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Mastering the art of essay writing in English
![technique for essay Alice OrrĂč](https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Alice-orru-Preply.png)
The key components of an essay
Selecting an appropriate topic, conducting thorough research, capturing the reader’s attention, writing a compelling thesis statement, organizing ideas coherently, supporting arguments with evidence, transitioning between paragraphs, ensuring paragraph unity and coherence, summarizing the key points, providing a thought-provoking closing section, reviewing grammar and punctuation, enhancing clarity and style, infusing your personal perspective, using descriptive language, techniques to overcome writing challenges, building a writing routine.
Did you know that over 1.35 billion people worldwide speak English as a first or second language? It’s not just a language but a bridge that connects cultures, ideas, and people. And one of the most crucial skills you can develop as an English learner is the ability to write compelling essays. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone who wants to communicate effectively, mastering the art of essay writing in English is a skill that can open doors and broaden horizons.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of essay writing in English. We’ll cover everything from the basics of essay structure to crafting captivating introductions, developing strong body paragraphs, creating compelling conclusions, and even polishing your essays through editing. After reading this article, you’ll understand how to write an essay in English that engages readers, presents your ideas clearly, and leaves a lasting impression.
How to write an essay: The basics
An essay is a written composition that presents and supports a particular idea, argument, or point of view. It’s a way to express your thoughts, share information, and persuade others to see things from your perspective. Essays come in various forms, such as argumentative, persuasive, expository, and descriptive, each serving a unique purpose.
An essay is like a journey that takes your reader from one point to another, guided by your words and ideas. To ensure a smooth ride, let’s break down the five key components of an essay:
Introduction
The starting point of your essay, where you introduce the topic and grab the reader’s attention
Thesis statement
A concise statement presenting your main argument or point of view, usually found at the end of the introduction
Body paragraphs
The heart of your essay, where you elaborate on your main points and provide supporting evidence
The closing section where you summarize your key points and restate your thesis while leaving the reader with something to ponder
Preparing for successful essay writing
Before you delve into the world of words and ideas, it’s essential to equip yourself with the right tools and strategies. As a seasoned traveler plans meticulously before a trip, successful essay writing requires careful preparation to ensure a smooth and fulfilling experience. This section explores the foundational steps that lay the groundwork for crafting compelling essays.
Before you embark on your essay-writing journey, choose a topic that interests you and aligns with the purpose of your essay. A well-chosen topic makes the writing process more enjoyable and ensures that your enthusiasm shines through your words.
Brainstorming techniques
Brainstorming is the fuel that ignites creativity. Jot down all the ideas that come to mind related to your chosen topic. Don’t worry about organizing them at this stage; the goal is to generate a pool of potential ideas to work with.
Researching and narrowing down ideas
Once you have a list of ideas, it’s time to research. Look for reliable sources that provide valuable information about your topic. As you gather information, start narrowing down your focus to the most compelling and relevant aspects.
Effective research is the backbone of a well-crafted essay. Utilize online databases, books, academic journals, and reputable websites to gather diverse information. Remember to take detailed notes to make referencing easier later on.
Reliable sources and references
Credibility matters in essay writing. Use sources that are trustworthy and well regarded within the academic community. When incorporating information from these sources, provide proper citations and references to avoid plagiarism.
Note-taking strategies
Develop a system for note-taking that works for you. Whether you prefer handwritten notes, digital documents, or both, ensure that your notes are organized, clear, and easily accessible when writing.
![technique for essay](https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/imgonline-com-ua-CompressBySize-GZkuCpkhdlhafyeV-scaled.jpg)
Crafting an engaging introduction
They say that first impressions are everything, and this sentiment holds especially true in the case of essay writing. An engaging introduction lays the foundation for an exceptional essay. Your introduction is the gateway that beckons readers into the world you’ve created with your words, urging them to explore further. In this section, we’ll see how to create introductions that grab attention, spark curiosity, and smoothly lead into your essay.
Think of your introduction as a gateway to your essay . Engage your reader with a captivating opening sentence that sparks curiosity and makes them want to read further.
For example, suppose we were to write an essay on Mary Jackson, the first Black woman to work at NASA. We could introduce it like this:
«Imagine a time when reaching for the stars meant defying more than just gravity. Mary Jackson, a brilliant mathematician and engineer, did just that. In a world where opportunities for Black women were limited, she became the first to break barriers at NASA.»
Anecdotes or quotes
Anecdotes and quotes are potent tools to humanize your essay and connect with your audience. Share a relevant personal story or a thought-provoking quote that ties into your topic.
Presenting a thought-provoking question
Posing a question in your introduction can stimulate your reader’s curiosity and encourage them to explore your essay in search of answers. Do you remember how we started this article? đ
At the core of every well-constructed essay lies a guiding light â a thesis statement that illuminates the path your arguments will tread. Your thesis statement is the linchpin that holds your essay together, providing direction and purpose to every word you write.
Let’s continue with our essay example on Mary Jackson. Our thesis statement could look like this:
«This essay delves into the life of Mary Jackson, showcasing her pioneering spirit, determination, and lasting impact on science and society. As we explore her journey, you’ll see how her legacy continues to inspire generations, proving that even in the face of adversity, dreams can soar higher than the sky.»
Clarity and specificity
Your thesis statement is the compass that guides your essay. Make it clear, concise, and specific so that your reader knows what to expect.
Signposting the essay’s main points
Give your reader a road map of what lies ahead in your essay. Briefly outline the main points you’ll be covering in the body paragraphs.
«In the upcoming sections, this essay will trace the remarkable journey of Mary Jackson. She earned her place in history as the first Black woman to join NASA. We will unfold each phase of her life story, shedding light on her early years, educational achievements, significant contributions at NASA, unwavering commitment to diversity, enduring legacy, and resonance in today’s world.»
Developing strong body paragraphs
If the introduction of your essay is the grand entrance, then the body paragraphs are the chambers where your ideas come to life , flourish, and weave a compelling narrative. A skilled writer crafts body paragraphs that build upon one another to shape a coherent and persuasive argument. In this section, we’ll uncover the art of developing strong body paragraphs that are organized and informative and seamlessly flow from one another.
Each body paragraph should focus on a single main idea or argument. Organize your paragraphs in a logical sequence so that they always build upon the previous one.
Utilizing topic sentences
Start each body paragraph with a clear and concise topic sentence that previews the paragraph’s main point.
Logical flow of information
Ensure that your ideas flow smoothly from one paragraph to the next. Use transitional words and phrases to guide your reader through your essay effortlessly.
Support your claims with evidence, such as statistics, facts, examples, and expert opinions. This adds credibility and persuasiveness to your arguments.
Incorporating quotations and examples
Quotations and examples breathe life into your essay, providing real-world context for your ideas. Make sure to integrate them seamlessly and provide proper citations.
Proper citation and referencing
Avoid plagiarism by properly citing the sources of your information. Use a consistent citation style , such as the American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), or Chicago, and create a bibliography or âworks citedâ page.
![technique for essay](https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/imgonline-com-ua-CompressBySize-anxFfmSA65-scaled.jpg)
Mastering essay structure and coherence
A compelling essay’s beauty lies in the depth of its content and the seamless flow of its ideas . In this section, we’ll explain how to understand better and use essay structure and coherence. We’ll talk about methods that turn paragraphs into a well-organized and exciting piece of writing.
Smooth transitions between paragraphs enhance the flow of your essay. Use transitional phrases to bridge ideas and create a seamless reading experience.
Using transitional words and phrases
Transitional words, such as âhowever,â âin addition,â and âon the other hand,â help connect ideas and show the relationship between different parts of your essay.
Maintaining the essay’s flow
Review your essay to ensure that the ideas progress logically and coherently. If a paragraph feels out of place, reorder or revise it.
Each paragraph should have a clear focus and relate directly to the main argument. Avoid going off on tangents that don’t contribute to your essay’s central theme.
Consistency in tense and voice
Maintain a consistent use of verb tenses and writing voice throughout your essay. Mixing past and present tense can confuse your reader.
Avoiding repetition and redundancy
Be mindful of repeating the same ideas or using redundant phrases. This not only adds unnecessary length but also dilutes the impact of your arguments.
