32 Smart Essay Writing Tips for Students Who Want Top Grades

Many students dread writing essays. There's just something about crafting those perfect introductory and concluding paragraphs that intimidates even the brightest among us. The good news? You can master this skill with Best AI Tools For Students and the right essay writing tips for students. This article will share insights to help you improve your essay writing skills so you can boost your grades and confidence while reducing the time you spend struggling with drafts.

One valuable resource you can use to achieve your goals is HyperWrite's AI writing assistant. This tool can help you master the fundamentals of essay writing, enabling you to produce high-quality drafts quickly. 

Why Writing an Essay Is So Hard

When it comes to writing essays, a lot of students find a reason to put it off. And when they tackle it, they find it difficult to string sentences together that sound like a decent stance on the assigned subject. You can blame it on procrastination, writer's block, or plain old dislike for what seems to be an endless task. 

Why External Pressure Makes Writing Harder Than It Needs to Be

But it’s not really those things that make essay writing so hard. It’s the pressure. 

Here are a few reasons why essay writing is hard: 

• You'd rather be scrolling through social media. 
• You're trying to write something your teacher or professor will like. 
• You're trying to get an A instead of writing something actually good. 
• You want to do the least amount of work possible.
  

The biggest reason writing an essay is so hard is that we mainly focus on external rewards, such as: 

• Getting a passing grade
• Winning our teacher's approval
• Simply avoiding accusations of plagiarism
  

The problem is that when you focus on external approval, it not only makes writing much less fun, but it also makes it significantly harder. 

Perfectionism: How Writing To Impress Someone Can Kill Your Creativity

Why? Because when you focus on external approval, you shut down your subconscious, and the subconscious is the source of your creativity.  What this means practically is that when you're trying to write that perfect, A-plus-worthy sentence, you're turning off most of your best resources and writing skills.

So stop. Stop trying to write a good essay (or even a “good-enough” essay). Instead, write an interesting essay, write an essay you think is fascinating. And when you're finished, go back and edit it until it meets your teacher's standards for “good” or “proficient”. 

Find Your Voice: Don’t Sacrifice What You Enjoy To Write A Good Essay

You don't have to sacrifice your interests to make academic progress. Your goal is to learn something new and expand your effective communication skills in the process.

Yes, you need to follow the guidelines in your assignment. If your teacher tells you to write a five-paragraph essay, then write a five-paragraph essay! If your teacher asks for a specific type of essay, like an analysis, argument, or research essay, then make sure you write that type of essay!

Within those guidelines, find room to express something that is uniquely you. I can't guarantee you'll get a higher grade, but I can promise you'll have a lot more fun writing.

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32 Easy-to-Follow Essay Writing Tips for Students at Any Level

1. Think of Your Essay as a Story 

Every story is about conflict and change, and essays are no different. In an essay, the conflict lies between opposing ideas, and the change comes in how we’re asked to perceive those ideas. That’s why the most compelling essays often centre on surprise: “You probably think it’s one way, but here’s why you should see it another way.” (See Tip #3 for more on this.)

Turning Prompts Into Meaningful Conversations

So how do you know what story you're telling? Start with the prompt. Essay prompts are more than just tasks; they’re invitations to explore characters (real, fictional, or conceptual) faced with difficult choices. Your job is to engage with those choices by analysing, arguing, researching, or describing them in detail.

Academic writing is a conversation, often one that began years or even centuries ago. Experienced writers know how to step into that ongoing discussion and develop questions that reveal the conflict and change within a topic. That’s where real insight begins.

2. Have Fun with It

It’s completely normal to feel unmotivated when writing an academic essay. I’m a writer, and honestly, I often feel unmotivated to write. But I have a kind of super-ninja, judo-mind trick that helps me push through—and it works surprisingly well.

Here’s the trick: your subconscious will answer any question you give it. So instead of asking, “Why is this so boring?”ask, “How much fun can I have writing this?” That small shift will prompt your brain to look for ways to make the process more enjoyable.

