Writing Development

1. Plan your time
2. Understand the assessment requirements. Read the question, guidelines or assessment criteria and any learning outcomes
3. Consider what you already know about the topic
4. Look back at the relevant lecture and seminar notes
5. Write a brief plan of the main points
6. Carry out research using good quality relevant academic texts and journal articles
7. Write a more detailed plan:
• Use one paragraph to cover one main point or idea
• Organise your points into paragraphs in a logical order
• Divide your word-count between points
8. Write your first draft
9. Edit and redraft
10. Proofread
11. Submit

Read your assessment guidelines to check for any specific guidelines about essay structure: otherwise adhere to the following standard structure:

1. Introduction
2. Main body paragraphs
3. Conclusion
4. Bibliography or reference list