Creating a compelling conclusion
The conclusion of an essay is not merely a summary but a reflection that echoes the essence of your arguments and ties them into a satisfying whole . In this section, we’ll explore the art of creating a compelling conclusion that reiterates your main points and offers a fresh perspective, a thought-provoking insight, or a call to action.
In your conclusion, briefly summarize the main points you’ve covered in your essay. Remind your reader of the journey you’ve taken them on.
Reiterating the thesis statement
Revisit your thesis statement, reinforcing the main argument you’ve presented throughout the essay.
Briefly summarizing the main arguments
Highlight the key arguments and evidence you’ve provided in the body paragraphs, emphasizing their significance.
Leave your reader with a final thought, question, or idea that encourages them to reflect on your essay’s topic and implications.
Implications or future considerations
If appropriate, discuss the broader implications of your essay’s topic or suggest areas for future research and exploration.
Leaving a lasting impression on the reader
End your essay with impact. Craft a conclusion that resonates with your reader, leaving them thinking about your words long after finishing your essay.
Returning to the essay example on Mary Jackson, here is a simple but impactful closing section:
«Mary Jackson’s journey is a powerful example of overcoming challenges. From her early interest in science to her important role at NASA, her legacy inspires diversity and progress. By exploring her achievements, we see that learning and fairness can create lasting change.
Mary Jackson’s story encourages us to face obstacles with determination. Reflecting on her journey, we’re prompted to think about how her influence urges us to value diversity and drive positive life changes.»
![technique for essay](https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/imgonline-com-ua-CompressBySize-qwCiJmOsDhf-scaled.jpg)
Polishing your essay: The editing process
In the editing process, your essay transforms from a rough draft into a polished gem ready to shine. In this section, we’ll delve into the nuances of the editing process , exploring techniques to review the grammar, punctuation, style, and clarity of your essay. From proofreading techniques to harnessing grammar-checking tools, we’ll see the steps to enhance your essay’s precision and eloquence.
Before submitting your essay, thoroughly review it for grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, and spelling issues.
Proofreading techniques
Read your essay slowly and carefully, paying attention to each word and punctuation mark. This helps you catch typos and minor errors.
Utilizing grammar-checking tools
Use grammar-checking tools and software to catch any mistakes you have missed. However, don’t rely solely on these tools, as they may not detect all errors.
Ensure your sentences are clear and concise. Avoid overly complex language or jargon that might confuse your reader.
Sentence structure and variety
Vary the structures of your sentences to keep your writing engaging. Combine short and long sentences to create rhythm and flow.
Removing unnecessary jargon
Simplify your language and avoid unnecessary jargon, especially if your essay is intended for a general audience.
Showcasing your unique voice
In a world saturated with words, your voice is the signature that distinguishes your essay from the rest . Every writer possesses a unique voice that infuses personality and authenticity into their work. From striking a balance between objectivity and subjectivity to coloring your essay with personal insights, you’ll discover how to create a composition that echoes your individuality. As you embark on the quest to find and amplify your voice, remember that your words carry the imprint of your identity, enriching your essay with depth and resonance.
Feel free to share your insights and experiences if they are relevant to your topic. This can make your essay more relatable.
Balancing objectivity and subjectivity
While essays often express the authorâs point of view, strive for a balanced approach that fairly presents both sides of an argument.
Expressing individual insights
Provide a thoughtful analysis and interpretation of the information you’ve presented. Your insights demonstrate your engagement with the topic.
Incorporate descriptive language to paint a vivid picture for your reader. Use sensory details to make your essay come to life.
Evoking imagery and sensory details
Engage your reader’s senses and invoke their imagination by describing sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures. This helps them immerse themselves in your essay.
![technique for essay soft skills](https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/33_SITES_LEARN_POLISH.png)
Overcoming writer’s block
Writer’s block â the unwelcome companion that often lurks on the path to creativity â is a challenge familiar to every writer . From freewriting to cultivating a writing routine, there are several strategies to break through barriers and reignite your creative spark. Remember, even the most accomplished writers experience moments of resistance; what sets them apart is their ability to overcome it.
Writer’s block can strike at any time. Experiment with different techniques, such as freewriting and mind mapping, to break through creative barriers.
Freewriting and mind mapping
Engage in freewriting â set a timer and write whatever comes to mind without worrying about grammar or structure. Alternatively, use mind maps to organize your ideas visually .
Taking breaks and seeking inspiration
Step away from your writing and do something else when you’re stuck. A change of scenery or a brisk walk can help refresh your mind.
Establishing a consistent writing routine can help you stay motivated and make steady progress on your essays.
Setting goals and deadlines
Set achievable goals and deadlines for each step of the writing process. This keeps you accountable and prevents procrastination.
Finding your optimal writing environment
Identify the environment where you feel most productive and creative. It could be a quiet corner, a bustling café, or a peaceful park.
In this journey through the art of essay writing in English, you’ve learned how to craft an essay that captivates, informs, and persuades. From selecting a topic to preparing a compelling conclusion, every step contributes to the overall quality of your essay.
Essay writing is not just a skill; it’s a powerful tool that can shape opinions, influence decisions, and connect people across cultures and time zones.
As you embark on your essay-writing pursuits, consider seeking guidance from Preply tutors who specialize in various areas of English , including academic writing. With their expertise, you can refine your skills, receive personalized feedback, and master the art of essay writing in English. Prepare, research, and let your words pave the way for impactful communication and meaningful expression.
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Alice is a web content writer and technical translator who is specializing in inclusive language. She is Italian but has been living in Barcelona, Spain, since 2012. Her work as a web writer results from many enriching experiences and collaborations with people and communities from very different international backgrounds. In addition to Italian, she speaks Spanish, English, French, and a little Catalan... and dreams of learning Portuguese. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or, if you speak Italian, have a look at her professional blog.
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College admissions
Course: college admissions  >  unit 4.
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- Sample essay 1 with admissions feedback
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Writing tips and techniques for your college essay
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Pose a question the reader wants answered
Don't focus exclusively on the past, experiment with the unexpected, don't summarize, want to join the conversation.
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How To Write Better Essays: 5 Outside-the-Box Techniques + Writing Tips
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Brinda Gulati
Stuck on a B, chasing that A+? We've all been there.Â
I have two degrees in Creative Writing from the University of Warwick with First Class Honors. From 2013 to 2014, I also studied English Literature at the National University of Singapore.Â
Translation: Iâve written a lot of academic essays.
Some good. Some inspired. And others, plain lousy.
After a few Bs and the occasional C, I cracked the code on writing good essays. An average academic essay answers a question; but an essay that gets an A+ solves a problem â whether through discussion, analysis, definition, comparison, or evaluation.Â
In this blog post, Iâll walk you through how to write better essays. Youâll learn how to construct bullet-proof arguments with five unique thinking techniques, cut the fluff, and discover F.O.C.U.S. to improve your essay writing skills.Â
Because essays donât have to be boring. And writing them doesnât have to either.Â
What Makes A Good Essay?
What is âgoodâ writing? The answer is subjective. For example, I loved reading My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, but to some, it might be drivel.Â
Nonetheless, many examples of good writing share some core qualities.Â
There are five overarching qualities of good essay writing : flow, organization, clarity, unity, and specificity.Â
Iâve made a fun little acronym to help you remember them better: F.O.C.U.S.âąïž
F low: Does the writing flow smoothly from one point to the next?Â
O rganization: Have you structured your essay with a clear beginning, middle, and end? Â
C larity: Is the writing clear, error-free, and unambiguous?Â
U nity: Are all the elements of your writing supporting the central thesis?
S pecificity: Have you provided specific details, examples, and evidence to justify your main points?Â
A Fellow at The European Graduate School, and my most cherished mentor, Dr. Jeremy Fernando , has perhaps read, written, and graded thousands of academic essays over the years.Â
His advice? Â
âYouâre asking the reader to go on an explorative journey with you; the least you should do is ensure the trip youâre taking them on is the same as the advertised one.â
5 Creative Thinking Techniques For Writing Better Essays
The thing is, good essay writing doesnât start at â or even as â writing .Â
Thereâs reading, re-reading, pre-writing, revising, then actually writing, editing, and then writing some more.
