Last minute essays are something most college students have to deal with at some point. With tight deadlines and exams coming up, it’s easy to put off writing your essays until the night before. With the right approach, you can still write an effective essay even in a short time frame. Here are some essential tips for successful last minute essay writing:
Plan your time carefully. The biggest pitfall of last minute essay writing is not allowing enough time to fully develop and organize your ideas. Look at the time you have left versus the length and complexity of the essay requirements. Block out specific time periods to brainstorm, write an outline, draft the essay, research if needed, and proofread. Stick strictly to your schedule.
Focus your topic. If you have some flexibility in choosing an essay topic, pick something you already have some basic knowledge about rather than starting from scratch. This will save valuable time spent on research. Otherwise, brainstorm related ideas and arguments quickly to get a sense of direction for your essay. Think about your key points and how they connect to the main topic or question.
Create a basic outline. Even for a short essay, taking 10 minutes to jot down an outline can make writing it much more organized and efficient. Note your introduction, three main body paragraphs or points, and conclusion. Bullet point the main argument or evidence for each section. This structures your essay and stops you from drifting off topic as you write.
Start writing your introduction. Begin with a hook to capture attention then state your thesis or main argument clearly. Briefly introduce the three key points that will be discussed in the body paragraphs to come. Having a solid introduction written helps motivate you to keep writing the rest.
Focus on one body paragraph at a time. Write just the first main body paragraph, incorporating the point from your outline. Don’t worry about perfect structure or flow yet, main focus on getting the key evidence, facts, or argument onto the page. Repeat this paragraph by paragraph until all body content is drafted.
Cite sources as you go along rather than waiting until the end if research is involved. Add quotations, paraphrases and in-text citations so referencing is completed alongside the writing process. This prevents having to locate sources again later.
Write your conclusion. Briefly summarize the main points made throughout your essay then finish with a compelling final statement that reinforces your thesis. A call to action or question for further discussion works well as a strong finishing point.
Allow time for proofreading. Set aside your last 30 minutes to carefully reread what you have written, checking for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and flow between paragraphs. Polish up phrasing and rearrange or cut any repetitive or irrelevant parts.
Print, submit and celebrate finishing! Lastly, print your essay, double check formatting requirements, and submit right before the deadline. Take a brief break, then dive back into studying for your next assignment. With effective time management and focus, you can confidently tackle last minute essays. Just be sure to give yourself enough time and avoid procrastinating your work in future.