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Build your writing skills and access opportunities in a changing job market

The study of writing involves developing skills in various forms of written communication, including academic, technical, journalistic and creative writing. The online world is rapidly changing and professionals who can communicate effectively, promote businesses, brands and people, and/or create inspiring works of art with their words will always be in demand.

UNE offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in writing that are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to become an integral part of any professional organisation. Because UNE has a long history of helping adults ready themselves for changing workplaces, our writing courses cover a broad range of writing styles and forms, ensuring you are future-fit to adapt to advancements in the field, like artificial intelligence and other technologies. You’ll learn from marketing experts and passionate, published writers who have the experience to help you secure your career in communications and the arts.

Most of our students choose to study online, where they become part of a community of adult learners who pool their life and work experiences to build real-world networks for the future. On-campus learners can take advantage of housing, sports facilities and support services. Whether online or on-campus, you can choose to study full-time or part-time over three trimesters.

With UNE, you’ll graduate ready to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for you as a working writer, whether you pursue a career in the creative arts or in business. By choosing UNE, you’ll be studying with an industry leader in the provision of online lifelong learning. Our commitment to creating future-fit writing graduates is reflected in our student feedback. Year after year, students award us the maximum 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support in The Good Universities Guide.

Explore the writing courses and specialisations on offer at UNE.

Courses by study level

Add an area of expertise to your CV and gain an undergraduate qualification — without committing to a full bachelor's degree. You will develop research, critical thinking, and writing skills in the core units. With the minor and elective units,…

• 1.5 years full-time
• Up to 6 years part-time
• Trimester 1 - Feb 2024
• Trimester 2 - Jun 2024
• Trimester 3 - Oct 2024

One of our longest-standing degrees, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) is still relevant in today’s world. It equips you with the creative, critical and analytical skills in demand by employers, and is transferable across a range of workplaces. When you…

• 3 years full-time
• Up to 10 years part-time

Workplaces value employees who have a broad range of real-world skills, and this combined degree will equip you to excel in today’s dynamic working environment. In our Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business, you’ll gain business knowledge and learn…

• 4 years full-time

The UNE Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws provides you with the opportunity to combine your study of law with an area of interest drawn from a wide variety of the arts, humanities and social sciences. As a double degree for the future, it has been…

• 5 years full-time
• Up to 12 years part-time

Do you dream of a career where you’re helping to address the big issues facing humanity? Or perhaps you crave the excitement of being at the forefront of scientific discovery? Maybe you wish to instil your passion for the environment into future…

The landscape of marketing is changing at a rapid pace, creating a rising need for digital marketing professionals who can innovate and adapt to evolving market behaviours and new technologies. UNE's Bachelor of Digital Marketing will prepare…

We live in a rapidly changing world, and none more so than the world of media and communications. The rise of digital media, social media and streaming services has seen the landscape change like no other, but the fundamentals of effective…

UNE’s Bachelor of Media and Communications/Bachelor of Laws offers you the opportunity to combine your law studies with a highly sought-after understanding of our rapidly changing global media culture. This unique dual degree broadens your career…

Are you looking to add an additional area of expertise to your CV to enhance your career prospects and become future fit for life, without committing to a full degree? Perhaps you just want to dip a toe into university study, with the option of…

• 1 year full-time
• Up to 4 years part-time

This course is not offered in 2024. The ability to communicate effectively is essential in many aspects of our lives, but none more so than in the workplace. Improving your communication skills can not only improve your performance in your current…

• Not offered in 2024

The UNE Undergraduate Certificate in Arts provides you with foundational knowledge and skills to prepare for further study and more career choices, with a focus on your chosen area of interest. With the freedom to assemble your course from a curated …

• 1 year part-time

The UNE Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Development is a program of study for people from a broad range of backgrounds who want to begin developing skills for future careers or further study. Designed in response to rapid workplace and…

• 1 trimester full-time

Did your arts degree prompt a burning question or a passion for independent research? If so, consider applying for an honours year. A 'capstone' to your formal education, honours is an opportunity to drill deeper into a specialised area, to…

• 2 years part-time

In a highly-competitive employment landscape, to stand out from other applicants is a big advantage, and an honours degree is a point of difference that can capture the attention of employers. An honours year at the end of your three-year Bachelor…

