another way of saying this essay will explore

10 Other Ways to Say “In This Essay, I Will” (With Examples)

In academic writing , there is a tendency to overuse common phrases like “In this essay, I will.” While this phrase clearly outlines what the essay will cover, using it repeatedly can make your writing boring and repetitive.

In this article, I aim to provide readers with 10 effective synonyms for “In this essay, I will” to add variety to their essays and papers. Using different languages keeps the reader engaged and demonstrates a more advanced writing style.

This post aims to expand your options when introducing the topics covered in an essay. You can craft a strong opening that draws readers in by avoiding overused phrases and incorporating more creative language.

Whether writing for school, work, or your blog, having alternate ways to say “In this essay, I will” will improve the flow of your writing. The examples provided will help you replace the standard phrase in your work.

I hope you find these tips useful for taking your essay introductions to the next level.

Is It Wrong to Say “In This Essay, I Will”?

It is wrong to overuse the phrase “In this essay, I will” in academic writing. Though this phrase clearly outlines the topics that will be covered, relying on it too heavily can make your writing repetitive and boring for the reader.

Here are a few reasons why it’s best to avoid overusing “In this essay, I will”:

• It’s formulaic and overused. This phrase has become a tired cliché in essays, so finding alternatives makes your writing come across as more original and sophisticated.
• It can make your introduction seem mechanical. Leading with “In this essay, I will” repeatedly makes the opening sound detached rather than engaging the reader’s interest from the start.
• It’s a missed opportunity for more creative language. Varying your introduction keeps readers attentive and demonstrates a more skilled writing style.
• It hinders smooth transitions between ideas. Overusing this repetitive phrase prevents your essay from flowing logically from one point to the next.
• It’s redundant. Usually, the topics covered are outlined elsewhere like in the title or abstract, so repeatedly stating “In this essay, I will” is unnecessary.

While “In this essay, I will” can be useful when used sparingly, relying on this phrase too much results in monotonous writing . Keeping introductions lively and avoiding repetition makes a paper more appealing to read. With some thought and creativity, there are many engaging ways to smoothly introduce the key points in an academic essay.

What to Say Instead of “In This Essay, I Will”

• The purpose of this essay is to
• This essay aims to
• In the following pages, I intend to
• The goal of this piece is to
• Throughout this essay, I plan to
• In this document, my objective is to
• The focus of this composition will be to
• Throughout this paper, I intend to
• The ambition of this work is to
• Within this text, I aspire to

1. The purpose of this essay is to…

This directly states the intended goal of your essay and informs the reader of its primary aim.

Example: The purpose of this essay is to ignite a national conversation about the alarming decline of bee populations and its potential consequences for our food security.

2. This essay aims to…

Similar to the first option, it suggests a more focused exploration of the chosen topic.

Example: This essay aims to delve into the psychological motivations behind historical figures often labeled as “villains,” uncovering the complexities that shaped their actions.

3. In the following pages, I intend to…

This creates a sense of anticipation and informs the reader about the specific areas you’ll be covering.

Example: In the following pages, I intend to dissect the intricate power dynamics within Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” unveiling the societal norms and hidden agendas that fuel the characters’ interactions.

4. The goal of this piece is to…

Similar to “aims to,” but emphasizes the desired outcome you hope to achieve with your essay.

Example: The goal of this piece is to empower individuals to recognize and combat microaggressions in their daily lives, fostering a more inclusive and respectful society.

5. Throughout this essay, I plan to…

Highlights the journey of exploration your essay will take, suggesting a more dynamic reading experience.

Example: Throughout this essay, I plan to embark on a literary safari through the captivating world of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” unraveling its magical realism and timeless themes.

6. In this document, my objective is to…

Emphasizes a clear and objective approach to the topic, suitable for informative essays.

Example: In this document, my objective is to provide a balanced overview of the pros and cons of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), equipping readers with the information needed to form their own informed opinions.

7. The focus of this composition will be to…

Narrows down the specific aspect of the topic you’ll be concentrating on.

Example: The focus of this composition will be to analyze the stylistic innovations and recurring themes within the poetry of Sylvia Plath, exploring her unique contribution to the confessionalist movement.

8. Throughout this paper, I intend to…

Similar to “focus,” but emphasizes your intent and guiding principle throughout the essay.

Example: Throughout this paper, I intend to critically examine the portrayal of mental illness in mainstream media, challenging harmful stereotypes and advocating for accurate representation .

9. The ambition of this work is to…

Conveys a strong and aspirational goal for your essay, highlighting its potential impact.

Example: The ambition of this work is to reimagine the future of education, promoting personalized learning experiences that ignite students’ curiosity and foster lifelong adaptability.

10. Within this text, I aspire to…

Expresses a personal desire to achieve something meaningful with your essay, adding a touch of emotional engagement.

Example: Within this text, I aspire to illuminate the hidden beauty and resilience of overlooked communities, fostering empathy and inspiring action for positive change.

In summary, using more varied language to introduce the topics covered adds creativity and enhances the flow of an essay. The alternatives provided in this article, such as “The purpose of this essay is to” or “Throughout this paper, I intend to,” demonstrate more lively ways to articulate what the essay will examine.

Avoiding repetition and employing these different options will make an essay introduction stand out while still effectively framing the forthcoming discussion. With some thoughtful language choices and succinct presentation , writers can craft dynamic essay openings without overly relying on the dull, ubiquitous phrase “In this essay, I will.”

Related Posts:

10 Better Ways To Write “In This Essay, I Will…”

“In this essay, I will” is a common way for people to talk about what they will write in their essays. However, it’s often overused, which is why it might be wise to look into a few available alternatives. This article will share the best ones with you.

What Can I Write Instead Of “In This Essay, I Will…”?

The preferred versions do not reference the “essay” at all. Instead, the best options are “you will learn about” and “you will find out about.” These work well because they save time and words in the essay, and they don’t seem like wasted space for the reader.

You Will Learn About

“You will learn about” works well because it shows the reader straight away what they will learn. We do not have to use the phrase “In this essay” or anything similar because they’re already aware that they are reading an essay.

You Will Find Out About

Check out some of these examples to see how it works:

I Find… Really Interesting…

You can see how it works in the following examples:

This Essay Demonstrates

“This essay demonstrates” is a good phrase to start an essay if you want to include the phrase. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with starting essays with a phrase like this; it mostly depends on personal choice and writing style.

This Essay Will Discuss

“This essay will discuss” is another way to share the overall point of your essay. The sooner we can convey the overall meaning, the more interested the reader will be. It helps them to know what they are reading about before they begin.

Here are a few examples to show you how it works:

In This Essay, You Will Learn

Check out some examples of how it might work:

I Will Show Both Sides Of The Argument

This essay will analyze.

Some examples will help you to understand it better:

I Strongly Agree/Disagree, And This Essay Will Explore Why

This paper will explore.

Here are some examples:

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

9 Synonyms for “In This Essay, I Will”

It’s all too easy to fall into a repetitive trap in essay writing. So, you need to actively avoid being too repetitive and boring.

This article will explore another way to say “in this essay, I will.” There are plenty of great alternatives available that will spice up your essays.

Is It Bad to Say “In This Essay, I Will”?

It is bad to say “in this essay, I will.” Generally, it’s a repetitive and bland phrase that adds nothing of value to your essay. The reader knows they’re reading your essay, so you shouldn’t be redundant and say “in this essay, I will.”

It is too personal of a phrase to include in most essays. Also, it’s informal , making it problematic when you’re writing in a more formal environment.

