How To Write an Essay : Step 1 - Don't write

When you are given the task of writing an essay it is tempting to get stuck in straight away. Afterall nobody likes a blank page and once you have a few words down you'll be able to build up some confidence. Soon enough the question that seemed incredibly difficult to understand is starting to make sense and you're a writing machine.

While it may seem like getting started has helped here in many cases it has had the complete opposite effect. For many people the question clears up not because they have come to understand it but instead because they have begun to redefine it. Such a move is incredibly dangerous as it means you end up answering the wrong question and drifting away from the target topic and, if its part of an assessment, the available marks.

Rather than starting by writing start by breaking down the question. Ensure that you understand all of its components before hitting the library or the word processor. Use the question to build the structure of your essay and a plan of attack for your research.