in step 4 of writing an essay you

Essay Papers Writing Online

Mastering the art of essay writing – a comprehensive guide.

Essay writing is a fundamental skill that every student needs to master. Whether you’re in high school, college, or beyond, the ability to write a strong, coherent essay is essential for academic success. However, many students find the process of writing an essay daunting and overwhelming.

This comprehensive guide is here to help you navigate the intricate world of essay writing. From understanding the basics of essay structure to mastering the art of crafting a compelling thesis statement, we’ve got you covered. By the end of this guide, you’ll have the tools and knowledge you need to write an outstanding essay that will impress your teachers and classmates alike.

So, grab your pen and paper (or fire up your laptop) and let’s dive into the ultimate guide to writing an essay. Follow our tips and tricks, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled and confident essay writer!

The Art of Essay Writing: A Comprehensive Guide

Essay writing is a skill that requires practice, patience, and attention to detail. Whether you’re a student working on an assignment or a professional writing for publication, mastering the art of essay writing can help you communicate your ideas effectively and persuasively.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key elements of a successful essay, including how to choose a topic, structure your essay, and craft a compelling thesis statement. We’ll also discuss the importance of research, editing, and proofreading, and provide tips for improving your writing style and grammar.

By following the advice in this guide, you can become a more confident and skilled essay writer, capable of producing high-quality, engaging essays that will impress your readers and achieve your goals.

Understanding the Essay Structure

When it comes to writing an essay, understanding the structure is key to producing a cohesive and well-organized piece of writing. An essay typically consists of three main parts: an introduction, the body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Introduction: The introduction is where you introduce your topic and provide some background information. It should also include your thesis statement, which is the main idea or argument that you will be discussing in the essay.

Body paragraphs: The body of the essay is where you present your supporting evidence and arguments. Each paragraph should focus on a separate point and include evidence to back up your claims. Remember to use transition words to link your ideas together cohesively.

Conclusion: The conclusion is where you wrap up your essay by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis. It is also a good place to make any final thoughts or reflections on the topic.

Understanding the structure of an essay will help you write more effectively and communicate your ideas clearly to your readers.

Choosing the Right Topic for Your Essay

One of the most crucial steps in writing a successful essay is selecting the right topic. The topic you choose will determine the direction and focus of your writing, so it’s important to choose wisely. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect topic for your essay:

	Choose a topic that you are passionate about or interested in. Writing about something you enjoy will make the process more enjoyable and your enthusiasm will come through in your writing.
	Do some preliminary research to see what topics are available and what resources are out there. This will help you narrow down your choices and find a topic that is both interesting and manageable.
	Think about who will be reading your essay and choose a topic that will resonate with them. Consider their interests, knowledge level, and any biases they may have when selecting a topic.
	Take some time to brainstorm different topic ideas. Write down all the potential topics that come to mind, and then evaluate each one based on relevance, interest, and feasibility.
	Try to choose a topic that offers a unique perspective or angle. Avoid overly broad topics that have been extensively covered unless you have a fresh take to offer.

By following these tips and considering your interests, audience, and research, you can choose a topic that will inspire you to write an engaging and compelling essay.

Research and Gathering Information

When writing an essay, conducting thorough research and gathering relevant information is crucial. Here are some tips to help you with your research:

	Make sure to use reliable sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. Avoid using sources that are not credible or biased.
	As you research, take notes on important information that you can use in your essay. Organize your notes so that you can easily reference them later.
	Don’t rely solely on one type of source. Utilize a variety of sources to provide a well-rounded perspective on your topic.
	Before using a source in your essay, make sure to evaluate its credibility and relevance to your topic. Consider the author’s credentials, publication date, and biases.
	Make sure to keep a record of the sources you use in your research. This will help you properly cite them in your essay and avoid plagiarism.

Crafting a Compelling Thesis Statement

When writing an essay, one of the most crucial elements is the thesis statement. This statement serves as the main point of your essay, summarizing the argument or position you will be taking. Crafting a compelling thesis statement is essential for a strong and cohesive essay. Here are some tips to help you create an effective thesis statement:

Be specific: Your thesis statement should clearly state the main idea of your essay. Avoid vague or general statements.
Make it arguable: A strong thesis statement is debatable and presents a clear position that can be supported with evidence.
Avoid clichés: Stay away from overused phrases or clichés in your thesis statement. Instead, strive for originality and clarity.
Keep it concise: Your thesis statement should be concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary words or phrases.
Take a stand: Your thesis statement should express a clear stance on the topic. Don’t be afraid to assert your position.

By following these guidelines, you can craft a compelling thesis statement that sets the tone for your essay and guides your reader through your argument.

Writing the Body of Your Essay

Once you have your introduction in place, it’s time to dive into the body of your essay. The body paragraphs are where you will present your main arguments or points to support your thesis statement.

Here are some tips for writing the body of your essay:

Stick to One Main Idea: Each paragraph should focus on one main idea or argument. This will help keep your essay organized and easy to follow.
Use Topic Sentences: Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
Provide Evidence: Support your main points with evidence such as facts, statistics, examples, or quotes from experts.
Explain Your Points: Don’t just state your points; also explain how they support your thesis and why they are important.
Use Transition Words: Use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas and create a smooth flow between paragraphs.

Remember to refer back to your thesis statement and make sure that each paragraph contributes to your overall argument. The body of your essay is where you can really showcase your critical thinking and analytical skills, so take the time to craft well-developed and coherent paragraphs.

Perfecting Your Essay with Editing and Proofreading

Editing and proofreading are essential steps in the essay writing process to ensure your work is polished and error-free. Here are some tips to help you perfect your essay:

Take a Break: After writing your essay, take a break before starting the editing process. This will help you look at your work with fresh eyes.
Focus on Structure: Check the overall structure of your essay, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Make sure your ideas flow logically and cohesively.
Check for Clarity: Ensure that your arguments are clear and easy to follow. Eliminate any jargon or confusing language that might obscure your message.
Grammar and Punctuation: Review your essay for grammar and punctuation errors. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, and proper punctuation usage.
Use a Spell Checker: Run a spell check on your essay to catch any spelling mistakes. However, don’t rely solely on spell checkers as they may miss certain errors.
Read Aloud: Read your essay aloud to yourself or have someone else read it to you. This can help you identify awkward phrasing or unclear sentences.
Get Feedback: Consider getting feedback from a peer, teacher, or writing tutor. They can offer valuable insights and suggestions for improving your essay.

By following these editing and proofreading tips, you can ensure that your essay is well-crafted, organized, and free of errors, helping you make a strong impression on your readers.

How to master the art of writing expository essays and captivate your audience, convenient and reliable source to purchase college essays online, step-by-step guide to crafting a powerful literary analysis essay, unlock success with a comprehensive business research paper example guide, unlock your writing potential with writers college – transform your passion into profession, “unlocking the secrets of academic success – navigating the world of research papers in college”, master the art of sociological expression – elevate your writing skills in sociology.

