Essay Writing Cheat Sheet

Assessment Criteria

Criterion	Focus
Content	Answer all parts; relevant arguments
Comm. Achievement	Register; clarity; cohesion
Organisation	Structure; transitions
Language	Grammar; vocabulary; complexity

What examiners expect

Cover every required point with a clear stance
Maintain formal tone and clarity throughout
Structure paragraphs logically with effective links
Use accurate grammar and precise vocabulary

⏱️ Exam tip: Devote 5 minutes at the start for planning and 5 minutes at the end for checking.

Essay Structure

Introduction

Relevant opening → narrow focus (2–3 sentences)
Define terms if needed
Finish with a clear thesis

Body Paragraphs (7‑step)

Signpost — What is this paragraph about?
State point — Your argument
Support — Expand or explain
Illustrate — Evidence/examples
Infer — What does this mean? So what?
Link — Connect to question
Transition — Lead to next idea

Conclusion

Do:

Summarize argument and key reasons
Explain significance/implications
Answer the question explicitly

Don't:

Add new evidence
Repeat the introduction verbatim
End with "hit‑and‑run" abruptness

What is a "hit‑and‑run" ending?

A conclusion that ends abruptly after a single sentence or without synthesizing the essay's main points, leaving readers without closure or final insight.

What does "introduction verbatim" mean?

Copying the introduction word‑for‑word in the conclusion instead of rephrasing and analyzing what the essay has established.

Transitions

Similarity: likewise, similarly, in the same way
Contrast: however, nevertheless, on the other hand
Causation: thus, consequently, therefore, hence
Sequence: first, then, subsequently, finally
Addition: furthermore, moreover, also, in addition

Language & Style

Formal over informal

✗ Informal	✓ Formal
look at	examine
think about	consider
get / give	obtain / provide
set up	establish
a lot	many / numerous

Stronger wording

✗ Weak	✓ Strong
very important	crucial
very good	excellent / ideal
very bad	poor / disastrous
very weak argument	unconvincing
very strong argument	robust

Never use

Contractions: can't → cannot, it's → it is, they're → they are, you're → you are

Colloquial: cool, basically, literally, just, really

Stance adjuncts: obviously, naturally, of course, undoubtedly

Clichés: at the end of the day, think outside the box

Shortened: info, asap, telly

Common Errors

Comma splice ✗ Incorrect

I cannot remember my password, I created it long ago.

Fix: Use a semicolon or full stop.

Comma splice ✓ Correct

I cannot remember my password; I created it long ago.

Why: Two clauses joined correctly.

Tense mix ✗ Incorrect

The authors provided a protocol and offer an alternative.

Fix: Keep tense consistent.

Tense mix ✓ Correct

The authors provide a protocol and offer an alternative.

Why: Present for general statements.

Passive voice Less direct

The code was broken by Alan Turing.

Fix: Prefer active voice.

Active voice ✓ Preferred

Alan Turing broke the code.

Why: S–V–O is direct.

Misplaced modifier ✗ Incorrect

By working late, the essay was finished.

Fix: Make doer explicit.

Misplaced modifier ✓ Correct

By working late, I finished the essay.

Why: Modifier attaches to "I".

Reference Tables

Verb Tenses

Tense	Use	Example
Present	Factual; refs	"argues…"
Past	Events; studies	"showed…"
Future	Will occur	"will need…"

Confused Words

accept	except
affect	effect
its	it's
less	fewer
their	there/they're
your	you're

💡 Writing tips: Favor S–V–O order • Split long sentences • Keep paragraphs focused

Five‑Minute Check

Answered the question fully?
Logical flow of main points?
Grammar and clarity sound?
Spelling correct?
Slow read‑through done?

Glossary

Explicit: Stated clearly, leaving no room for confusion.
Verbatim: Exactly the same words; word‑for‑word.
Synthesize: Combine ideas to form a coherent whole.
Register: Level of formality in language.
Modifier: Word/phrase describing another element.
Cohesion: Logical connection so ideas flow.
Thesis: Main argument, stated in introduction.
Signpost: Phrase signaling paragraph topic.