Content Summary

In this step, you write the first draft of your assignment. You do this by:

  • Using your plan as a guide – it’s your blueprint.
  • Switching off distractions
  • Focusing on building one paragraph at a time.
  • Not trying to make it perfect right from the start – just getting it written.
  • Taking breaks, then looking again with fresh eyes.

By the end of this step, you will have a complete draft, with well-constructed introduction, body and conclusion (for essays). You may also have made a number of revisions as you go, but you don't yet have a finished assignment. The next step is editing.


Resources

Essay Structure Tips

  • Introduction: Aim to: 
    • Grab the reader's attention with some kind of interesting opening. 
    • State the problem, topic, or issue that your assignment is addressing.
    • Provide a road-map for how you are going about addressing it, that is, give an overview of the big ideas that your assignment is structured around.
    • Give some indication of where you are going to land the essay.

  • Body: 
    • Use paragraph structures like SEED (Statement, Evidence, Explanation, and Development) or MEAL (Main idea, Evidence, Analysis and Link to the main argument of your essay).
    • Have one big idea per paragraph. A paragraph usually needs to be a minimum of 2-3 sentences--generally aim for longer than this.
    • Write in a mixture of long and short sentences.


  • Conclusion: 
    • Do not introduce any new big ideas here.
    • Summarise your main argument and the big ideas that you covered in the body of your essay.
    • Land the essay by drawing the threads together. You could write about why the problem, topic, or issue is important.

Language & Style Tips

  • Use formal, third-person tone.
  • Avoid contractions and colloquial phrases.
  • Use linking words to guide the reader (e.g., "Furthermore", "However", "For example").
  • Ensure gender-inclusive language.
  • Vary sentence and paragraph length for flow.

 

Good Writing Tips: Transitional Words

Purpose

Examples

To show addition

and, also, furthermore, moreover, besides, equally important, in addition[MW1] 

To show time

later, next, soon, afterwards, previously, immediately thereafter

To compare/contrast

but, however, yet, although, on the other hand, nevertheless, conversely

To give examples

for example, to illustrate, as an illustration, for instance

To emphasise or summarise

obviously, in fact, in brief, in conclusion, therefore, on the whole

 

Good Writing Tips: Grammar

Category

Examples

Notes

Punctuation

Full Stop ( . )

Ends a sentence

Comma ( , )

Indicates a mental pause; separates items in a list

Semi-colon ( ; )

Separates two related but complete thoughts; complex ideas

Colon ( : )

Introduces a list or explanation

Dash ( — )

Informal; adds emphasis; avoid overuse in essays

Sentences

Must have a subject and a verb

E.g. Myk is lecturing.

Add detail with additional clauses

Myk is lecturing to a class on Study Methods.

Clauses

Main Clause: makes sense on its own

Myk is writing his assignment

Subordinate Clause: depends on main clause

…which is due tonight at midnight

Complex Sentences

Use when ideas are closely related

Avoid mixing unrelated ideas in one sentence

Ensure clarity and logical connection between ideas

Split into two sentences if needed for clarity

Effective Sentences

Vary sentence length

Mix short and long sentences for fluency and reader engagement

Paragraphs

One main idea per paragraph

First sentence introduces it; all sentences must relate to it

Paragraph structure options

Explain, give examples, provide evidence, give reasons or results

Paragraph length

Typically 3–10 sentences; average under 200 words

Linking paragraphs

Ensure logical flow; occasionally summarise previous point to maintain coherence

Last modified: Thursday, 31 July 2025, 12:48 PM