Essay Writing

The 10 Golden Rules

 Rule #1
• Answer the specific question set –
relevance is essential!
 Rule #2

• Underline the key

words to focus your
planning and ensure
you will answer the
right question.
 Rule #3

• Make a paragraph by paragraph

plan which presents a developing
argument to answer the question
 Rule #4

• Avoid waffling in
your opening
paragraph – focus
immediately on the
given issue or topic.
“This is a very important issue and there are many
different approaches that can be taken in considering
it. Many experts have pondered the matter, but there
is no definitive position. There are arguments for and
against and certainly people are provoked to strong
feelings when regarding the topic.”
 Rule #5

• Spend the rest of the first

paragraph outlining the ground
you intend to cover in the essay
 Rule #6
• Make one point in each
subsequent paragraph
using a topic
sentence, developing it
with close textual
reference and end with
a summary or link it to
the next paragraph.
 Rule #7
• Use linking words at the beginning of
paragraphs to help your readers follow
the development of your essay.
• Nevertheless,…
• We can see, then, that…
• Furthermore…
• Thus…
• With this in mind…
• Another means by which…
• However,…
• Consequently…
• Similarly…
• In contrast…
 Rule #8

• Your concluding
paragraph must
return to the topic
or issue raised in
the question and
draw a conclusion.
 Rule #9

• Any sources used must be clearly

identified either in the body of
your essay or in the footnotes &
bibliography.
 Rule #10

• You should carefully

check your essay for
technical control and
accuracy before you
hand it in ON TIME!