As with most persuasive arguments , you need frameworks: points of reference, mental models, and structured approaches to guide your decision making. Â
That's exactly what we have here.Â
1. Try Reverse Outlining
A reverse outline is just what it sounds like: a process that distills a paper down to its bare essentials, leaving only the key points and topic sentences. The result? A clear, bullet-point blueprint of the paper's structure, whether it's your own work or someone else's.
Key Benefits:Â
â Creates an X-ray of a paper's structure to identify its central arguments and assess its logical flow.
â Helps you actively engage with someone elseâs work to deepen your understanding of the material.
â Reveals structural issues in your own essay, such as missing or misplaced points, redundancies, or weak arguments.
How To Create A Reverse Outline:
This is a two-step, and perhaps infinitely repeatable process.
Take a blank page and draw a line straight down the middle.
- In the left-hand margin, write down the keywords for each paragraph in your essay. Stick to the main points. Be brief.Â
- In the right-hand margin, write down how the keyword or topic supports the main argument. Again, don't sit down to write Bonfire of the Vanities . Make it concise . The goal is to persuasively explain your arguments in a few words.
2. Practice The Lotus Blossom Technique
In this structured brainstorming exercise, you plant your main problem in the center box of a 3x3 grid. Then, youâll fill the surrounding boxes with related themes to expand your thinking. The method was developed by Yasuo Matsumura at Clover Management Research in Japan.
Key Benefits:
â A fun, novel alternative to traditional mind-mapping and spider-diagramming. Â
â Helps you visualize your essay slowly unfolding from its core. (Like a lotus, basically.)
â I like how it's creative and thorough at the same time. An equal combination of freedom and structure.
![technique for essay Illustration of the technique. The core problem of "self-doubt re: next job" and different colored boxes for related ideas.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f7ece8a7da656e8a25402bc/666704d407fff9c9928bc57d_AD_4nXdWLIHsQZX1FB5Y4ZRhTXkPD8GJQY2hZDOZP25jogwi-UUSm5O_4tv6y-7aEHibSrH1Y7dwgiwOEqqx6AB9CskTdp1NlyfORp67PvERk5fU27dGJV6cV1877NxF9k42fj98dwc2f3qI_tZ1X_O1tM_5q8g.png)
How To Practice The Lotus Blossom Technique:
- Put your problem/essay question in the center square.
- Fill in the surrounding eight boxes with ideas related to the problem. At this point, you donât need to elaborate.Â
- Now, flesh out each of your eight ideas. Or, as with the lotus flower image â add another row of petals.Â
![technique for essay 64 boxes showing the Lotus Blossom Techniques with "core problem" in the middle and colored boxes from A to E.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f7ece8a7da656e8a25402bc/666704f73d0d818c45e2cc80_AD_4nXfPFA5Q6X6u5j4yJwttXjzAFZdMymkbGjP-6C5cxQg2otM7biuGWL0pFEL7GZ9DuVf4EgV0vJ-WZ2gVuIj2Dy8FqjkZjMwldoAoKZl33MKpVKuCRm-QZp2lIyk1b62Cp9BGKGM4It3rr5DE41Zj6Kpk65Q.png)
When all your boxes are filled in, you'll have 64 ideas for one essay argument. As far as starting-off points go, this oneâs hard to beat.Â
Pro Tip : Did you know that dim light is a creative stimulant? Go dark. Light some candles.
3. Build A Toulmin Argument Model
According to philosopher Stephen E. Toulmin, arguments are broken down into six key components: claim, grounds, warrant, qualifier, rebuttal, and backing.Â
There are three essential parts to every argument: the claim, the grounds, and the warrant.
- The claim is the main argument you want to prove to your audience.Â
- The grounds of an argument are the evidence and facts that support it.
- The warrant is the assumption which links a claim to its grounds, whether implied or explicitly stated.
â Craft persuasive arguments through an in-depth analysis that closely examines each part of your essay.
â Analyzing an argument from its components can help clarify its logic.
â The rebuttal component encourages you to anticipate and address counterarguments. The more perspectives you consider, the more well-rounded your argument will be.
How To Build A Toulmin Argument Model:
Letâs take a published paper â â Coffee and Health: A Review of Recent Human Research â by Jane V. Higdon and Balz Frei â and break it down using the Toulmin model.Â
Get Wordtune for free > Get Wordtune for free >
- Claim: Consuming moderate amounts of coffee (3-4 cups a day with 300-400 mg of caffeine) has few health risks and some health benefits. Nevertheless, caffeine may be more harmful to pregnant women, children, adolescents, and the elderly.
- Grounds: According to epidemiological studies, coffee may prevent diabetes type 2, Parkinson's disease, and liver disease.Â
- Warrant: Studies suggest that coffee consumption in moderation may have some health benefits and poses minimal health risks.
- Backing : A number of well-designed prospective cohort studies with large sample sizes are cited as supporting evidence.Â
- Qualifier: This study applies specifically to healthy adults who consume moderate amounts of filtered coffee. Optimal intake hasnât been defined.Â
- Rebuttal: Some may be more sensitive to negative effects. Further research is needed.
I donât know about you, but I often get convinced of my own arguments when writing essays, and then itâs hard for me to consider other perspectives.
So, if you want a sparring buddy, hereâs how Wordtune can help you with counterarguments:
First, Iâve copy-pasted our claim from above đđŒ
![technique for essay Wordtune's workspace showing how to generate a counterargument with AI based on the claim above.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f7ece8a7da656e8a25402bc/6667061daf35f1f608cf4810_AD_4nXeeUs6d-WKek4y6TnIF28qC_rROicjFWC7tudjELeCeruP452gsWs5aFD9ub4CMaDVUSNVcVdLy3w8mtBHKj6qg3rXjz0LSLG0tYwbApOo8-HhIL8_BctE6cDaTRQN-BE95_GrvnNzmse3qDl6UW5gb7fo.png)
Next, click on the little purple sparkle icon and choose âCounterargumentâ from the drop-down menu.Â
![technique for essay Wordtune's generated text highlighted in purple and an arrow pointing to the research's source with a blue tick.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f7ece8a7da656e8a25402bc/6667062f25328db9fd69f108_AD_4nXfE9mZAC94aG7ZNOSG5119dWhVWNs_YBExHAvNxg63--iHzlExGdjvfYWicucSJurP4RhtOu5pLgnnetkejn_v_-6wUEhBAp8WlB-qyLOpPrpS0HvF5MKgtqaJuGeJKkM2PBsAKDhUEi9f9vsvaAttsMu4.png)
Lo and behold! Not only does Wordtune provide accurate contextual suggestions for a convincing opposing opinion, it goes one step further and cites a clickable source for the research .
Nothing short of time-saving magic , if you ask me.
4. Ask The Five Whys
You need to ask âwhyâ five times to get to the root of any problem. Thatâs what the inventor of the method, and founder of Toyota Industries, Sakichi Toyoda, believed.Â
â The approach identifies the real problem, not just its surface symptoms.Â
â Itâs an easy-to-do and straightforward process that gets to the heart of your essay question.
â Use this approach in combination with the Toulmin Model to build a killer essay argument.
Asking The Five Whys:
Letâs look at a sample essay question and drill down to its core.
![technique for essay technique for essay](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f7ece8a7da656e8a25402bc/6667065ff4e63adecfbe31ac_Table%2029.webp)
When you have the core of the problem in your palm, you can then start thinking of solutions. Perhaps finding more cost-effective ways to train and support teachers. Or exploring alternative funding options, such as grants and partnerships with local businesses.
5. Experiment With The Ben Franklin Exercise
Franklin wasnât always a prodigious scholar. While working at a print shop, he reverse engineered the prose from the British magazine, The Spectator , to learn how to write better without a tutor.Â
He took detailed notes at a sentence level, contemplated them for some time, and then re-created the sentences without looking at the originals.
In fact, research from MIT shows that it's ânot just the study of tiny details that accelerates learning; the act of assembling those details yourself is what makes the difference.â This is called constructionist learning.Â
â Improve your essay writing by studying works of skilled authors through practiced imitation.
