Writing an impactful university essay is the key to ace your university degree and graduate with a first-class. University essays provide an opportunity to analyse a topic of your interest and present your ideas and opinion on the matter and are an essential part of the university assessment process.
But if you are studying in the UK, your essay must meet the high university standards and be impressive enough for you to get a first-class degree. Writing a good essay is challenging because students have to examine and analyse a topic from various aspects and present their ideas within a specified word limit following strict guidelines.
So how can you take your essay to the next-level and go from good to brilliant? The following six tips can help you improve your essay writing skills greatly and if you are ready to study a university degree in the UK, register for a free consultation with SI-UK for more information on courses, top uk universities, scholarships and applications.
Six tips to improve essay writing skills
1. Read and research well
Before you start writing your essay you should try to read and research the writings and essays of other academicians and fellows. A study group is also a great way to exchange ideas and enhance your understanding of the different essay writing skills which will eventually help you develop your own writing style. Choose essays from various disciplines and on different topics to critically analyse them in the following manner:
- What do you like or dislike about it?
- Are the arguments strong and convincing enough?
- Are the arguments based on reliable evidence?
2. Develop your vocabulary and use it appropriately
Your university essay should reflect your command on the vocabulary which should be of an advanced level and appropriate for your topic and level of study. A sound vocabulary helps you to express yourself in a clear and concise manner and gets across your ideas effortlessly. For a well-balanced essay you need to be economical with your words and be precise and clear with your arguments and points.
The following tips can help you improve your vocabulary:
- Read extensively and look up a dictionary for the words you don’t know. This is a great way to learn new words and use them appropriately
- Learn and use synonyms to add variety to your language and to avoid repetition of words in your essay
- A knowledge of prefix, suffix, root and origin of words can help you understand new words contextually and widen your vocabulary
- Always write down the new words you learn and their meaning in a notepad. The act of writing the words helps you to remember them later
However, avoid using complex and confusing vocabulary just to make your essay look good. Revise every sentence and remove the words and paragraphs which do not contribute substantially to your arguments.
3. Focus on sentence structures to build arguments
Your arguments should flow logically and follow a scientific structure. It is therefore important to avoid unnecessary repetition of words and ideas and to use them effectively. Use an optimal combination of compound and complex structures and words like ‘thus’, ‘however’, ‘moreover’, ‘on the other hand’ to add variety and impact.
4. Plan your essay and organise your writing
Before you start writing the essay, make a plan and decide what arguments you would focus on. Next develop a structure for your essay which can support your final argument and lead to a logical conclusion.
Provide a short and succinct summary to your essay by presenting your main arguments and points using the Elevator Pitch. Your conclusion should not be abrupt or overlooking the implications of your central argument.
5. Citations, references and support for your arguments
It is important to support your arguments well with primary and secondary sources and valid references. Provide contrasting evidence and arguments as well to show that your essay has been properly analysed considering different aspects and angles.
For a good essay it is very important to use references and opinions of other people to strengthen your argument. Referencing your essay is vital and it is pivotal to declare the source of your references in the proper format and style.
6. Writing style and tone of voice
A sophisticated sentence structure can make a huge difference. Write your essay in a simple and understandable manner by being precise and clear. Use a variety of small and large structures without making them difficult to read or understand. Grammatical mistakes make for a poorly written essay.
Study in the UK
You can improve your english writing skills and prepare for a UK university admission with specialised IELTS coaching at SI-UK centres in India. Our customised english language classes will help you get the desired score in IELTS and PTE exams required to study in the UK.
Book a free consultation today!
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