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TRENTU.CA / Academic Skills / How To Guides / How to Write in University / How to Approach Any Assignment / How to Write an Essay

How to Write an Essay

What is an essay?

Essays are a primary means by which scholars communicate their ideas with one another. Within their essays, students and professors focus on significant questions or problems in their field, create arguments to respond to those questions and problems, and support their arguments with specific evidence and citations. While essays differ widely in terms of how they are structured and organized, they generally begin with an introduction that introduces the topic and the thesis of the essay, contain body paragraphs that develop and support the essay’s thesis with evidence, and end with a conclusion that highlights the significance of the thesis.

Common problems

  1. Topic too broad: Essays topics or questions must be focused and contained enough that they can be examined with depth and complexity.
  2. 5-paragraph model is too general or simplistic: The 5-paragraph essays works to prove a single point with three examples or to examine three unrelated points within the same topic. University essays often require students to prove several different points that relate to a larger argument and students can choose how many examples they need to use.
  3. Descriptive not analytical: Essays need to move beyond reporting or summarizing information to analyse and explain that information.
  4. Improper use of sources: It is essential that students properly paraphrase and quote sources in their essays and that they cite the source of all the information, words, and ideas contained in their essays.
  5. Lack of editing and proofreading: Most first drafts contain errors in organization, grammar, and style, errors that prevent the reader from understanding the points within the essay.

Resources for Essay Writers

  • Developing an Essay Topic
  • The Research Process
  • Developing a Thesis
  • Beyond the 5-Paragraph Essay
  • Creating an Outline
  • Drafting an Essay
  • Creating Coherence
  • Integrating Evidence
  • How to Edit Your Writing

How To Guides

  • Transition to University - Advice for First Year
  • Level Up: Resources for Upper-Year Students
  • How Do I Protect My Academic Integrity?
  • How to Study
  • How to Learn Online
  • How to Manage Your Time
  • How to Write in University
    • How to Approach Any Assignment
      • Writing Essays
      • Writing the English Essay
      • Creating an Annotated Bibliography
      • Writing Article Summaries
      • Writing Academic Reviews
      • Writing Reflection Papers
      • Writing Literature Reviews
      • Writing Policy Assignments
      • Writing Business Reports
      • Preparing and Delivering Oral Presentations
      • Creating Poster Presentations
      • The Art of Powerpoint
    • Planning Your Assignment
    • Developing an Argument
    • Writing Introductions, Conclusions, and Body Paragraphs
  • How to Succeed in Math and Science
  • How to Use Sources
  • How to Edit Your Writing
  • Academic Skills Online Resources Index
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