Why Your First Draft Should Be a Playground, Not a Performance

The best time to lean into this is during the first draft. This is your space to: 

• Brainstorm
• Explore the topic freely
• Even get a little rebellious

Here are a few creative ways to inject fun into your next essay:

• Research the most surprising or outrageous fact about the topic and use it as your hook.
• Look up synonyms for your key terms using a thesaurus, and use them all with flair.
• Play devil’s advocate: argue the most controversial or unexpected side of the issue.
• Write with boldness. Let the first draft be your playground before you start polishing.

Turning the early stages of writing into a game makes it easier to start and often leads to stronger, more original work.

3. Understand the Question First

This is the most crucial stage in essay writing, read the essay prompt carefully and understand the question. Highlight the keywords and let it sink in before your mind starts racing, like: 

• Compare 
• Contrast 
• Discuss 
• Explain 
• Evaluate 

There is nothing worse than writing 500 words before realising you have entirely missed the brief.

Generally, essay questions contain three component parts:

• Content terms: Key concepts that are specific to the task
• Limiting terms: The scope that the topic focuses on
• Directive terms: What you need to do in relation to the content, e.g., discuss, analyse, define, compare, evaluate.

How to Break Down an Essay Question Effectively

Let’s look at the following essay question:

Discuss the importance of light in Gothic architecture.

• Content terms: Gothic architecture – this defines the general topic.
• Limiting terms: The importance of light – this narrows the focus. If you wrote about other features like spires or arches, you’d be going off-topic. The question also asks you to examine the importance of light, not simply how light enters Gothic buildings.
• Directive term: Discuss – this instructs you to explore a range of perspectives on why light might be important in Gothic architecture. You’re expected to introduce and evaluate different viewpoints from academic sources, citing them appropriately.

Now consider a more complex example:

To what extent can the American Revolution be understood as a revolution ‘from below’? Why did working people become involved and with what aims in mind?

Here, the key terms are American Revolution and revolution ‘from below’—a particular interpretation that you’re asked to engage with. The second part of the question guides your focus: your essay should examine the roles, aims, and motivations of working people in the revolution. That focus should shape any argument you build.

4. Build the Essay Around a Central Question

Encourage your students to build all their writing around one central question. That central question is the engine of the writing; it should drive everything! If a word or sentence is not assisting that forward motion toward the explication of that question and its possible answers, then it needs to be: 

• Reworded
• Rephrased
• Just plain cut out and discarded

Lean writing is merciless. Focusing on a central question throughout the prewriting, writing, and rewriting stages helps develop the critical faculties necessary to discern what to keep and what to discard.

5. Research and Ask Questions

When writing an essay, it’s tempting to focus on what you think your teacher or professor wants to hear. Don’t do that. 

Instead, ask yourself: 

• What do I find interesting about this subject? 
• What surprises me?

If nothing comes to mind, you haven’t looked hard enough, because history, science, and literature are full of surprises. 

How Surprise Drives Strong Essays and Sharp Thinking

Great ideas almost always follow the same pattern: “We used to think the world worked this way. Then we discovered we were completely wrong, and it’s far more complex or unexpected than we imagined.” That insight is at the core of critical thinking.

These moments of surprise also make excellent topic sentences. Use them to structure your essay, with each surprising idea forming the foundation of a body paragraph. Not only will this keep your writing focused and original, it will also keep your reader curious and engaged as they follow your argument from one point to the next.

6. Collect Good Notes on the Subject

It’s so much easier to write when you have all the information at your fingertips. Doing your research beforehand will allow you to share only the best ideas for your essay once I’ve learned from a legendary copywriter. 

He spent weeks searching for one crucial nugget of knowledge that would make his copy as sharp as a razor. I’m not asking you to go that far, but at least write down my main ideas.

7. Outline Your Essay

Once you have 10-20 notes, it’s time to put them in order. What do you want to talk about first? What’s coming after that? The best way to do that is to assign a number to each idea. It’s best to start with something more general (but attention-grabbing) and then move on to the specifics. 

