Introduction:
An effective essay doesn't require perfect grammar or flowery language—it requires clarity, structure, and a strong grasp of your topic.
Whether preparing for an exam or improving your general writing skills, applying a few practical essay writing tips can dramatically improve your results.
In this guide, you'll learn how to plan, write, and revise essays that meet word counts and impress your readers and evaluators.
From understanding the topic to mastering your writing style, let's break down what really works.
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| Some Useful Information on Essay Writing |
Useful Information Guidelines on Essay Writing
Writing an essay is an art. Efficiency in it is acquired by practice. You cannot write a good essay by reading a few paragraphs on "how to write a good essay".
However, such reading will definitely give some helpful information on essay writing.
The best way to learn a language is to hear it from those who speak it well.
The best way to achieve proficiency in writing an essay is to read essays written by those who have written them well.
One of the earliest to set a style in essay-writing was a Frenchman named Montaigne. Before writing essays, he asked himself what he should write about.
On cool reflection, he learned that he must know the topic very well before writing on it.
He chose to write only about himself because he knew himself very well. Though he wrote about only himself, we read his essays with pleasure because what he wrote about himself also applies to us.
He did not keep any fixed norms. He started writing his essays from something about himself and then went on analysing his own nature for some length till he stopped writing suddenly.
As a result, his essays are loose in structure, lacking the compactness that we sometimes look for in an essay. Yet his essays are very entertaining and help in understanding human nature.
We learn from him an essential thing about essay writing. We must know the topic well before writing an essay on it.
Another great name in essay writing that comes to mind is Bacon's. Though he wrote his essays about four hundred years ago, their newness surprises us. He has written on a variety of topics.
His essay on truth is still regarded as one of the best essays written in the world. He could confidently write on common topics like gardening and mature topics like death, love, truth, etc.
His sentences are generally short. But they are compact. In his article, he talks about the parent-child relationship and how children mitigate the sorrows of death.
Like the couplets written by the great Sanskrit scholar and politician Chanakya, Bacon's generalizations on human nature are witty and full of worldly wisdom. From a study of his essays, we learn many things about essay-writing.
- The first thing to remember is that the essay should be informative and reveal something.
- Secondly, the essay does not need to be long. It can be impressive and useful even in a shorter frame.
The sentences can hide layers of meaning behind them, even when they are short. In other words, we learn from Bacon about the economy using words.
Each word used in a sentence, and each sentence in a paragraph, serves a helpful purpose.
The reader has to read between the lines to make sense of whether every word in the essay is purposefully used.
To be acquainted with different styles of essay writing, we can go through the essays of Addison, Goldsmith, Charles Lamb, Hazlitt, and Stevenson.
Among the writers of the twentieth century, we should read some essays of Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, E. M. Forster, A. G. Gardiner, Robert Lynd, and Jawaharlal Nehru. S. Radhakrishnan and a few others to acquaint ourselves with new trends in essay writing.
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Practical Guidelines:
Writing an essay for assessment and awarding marks demands immediate attention to the directive.
If you are asked to write an essay in about four hundred words, do not write more because you know more about it.
If you think that the more you write, the more the examiner will be pleased, you are totally wrong.
Writing an essay that falls short of the prescribed number of words by fifty or a hundred words or more is also not desirable.
Increasing the length is as much a disqualification as decreasing it. If you are asked to write about four hundred words, you can use fifteen to twenty words more or less. Beyond it will be risky.
If there are suggested outlines in the directive, you should build up your content along them.
For example, if in an essay on Newspapers, the first suggested outline is "our daily need", you need not write anything other than how the newspaper is required by us every day.
Writing a paragraph on the history of newspapers may be very informative, but the examiner does not need to count it for marking because you were not asked to write it.
If there is no suggested outline, you can develop and arrange your content accordingly.
But when outlines are supplied, think and write only on what is suggested.
In grading an essay, besides other things, two things that are considered for awarding good marks are content and style.
Content includes proper coordination in the presented matter.
How can a student present properly co-ordinated matters in an essay in the examination hall if he starts writing immediately on the topic without giving any time to think about it? That is what most of our students do.
That is why they secure very low marks in the essay. Hence, give some time to think and plan out your essay before you start writing.
After the planning is made, one should begin to write forthwith.
How much time you will give to plan out the essay and how much time to write it should be borne in mind.
If you give all the time to write and no time to think, the matter that you will present in your essay may remain uncoordinated.
It will fail to reflect a unity in your thought process. Specific guidelines are suggested below point-wise for your ready reference.
1. First, you have to choose which of the topics set in the examination suits you best. Think of the content value of each topic before making your choice. Think about the subject matter covering the respective topic.