• It’s clear.
• It’s a basic phrase that might help you write your first essay.
• It’s redundant.
• It makes your essay sound boring and repetitive.

Clearly, “in this essay, I will” is not a good phrase to use. If you want to keep your essays readable and interesting, you should have a few synonyms ready to go.

Keep reading to learn alternatives to “in this essay, I will.” We’ve also provided essay example sentences for each.

What to Say Instead of “In This Essay, I Will”

• You will learn about
• I find… really interesting…
• This essay demonstrates
• We will discuss
• The key factors are
• Both sides of the argument will be explored
• I will analyze
• I will explore
• My personal reflections

1. You Will Learn About

One of the best alternatives to “in this essay, I will” is “you will learn about.” Using “you” instead of “I” makes it clear to the reader what to expect from your essay.

Generally, this phrase implies that you are writing your essay for the reader. It puts them in control and shows them that they should listen to what you have to say.

It’s also a very confident phrase. Saying “you will learn” is very confident and implies that you are certain you will teach the reader something new .

You may also benefit from the following examples:

You will learn about different systems in place to keep the workforce moving. Also, I will explore alternative options that might appear in the future.

You will learn about all of the relevant arguments. Hopefully, you can come to your own conclusion alongside mine.

2. I Find… Really Interesting…

Start an essay with “I find” to discuss the topic . It allows you to explain what you’re going to discuss later in the essay. From there, you can say how interesting you find it.

So, the full phrase might look like this:

• I find this topic really interesting .

It’s a simple sentence, but it’s a great way to set up an essay. It’ll entice the reader immediately. From there, you can start talking more about the topic and what makes it so interesting to you.

Here are a couple of examples to help you understand it:

I find these matters really interesting , so I would like to discuss them in more detail. It’s vital you understand more.

I find the experiment really interesting . Therefore, I will be exploring the different ways to go about completing it.

3. This Essay Demonstrates

Another great confident alternative to “in this essay, I will” is “this essay demonstrates.” Using “demonstrates” shows that you know your essay is good and will explain something important to the reader.

However, you should always be careful using a phrase like this too often. Any phrase that includes “this essay” in it might be a bit redundant and overused. It could bore the reader if you’re not careful. Use it once only. Any more than that might cause issues.

You can also refer to the following examples:

This essay demonstrates the difference between the two standpoints. After that, you can create a fair conclusion.

This essay demonstrates the different means behind both arguments. Therefore, you will learn which one you relate to more.

4. We Will Discuss

There’s no reason why you can’t use “we” to group yourself and the reader together . It shows that you value the reader’s insights just as much as your own while writing an essay. That’s why “we will discuss” works so well here.

It tells the reader what to expect . Also, it’s a great way to open a discussion quickly inside an essay. Then, the reader will be much clearer on where you’re going and whether they’re interested in your essay.

Here are some examples to help you understand more about it:

We will discuss the alternatives to see whether there are better options. The conclusion will determine which is the best.

We will discuss both theories in great detail. It’s the only way to settle the debate and decide which is better.

5. The Key Factors Are

It’s also worth including fancy words in your essays to keep things interesting. Something like “the key factors are” is a great way to do this.

It shows that you’ve explored your options before writing about a topic. This should show the reader that you know what you’re talking about .

Also, “the key factors are” is a great way to get to the point quickly . You can explain what your essay is about immediately before diving deeper into the key factors.

Check out the following examples if you’re still unsure:

The key factors are laid out in front of you. I will be discussing the best situations to keep things uniform between attempts.

The key factors are related to the way they conduct the projects. Therefore, I will focus on the conduct rather than the outcome.

6. Both Sides of the Argument Will Be Explored

Exploring both sides of an argument is integral to a well-written essay . So, why don’t you say “both sides of the argument will be explored” at the start of your essay? After all, it shows that you want to have an unbiased discussion .

Generally, this phrase is great at the start of an essay. It entices the reader to learn more about your discussion without expecting you to favor one side over the other.

Obviously, they can wait to hear your final verdict when they read your conclusion. However, letting the reader know you will explore both sides openly is a great way to get them to keep reading.

Also, these examples should help you to figure things out:

Both sides of the argument will be explored before any conclusions are made.

Both sides of the argument will be explored in this essay. Then, the conclusion will focus on the most reasonable argument.

7. I Will Analyze

We recommend writing “I will analyze” in your essays instead of “in this essay, I will.” It’s a great way to demonstrate what you’re trying to achieve .

You can analyze anything that you think needs to be dived into. This allows the reader to understand your motives and follow along with what you say in the rest of the essay.

You should also check out the following examples:

I will analyze the reasons behind the debate. Also, I will discuss both views to keep things fair.

I will analyze and argue both points. That way, it will be clear where we stand and what should happen next.

8. I Will Explore

Another great simplistic alternative to “in this essay, I will.” You can say “I will explore,” which removes the need to say “in this essay” at all. Instead, it lets the reader know what to expect from your essay.

It’s a great way to keep the reader engaged. It’s also clear and concise . So, they should be no confusion about the contents of your essay and what you plan to write about.

Here are some examples to help you:

I will explore different alternatives to creating sustainable living environments. There are many options available.

I will explore appropriate ways to keep things fair during all experiments. Variables are vital and must be uniform.

9. My Personal Reflections

Personal opinions can often make your opinions biased. Unfortunately, this can create issues when you’re supposed to remain unbiased in certain essays.

However, if you highlight this with “my personal reflections” at the start of an essay, you can try to explain your opinions .

It’s a great alternative to “in this essay, I will.” Of course, how you can use it is a bit more specific . Nevertheless, we recommend it to start a sentence when you want to explore an idea without directly saying “in this essay” at any point.

Perhaps these examples will clear some things up:

My personal reflections will be explored in this essay. I hope to explain more about why I chose these options.

My personal reflections might create some bias during this paper. However, I will try to keep my opinions level.

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11 Synonyms for “In This Essay, I Will”

Alex Carter

In the diverse world of academic writing, it's common to find yourself in a loop of repetitive phrases. One such phrase is "In this essay, I will". This article aims to break that loop by providing you with 11 alternative phrases that can be used.

The Significance of Varied Phrasing

Variation in language is essential for maintaining reader interest and demonstrating linguistic competence. Continually repeating phrases like "In this essay, I will" can make your work appear unprofessional and monotonous. Diversifying your language not only enhances your writing but also reflects your understanding of the subject. Here are the key benefits:

• It prevents your writing from becoming monotonous
• It displays your linguistic proficiency
• It makes your essay more engaging and appealing to the reader

Alternative Phrases for "In This Essay, I Will"

Let's delve into the actual synonyms for "In this essay, I will". Here are 11 fresh alternatives, along with a context for their use:

Tips for Varied Language Usage

Incorporating variety in your language can significantly enhance your writing. Here are a few tips:

• Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for commonly used words.
• Read extensively and diversely to expose yourself to different styles and vocabularies.
• Rephrase sentences to avoid repetition.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

While striving for variety, it's important to avoid some common pitfalls.

• Overuse of thesaurus : While a thesaurus is a useful tool, overuse can make your writing sound unnatural and forced.
• Using inappropriate synonyms : Ensure the synonyms you choose are suitable for the context.

Real-World Application of Alternatives

Here are some examples of how these alternatives can be used in real-world scenarios:

The Art of Diversifying Language

Diversifying your language is an art that takes practice and patience to perfect. It's about balancing variety and relevance to create a piece that is engaging and informative. By incorporating these synonyms and following the provided tips, you can enhance your academic writing and make it more appealing to your readers.

