How to Write an Essay That Actually Gets an A+
Introduction: Why Essays Matter
Have you have been there? I mean On your study table, staring at a blank screen with a looming deadline in the next few hours, you try your best to work on that essay so you can submit on time, but no words come forth? You’ve literally hit a dead end and you are genuinely getting worked up. You’ve been there, frustrated, and worried about your deteriorating grades? Worry no more. You Are NOT alone!
Writing discussion posts, essays, or even term papers can feel overwhelming, especially when every professor requires perfect work within a short time. Here’s the truth though, getting an A on an essay isn’t about being a genius—it’s about understanding a practical approach that will always deliver. The good news? Essay writing is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned, sharpened, and mastered for improved grades and general performance as a university student.
Whether you are planning your essay or polishing that final draft, there are proven methods that guarantee outstanding work and set you apart from the generic submissions by other students.
In this guide, we help you break down solid essay writing tips and show you how to write an A+ essay with a bonus on available tools to make this process less stressful and more rewarding.
Remember—if you ever feel as if you’re on the edge and struggling to submit that essay, you can always get our professional essay help to lighten the load.
Let’s get into it.
You are running against time; your head numb with confusion on what you should write. Well, here are the 9 essential steps to punch in that pending essay or term paper.
Step 1: Understand the Assignment
Students working on a due assignment essay
The Most Overlooked Step in writing brilliant essays is understanding the assignment. Many students lose marks not because they are poor students but just because they misunderstood the assignment instructions.
Before you ever start working on any essay or term paper, make sure to go through all the instructions and rubric to understand what is required of you. Analyze the instructions to understand the type of essay, required word-count, expected source research, and format of such essay.
Understanding the rubric helps you pinpoint your focus rather than submitting essays that answer non-existing questions or requirements. The trick is to always highlight keywords in the prompt (e.g., “analyze,” “evaluate,” “compare”). As a Pro tip; Rephrase the essay question in your own words. This guarantees that you’ve understood it correctly and ensures you stay on track.
Step 2: Do Smart, Not Endless, Research
A grade essays stand out for themselves. They provide evidence and rationale on the subject of that essay. You must focus your research on credible, relevant evidence rather than spending countless hours on the wrong information. Avoid information overload and time wasting from research that has no bearing on your essay.
Efficient research stems from reliable academic databases like; Google Books, Google Scholar, PubMed, JSTOR, and/or your library’s resources. Make sure to consult;
- Credible books, peer-reviewed journals, and government publications.
- Ask yourself about the what, who, why, and when before including a specific source as part of your research.
- Take short-organized notes while using tools like Evernote, Notion, or OneNote to save sources and highlight key points.
- Track citations as you go—avoids last-minute chaos.
- As a pro hack, limit your research time so that you can focus on actual writing to avoid “paralysis by analysis.”
LSBU source
Step 3: Craft a Powerful Thesis Statement
Your thesis statement is the pillar of your essay. It is a one-sentence statement that sums up your argument and guides your reader.
For a powerful thesis, make sure you take a clear, specific stance that previews the main arguments in your essay. Here’s an example of a weak and strong thesis statement that help you write an A+ essay thesis.
Instead of plain; “Technology affects students,” a sharper, more focused version of your thesis should be;
“Although technology enhances student collaboration and access to information, its excessive use reduces attention spans, lowers productivity, and heightens stress, ultimately hindering academic performance.”
Step 4: Create a Detailed Outline
Your Secret Weapon to an A+ essay is a detailed outline. This is your roadmap without which carries the risk of writing an incoherent essay. Your outline ensures straightforward writing with a basic structure that is easy to follow. The most common outline structure carries an introduction, body paragraphs, counterarguments (optional), and a conclusion. You can break down this simple structure to suit your essay. Here’s an example;
Example outline for an essay on climate change:
- Intro: Hook with climate data + thesis.
- Body 1: Human activities driving climate change (evidence).
- Body 2: Consequences on environment and health.
- Body 3: Possible solutions and policies.
- Conclusion: Call for urgent action.”
Step 5: Write a Strong Introduction
The next step of writing an A+ essay is to fill in the gaps in your outline. The first sentence of your introduction should grab attention and set the tone. Avoid clichés like “Since the dawn of time…” Instead, use a shocking statistic such as “Every year, 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans.”
Remember: keep it short and lead directly into your thesis.
Step 6: Build Clear and Persuasive Body Paragraphs
The body is the substance of your essay. This is where your professor will be looking to find a connection between your thesis, evidence used, and how the two are connected. Each paragraph should be a mini-argument that supports your thesis. The PEEL Method is a proven approach you can use to make this section flawless.