Are you a graduate looking to add new skills to your CV to reinforce or redirect your career? Perhaps you are keen to pursue a personal interest in the arts or humanities. Or maybe you are interested in completing a master's but aren't sure…

• 0.5 or 1 year full-time

Adapt to an evolving workplace and open the door to new career opportunities with UNE's Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice. Whether you want to create more career choices, hone your specialist skills, or take a new…

• 0.5 years full-time

Design a bespoke course and prepare for a rapidly evolving workplace with the UNE Graduate Diploma in Professional Practice. Whether you want to advance your career, hone your skills or embark on a new career direction, we'll work …

UNE’s Master of Arts is designed to equip you with specialised knowledge as well as a wide range of transferrable skills that employers highly value, such as communication and critical thinking. This course is also a focused pathway to higher degree …

• 1 or 1.5 years full-time

A Doctor of Philosophy is the pinnacle of academic study. Using rigorous and systematic research, combined with critical analysis, you will add to society's understanding of complex issues at the cutting-edge of your discipline or profession.…

• 8 years part-time
• Research Period 1
• Research Period 2

High quality research and analysis allows us to better understand the complex issues we face in industry and society. With UNE's Master of Philosophy by research, your original findings and insights will add to the body of knowledge and inform…

• 2 years full-time

If you are enrolled at another university, you can choose to study subjects at UNE that will count towards your course. Apply as a cross institutional student directly and complete one or several individual subjects (units) from the full scope of…

• 1 trimester part-time

The world is full of possibilities, with so much to discover and learn. There are endless opportunities to enrich your knowledge to prepare for the future, but what if you don’t want to undertake a full degree? And how can you zero-in on the…

• Bespoke Graduate Certificate: design your own  4 unit postgraduate course and have your work experience recognised in the process.
• ‘Fundamental’ Bespoke Course: choose two, three or four  fundamental units from a traditional degree. If you are planning a new direction, or adding a new set of skills to your portfolio, you may want to start with this option. These units provide a foundation, or a ‘base camp’, to return to if you want to later progress to a full degree.
• ‘Advanced’ Bespoke Course: choose two, three or four  advanced units from a full degree. This is a great strategy for staying current in your field, or advancing your knowledge.
• ‘Critical Content’ Bespoke Course: choose two, three or four units any of the available units in a degree to create a  Critical Content Bespoke Course. This option lets you get the knowledge you need without the time and cost of a full degree.
• ‘Mix and Match’ Bespoke Course: combine two, three or four units from different degrees and disciplines to design your  mix and match Bespoke Course. This option lets you diversify your knowledge.

Design your bespoke course

Why study with us?

The most enjoyable part of my studies is the sense of achievement and being part of something bigger than myself.

Find the right major or specialisation for your studies in Writing

With the rise of digital media and self-publishing, UNE’s courses and majors will help prepare you for a career using your creative and concise writing and communication skills. Secure your future in communications, marketing or the arts and explore our writing courses now.

• Undergraduate
• Bachelor Honours
• Postgraduate
• Specialisation
• Teaching Area
• Specialist Course

UNE's experts will help you develop clear communication skills to confidently express yourself in the arena of scientific research that is forecast to see many changes, including the use of storytelling and multimedia when interacting with peers, students, readers, media and potential investors.

Safeguard your future and learn about the aspects of successful entrepreneurship from UNE’s industry specialists. Cover idea development, problem solving, advances in tech, management, marketing, ethics and work/life balance to future-fit yourself in the changing global business marketplace.

Develop practical skills in film, TV, writing and publishing and study the processes through which cultural products are made and circulated in the digital environment. UNE's established creatives will help you protect your career and pursue your passion in the changing world of the arts.

Ensure you are future-fit for a wide range of careers in the rapidly changing modern world. UNE's highly regarded communications teachers will help you develop the verbal, non-verbal, written and cross-cultural skills to smoothly transition into different workplace cultures.

Future-fit yourself with practical and effective teaching and analytical skills in anticipation of advancing tech and an expanding emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. UNE’s experts will help you develop your capacity to teach English and literature to secure your place in the education sector.

UNE's literary experts will help you develop future-fit critical and analytical skills to succeed in the rapidly changing world of writing and literary theory. Embrace diversity and explore social, environmental and ethical issues through a variety of advancing methodologies.

