Put the four fingers of the left hand on the keys A S D F and those of the right hand on J K L ;
Each finger then types on the keys above and below as well as the one they are on (so the left little finger types A Q Z, for example). The index fingers also do the three keys in the middle, so the left index finger does F R V G T B and the right index finger does J U M H Y N
After each tap of a key, return to the home position.
These keys will cover about 97% of the stuff you type in a normal essay. For capital letters use the opposite hand to press the shift key. So if typing a capital D, press the D key with the left hand as usual while pressing the Shift key on the right with the right hand.
Numbers, brackets, etc can be dealt with by the beginners 'hunt and peck' as they rarely come up. Unless you want to be a really professional typist, of course, when you will need a proper course.
The secret is to make up your mind when you are going to start typing properly and from that moment on NEVER go back to your old ways. Of course, there will be a slowing down at first, but in the end you will be a much faster typist. Go back to your old ways and you will soon give up.
Good luck!