ABSTRACT
It is hard to know where to start when it comes to writing an essay or an answer to a problem question. Students often say that the most diffi cult stage of writing is to begin, and many academics fi nd this as well with their own writing. When one has lots of ideas, it is diffi cult to sift through what should be left out and what should be included, and to work out how to put those ideas down on paper. The easiest way may be to split the process up into stages and to work through each one in turn without worrying about the next until you have completed the last one. This chapter will consider how to approach writing an essay. It could properly be argued that we should consider fi rst the nature of legal research and use of research sources before we move on to consider essay writing. However, as I hope I shall demonstrate below, it is important that research is used as part of the writing process rather than a precursor to it. You need to be clear on the task that you have been set, and also on what you know already, before you begin undertaking research and before you plan your answer. Please do follow up your reading of this chapter by also turning to the chapters on research, referencing and fi nishing and polishing your work too. It may also be as well to reread the fi rst chapter on how you will be assessed, once you have a fi rst draft of your essay.
