Write for Success: essay writing followed by a FREE professional assessment and consultation

Write for Success is a Writing Centre service developed to give new students valuable tips to improve their academic writing before their first written assignment is due. Write for Success is NOT an exam, and no grade will be assigned to it.

In addition, Write for Success can help students determine which writing course is most appropriate for their writing level.

Who can participate?

Write for Success is targeted to incoming students. However, any Bishop’s student can participate.

How does it work?

To complete the Write for Success assessment, you will write a persuasive essay on Moodle in the comfort of your own space. Writing consultants will review your writing and then meet with you online or in-person to discuss your essay.

When can I write my essay?

Essay writing will be open on Moodle from from August 31 to September 15, 2025.

How do I register?

You can register by emailing ewpchair@ubishops.ca.

Any questions?

Email: ewpchair@ubishops.ca

Tips for Successful Essay Writing

Brainstorm:

  • Ask yourself questions about the topic: who, why, where, what…?
  • Make a list or network/web.
  • Free write – write about the topic for 2 or 3 minutes.

Compose a thesis statement:

  • A single sentence that tells what the essay is about.

Make an outline of your main points:

  • Support your points with examples.
  • Write your essay working directly from your outline.

Check for unity and coherence:

  • Your points must relate to the main idea in the paragraph.
  • Each paragraph must relate to your thesis.
  • Your points should be logically connected.

Check for grammar, sentence structure and punctuation:

  • Subjects and verbs must agree in both number and person.
  • Pronouns must agree with the nouns they represent.
  • Make sure you do not have any sentence fragments, comma splices or run-on sentences.
  • Use a period at the end of a sentence, not a comma.
  • Use commas where there are pauses in speech, such as after introductory phrases or clauses and between items in a series.

The Writing Centre provides many informative handouts concerning the academic writing process and style as well as sentence structure and grammar: Writing Resources – Bishop’s University