Also, consider your ability to express your ideas on the respective topic.
For example, if there are three topics, namely, Failure in Examinations, The Coconut Tree, and National Integration, you will have to ask your- self these questions :
(a) On which of these topics is my information adequate?
(b) Can I freely express what I know on that topic?
(c) If I cannot, which is the next alternative topic on which I have enough information and can freely express my ideas?
You may know more about The Coconut Tree, but not know the exact words relating to the growth and production of coconuts.
So you may have to choose the second alternative, e., National Integration or Failure in Examination, which suits you better.
2. After you have made your choice, finally, give some time to plan your essay.
Think about what you are going to write under each suggested outline. You can use a page of your answer book for rough work.
Note down the ideas that strike your mind under each of the suggested outlines.
Refer to it while writing the essay. After completing the essay, the rough work should be scored.
3. Use simple and purposeful sentences to express your ideas. The use of very long sentences has now become out of date.
Besides, in very long sentences, you may lose control over the structure. Use only such words and phrases on which you have perfect control.
4. Don't exceed the prescribed word limit. Ten to fifteen words more or less will not matter. But going beyond that is likely to be penalised.
5. Revise your essay after completing it. This will help you get rid of certain mistakes that you yourself will detect while going through them.
6. Divide your essay into separate paragraphs. Devote a paragraph to each suggested outline, but don't write the suggested line to indicate a heading.
7. Leave a margin and above all, write legibly. Why should anyone care to read what you have written if it is not legible?
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| Essay Writing Proven Tips Sheet |
Essay Writing Proven Tips Sheet
>> Before You Write
✅ Choose a topic you:
- Know well
- Can express ideas clearly on
✅ Read the question carefully.
✅ Use rough space to jot down ideas under outlines (if provided).
✅ Allocate time:
Planning: 10–15%
Writing: 70–80%
Revising: 10–15%
>> While Writing
✅ Follow the given outline (if any).
✅ Stick to the word limit (±15–20 words allowed).
✅ Use simple, clear, and purposeful sentences.
✅ Keep paragraphs focused—one idea per paragraph.
✅ Avoid jargon or words you don't fully understand.
✅ Avoid irrelevant content—even if interesting.
>> After Writing
✅ Revise:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Flow of ideas
✅ Ensure legibility:
- Neat handwriting
- Proper spacing and margins
Key Principles
Feature: What to Do
Structure : Introduction, Body (para-wise), Conclusion
Clarity : Be direct; avoid rambling or long-winded sentences
Brevity : Short, impactful sentences preferred
Coherence : Ideas should logically follow each other
Style : Your own voice, but inspired by good authors
Final Tips
- Good essays combine content and style effectively.
- Start writing only after clear thinking and planning.
- Reading quality essays helps develop your own tone and technique.
Frequently Asked Questions About Essay Writing
1. What is the best way to improve essay writing skills?
The most effective way to improve essay writing is through regular practice and reading well-written essays. Focus on structure, clarity, and grammar while developing your own voice.
2. How do I choose a topic for an essay in exams?
Choose a topic you are familiar with and can confidently write about. Think about what you know best, and whether you can clearly express your ideas within the word limit.
3. Why is planning important before writing an essay?
Planning helps organize your thoughts and ensures that your essay has a logical structure. It prevents repetition and saves time when writing.
4. Who are some famous essayists worth studying?
Great essayists include Montaigne, Francis Bacon, Charles Lamb, George Orwell, and Jawaharlal Nehru. Their writing styles can teach clarity, depth, and expression.
5. What are the key rules for writing a good essay?
Stick to the topic, maintain proper structure (introduction, body, Conclusion), use precise language, and stay within the word limit. Always revise your work.
6. Is exceeding the word limit in essay writing a good idea?
No. Writing significantly more or less than the prescribed word count can reduce your score. Try to stay within 10–15 words of the given limit.
7. How can I avoid common essay writing mistakes?
Avoid starting without a plan, using overly complex sentences, ignoring outlines, or neglecting revision. Clear, simple Writing with a logical flow works best.
8. Can I skip the suggested outline in an exam essay?
No. If an outline is given, follow it closely. Writing off-topic, even if well-written, may not earn marks if it doesn't follow the required structure.
9. What makes a good essay structure?
A good essay has a clear introduction, focused body paragraphs with one idea each, and a strong conclusion. Transitions between paragraphs should be smooth.
10. What are some practical tips for revising an essay?
Re-read your essay after completing it. Check for spelling, grammar, sentence clarity, and logical flow. Editing improves your final impression.