Virtual Classroom
Privacy Policy
Accessibility Tools

The 4 Steps in the Writing Process

~ There Is No Magic Pencil ~

When I was in school, the boy who sat next to me said he believed my pencil was magic. From the moment my pencil hit the paper, the words would flow. Meanwhile, he would stare at the page for what seemed like eternity before finally writing his own piece.

He may have thought my pencil was magic, but in retrospect, he was the more advanced writer. The time he spent staring while I hastily scrawled, erased, and rewrote, was time he spent reflecting on the story he wanted to tell. He didn’t make it up as he went along — he carefully crafted it in his mind before ever committing a single word to print. The result? His erasers remained intact and my work rambled, often off topic.

WHAT IS THE WRITING PROCESS?

A great essay, blog post, novel, or even a tweet doesn’t just happen . There is no magic pencil. Like any process, writing has multiple steps: Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, and Editing. It takes practice, and every time you do it, it starts with an idea.

Prewriting, as the name implies, happens BEFORE you write and it’s the step I skipped in school. Prewriting is when brainstorming and outlining happens.

All writers need to brainstorm, talk to others, and take inspiration from the world around them. Whether it be music, a political statement, a photograph, a childhood story or memory, even a blade of grass, the world around us can provide the spark needed to write. Brainstorming allows writers to think and observe before putting pen to page.

Once writers find that inspiration, the next step is to create an outline. Outlines are important for reasons beyond the fact that every English teacher says so — outlines act as a roadmap for what you are about to write.

Drafting is the “first pass” or “brain dump” of everything developed during prewriting. Don’t worry about spelling and grammar while in this drafting stage, but instead focus on turning ideas into sentences and paragraphs. The outline created in the prewriting stage, if followed, can help create a clear path for the writing. This stage might take only a few minutes or several hours, but it’s important to get as much written as possible in this initial draft.

The revision stage is often incorrectly used synonymously with editing. Large changes happen in this stage. Entire sections may be added or deleted, the focus of the piece may change, and supporting evidence may be elaborated on or even added or removed completely. In the simplest of implementations, it’s like when you reread a text message right before you send it, and then quickly delete half of it.

Although editing is involved, revising includes much more than just fixing the spelling mistakes. This stage is often a good opportunity for writers to get a second opinion on their work. Having someone else look at your work allows you to see if you’re taken a reader’s needs into consideration with your piece. Does it make sense to him? Does it answer her questions? Perhaps he has a suggestion for a more compelling introduction.

Once all the heavy lifting is done in the revision stage, and the piece has the foundation to make it structurally sound, it’s time to edit. Word by word, sentence by sentence, spelling and grammar should be reviewed. Spellcheck doesn’t catch everything (their/there/they’re) so it’s important to know your own weaknesses with editing. It takes practice to become a good editor, and it’s often very difficult to edit your own work. It’s ok to seek out a grammar guardian to assist you in the editing process. Some writers even keep a list of their most troublesome words or phrases.

FOUR STEPS AND DONE? EASY.

It’s not that simple. Most people don’t dart through all four steps once quickly and then they are done. For large, academic pieces, novels, and reports, a writer may cycle through all the steps more than once. If more people review the work, more ideas are shared and the piece may undergo more than one major revision.

First time writers, or those less comfortable with it, may require additional time to complete their work. But one thing is certain, the more time that is spent up front, in the prewriting and drafting stages, the easier revisions and editing become.

I’ve retired my not-so-magical pencil, preferring digital these days, and I still love to write. But looking back at my second-grade short story, I’m glad I’ve refined my process…and I’m glad I have a team of awesome writers to redline my work and brainstorm ideas.

GET INVOLVED

TUTORS VOLUNTEER TUTOR APPLICATION

DONATE ATTEND EVENTS & FUNDRAISERS TELL OTHERS

FACTS & RESOURCES

FACTS & LITERACY STATISTICS 66% THE SOURCE OF THE STATISTIC RESOURCES HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY (HSE) TEST OPTIONS GED® TEST INFORMATION HISET® TEST INFORMATION

BECOME A STUDENT

WHY ENROLL HOW TO REGISTER REGISTRATION FORM CLASSES

CURRENT STUDENTS & TUTORS

HOLIDAY CLOSURES – No Tutoring Days

VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

CURRENT TUTORS

Virtual Tutors – log and scheduler
Tutor Forum
Behaviors and Expectations

CURRENT STUDENTS

Student Texting Program
Learn HSE Subjects on Your Own, Improve Your Computer Skills, Practice Reading Fluency, Watch Recorded Lessons Created by Seeds Tutors, Digital Literacy Assessments
Student Successes
Rules of Conduct, Statement of Expectations, & Release of Information

Would you like to switch from a one-time donation to a recurring one?

When you give monthly, you help to ensure the sustainability of the program. Please consider ongoing support for our students.

Academic Editing and Proofreading

Tips to Self-Edit Your Dissertation
Guide to Essay Editing: Methods, Tips, & Examples
Journal Article Proofreading: Process, Cost, & Checklist
The A–Z of Dissertation Editing: Standard Rates & Involved Steps
Research Paper Editing | Guide to a Perfect Research Paper
Dissertation Proofreading | Definition & Standard Rates
Thesis Proofreading | Definition, Importance & Standard Pricing
Research Paper Proofreading | Definition, Significance & Standard Rates
Essay Proofreading | Options, Cost & Checklist
Top 10 Paper Editing Services of 2024 (Costs & Features)
Top 10 Essay Checkers in 2024 (Free & Paid)
Top 10 AI Proofreaders to Perfect Your Writing in 2024
Top 10 English Correctors to Perfect Your Text in 2024
Top 10 Essay Editing Services of 2024
10 Advanced AI Text Editors to Transform Writing in 2024

Academic Research

Research Paper Outline: Templates & Examples
How to Write a Research Paper: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Write a Lab Report: Examples from Academic Editors
Research Methodology Guide: Writing Tips, Types, & Examples
The 10 Best Essential Resources for Academic Research
100+ Useful ChatGPT Prompts for Thesis Writing in 2024
Best ChatGPT Prompts for Academic Writing (100+ Prompts!)
Sampling Methods Guide: Types, Strategies, and Examples
Independent vs. Dependent Variables | Meaning & Examples