If you’re more visually inclined, you may create a mind map of the ideas you want to broach.

8. Create a Structure and Format for Your Essay

A formal essay has three main parts: 

• Introduction: Here you share the focus of your essay, orient the reader, outline what you’re talking about, and state your thesis. 
• Body: Here you present your arguments, give supportive evidence, and sum up each argument with a brief conclusion. 
• Conclusion: Here you have to sum up your argument and restate your thesis. If you just respect these parts, you will never go wrong. 

Another consideration is the essay's format. This is important, especially in an academic setting. You need the: 

• Right font
• Double spaces
• Margins
• Page numbers
• Headings

9. Overwhelmed? Write Five Original Sentences

The standard three-point essay is really made up of just five original sentences surrounded by supporting paragraphs that back up those five sentences. If you're feeling overwhelmed, just write five sentences covering your most basic main points instead of trying to create a detailed outline. 

I’ll show you what they might look like for this article: 

• Introductory Paragraph: While most students consider writing an essay a boring task, with the right mindset, it can actually be an enjoyable experience. 
• Body:
  
  • Body #1: Most students think writing an essay is tedious because they focus on external rewards. 
  • Body #2: Students should instead focus on internal fulfillment when writing an essay. 
  • Body #3: Not only will focusing on internal fulfillment allow students to have more fun, but it will also result in better essays. 
• Conclusion: Writing an essay doesn't have to be simply a way to earn a good grade. Instead, it can be a means of finding fulfillment. 

After you write your five sentences, it's easy to fill in the paragraphs for each one. Now, you give it a shot!

10. Write the First Draft

Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. It can be clumsy. Treat it as a rough diamond. First, you need to dig it out of the ground. The polishing phase comes later. Focus on speed above all else, and maybe you’ll reach the flow state. 

Look at the notes you have and let them guide you through the process.

11. Focus on Something Surprising

Thousands of people write essays every year, so how can you make yours stand out? When you think about your topic, look for something about the subject that is surprising to you. This will make it interesting to research and will also help you present an idea that is new and engaging. 

Surprising information can be a great topic sentence in your introduction. It can grab the reader’s attention quickly when they start to read your essay.

12. Practice Utilizing Repetition

Essay writing falls squarely within the realm of non-fiction. But that doesn’t mean essayists can’t borrow techniques from fiction, poetry, or drama. One potent technique is repetition. 

Just as poetry relies on rhythm, so too does a strong argument, and repetition provides that rhythm. This connection exists because written language evolved from spoken language. Think of great orators and demagogues, how they repeat key phrases for emphasis and persuasion. 

Harnessing the Rule of Three in Essay Structure

Speechwriters know this well, often employing the “rule of three,” a writing principle suggesting that ideas presented in threes are more memorable and persuasive. This holds in both speech and text. Essay writers can apply this same technique. The structure of the five-paragraph essay naturally lends itself to this pattern. 

Each key idea should be introduced in the opening paragraph and then developed in a dedicated body paragraph with supporting evidence. The conclusion should return to each concept, reinforcing it once more, like the third strike of a hammer, driving the point firmly home.

13. Aim to Write a “Full Circle” Essay

As mentioned at the start of this post, every strong essay has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Each point that’s made, explained, and supported with evidence is a step toward what writing teacher Roy Peter Clark calls “closing the circle of meaning.”

When planning the conclusion, students should use the opportunity to reaffirm their position. By revisiting the key points introduced in the opening paragraph and reinforcing them one final time, the writer brings the essay to a satisfying and cohesive close.

