, contractions (use “cannot” instead of “can’t”), and overly emotional language. Academic writing should be clear, objective, and evidence-based.
Step away for a bit. Go for a walk or talk your ideas out loud. Often, clarity comes when you least expect it.
It depends on the style guide you’re using. In some disciplines, subheadings are encouraged for clarity; in others, they’re avoided. Check your tutor’s expectations.
Usually not for short essays, but if you’re writing a long assignment or dissertation, adding one improves readability and scores structure points.
How to Write an Essay at University Level – Conclusions
Essay writing can be overwhelming — especially with deadlines piling up. But with a strategic approach, anyone can learn how to write a powerful, persuasive essay.
In this post we split the essay writing process in 3 main phases:
- Research, data and evidence collection;
- Structure, from the introduction to the conclusions;
- Editing, proofreading and submission.
Ideally, you should aim at getting very high marks on your written assignments as those will count for your final course/degree grade.
Hopefully, this post will help you improve your marks and lead you to better feedback and overall grades.
If you’re also struggling with exam revision, check out our step-by-step guide to revising for exam effectively.
Good luck — and happy writing! ✍️
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