â Organizing your notes from memory will help you construct a solid structure for your essay, and evaluate any gaps in logic and flow.
â Actively deconstructing and constructing the material allows you to engage deeply with it, and therefore, write better essays.
How I Use The Ben Franklin Exercise:
One of my favorite passages in Literature â as clichĂ©d as may it be â is from Chuck Palahniukâs Fight Club .Â
![technique for essay Excerpt from Goodreads of a passage from Fight Club with red underlines at a sentence level.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f7ece8a7da656e8a25402bc/66670693e6081c49f4793192_AD_4nXdn7y7If1PiXqwuH7aapmtaHtJ5hZDhkMT3e-68JppmiXEaBGQ7YL-ZUWneFM8azUYo8qoK6RsxNH7JklYLfq270qMgFjDACf6BFFssEZQ7jsXLK-1tMulDUZ62N4qk45K-6n75pJsRPS-5-TifRJ4k71dh.png)
- Note how âstrongestâ and âsmartestâ are alliterative words, creating a sense of rhythm right in the first sentence.
- The imagery of banality â pumping gas, waiting tables, etc. is at once, vivid and relatable, moving and unmoving.
- The phrase âmidddle children of the history manâ places the narrative in a broader, more relevant context.
- Notice how the âgâ is capitalized for the first mention of war and depression, but then it switches to a small âgâ for the same words in the next sentence.
- The repetition of âvery very pissed offâ is much more effective than simply saving âlivid.â
Similarly, start by taking a paragraph from an essay you like. Make sentence-level notes and rewrite its essence without looking at it.Â
My Top Tips To Write A Good Essay
1. write lousy first drafts.
You heard me. Write as if your keyboard doesnât have keys for punctuation. Write as if no one is ever going to read your essay. The goal is to eliminate self-censorship . When you first start writing down your main points, donât assume the role of a self-editor.Â
TRY THIS : Open a blank page, set a timer for two and a half minutes, and type until the bell goes off. Take a break. Repeat. Donât re-read what youâve typed.Â
Forget proper spelling. Forget good grammar. Those polishes are all for later, when you have something to polish.Â
This is freewriting.Â
And itâs wildly effective in getting you to stop thinking about deadlines, blinking cursors, and that A+. My highest-scoring essays have all begun with messy, unstructured, poorly-worded first drafts.Â
2. Read Other Essays Like A Writer
Think of your favorite book. What makes you call it your favorite? Or a series youâve watched recently. ( Behind Her Eyes is especially good.) What compels you to see it all the way through? The same principle applies to good essay writing. Have you read an essay in your research that hooked you? Or a friendâs work you wish you could put your name to?Â
Read like a writer â become a proactive participant in examining why the writing works. Instead of passively drawing stars next to important observations, ask yourself, â Why do I like these passages? What are they doing? And how are they doing it?â (Use the Ben Franklin Exercise here.)
Take apart the essay youâre reading like a forensic pathologist doing an autopsy.Â
3. Start With An Outline
Speaking of autopsies, a good essay has good bones. Once youâve disgorged your ideas on the page, start arranging them under headers.Â
![technique for essay Google Docs' drop-down menu screenshot of formatting headers for the blog being written.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f7ece8a7da656e8a25402bc/666706b3d93701e6243bd91c_AD_4nXcRynhNhlh_pozHkFr2pN3TbRmTfAkdc9voDo1gi_poU3RH4ztc7S8PgcQd6Ppn9xuyACtDo-zVSvaninJ4KwzgZOhkCMFROPIUS1jbrztOGdH9pzj2UaL6XswnRhoJVnuKwBAkBLtcaWkvE31fGvVXc4Ma.png)
This blog too, was born in the Notes app on my phone. But if youâre taking the reader with you somewhere, you should know where youâre headed too.Â
Pro Tip : Keep two working documents for your essay. One where you dump all the links, sources, and keywords. The other is where you work on your final draft for submission.
4. Cut The Fluff
The deadlineâs in a few hours and youâre scrambling to hit minimum word count . Long, winding sentences with gratuitous adjectives youâve just looked up in the thesaurus to sound more cerebral, erudite, scholarly.
I get it. Iâve done it. And those essays have bellyflopped. Professors know when youâre trying to game them.
Hereâs an actual sentence from one of my essays I wrote in 2017:
âIbsenâs realist drama, and in particular, A Dollâs House , is replete with the problems that chapter and verse modern life â the patriarchal model of the family, money and debt, and the performance of gender.â
And much to my embarrassment, this is the scathing comment from my then-professor:Â
âThis makes no sense.â
![technique for essay Essay sentence highlighted on the left, with a comment from Nicholas Collins on the right from 2017.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f7ece8a7da656e8a25402bc/666706dcfcd387886ee9a355_AD_4nXdTSAu2vHjYTY50x4QZweQ6b_jJr3Ecv7en-ftI6TXDkqcF6pXgLgY2bHRaMw7mFFCkdum_AzbakBLLtVQxX_K20iKDOKKb1GfBlXrRca0snPro4Qq26nzsKPy0y8YPlV6_2bFJ-jf_gdndPefJh7fmc6a5.png)
Letâs rework this sentence to make sense using Wordtune (a clever AI helper I wish I had during my university days):
âThe patriarchal family model, money and debt, and gendered performance are all apparent in Ibsen's realist drama, especially A Doll's House .â
![technique for essay Wordtune's workspace showing how to cut the fluff with AI with the example from the essay above.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f7ece8a7da656e8a25402bc/666706dcdb0e124da06fe52b_AD_4nXekk1I2KfZFACbdBUmLRLbwGNWzlOff2tUhO3V10Jf7iYaYLWilGBRIDMgb7J7qmFdYcVZTY0uiR5wA8XbvMqswW9Vd4Gd7WrTkxN85DmjlAMKN10Vlb1cOme3FcylayR44Q7cxoWYBT82HY6k3Pm8qucLg.png)
Much more sensible.Â
5. Get Feedback, Edit, And Revise
I canât emphasize this enough â donât submit your first draft! Have someone else read it, perhaps a friend in the same class or even from a different major. Look at their eyebrows to see which sections make them frown in confusion.Â
Ask them to red-pen sentences and logical gaps. And then â- edit, edit edit!Â
Sleep on it. Let the essay stew in the back of your mind for a full night, and come back to it with fresh eyes.
Start (Pre-)Writing Better Essays
The ability to write persuasively will serve you well no matter what stage of your life you are in: high school, university scholar, or a professional trying to get ahead. After all, the human mind is hardwired for storytelling.
Remember, the key is to F.O.C.U.S.
Whether youâre crawling or speeding towards a deadline, bag that A+ with a smart AI assistant like Wordtune !
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How to Write the Perfect Essay: A Step-By-Step Guide for Students
- June 2, 2022
![technique for essay](https://insights.gostudent.org/hubfs/Insights_GoStudent_Blog_Images/write-summary-summarize%20%281%29.jpg)
- What is an essay?
What makes a good essay?
Typical essay structure, 7 steps to writing a good essay, a step-by-step guide to writing a good essay.
Whether you are gearing up for your GCSE coursework submissions or looking to brush up on your A-level writing skills, we have the perfect essay-writing guide for you. đŻ
Staring at a blank page before writing an essay can feel a little daunting . Where do you start? What should your introduction say? And how should you structure your arguments? They are all fair questions and we have the answers! Take the stress out of essay writing with this step-by-step guide â youâll be typing away in no time. đ©âđ»
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What is an essay?
Generally speaking, an essay designates a literary work in which the author defends a point of view or a personal conviction, using logical arguments and literary devices in order to inform and convince the reader.
So â although essays can be broadly split into four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive â an essay can simply be described as a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. đ€
The purpose of an essay is to present a coherent argument in response to a stimulus or question and to persuade the reader that your position is credible, believable and reasonable. đ
So, a âgoodâ essay relies on a confident writing style â itâs clear, well-substantiated, focussed, explanatory and descriptive . The structure follows a logical progression and above all, the body of the essay clearly correlates to the tile â answering the question where one has been posed.