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What Is Another Way to Say “In This Essay, I Will”?

April 6, 2023

Kahlan House

It’s time to write that dreaded essay that makes up 50% of your grade. Knowing how to start is the most difficult part, but is in this essay, I will a suitable way to introduce your topic?

In this article, we’ll show you what to say instead of in this essay, I will . In particular, we’ll provide 10 suitable ways to start an academic paper, so read on!

10 Alternative Ways to Say “In This Essay, I Will”

Below, you’ll find 10 other ways to say in this essay, I will in an academic paper:

• The aim of this essay
• The following essay will
• The purpose of this paper is
• In this paper, I intend to
• This essay will
• The following paper shall
• This study will
• The following dissertation will
• This thesis will
• This paper aims

1. The Aim of This Essay

You can use the aim of this essay to introduce your topic without including the personal pronoun “I.”

This phrase is perfect for a research paper in which you are trying to prove some hypothesis with your data. This would be the “aim” mentioned in this phrase.

Check out the examples below to see what we mean:

The aim of this paper is to prove the existence of the majestic yeti using thorough data collected from the Himalayan mountains.

With the above in mind, the aim of this paper is to reformulate human conceptions of justice with a particular focus on Western legal systems.

2. This Paper Aims

This paper aims is simply a more concise version of the phrase above. You can use either version interchangeably.

However, if you’re close to reaching your maximum word count , you should probably go for this variation instead.

Let’s see it in an example or two:

This paper aims to disprove Shrier’s claims and offer a less detrimental alternative to the issues she addresses.

In addition to providing an alternative viewpoint on the matter of “gentle parenting,” this paper aims to direct parents to more modern resources on the topic of parenting in general.

3. The Following Essay Will

Like in this essay, I will , another phrase that removes the need for personal pronouns is the following essay will .

You can use this phrase in any kind of essay, but you will see it most frequently in the introduction of a discursive essay . By that, we mean it suits an essay that argues a particular point using facts and logical reasoning.

Consider the examples below:

The following essay will be discussing the impacts of deforestation on the African Tree Toad.

Although it is commonly argued that modern news outlets are “no longer trustworthy,” the following essay will demonstrate how political agendas have influenced the content of newspapers throughout history.

4. The Purpose of This Paper Is

It is also possible to set out not what your paper intends to do, but what its overall purpose is. You can state this using the phrase the purpose of this paper is.

This is a great phrase to use in a research paper where you are trying to exhibit a particular point using data.

For instance:

The purpose of this paper is to exhibit the link between childhood exposure to lead paint and the inability to regulate emotions in adulthood.

Having set out the parameters of this experiment, I will now discuss the purpose of this paper , which is to disprove Peterson’s brash statements about the nature of masculinity.

5. This Essay Will

Instead of stating that you will address something in a paper, you can remove the personal pronouns and simply state that this essay will address something.

This is a very quick and easy way to remove the personal pronouns in in this essay, I will if you already had a draft done that included the original phrase.

Check out the examples below:

This essay will consider the similarities between Brontë’s Heathcliff and the classic Byronic hero.

In addition to arguing for the inclusion of critical thinking classes at primary school level, this essay will demonstrate the benefit of these classes on the overall cognitive abilities of children aged 8 and upwards.

6. The Following Paper Shall

The following paper shall is just a more formal version of the phrase above.

Therefore, you can use it if you believe a very formal register would be preferred by your professor. Or, if you want to sound especially sophisticated for no particular reason.

Have a look at these examples:

The following paper shall discuss the importance of exposure to music in a child’s formative years.

I shall address the key concerns raised by congress members in the following paper .

7. This Study Will

A “study” is essentially a compilation of research and a report that relates to said research. Therefore, if the paper you are working on is very research-based, you could call it a “study” and make use of the phrase this study will .

This phrase has the same effect as the others on our list, in that it removes any personal pronouns and focuses on what the paper itself will demonstrate.

Let’s see an example making use of this phrase:

This study will probe into the question of whether the Earth could survive without mosquitoes.

  This study will address how historical atrocities create a lasting legacy for previously disempowered groups.

8. In This Paper, I Intend to

If your professor is happy for you to use personal pronouns in your essay, you can switch up your wording with the phrase in this paper, I intend to .

This is an especially good phrase if you feel that in this essay, I will is starting to feel a bit worn out.

See how we’ve used it in an example:

In this paper, I intend to address the psychological impacts of social media on pre-pubescent youths.

In the first half of this paper, I intend to define my terms and my parameters before moving on to the crux of my topic in the second half.

9. The Following Dissertation Will

A “dissertation” is a lengthy paper that you write in order to obtain a Ph.D. Therefore, you could use the following dissertation will if your paper fits the parameters of a dissertation.

This may simply be a more accurate way to describe the nature of your paper, although it is normal to call a dissertation an “essay” as well.

See this phrase in a few examples:

The following dissertation will address the key issues facing the American court system and discuss both views regarding whether the Constitution should be capable of alteration.

Although research in this area has pointed to aggressive behavior being linked to neurology, the following dissertation will argue that most manifestations of aggression are socialized.

10. This Thesis Will

A “thesis” is a long paper that students frequently write to complete a degree program. Therefore, you can use the phrase this thesis will instead of this essay will to be more specific.

Have a look at the examples below:

This thesis will discuss public reactions to Milton’s representation of Lucifer at the time of the epic poem’s publishing.

After a brief unpacking of the terms used herein, this thesis will argue for an increased focus on sustainable fashion in North America.

Is It Correct to Say “In This Essay, I Will”?

The phrase in this essay, I will is perfectly correct , and it is not a bad way to start off an academic paper, particularly at a high-school level.

You can use this phrase in college essays as well. However, some academics prefer that an essay doesn’t contain any personal pronouns like “ I .” Therefore, you should check with the person marking your paper before using this phrase.

Let’s look at a couple of examples illustrating how you can use this phrase:

In this essay, I will discuss the impacts of Artificial Intelligence on the publishing industry.

In this essay, I will argue that using more sustainable modes of energy will have no negative impacts on a country’s economy.

Although in this essay, I will is a correct phrase that students use commonly in academic papers, it may be rather standardized . Furthermore, many academics disagree with the use of personal pronouns in essays.

If your professor is one of these academics, you may need to find an alternative phrase to use. Luckily, you can use our list of great alternative ways to introduce the topic of your paper, both with personal pronouns and without.

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Alternatives to “In This Essay I Will…” (#1)

Elsewhere, I have examined the use of the self-reflexive construct  “ In this essay I will… ” in essays and argued that, at least for first year university students, it is a useful construct. “In this essay I will argue …” for instance, reminds the author that he is, in fact, making an argument; “In this essay I will evaluate …” likewise reminds the author that he is “evaluating” something. For the novice essayist it can be easy to lose sight of what you are actually doing, what the key function of the essay actually is; this admittedly perfunctory construct at least puts us in the frame of mind to make an argument, to evaluate a text, to compare and contrast two (or more) or more texts. The construct is always followed by the key verb, which is then followed by the point of focus, the text, the scene, to example, etc.

To be sure, however, “In this essay I will…” is the basic point of entry, and it is best to keep in mind that there are better ways to formulate your argument. Most first year students are ready to begin moving away from this construct, at least in the editing phase. It can be useful to start your draft with this construct and then “edit it out” later on. But the question arises: How? The first, and possibly most important point, thing to remember is that there is an element of modality expressed in this construct. Modality is an often overlooked aspect of argument. It refers to an argument as contingent or merely possible. “In this essay I will…” implicitly acknowledges this modality, and this is the point I wish to focus on.

