9 essay writing tips your uni teachers want you to know
Essay writing can feel overwhelming, but a few expert tips can make a world of difference. Your university teachers share their top academic writing tips, so you can plan, polish, and perfect your next assignment.
When assessment time looms, crafting an essay can feel a lot like looking up at Mount Everest with zero idea how you’ll ever reach the top. But with a few expert-backed tips and tricks, it’s possible to scale that mountain with ease—confidence even.
Here, we share 9 valuable essay writing tips from university teaching staff to help you break down the process, overcome common challenges, and elevate your essay game.
1. Plan before you write
Associate Professor Victoria Kuttainen from James Cook University says planning your essay is just as important as writing it.
“Writing an essay is not like putting up a Christmas tree, where you pre-construct a formulaic set of ideas and then look for a few quotable soundbites to hang on it afterward.” Instead, start with what she calls “pre-search” where you gather general knowledge before diving deep into research.
Once you have a foundation, you can create a roadmap for your essay by grouping ideas into themes, organising them logically, and outlining your main points.
2. Use diagrams to plot out your roadmap
Mapping out your essay with a simple diagram or an outline before writing it is a great way to break it down into those key points, says Dr Russell McPhee from Bond University.
“Finding the right way to express an idea in formal, academic language is tough enough on its own, without the added challenge of not having a clear plan,” he says.
3. Build your content knowledge
A rich understanding of your topic will help strengthen your argument. “Engaging deeply with the subject matter is crucial,” says Dr Nathaniel Swain from La Trobe University.
This means doing a deep dive in your research phase, going beyond basic sources and taking time to summarise important points in your own words.
Not only will this reinforce comprehension, it will help prevent accidental plagiarism.
4. Be strategic about reading and note-taking
Dr Jennifer Vaughan from the University of New England says adopting an active reading approach can help keep your research phase on-track.
She suggests asking questions as you read, such as, “Does this information answer the essay question?”
Strategic note-taking—like jotting down keywords, main ideas, and referencing style—saves time and helps you retain critical details for your essay.
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5. Break down the writing process
Tackling a complex writing task like an essay can be easier if you break it down into three manageable stages: planning, drafting, and revising.
Dr Swain says after starting with your structured outline, you should focus on crafting clear topic sentences for each paragraph. Then, during revision, review each section carefully to make sure it works as a whole.
6. Kick writer’s block with the imperfect rough draft
One of the biggest hurdles in writing is the blank page.
A good way to overcome this is to embrace the ‘rough draft’ wholeheartedly, advises Dr Swain. Doing so will allow you to write freely without the constraints of overthinking.
It’s about putting ideas on paper, even if they’re imperfect. You’ll have plenty of time to refine your work and clarify your thoughts during later revisions.
7. Master sentence structure
According to Dr Swain, strong sentence structure is the bedrock of effective writing.
He suggests simplifying complex sentences to make writing clearer. You can use a free editing tool like the Hemingway App to check if your sentences are too difficult to read.
Adding an appositive (a noun or phrase that adds extra detail) can enrich your sentences, adds Dr Swain. For instance, instead of saying “The study involved 170 participants,” you could write, “The study, a comprehensive analysis of early childhood education, involved 170 participants.” Dr Swain explains that adding such descriptive phrases makes your writing more engaging and informative.
He also recommends connecting ideas with subordinating conjunctions, like ‘although’ or ‘while’, to add depth.
8. Write your introduction last
Dr McPhee suggests writing your introduction after you’ve developed the main body of your essay. “If you write the introduction before you’ve done your research or know what direction your argument will take, it will likely feel unfocused: you’re winging it and working things out as you go. This usually results in vague, unconvincing writing.”
Writing your introduction last means you'll have a firm understanding of your argument and can succinctly preview your main points with signposts, such as “There are three main points to consider. First…”, when it comes time to write it, he says.
9. Always make time to polish your essay
The power of revision cannot be overstated. “Essay writing takes time,” Associate Professor Kuttainen says, explaining students should always factor in time to reflect on and refine their essays.
Editing isn’t just about grammar; it’s about improving clarity, flow, and coherence. Each time you look over your essay is an opportunity to adjust structure, find the right words, and ensure it flows logically from point to point, she adds.
Looking for a university tutor who can support you with your essay writing? Read our tips on choosing the right service. Or explore our hacks and guides for even more study advice.
