Writing an essay or term paper

Writing an essay in five steps

At German universities, a Hausarbeit is a written term paper handed in after a seminar. It is similar to an essay in English-speaking countries, but usually longer and with stricter formal rules. The five steps below apply to both: narrow the topic, find your literature, outline, write and revise, and check the formalities.

1. Narrow the topic

A topic that is too broad cannot be treated in 12 pages. "Digitalisation in companies" is too broad; a question about how home office affects employee retention in mid-sized firms is not. Agree the topic with your lecturer and note any requirements in the module handbook. Then run the one-sentence test: can you state your question in a single sentence?

2. Find and sort your literature

Start with two or three core works, then use the snowball method and follow their references. Search your library catalogue and Google Scholar. As a rule of thumb, plan one to two sources per page of text. When you take notes, keep verbatim quotes, paraphrases and your own thoughts apart, so that nothing from a source ends up unmarked in your text.

3. Build the outline

Aim for roughly 10% introduction, 80% main part and 10% conclusion. The main part usually has two to four chapters. In a short paper, avoid more than three heading levels. Write one sentence per chapter on what it contributes to your question. A single subpoint under a heading is a warning sign: either add a second one or merge it.

4. First draft and revision

Plan two to three pages per working day for the first draft. Then revise in three passes: the red thread, style (filler words, nested sentences), and finally spelling and punctuation. Reading the text aloud helps with the second and third passes.

5. Formalities and a four-week plan

Check the formalities with a checklist: consistent citation, complete bibliography, margins, title page and table of contents. See citing in an essay and how to cite. A realistic plan for four weeks:

• Week 1: narrow the topic, agree the question with your supervisor and obtain the literature.
• Week 2: read and take notes, then create the outline.
• Week 3: write the first draft at two to three pages per day.
• Week 4: revise, check the formalities, proofread, and keep two days as a buffer.

Typical mistakes

• A topic that is too broad.
• Starting too late.
• Careless formalities.
• Paraphrases without a citation (these are assessed according to your university's rules).
• Retelling the literature without classifying it yourself.