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How To Write An Essay

Essay writing can make some people cringe with fear and apprehension.  No longer does this have to be the case when your instructor inevitably assigns your next essay.   Essays are multi-faceted, and require a myriad of different actions and steps.

1. Research First

Researching is your first order of business in learning how to write an essay.  After you select a topic or are assigned one; you will need to gather facts, notes, information and a general knowledge for whatever the topic of the paper is.  The internet is an excellent way to access information; just make sure you quote or cite appropriately so you avoid plagiarizing.  The local library and college are both efficient, resourceful venues.  Research is critical for preparing your essay. The more research you provide yourself with, the faster the speed in which you will complete your essay.  Brainstorming and writing down your thoughts as they come serves as an adequate research technique.

2. Make an Outline 

A clear and concise outline will allow you a misery free writing experience.  The outline suggested will  provide order  for your essay.  Most students are short on time, and drafting an outline will really help you avoid confusion in your written expressions.  All essays are comprised of three major components which are: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. A well organized outline allows you to navigate more easily through the essay writing process.

3. Start the Introduction

Upon beginning your introduction, consider how or what you will say to grab the reader’s full attention. Utilizing quotes, questions, and facts are helpful tools in establishing this critical process.  Aside from securing the reader’s attention you must identify and assert the purpose of the essay. A thesis statement is required which informs the reader of your stance on the subject being written about.  Many students become immobilized at the mention of the words thesis statement.  Just remember to keep it simple, effective and to the point!  A great thesis can set the mood for the rest of your paper; it’s important, but hardly rocket scienceThere are three main topics or ideas after the thesis that will argue, support and prove your position.  These topics will constitute the majority of your paper; also known as the meat or body of the essay.  A complete essay will have an intro, a three paragraph body for supporting your thesis, and the summary and conclusion final paragraph.  A thesis example with three supportive ideas may look like this:

Thesis– Imagine blasting from 0 to 60 mph in just four seconds! Lamborghinis are the fastest sports car in the world!

  • The v12 engine is the catalyst for such high speeds.
  • Hand crafted in Italy, Lamborghini’s craftsmanship produce superior sports cars, thus better performance and an unparalleled increase in speed.
  • Is there a faster engine than the Lamborghini V-12 Quattro- valve?

4. Body

The body of the essay is often referred to as the “bulk” of the paper or even an outline of the entire essay.  Each new idea should be noted by a new paragraph within the body.  At the beginning of your paragraph utilize a topic sentence.  Your topic sentence sets up the venue and focus for the paragraph’s content.  It’s pivotal to ensure your statements within the paragraph coincide with your topic sentence; thus allowing clear, concise, and relevant writing.  Supporting statements of the topic sentence must be cohesive. You can end paragraphs within the body of the essay by using concluding statements which are transitions that allude to your next paragraph’s topic sentence.

5. Conclusion

A conclusion is the last step in completing your essay.  A restatement of the thesis statement is what makes up your conclusion; followed by a summary of your argument.  You can use “call to action statements.”  Your call to action is a personal comment that invokes thoughts, stances or conclusions pertinent to the essay.  A predication, a question, or quotation, are all ways you can utilize their call to action statement. Tag lines are also effective ways you can leave an impression on the reader.  Tag lines are very similar to the first few sentences of the introduction; except they’re at the end of the paper in the conclusion. Tag lines are jokes, quotes, or anything catchy that will instill an impression on the reader’s attention and afterthoughts of your essay.

     Following this step by step process is paramount in your process of developing better essay writing skills.  This previous information is a formula for successful essay writing, and will undoubtedly help you if you follow the above listed format.

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