But, how do you go about making sure that you tick all these boxes and keep within a specified word count? Read on for the answer as well as an example essay structure to follow and a handy step-by-step guide to writing the perfect essay â hooray. đ
Sometimes, it is helpful to think about your essay like it is a well-balanced argument or a speech â it needs to have a logical structure, with all your points coming together to answer the question in a coherent manner. âïž
Of course, essays can vary significantly in length but besides that, they all follow a fairly strict pattern or structure made up of three sections. Lean into this predictability because it will keep you on track and help you make your point clearly. Letâs take a look at the typical essay structure:
#1 Introduction
Start your introduction with the central claim of your essay. Let the reader know exactly what you intend to say with this essay. Communicate what youâre going to argue, and in what order. The final part of your introduction should also say what conclusions youâre going to draw â it sounds counter-intuitive but itâs not â more on that below. 1ïžâŁ
Make your point, evidence it and explain it. This part of the essay â generally made up of three or more paragraphs depending on the length of your essay â is where you present your argument. The first sentence of each paragraph â much like an introduction to an essay â should summarise what your paragraph intends to explain in more detail. 2ïžâŁ
#3 Conclusion
This is where you affirm your argument â remind the reader what you just proved in your essay and how you did it. This section will sound quite similar to your introduction but â having written the essay â youâll be summarising rather than setting out your stall. 3ïžâŁ
No essay is the same but your approach to writing them can be. As well as some best practice tips, we have gathered our favourite advice from expert essay-writers and compiled the following 7-step guide to writing a good essay every time. đ
#1 Make sure you understand the question
#2 complete background reading.
#3 Make a detailed plan
#4 Write your opening sentences
#5 flesh out your essay in a rough draft, #6 evidence your opinion, #7 final proofread and edit.
Now that you have familiarised yourself with the 7 steps standing between you and the perfect essay, letâs take a closer look at each of those stages so that you can get on with crafting your written arguments with confidence .
This is the most crucial stage in essay writing â r ead the essay prompt carefully and understand the question. Highlight the keywords â like âcompare,â âcontrastâ âdiscuss,â âexplainâ or âevaluateâ â and let it sink in before your mind starts racing . There is nothing worse than writing 500 words before realising you have entirely missed the brief . đ§
Unless you are writing under exam conditions , you will most likely have been working towards this essay for some time, by doing thorough background reading. Re-read relevant chapters and sections, highlight pertinent material and maybe even stray outside the designated reading list, this shows genuine interest and extended knowledge. đ
#3 Make a detailed plan
Following the handy structure we shared with you above, now is the time to create the âskeleton structureâ or essay plan. Working from your essay title, plot out what you want your paragraphs to cover and how that information is going to flow. You donât need to start writing any full sentences yet but it might be useful to think about the various quotes you plan to use to substantiate each section. đ
Having mapped out the overall trajectory of your essay, you can start to drill down into the detail. First, write the opening sentence for each of the paragraphs in the body section of your essay. Remember â each paragraph is like a mini-essay â the opening sentence should summarise what the paragraph will then go on to explain in more detail. đïž
Next, it's time to write the bulk of your words and flesh out your arguments. Follow the âpoint, evidence, explainâ method. The opening sentences â already written â should introduce your âpointsâ, so now you need to âevidenceâ them with corroborating research and âexplainâ how the evidence youâve presented proves the point youâre trying to make. âïž
With a rough draft in front of you, you can take a moment to read what you have written so far. Are there any sections that require further substantiation? Have you managed to include the most relevant material you originally highlighted in your background reading? Now is the time to make sure you have evidenced all your opinions and claims with the strongest quotes, citations and material. đ
This is your final chance to re-read your essay and go over it with a fine-toothed comb before pressing âsubmitâ. We highly recommend leaving a day or two between finishing your essay and the final proofread if possible â youâll be amazed at the difference this makes, allowing you to return with a fresh pair of eyes and a more discerning judgment. đ€
If you are looking for advice and support with your own essay-writing adventures, why not t ry a free trial lesson with GoStudent? Our tutors are experts at boosting academic success and having fun along the way. Get in touch and see how it can work for you today. đ
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Essay and dissertation writing skills
Planning your essay
Writing your introduction
Structuring your essay
- Writing essays in science subjects
- Brief video guides to support essay planning and writing
- Writing extended essays and dissertations
- Planning your dissertation writing time
Structuring your dissertation
- Top tips for writing longer pieces of work
Advice on planning and writing essays and dissertations
University essays differ from school essays in that they are less concerned with what you know and more concerned with how you construct an argument to answer the question. This means that the starting point for writing a strong essay is to first unpick the question and to then use this to plan your essay before you start putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).
A really good starting point for you are these short, downloadable Tips for Successful Essay Writing and Answering the Question resources. Both resources will help you to plan your essay, as well as giving you guidance on how to distinguish between different sorts of essay questions.
You may find it helpful to watch this seven-minute video on six tips for essay writing which outlines how to interpret essay questions, as well as giving advice on planning and structuring your writing:
Different disciplines will have different expectations for essay structure and you should always refer to your Faculty or Department student handbook or course Canvas site for more specific guidance.
However, broadly speaking, all essays share the following features:
Essays need an introduction to establish and focus the parameters of the discussion that will follow. You may find it helpful to divide the introduction into areas to demonstrate your breadth and engagement with the essay question. You might define specific terms in the introduction to show your engagement with the essay question; for example, âThis is a large topic which has been variously discussed by many scientists and commentators. The principal tension is between the views of X and Y who define the main issues asâŠâ Breadth might be demonstrated by showing the range of viewpoints from which the essay question could be considered; for example, âA variety of factors including economic, social and political, influence A and B. This essay will focus on the social and economic aspects, with particular emphasis onâŠ..â
Watch this two-minute video to learn more about how to plan and structure an introduction:
The main body of the essay should elaborate on the issues raised in the introduction and develop an argument(s) that answers the question. It should consist of a number of self-contained paragraphs each of which makes a specific point and provides some form of evidence to support the argument being made. Remember that a clear argument requires that each paragraph explicitly relates back to the essay question or the developing argument.
- Conclusion: An essay should end with a conclusion that reiterates the argument in light of the evidence you have provided; you shouldnât use the conclusion to introduce new information.
- References: You need to include references to the materials youâve used to write your essay. These might be in the form of footnotes, in-text citations, or a bibliography at the end. Different systems exist for citing references and different disciplines will use various approaches to citation. Ask your tutor which method(s) you should be using for your essay and also consult your Department or Faculty webpages for specific guidance in your discipline.
Essay writing in science subjects
If you are writing an essay for a science subject you may need to consider additional areas, such as how to present data or diagrams. This five-minute video gives you some advice on how to approach your reading list, planning which information to include in your answer and how to write for your scientific audience â the video is available here:
A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.
Short videos to support your essay writing skills
There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing, including:
- Approaching different types of essay questions
- Structuring your essay
- Writing an introduction
- Making use of evidence in your essay writing
- Writing your conclusion
Extended essays and dissertations
Longer pieces of writing like extended essays and dissertations may seem like quite a challenge from your regular essay writing. The important point is to start with a plan and to focus on what the question is asking. A PDF providing further guidance on planning Humanities and Social Science dissertations is available to download.
Planning your time effectively
Try not to leave the writing until close to your deadline, instead start as soon as you have some ideas to put down onto paper. Your early drafts may never end up in the final work, but the work of committing your ideas to paper helps to formulate not only your ideas, but the method of structuring your writing to read well and conclude firmly.
Although many students and tutors will say that the introduction is often written last, it is a good idea to begin to think about what will go into it early on. For example, the first draft of your introduction should set out your argument, the information you have, and your methods, and it should give a structure to the chapters and sections you will write. Your introduction will probably change as time goes on but it will stand as a guide to your entire extended essay or dissertation and it will help you to keep focused.
The structure of extended essays or dissertations will vary depending on the question and discipline, but may include some or all of the following:
- The background information to - and context for - your research. This often takes the form of a literature review.
- Explanation of the focus of your work.
- Explanation of the value of this work to scholarship on the topic.
- List of the aims and objectives of the work and also the issues which will not be covered because they are outside its scope.
