Academic Writing Notes
Common Essay Writing Mistakes and How
to Fix Them
This study guide is a continuation of “Academic Writing Notes: How to Write
Clear University Essays.”
In the first guide, we focused on understanding essay structure — how to write introductions,
body paragraphs, and conclusions in a clear and simple way. That foundation is important,
and once you understand it, essay writing becomes much easier.
However, many students still lose marks even after learning the basics. This usually happens
because of small mistakes that are easy to overlook — not because they are bad writers.
That is why this guide will gently walk you through those common mistakes and show you
how to fix them using simple, practical steps. Think of it as the next stage after learning essay
structure: improving clarity, confidence, and overall quality.
Take your time with it, just like you would with a study session. There is no rush — progress
in academic writing happens step by step.
1. Skipping the Essay Plan
Many students jump straight into writing their essay because they feel pressured by time or
unsure where to start. While this might seem faster, it often makes the essay harder to write
and more confusing to read.
An essay plan is simply a short outline of what you want to say. It does not have to be long or
complicated. In fact, a basic plan can save you time and reduce stress.
When you skip planning, your ideas may feel messy. You might repeat the same point, forget
important information, or struggle to connect your paragraphs smoothly. This is one of the
most common reasons essays lose marks.
H ow to fi x it:
Before you start writing, take 5–10 minutes to plan:
Write your main topic at the top.
Decide your thesis statement (your main idea).
List 2–3 key points for your body paragraphs.
Add one example for each point.
Common Essay Writing Mistakes and How
to Fix Them
This study guide is a continuation of “Academic Writing Notes: How to Write
Clear University Essays.”
In the first guide, we focused on understanding essay structure — how to write introductions,
body paragraphs, and conclusions in a clear and simple way. That foundation is important,
and once you understand it, essay writing becomes much easier.
However, many students still lose marks even after learning the basics. This usually happens
because of small mistakes that are easy to overlook — not because they are bad writers.
That is why this guide will gently walk you through those common mistakes and show you
how to fix them using simple, practical steps. Think of it as the next stage after learning essay
structure: improving clarity, confidence, and overall quality.
Take your time with it, just like you would with a study session. There is no rush — progress
in academic writing happens step by step.
1. Skipping the Essay Plan
Many students jump straight into writing their essay because they feel pressured by time or
unsure where to start. While this might seem faster, it often makes the essay harder to write
and more confusing to read.
An essay plan is simply a short outline of what you want to say. It does not have to be long or
complicated. In fact, a basic plan can save you time and reduce stress.
When you skip planning, your ideas may feel messy. You might repeat the same point, forget
important information, or struggle to connect your paragraphs smoothly. This is one of the
most common reasons essays lose marks.
H ow to fi x it:
Before you start writing, take 5–10 minutes to plan:
Write your main topic at the top.
Decide your thesis statement (your main idea).
List 2–3 key points for your body paragraphs.
Add one example for each point.