Choosing the Right Strategy for a Strong Conclusion

There are several strategies to achieve this:

• Ending with a well-chosen quotation can lend authority to the argument and provide a clear, elegant restatement of the essay’s central idea, particularly useful for ESL students.
• In problem-based essays, it’s often effective to conclude with proposed solutions and the consequences of inaction.
• In more persuasive or polemical essays, a call to action may be appropriate, urging the reader to: 
  
  • Think
  • Feel
  • Do something in response

Ultimately, the best conclusion strategy depends on the nature of the thesis. A strong ending should feel like a natural and meaningful final step in the argument, not just a summary, but a final push that brings the essay full circle.

14. Be “Source Heavy”

Here’s a technique that helped me transition from a B-average student to an A-student. However, a word of caution: while it’s powerful, it may not be effective for every teacher or professor, so use it wisely.

While writing a paper for a literature class, I realised something simple but effective: the sources I was reading often expressed my ideas more clearly than I could. So I leaned into that, I quoted them liberally, and when I wasn’t quoting directly, I paraphrased their arguments in my own words, always citing them properly. 

The result? A paper that felt polished, took less time to write, and consistently earned high marks.

Using Sources Wisely: Balance, Context, and Citation

Of course, proper citation is essential. Even if you’re paraphrasing, you still need to credit the original author. With the rise of online collaboration and AI-assisted tools, the definition of plagiarism is evolving, but when in doubt, cite.

Some professors did point out that my essays were “source heavy,” but they still gave me A’s. The key is balance. I recommend the 60/40 rule: aim for 60% of your body paragraphs to be your own analysis, and 40% to be quotations or paraphrased material from your research.

Why Deep Reading Matters More Than Just Finding Quotes

This approach doesn’t just make writing easier, it shifts the focus from writing well to researching well, which many students find more approachable. Just be sure to engage deeply with your sources. 

Don’t cherry-pick quotes without understanding the full context, you don’t want to accidentally use a line from a study that’s arguing the opposite of your point.

15. Write the Body First, the Introduction Second, and the Conclusion Last 

Introductions are often the hardest part to write because you're trying to summarize your entire essay before you've even written it. Instead, write my introduction last, giving myself the body of the paper to figure out the main point of my essay. This is especially important with an essay topic you are not personally interested in. 

I recommend this for classes where you either don't excel or don't care much about the material. Take plenty of time to draft and revise your body paragraphs before attempting to craft a meaningful introductory paragraph. Otherwise, your opening may sound: 

• Awkward
• Wooden
• Bland

16. Most Essays Answer the Question, “What?” Good Essays Answer the “Why?” The Best Essays Answer the “How?”

If you get stuck trying to make your argument or you're struggling to reach the required word count, try focusing on the question, “How?” 

For example: 

• How did J.D. Salinger convey the theme of inauthenticity in The Catcher in the Rye? 
• How did Napoleon restore stability in France after the French Revolution? 
• How does the research prove girls really do rule and boys really do drool? 

17. Let the Draft Alone for a While

When you have your first draft, you can leave it alone for a few minutes or hours (if you have the luxury of time). To get a better perspective on what you wrote, you first need to distance yourself from your work. 

When I come back, I’ll see it objectively, and I’ll be ready for editing and polishing.

18. Don't Be Afraid to Jump Around

Essay writing can be a dance. You don't have to stay in one place and write from beginning to end. For the same reasons listed in point #6, give yourself the freedom to write as if you're circling around your topic rather than making a single, straightforward argument. Then, when you edit and proofread, I can make sure everything lines up correctly. 

In fact, now is the perfect time to mention that proofreading your essay isn't just about spelling and commas. It's about ensuring that my analysis or argument flows smoothly from one idea to the next. (Okay, technically this comprises editing, but most students writing a high school or college essay don't take the time to complete every step of the writing process. Let's be honest.)

19. Here Are Some Words and Phrases You Don't Want to Use 

• Second-person ("you"): You’ll notice I use “you” throughout this blog post, that’s fine for conversational writing. But in academic essays, it’s best to avoid the second-person. It can come across as too informal or directive.
• Clichés and vague language: Watch out for overused phrases like “some people say,” “things,” or “stuff.” They weaken your writing and make your points less precise.
• “To be” verbs (is, are, was, were, am): These are often necessary, but overusing them can lead to passive voice. Aim for active voice whenever possible, it makes your writing stronger and more direct.