The main body of your extended essay or dissertation will probably include your methodology, the results of research, and your argument(s) based on your findings.
The conclusion is to summarise the value your research has added to the topic, and any further lines of research you would undertake given more time or resources.
Tips on writing longer pieces of work
Approaching each chapter of a dissertation as a shorter essay can make the task of writing a dissertation seem less overwhelming. Each chapter will have an introduction, a main body where the argument is developed and substantiated with evidence, and a conclusion to tie things together. Unlike in a regular essay, chapter conclusions may also introduce the chapter that will follow, indicating how the chapters are connected to one another and how the argument will develop through your dissertation.
For further guidance, watch this two-minute video on writing longer pieces of work .
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Essay Papers Writing Online
Tips and tricks for crafting engaging and effective essays.
![Tips and Tricks for Crafting Engaging and Effective Essays Writing essays](https://studbaywritingvip.com/wp-content/images/writing-essays.jpg)
Writing essays can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and strategies, you can create compelling and impactful pieces that captivate your audience. Whether you’re a student working on an academic paper or a professional honing your writing skills, these tips will help you craft essays that stand out.
Effective essays are not just about conveying information; they are about persuading, engaging, and inspiring readers. To achieve this, it’s essential to pay attention to various elements of the essay-writing process, from brainstorming ideas to polishing your final draft. By following these tips, you can elevate your writing and produce essays that leave a lasting impression.
Understanding the Essay Prompt
Before you start writing your essay, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the essay prompt or question provided by your instructor. The essay prompt serves as a roadmap for your essay and outlines the specific requirements or expectations.
Here are a few key things to consider when analyzing the essay prompt:
- Read the prompt carefully and identify the main topic or question being asked.
- Pay attention to any specific instructions or guidelines provided, such as word count, formatting requirements, or sources to be used.
- Identify key terms or phrases in the prompt that can help you determine the focus of your essay.
By understanding the essay prompt thoroughly, you can ensure that your essay addresses the topic effectively and meets the requirements set forth by your instructor.
Researching Your Topic Thoroughly
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One of the key elements of writing an effective essay is conducting thorough research on your chosen topic. Research helps you gather the necessary information, facts, and examples to support your arguments and make your essay more convincing.
Here are some tips for researching your topic thoroughly:
Don’t rely on a single source for your research. Use a variety of sources such as books, academic journals, reliable websites, and primary sources to gather different perspectives and valuable information. | |
While conducting research, make sure to take detailed notes of important information, quotes, and references. This will help you keep track of your sources and easily refer back to them when writing your essay. | |
Before using any information in your essay, evaluate the credibility of the sources. Make sure they are reliable, up-to-date, and authoritative to strengthen the validity of your arguments. | |
Organize your research materials in a systematic way to make it easier to access and refer to them while writing. Create an outline or a research plan to structure your essay effectively. |
By following these tips and conducting thorough research on your topic, you will be able to write a well-informed and persuasive essay that effectively communicates your ideas and arguments.
Creating a Strong Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a crucial element of any well-crafted essay. It serves as the main point or idea that you will be discussing and supporting throughout your paper. A strong thesis statement should be clear, specific, and arguable.
To create a strong thesis statement, follow these tips:
- Be specific: Your thesis statement should clearly state the main idea of your essay. Avoid vague or general statements.
- Be concise: Keep your thesis statement concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary details or lengthy explanations.
- Be argumentative: Your thesis statement should present an argument or perspective that can be debated or discussed in your essay.
- Be relevant: Make sure your thesis statement is relevant to the topic of your essay and reflects the main point you want to make.
- Revise as needed: Don’t be afraid to revise your thesis statement as you work on your essay. It may change as you develop your ideas.
Remember, a strong thesis statement sets the tone for your entire essay and provides a roadmap for your readers to follow. Put time and effort into crafting a clear and compelling thesis statement to ensure your essay is effective and persuasive.
Developing a Clear Essay Structure
One of the key elements of writing an effective essay is developing a clear and logical structure. A well-structured essay helps the reader follow your argument and enhances the overall readability of your work. Here are some tips to help you develop a clear essay structure:
1. Start with a strong introduction: Begin your essay with an engaging introduction that introduces the topic and clearly states your thesis or main argument.
2. Organize your ideas: Before you start writing, outline the main points you want to cover in your essay. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow of ideas.
3. Use topic sentences: Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This helps the reader understand the purpose of each paragraph.
4. Provide evidence and analysis: Support your arguments with evidence and analysis to back up your main points. Make sure your evidence is relevant and directly supports your thesis.
5. Transition between paragraphs: Use transitional words and phrases to create flow between paragraphs and help the reader move smoothly from one idea to the next.
6. Conclude effectively: End your essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis. Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion.
By following these tips, you can develop a clear essay structure that will help you effectively communicate your ideas and engage your reader from start to finish.
Using Relevant Examples and Evidence
When writing an essay, it’s crucial to support your arguments and assertions with relevant examples and evidence. This not only adds credibility to your writing but also helps your readers better understand your points. Here are some tips on how to effectively use examples and evidence in your essays:
- Choose examples that are specific and relevant to the topic you’re discussing. Avoid using generic examples that may not directly support your argument.
- Provide concrete evidence to back up your claims. This could include statistics, research findings, or quotes from reliable sources.
- Interpret the examples and evidence you provide, explaining how they support your thesis or main argument. Don’t assume that the connection is obvious to your readers.
- Use a variety of examples to make your points more persuasive. Mixing personal anecdotes with scholarly evidence can make your essay more engaging and convincing.
- Cite your sources properly to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism. Follow the citation style required by your instructor or the publication you’re submitting to.
By integrating relevant examples and evidence into your essays, you can craft a more convincing and well-rounded piece of writing that resonates with your audience.
Editing and Proofreading Your Essay Carefully
Once you have finished writing your essay, the next crucial step is to edit and proofread it carefully. Editing and proofreading are essential parts of the writing process that help ensure your essay is polished and error-free. Here are some tips to help you effectively edit and proofread your essay:
1. Take a Break: Before you start editing, take a short break from your essay. This will help you approach the editing process with a fresh perspective.
2. Read Aloud: Reading your essay aloud can help you catch any awkward phrasing or grammatical errors that you may have missed while writing. It also helps you check the flow of your essay.
3. Check for Consistency: Make sure that your essay has a consistent style, tone, and voice throughout. Check for inconsistencies in formatting, punctuation, and language usage.
4. Remove Unnecessary Words: Look for any unnecessary words or phrases in your essay and remove them to make your writing more concise and clear.
5. Proofread for Errors: Carefully proofread your essay for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Pay attention to commonly misused words and homophones.
6. Get Feedback: It’s always a good idea to get feedback from someone else. Ask a friend, classmate, or teacher to review your essay and provide constructive feedback.
By following these tips and taking the time to edit and proofread your essay carefully, you can improve the overall quality of your writing and make sure your ideas are effectively communicated to your readers.
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Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students
How To Write An Essay: Beginner Tips And Tricks
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Updated: June 19, 2024
Published: June 22, 2021
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Many students dread writing essays, but essay writing is an important skill to develop in high school, university, and even into your future career. By learning how to write an essay properly, the process can become more enjoyable and youâll find youâre better able to organize and articulate your thoughts.
When writing an essay, itâs common to follow a specific pattern, no matter what the topic is. Once youâve used the pattern a few times and you know how to structure an essay, it will become a lot more simple to apply your knowledge to every essay.Â
No matter which major you choose, you should know how to craft a good essay. Here, weâll cover the basics of essay writing, along with some helpful tips to make the writing process go smoothly.
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Types of Essays
Think of an essay as a discussion. There are many types of discussions you can have with someone else. You can be describing a story that happened to you, you might explain to them how to do something, or you might even argue about a certain topic.Â
When it comes to different types of essays, it follows a similar pattern. Like a friendly discussion, each type of essay will come with its own set of expectations or goals.Â
For example, when arguing with a friend, your goal is to convince them that youâre right. The same goes for an argumentative essay.Â
Here are a few of the main essay types you can expect to come across during your time in school:
Narrative Essay
This type of essay is almost like telling a story, not in the traditional sense with dialogue and characters, but as if youâre writing out an event or series of events to relay information to the reader.
