Quick answer: To write a college or university essay, first find out what type of essay is expected and make sure you understand the question. Then brainstorm ideas, research and record your sources, plan the order of your points, and write an introduction, a body that develops each point and a short conclusion. Finally, check the word limit and referencing style, and edit before you submit.
Getting help before you start
If you do not know how to write an essay, going back to study or starting a college course can feel overwhelming. If it has been years since you did any studying, let alone essay writing, do not worry: most colleges and universities, including online ones, offer study-skills support such as homework tips and essay-writing guides.
If you are worried about your writing skills, ask for help with paragraph structure, punctuation, grammar and spelling. Many universities provide this free through a writing centre or study-skills team, and there are many free resources online. Our writing tips and tricks cover the basics of clear writing.
Some students also look at paid services such as https://writemyessayonline.com/. Be careful with paid essay services. Help with understanding a topic or feedback on your own draft is one thing, but submitting an essay that someone else wrote is treated as academic misconduct (often called contract cheating) by colleges and universities. Check your institution’s academic integrity policy, and never submit work you did not write as your own. Our article on the pros and cons of using writing companies explains the risks.
The first thing to be clear about before you begin is the kind of essay you are writing. Colleges, schools and individual tutors have their own preferences, so make sure you know what is expected on your course. You can find a lot of helpful information online, but always check it with your tutor or writing-support staff before you start.
Step 1: Know the type of essay
There are many types of essay, and the names can vary depending on where you study. The four basic types are:
- Argumentative (persuasive) essays: take a position on a question and try to convince the reader with evidence.
- Expository essays: explain or inform, for example a cause-and-effect or compare-and-contrast essay.
- Descriptive essays: describe a person, place, object or experience in detail.
- Narrative essays: tell a story or recount events, often from your own experience.
You may also be asked to write an admissions essay when applying for a place at college or university, or an essay for a scholarship. Other kinds of assignment include analytical essays, reflective essays and research papers. Knowing which type is expected will help you choose the best structure. If you are new to essay writing, ask your tutor to explain what they are looking for. For admissions essays specifically, see our guide to writing a calm college admissions essay.
Step 2: Understand the essay title
Understanding the question is one of the most important parts of essay writing. You can write a brilliant essay and still get low marks, or even fail the assignment, if you have not answered the question that was asked. So before you start writing, make sure you have interpreted the title correctly:
- underline the key instruction words, such as “discuss”, “compare”, “evaluate” or “explain”;
- identify the topic and any limits, such as a time period, place or theory;
- rewrite the question in your own words and check that your version still means the same thing.
If you are asked to choose your own essay title, check with your tutor that it is suitable.
Step 3: Brainstorm your ideas
Once you have a clear essay title and understand what it means, hold a brainstorming session: write down every idea you can think of that relates to the title. If you have lots of ideas, the next step is to narrow them down to the most important and most relevant points.
Step 4: Research and keep a record of your sources
Depending on the subject, you may need to do some background research. This could be to find evidence that supports your point of view or argument, to find out what experts in the field think about a subject, or to find scientific or historical facts or statistical data. Use reliable sources, such as your course reading list, academic journals, books from your library and official websites.
Keep a record of your sources so that you can include them in your bibliography or reference list. When you find useful information, note:
- for a book or journal: the author, title, edition, page numbers, date of publication and publisher (or journal name, volume and issue);
- for a website: the author or organisation, page title, exact web address (URL) and the date you accessed it.
Doing this as you research will save you a lot of time later. It is frustrating and time-consuming to find a great piece of information or a perfect quotation and then forget where you found it. Ask your tutor which referencing style your course uses, such as APA, MLA, Harvard or Chicago, and follow it consistently. Using other people’s words or ideas without credit is plagiarism, even if it is accidental.
Step 5: Plan your essay
Planning your essay means arranging your ideas in a logical order. You can do this by drawing a mind map or by making a list of headings with bullet points under each one. A well-structured plan makes the essay much easier to write, because you already know what each paragraph needs to say. Our guide to creating a blueprint before you write goes into more detail.
Step 6: Check the word limit and write to a structure
Before you start, make sure you know the word limit for your essay. You will usually be given a set number, such as 1,500 words, or a range, such as 2,000 to 2,500 words. Some institutions allow you to go about 10% over or under a set number, but rules differ, and some penalise any essay outside the limit. If you are given a range, try to stay within it. Check your course’s rules with your tutor so that you are not penalised.
Most essays follow the same basic structure:
- Introduction: explain what the essay is about, introduce your central idea and set out the position you plan to support.
- Main body: work through each of your main points in turn, usually one point per paragraph, with evidence and examples. Link the paragraphs so that the argument flows and addresses the question.
- Conclusion: write a short conclusion that reminds readers of your main argument and summarises how you have supported it, which strengthens your position. Do not introduce new evidence here.
In some essays you may add more to the conclusion, for example by pointing out areas that still need research or the limits of your own analysis. Ask your tutor or study-skills staff whether this is expected on your course.
Step 7: Edit and proofread
Leave time to review your essay before you submit it. Check that every paragraph answers the question, that your argument is clear, and that your references are complete and correctly formatted. Then proofread for grammar, spelling and punctuation, ideally after a break so that you read it with fresh eyes. Our guide to reviewing and improving an academic paper has a detailed checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How many paragraphs should a college essay have?
There is no fixed number. A short essay may have an introduction, three body paragraphs and a conclusion, while a longer one needs more body paragraphs. Use one paragraph for each main point.
Can I go over the word limit?
Some institutions allow about 10% either way, but others penalise any essay outside the limit. Check your course handbook or ask your tutor.
What is the difference between a bibliography and a reference list?
A reference list includes only the sources you cite in the essay. A bibliography may also include sources you read but did not cite. Your course will tell you which one it wants.
Is it allowed to pay someone to write my essay?
Submitting an essay written by someone else as your own is academic misconduct at colleges and universities, and penalties can include failing the course. Getting feedback on your own draft or help with study skills is usually allowed; check your institution’s policy.
This guide was checked in October 2026 against the Purdue Online Writing Lab’s guidance on essay types and standard university study-skills advice. Requirements differ between institutions, so always follow your own course handbook and your tutor’s instructions.