UNE's literature experts will help you develop skills in literary analysis that are sought after in a range of fields; from law to business to the arts. Learn how to think broadly and protect your role in a rapidly changing world that is forecast to see tech, climate and social changes.

Benefit from UNE's linguistics experts and develop the language skills to effectively teach others and safeguard your place in the global business environment. Use up-to-date tech programs to enhance learning and future-fit yourself for a career in a rapidly changing world.

Prepare for your future by building a versatile skillset in analysing consumer aspirations and needs, creating marketing strategies and executing campaigns. At UNE we'll help you meet the demands of an increasingly complex business environment where confident, competent professionals will excel.

Future-proof your career in this fast-paced field by developing effective communication skills and good storytelling techniques using digital media, social media and traditional journalism. Work with current technology and experienced industry professionals to secure your career in communications.

Careers in Writing

By studying writing with UNE, you will develop the professional, creative and practical skills to secure a position in your chosen career. Because excellent communication skills are always sought after, qualified writers can find work in a wide range of careers and industries.

• Content writer Create and edit content for websites, blogs, magazines or marketing materials to engage and inform readers.
• Copywriter Write persuasive and compelling advertising copy for marketing campaigns, production descriptions and promotional materials.
• Journalist Investigate, research and report news stories for newspapers, magazines, television, radio or online media outlets.
• Editor Work with writers to refine their writing, and plan, coordinate and curate content for newspapers, magazines, websites, books and broadcast.
• Technical writer Prepare user manuals, instruction guides and documentation for complex products, making technical information accessible to users.
• Novelist Create fictional or non-fictional works such as novels, short stories, memoirs or academic books for publication.
• Public relations specialist Develop and maintain a positive public image for organisations through press releases, media outreach and communication strategies.
• Social media manager Manage and curate content strategies to research target audiences effectively, often in digital marketing or content-focused roles.

A five-star experience

Five Stars, 18 Years in a Row

UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 18 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience

No.1 in NSW for Student Experience

QILT (government-endorsed) ranks UNE as the top public NSW uni for Student Experience

Five Stars for Teaching Quality

UNE rates among the top 20 per cent of universities in Australia for Teaching Quality

Browse other disciplines within Humanities and Arts

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What happens next?

Got any questions about a course you would like to study? Don’t hesitate to contact us , our Future Student team is standing by to help.

2024 applications are now open. The application process only takes 20 minutes to complete. Don’t delay, apply now !

Your start date is based on the study period you choose to apply for.

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The University of New England respects and acknowledges that its people, courses and facilities are built on land, and surrounded by a sense of belonging, both ancient and contemporary, of the world's oldest living culture. In doing so, UNE values and respects Indigenous knowledge systems as a vital part of the knowledge capital of Australia. We recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of the Aboriginal community and pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future.

Writing samples

These online essays with notations have been provided as a model for you to learn about the elements of good essay writing. They demonstrate traditional academic writing conventions; that is, the writing of an introduction , body and conclusion and the use of the APA referencing system.

Annotated sample answers to past assessment questions

• Pain management essay
• HP-BHACS communication essay 504KB in PDF format

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100% Online, Self-Paced Courses

Engl 1010: english composition i (new), english composition i course overview.

• ENGL 1010 is a three-credit college writing course to prepare students for the fundamental knowledge and skills of college-level expository writing and critical thinking. Areas of focus include idea presentation and organization, audience, point of view, voice and tone, paragraph and essay coherence, precision, and word choice, and technology-mediated evaluation of grammar, mechanics, and originality. Students are introduced to strategies for rhetorical writing, writing-as-process and product, and thinking-as-writing. An introduction to argument structure and writing from sources culminates in an academic essay as a comprehensive course assignment. * This course is considered an upper-level undergraduate course (300 level or above)

English Composition I Course Outcomes

• Demonstrate writing as iterative and process-oriented
• Distinguish audience, context, and purpose for written communication
• Apply rhetorical strategies for effective context-specific written communication
• Evaluate writing for essential linguistic structures of grammar, mechanics, and originality using technology
• Construct a relevant and compelling argument essay supported by credible secondary sources
• Critically reflect on the development of new and current academic writing knowledge and skills

English Composition I Course Prerequisites

• There are no prerequisites for ENGL 1010.

