25/01/2026
HOW TO WRITE GOOD ACADEMIC ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
1.Understand the question (this is where marks are won or lost)
Before writing anything, ask yourself:
What is the command word? (e.g. discuss, evaluate, analyse, assess, compare)
What is the topic?
What is the scope (time period, country, theory, case study)?
👉 Example:
“Evaluate the impact of economic rights on development in Malawi.”
This means you must judge, not just describe.
2. Plan before you write (don’t skip this)
A simple essay plan should include:
Introduction (what you’ll argue)
Main points (3–5 strong arguments)
Evidence for each point (books, journals, reports)
Conclusion (what it all means)
Even 15 minutes of planning saves hours later.
3. Write a strong introduction
Your introduction should do four things:
Give background to the topic
Clearly state the problem or debate
Present your thesis statement (your main argument)
Briefly outline the structure of the essay
👉 Example thesis:
This essay argues that while civil and political rights are essential, sustainable development in Malawi depends more heavily on the realization of social and economic rights.
4. Structure your body paragraphs properly
Each paragraph should follow this pattern (very important):
🔹 PEEL / TEEL method
P/T – Point / Topic sentence
E – Evidence (citation)
E – Explanation / analysis
L – Link back to the question
👉 Example:
Social and economic rights play a critical role in poverty reduction. According to Sen (1999), access to education and healthcare enhances human capabilities, which are essential for development. In Malawi, limited investment in these sectors has contributed to persistent poverty, demonstrating that political freedoms alone are insufficient for economic progress.
5. Use academic sources (and cite properly)
Use:
Textbooks
Peer-reviewed journals
Government & NGO reports
Avoid: ❌ Wikipedia
❌ Blogs (unless academic)
Use APA 7th edition (which I know you’re often required to use):
In-text: (Author, Year)
Direct quote:
