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Why Do Universities Focus on Essays?

Why Do Universities Focus on Essays

Initially, essays might be treated as just another assignment. However, they are an important aspect of your academic journey. Professors ask for essays because they want something more than just memorized information. Your professors want to see whether or not you can:

Explain the topic in detail.
Back up your points with evidence and examples.
Write a logical argument.
Show your own thinking and perspective.

Essay writing for university is harder than high school. They require formal references, credible sources and an academic tone. Treat every essay as a platform to show your ability to process complex ideas and present them academically.

Getting Started Without Stress

For most of us, the hardest part is just starting. The blank page is scary. Here are a few simple ways to get over that:

Understand the question – Read it carefully. Highlight the action words like analyse, compare, discuss or argue. Each one means a different writing style.
Do some background reading – Skim through textbooks, academic journals or trusted websites to get ideas.
Brainstorm or mind map – Write down your thoughts quickly. Don’t worry about full sentences yet. Just get down possible points.
Write a working thesis – This is your main argument. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it gives you direction.

Pro tip: Don’t get stuck trying to write the perfect opening sentence. How to start an essay becomes easier when you just write something simple – you can always polish it later.

How to Write an Introduction for an Essay

How to write an introduction for an essay

Your introduction sets the stage for everything that follows. A good introduction does three things:

A hook – something that grabs you (a surprising fact, a question, a short story).
Background – explaining the significance of the topic.
Thesis – your main argument or point, which

For instance if you were writing about climate change and policy, your thesis could be: "Government policies are the optimal method of decreasing carbon emissions because they regulate industries and foster innovation and behaviour."

That one statement becomes the backbone of your essay.

This is the foundation of how to write an introduction for an essay that impresses examiners.

The Basic Structure of a University Essay

Think of your essay like a sandwich:

INTRODUCTION - the top piece of bread.
BODY PARAGRAPHS - the filling with all the meat
CONCLUSION - the bottom piece that holds it all together.

A helpful way to think about the body is to use the PEEL method:

Point - State your main idea for the paragraph.
Evidence - What evidence? Facts, stats, quotes, examples
Explanation - Why does it support your point?
Link - This connects to the next paragraph

The PEEL approach helps you stay structured and is one of the best ways to learn the structure to write an essay that flows smoothly.

Crafting Strong Body Paragraphs

This is where the writing gets done! While you are writing, remember a few things:

One idea per paragraph. Don’t try to do too much at once!
Strive for a balance for evidence and explanation. Do not throw the quote in your paragraph and leave it to speak for itself, be sure to offer an explanation that gives meaning to how it connects back to your claim.
Make sure to use transition words. Doing this helps the flow of the reader continue, even if you have switched ideas. Good transition words are; however, for example, on the other hand, therefore.
Evidence that you are thinking critically. This means, go beyond stating or describing the facts. Start thinking critically by asking yourself, What does this mean? What is the relevance?

For example:

Instead of writing “Many students use online sources,” you could write “Online sources are easily available for research but using an online source in your essay undermines its credibility since most sources are not peer-reviewed.

Writing a Conclusion That Wraps Up

Many students treat the conclusion as an afterthought but it’s your last chance to make an impression.

A good conclusion should:

Summarize the main points of the essay (without copying and pasting).
Restate your thesis based on the arguments you have presented.
Think of something for the reader to think about – a musing, an implication or even a question for future research.

You can even consider it as the final handshake with the reader. Firm but confident and memorable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in University Essay Writing

Good ideas lose power if presented poorly. Watch out for these:

No thesis – Without a central argument, your essay feels disjointed.
Weak sources – Avoid random blogs or unreliable websites. Stick to academic journals, books or trusted databases.
Long paragraphs – Break up long blocks of text.
No proofreading – Typos and grammar mistakes kill credibility.
Don’t forget citation styles – Check if your prof requires APA, MLA or Chicago style.

Take Your Essays to the Next Level

Once you’ve got the basics down, try these:

Create an outline – To save time, and keep you on track.
Seek feedback - Let a friend, classmate or tutor read your draft. Weaknesses will be seen by new eyes.
Leverage academic databases – Google Scholar, JSTOR or your uni library are fucking gold.
Time management – Start early, and take it in pieces: research, outline, draft, edit.
Keep practicing – Essay writing for university is something that you hone over time. The more you write, the more you’ll write well.

Essay Process Cheat Sheet

Here’s the process in a nutshell:

Read and understand the essay question.
Brainstorm and draft a thesis.
Write an intro with a hook, context and thesis.
Write body paragraphs using the PEEL method.
Conclude with impact.
Edit, proofread, check references.

Final Thoughts

Essay writing can be intimidating, especially knowing the steps to the process. You can divide it into steps.

Guess what you have to do: analyse the essay prompt, create a thesis statement, and then write the essay – all using an essay template. This is the simplest way to master how to write an essay confidently.

And when you’re done, go back and edit it until it’s “good” according to your teacher. If you are unsure about how to start an essay or how to write an introduction for an essay, just remember that clarity and structure matter more than perfection.

Essay writing = life skills.

The stakes are ephemeral, but the ability to think, reason, and write are most certainly are not. You'll need to do more writing, to help the gears grind better. It won’t be long before essays cease to be an annoyance, and instead become an opportunity to learn and put forward your ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start writing a university essay if I’m stuck?

Can’t think of the perfect intro? Don’t worry. Start with a body paragraph or a rough thesis statement. You can always go back and refine your opening later.

What is the ideal length for a university essay?

Most university essays fall between 1,500 and 3,000 words.

What is the best format for a college essay?

A good essay format would be:

Introduction → Body paragraphs (applying the PEEL structure) → Conclusion

This is good and serves your essay effectively.

Can I use first person in a university essay?

You can use “I” if your assignment allows it. Reflective essays often require first person, formal academic essays usually don’t.

What makes a strong thesis statement in an essay?

A strong thesis statement should be clear, specific, and arguable. It is where you tell it what to do and while there should be evidence and analysis.

About Author

Nick Johnson

Nick is a multi-faceted individual with diverse interests. I love teaching young students through coaching or writing who always gathered praise for a sharp calculative mind. I own a positive outlook towards life and also give motivational speeches for young kids and college students.