Quick Fixes for Stronger, More Confident Writing

Editing in a hurry? Here’s a quick technique: scan your draft for “to be” verbs and see where you can replace them with more active alternatives. It’s a fast way to tighten your writing.

A note about “I”: Some teachers discourage using “I” in essays, but in reality, many academic papers, especially in the humanities, use first-person phrases like “I believe” or “In my view” in introductions and conclusions. Just use them purposefully and sparingly.

20. Use a 60/40 Approach to Sources

While people reviewing essays want to see that you can write your work, they also want to know that you can research. Try to find a balance between quoted works and your paraphrases and thoughts. If 60% of the writing is my analysis and arguments, and 40% is mentioned, the essay will work well.

Always cite sources appropriately. Essay reviewers do not frown on research, but they want to see that you give credit where credit is due. Here is an example: According to the National Institutes of Health, individuals who exercise regularly are at a lower risk of heart disease.

21. It's Okay to Use Wikipedia, If… 

Wikipedia is one of the top five websites in the world for a reason: it can be a valuable research tool. Most teachers and professors don't consider Wikipedia a valid source for use in essays. Don't discount it, though! 

Here are two ways you can use Wikipedia in your essay writing: 

• Background research: If you're unfamiliar with my topic, Wikipedia can be a valuable resource for quickly learning the essential information you need to get started. 
• Find sources: Check the reference section of Wikipedia's articles on my topic. 

While you may not be able to cite Wikipedia itself, you can often find those original sources and cite them. You can locate the links to primary and secondary sources at the bottom of any Wikipedia page under the headings “Further Reading” and “References.”

22. Edit Your First Draft, and Create a Second One (If Needed)

Again, in a college setting, you may need to write the whole thing in one go. If you have a few days to complete the assignment and want to write a great essay, this is the approach to take. 

Now you can obsess over the sentences and make them perfect. 

• Keep your sentences short
• Make sure they’re crystal clear
• Cross out anything that’s not helpful for the reader

“Love words, agonize over sentences. And pay attention to the world.” – Susan Sontag

23. Get Some Feedback from Your Peers or an Editor

After your second draft is finished, you’ll likely fall in love with your essay and think that Montaigne was an amateur if compared to you. You’re likely to be wrong. That’s why you need to show your work to someone to get some feedback. 

They’ll spot the errors and inconsistencies you didn’t see before.

24. Consider the Length of Your Essay

There’s no strict length rule you have to adhere to. I’ve read powerful essays that were only two or three pages long. Others went on for twelve or twenty pages. It all depends on what you’re trying to convey and the story you’re telling.

25. Write as Much as You Can in Different Formats 

I’m sure you’ve heard about the 10,000-hour rule, where you achieve mastery of any skill by laboriously hammering away at it. While there are some shortcuts, nothing beats good old hard work. 

Just don’t forget that this rule works under the assumption that you engage in the so-called diligent practice. It means that you’re seriously trying to improve with each attempt.

26. Check for Plagiarism

As an essay writer, you already know not to plagiarize someone else’s work, right? But in nonfiction writing, it’s surprisingly easy to inadvertently borrow an idea, argument, or line of reasoning from something you read weeks or even months ago.

Using those ideas is fine, as long as you properly cite, attribute, or link to your sources. Failing to do so can lead to serious consequences, from copyright issues to academic penalties like a failing grade.

How Plagiarism Checkers Protect Your Work and Reputation

The good news? Plagiarism checkers can help you catch unintentional plagiarism before anyone else does. They're also useful when you want to include a quote or statistic but can’t remember the original source. 

It takes just a few minutes to: 

• Scan your work
• Identify any issues
• Make necessary corrections

I use a plagiarism checker regularly to review both my own essays and submissions from others, and it’s a small step that makes a big difference in maintaining academic integrity.