I have professed elsewhere my favour for the adverb “ arguably ,” and its derivatives, such as “it can be argued”; the adverbial function of this word and its derivatives pulls double duty, I often say. First, it acknowledges that an argument is being made; second, it acknowledges that while there is an argument being made, there are also other arguments that could be made instead . The construct “In this essay I will argue…” is a variant of this, which by acknowledging that a particular argument is to be made, tacitly acknowledges other arguments could also be made. Similar constructs, such as “In this essay I will demonstrate…,” operate in the same way. “In this essay I will…” is a perfunctory way of performing this “double duty.”

“In this essay I will…” functions in a similar way as “It can be…”; “In this essay I will argue…” for instance has a similar function to “It can be argued.” Both express a modal proposition, a possible state of affairs. The major difference is where the respective constructs occur in the introduction of your essay. In its most basic form, “In this essay I will…” are the first five words of your essay. It’s just as artless to begin your essay with “It can be….” In order to change the construct from the former to the latter, a slight rearrangement is required. here’s a simple example:

In this essay I will argue that “The Road Not Taken” is a poem about regret.

This thesis statement can be arranged as follows:

“The Road Not Taken” can be seen as a poem about regret.

“In this essay I will argue” has been transformed into “can be seen.” In either case, the construct signifies the modality of the argument. The poem “The Road Not Taken” can, indeed, be seen or understood as a poem about regret, but it could also be seen or understood in other ways, and that could form the basis of a different argument. There is nothing wrong with making an argument in the full knowledge that there are other arguments that could be made instead. This is why it’s critical to narrow the focus of your argument. Acknowledging the modality of your argument, even in simple constructs like “it can be seen,” is a simple and elegant way of narrowing the focus. Sometimes we use the explicit modal construct in conjunction with the more self-reflexive construct:

In this essay I will argue that Frankenstein can be seen as a cautionary tale against the excesses of the scientific revolution. In particular, I will argue that Frankenstein demonstrates that science should be guided by the ethical values of society, and not simply the ambitions of scientists.

In this example both the modal and pronominal construct has been used: “In this essay I will…” and “can be/should be.” Only one needs to be used:

Frankenstein can be seen as a cautionary tale against the excesses of the scientific revolution. Frankenstein demonstrates that science should be guided by the ethical values of society, and not simply the ambitions of scientists.

If you find yourself employing the modal and the self-reflexive construct, particularly in the one sentence, it’s a good sign you’re ready to move on to more complex and nuanced introductions. All arguments have some shade of modality about them; the trick is identifying the modal propositions or components and determining and if and how that modality can be used to frame your argument. It won’t always be a modal construct, of course, but the easiest first step is to identify when and where a modal proposition is used or is necessary. You are making an argument, not asserting an incontrovertible fact – something about your argument will be, well, arguable! It’s just a question of how you make that arguable aspect work in your favour.

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One response to “ Alternatives to “In This Essay I Will…” (#1) ”

Thank you so much for writing this, it has been a big help when writing essays and trying to get beyond the basic ‘In this essay I will…’. I have passed this article on to my friends as well. -Roe

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17 academic words and phrases to use in your essay

(Last updated: 20 October 2022)

Since 2006, Oxbridge Essays has been the UK’s leading paid essay-writing and dissertation service

We have helped 10,000s of undergraduate, Masters and PhD students to maximise their grades in essays, dissertations, model-exam answers, applications and other materials. If you would like a free chat about your project with one of our UK staff, then please just reach out on one of the methods below.

For the vast majority of students, essay writing doesn't always come easily. Writing at academic level is an acquired skill that can literally take years to master – indeed, many students find they only start to feel really confident writing essays just as their undergraduate course comes to an end!

If this is you, and you've come here looking for words and phrases to use in your essay, you're in the right place. We’ve pulled together a list of essential academic words you can use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essays .

Whilst your ideas and arguments should always be your own, borrowing some of the words and phrases listed below is a great way to articulate your ideas more effectively, and ensure that you keep your reader’s attention from start to finish.

It goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway) that there's a certain formality that comes with academic writing. Casual and conversational phrases have no place. Obviously, there are no LOLs, LMFAOs, and OMGs. But formal academic writing can be much more subtle than this, and as we've mentioned above, requires great skill.

So, to get you started on polishing your own essay writing ability, try using the words in this list as an inspirational starting point.

Words to use in your introduction

The trickiest part of academic writing often comes right at the start, with your introduction. Of course, once you’ve done your plan and have your arguments laid out, you need to actually put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and begin your essay.

You need to consider that your reader doesn’t have a clue about your topic or arguments, so your first sentence must summarise these. Explain what your essay is going to talk about as though you were explaining it to a five year old – without losing the formality of your academic writing, of course! To do this, use any of the below words or phrases to help keep you on track.

1. Firstly, secondly, thirdly

Even though it sounds obvious, your argument will be clearer if you deliver the ideas in the right order. These words can help you to offer clarity and structure to the way you expose your ideas. This is an extremely effective method of presenting the facts clearly. Don’t be too rigid and feel you have to number each point, but using this system can be a good way to get an argument off the ground, and link arguments together.

2. In view of; in light of; considering

These essay phrases are useful to begin your essay. They help you pose your argument based on what other authors have said or a general concern about your research. They can also both be used when a piece of evidence sheds new light on an argument. Here’s an example: The result of the American invasion has severely impaired American interests in the Middle East, exponentially increasing popular hostility to the United States throughout the region, a factor which has proved to be a powerful recruitment tool for extremist terrorist groups (Isakhan, 2015). Considering [or In light of / In view of] the perceived resulting threat to American interests, it could be argued that the Bush administration failed to fully consider the impact of their actions before pushing forward with the war.

3. According to X; X stated that; referring to the views of X

Introducing the views of an author who has a comprehensive knowledge of your particular area of study is a crucial part of essay writing. Including a quote that fits naturally into your work can be a bit of a struggle, but these academic phrases provide a great way in.

Even though it’s fine to reference a quote in your introduction, we don’t recommend you start your essay with a direct quote. Use your own words to sum up the views you’re mentioning, for example:

As Einstein often reiterated, experiments can prove theories, but experiments don’t give birth to theories.

Rather than:

“A theory can be proved by experiment, but no path leads from experiment to the birth of a theory.” {Albert Einstein, 1954, Einstein: A Biography}.

See the difference?

And be sure to reference correctly too, when using quotes or paraphrasing someone else's words.

Adding information and flow

The flow of your essay is extremely important. You don’t want your reader to be confused by the rhythm of your writing and get distracted away from your argument, do you? No! So, we recommend using some of the following ‘flow’ words, which are guaranteed to help you articulate your ideas and arguments in a chronological and structured order.

4. Moreover; furthermore; in addition; what’s more

These types of academic phrases are perfect for expanding or adding to a point you’ve already made without interrupting the flow altogether. “Moreover”, “furthermore” and “in addition” are also great linking phrases to begin a new paragraph.

Here are some examples: The dissociation of tau protein from microtubules destabilises the latter resulting in changes to cell structure, and neuronal transport. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction leads to further oxidative stress causing increased levels of nitrous oxide, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidases.

On the data of this trial, no treatment recommendations should be made. The patients are suspected, but not confirmed, to suffer from pneumonia. Furthermore, five days is too short a follow up time to confirm clinical cure.

5. In order to; to that end; to this end

These are helpful academic phrases to introduce an explanation or state your aim. Oftentimes your essay will have to prove how you intend to achieve your goals. By using these sentences you can easily expand on points that will add clarity to the reader.

