Tips from Students

A good way to learn about essay writing is to read other people’s. There is an example essay that was contributed by Melissa Newman, the midwife I mentioned earlier in this chapter. She is now undertaking her Ph.D. and I’ve also made a video going through what she did so well. The essay is from the second year of Melissa’s degree and is entitled ‘Complications Around Childbirth: Pre-eclampsia Toxemia’. It gained a 1st class grade.

Using your support

  • If you’re allowed, take a sample of your essay and send a copy to a lecturer for comment. It’s helpful to do this via email, as you’ll both then have something which documents advice given and received. You will usually be able to send about 500 words.

    “I always send the 500 words that I think are the weakest, that I think are missing something. And my tutor will give me advice on where I can expand, or point me in the direction of where to look to get deeper content. It’s always very worthwhile.” - Lisa-Jayne, student midwife

  • Librarians are also good at checking through essay plans. If there are any major problems with your essay, it’s best to hear them early. Very few students will do this and I wish I had more.

Writing up

  • Write the main body of your essay first, so you can make sure your introduction and conclusion fit later.

  • Think criticism and analysis, rather than your own feelings or take on things.

  • Use a basic structure to keep on task. For example, the ‘PEE’ acronym stands for ‘Point, Evidence, Explain’. There are lots of different acronyms out there for essay writing but if you stick to the basic idea that you need to provide a reference and explanation for each point you make, you’re on the right track.

  • Use ‘topic sentences’. Try and make the first sentence of each section introduce the subject matter. If possible this sentence should also provide a link between the previous paragraph and the content of the next, for example, ‘The Royal College of Midwives have also commented on the lack of resources for good postnatal care, and they add that breastfeeding...’  (Barrass, 2015).

  • Neil’s Toolbox sounds like something out of Zoolander but it’s a great online referencing tool, referencing well will help you pick up marks (Fisher, 2020).