#I keep getting grammarly especially and like. ?????? If my uni found out someone used that to “””””write”””” an essay

[woolmasterleel]

I turned off personalized ads a while ago because fuck targeted advertising but god every ad is some ai bullshit and I can’t use the block to skip ads instantly… I am not paying for premium fuck that

[elkstudies]

Hey, guys! This last semester I’ve taken a class in academic writing, focusing especially on essays, so I thought I’d share some of the tips I’ve learned :)

Step 1: Preparation

Brainstorm! Once you know what you’re writing about, have a quick brainstorm about what you already know on the subject. It may also give you original content that you won’t find in your research which is great!

Research! It sounds boring & time-consuming but it’s so helpful. Look online, at articles & books, they are all a great source of information. And you can find them all for free at your uni/school/local library! Make sure when you find a source you want to use, you keep it to reference later. I like to bookmark them all in a folder that I can come back to later when I need to reference. 

Organise! All the points you’ve gathered from your brainstorm & research can be put into a simple mind map or list form which helps you plan out where in your essay each point should be placed. This will make the writing process much easier & faster.

Step 2: Write

Topic Sentences Before you write your introduction come up with 3-7 (depending on how long your essay needs to be) topic sentences. These are opening paragraph sentences which introduce your point & relate it to the essays main topic. They don’t need to be used to introduce every new point but are a good place to start & a good warm up for the actual writing of the essay. 

Introduction The introduction is very important, it gives the reader a taste of what the essays going to be about, the writing style & introduces the main topic. It should be concise yet give enough information to give the reader a real grip on what they’re about to read. It should include your thesis, a strong sentence which sums up the main point. I also like to make introductions somewhat thought-provoking, to allow the reader to create their own ideas on the subject but this depends on the subject, sometimes you’re going to want to be more definite.

Main Points The main body of the essay should explain or expand on your topic. It’s a chance to get your points across, show the reader what you know. Every main point should get its own paragraph(s). Each paragraph must have a reason to exist; it should relate to the main subject, develop the point and fit in with the overall flow of the essay. Also, make sure a paragraph only deals with one point/idea! Otherwise, it may get too confusing!

Conclusion Your conclusion doesn’t have to be long & don’t use it to list your points. It should be a nice, solid end to your essay that leaves the reader with an impression. Also, it’s best not to put in a new idea in the conclusion, just use it as one of your main points instead!

Step 3: Check

References Don’t forget those annoying references. They’re a pain but it’s better to have them done. Make sure you’re using the right referencing style for your institution! A quick google search can easily help with any problems you may have! 

Proofread  This is something I hate doing but is actually so important. Errors in an essay can sometimes stand out more than the good points and can lower the standard of the essay. Make sure you read & reread!  I personally hate rereading my own writing so I use Grammarly as much as I can. Grammarly is a free automated proofreader which corrects as you type. It underlines any errors and when you click on them it gives you corrections (which also helps you learn & fix your common mistakes for yourself!). It’s available for Chrome, Microsoft Office, Windows etc. I’ve honestly found it so helpful for proofreading & really believe it helps me improve errors I wouldn’t have noticed myself. 

Plagiarism Obviously, don’t  knowingly plagiarise, but if you worry that your work is going to be similar to someone else’s you can check online how similar your essay is. It can be a good thing to check before you submit, just for peace of mind! 

*some links are affiliate but I only support products/brands I love & use myself 

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