Academic Writing & Publishing

Difference Between Paper Editing and Peer Review
What are the different types of peer review?
How to deal with rejection from a journal?
Editing and Proofreading Academic Papers: A Short Guide
How to Carry Out Secondary Research
The Results Section of a Dissertation
Checklist: Is my Article Ready for Submitting to Journals?
Types of Research Articles to Boost Your Research Profile
8 Types of Peer Review Processes You Should Know
The Ethics of Academic Research
How does LaTeX based proofreading work?
How to Improve Your Scientific Writing: A Short Guide
Chicago Title, Cover Page & Body | Paper Format Guidelines
How to Write a Thesis Statement: Examples & Tips
Chicago Style Citation: Quick Guide & Examples
The A-Z Of Publishing Your Article in A Journal
What is Journal Article Editing? 3 Reasons You Need It
5 Powerful Personal Statement Examples (Template Included)
Complete Guide to MLA Format (9th Edition)
How to Cite a Book in APA Style | Format & Examples
How to Start a Research Paper | Step-by-step Guide
APA Citations Made Easy with Our Concise Guide for 2024
A Step-by-Step Guide to APA Formatting Style (7th Edition)
Top 10 Online Dissertation Editing Services of 2024
Academic Writing in 2024: 5 Key Dos & Don’ts + Examples
What Are the Standard Book Sizes for Publishing Your Book?
MLA Works Cited Page: Quick Tips & Examples
2024’s Top 10 Thesis Statement Generators (Free Included!)
Top 10 Title Page Generators for Students in 2024
What Is an Open Access Journal? 10 Myths Busted!
Primary vs. Secondary Sources: Definition, Types & Examples
How To Write a College Admissions Essay That Stands Out
How to Write a Dissertation & Thesis Conclusion (+ Examples)
APA Journal Citation: 7 Types, In-Text Rules, & Examples
What Is Predatory Publishing and How to Avoid It!
What Is Plagiarism? Meaning, Types & Examples
How to Write a Strong Dissertation & Thesis Introduction
How to Cite a Book in MLA Format (9th Edition)
How to Cite a Website in MLA Format | 9th Edition Rules
10 Best AI Conclusion Generators (Features & Pricing)
Top 10 Academic Editing Services of 2024 [with Pricing]
Additional Resources
Plagiarism: How to avoid it in your thesis?
Final Submission Checklist | Dissertation & Thesis
7 Useful MS Word Formatting Tips for Dissertation Writing
How to Write a MEAL Paragraph: Writing Plan Explained in Detail
Em Dash vs. En Dash vs. Hyphen: When to Use Which
The 10 Best Citation Generators in 2024 | Free & Paid Plans!
2024’s Top 10 Self-Help Books for Better Living
The 10 Best Free Character and Word Counters of 2024
Citation and Referencing
Citing References: APA, MLA, and Chicago
How to Cite Sources in the MLA Format
MLA Citation Examples: Cite Essays, Websites, Movies & More
Citations and References: What Are They and Why They Matter
APA Headings & Subheadings | Formatting Guidelines & Examples
Formatting an APA Reference Page | Template & Examples
Research Paper Format: APA, MLA, & Chicago Style
How to Create an MLA Title Page | Format, Steps, & Examples
How to Create an MLA Header | Format Guidelines & Examples
MLA Annotated Bibliography | Guidelines and Examples
APA Website Citation (7th Edition) Guide | Format & Examples
APA Citation Examples: The Bible, TED Talk, PPT & More
APA Header Format: 5 Steps & Running Head Examples
APA Title Page Format Simplified | Examples + Free Template
How to Write an Abstract in MLA Format: Tips & Examples
10 Best Free Plagiarism Checkers of 2024 [100% Free Tools]
5 Reasons to Cite Your Sources Properly | Avoid Plagiarism!
Dissertation Writing Guide
Writing a Dissertation Proposal
The Acknowledgments Section of a Dissertation
The Table of Contents Page of a Dissertation
The Introduction Chapter of a Dissertation
The Literature Review of a Dissertation
The Only Dissertation Toolkit You’ll Ever Need!
5 Thesis Writing Tips for Master Procrastinators
How to Write a Dissertation | 5 Tips from Academic Editors
The 5 Things to Look for in a Dissertation Editing Service
Top 10 Dissertation Editing & Proofreading Services
Why is it important to add references to your thesis?
Thesis Editing | Definition, Scope & Standard Rates
Expert Formatting Tips on MS Word for Dissertations
A 7-Step Guide on How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
350 Best Dissertation Topic Ideas for All Streams in 2024
A Guide on How to Write an Abstract for a Research Paper
Dissertation Defense: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Creating a Dissertation Title Page (Examples & Templates)
Essay Writing Guide
Essential Research Tips for Essay Writing
What Is a Mind Map? Free Mind Map Templates & Examples
How to Write an Essay Outline: 5 Examples & Free Template
How to Write an Essay Header: MLA and APA Essay Headers
What Is an Essay? Structure, Parts, and Types

How to Write an Essay in 8 Simple Steps (Examples Included)

8 Types of Essays | Quick Summary with Examples
Expository Essays | Step-by-Step Manual with Examples
Narrative Essay | Step-by-Step Guide with Examples
How to Write an Argumentative Essay (Examples Included)
Guide to a Perfect Descriptive Essay [Examples & Outline Included]
How to Start an Essay: 4 Introduction Paragraph Examples
How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay (Examples Included!)
How to Write an Impactful Personal Statement (Examples Included)
Literary Analysis Essay: 5 Steps to a Perfect Assignment
Compare and Contrast Essay | Quick Guide with Examples
Top 10 Essay Writing Tools in 2024 | Plan, Write, Get Feedback
Top AI Essay Writers in 2024: 10 Must-Haves
100 Best College Essay Topics & How to Pick the Perfect One!
College Essay Format: Tips, Examples, and Free Template
Structure of an Essay: 5 Tips to Write an Outstanding Essay

Still have questions? Leave a comment

Add Comment

Checklist: Dissertation Proposal

Enter your email id to get the downloadable right in your inbox!

Examples: Edited Papers

Need editing and proofreading services.

Tags: Academic Writing , Essay , Essay Writing

Knowing how to write an essay can help you out significantly in both, your academic and professional life. An essay is a highly versatile nonfiction piece of writing that not only tests your knowledge of a topic but also your literary and argumentative skills.

Each essay requires the same basic process of planning, writing, and editing. Naturally, we’ve used these stages to group our steps on how to write an essay. So w ithout further ado, let’s get into it! Here are the eight steps to write an essay:

Stage 1: Planning

1. Pick an appropriate research topic

In certain cases, your teacher or professor may assign you a topic. However, in many cases, students have the freedom to select a topic of their choice. Make sure you choose a topic that you’re well versed in and have significant knowledge of.

Having prior knowledge of the topic will help you determine the subsequent steps to write an essay. It will also make your research process considerably easier.

2. Form an appropriate thesis statement

A thesis statement is the central idea or premise your essay is based on. It is usually a sentence or two long and is included in the introduction of the essay. The scope of your thesis statement depends on the type of your essay and its length.

For instance, the scope of the thesis statement for a 500–1000 word school essay will be narrower than a 1000–5000 word college essay. A rule of thumb is that your essay topic should be broad enough to gather enough information, but narrow enough to address specific points and not be vague. Here’s an example:

The invention of the airplane by the Wright Brothers in 1903 revolutionized transportation and paved the way for modern aviation. It represents a monumental achievement in human history that forever changed the course of human civilization.

