As a tutor, one of the most common things I work on with students is essay writing. Regardless of the subject, the principles are the same. And I always begin with this: an essay is not about what you know, it’s about how clearly you can communicate your ideas.

The biggest misconception students have is thinking essays are about showing off everything they’ve memorised. Instead, I encourage them to focus on making a clear argument. I say, “Your job isn’t to dump information – it’s to guide your reader through your thinking.” This means having a clear thesis, a logical structure, and topic sentences that signpost where the essay is going.

I also stress that planning is not optional. Even five minutes of planning can save twenty minutes of confusion mid-way through writing. When students take the time to outline their argument before they start, the result is always more focused and coherent.

Another key tip? Paragraphs must do work. I often ask students, “What is this paragraph proving?” If they can’t answer, it usually means the paragraph is vague or off-topic. I show them how to build strong paragraphs using PEEL or TEEL structures – whatever works best for them.

And finally, I tell them: editing matters. It’s not enough to write a draft and hit submit. Reading it aloud, cutting unnecessary words, and checking transitions can turn a good essay into a great one.

Most importantly, I remind them that essay writing is a skill – no one is born knowing how to write well. It takes practice, feedback, and patience. But with time, students who once dreaded essays often discover they have something powerful to say—and the tools to say it clearly.

Carmen Yuen