Learning a foreign language is a daunting experience, especially when it is one of the world's most frequently spoken languages - English.

Many people believe that learning to read and speak English is sufficient, but they are unaware that written English abilities are also essential.

From improving academic performance to increasing employment opportunities, the ability to write in English allows you to communicate and express yourself more effectively in today's globalized world and boosts your confidence.

Essay writing is an excellent approach to developing your writing skills. Are you unsure where to begin? We have compiled a list of eight helpful hints for writing better English essays.

1. Keep a Vocabulary Notebook

Essay writing requires the use of appropriate words. When you work to extend your vocabulary, you will be able to select appropriate terms to elevate your writing to the next level.

Instead of learning new terms and then forgetting them, please keep a record in your vocabulary notebook. This helps you recall the meanings of new terms and can also be used when writing essays.

So, set a goal of learning at least 10 new words per day, which you can record in your diary, and take baby steps toward creating a robust vocabulary.

2. Refer to Credible Sources

The first step in writing any essay is to conduct research. The more thorough your research, the higher the quality of your essay.

In an age where we have access to a wealth of data, it is critical to analyze research sources carefully and only refer to reliable ones.

For example, Wikipedia is not a trustworthy source and should not be cited in essays.

Attempt to read through recently published journals, research studies, scholarly articles, academic databases, and encyclopedias.

While evaluating the source, it is also necessary to assess the author's reliability.

3. Draft a Basic Outline

Take your time with writing when you have completed your research. Make a basic plan for your essay and organize your research and findings.

"Is that necessary?" you ask. Thank you very much.

Working on an outline allows you to approach the essay systematically. It serves as the framework for your paper, ensuring that no information is overlooked and that your thoughts flow correctly.

Most essays are divided into three sections: introduction, body, and conclusion.

In the introduction, you present the issue and provide context. Your arguments and research methodology must be included in the body paragraphs (if any).

The conclusion should restate the thesis statement and connect all of the points.

4. Hook the Reader

With attention spans shortening, it is more crucial than ever to start with a bang and capture the reader from the outset to guarantee they are immersed in your writing.

Essay hooks are the initial one or two sentences of your essay that might make or break the reader's interest. The idea is to write a hook that captures and holds the reader's attention.

You may use numerous strategies to keep the reader involved, ranging from a frightening statistic and a pertinent quote to using comedy and asking a rhetorical question.

Take your time trying to come up with a compelling essay hook. Finish the rest of your essay and return later to develop an engaging hook.

5. Use the Pomodoro Technique

It is not easy to write an essay in one sitting, especially if it is not in your first language.

The Pomodoro technique is a clever way to approach essay writing. This strategy requires you to set a timer for 25 minutes to complete your activity and then take a 5-minute break.

After four cycles of this, you are entitled to a 20-minute respite.

Begin by splitting the work into more minor activities such as research, outlining, writing the various paragraphs, citing references, and proofreading.

You can set a timer, begin working on the essay using the strategy and keep track of your progress.

This strategy keeps distractions at bay and allows you to focus more effectively.

6. Pay Attention to Grammar Rules

While your essay may raise relevant ideas, poor grammar detracts from the reading experience and should be avoided at all costs.

Check your sentence forms, eliminate passive voice as much as possible, and understand the distinction between adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and verbs.

So follow grammar standards to produce a well-written and cohesive essay.

7. Write with Clarity

You could be tempted to impress the reader using sophisticated metaphors and jargon, but none of that ensures "excellent" writing.

Clarity is one of the most critical components of excellent writing. After reading your article, you want the reader to know the situation.

So, use simple language, avoid jargon, and clarify topics with examples because straightforward writing always wins.

8. Reread the Essay

Finally, make it a point to check your essay (many times) to verify that you have covered all of the bases, correctly referenced references, and avoided any dumb mistakes.

It is a good idea to read your essay aloud so you can quickly notice faults and awkwardly formed sentences.

It would help if you also had a friend or family member examine your essay to catch any errors or contradictions you may have missed.