You are here

How to Write Brilliant Psychology Essays
Share
Share

How to Write Brilliant Psychology Essays

Second Edition


April 2026 | 384 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

“This book is one I wish I had bought at the start of my Psychology degree.” – Five-star review

Essay writing is a key part of the Psychology degree and knowing how to write effective and compelling academic essays is key to success. 

Whether it's understanding how to implement feedback you receive on essays, how to stop procrastinating or what makes an effective introduction, this book covers it all. Drawing on insights derived from teaching thousands of students over a 25-year period, How to Write Brilliant Psychology Essays, Second Edition, provides the keys that will unlock your writing potential.
Each chapter has features to help you improve including:

  • Ace your Assignment provide practical tips to help succeed
  • Hacks provide key tips and tricks to improving your skills 
  • Exercises help try the theory out in practice

The book also has a chapter dedicated to using AI in essay writing, giving guidance on what to do and what could get you in trouble!

 
 
Chapter 1: How to use Generative AI effectively AND be aware of its limitations
 
Chapter 2: How to seize the moment, overcome procrastination and write now
 
Chapter 3: How to use sources effectively and avoid the plagiarism trap
 
Chapter 4: How to write an effective introduction
 
Chapter 5: How to answer the essay question
 
Chapter 6: How to interconnect your essay
 
Chapter 7: How to develop your critical evaluation
 
Chapter 8: How to develop your academic voice and describe effectively
 
Chapter 9: How to write an effective conclusion
 
Chapter 10: How to ensure high-quality presentation and referencing
 
Chapter 11: How to effectively review and edit your essay
 
Chapter 12: Unseen exams
 
Chapter 13: Seen and takeaway exams
Key features
  • Subject-specific, using relevant psychology examples throughout 
  • Inclusion of examples of good and bad psychology essay-writing 
  • Engaging and accessible writing ‘Students enjoyed this text - they found it easy to read and the author's dry sense of humour appealed to many’
  • Addresses key challenges in essay writing, including: motivation and confidence; getting started; focused answers; critical evaluation; effective conclusions; referencing and use of sources
  • Brand new chapter on the use of AI 

Pedagogy: 

  • Ace your Assignment: provides practical tips to help succeed
  • Exercises help try the theory out in practice
  • Take away points highlight the key learnings from each chapter
  • Online resources provide even more help and guidance.
  • Examples of good and bad essay writing
  • Psychology specific examples throughout
  • Hacks offer insights into how to quickly improve your essays

-         -          New chapter focused on 'How to use AI with integrity for essay writing'

-      

-          Reducing density of text in chapters where appropriate

o   More exercises spread throughout chapters

-          Updated literature examples, more modern and more global

For instructors

Please select a format:

Select a Purchasing Option

Order from:

ISBN: 9781529687453
£27.99
ISBN: 9781529687460
£85.00

EC Rep

International Associates Auditing & Certification Limited
The Black Church, St Mary's Place,
Dublin 7, D07 P4AX Ireland
Sage's GPSR statement