For most degree courses, essays are an important element in the assignments that count towards each year’s final grade. A lot of students struggle with written work of this kind, costing them vital marks. While there’s no substitute for hard work, good research and smart writing, there are ways of making the process of writing eaasys just a little bit easier.

1. Use software that automatically gives pointers. Instead of waiting ‘til you’ve finished to do a spell-check, before you start typing, have your settings fixed to check spelling and grammar. Google Docs is a great free alternative to Microsoft Word that highlights possible mistakes. Plus, all documents created on it save to your Google Drive, meaning you don’t have to email files to yourself or use USB sticks, in order to open the document on more than one device.

2. Decide on your argument and make notes that support it. Figure out how you’ll get it across in steps that add up to the required word-count. If the title is a discussion statement, do you agree or disagree with it? What evidence can you provide to support your interpretation? Type the question at the top of your document: you want it to remain top of mind. Not effectively answering what you were asked can cost marks. If you are arequired to provide examples, look for ones that either complement, or contrast with, each other.