This book takes the reader carefully through each stage of the essay writing process from the interpretation of the question, to the research, planning and revision. They are shown not just how to improve their study skills such as note-taking, reading, organisation and writing, but their thinking skills too. The reader will learn how to analyse difficult concepts, criticise and evaluate arguments, use evidence and develop more ideas of their own. It provides clear and practical advice throughout and gives students the confidence they need to tackle written assignments. New for this edition - A new chapter on maintaining focus and gathering ideas, which will help students to switch off from distractions and create a clear space for good thinking - A new chapter entitled 'creating your own arguments: synthesising ideas' which will show students how to go beyond recycling the arguments and ideas they read and, instead, will give them the tools to make connections, generate insights and create innovative explanations of their own. - Chapter 36 (referencing and bibliographies) will include a new section on how to use sources more effectively - Chapter 35 (plagiarism) will be updated to include a new section on plagiarism detection software, and will contain additional examples of plagiarism to illustrate more clearly the different forms this can take.