While the learned texts of ancient Greek and Roman writers or epistles from the early Christian church fathers are sometimes regarded as essays, the modern form originated with Michel de Montaigne. Once matriculated, a disheartening proportion of students plead with professors to provide a correct template to emulate – or resort to plagiarism or essay mills to leap this arbitrary hurdle on their way to an imagined future where they’ll never have to use writing as an aid to learning or reflection ever again. Unlimited access to news, views, insights & reviews Digital editions Digital access to THE’s university and college rankings analysis Subscribe SubscribeTimes Higher Education's content?