1. Focus. In order to secure an upper 1st class mark you must demonstrate a highly sophisticated balance between context and focus. Supporting material must serve the purpose of your core arguments in a persuasive and lucid manner. Be mindful always of the question which you are attempting to answer.

2. Reading and research. The very top academic marks can only be achieved through a highly impressive demonstration of a remarkably broad background subject knowledge. What is more, your deep engagement with reading and research must be manifest in an exceptionally capable use of these materials in building and supporting persuasive arguments. Select the most relevant literature from your impressive command of classic and contemporary texts.

3. Supporting material. Do not merely include token references from a broad spectrum of related texts; demonstrate instead your mastery in delving into often esoteric sources in order to pick out the precise supporting statement or key idea. Your command of many readings must be absolutely integrated with your consummate ability to interpret and make them directly relevant.

4. Structure. Ensure each component of the essay sets up the next, leads the reader to follow the progression of your arguments, makes clear the relevance of all material to the question at hand, and adds to the persuasiveness of your concluding remarks. Employ linking devices to make the piece seamless.

5. Argument and analysis. To show that your work demands the very top marks, don’t be shy about turning your analytical acuity towards authoritative texts in the academic literature and picking them apart. When working at this high level, be sure to be absolutely rigorous in the logical extrapolation of ideas.

6. Language. Produce nothing but immaculate spelling, punctuation and grammar. You should aim for complete fluency in the academic register and an accomplished understanding of specialist terminology where appropriate.

7. Thesis. In writing your upper 1st essay ensure that all of your sharp arguments and lucid analyses support one another and build into something greater than the sum of their parts.

8. Academic conventions. There is very little room for error in an upper 1st class essay, much less in the prosaic matters of adhering to proper conventions. Find out what is expected for a given piece of work and fulfil the specifications perfectly.

9. Referencing. As with your use of the academic register and proper conventions, appropriate referencing should be second nature to you. The strength of your arguments derive from your familiarity with the literature, so demonstrate your respect for it with immaculate referencing.

10. Originality. Most undergraduate studies do not require or expect genuine originality of ideas – but you are aiming for an upper 1st. Having mastered all other aspects of undergraduate essay writing, you are in a position to test your nerve. The key is confidence.