Last updated on October 8th, 2026 at 03:51 pm
Most weak essays have the same three problems: no clear point, too little evidence, and no time left to check the writing. Each tip below fixes one of these problems.
The tips follow the order you work in: before you write, while you write and after you write. They apply to class essays, exam essays and college applications, and each one comes with an example.
- How to plan an essay and write a strong thesis statement
- A simple structure for the introduction, body and conclusion
- How to build a paragraph that proves one point
- Linking words that connect your ideas
- The grammar mistakes that cost English learners the most marks
Before You Write
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1. Understand the Task
Read the instructions twice before you write a word. Underline the key verb in the question, because it tells you what kind of essay to write.
- Argue or discuss: take a position and defend it.
- Compare: show how two things are alike and different.
- Explain or describe: give clear facts and reasons, without taking sides.
Also note the word limit, the deadline and any format rules, such as font size, spacing or headings. If something is unclear, ask before you start.
2. Plan an Outline
Five or ten minutes of planning saves an hour of rewriting. A plan does not need full sentences. Bullet points are enough:
- Thesis: Schools should start later.
- Point 1: Teenagers need more sleep, and early classes cut it short.
- Point 2: Students who sleep more can focus better in class.
- Point 3: Later starts can reduce lateness and absences.
- Conclusion idea: A small schedule change could help students learn.
3. Write a Clear Thesis
Your thesis is one sentence that states your main point. A good thesis is specific, and a reader could disagree with it.
| Weak thesis | Strong thesis | Why the second one works |
|---|---|---|
| Social media is bad. | Social media hurts teenagers’ sleep, because many use their phones late at night. | It names one specific effect and a reason. |
| This essay is about pollution. | Cities should ban cars from their centers to cut air pollution. | It takes a clear position. |
| Exercise has good and bad points. | A short daily walk is the easiest way for office workers to stay healthy. | It makes one main claim you can prove. |
While You Write
4. Use a Clear Structure
Most short essays follow the same shape. The five-paragraph essay is the classic model, and it works well for school assignments and timed exams.
| Part | What it does | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Catches the reader’s interest, gives background and states the thesis | Put the thesis at the end of the introduction. |
| Body paragraphs | Each one proves one point with evidence | Start each one with a clear topic sentence. |
| Conclusion | Sums up the argument and leaves a final thought | Do not add new evidence here. |
Open with something concrete, such as a short scene, a question or a surprising fact. Avoid broad openings like “Since the beginning of time, people have…”.
5. Build Each Paragraph the Same Way
A strong body paragraph has four parts: a topic sentence, evidence, an explanation of the evidence and a link to the next idea. Here is one paragraph built that way:
6. Use Specific Evidence
General claims do not convince anyone. Specific, recent examples do. Compare “I play basketball well” with “In last week’s game, I scored 15 points in 14 minutes.” The second sentence proves the claim instead of just stating it.
Good evidence can be:
- Facts and numbers from a reliable source
- Short quotes from experts
- Examples from books, news or history
- Personal stories, especially in college application essays
When you use a source, introduce it with a reporting verb such as states, argues or suggests. Our worksheet on advanced reporting verbs shows how.
7. Choose Strong Verbs and Plain Words
You do not need rare words to impress a reader. Clear, exact words work better. Weak verbs often need extra words to make sense, while strong verbs do the job alone.
| Weak | Stronger |
|---|---|
| I went to a coding course. | I enrolled in a coding course. |
| Sales got better. | Sales improved. |
| I was very excited about the offer. | I jumped at the offer. |
| The report looked at the data. | The report examined the data. |
8. Connect Your Ideas With Linking Words
Linking words show the reader how one idea relates to the next. Choose them by the job they do.
| Job | Linking words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adding an idea | Also, in addition, besides | In addition, later starts reduce lateness. |
| Showing contrast | However, although, on the other hand | However, some parents work early shifts. |
| Showing cause and result | Because, so, therefore, as a result | As a result, students sleep longer. |
| Giving an example | For example, for instance, such as | For example, one school changed its start time. |
| Concluding | Overall, in short, to sum up | Overall, the benefits outweigh the costs. |
After You Write
9. Proofread After a Break
Take a break of at least 30 minutes before you check your essay. When you come back, you will notice what is really on the page, not what you meant to write.
- Read the essay aloud to catch missing words and awkward sentences.
- Check one thing at a time: first meaning, then grammar, then spelling.
- Use a grammar checker such as Grammarly, but think about each suggestion before you accept it.
- Ask a friend or teacher to read it, or paste a paragraph into our AI Writing Feedback tool.
10. Fix the Errors English Learners Make Most
These five mistakes appear again and again in learners’ essays. Look for them in every draft.
| Mistake | Wrong | Right |
|---|---|---|
| Missing article | I want to be engineer. | I want to be an engineer. |
| Run-on sentence | I love science it is interesting. | I love science because it is interesting. |
| Subject–verb agreement | My friend have two jobs. | My friend has two jobs. |
| There / their / they’re | Their are many reasons. | There are many reasons. |
| Wrong tense | Last year I join a club. | Last year I joined a club. |
Check your answer
Writing a College Application Essay
An application essay is different from a class essay. The reader wants to know who you are, not how much you know about a topic.
Start with a real moment, not a summary of your life. Focus on one or two qualities and show them through what you did.
Write in your own voice, and respect the word limit. The Common App personal essay, for example, allows up to 650 words.
Quick Checklist Before You Submit
- My thesis is clear and stated early.
- Every main point has specific evidence.
- Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence.
- I used linking words, but not in every sentence.
- I followed every instruction, including the word limit.
- I proofread after a break and read the essay aloud.
Quiz: Test Yourself
- Which is the strongest thesis statement?
- Where does the thesis statement usually go?
- What comes first in a strong body paragraph?
- Which linking word shows contrast?
- Which sentence uses a stronger verb?
- Which sentence is correct?
- What should a conclusion NOT do?
- Which opening is the weakest?
- How long can a Common App personal essay be?
- What is wrong with “I love science it is interesting”?
Key Takeaways
- Plan before you write, and make your thesis specific.
- Build every body paragraph from a topic sentence, evidence, an explanation and a link.
- Specific evidence beats general claims.
- Use linking words to connect ideas, but do not overuse them.
- Check for the common learner errors in every draft.
Want feedback on your writing? Try our AI Writing Feedback tool, or read our guide on how to write an article, which uses many of the same skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start an essay?
Start with something concrete, such as a short scene, a question or a surprising fact. Then give a little background and end the introduction with your thesis. Avoid broad openings like “Since the beginning of time”.
How many paragraphs should an essay have?
A short school or exam essay usually has five: an introduction, three body paragraphs and a conclusion. Longer essays add more body paragraphs, but each one should still prove a single point.
How do I write a good thesis statement?
Make one specific claim that someone could disagree with, and add a reason if you can. “Schools should start later, because teenagers need more sleep” is stronger than “This essay is about school.”
What linking words can I use in an essay?
Use also and in addition to add ideas, however and although to contrast, because and as a result to show cause, for example to give examples, and overall or to sum up to conclude.
How long should a college application essay be?
Follow the limit you are given. The Common App personal essay, for example, allows up to 650 words. If no limit is stated, ask the college, and keep the essay focused.
How should I plan a timed essay, like in IELTS?
Spend about five minutes planning, most of the time writing, and the last few minutes checking. In IELTS Writing Task 2, you need at least 250 words, and about 40 minutes is the usual guide.
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