Writing an essay can seem a bit daunting at times, however there are a few key points that will help keep you focused and on the right track.
Research
Immerse yourself in the words and ideas of your topic. It is important to use multiple sources as an essay that only uses the internet will generally be weaker than one using various sources. It is better to get a little information from a lot of sources, as this will ensure your writing is more original. Write down quotes, the source and check you have transcribed it accurately. Ensure you also have quotes from a range of people.
Craft a thesis or overall point that your essay will address. This is also known as a controlling idea or a position statement. Typically this main idea appears as the last sentence of your introduction. Depending on the type of essay you are writing, this statement could be debatable to gain the reader’s attention. Ensure your position is specific and avoid vague generalisations.
Writing a plan
Having a structure for your essay is essential. There are several formulas from which you can choose to structure your essay. Here are some I have used – they all have similar elements – choose one that works best for you and your purpose.
1-3-1: Introduction, 3 main paragraphs and a conclusion
Hamburger: Top bun (intro), Filling, tomato, meat, lettuce, cheese, pickle (3-5 paragraphs) and the bottom bun (conclusion). Of course the more filling, the better the hamburger or essay is.
F.E.E.D: Fact, Explain or Expand, Example, Diagram
T.E.E.L: Topic sentence – main idea using key word from question
Explain – characters or scenes that explain this idea
Evidence – 3 examples or quotes from text
Link back to question (words like therefore, due to this, thus)
S.E.X: Statement, Example, eXplanation.
5 W’s: Draw an outline of your hand and write Who? Where? When? What? What do I think?
Introduction: Your introduction should grab the reader’s attention by waking the reader up and generating some interest in your topic. Start with an interesting fact, a quote, some controversial idea or statement or a provocative question. The last sentence should be your thesis statement. Spend a large proportion of your time on the introduction as it is the part that convinces the reader to continue reading.
Paragraphs: If you have three main points from your thesis statement, this will give 
you three paragraphs. A paragraph is based around one thought or idea and has at least 4 sentences. Each paragraph needs to have an introduction to your main idea, a discussion, analysis or examples and finish with a concluding sentence. Lists of transition words are useful to have by your side when writing as they can create flow between, and link, ideas. See the information box to the right.
Conclusion: Recap the ideas in a clear, concise summary. Keep it short, 1 paragraph of 4 – 5 sentences. You may consider ending with a thought provoking quote, a call to take some action, an interesting twist or by describing a powerful image leaving your readers wanting more.
Language: during one of your final edits, after you have checked your structure and transitions, recheck your language. As you proofread, correct spelling and grammar errors. Read your essay out loud to ensure it flows. Also make sure you have not used
the same word repeatedly. I use the website wordle.net. Simply cut and paste your essay into wordle and it will show which words are dominant in your writing. Now go back and change some of the most commonly used words using either an online visual thesaurus or a traditional thesaurus. See my first draft on wordle in this article. Where possible, always have someone else read your essay as a fresh pair of eyes will catch errors you have not found.