Essay writing

[Iwantscallops]

Hi, I am about to go back to uni for my second year after taking a year out to have DS2. I am studying Religious Studies so my course involves quite a few essays which will be between 2500 and 5000 words. I completed year 1 no problem but after taking my time out my confidence has taken a knock.

Can anyone offer me any advice on how to make a really good essay and maximise my grade? I want to' hit the ground running' and any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

[CupcakesHay]

Hi

Not sure if these will help, but I found these both useful when I had to start writing essays for Uni:

www.studygs.net/aspire.htm

www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/general/essay/essay-plan/1.xml

and not sure if you have to do reflective essays, but this was helpful too:
reflective-essay.info/

[Iwantscallops]

Thanks Cupcakes! I will take a look.

[MoreSpamThanGlam]

My advice as was given to me by my lecturer "Answer the f*ing question". Do not waffle on about stuff that is not relevant or carpet bomb with all of your knowledge.
Make a plan. Start your essay by saying what you are going to talk about and then introduce each new idea, give evidence of idea then analyse idea.
Summarise by answering the question in short.

Hope this helps!

[BubblesBuddy]

Many universities have tutorials for improving essays. Does your university have these and can you access them?

[GCAcademic]

Yes, usually there will be a student skills unit at the university that will have workshops and other support for academic writing.