The PEEL method:
- Point → State your main idea.
- Evidence → Back it up with data, quotes, or examples.
- Explanation → Analyze why it matters.
- Link → Connect back to your thesis.
For Example:
- Main Point: Social media reduces attention spans.
- Evidence: A 2022 study found that students check their phones 150 times a day.
- Explanation: This constant interruption prevents deep focus.
- Link: Therefore, social media negatively impacts academic performance.
Advanced Tips for an A+ Essay
In writing your body, make sure to read top-tier essays that gives your insight on what your professor is looking for. Secondly, use varied sentence structures to avoid sounding robotic. An outstanding essay has a proper balance between evidence with originality. It is an opportunity to show how you can think critically.
Step 7: Mastering Transitions for Flow
Outstanding essays have the best arguments that are held together with effective transitions to ensure flow. Transitions help your intended audience read smoothly through your work. Often ignored, using practical and relevant transitions connects the different parts of your essay to make it a powerful piece.
Examples:
- Addition: “Furthermore,” “In addition”
- Cause & effect: “As a result,” “Therefore”
- Contrast: “However,” “On the other hand”
- Emphasis: “Indeed,” “Most importantly”
Step 8: Write a Memorable Conclusion
The conclusion sums up your essay. It reflects on the main arguments, sections, and evidence provided to reiterate the thesis in fresh words. Make sure there is no question after your professor reads your conclusion. Your conclusion is your last chance to impress. Don’t just restate your thesis — this is your opportunity to show your professor why your essay matters. A memorable conclusion highlights the essay’s bigger picture, suggests further research opportunities or implications, and ends with a decisive final sentence.
Writing an A-grade essay is about, clarity, discipline, and strategy—not magic. Start by understanding the prompt, craft a strong thesis, outline your ideas, back them with evidence, and polish your draft before you submit it for peer review or marking. It is a sure way to dramatically improve your chances of success. As an example, don’t say;
“Social media harms students’ performance.” Instead, try out;
“In the race between distraction and focus, today’s students must choose discipline over endless scrolling if they want true academic success.”
Step 9: Revise, Edit, Polish
Editing and revising separates mediocre essays from A-grade essays. Outstanding essays are not just written —they’re rewritten. Here’s how to edit your essay as a pro;
Proofread carefully – Look for grammar, punctuation, and citation errors. Have a checklist that makes sure to check for grammar and spelling errors. Remove filler words and fluff to make your essay concise and direct. You should read out your essay loud to make sure everything is clear. Make sure the required format is consistent throughout the paper. Grammarly is a powerful tool to help you deliver a solid final copy that meets your assignment’s requirements.
Step 10: Get Feedback Before Submission
Before you submit your essay, don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinions. Classmates, friends, or tutors often bring a fresh point of view on your work. They are your solution to those errors you may have overlooked at the editing stage.
Pro hack: Make use of peer review groups from your class where you swap essays with another class member to critique or support specific aspects of your work.
Before we wind up, here are additional hacks for those A+ essays;
- Add real-world examples → Professors love when theory connects to practice.
- Incorporate counterarguments → Shows depth of thought even where the instructions do not explicitly require them.
- Use varied sentence structures → Mix short, punchy sentences with longer, complex ones.
- Revise your essay against the provided rubric
Finally, always remember to Start early. The reason your essay feels overwhelming in the last hours to the deadline is not prioritizing your pending tasks. Start your essay as early as possible (preferably the same day your professor issues it out) to avoid last minute frustrations and writer’s block. Starting early gives you time for better research and editing.
Students struggle with early writing because some find essays demanding or plain intimidating. Common struggles include; confusion about structure, poor planning, procrastination, poor research skills, and poor time management. Top Tutors have crafted a practical guide on efficient time-management skills that will improve your student experience.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to write an essay that actually gets an A isn’t about luck — it’s about strategy, preparation, and practice. By understanding the assignment, crafting a strong thesis, conducting solid research, and polishing your final draft, you can consistently produce essays that stand out. As Top Tutors, we understand you can be overwhelmed, pressed for time, or stuck on a difficult topic. The smartest students aren’t the ones who do it all alone—they’re the ones who know when to ask for help. Therefore, always remember that as Top Tutors, we understand you can be overwhelmed, pressed for time, or stuck on a difficult topic. Our expert essay help services are just a click away!
Our expert writers can:
- Edit your drafts for clarity and grammar
- Help with research and citations; and,
- Provide sample essays to guide your structure
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