For example: My research entailed hours of listening and recording the sound of whales in order to understand how they communicate.

Dutch tech companies offer support in the fight against the virus. To this end, an online meeting took place on Wednesday...

Even though we recommend the use of these phrases, DO NOT use them too often. You may think you sound like a real academic but it can be a sign of overwriting!

6. In other words; to put it another way; that is; to put it more simply

Complement complex ideas with simple descriptions by using these sentences. These are excellent academic phrases to improve the continuity of your essay writing. They should be used to explain a point you’ve already made in a slightly different way. Don’t use them to repeat yourself, but rather to elaborate on a certain point that needs further explanation. Or, to succinctly round up what just came before.

For example: A null hypothesis is a statement that there is no relationship between phenomena. In other words, there is no treatment effect.

Nothing could come to be in this pre-world time, “because no part of such a time possesses, as compared with any other, a distinguishing condition of existence rather than non-existence.” That is, nothing exists in this pre-world time, and so there can be nothing that causes the world to come into existence.

7. Similarly; likewise; another key fact to remember; as well as; an equally significant aspect of

These essay words are a good choice to add a piece of information that agrees with an argument or fact you just mentioned. In academic writing, it is very relevant to include points of view that concur with your opinion. This will help you to situate your research within a research context.

Also , academic words and phrases like the above are also especially useful so as not to repeat the word ‘also’ too many times. (We did that on purpose to prove our point!) Your reader will be put off by the repetitive use of simple conjunctions. The quality of your essay will drastically improve just by using academic phrases and words such as ‘similarly’, ‘as well as’, etc. Here, let us show you what we mean:

In 1996, then-transport minister Steve Norris enthused about quadrupling cycling trips by 2012. Similarly, former prime minister David Cameron promised a “cycling revolution” in 2013…

Or Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) aims to bridge the gap of access to electricity across the continent (...). Another key fact to remember is that it must expand cost-efficient access to electricity to nearly 1 billion people.

The wording “not only… but also” is a useful way to elaborate on a similarity in your arguments but in a more striking way.

Comparing and contrasting information

Academic essays often include opposite opinions or information in order to prove a point. It is important to show all the aspects that are relevant to your research. Include facts and researchers’ views that disagree with a point of your essay to show your knowledge of your particular field of study. Below are a few words and ways of introducing alternative arguments.

8. Conversely; however; alternatively; on the contrary; on the other hand; whereas

Finding a seamless method to present an alternative perspective or theory can be hard work, but these terms and phrases can help you introduce the other side of the argument. Let's look at some examples:

89% of respondents living in joint families reported feeling financially secure. Conversely, only 64% of those who lived in nuclear families said they felt financially secure.

The first protagonist has a social role to fill in being a father to those around him, whereas the second protagonist relies on the security and knowledge offered to him by Chaplin.

“On the other hand” can also be used to make comparisons when worded together with “on the one hand.”

9. By contrast; in comparison; then again; that said; yet

These essay phrases show contrast, compare facts, and present uncertainty regarding a point in your research. “That said” and “yet” in particular will demonstrate your expertise on a topic by showing the conditions or limitations of your research area. For example:

All the tests were positive. That said, we must also consider the fact that some of them had inconclusive results.

10. Despite this; provided that; nonetheless

Use these phrases and essay words to demonstrate a positive aspect of your subject-matter regardless of lack of evidence, logic, coherence, or criticism. Again, this kind of information adds clarity and expertise to your academic writing.

A good example is:

Despite the criticism received by X, the popularity of X remains undiminished.

11. Importantly; significantly; notably; another key point

Another way to add contrast is by highlighting the relevance of a fact or opinion in the context of your research. These academic words help to introduce a sentence or paragraph that contains a very meaningful point in your essay.

Giving examples

A good piece of academic writing will always include examples. Illustrating your essay with examples will make your arguments stronger. Most of the time, examples are a way to clarify an explanation; they usually offer an image that the reader can recognise. The most common way to introduce an illustration is “for example.” However, in order not to repeat yourself here are a few other options.

12. For instance; to give an illustration of; to exemplify; to demonstrate; as evidence; to elucidate

The academic essays that are receiving top marks are the ones that back up every single point made. These academic phrases are a useful way to introduce an example. If you have a lot of examples, avoid repeating the same phrase to facilitate the readability of your essay.

Here’s an example:

‘High involvement shopping’, an experiential process described by Wu et al. (2015, p. 299) relies upon the development of an identity-based alliance between the customer and the brand. Celebrity status at Prada, for example, has created an alliance between the brand and a new generation of millennial customers.

Concluding your essay

Concluding words for essays are necessary to wrap up your argument. Your conclusion must include a brief summary of the ideas that you just exposed without being redundant. The way these ideas are expressed should lead to the final statement and core point you have arrived at in your present research.

13. In conclusion; to conclude; to summarise; in sum; in the final analysis; on close analysis

These are phrases for essays that will introduce your concluding paragraph. You can use them at the beginning of a sentence. They will show the reader that your essay is coming to an end:

On close analysis and appraisal, we see that the study by Cortis lacks essential features of the highest quality quantitative research.

14. Persuasive; compelling

Essay words like these ones can help you emphasize the most relevant arguments of your paper. Both are used in the same way: “the most persuasive/compelling argument is…”.

15. Therefore; this suggests that; it can be seen that; the consequence is

When you’re explaining the significance of the results of a piece of research, these phrases provide the perfect lead up to your explanation.

16. Above all; chiefly; especially; most significantly; it should be noted

Your summary should include the most relevant information or research factor that guided you to your conclusion. Contrary to words such as “persuasive” or “compelling”, these essay words are helpful to draw attention to an important point. For example:

The feasibility and effectiveness of my research has been proven chiefly in the last round of laboratory tests.

Film noir is, and will continue to be, highly debatable, controversial, and unmarketable – but above all, for audience members past, present and to come, extremely enjoyable as a form of screen media entertainment.

17. All things considered

This essay phrase is meant to articulate how you give reasons to your conclusions. It means that after you considered all the aspects related to your study, you have arrived to the conclusion you are demonstrating.

After mastering the use of these academic words and phrases, we guarantee you will see an immediate change in the quality of your essays. The structure will be easier to follow, and the reader’s experience will improve. You’ll also feel more confident articulating your ideas and using facts and examples. So jot them all down, and watch your essays go from ‘good’ to ‘great’!

Essay exams: how to answer ‘To what extent…’

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In this essay/This essay will explore. Which is academic?

• Thread starter HanibalII
• Start date Sep 9, 2012
• Views : 11,832
• Sep 9, 2012

Hey all, another question. I've got an infuriating problem that my lecturer has not told me how to solve. Earlier in the year, I used the phrase "In this essay I will explore" and was told that is incorrect for academic use. But didn't actually say which part. Can anybody tell me which? I have a feeling it's the "I will" section. So would that lead me to believe saying "This essay will explore"? Or "In this essay the following points will be discussed"? Cheers  

As it is your lecturer who will be marking your work, I would suggest you ask him/her what s/he finds acceptable.  

SoothingDave

• Sep 10, 2012

In traditional academic writing, you do not mention yourself. Certainly not in the first person.  

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Should you write "In this essay I will discuss..." or "This essay will discuss..."?

University tutor here. I've always done the former and not had it commented on, and I've told all my students to do the same. But looking at other peoples marking they say never do the first and only do the second.

Which is right?