How do exams work?

All exams are taken online. Major exams are required to be proctored online through ProctorU. For instructions on how to take your exams online, visit UNE Online’s ProctorU site . Please note exams must also be proctored with the UNE-approved external webcam.

How do labs work?

ENGL 1010 is a lecture-only course. We do not offer an associated lab component for this course.

ENGL 1010: Lecture

• Tuition: $1,230
• Registration: $30
• Total: $1,260

*Total payment is due in full at the time of registration. The cost of the materials is not included in this total.

Required course materials

• Burrows, E., Fowler, A., Fowler, H., & Locklear, A. (n.d.).   Composing ourselves and our world.
• ENGL 1010 is a lecture-only course. We do not offer a lab component and therefore no lab materials are needing to be purchased.

Your Dedicated Student Service Advisor

If you have any questions about registration, the coursework or course requirements, please reach out to one of our student support team members using live chat(see bottom right) or email below.

Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

Tips for writing an effective college essay.

College admissions essays are an important part of your college application and gives you the chance to show colleges and universities your character and experiences. This guide will give you tips to write an effective college essay.

Want free help with your college essay?

UPchieve connects you with knowledgeable and friendly college advisors—online, 24/7, and completely free. Get 1:1 help brainstorming topics, outlining your essay, revising a draft, or editing grammar.

Writing a strong college admissions essay

Learn about the elements of a solid admissions essay.

Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes

Learn some of the most common mistakes made on college essays

Brainstorming tips for your college essay

Stuck on what to write your college essay about? Here are some exercises to help you get started.

How formal should the tone of your college essay be?

Learn how formal your college essay should be and get tips on how to bring out your natural voice.

Taking your college essay to the next level

Hear an admissions expert discuss the appropriate level of depth necessary in your college essay.

Student Stories

Student Story: Admissions essay about a formative experience

Get the perspective of a current college student on how he approached the admissions essay.

Student Story: Admissions essay about personal identity

Get the perspective of a current college student on how she approached the admissions essay.

Student Story: Admissions essay about community impact

Student story: admissions essay about a past mistake, how to write a college application essay, tips for writing an effective application essay, sample college essay 1 with feedback, sample college essay 2 with feedback.

This content is licensed by Khan Academy and is available for free at www.khanacademy.org.

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How to Write an Essay in French Without Giving Yourself Away as a Foreigner

Have something to say?

When it comes to expressing your thoughts in French , there’s nothing better than the essay.

It is, after all, the favorite form of such famed French thinkers as Montaigne, Chateaubriand, Houellebecq and Simone de Beauvoir.

In this post, I’ve outlined the four most common types of essays in French, ranked from easiest to most difficult, to help you get to know this concept better. 

Why Are French Essays Different?

Must-have french phrases for writing essays, 4 types of french essays and how to write them, 1. text summary (synthèse de texte).

• 2. Text Commentary (Commentaire de texte)

3. Dialectic Dissertation (Thèse, Antithèse, Synthèse)

• 4. Progressive Dissertation (Plan progressif)

And one more thing...

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Writing an essay in French is not the same as those typical 5-paragraph essays you’ve probably written in English.

In fact, there’s a whole other logic that has to be used to ensure that your essay meets French format standards and structure. It’s not merely writing your ideas in another language .

And that’s because the French use Cartesian logic (also known as Cartesian doubt) , developed by René Descartes , which requires a writer to begin with what is known and then lead the reader through to the logical conclusion: a paragraph that contains the thesis. Through the essay, the writer will reject all that is not certain or all that is subjective in his or her quest to find the objective truth.

Sound intriguing? Read on for more!

Before we get to the four main types of essays, here are a few French phrases that will be especially helpful as you delve into essay-writing in French:

Introductory phrases , which help you present new ideas.

Connecting phrases , which help you connect ideas and sections.

Contrasting phrases , which help you juxtapose two ideas.

Concluding phrases , which help you to introduce your conclusion.

The text summary or synthèse de texte  is one of the easiest French writing exercises to get a handle on. It essentially involves reading a text and then summarizing it in an established number of words, while repeating no phrases that are in the original text. No analysis is called for.

