It is also important to bear in mind that the problems encountered by students from overseas are within the range of difficulties faced by Australian students in so far as both groups may need to improve academic skills, writing approaches and critical thinking. Student learning outcomes are influenced by the learner's perception of context i.e, teaching, assessment, curriculum, and the nature of learning tasks. If this is the case, the methods of assessment must be carefully constructed around clearly specified learning objectives. In a multicultural learning environment students may have different approaches to, and definitions of, essay writing. It may well be salutary to remember this origin, and to conceive of the essay as an opportunity for students to put into words what has been learnt.
Essays are essentially concerned with trying out ideas and arguments supported by evidence.
An essay as an argument well supported by evidence. An essay as an arrangement, a presentation of facts and ideas. Another possibility is that an essay is a random display of ideas and facts in response to the question or task set. The act of writing is a process that leads to, and at the same time demonstrates, understanding. It is in fact a way of thinking.