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What is an equivalent to saying "for the purpose of this essay"? [closed]

I cannot think of another formal way to say "for the purpose of this essay." The following sentence shows some context:

For the purpose of this essay, it is not necessary to dwell any further on particular conditions...

• expressions

4 Answers 4

I agree the phrase is worth avoiding; but avoiding it does not require any substitute. The sample sentence of which you offer the first part almost certainly deserves to be deleted entirely during revision. Resist temptations to talk about your essay within your essay. (One exception might be a partitio or divisio section offering an advance road-map to a particularly complicated argument.)

You could use a phrase similar to "outside the scope of this essay"

• Welcome to English Language & Usage @Anon. When you have enough rep such a short post could be made as a comment. –  user63230 Commented Dec 1, 2014 at 1:04

The English adverb herein may serve. From en.wiktionary , it means “Within this content, context, or thing”. You could say:

it is not necessary to dwell herein any further on particular conditions

or could say

Those conditions need not be considered here

but for brevity might instead say “I'll say no more of this now” or use an old standby, “But I digress”.

Of course, as Brian Donovan has noted in an answer, there's little need in an essay – a fairly short work – for such a sentence at all.

I sometimes say:

For present purposes

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged expressions synonyms or ask your own question .

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verb as in investigate; survey

Strongest matches

Strong matches

• reconnoitre

Weak matches

• have a look
• inquire into
• leave no stone unturned
• turn inside out

Discover More

Example sentences.

A 64-year-old animal trainer, he makes the six-hour round-trip every two weeks to submit to her and explore his sexuality.

In October, news broke that Regal hired Morgan Stanley to explore a possible sale.

Another side of Spider-Man that might be interesting to explore in a reboot is seeing him as an adult.

It has been incredible to explore so many artistic avenues when it comes to having a dialogue about a very serious disease.

But what I want to explore next, there are a couple of New Zealand films I want to do.

The world must certainly be round, he thought, and he was no longer satisfied to explore the waters near his own home.

No sooner was the spectroscope invented than astronomers hastened by its aid to explore the chemical constitution of the sun.

It made us feel that one ought to have two or three years to explore Britain instead of a single summer's vacation.

After a short conference the officer in command decided to divide the party and explore both paths.

Having eaten all his small stomach would hold, Lovin Child wanted to get down and explore.

Related Words

Words related to explore are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word explore . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

verb as in put in a specific context

• investigate

verb as in dig into task, action

• really get into

verb as in travel, visit

• pass through

verb as in find, uncover

• bring to light
• come across
• distinguish
• get wind of
• get wise to

Viewing 5 / 64 related words

On this page you'll find 96 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to explore, such as: analyze, delve into, examine, probe, research, and scrutinize.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

15 Other Words for “This Shows” in an Essay

Are you worried about including “this shows” again and again in an essay?

After all, the last thing you want to do is sound repetitive and boring.

Fret not! You have found yourself in the right place.

This article will explore other ways to say “this shows” in an essay.

Other Ways to Say “This Shows”

• This demonstrates
• This indicates
• This implies
• This portrays
• This illustrates
• This establishes
• This proves
• This points to
• This highlights

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• “This shows” is a common phrase used in essays to demonstrate how one thing leads to another.
• “This demonstrates” is a great formal synonym that’ll help to spice up your academic writing.
• Try “suggesting” as an alternative that shows how one thing could have created another.

Keep reading to learn different ways to say “this shows.” We’ve covered the two best phrases to help you understand more about how you can improve your essays.

Alternatively, you can read the final section to learn whether it’s correct to write “this shows.” It’s appropriate to check this out before continuing to include it in your essay!

This Demonstrates

If you’re looking for words to use instead of “this shows” in an essay, try “this demonstrates.” It’s a great formal synonym that’ll help to spice things up.

It also comes with two options. You can use it at the start of a sentence as written:

 This is option one. This demonstrates how to continue a thought from the previous sentence.

Or, you can include it as part of the same sentence. To do this, you should switch “this demonstrates” to “demonstrating.” For example:

This is option two, demonstrating that it’s part of the same sentence.

Either way, both are correct. The same applies to “this shows,” where you can use “showing” to include it in the same sentence.

It’s a great way to help the reader follow your process . This should make your essay much easier to read, even if the reader isn’t all that familiar with the topic.

You can also refer to these essay samples:

As you can see, we have also gathered all the necessary data. This demonstrates that we were correct about our original hypothesis.

They have created different rules for what we know. This demonstrates that they’re worried someone might try to interfere with them.

Also, you can write “suggesting” instead of “this shows.” It’s another great professional synonym that’ll help you to keep your writing interesting.

As we’ve already stated, you can use “suggesting” as part of the same sentence:

This is how it works, suggesting you can keep it to one sentence.

Or, you can switch it to “this suggests” to start a new sentence. For instance:

This is how it works. This suggests that you can create two sentences.

Both are correct. They also allow you to switch between them, giving you two options to help mix up your writing and keep the reader engaged .

Here are some essay examples if you still need help:

We have many new ideas ready to go, suggesting that we’re on the road to success. We just need more time.

This is the only way to complete the task, suggesting that things aren’t going to be as easy as we first thought.

Is It Correct to Say “This Shows”?

It is correct to say “this shows.” It’s a great word to use in an essay, and we highly recommend it when you’d like to show how one thing leads to another.

It’s a formal option, which is why it works so well in academic writing.

Also, it allows the reader to follow your thought process, which helps keep things streamlined and clear.

For instance:

Here is an example of how we can achieve this. This shows that we have considered every option so far.

“This shows” always starts a new sentence . You can use it whenever you’d like to connect back to the former sentence directly.

Also, makes sure you use “shows” as the verb form. It comes after “this,” so the only correct form is “shows.” To remind you, you can refer to these examples:

• Correct: This shows that things are supposed to work this way.
• Incorrect: This show that we know what we’re doing.

It’s worth using some extensions if you’re still looking to mix things up as well. Try any of the following:

• This evidence shows
• This picture shows
• This data shows
• This graph shows
• This study shows

Including something between “this” and “shows” allows you to be more specific . It helps direct the reader’s attention to something from the previous sentence.

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Thesaurus for In this essay

Related terms for in this essay - synonyms, antonyms and sentences with in this essay, similar meaning.

• in this paper
• in this article
• in this assay
• during the course of this article
• in this piece of writing
• in this white paper
• in this attempt
• at this writing
• in this writing
• in that article
• in the article
• in the paper
• in the section
• in this section
• in that trial
• for this test
• in the test
• in this study
• in this test
• in this trial
• during the course of this essay
• during the course of this thesis
• during the course of this work
• in the course of this article

Nothing suggested yet. Maybe you know some?

Common usage.

• bibliography
• disquisition
• dissertation

Sentence Examples

Proper usage in context.

• In this essay, the author's personal feelings creep in

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• 20 Words and Phrases Your Examiners Are Tired of Reading and What to Say Instead

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You’re in with a better chance of impressing them if you avoid using the words and phrases they’ve inevitably read umpteen times before. Today, we take you through some of the commonly used words and phrases that examiners are sick of reading, and give you some suggestions for what you could write instead to make your writing stronger and more distinctive.

1. Many ways…

Starting an essay is difficult; just as a novelist has to use a compelling opening line to make people want to keep reading, so the first line of an essay needs to be attention-grabbing. Unfortunately, many students struggle with writing a strong opening line, and end up with something rather less engaging. A common one is to state the obvious, or summarise too broadly, and the expression “in many ways” crops up frequently. For example, in answer to an essay title of “How does Shakespeare show that Beatrice and Benedick are attracted to each other?”, a student might be tempted to begin their essay with the words, “Shakespeare shows the attraction between Beatrice and Benedick in many ways…” This “in many ways” construction is a weak and vague opening, and the essay would be better off without it. It would be better to be more specific, perhaps by making some opening observations about the role of this attraction in the play. This introduces the subject of how Shakespeare shows it without stating the obvious.