A  synthèse de texte  should follow the same format as the text that is being synthesized. The arguments should be presented in the same way, and no major element of the original text should be left out of the  synthèse.

Here is an informative post about writing a synthèse de texte , written for French speakers. 

The text summary is a great exercise for exploring the following French language elements:

• Synonyms , as you will need to find other words to describe what is said in the original text.
• Nominalization , which involves turning verbs into nouns and generally cuts down on word count.
• Vocabulary , as the knowledge of more exact terms will allow you to avoid periphrases and cut down on word count.

While beginners may wish to work with only one text, advanced learners can synthesize as many as three texts in one text summary. 

Since a text summary is simple in its essence, it’s a great writing exercise that can accompany you through your entire learning process.

2. Text Commentary  (Commentaire de texte)

A text commentary or commentaire de texte   is the first writing exercise where the student is asked to present an analysis of the materials at hand, not just a summary.

That said, a  commentaire  de texte  is not a reaction piece. It involves a very delicate balance of summary and opinion, the latter of which must be presented as impersonally as possible. This can be done either by using the third person (on) or the general first person plural (nous) . The singular first person (je) should never be used in a  commentaire de texte.

A commentaire de texte  should be written in three parts:

• An introduction , where the text is presented.
• An argument , where the text is analyzed.
• A conclusion , where the analysis is summarized and elevated.

Here is a handy in-depth guide to writing a successful commentaire de texte,  written for French speakers.

Unlike with the synthesis, you will not be able to address all elements of a text in a commentary. You should not summarize the text in a commentary, at least not for the sake of summarizing. Every element of the text that you speak about in your commentary must be analyzed.

To successfully analyze a text, you will need to brush up on your figurative language. Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Here’s an introduction to figurative language in French.
• This guide to figurative language  presents the different elements in useful categories.
• This guide , intended for high school students preparing for the BAC—the exam all French high school students take, which they’re required to pass to go to university—is great for seeing examples of how to integrate figurative language into your commentaries.
• Speaking of which, here’s an example of a corrected commentary from the BAC, which will help you not only include figurative language but get a head start on writing your own commentaries.

The French answer to the 5-paragraph essay is known as the  dissertation .  Like the American 5-paragraph essay, it has an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. The stream of logic, however, is distinct.

There are actually two kinds of  dissertation,  each of which has its own rules.

The first form of  dissertation  is the dialectic dissertation , better known as  thèse, antithèse, synthèse . In this form, there are actually only two body paragraphs. After the introduction, a thesis is posited. Following the thesis, its opposite, the antithesis, is explored (and hopefully, debunked). The final paragraph, what we know as the conclusion, is the  synthesis , which addresses the strengths of the thesis, the strengths and weaknesses of the antithesis, and concludes with the reasons why the original thesis is correct.

For example, imagine that the question was, “Are computers useful to the development of the human brain?” You could begin with a section showing the ways in which computers are useful for the progression of our common intelligence—doing long calculations, creating in-depth models, etc.

Then you would delve into the problems that computers pose to human intelligence, citing examples of the ways in which spelling proficiency has decreased since the invention of spell check, for example. Finally, you would synthesize this information and conclude that the “pro” outweighs the “con.”

The key to success with this format is developing an outline before writing. The thesis must be established, with examples, and the antithesis must be supported as well. When all of the information has been organized in the outline, the writing can begin, supported by the tools you have learned from your mastery of the synthesis and commentary.

Here are a few tools to help you get writing:

• Here’s a great guide to writing a dialectic dissertation .
• Here’s an example of a plan for a dialectic dissertation , showing you the three parts of the essay as well as things to consider when writing a dialectic dissertation.

4. Progressive Dissertation ( Plan progressif)

The progressive dissertation is slightly less common, but no less useful, than the first form.

The progressive form basically consists of examining an idea via multiple points of view—a sort of deepening of the understanding of the notion, starting with a superficial perspective and ending with a deep and profound analysis.

If the dialectic dissertation is like a scale, weighing pros and cons of an idea, the progressive dissertation is like peeling an onion, uncovering more and more layers as you get to the deeper crux of the idea.

Concretely, this means that you will generally follow this layout:

• A first, elementary exploration of the idea.
• A second, more philosophical exploration of the idea.
• A third, more transcendent exploration of the idea.

