Student Beth Lewis explains how she re-reads all her course notes, this helps her to adjusts and add to her research.

Start writing essays - Audio

A student's approach to planning

Start writing essays

Open University tutors Tim Baugh and Lesley Hoose discuss essay titles, research and schedules with OU student Beth Lewis.

Researching an essay

John Humphrys stresses how important it is to know your subject and know your position in the argument.

Early stages of essay writing

There is a fine line between good and pretentious writing, John Pilger knows that getting your grammar right is essential.

What is good writing?

Professor Richard Dawkins describes his tone as simple as possible but not simpler. Don’t spell out every tiny detail.

Getting the tone right

Baroness Helena Kennedy’s cure for writers block is to go to the meat of the argument, then come back to the start later.

Writer's block

Brian Waldens approach is to research a variety of different points, if it is boring then he picks away at it until the process of elimination is complete.

Different approaches to research

Using a subtle but powerful approach when writing an introduction will grab the reader’s attention.

Writing your introduction

It is important to write with the mindset that the reader is intelligent but misinformed.

The main body of the essay

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Returning to study or starting it for the first time can be daunting. Many students are frightened of writing essays, but it’s a craft that can be learnt. This album will help you to build confidence in all areas of essay writing. A student discusses with two tutors her writing methods and how she adapts her techniques for exams and assignments. With tips shared from Professor Richard Dawkins, TV personality Matthew Kelly, former MP Brian Walden, Baroness Helena Kennedy, journalist John Pilgner and radio presenters John Humphrys and Peter White. This material forms part of The Open University course A172 Start writing essays.