2. In this essay…

On the subject of weak opening lines, many essays begin by the student saying, “In this essay, we will look at such and such.” This is stating the obvious, so the words “in this essay” are unnecessary. Incidentally, the use of the ‘royal we’ as seen in this example is also a cliché, and best avoided in an academic essay if you can.

3. The next point I want to make is that…

This phrase is an obvious attempt at padding an essay out to increase the word count. You don’t need to signpost an essay in this way, and what’s more, this is a weak way of moving from one argument to another. Ideally, you should make thematic links between paragraphs or points, moving logically through your arguments, rather than simply listing them one by one in the manner implied by a phrase like “The next point I want to make”. If you can introduce the subject of the next paragraph in the previous one, as a follow-up to what you’ve just been saying, then you will avoid the need to make a jarring leap with a phrase like this.

4. In order to

Simply writing “to” without the “in order” almost always results in a more elegantly worded sentence, and reduces the impression that you’re trying to pad out the essay to achieve the desired word count.

5. It is interesting to note that…

Another reason for students using overly long-winded or clichéd phrases in their essays is that they are often labouring under the misapprehension that certain phrases make their essays sound more intellectual. Introducing a point with the phrase “It is interesting to note that…” is an example of this. Students perhaps imagine that it gives of an air of intellectual curiosity, but it’s really a waste of words. The sentence will almost certainly work – and be stronger – without it. For example: “It is interesting to note that Larkin neglects to mention…” It’s a stronger, more decisive statement if you remove the first few words: “Larkin neglects to mention…” An alternative, and more elegant, construction might be: “such and such is notable by its absence in Larkin’s work”.

6. The author uses…

Another cliché in student essays – specifically English essays this time – is to make points by saying “the author uses…”, as in “The author uses such and such a literary device to draw the reader in” or “The author does such and such to catch the reader’s attention” or “The author uses such and such to show…”. Simply stating what the technique is and what effect it has will be sufficient; it’s obvious that it’s the author who’s using it, so you don’t need to say as much.

7. The main way

The irritating thing about this phrase (for example, “The main way in which Brontë creates a feeling of gloom is by…”) is that it suggests that you don’t have a full grasp of the facts. It’s implying that there are other ways too, but that the writer thinks they can get away with not discussing them properly. Leaving aside this, it’s still an annoyingly over-used phrased, so if you can’t avoid it, replace it with “primarily”. Otherwise, try to be more specific.

8. As mentioned earlier in this essay

You should try not to repeat yourself, as implied by mentioning something you’ve said already; and ideally you shouldn’t refer to “this essay” at all. If you do need to refer to something you’ve mentioned previously, you could use the word “aforementioned” instead.

9. Situation

A staple of History or Politics essays, referring to something happening as “the situation” weakens your essay because it’s too vague. An example would be, “The situation in London was no better” or “Octavian took stock of the Mark Anthony situation”. It’s always better to be specific in essays, as being vague makes it look as though you don’t quite know what you want to say, even if you do.

10. Aspects

If you find yourself using the expression “various aspects” in an essay, remind yourself that this is too vague and try to qualify what these “aspects” actually are.

There’s no place for the second person (for example, “you would think that the experiment would show that…”) in an essay; academic prose should be written in the third person.

It’s an oft-quoted piece of essay advice, but to a large extent avoiding the first person pronoun “I” is also advisable. However, it’s a balancing act because, for humanities essays at least, it’s good to include your own opinion. The trick is not to allow the essay to become dominated by your opinion, or continually to make comments such as “I feel this is because…” or “I think such and such is being disingenuous.” The focus should be on an objective and balanced assessment of the arguments, with your own opinion included perhaps at the end, as you weigh up what you’ve been discussing. It’s still possible to include your authorial voice without using the first person pronoun, and even without saying “it seems to me that…”; simply state it in the third person: “The evidence appears to point more towards such and such…”

13. Considered to be

You’ll almost certainly find that changing “considered to be” to just “considered” makes your sentence flow better.

14. First names

The formal conventions of essay-writing dictate that people (such as other authors, historical protagonists and so on) are always referred to people by their surnames, so first names are a no-no.

Just like “aspects”, the word “things” is too vague. If you’re tempted to write something like “Things in London had improved”, make it more specific: “Social housing had improved quality of life in London”, for example.

16. Lots/lots of

On the subject of vagueness, another phrase to look out for is “lots” or “lots of”. It’s not only vague – it’s too colloquial. It’s better to say “much” or “many” if you have to (so “there were many reasons” rather than “there were lots of reasons”, for example). Even better, be specific and include actual figures; “5,000 more immigrants arrived in the town this year than last” is far better than “There were lots more immigrants arriving in the town this year than last”.

17. On account of

Using three words when one would suffice is a symptom of not knowing what you want to say, and thus trying to bolster the word count. It’s much better simply to say “because” rather than “on account of”.

18. Additionally

Some students use this word as an alternative to “also” and “as well as”. However, used in this context it’s weak – and it can be a tell-tale sign that you’re writing a boring essay that simply lists facts. Better phrases to use instead include “what’s more”, “furthermore” or “moreover”; all these help build an argument, while “additionally” makes it look as if you’ve tagged on an extra fact as an afterthought.

19. Words that imply absolutes

Words such as “always”, “never” and “everywhere” should be avoided because they’re difficult to defend and imprecise, coming under the category of sweeping generalisations. There are usually plenty of exceptions when you make a statement such as “People everywhere were feeling the effects of such and such” or “Never before had such generosity been witnessed”. Exact figures are preferable, and if these aren’t possible, then at least soften your statement to allow for the possibility of exceptions.

20. In conclusion

There can be few more hackneyed phrases than “in conclusion”. It’s infantile and puts one in mind of the essays one wrote years ago when in primary school. We know that the essay is coming to an end – we can see that – so we don’t need to signpost it by saying “in conclusion”. Instead, simply launch straight into your closing arguments.

Other ways to make your essay more original

We end by looking at some more general tips to help you write a more original essay. It’s not just individual words and phrases that examiners are tired of reading; what you write about, and the way in which you write about it, can also become tedious when everyone writes the same things. The following tips should help you increase the originality of your essay; you’ll find more detail on each of these tips in our article on how to write a more original essay .

Use more advanced language and syntax

We’ve already seen how the language you use can make your essay boring, so a more general piece of advice is to try to use more advanced language and syntax (sentence structures). You could try using techniques such as analogy to explain complex concepts, as most students will not think to do this. Providing you can demonstrate a firm understanding of what you’re writing about, explaining it clearly and confidently, it doesn’t really matter how you do it, so a well-chosen analogy could work well.

Write about less well-known aspects of the subject

Though the essay question will give a pretty good indication of what your examiner wants you to write about, you can still add more interest to your essay, and make it stand out from the others, by including some less well-known facts and angles that you might not already have looked at in class. You can get inspiration by reading more widely around the subject, for example more obscure scholarship, or, for literature, other works by the same author. You can then make comparisons with other texts, bringing in opinions that the examiner probably won’t be expecting, and your essay will be a lot less predictable as a result.