This format for the dissertation is more commonly used for essays that are written in response to a philosophical question, for example, “What is a person?” or “What is justice?”

Let’s say the question was, “What is war?” In the first part, you would explore dictionary definitions—a basic idea of war, i.e. an armed conflict between two parties, usually nations. You could give examples that back up this definition, and you could narrow down the definition of the subject as much as needed. For example, you might want to make mention that not all conflicts are wars, or you might want to explore whether the “War on Terror” is a war.

In the second part, you would explore a more philosophical look at the topic, using a definition that you provide. You first explain how you plan to analyze the subject, and then you do so. In French, this is known as  poser une problématique  (establishing a thesis question), and it usually is done by first writing out a question and then exploring it using examples: “Is war a reflection of the base predilection of humans for violence?”

In the third part, you will take a step back and explore this question from a distance, taking the time to construct a natural conclusion and answer for the question.

This form may not be as useful in as many cases as the first type of essay, but it’s a good form to learn, particularly for those interested in philosophy. Here’s an in-depth guide  to writing a progressive dissertation.

As you progress in French and become more and more comfortable with writing, try your hand at each of these types of writing exercises, and even with other forms of the dissertation . You’ll soon be a pro at everything from a synthèse de texte to a dissertation!

FluentU has a wide variety of great content, like interviews, documentary excerpts and web series, as you can see here:

FluentU brings native French videos with reach. With interactive captions, you can tap on any word to see an image, definition and useful examples.

For example, if you tap on the word "crois," you'll see this:

Practice and reinforce all the vocabulary you've learned in a given video with learn mode. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning, and play the mini-games found in our dynamic flashcards, like "fill in the blank."

All throughout, FluentU tracks the vocabulary that you’re learning and uses this information to give you a totally personalized experience. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay | Steps & Examples

An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or argument using evidence, analysis, and interpretation.

There are many types of essays you might write as a student. The content and length of an essay depends on your level, subject of study, and course requirements. However, most essays at university level are argumentative — they aim to persuade the reader of a particular position or perspective on a topic.

The essay writing process consists of three main stages:

• Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an essay outline.
• Writing : Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion.
• Revision:  Check your essay on the content, organization, grammar, spelling, and formatting of your essay.

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Table of contents

Essay writing process, preparation for writing an essay, writing the introduction, writing the main body, writing the conclusion, essay checklist, lecture slides, frequently asked questions about writing an essay.

The writing process of preparation, writing, and revisions applies to every essay or paper, but the time and effort spent on each stage depends on the type of essay .

For example, if you’ve been assigned a five-paragraph expository essay for a high school class, you’ll probably spend the most time on the writing stage; for a college-level argumentative essay , on the other hand, you’ll need to spend more time researching your topic and developing an original argument before you start writing.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Before you start writing, you should make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to say and how you’re going to say it. There are a few key steps you can follow to make sure you’re prepared:

• Understand your assignment: What is the goal of this essay? What is the length and deadline of the assignment? Is there anything you need to clarify with your teacher or professor?
• Define a topic: If you’re allowed to choose your own topic , try to pick something that you already know a bit about and that will hold your interest.
• Do your research: Read  primary and secondary sources and take notes to help you work out your position and angle on the topic. You’ll use these as evidence for your points.
• Come up with a thesis:  The thesis is the central point or argument that you want to make. A clear thesis is essential for a focused essay—you should keep referring back to it as you write.
• Create an outline: Map out the rough structure of your essay in an outline . This makes it easier to start writing and keeps you on track as you go.

Once you’ve got a clear idea of what you want to discuss, in what order, and what evidence you’ll use, you’re ready to start writing.

The introduction sets the tone for your essay. It should grab the reader’s interest and inform them of what to expect. The introduction generally comprises 10–20% of the text.

1. Hook your reader

The first sentence of the introduction should pique your reader’s interest and curiosity. This sentence is sometimes called the hook. It might be an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement emphasizing the relevance of the topic.

Let’s say we’re writing an essay about the development of Braille (the raised-dot reading and writing system used by visually impaired people). Our hook can make a strong statement about the topic:

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

2. Provide background on your topic

Next, it’s important to give context that will help your reader understand your argument. This might involve providing background information, giving an overview of important academic work or debates on the topic, and explaining difficult terms. Don’t provide too much detail in the introduction—you can elaborate in the body of your essay.