3. Create an essay outline

Creating a well-organized essay outline not only gives structure and flow to your essay but also makes it more impactful and easy to understand. The idea is to collect the main points of information that support or elaborate on your thesis statement. You can also include references or examples under these main points.

For example, if your thesis statement revolves around the invention of the airplane, your main points will include travel before the invention of the airplane, how it was invented, and its effects on modern-day travel. Take a look:

The Wright Brothers’ invention had a massive impact on modern-day travel. The subsequent growth of the aviation industry led to increased accessibility of air travel to the general public.

Stage 2: Writing

4. Write a comprehensive introduction

After creating the basic outline, it is important to know how to write an essay. Begin your essay by introducing your voice and point of view to the reader. An introduction is usually a paragraph or two long and consists of three main parts:

Background information
Thesis statement

Let’s better understand this with the help of an example:

The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane in 1903 revolutionized the way humans travel and explore the world. Prior to this invention, transportation relied on trains, boats, and cars, which limited the distance and speed of travel. However, the airplane made air travel a reality, allowing people to reach far-off destinations in mere hours. This breakthrough paved the way for modern-day air travel, transforming the world into a smaller, more connected place. In this essay, we will explore the impact of the Wright Brothers’ invention on modern-day travel, including the growth of the aviation industry, increased accessibility of air travel to the general public, and the economic and cultural benefits of air travel.

Let’s understand how to construct each of these sections in more detail.

A. Construct an attractive hook

The opening sentence of an essay, also known as the hook, should include a powerful or startling statement that captures the reader’s attention. Depending on the type of your essay, it can be an interesting fact, a surprising statistic, or an engaging anecdote.

B. Provide relevant background information

While writing the introduction, it’s important to provide context or background information before including the thesis statement. The background information may include the time before a groundbreaking invention, the pros and cons of a significant discovery, or the short- and long-term effects of an event.

C. Edit the thesis statement

If you’ve constructed your thesis statement during the outlining stage, it’s time to edit it based on the background information you’ve provided. Observe the slight changes we’ve made to the scope of the thesis statement in the example above. This accommodates the bits of information we’ve provided in the background history.

5. Form relevant body paragraphs

Body paragraphs play a crucial role in supporting and expanding the central argument presented in the thesis statement. The number of body paragraphs depends on the type of essay as well as the scope of the thesis statement.

Most school-level essays contain three body paragraphs while college-level essays can vary in length depending on the assignment.

A well-crafted body paragraph consists of the following parts:

A topic sentence
Supporting information
An analysis of the information
A smooth transition to the next paragraph

Let’s understand this with the help of an example.

The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane revolutionized air travel. They achieved the first-ever successful powered flight with the Wright Flyer in 1903, after years of conducting experiments and studying flight principles. Despite their first flight lasting only 12 seconds, it was a significant milestone that paved the way for modern aviation. The Wright Brothers’ success can be attributed to their systematic approach to problem-solving, which included numerous experiments with gliders, the development of a wind tunnel to test their designs, and meticulous analysis and recording of their results. Their dedication and ingenuity forever changed the way we travel, making modern aviation possible.

Here’s a detailed overview of how to construct each of these sections.

A. Construct appropriate topic sentences

A topic sentence is the title of the body paragraph that elaborates on the thesis statement. It is the main idea on which the body paragraph is developed. Ensure that each topic sentence is relevant to the thesis statement and makes the essay flow seamlessly.

The order of topic sentences is key in creating an impactful essay. This order varies depending on the type of essay you choose to write. These sentences may be arranged chronologically, in the order of importance, or in a cause-and-effect format.

B. Provide supporting information

It is necessary to provide relevant supporting information and evidence to validate your topic statement. This may include examples, relevant statistics, history, or even personal anecdotes.

You should also remember to cite your sources wherever you use them to substantiate your arguments. Always give researchers and authors credit for their work!

C. Analyze the supporting information

After presenting the appropriate evidence, the next step is to conduct an in-depth analysis. Establish connections and provide additional details to strengthen the link between your topic sentence and the supporting information.

Depending on the type of essay, this step may also involve sharing your subjective opinions and key takeaways.

D. Create a smooth transition

In case you plan to create multiple body paragraphs, it is crucial to create a seamless transition between them. Transitional statements not only make the essay less jarring to read but also guide the reader in the right direction.

However, these statements need not be too lengthy and complicated. Use words such as “however”, “in addition to”, and “therefore” to convey transitions.

6. Construct an impactful conclusion

An impactful conclusion creates a lasting impression on the mind of the reader. Although it varies in length depending on the specific essay, the conclusion is typically a paragraph long.

It consists of

A restated thesis statement
Summary of the main points
The broader implications of the thesis statement

Here’s an example of a well-structured conclusion:

The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane forever changed history by paving the way for modern aviation and countless aerospace advancements. Their persistence, innovation, and dedication to problem-solving led to the first successful powered flight in 1903, sparking a revolution in transportation that transformed the world. Today, air travel remains an integral part of our globalized society, highlighting the undeniable impact of the Wright Brothers’ contribution to human civilization.

Let’s take a closer look at how to construct each of these sections.

A. Restate the thesis statement

Your conclusion should call back to your original argument or thesis statement.

However, this does not mean repeating the thesis statement as is. The essence of your argument should remain the same, but it should also be modified and evolved as per the information presented in your essay.

B. Summarize important points

A powerful conclusion not only lingers in the reader’s mind but also provokes thought. You can create a strong impression on the reader by highlighting the most impactful points of your essay.

C. State the greater implications

End your essay with the most powerful and impactful part: the larger perspective. This can‌ include a question you’d like to leave the reader with, the broader implications and impact of your thesis statement, or the long-term, lingering effects of your experience.

Make sure to include no new evidence or arguments, or to undermine your findings in any way.

Stage 3: Editing

7. Review your essay

Knowing how to write an essay is just one part of essay writing. Properly reviewing and editing your essay is just as important. Make sure to spend enough time going over your essay and adding any bits of information that you’ve missed.

This is also a good time to make minor structural changes in your essay.

8. Thoroughly proofread your essay

After making the necessary structural changes, recheck your essay word by word. It is important to not only correct major grammatical and spelling errors but also minor errors regarding the phrasing or tone of voice.

You can either choose to do this by yourself, ask a friend for assistance, or hire an essay proofreading service to go over your writing. To construct a fool-proof, error-free essay, it is helpful to have a trained pair of eyes go over it. Professional proofreaders can spot errors that are not visible to most people and set the right tone for your essay.

Now that you know the basics of how to write an essay, it’s time to learn about the specifics. Feel free to dig into the articles below and keep reading!

How to Write an Essay Header in 4 Steps
How to Write an Essay Outline
What is an Expository Essay?
How to Start an Essay

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to write an essay, what is the best essay writing style, how do i start an essay introduction, what are the tips for effective essay writing, what makes a good essay.