27. Avoid Procrastination

Jim Rohn once said that “procrastination is a thief of dreams.” It robs you of your potential accomplishments and lowers your self-esteem. 

Don’t let it get in your way. Try everything you can to conquer it. Fire up your motivation. And just do it.

28. Know Your Best Time of Day to Write

We all have times of day when we find it easy to focus and times when we struggle. I’ve known since my school days that I’m a morning person: I’m at my best between about 7 am and 12 noon, and my focus dips dramatically around 4 pm. 

You might be different, you can concentrate well between, say, 7 pm and midnight, but what matters here is knowing yourself. Determine your optimal writing hours and try to utilize them whenever possible.

29. Improve Your Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation Skills 

Improving your grammatical skills can help you create rough drafts that are closer to the finished product, saving you time in the proofreading stage of your writing process. If you’re a student, you might ask your English or writing teacher to give you additional help learning about: 

• Punctuation
• Active voice
• Proper pronoun use
• Other concepts

Writers who are no longer in school might buy a grammar workbook or take an online course in grammar. 

30. Know How to Present Your Work Correctly

The rules regarding essay formatting, particularly aspects such as footnotes and bibliographies, can seem rather arcane and confusing. It’s essential to get these small details right. If you’re unsure, ask for examples or refer to the style guide your university uses. One area where students often struggle is presenting quotes from sources effectively. 

Depending on length, these can either be presented as “blockquotes,” in their own paragraph, indented from the main text, or as “inline” quotes that are incorporated into a paragraph. Again, ask for examples or consult the appropriate style guide for your institution.

31. Be Specific

When writing an essay, use specific details, like historical facts, numerical data, and descriptions of places and people, to support your argument and engage with your readers. The types of details you use depend on the goal of the essay or your topic. 

For example, suppose you’re writing about population growth in a specific city. In that case, you might use historical census records to show how the city’s population has grown over time, along with descriptions of the neighborhoods that rose from the increase in population.

32. Practice Writing Essays

Consider writing sample essays on different topics to help you feel more confident in your writing. Regular practice can help you hone your craft and help you feel more prepared when it's time to write an authentic essay. 

If you’re a current student, you might ask your teacher for sample prompts that resemble the assignments they might give you in class. You can also find sample prompts for a variety of essay topics online.

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Try our AI Writing Assistant to Write Natural-sounding Content

Every student has a unique voice. Your writing voice reflects how you express your thoughts on paper, and it’s what makes your work stand out. When you submit an essay, your instructor is looking for you: 

• Your perspective
• Your reasoning
• Your personality

The Risks of Losing Your Voice to AI

An essay that captures your authentic voice is more likely to earn a higher grade because it shows originality and critical thinking. While artificial intelligence (AI) tools can support the writing process, relying too heavily on them carries risks. 

Submitting AI-generated content as your own may be evident to your instructor. These tools often produce formulaic, impersonal writing that lacks the nuance and creativity of a real human voice.

Using AI as a Writing Partner, Not a Replacement

More importantly, outsourcing your work to AI robs you of the chance to develop your own thinking and writing skills. Instead, use AI wisely, as a springboard, not a shortcut. Tools like 

HyperWrite can generate ideas or rephrase content in a way that sounds more like you. With thoughtful editing and input, your final draft can reflect your voice, just on your best day.

A Student’s Secret Weapon for Writing Papers

HyperWrite pairs state-of-the-art AI with deep personalization, so every suggestion sounds like you on your best day. From instant email drafts and blog outlines to in-line sentence rewrites, our writing-focused chatbot and integrated document editor make writing effortless. Students receive accurate, cited content for essays that don't sound like ChatGPT wrote them. 

Professionals transform rough thoughts into polished content quickly, expressing ideas in clearer language with ensured accuracy. Collaborate directly with AI inside the document editor and discover how fast thoughtful writing can be. Create your free account and start writing with an AI writing assistant that actually gets you.

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