Ask anybody on a deadline and they'll tell you that churning out a brilliant, effective essay isn't easy. Nevertheless, every year millions of students and hardworking professionals are expected to hand in profound pieces of writing on short notice, with their grades or salaries often hanging in the balance. While many people are familiar with the frustration that can arise from writer's block, few appreciate the extent to which frustration and challenging yourself are important parts of the writing process.

Here's how to write an effective essay, and why anybody telling you that it will be quick and easy is lying to you for their own gain.

It's supposed to be difficult

The first thing you need to understand about writing an effective essay is that this is supposed to be a difficult process - after all, if it was easy, everybody could do it and there would be no good reason to grade your skills in this area in the first place. Once you appreciate that writing is supposed to be a difficult and time-consuming process, you can move onto the next important realization; writing, though it can be difficult, it also supposed to be a fulfilling endeavor that can be broken down into a manageable process.

Nobody can truly impart their worldview into the mind of another person - along the way, part of the message is always lost in translation. It's nevertheless worthwhile to ask yourself what some of history's greatest writers have to say about the writing process in order to gleam useful tips from their insights. In his famous essay "Politics and the English Language," for instance, George Orwell noted that every writer should ask themselves what they're trying to say, which words will express their meaning, and which idioms or phrases can be summoned to make the entire ordeal easier.

If you're paying close attention, you'll realize that there's a lesson to be learned in the previous paragraph; anytime a good writer leverages ideas originally put forth by someone else, they should cite their work. When translating George Orwell's ideas to others, for instance, you should be sure to mention Orwell's name, the work in question that you're citing, and if at all possible, link your readers directly to the source material.

This is one of the reasons that writing an excellent essay can be difficult - citing your sources can be difficult and time-consuming work. It's nevertheless essential, so don't forget to give credit where credit's due if you want to receive a high grade.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

The next thing to understand about good writing is that excellent essays are seldom churned out by individuals who don't ask others for help. Most talented authors are ready and willing to tell you about the many people who have helped them throughout the years, as good writing almost always necessitates a second opinion and thorough editing if you want stellar results. You should thus eagerly embrace any opportunity to show your work to someone else in order to collect their feedback before turning in the final version of your essay.

Don't be afraid to ask friends or family members for help. If they're incapable of offering assistance, head to your local library or take to the internet to search for similar options in your nearby area. You'll be amazed at how many people are willing to help you, but first you have to go looking for them.

Sometimes, students can see serious results by relying on helpful services like Assignment Expert, particularly if they're feeling overburdened by too many assignments at once. Remember to carefully consider the feedback and advice given to you by others before incorporating it into your own work, too, as the author is ultimately responsible for the integrity and content of their essay. With a little practice, you'll soon find yourself confidently embracing the help of others and leveraging it to produce better essays than ever before.

Reading is your greatest ally

Finally, the best way to ensure that you're honing your writing skills is to read at every available opportunity. Whether it's a book, magazine, pamphlet, brochure, or even an advertisement, reading and thinking about what you've just read can seriously help you bolster your overall writing skills. This is because reading is a constant learning process - you'll see excellent techniques or phrases that you want to incorporate into your own writing while simultaneously being exposed to awful work that helps you avoid making similar mistakes yourself in the future.

Learning how to read more often takes time and effort, so don't think reading a single book will turn you into Shakespeare. It's crucial to remember that writing is a difficult craft that doesn't come naturally to everyone - even most writers struggle with hitting their deadlines. What's important is refusing to become disheartened when you fail, as low grades in the past won't prohibit you from attaining excellent grades in the future if you put forth your best efforts. Write, read, and re-write time and time again, and you'll soon find yourself producing top-notch work that has the rest of the class seething with envy.

You should also be prepared to go directly to your professor or boss and ask for guidance when you're struggling. If the provided instructions were unclear, for instance, you need to ascertain what exactly is expected of you before you can turn in an excellent essay that meets the expectations of the grader. Don't allow yourself to forget that you're writing for a specific audience, and that they're expecting certain things from your work when you turn it in. Hit the criteria they're looking for, and they'll have a hard time justifying a low grade for your essay.

Thoroughly read and cite the work of others and you'll be a much better essayist sooner rather than later. Don't forget to ask for help when it's needed, either, as all greater writers need to rely on outside support every now and again. Keep this advice in mind, and you'll soon be at the top of the class.