Found this article helpful?

One comment on “ How to Write an Essay in 8 Simple Steps (Examples Included) ”

This is really help ful

Your vs. You’re: When to Use Your and You’re

Your organization needs a technical editor: here’s why, your guide to the best ebook readers in 2024, writing for the web: 7 expert tips for web content writing.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get carefully curated resources about writing, editing, and publishing in the comfort of your inbox.

How to Copyright Your Book?

If you’ve thought about copyrighting your book, you’re on the right path.

Terms of service
Privacy policy
Self Publishing Guide
Pre-Publishing Steps
Fiction Writing Tips
Traditional Publishing
Academic Writing and Publishing
Partner with us
Annual report
Website content
Marketing material
Job Applicant
Cover letter
Resource Center
Case studies

Ask LitCharts AI
Discussion Question Generator
Essay Prompt Generator
Quiz Question Generator

Literature Guides
Poetry Guides
Shakespeare Translations
Literary Terms

How to Write an Essay

Use the links below to jump directly to any section of this guide:

Essay Writing Fundamentals

How to prepare to write an essay, how to edit an essay, how to share and publish your essays, how to get essay writing help, how to find essay writing inspiration, resources for teaching essay writing.

Essays, short prose compositions on a particular theme or topic, are the bread and butter of academic life. You write them in class, for homework, and on standardized tests to show what you know. Unlike other kinds of academic writing (like the research paper) and creative writing (like short stories and poems), essays allow you to develop your original thoughts on a prompt or question. Essays come in many varieties: they can be expository (fleshing out an idea or claim), descriptive, (explaining a person, place, or thing), narrative (relating a personal experience), or persuasive (attempting to win over a reader). This guide is a collection of dozens of links about academic essay writing that we have researched, categorized, and annotated in order to help you improve your essay writing.

Essays are different from other forms of writing; in turn, there are different kinds of essays. This section contains general resources for getting to know the essay and its variants. These resources introduce and define the essay as a genre, and will teach you what to expect from essay-based assessments.

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab

One of the most trusted academic writing sites, Purdue OWL provides a concise introduction to the four most common types of academic essays.

"The Essay: History and Definition" (ThoughtCo)

This snappy article from ThoughtCo talks about the origins of the essay and different kinds of essays you might be asked to write.

"What Is An Essay?" Video Lecture (Coursera)

The University of California at Irvine's free video lecture, available on Coursera, tells you everything you need to know about the essay.

Wikipedia Article on the "Essay"

Wikipedia's article on the essay is comprehensive, providing both English-language and global perspectives on the essay form. Learn about the essay's history, forms, and styles.

"Understanding College and Academic Writing" (Aims Online Writing Lab)

This list of common academic writing assignments (including types of essay prompts) will help you know what to expect from essay-based assessments.

Before you start writing your essay, you need to figure out who you're writing for (audience), what you're writing about (topic/theme), and what you're going to say (argument and thesis). This section contains links to handouts, chapters, videos and more to help you prepare to write an essay.

How to Identify Your Audience

"Audience" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

This handout provides questions you can ask yourself to determine the audience for an academic writing assignment. It also suggests strategies for fitting your paper to your intended audience.

"Purpose, Audience, Tone, and Content" (Univ. of Minnesota Libraries)

This extensive book chapter from Writing for Success , available online through Minnesota Libraries Publishing, is followed by exercises to try out your new pre-writing skills.

"Determining Audience" (Aims Online Writing Lab)

This guide from a community college's writing center shows you how to know your audience, and how to incorporate that knowledge in your thesis statement.

"Know Your Audience" ( Paper Rater Blog)

This short blog post uses examples to show how implied audiences for essays differ. It reminds you to think of your instructor as an observer, who will know only the information you pass along.

How to Choose a Theme or Topic

"Research Tutorial: Developing Your Topic" (YouTube)

Take a look at this short video tutorial from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to understand the basics of developing a writing topic.

"How to Choose a Paper Topic" (WikiHow)

This simple, step-by-step guide (with pictures!) walks you through choosing a paper topic. It starts with a detailed description of brainstorming and ends with strategies to refine your broad topic.

"How to Read an Assignment: Moving From Assignment to Topic" (Harvard College Writing Center)

Did your teacher give you a prompt or other instructions? This guide helps you understand the relationship between an essay assignment and your essay's topic.

"Guidelines for Choosing a Topic" (CliffsNotes)

This study guide from CliffsNotes both discusses how to choose a topic and makes a useful distinction between "topic" and "thesis."

How to Come Up with an Argument

"Argument" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

Not sure what "argument" means in the context of academic writing? This page from the University of North Carolina is a good place to start.

"The Essay Guide: Finding an Argument" (Study Hub)

This handout explains why it's important to have an argument when beginning your essay, and provides tools to help you choose a viable argument.

"Writing a Thesis and Making an Argument" (University of Iowa)

This page from the University of Iowa's Writing Center contains exercises through which you can develop and refine your argument and thesis statement.

"Developing a Thesis" (Harvard College Writing Center)

This page from Harvard's Writing Center collates some helpful dos and don'ts of argumentative writing, from steps in constructing a thesis to avoiding vague and confrontational thesis statements.

"Suggestions for Developing Argumentative Essays" (Berkeley Student Learning Center)

This page offers concrete suggestions for each stage of the essay writing process, from topic selection to drafting and editing.

How to Outline your Essay

"Outlines" (Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill via YouTube)

This short video tutorial from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows how to group your ideas into paragraphs or sections to begin the outlining process.

"Essay Outline" (Univ. of Washington Tacoma)

This two-page handout by a university professor simply defines the parts of an essay and then organizes them into an example outline.

"Types of Outlines and Samples" (Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab)

Purdue OWL gives examples of diverse outline strategies on this page, including the alphanumeric, full sentence, and decimal styles.

"Outlining" (Harvard College Writing Center)

Once you have an argument, according to this handout, there are only three steps in the outline process: generalizing, ordering, and putting it all together. Then you're ready to write!

"Writing Essays" (Plymouth Univ.)

This packet, part of Plymouth University's Learning Development series, contains descriptions and diagrams relating to the outlining process.

"How to Write A Good Argumentative Essay: Logical Structure" (Criticalthinkingtutorials.com via YouTube)

This longer video tutorial gives an overview of how to structure your essay in order to support your argument or thesis. It is part of a longer course on academic writing hosted on Udemy.

Now that you've chosen and refined your topic and created an outline, use these resources to complete the writing process. Most essays contain introductions (which articulate your thesis statement), body paragraphs, and conclusions. Transitions facilitate the flow from one paragraph to the next so that support for your thesis builds throughout the essay. Sources and citations show where you got the evidence to support your thesis, which ensures that you avoid plagiarism.

