How to Write an Effective Essay?

How to Write an Essay

Throughout your academic career, you will often be asked to write essays. You may have to work on an assigned essay for class, enter an essay contest or write essays for college admissions. This article will show you how to write, and then revise, all types of essays. Then, we'll explore how to write narrative, persuasive and expository essays. Read on to learn how to write essays like an expert!

Writing Your Essay

Research the topic. This step is especially important if your paper is a research paper. Go online, head to the library, search an academic database, or read newspapers. You can also ask a reference librarian.

• Know which sources are acceptable to your teacher. Does your teacher want a certain number of primary sources and secondary sources? Is your teacher picky about what's considered reliable sources?
• Can you use Wikipedia? Wikipedia is often a good starting point for learning about a topic, but many teachers won't let you cite it because they want you to find more authoritative sources. Even if your teacher does not allow Wikipedia, you can still use Wikipedia articles as a starting point. If you have very little background knowledge about your research topic, Wikipedia can be a good place to get a general working knowledge of your research topic and find search terms. The "Works Cited" or "Bibliography" section at the bottom of the page can also be a good starting point for finding reliable sources. However, if your teacher forbids even that much, a normal encyclopedia can serve the same function.
• Take detailed notes, keeping track of which facts come from which sources. Write down your sources in the correct citation format so that you don't have to go back and look them up again later.
• Never ignore facts and claims that seem to disprove your original idea or claim. A good essay writer either includes the contrary evidence and shows why such evidence is not valid or alters his or her point of view in light of the evidence.

Analyze well-written essays. In your research, you'll probably come across really well-written (and not so well-written) arguments about your topic. Do some analysis to see what makes them work.

• What claims does the author make?
• Why do they sound good? Is it the logic, the sources, the writing, the structure? Is it something else?
• What evidence does the author present to you?
• Why does the evidence sound credible? How does the author present facts, and what is his/her approach to telling a story with facts?
• Is the logic sound or faulty, and why?
• Why is the logic sound? Does the author back up his/her claims with examples that are easy to follow?

Brainstorm your own ideas. Sure, you can use the arguments of others to back up what you want to say. However, you need to come up with your original spin on the topic to make it uniquely yours.

• Make lists of ideas. You can also try mind mapping.
• Take your time. Walk in your neighborhood or local park and think about your topic. Be prepared for ideas to come to you when you least expect them.

Pick your thesis statement.

• Look at the ideas.

  Pick your thesis statement.

  • Look at the ideas that you generated. Choose one to three of your strongest ideas that support your topic. You should be able to support these ideas with evidence from your research.
  • Write a thesis statement that summarizes the main point you want to make in your essay. This sentence should be concise, clear, and engaging. It will serve as a roadmap for your essay and guide your writing.

  Write the body paragraphs.

  • Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
  • Provide evidence and examples to support your ideas. Be sure to cite your sources appropriately.
  • Explain how the evidence supports your thesis statement and contributes to your overall argument.
  • Use transitional words and phrases to connect your ideas and create a smooth flow between paragraphs.

  Write the introduction and conclusion.

  • The introduction should grab the reader's attention and provide some background information on your topic.
  • End the introduction with your thesis statement.
  • The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a fresh way.
  • Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

  Revise and edit your essay.

  • Read through your essay carefully, checking for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.
  • Make sure your ideas are presented in a logical order.
  • Ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single main idea.
  • Check the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.
  • Ask someone else to read your essay and provide feedback.

  Finalize your essay.

  • Make any necessary revisions based on the feedback you received.
  • Proofread your essay one last time to ensure it is error-free.
  • Format your essay according to the guidelines provided by your teacher or publication.
  • Create a title page, bibliography, and any other required additional pages.

  By following these steps, you can effectively write an essay that presents your ideas in a clear and organized manner. Remember to give yourself enough time for each stage of the writing process and seek help or feedback when needed. Good luck with your essay writing!