Top tips for successful essay writing
Getting started on your essay

Feeling overwhelmed by a pile of assignments all due at the same time? Fear not! We understand this can seem daunting. However, effective management of coursework can really help you to navigate these challenges. This applies whether you’re just starting...
No-one is born knowing how to produce perfect academic writing. However, we can all improve, and the main way we do this is through responding to feedback. Feedback is information about what you did well and what you still need...
We're delighted to announce that we will be launching Writing Cafés for postgraduate students in semester 2 2024-25. These will be friendly, supportive spaces where students can share best practice and learn more about academic writing. Each café will have...
This Vedic really helps me to know how to start an essay. I think I need more practice in the part of slot questions into sections which could generate a whole outline of an essay.
Thank you Bay Chen,
I'm glad you found it useful.
I am still confused about the meaning of "Do not try to understand the whole topic before you start to write". Does it mean that there may be some conflict between my understanding before my research and after?
Thank you for your question.
It is pretty much impossible to understand any topic completely, and when students attempt to research every single aspect of the subject before they start to write, they often become overloaded with information, and so may not know where to begin. We recommend that by analysing the title of your assignment, and generating specific and highly focused questions, you can then research each of these one by one, from the simple (eg definitions and descriptions) to the more complex (theories, arguments, empirical analysis etc) You can then slowly piece together your response, building up your assignment (and your understanding of the topic) like a jigsaw, until your picture is complete (within the limits of the question, of course).
I hope my response helps.