How to Write an Introduction

"Introductions" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

This page identifies the role of the introduction in any successful paper, suggests strategies for writing introductions, and warns against less effective introductions.

"How to Write A Good Introduction" (Michigan State Writing Center)

Beginning with the most common missteps in writing introductions, this guide condenses the essentials of introduction composition into seven points.

"The Introductory Paragraph" (ThoughtCo)

This blog post from academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming focuses on ways to grab your reader's attention at the beginning of your essay.

"Introductions and Conclusions" (Univ. of Toronto)

This guide from the University of Toronto gives advice that applies to writing both introductions and conclusions, including dos and don'ts.

"How to Write Better Essays: No One Does Introductions Properly" ( The Guardian )

This news article interviews UK professors on student essay writing; they point to introductions as the area that needs the most improvement.

How to Write a Thesis Statement

"Writing an Effective Thesis Statement" (YouTube)

This short, simple video tutorial from a college composition instructor at Tulsa Community College explains what a thesis statement is and what it does.

"Thesis Statement: Four Steps to a Great Essay" (YouTube)

This fantastic tutorial walks you through drafting a thesis, using an essay prompt on Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter as an example.

"How to Write a Thesis Statement" (WikiHow)

This step-by-step guide (with pictures!) walks you through coming up with, writing, and editing a thesis statement. It invites you think of your statement as a "working thesis" that can change.

"How to Write a Thesis Statement" (Univ. of Indiana Bloomington)

Ask yourself the questions on this page, part of Indiana Bloomington's Writing Tutorial Services, when you're writing and refining your thesis statement.

"Writing Tips: Thesis Statements" (Univ. of Illinois Center for Writing Studies)

This page gives plentiful examples of good to great thesis statements, and offers questions to ask yourself when formulating a thesis statement.

How to Write Body Paragraphs

"Body Paragraph" (Brightstorm)

This module of a free online course introduces you to the components of a body paragraph. These include the topic sentence, information, evidence, and analysis.

"Strong Body Paragraphs" (Washington Univ.)

This handout from Washington's Writing and Research Center offers in-depth descriptions of the parts of a successful body paragraph.

"Guide to Paragraph Structure" (Deakin Univ.)

This handout is notable for color-coding example body paragraphs to help you identify the functions various sentences perform.

"Writing Body Paragraphs" (Univ. of Minnesota Libraries)

The exercises in this section of Writing for Success will help you practice writing good body paragraphs. It includes guidance on selecting primary support for your thesis.

"The Writing Process—Body Paragraphs" (Aims Online Writing Lab)

The information and exercises on this page will familiarize you with outlining and writing body paragraphs, and includes links to more information on topic sentences and transitions.

"The Five-Paragraph Essay" (ThoughtCo)

This blog post discusses body paragraphs in the context of one of the most common academic essay types in secondary schools.

How to Use Transitions

"Transitions" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

This page from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill explains what a transition is, and how to know if you need to improve your transitions.

"Using Transitions Effectively" (Washington Univ.)

This handout defines transitions, offers tips for using them, and contains a useful list of common transitional words and phrases grouped by function.

"Transitions" (Aims Online Writing Lab)

This page compares paragraphs without transitions to paragraphs with transitions, and in doing so shows how important these connective words and phrases are.

"Transitions in Academic Essays" (Scribbr)

This page lists four techniques that will help you make sure your reader follows your train of thought, including grouping similar information and using transition words.

"Transitions" (El Paso Community College)

This handout shows example transitions within paragraphs for context, and explains how transitions improve your essay's flow and voice.

"Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing" (ThoughtCo)

This blog post, another from academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming, talks about transitions and other strategies to improve your essay's overall flow.

"Transition Words" (smartwords.org)

This handy word bank will help you find transition words when you're feeling stuck. It's grouped by the transition's function, whether that is to show agreement, opposition, condition, or consequence.

How to Write a Conclusion

"Parts of An Essay: Conclusions" (Brightstorm)

This module of a free online course explains how to conclude an academic essay. It suggests thinking about the "3Rs": return to hook, restate your thesis, and relate to the reader.

"Essay Conclusions" (Univ. of Maryland University College)

This overview of the academic essay conclusion contains helpful examples and links to further resources for writing good conclusions.

"How to End An Essay" (WikiHow)

This step-by-step guide (with pictures!) by an English Ph.D. walks you through writing a conclusion, from brainstorming to ending with a flourish.

"Ending the Essay: Conclusions" (Harvard College Writing Center)

This page collates useful strategies for writing an effective conclusion, and reminds you to "close the discussion without closing it off" to further conversation.

How to Include Sources and Citations

"Research and Citation Resources" (Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab)

Purdue OWL streamlines information about the three most common referencing styles (MLA, Chicago, and APA) and provides examples of how to cite different resources in each system.

EasyBib: Free Bibliography Generator

This online tool allows you to input information about your source and automatically generate citations in any style. Be sure to select your resource type before clicking the "cite it" button.

CitationMachine

Like EasyBib, this online tool allows you to input information about your source and automatically generate citations in any style.

Modern Language Association Handbook (MLA)

Here, you'll find the definitive and up-to-date record of MLA referencing rules. Order through the link above, or check to see if your library has a copy.

Chicago Manual of Style

Here, you'll find the definitive and up-to-date record of Chicago referencing rules. You can take a look at the table of contents, then choose to subscribe or start a free trial.

How to Avoid Plagiarism

"What is Plagiarism?" (plagiarism.org)

This nonprofit website contains numerous resources for identifying and avoiding plagiarism, and reminds you that even common activities like copying images from another website to your own site may constitute plagiarism.

"Plagiarism" (University of Oxford)

This interactive page from the University of Oxford helps you check for plagiarism in your work, making it clear how to avoid citing another person's work without full acknowledgement.

"Avoiding Plagiarism" (MIT Comparative Media Studies)

This quick guide explains what plagiarism is, what its consequences are, and how to avoid it. It starts by defining three words—quotation, paraphrase, and summary—that all constitute citation.

"Harvard Guide to Using Sources" (Harvard Extension School)

This comprehensive website from Harvard brings together articles, videos, and handouts about referencing, citation, and plagiarism.

Grammarly contains tons of helpful grammar and writing resources, including a free tool to automatically scan your essay to check for close affinities to published work.

Noplag is another popular online tool that automatically scans your essay to check for signs of plagiarism. Simply copy and paste your essay into the box and click "start checking."

Once you've written your essay, you'll want to edit (improve content), proofread (check for spelling and grammar mistakes), and finalize your work until you're ready to hand it in. This section brings together tips and resources for navigating the editing process.

"Writing a First Draft" (Academic Help)

This is an introduction to the drafting process from the site Academic Help, with tips for getting your ideas on paper before editing begins.

"Editing and Proofreading" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

This page provides general strategies for revising your writing. They've intentionally left seven errors in the handout, to give you practice in spotting them.