Choose a different structure or angle

Finally, a formulaic structure is a sure-fire way to guarantee that you’ll be writing the same essay as everyone else. Some of the language we looked at earlier is partly the result of a formulaic structure (“In this essay”, “the next point I want to make”, “in conclusion”, and so on), and writing an essay that doesn’t send your examiner to sleep might be easier if you try experimenting with a different structure or approaching the topic from a slightly different angle to the one you think they’ll be expecting. You’ll still need some sort of introduction and conclusion, but with a little imagination, you should be able to produce an essay that’s a bit different from the rest.

Election latest: Starmer makes 'Swift pit stop'... at the Eras Tour

The Labour leader has taken a break from general election campaigning tonight - to shake it off at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Listen to the latest Electoral Dysfunction as you scroll.

Saturday 22 June 2024 00:33, UK

• General Election 2024
• Starmer makes 'Swift pit stop'... at the Eras Tour
• Tories raised less than £300,000 in donations in second week of campaign - Labour received £4.4m
• Sunak asked if he's confident no more Tory candidates will be caught up in betting scandal
• Electoral Dysfunction: What are odds betting scandal sinks Tories?
• 'Own it': Corbyn responds to latest Starmer comments
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

Election essentials

• Manifesto pledges: Alliance Party | Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid Cymru | Reform | SNP | Sinn Fein | Workers Party
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

We'll be back from 6am with all the latest from the general election campaign, with a little under two weeks to go until polling day.

You can scroll back through the page to catch up on what you've missed, or check out our 10pm round-up for a brief look at the day.

Join us on Saturday for another day of live updates.

Slashing red tape for Britain's pubs, restaurants and music venues would be the focus of a review launched within the first 100 days of a Tory government, the party has said.

Ministers would look into ways to "crack down" on councils imposing "disproportionate conditions" and restrictions on licences as part of a bid to boost the UK night-time economy, the Conservatives say.

It comes as Rishi Sunak seeks to shift the focus of the campaign away from the betting scandal that has thrown his party into fresh turmoil in recent days.

The Tories used the announcement to attack Labour's record on nightlife in London and Wales, as polls continue to put the opposition party on course for a historic victory on 4 July.

Business minister Kevin Hollinrake said: "The night-time economy is a vibrant sector that's vital to our economy and our society as a whole.

"We've always supported our night-time economy, with business rates reliefs, economic support during the pandemic - but wherever Labour have been responsible for the sector, it's suffered.

"We'll continue to back our night-time economy - Labour would cripple it further with higher taxes and more burdensome regulation."

It's 10pm - time for your evening election update.

The general election takes place in under two weeks, and political parties from across the House of Commons are busy on the campaign trail.

Here's what you might have missed today:

• Rishi Sunak has reiterated he was "incredibly angry" when he learned about allegations that his own parliamentary aid Craig Williams, who is a Tory candidate, had placed a bet on the election;
• Laura Saunders, the candidate for Bristol North West, and her husband, director of campaigns Tony Lee, are also being investigated by the Gambling Commission;
• David TC Davies , the Welsh secretary, told Sky News this morning that he "certainly" did not bet on the date of the general election;
• And the Conservatives got less than £300,000 in party donations between 7 and 12 June - far behind the £4.3m handed to Labour;
• But a Tory candidate told Sky News tonight that the Conservatives have a "sizable war chest" to run a "decent campaign" this year;
• Mr Sunak's favourability is now at an all time low, with three quarters of Britons having an unfavourable view of him - less even than Mr Johnson's lowest polling;
• The Welsh Conservatives have launched their manifesto today.
• Over with Labour , who - as we just mentioned - have come top of the list for party donations for the second week of the general election campaign.
• And Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer today said he would not enter negotiations with the Scottish government on an independence referendum if the SNP wins a majority of Scottish seats at the 4 July election;
• Sir Keir has also admitted today that the choice the public faced in the 2019 general election - Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn - "wasn't a good one";
• But he opted to have a night off - at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in London;
•  And Welsh Labour has launched its manifesto today,  with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves detailing the "simple choice" voters have to face on 4 July.
• Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey today criticised Rishi Sunak's response to his party's betting scandal as "not good enough"; 
• And Plaid Cymru has claimed Welsh Labour's manifesto lacks ambition and undermines devolution. The party said that Labour is imposing further austerity on Wales with £1.8bn worth of cuts to public services.

While you're here, check out more of our election coverage below:

By Rob Powell , political correspondent

The architect of the government's delayed reforms to social care has told Sky News politicians need to "grow up" and tackle the crisis in the sector.

Amid a bitter election row over public spending, Sir Andrew Dilnot said he believed the two main parties were reluctant to discuss care reform for fear of being accused of plotting future tax hikes.

Sir Andrew - whose 2011 report laid out several key measures adopted by the government - described social care as the "biggest risk that isn't managed" that the country faces.

He said: "Four out of five people are going to need  social care  before they die, we should grow up and face it."

"I think politicians are reluctant to talk about it firstly because they're worried about anything that means an increase in public spending and therefore possible taxation," he added.

You can read more below:

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has taken a break from general election campaigning tonight - to shake it off at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

Sir Keir and his wife Victoria joined thousands of Swifties at the first of three Eras Tour shows at Wembley Stadium - which will be followed up by five more in August.

Government borrowing was less than expected in May, new figures have revealed.

Net borrowing - the difference between public sector spending and income - was £15bn, an increase of £0.8bn on the same time last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported on Friday.

The amount is below the £15.7bn forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and less than expected by economists.

However, it was still the highest amount for the month of May since the  COVID-19 pandemic .

The ONS also said that public sector net debt, excluding public sector banks, was provisionally estimated at 99.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) in May - the highest level since March 1961.

The figure is also 3.7 percentage points higher than during the same period last year.

Economists said it showed that whoever wins the  upcoming general election  will face a string of potential financial challenges.

Nigel Farage has stood by his comment describing Andrew Tate as an "important voice" for men as he greeted supporters in Clacton-on-Sea.

The Reform UK leader had praised Tate while speaking on the Strike It Big podcast in February for defending "male culture" and said the "jury is out" on investigations into the influencer, The Guardian reported.

Since December 2022, Tate has faced charges in Romania of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, which he denies.

Asked whether Tate was an "important voice" for men as he was leaving a meeting with supporters, Mr Farage said: "He's got a massive following and that shows you how big the gap is.

"I mean, clearly he's facing some serious allegations and has said some things that are difficult to level with, but the fact that he's got the following shows you how big the gap is."

Mr Farage did not specify what "gap" he was referring to.

Our live poll tracker collates the results of opinion surveys carried out by all the main polling organisations - and allows you to see how the political parties are performing in the run-up to the general election.

It currently shows a drop in support in recent days for Labour and the Tories - with a jump for Reform and the Liberal Democrats.

Read more about the tracker here .

The Politics Hub is live on Sky News every night at 7pm throughout the general election campaign.

But stick with us online - we'll have updates throughout the evening.

Norman Phillips and his wife Ros - who lives with multiple sclerosis and dementia - are the human faces of the social care crisis.

Initially Norman was able to combine work with his caring responsibilities, but as Ros's condition worsened, he took early retirement.

The couple found help hard to come by and after Norman suffered an injury, they were forced to sell their home to settle care-related debts.

Ros is now subject to an NHS continuing healthcare plan after Norman suffered a breakdown earlier this year and authorities decided he was unable to carry on caring for his wife.

This includes around the clock care for Ros - something Norman said would not have been needed if a lower level of help had been made available earlier.

He said: "They've got six million of us unpaid carers. If they… help us, we can help the system.

"But what's happened to me, you know, is the system just kept backing away and backing away until I cracked."

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