I used to sit down to write and feel my thoughts scatter before I even touched the keyboard. You’ve probably felt something similar. I wasn’t short on ideas. I just couldn’t guide them through an entire essay without losing the shape of what I wanted to say.
Over time, this confusion turned into five life hacks that changed how I write, and now, they’re yours. Getting better at essays will become easier if you follow these writing techniques:

And if you want support while you build these habits, EssayPro’s extended essay writers can walk with you through any stage of the work.
Tip 1. Begin with a Precise Reading of the Prompt
Every good academic essay begins with a clear reading of the prompt. To become a better writer of essays, I decided to read the prompt once without touching anything, and that turned out to be something that still saves me.
After reading the essay question, I rewrite the prompt in my own words. When the prompt says two things at once, I split them into separate lines so I don’t miss one later. Watching the question take a simpler shape calms the chaos. It turns a big task into a clear direction I can follow.
You can jot down the first loose thoughts that come to mind. They are never final, but they help you see where your head wants to go before you start writing the essay structure. Sometimes a single phrase can give you the thread you need for one main idea.
Tip 2. Build a Thesis That Will Lead Your Essay
A clear thesis gives your essay its center. When the thesis is steady, the rest of the paper moves with purpose. A major part of being good at writing essays depends on building a strong thesis.
Write down the arguments that feel promising before you make a final thesis. Seeing the ideas on the page helps you understand which ones hold weight and which ones fall apart the moment you look closely.
Here’s my own routine that you can try:
I write two or four versions of the thesis, for the introductory paragraph, never one. I try different angles and different levels of boldness. Somewhere in the middle of the process, you'll come up with a thesis that will help you imagine the rest of the essay better.
If you want to see how a strong thesis anchors a full piece, see a 1000 word essay example.
Tip 3. Back Up Your Ideas with Evidence
A reader follows you more easily when each claim grows from a source that has real authority behind it.
Balancing research and critical thinking is crucial here. I give the source enough space to show what it offers. Then I take a step back and explain why that piece of evidence pushes my argument forward. If the explanation seems thin, I know the evidence doesn't support the point I’m trying to make.
I recommend keeping brief notes on each source as soon as you find it. Nothing long, just a line with the key idea, another line with the part you might quote, and the citation information, so you do not waste time later. These notes will help you decide which sources belong in the essay and which ones do not.
Tip 4. Organize Your Ideas Logically
Even the strongest arguments lose force when they sit in an unorganized structure. The reader senses the power in your points, but the impact fades without steady formatting. This is the place where so many essays fail.
Outlining helps with making your essays better. Here’s how I do it:
- First, I write the purpose of the essay at the top of the page.
- I map out every shift in my thinking by writing down each claim, proof, and question I plan to address.
- I write a small note between the main supporting points about the link that connects them.
- At the bottom of the outline, I place a closing note.
If you follow all these tips but still need extra support, EssayPro’s graduate school essay writing service can give you a model of how strong structure works in academic writing.
Tip 5. Strengthen Your Draft Through Focused Revisions
Once the draft is on the page, the real work begins. My editing happens in layers: I read once to see whether the structure is intact; I read again to refine the meaning of each paragraph; and I finish with a pass that focuses only on basic grammar. Breaking the process this way helps me avoid being overwhelmed by everything at once.
Use this method:
I let the draft sit for a short moment. Then I read it out loud. Hearing the sentences exposes the places where the logic is weak or the rhythm is uneven.
The Bottom Line
Most professional writers will tell you that learning how to improve writing skills of essays doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in stages: understanding what the assignment requires, building a thesis, doing research, structuring your ideas, and finally, carefully revising what you have written.
If writing still feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many students, especially those working in a second language, face the same hurdles. EssayPro’s team can guide you through each stage of the process so you don’t have to figure it out on your own. For a clear and practical starting point that tackles the most frequent struggles, take a look at our article on Essay Writing for ESL Students.
FAQs
How to Get Better at Writing Essays in College?
To develop strong writing skills, I recommend starting with the assignment itself. Build your thesis around one idea and give your essay direction. Do research and build evidence to support your claim. And don’t forget to outline before drafting the text.
What Makes an Essay 'Good'?
A good essay presents a clear thesis, steady reasoning, and evidence that connects naturally to the argument. I always try to shape the argument so the reader can follow the direction without confusion. From there, each paragraph pushes that direction forward with different ideas that stay focused and supported.
How Can I Practice Writing an Essay Effectively on My Own?
I suggest following these writing tips: Start with simple prompts so your mind has a clear target. From there, outline your ideas before you begin. This step creates a path for the first draft. After you finish writing, read your work out loud because the sound reveals unclear reasoning and uneven rhythm. Once the rough spots stand out, revise with a calm pace. As a final habit, keep a small notebook or file for new ideas so you always have material for the next practice session.
How Can Editing Help Me Become Better at Writing an Essay?
Editing helps you see your writing with clearer eyes. I use this stage to notice where the direction weakens or where a paragraph feels unclear. You’ll notice that some sentences feel heavy, some paragraphs need more purpose, and some ideas need a sharper angle. Over time, this awareness strengthens your control and makes you a more confident writer.

Mariam Navrozashvili
She has a Master’s degree in English Literature and brings a deep understanding of storytelling, critical analysis, and language structure to her work. On EssayPro Blog Mariam writes guides on literary analysis, essay composition and language studies to help students improve their writing skills. In her free time she likes to read classic novels and discuss literary theory.
- Oxford Royale Academic. (n.d.). 40 useful words and phrases for top-notch essays. Retrieved from https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/words-phrases-good-essays
- Oxford Centre for Teaching and Learning. (n.d.). One month of writing improvement. Retrieved from https://www.ctl.ox.ac.uk/rewrilab/one-month-of-writing-improvement#writing-improvement-goals
- University of Waterloo Writing & Communication Centre. (2017, January 20). Building habits to be a better writer: Read daily. Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/writing-and-communication-centre/blog/building-habits-be-better-writer-read-daily




