Unlike normal essays or take-home essays, exam essays require a different approach. Timing your writing takes the center stage along with planning for the essay. You will have to write, plan and revise the essay all by yourself, unlike a normal essay where you could request your peers: ‘help me plan and
write my essay‘.
Understanding the prompt
Before you read the prompt and begin the essay process, it is important to read the instructions carefully and understand what the prompt requires from your essay. The essay prompt will be familiar to you, no doubt, but you shouldn’t risk misinterpreting it.
It should be read to extract the primary and the secondary question. The primary question will be what you will direct your thesis. The secondary part of the prompt will specify any criteria set by your instructor for taking on the topic— the methodology, technique, etc.
Pre-writing preparation
Writing the thesis statement
The thesis statement should answer the main part of the prompt. An
essay writer shouldn’t waste time to get the wording right. You should use the language of the question prompt to write your thesis.
At the end of the thesis statement, you should allow only some time for each part of the prewriting.
Listing
Once the thesis is jotted down, it is time to note down the ideas, arguments, or claims that will help you expound on your thesis in the essay. The main points should be divided into sub-points to create a shortlist.
Mapping
You should spend most of your pre-writing time on this part. This is where you will pour all your ideas forth. Mind mapping is the process where you jot down ideas as they come to you placing them spatially around ideas and subjects.
This web of ideas will grow with the time you spend on it. By the end of it, you will know the heading and subheadings for your essay as well as the examples and evidence for the claims and arguments.
By the end of pre-writing, you will have a rough outline for your essay, using which you should budget your time for each part of the essay see some tips from an
essay writing service online. Make sure that you finish early to allow time for revision.
Writing
Keep the introduction short
The introduction should not drag the topic. Instead, it should get to the thesis statement in a few sentences. You should start the introduction well, but shouldn’t spend too much time if you can’t come up with a good hook. A lengthy introduction will crowd out the main thesis, confusing the reader.
Write to communicate not to impress
Your task is to demonstrate your analytical and critical skills. Unless it’s a descriptive or a narrative essay you shouldn’t fix much attention to beautifying your prose. How accurately you present your arguments matters more.
Stick to your outline
It is tempting to digress from the main topic while you write, but you should fight against it. Always consult your brainstorming notes and your rough essay outline before going on to new subtopics and arguments. The outline will make sure you have structured your essays right. Keep good care of the flow of logic and information in the essays. Using good transitioning and signposts is a plus point.
Don’t go around in circles
When you are finished with things to say, it means you should end the essay. There is no point in dragging the essay to elongate it. You should not revisit what’s written in the other parts of the essays. After being done with the body of the essay, make sure to provide a concise and simple conclusion. Lastly, avoid the addition of new information.
Set aside time for revision
Set aside at least ten to fifteen minutes for the revision of your essay. It should be checked for spelling, grammatical, punctuation as well as structural mistakes.