3. Present the thesis statement

Next, you should formulate your thesis statement— the central argument you’re going to make. The thesis statement provides focus and signals your position on the topic. It is usually one or two sentences long. The thesis statement for our essay on Braille could look like this:

As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness.

4. Map the structure

In longer essays, you can end the introduction by briefly describing what will be covered in each part of the essay. This guides the reader through your structure and gives a preview of how your argument will develop.

The invention of Braille marked a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by blind and visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

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The body of your essay is where you make arguments supporting your thesis, provide evidence, and develop your ideas. Its purpose is to present, interpret, and analyze the information and sources you have gathered to support your argument.

Length of the body text

The length of the body depends on the type of essay. On average, the body comprises 60–80% of your essay. For a high school essay, this could be just three paragraphs, but for a graduate school essay of 6,000 words, the body could take up 8–10 pages.

Paragraph structure

To give your essay a clear structure , it is important to organize it into paragraphs . Each paragraph should be centered around one main point or idea.

That idea is introduced in a  topic sentence . The topic sentence should generally lead on from the previous paragraph and introduce the point to be made in this paragraph. Transition words can be used to create clear connections between sentences.

After the topic sentence, present evidence such as data, examples, or quotes from relevant sources. Be sure to interpret and explain the evidence, and show how it helps develop your overall argument.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

See the full essay example

The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It should generally take up no more than 10–15% of the text . A strong essay conclusion :

• Returns to your thesis
• Ties together your main points
• Shows why your argument matters

A great conclusion should finish with a memorable or impactful sentence that leaves the reader with a strong final impression.

What not to include in a conclusion

To make your essay’s conclusion as strong as possible, there are a few things you should avoid. The most common mistakes are:

• Including new arguments or evidence
• Undermining your arguments (e.g. “This is just one approach of many”)
• Using concluding phrases like “To sum up…” or “In conclusion…”

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

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Checklist: Essay

My essay follows the requirements of the assignment (topic and length ).

My introduction sparks the reader’s interest and provides any necessary background information on the topic.

My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the essay.

I use paragraphs to structure the essay.

I use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.

Each paragraph has a single focus and a clear connection to the thesis statement.

I make clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.

My conclusion doesn’t just repeat my points, but draws connections between arguments.

I don’t introduce new arguments or evidence in the conclusion.

I have given an in-text citation for every quote or piece of information I got from another source.

I have included a reference page at the end of my essay, listing full details of all my sources.

My citations and references are correctly formatted according to the required citation style .

My essay has an interesting and informative title.

I have followed all formatting guidelines (e.g. font, page numbers, line spacing).

Your essay meets all the most important requirements. Our editors can give it a final check to help you submit with confidence.

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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At times, it may be permissible and appropriate to insert tables, figures and other graphics in your essay. These graphics may have been copied, adapted from sources of information or may be from your own research. They need to be relevant, correctly labelled and referenced—unless they are entirely your own work.

About tables and figures in your writing 

Tables and figures (e.g. diagrams, graphs, photographs, maps) may be used as evidence to support academic argument. They are mostly used in report writing. It is important that tables and figures are used purposefully (i.e. with good reason) and referenced correctly.

Click on ‘Start analysis’ to see how figures can be used in your academic writing.

For ALL tables and figures:

• Labelling—put the label ABOVE for tables and BELOW for figures (e.g. diagrams, graphs, photographs, maps)
• Numbering—make sure that tables and figures (e.g. diagrams, graphs, photographs, maps) are numbered sequentially. There should be two numbering series: one for tables and one for figures (e.g. Table 1. , Table 2. AND Figure 1. , Figure 2. )
• Positioning—place tables and figures immediately below  the paragraph/relevant text
• In-text referencing—refer to the table or figure by number in your writing (e.g. Table 6 shows that …)
• Diagram referencing—provide a reference to an authority if the table or figure is from or adapted from an outside source. If you have created the table or image yourself from your own data collection, you must still use a number and label, but no reference is required
• Larger tables and figures—place large (one page and over) tables or figures in the appendices (see ASO Factsheet: Appendices  )

Don’t do this! 

