[Hong Kong – February 27, 2017] Writing an essay is often a daunting prospect for many university students. There are numerous factors to consider before even putting pen to paper. And once the writing process begins, it can be challenging to express your ideas clearly. As such, we have a few writing tips to help you start writing your essay. We’ll have some more great tips available regularly, so please keep checking for updates!
1. Gathering information
This is an extremely important step in academic writing as it allows you to understand a subject or topic clearly and formulate a strong argument. Your lecturer will often steer you in the right direction for background reading, but additional research can never hurt. A library is your best friend for research and so is your librarian. Don't be intimidated by the Dewey Decimal Classification, it’s a simple system and your librarian can always assist if necessary. Once you’ve found the relevant material, you can start reading through the chapters that are suitable for your topic. It's a great idea to take note of chapters or page numbers so that you can refer to them easily when it comes to writing your essay.
2. Clear introduction
The purpose of an introduction is to present your position or argument clearly. It’s essential to be clear and concise so that the reader is aware of your standpoint. This is known as your thesis statement. Before you begin your thesis statement, coming up with a hook can grab the reader’s attention and make them want to continue reading. For example, an interesting statistic or findings can be useful, but make sure you use relevant material and/or quotations. After your thesis statement, you should write a mini-outline of the main points of discussion in your essay. This allows the reader to be clear as to exactly what you’re going to say and the points that you’re going to mention. Finally, the last sentence must seamlessly lead the reader to your next paragraph in the main body text of your essay. Take note – an introduction doesn’t need to be painfully long or confusing, it just needs those basic elements and you’re good to go.
3. Referencing
This is a pretty big topic and is often confusing for many students. First, we recommend that you keep a record of bibliographic information, which includes page numbers. This is great practice, as you might not have an opportunity to find and reference those details once your essay has been written. You should also be consistent with your referencing. Pick a referencing style (APA, MLA, etc.) and stick to it. To avoid plagiarism, make sure that you can identify your own work with information taken from another source. Using a highlighter (on paper or computer) is good practice as it avoids any confusion before submission. Finally, allow time to check your referencing and make sure it corresponds with your bibliography. Remember – silly mistakes can cost you marks! Additional information on correct referencing can be found on your university website. Don't forget, your lecturer is also a good person to contact if you’re struggling.