"How to Proofread Effectively" (ThoughtCo)

This article from ThoughtCo, along with those linked at the bottom, help describe common mistakes to check for when proofreading.

"7 Simple Edits That Make Your Writing 100% More Powerful" (SmartBlogger)

This blog post emphasizes the importance of powerful, concise language, and reminds you that even your personal writing heroes create clunky first drafts.

"Editing Tips for Effective Writing" (Univ. of Pennsylvania)

On this page from Penn's International Relations department, you'll find tips for effective prose, errors to watch out for, and reminders about formatting.

"Editing the Essay" (Harvard College Writing Center)

This article, the first of two parts, gives you applicable strategies for the editing process. It suggests reading your essay aloud, removing any jargon, and being unafraid to remove even "dazzling" sentences that don't belong.

"Guide to Editing and Proofreading" (Oxford Learning Institute)

This handout from Oxford covers the basics of editing and proofreading, and reminds you that neither task should be rushed.

In addition to plagiarism-checkers, Grammarly has a plug-in for your web browser that checks your writing for common mistakes.

After you've prepared, written, and edited your essay, you might want to share it outside the classroom. This section alerts you to print and web opportunities to share your essays with the wider world, from online writing communities and blogs to published journals geared toward young writers.

Sharing Your Essays Online

Go Teen Writers

Go Teen Writers is an online community for writers aged 13 - 19. It was founded by Stephanie Morrill, an author of contemporary young adult novels.

Tumblr is a blogging website where you can share your writing and interact with other writers online. It's easy to add photos, links, audio, and video components.

Writersky provides an online platform for publishing and reading other youth writers' work. Its current content is mostly devoted to fiction.

Publishing Your Essays Online

This teen literary journal publishes in print, on the web, and (more frequently), on a blog. It is committed to ensuring that "teens see their authentic experience reflected on its pages."

The Matador Review

This youth writing platform celebrates "alternative," unconventional writing. The link above will take you directly to the site's "submissions" page.

Teen Ink has a website, monthly newsprint magazine, and quarterly poetry magazine promoting the work of young writers.

The largest online reading platform, Wattpad enables you to publish your work and read others' work. Its inline commenting feature allows you to share thoughts as you read along.

Publishing Your Essays in Print

Canvas Teen Literary Journal

This quarterly literary magazine is published for young writers by young writers. They accept many kinds of writing, including essays.

The Claremont Review

This biannual international magazine, first published in 1992, publishes poetry, essays, and short stories from writers aged 13 - 19.

Skipping Stones

This young writers magazine, founded in 1988, celebrates themes relating to ecological and cultural diversity. It publishes poems, photos, articles, and stories.

The Telling Room

This nonprofit writing center based in Maine publishes children's work on their website and in book form. The link above directs you to the site's submissions page.

Essay Contests

Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards

This prestigious international writing contest for students in grades 7 - 12 has been committed to "supporting the future of creativity since 1923."

Society of Professional Journalists High School Essay Contest

An annual essay contest on the theme of journalism and media, the Society of Professional Journalists High School Essay Contest awards scholarships up to $1,000.

National YoungArts Foundation

Here, you'll find information on a government-sponsored writing competition for writers aged 15 - 18. The foundation welcomes submissions of creative nonfiction, novels, scripts, poetry, short story and spoken word.

Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay Contest

With prompts on a different literary work each year, this competition from Signet Classics awards college scholarships up to $1,000.

"The Ultimate Guide to High School Essay Contests" (CollegeVine)

See this handy guide from CollegeVine for a list of more competitions you can enter with your academic essay, from the National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards to the National High School Essay Contest by the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Whether you're struggling to write academic essays or you think you're a pro, there are workshops and online tools that can help you become an even better writer. Even the most seasoned writers encounter writer's block, so be proactive and look through our curated list of resources to combat this common frustration.

Online Essay-writing Classes and Workshops

"Getting Started with Essay Writing" (Coursera)

Coursera offers lots of free, high-quality online classes taught by college professors. Here's one example, taught by instructors from the University of California Irvine.

"Writing and English" (Brightstorm)

Brightstorm's free video lectures are easy to navigate by topic. This unit on the parts of an essay features content on the essay hook, thesis, supporting evidence, and more.

"How to Write an Essay" (EdX)

EdX is another open online university course website with several two- to five-week courses on the essay. This one is geared toward English language learners.

Writer's Digest University

This renowned writers' website offers online workshops and interactive tutorials. The courses offered cover everything from how to get started through how to get published.

Writing.com

Signing up for this online writer's community gives you access to helpful resources as well as an international community of writers.

How to Overcome Writer's Block

"Symptoms and Cures for Writer's Block" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue OWL offers a list of signs you might have writer's block, along with ways to overcome it. Consider trying out some "invention strategies" or ways to curb writing anxiety.

"Overcoming Writer's Block: Three Tips" ( The Guardian )

These tips, geared toward academic writing specifically, are practical and effective. The authors advocate setting realistic goals, creating dedicated writing time, and participating in social writing.

"Writing Tips: Strategies for Overcoming Writer's Block" (Univ. of Illinois)

This page from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Center for Writing Studies acquaints you with strategies that do and do not work to overcome writer's block.

"Writer's Block" (Univ. of Toronto)

Ask yourself the questions on this page; if the answer is "yes," try out some of the article's strategies. Each question is accompanied by at least two possible solutions.

If you have essays to write but are short on ideas, this section's links to prompts, example student essays, and celebrated essays by professional writers might help. You'll find writing prompts from a variety of sources, student essays to inspire you, and a number of essay writing collections.

Essay Writing Prompts

"50 Argumentative Essay Topics" (ThoughtCo)

Take a look at this list and the others ThoughtCo has curated for different kinds of essays. As the author notes, "a number of these topics are controversial and that's the point."

"401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing" ( New York Times )

This list (and the linked lists to persuasive and narrative writing prompts), besides being impressive in length, is put together by actual high school English teachers.

"SAT Sample Essay Prompts" (College Board)

If you're a student in the U.S., your classroom essay prompts are likely modeled on the prompts in U.S. college entrance exams. Take a look at these official examples from the SAT.

"Popular College Application Essay Topics" (Princeton Review)

This page from the Princeton Review dissects recent Common Application essay topics and discusses strategies for answering them.

Example Student Essays

"501 Writing Prompts" (DePaul Univ.)

This nearly 200-page packet, compiled by the LearningExpress Skill Builder in Focus Writing Team, is stuffed with writing prompts, example essays, and commentary.

"Topics in English" (Kibin)

Kibin is a for-pay essay help website, but its example essays (organized by topic) are available for free. You'll find essays on everything from A Christmas Carol to perseverance.

"Student Writing Models" (Thoughtful Learning)

Thoughtful Learning, a website that offers a variety of teaching materials, provides sample student essays on various topics and organizes them by grade level.