• Don’t restructure data from an information source into another format (e.g. a graph, a flowchart) without referencing the author of your information. You may structure the graph, but the author still ‘owns’ the research!
• Don’t just ‘plonk’ a table or figure into your writing. You need to refer to its existence and relevance to your argument in the preceding text.
• Don’t give extensive descriptions in your writing of the contents of a table or diagram. The information in a table or diagram tells its own story—it’s your job to point out its significance to your argument.

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Information about essay writing.

There are a number of resources available to you regarding essays and academic writing, including:

• Write your assignments ;
• Subject specific essay tutorials ;
• Interactive writing exercises ;
• Essay and report eSkills ; and the,
• Video resources in the Academic Skills Office myLearn site.

It is important to think of essay writing as a process with defined steps, where you need to clearly outline and support each of your ideas in order to reach your goal (your final argument or point). While there are general conventions that exist around the structure of an essay, it is important that you write according to the preferred style or arrangement for your academic discipline .

You may also wish to attend an on campus workshop to improve your essay writing skills. These workshops are recorded, and also available through myLearn . You may also wish to make an appointment to speak directly to an Academic Skills Office lecturer through the online booking page.

For additional information, please see the Academic Skills Office pages. For further information or advice regarding study, please submit your enquiry to the Academic Skills Office either through the Contact Us tab, by email to [email protected] , or phone (02) 6773 3600 for assistance.

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Production écrite DELF B1 (writing): our advice to succeed!

Last updated on June 25th, 2023 at 02:52 pm

The writing part (or production écrite ) corresponds to 25% of the DELF B1 total mark. You have 45 min to complete an assignment of about 180 words around general themes (essay, letter, article, etc.). You will be able to get practical information about where you can take the exam and how to register on the DELF official website .

Today, we’ll see how is your DELF B1 writing assignment evaluated, then you will find some sample exams to get a better idea of what kind of assignment we’re talking about, finally we’ll give you some practical tips to succeed.

DELF B1 production écrite (writing): the criteria

Production écrite DELF B1 Writing: samples

Sujet n°1: Essai: A votre avis, quels ont été les changements les plus importants des vingt dernière années dans votre pays. Quels sont ceux qui ont été positifs ou ceux qui ont été négatifs selon vous? Vous écrirez un texte construit et cohérent sur ce sujet (160 à 180 mots).

Sujet n°2: Vous recevez ce mail de Louisa, une amie française :

Salut, Mon entreprise me propose de quitter Brest pour aller travailler à New York. C’est une bonne nouvelle, mais comment je vais faire dans une si grande ville alors que j’adore la nature ! Il y a aussi les problèmes de la langue, du logement, des amis… Je me sens un peu perdue. Tu en penses quoi ? A très vite ! Louisa

Vous répondez à Louisa. Vous lui donnez votre opinion en lui donnant des exemples d’expériences diverses. (160 mots minimum)

Production écrite DELF B1 Writing: Our tips to get a good mark

1. Don’t write straight away : think about the subject, write down all your ideas on paper. 2. Get the right structure : what is your logical plan? Think how you’re going to deal with every part of your essay from the introduction to the conclusion before you start writing. 3. Show you understood the format of the assignment : if you need to write a letter, make sure you use the right words usually written in a letter. 4. Use what you know : for the real exam, it’s not time to take risks. Use the sentence structures you know. It’s better to write simple sentences correctly than to try complex structures full of mistakes. 5. Read over your work to make sure you haven’t missed a lot of mistakes! You should particularly pay attention to mistakes you are used to doing but that you can easily avoid. For example, s in plural, check that every sentence has a verb, etc.

The writing part (as well as the oral exam) is very hard to prepare by yourself as opposed to the listening comprehension and the written comprehension where a good book is probably enough to help you. At Live-French.net, you can prepare the DELF B1 writing part with one of our online French teachers in order to:

• help you reach the B1 level before the exam so that you know the grammar points you are supposed to be confident with (tenses, structures, vocabulary, etc.).
• rehearse on sample test that will help you undertand what is expected from you and to improve while you practice,
• get personalized advice on what you need to pass the exam.

Feel free to register for a free trial lesson , discuss your needs with our team of teachers and get a free evaluation.

Related articles:

• How my students have passed the DELF B2 exam
• DELF exam preparation

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