You can't escape it, education requires you to reflect back what you've learnt and what YOU think about the arguments and ideas you have learned about.

Writing an essay is an opportunity to put your thoughts forward, convince someone to think as you do.

Take a little while to review your work on the topic, what do you agree/disagree with? Why?

The worst thing you can do is avoid this skill, because eventually you'll HAVE to do it! The way to overcome the fear, is to confront it, simply sit down and start. Even if you don't eventually use what you've written, to improve you must practice. Write now there's no limit to rewrites, so don't worry too much, but take the opportunity to review and rewrite.

Remember to PEE, make a Point, support it with Evidence, then Explain it.

Use phrases like 'for example', and 'this means that' to introduce your analysis.

But strangely, apparently, some people prefer to recount everything they ever learnt!

Read the question carefully - students often fail to communicate effectively and therefore lose marks when instead of answering the question that has been set, they answer the one they WISH had been set.

The question has a specific focus. Underline the keywords to start with and note down anything which comes to mind.

Assess = weigh up the argument/ideas vs. criticisms of these
Examine = give as many relevant factors as you can, with detailed explanation.

ALWAYS link back to the question.

Rule of 5 is a good one for exams:
Introduction
3 key ideas (at least)
Conclusion

Intro: concise & to the point, establish keywords/concepts under discussion and your point of view.

Middles: develop each point (see earlier point about PEE) you MUST explain to show you understand why you're writing about the idea.

Ends: be concise, summarise your argument(s) and which one 'wins' if assessing.

Assess: You're arguing a point, not simply presenting a series of facts.

Examine: you can prioritise and say which is the most important factor

Don't:
Text speak
Cliches
Stereotypes
Absolutes - instead use: some, more likely etc.

Do:
Be clear
Be concise
Be explicit

Your aim is to gain a qualification and that requires you to pass an exam, this means you have to show your writing skills in timed conditions. To do this best, you have to practice!

Make sure all work is handed in on time.
Action the feedback given.
Read other people's work.
Ask others to read yours.
Listen to advice.
Read the mark schemes.
Read exemplar work.