Persuasive Essay
Here, your goal is to persuade the reader about your views on a specific topic.
Descriptive Essay
This is the kind of essay where you go into a lot more specific details describing a topic such as a place or an event.Â
Argumentative Essay
In this essay, youâre choosing a stance on a topic, usually controversial, and your goal is to present evidence that proves your point is correct.
Expository Essay
Your purpose with this type of essay is to tell the reader how to complete a specific process, often including a step-by-step guide or something similar.
Compare and Contrast Essay
You might have done this in school with two different books or characters, but the ultimate goal is to draw similarities and differences between any two given subjects.
The Main Stages of Essay Writing
When it comes to writing an essay, many students think the only stage is getting all your ideas down on paper and submitting your work. However, thatâs not quite the case.Â
There are three main stages of writing an essay, each one with its own purpose. Of course, writing the essay itself is the most substantial part, but the other two stages are equally as important.
So, what are these three stages of essay writing? They are:
Preparation
Before you even write one word, itâs important to prepare the content and structure of your essay. If a topic wasnât assigned to you, then the first thing you should do is settle on a topic. Next, you want to conduct your research on that topic and create a detailed outline based on your research. The preparation stage will make writing your essay that much easier since, with your outline and research, you should already have the skeleton of your essay.
Writing is the most time-consuming stage. In this stage, you will write out all your thoughts and ideas and craft your essay based on your outline. Youâll work on developing your ideas and fleshing them out throughout the introduction, body, and conclusion (more on these soon).
In the final stage, youâll go over your essay and check for a few things. First, youâll check if your essay is cohesive, if all the points make sense and are related to your topic, and that your facts are cited and backed up. You can also check for typos, grammar and punctuation mistakes, and formatting errors. Â
The Five-Paragraph Essay
We mentioned earlier that essay writing follows a specific structure, and for the most part in academic or college essays , the five-paragraph essay is the generally accepted structure youâll be expected to use.Â
The five-paragraph essay is broken down into one introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a closing paragraph. However, that doesnât always mean that an essay is written strictly in five paragraphs, but rather that this structure can be used loosely and the three body paragraphs might become three sections instead.
Letâs take a closer look at each section and what it entails.
Introduction
As the name implies, the purpose of your introduction paragraph is to introduce your idea. A good introduction begins with a âhook,â something that grabs your readerâs attention and makes them excited to read more.Â
Another key tenant of an introduction is a thesis statement, which usually comes towards the end of the introduction itself. Your thesis statement should be a phrase that explains your argument, position, or central idea that you plan on developing throughout the essay.Â
You can also include a short outline of what to expect in your introduction, including bringing up brief points that you plan on explaining more later on in the body paragraphs.
Here is where most of your essay happens. The body paragraphs are where you develop your ideas and bring up all the points related to your main topic.Â
In general, youâre meant to have three body paragraphs, or sections, and each one should bring up a different point. Think of it as bringing up evidence. Each paragraph is a different piece of evidence, and when the three pieces are taken together, it backs up your main point â your thesis statement â really well.
That being said, you still want each body paragraph to be tied together in some way so that the essay flows. The points should be distinct enough, but they should relate to each other, and definitely to your thesis statement. Each body paragraph works to advance your point, so when crafting your essay, itâs important to keep this in mind so that you avoid going off-track or writing things that are off-topic.
Many students arenât sure how to write a conclusion for an essay and tend to see their conclusion as an afterthought, but this section is just as important as the rest of your work.Â
You shouldnât be presenting any new ideas in your conclusion, but you should summarize your main points and show how they back up your thesis statement.Â
Essentially, the conclusion is similar in structure and content to the introduction, but instead of introducing your essay, it should be wrapping up the main thoughts and presenting them to the reader as a singular closed argument.Â
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Steps to Writing an Essay
Now that you have a better idea of an essayâs structure and all the elements that go into it, you might be wondering what the different steps are to actually write your essay.Â
Donât worry, weâve got you covered. Instead of going in blind, follow these steps on how to write your essay from start to finish.
Understand Your Assignment
When writing an essay for an assignment, the first critical step is to make sure youâve read through your assignment carefully and understand it thoroughly. You want to check what type of essay is required, that you understand the topic, and that you pay attention to any formatting or structural requirements. You donât want to lose marks just because you didnât read the assignment carefully.
Research Your Topic
Once you understand your assignment, itâs time to do some research. In this step, you should start looking at different sources to get ideas for what points you want to bring up throughout your essay.Â
Search online or head to the library and get as many resources as possible. You donât need to use them all, but itâs good to start with a lot and then narrow down your sources as you become more certain of your essayâs direction.
Start Brainstorming
After research comes the brainstorming. There are a lot of different ways to start the brainstorming process . Here are a few you might find helpful:
- Think about what you found during your research that interested you the most
- Jot down all your ideas, even if theyâre not yet fully formed
- Create word clouds or maps for similar terms or ideas that come up so you can group them together based on their similarities
- Try freewriting to get all your ideas out before arranging them
Create a Thesis
This is often the most tricky part of the whole process since you want to create a thesis thatâs strong and that youâre about to develop throughout the entire essay. Therefore, you want to choose a thesis statement thatâs broad enough that youâll have enough to say about it, but not so broad that you canât be precise.Â
Write Your Outline
Armed with your research, brainstorming sessions, and your thesis statement, the next step is to write an outline.Â
In the outline, youâll want to put your thesis statement at the beginning and start creating the basic skeleton of how you want your essay to look.Â
A good way to tackle an essay is to use topic sentences . A topic sentence is like a mini-thesis statement that is usually the first sentence of a new paragraph. This sentence introduces the main idea that will be detailed throughout the paragraph.Â
If you create an outline with the topic sentences for your body paragraphs and then a few points of what you want to discuss, youâll already have a strong starting point when it comes time to sit down and write. This brings us to our next step…Â
Write a First Draft
The first time you write your entire essay doesnât need to be perfect, but you do need to get everything on the page so that youâre able to then write a second draft or review it afterward.Â
Everyoneâs writing process is different. Some students like to write their essay in the standard order of intro, body, and conclusion, while others prefer to start with the âmeatâ of the essay and tackle the body, and then fill in the other sections afterward.Â
Make sure your essay follows your outline and that everything relates to your thesis statement and your points are backed up by the research you did.Â
Revise, Edit, and Proofread
The revision process is one of the three main stages of writing an essay, yet many people skip this step thinking their work is done after the first draft is complete.Â
However, proofreading, reviewing, and making edits on your essay can spell the difference between a B paper and an A.
After writing the first draft, try and set your essay aside for a few hours or even a day or two, and then come back to it with fresh eyes to review it. You might find mistakes or inconsistencies you missed or better ways to formulate your arguments.
Add the Finishing Touches
Finally, youâll want to make sure everything thatâs required is in your essay. Review your assignment again and see if all the requirements are there, such as formatting rules, citations, quotes, etc.Â
Go over the order of your paragraphs and make sure everything makes sense, flows well, and uses the same writing style .Â
Once everything is checked and all the last touches are added, give your essay a final read through just to ensure itâs as you want it before handing it in.Â
A good way to do this is to read your essay out loud since youâll be able to hear if there are any mistakes or inaccuracies.
Essay Writing Tips
With the steps outlined above, you should be able to craft a great essay. Still, there are some other handy tips weâd recommend just to ensure that the essay writing process goes as smoothly as possible.
- Start your essay early. This is the first tip for a reason. Itâs one of the most important things you can do to write a good essay. If you start it the night before, then you wonât have enough time to research, brainstorm, and outline â and you surely wonât have enough time to review.
- Donât try and write it in one sitting. Itâs ok if you need to take breaks or write it over a few days. Itâs better to write it in multiple sittings so that you have a fresh mind each time and youâre able to focus.
- Always keep the essay question in mind. If youâre given an assigned question, then you should always keep it handy when writing your essay to make sure youâre always working to answer the question.
- Use transitions between paragraphs. In order to improve the readability of your essay, try and make clear transitions between paragraphs. This means trying to relate the end of one paragraph to the beginning of the next one so the shift doesnât seem random.
- Integrate your research thoughtfully. Add in citations or quotes from your research materials to back up your thesis and main points. This will show that you did the research and that your thesis is backed up by it.
Wrapping Up
Writing an essay doesnât need to be daunting if you know how to approach it. Using our essay writing steps and tips, youâll have better knowledge on how to write an essay and youâll be able to apply it to your next assignment. Once you do this a few times, it will become more natural to you and the essay writing process will become quicker and easier.
If you still need assistance with your essay, check with a student advisor to see if they offer help with writing. At University of the People(UoPeople), we always want our students to succeed, so our student advisors are ready to help with writing skills when necessary.Â
At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone.
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Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 267: Quick Tips -- Using Past Bar Essay Questions for Practice
In this episode, we See more + Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking about using past bar exam essay questions as part of your study process. In particular, we talk about when to start practicing, how to practice, how much of your study time to spend practicing, and how to self-evaluate your answers.
In this episode, we discuss:
>When to start practicing essay questions and how to practice effectively
>Allocating study time for essay practice
>Self-evaluating your answers
>Resources for practice questions and feedback
>Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/)
>Brainy Bar Bank â UBE (MEE + MPT) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/brainy-bar-bank-ube-mee-mpt/)
>Brainy Bar Bank â California Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/brainy-bar-bank-california-bar-exam/)
>NCBE: National Conference of Bar Examiners (https://www.ncbex.org/)
>The State Bar of California (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/)
>Podcast Episode 51: Making the Most of Your Bar Exam Practice (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-51-making-the-most-of-your-bar-exam-practice/)
>Copying Model Answers Isn't "Practice" (https://barexamtoolbox.com/copying-model-answers-isnt-practice/)
>Benefits of Practice Questions (https://barexamtoolbox.com/benefits-of-practice-questions/)
Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-267-quick-tips-using-past-bar-essay-questions-for-practice/)
If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!
Thanks for listening!
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UGC NET 2024 Question Papers 1 and 2, Subject Wise PDF 18th June Papers
UGC NET 2024 Question Papers 1 and 2 has been available in below article. Candidate can download the UGC NET 2024 Subject Wise Paper 1 & 2 PDF of 18th June offline exam.
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Table of Contents
The UGC NET Examination was conducted on June 18, 2024, in two shifts. The exam consists of two papers: Paper 1, which assesses general teaching and research aptitude in areas such as reasoning ability, comprehension, and general awareness, and Paper 2, which is subject-specific, evaluating the candidate’s expertise in their chosen field.
The UGC NET 2024 Question Papers has been available in PDF format for various subjects. These question papers are valuable preparation tools, offering insights into the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty levels. They enable candidates to practice effectively, manage their time, and identify areas that require further study, thereby enhancing their chances of success in the exam.
Check: UGC NET 2024 June Exam Cancelled
Download UGC NET 2024 Question Papers Subject wise
The direct Link to download the UGC NET 2024 Question Papers Subject wise has been provide below. Candidate will be able to download the UGC NET Paper 1 and Paper 2 Subject wise through the provided table once updated as per schedule.
UGC NET Question Paper 1 | |
UGC NET Question Paper 2- Geography | |
UGC NET Question Paper 2- History | |
UGC NET Question Paper 1 | |
UGC NET Question Paper 2 – Physical Education | |
UGC NET Question Paper 2 – Economics | |
UGC NET Question Paper 2 – Home Science | |
UGC NET Question Paper 2 – Management | |
UGC NET Question Paper 2 – Hindi | |
UGC NET Question Paper 2 – Computer Science | |
UGC NET Question Paper 2 – English | |
UGC NET Question Paper 2 – Political Science |
UGC NET 2024 Question Papers 1 and 2
The UGC NET exam is structured with two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Each paper plays a distinct role in assessing your eligibility for lectureship positions in Indian universities. Here’s a comprehensive overview of both these papers:
Want to See How You Did on the UGC NET? Download the detailed answer key directly to your email within a week. Click here for instant access! Click here !
Paper 1: Teaching and Research Aptitude
- Focus: This paper gauges your understanding of core teaching methodologies, research aptitude, communication skills, and critical thinking abilities.
- Number of Questions: 50
- Marks: 100 (2 marks for each correct answer)
- Teaching Aptitude
- Research Aptitude
- Comprehension
- Communication Skills
- Reasoning (Logical and Analytical)
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Education
- Environment and Ecology
Paper 2: Subject-Specific Paper
- Focus: Paper 2 dives deep into your subject expertise. The specific content and question format will vary depending on the subject you choose for the UGC NET exam.
- Number of Questions: 100
- Marks: 200 (2 marks for each correct answer)
How to Download UGC NET 2024 Question Papers
To aid in efficient preparation, UGC NET 2024 question papers for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be made available subject-wise in PDF format. This accessibility allows candidates to download and practice as per their convenience. Candidates can follow these steps to download the question papers:
- Visit the Official Website : The official UGC NET website will have links to the question papers.
- Select the Year and Paper : Choose the year (2024) and the specific paper (Paper 1 or Paper 2).
- Choose the Subject : For Paper 2, select the relevant subject from the list provided.
- Download the PDF : Click on the download link to get the question paper in PDF format.
Tips for Effective Preparation Using UGC NET 2024 Question Papers
Candidates appearing for the UGC NET 2024 evening shift on 18 June 2024 can benefit significantly from practicing with the question papers from the morning shift of the same day. Here are some tailored tips for effective preparation using these specific question papers:
- Identify Patterns : Look for patterns in the questions, such as frequently tested topics or question formats.
- Understand Difficulty Level : Assess the overall difficulty level of the morning shift paper to gauge what to expect in the evening shift.
- Prioritize Important Topics : Pay special attention to topics that were heavily featured in the morning shift.
- Quick Revisions : Conduct quick revisions of these important topics to ensure you have a solid grasp on them.
- Review Notes : Go through your study notes to reinforce your understanding of complex topics.
- Refine Approach : Adjust your approach to answering questions based on the difficulty and pattern observed in the morning shift.
- Summary Notes : Use summary notes for quick revisions of important concepts.
- Key Points : Focus on key points and avoid diving into new topics or overly detailed studies at the last minute.
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I serve as a Team Leader at Adda247, specializing in National and State Level Competitive Government Exams within the Teaching Vertical. My responsibilities encompass thorough research and the development of informative and engaging articles designed to assist and guide aspiring candidates. This work is conducted in alignment with Adda247's dedication to educational excellence.
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- How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips
How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips
Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.
An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.
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Table of contents
When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.
You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like âargueâ or âargument.â It will frequently take the form of a question.
The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.
Argumentative writing at college level
At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.
In this context, you wonât necessarily be told to write an argumentative essayâbut making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless youâre told otherwise.
Examples of argumentative essay prompts
At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.
Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.
- Donât just list all the effects you can think of.
- Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
- Donât just provide a selection of data on the measuresâ effectiveness.
- Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
- Donât just analyze a random selection of doppelgĂ€nger characters.
- Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgÀnger characters.
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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.
There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.
Toulmin arguments
The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:
- Make a claim
- Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
- Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
- Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives
The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You donât have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.
Say youâre making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:
- Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
- Cite data to support your claim
- Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
- Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.
Rogerian arguments
The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:
- Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
- Highlight the problems with this position
- Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
- Suggest a possible compromise âwhat elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?
This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.
Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:
- Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
- Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
- Suggest that Wikipediaâs system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
- Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.
You donât necessarily have to pick one of these modelsâyou may even use elements of both in different parts of your essayâbut itâs worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.
Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .
Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the readerâs interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.
Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educatorsâas a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.
The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here youâll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.
In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.
Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; donât include irrelevant information.
This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.
Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.
A common frustration for teachers is studentsâ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: âa reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writingâ (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the siteâs own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always âread the references and check whether they really do support what the article saysâ (âWikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,â 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.
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An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.
No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.
Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.
The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.
If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.
An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesnât have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.
At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).
Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.
The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .
The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay youâre asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.
In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like âargue,â âassess,â or âdiscussâ to see if this is the goal.
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