"Five-Paragraph Essay" (ThoughtCo)

In this blog post by a former professor of English and rhetoric, ThoughtCo brings together examples of five-paragraph essays and commentary on the form.

The Best Essay Writing Collections

The Best American Essays of the Century by Joyce Carol Oates (Amazon)

This collection of American essays spanning the twentieth century was compiled by award winning author and Princeton professor Joyce Carol Oates.

The Best American Essays 2017 by Leslie Jamison (Amazon)

Leslie Jamison, the celebrated author of essay collection The Empathy Exams , collects recent, high-profile essays into a single volume.

The Art of the Personal Essay by Phillip Lopate (Amazon)

Documentary writer Phillip Lopate curates this historical overview of the personal essay's development, from the classical era to the present.

The White Album by Joan Didion (Amazon)

This seminal essay collection was authored by one of the most acclaimed personal essayists of all time, American journalist Joan Didion.

Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace (Amazon)

Read this famous essay collection by David Foster Wallace, who is known for his experimentation with the essay form. He pushed the boundaries of personal essay, reportage, and political polemic.

"50 Successful Harvard Application Essays" (Staff of the The Harvard Crimson )

If you're looking for examples of exceptional college application essays, this volume from Harvard's daily student newspaper is one of the best collections on the market.

Are you an instructor looking for the best resources for teaching essay writing? This section contains resources for developing in-class activities and student homework assignments. You'll find content from both well-known university writing centers and online writing labs.

Essay Writing Classroom Activities for Students

"In-class Writing Exercises" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

This page lists exercises related to brainstorming, organizing, drafting, and revising. It also contains suggestions for how to implement the suggested exercises.

"Teaching with Writing" (Univ. of Minnesota Center for Writing)

Instructions and encouragement for using "freewriting," one-minute papers, logbooks, and other write-to-learn activities in the classroom can be found here.

"Writing Worksheets" (Berkeley Student Learning Center)

Berkeley offers this bank of writing worksheets to use in class. They are nested under headings for "Prewriting," "Revision," "Research Papers" and more.

"Using Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism" (DePaul University)

Use these activities and worksheets from DePaul's Teaching Commons when instructing students on proper academic citation practices.

Essay Writing Homework Activities for Students

"Grammar and Punctuation Exercises" (Aims Online Writing Lab)

These five interactive online activities allow students to practice editing and proofreading. They'll hone their skills in correcting comma splices and run-ons, identifying fragments, using correct pronoun agreement, and comma usage.

"Student Interactives" (Read Write Think)

Read Write Think hosts interactive tools, games, and videos for developing writing skills. They can practice organizing and summarizing, writing poetry, and developing lines of inquiry and analysis.

This free website offers writing and grammar activities for all grade levels. The lessons are designed to be used both for large classes and smaller groups.

"Writing Activities and Lessons for Every Grade" (Education World)

Education World's page on writing activities and lessons links you to more free, online resources for learning how to "W.R.I.T.E.": write, revise, inform, think, and edit.

PDFs for all 136 Lit Terms we cover
Downloads of 1983 LitCharts Lit Guides
Teacher Editions for every Lit Guide
Explanations and citation info for 41,889 quotes across 1983 books
Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play

Need something? Request a new guide .

How can we improve? Share feedback .

LitCharts is hiring!

Quizzes, saving guides, requests, plus so much more.

How to Write an Academic Essay in 6 Simple Steps

#scribendiinc

Written by Scribendi

Are you wondering how to write an academic essay successfully? There are so many steps to writing an academic essay that it can be difficult to know where to start.

Here, we outline how to write an academic essay in 6 simple steps, from how to research for an academic essay to how to revise an essay and everything in between.

Our essay writing tips are designed to help you learn how to write an academic essay that is ready for publication (after academic editing and academic proofreading , of course!).

Your paper isn't complete until you've done all the needed proofreading. Make sure you leave time for it after the writing process!

Download Our Pocket Checklist for Academic Papers. Just input your email below!

Types of academic writing.

With academic essay writing, there are certain conventions that writers are expected to follow. As such, it's important to know the basics of academic writing before you begin writing your essay.

Step 1: Preparing to Write Your Essay

The essay writing process involves a few main stages:

Researching

As such, in learning how to write an academic essay, it is also important to learn how to research for an academic essay and how to revise an essay.

Read More: Online Research Tips for Students and Scholars

To beef up your research skills, remember these essay writing tips from the above article:

Learn how to identify reliable sources.

Understand the nuances of open access.

Discover free academic journals and research databases.

Manage your references.

Provide evidence for every claim so you can avoid plagiarism .

Read More: 17 Research Databases for Free Articles

You will want to do the research for your academic essay points, of course, but you will also want to research various journals for the publication of your paper.

Different journals have different guidelines and thus different requirements for writers. These can be related to style, formatting, and more.

Knowing these before you begin writing can save you a lot of time if you also want to learn how to revise an essay. If you ensure your paper meets the guidelines of the journal you want to publish in, you will not have to revise it again later for this purpose.

After the research stage, you can draft your thesis and introduction as well as outline the rest of your essay. This will put you in a good position to draft your body paragraphs and conclusion, craft your bibliography, and edit and proofread your paper.

Step 2: Writing the Essay Introduction and Thesis Statement

When learning how to write academic essays , learning how to write an introduction is key alongside learning how to research for an academic essay.

Your introduction should broadly introduce your topic. It will give an overview of your essay and the points that will be discussed. It is typically about 10% of the final word count of the text.

All introductions follow a general structure:

Topic statement

Thesis statement

Step 3: Writing the Essay Body

When learning how to write academic essays, you must learn how to write a good body paragraph. That's because your essay will be primarily made up of them!

The body paragraphs of your essay will develop the argument you outlined in your thesis. They will do this by providing your ideas on a topic backed up by evidence of specific points.

These paragraphs will typically take up about 80% of your essay. As a result, a good essay writing tip is to learn how to properly structure a paragraph.

Each paragraph consists of the following:

A topic sentence

Supporting sentences

A transition

Step 4: Writing the Essay Conclusion

Your essay conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay and primarily reminds your reader of your thesis. It also wraps up your essay and discusses your findings more generally.

The conclusion typically makes up about 10% of the text, like the introduction. It shows the reader that you have accomplished what you intended to at the outset of your essay.

Here are a couple more good essay writing tips for your conclusion:

Don't introduce any new ideas into your conclusion.

Don't undermine your argument with opposing ideas.

Read More: How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph in 3 Easy Steps

Now that you know how to write an academic essay, it's time to learn how to write a bibliography along with some academic editing and proofreading advice.

Step 5: Writing the Bibliography or Works Cited

The bibliography of your paper lists all the references you cited. It is typically alphabetized or numbered (depending on the style guide).

Read More: How to Write an Academic Essay with References

When learning how to write academic essays, you may notice that there are various style guides you may be required to use by a professor or journal, including unique or custom styles.

Some of the most common style guides include:

Chicago style

For help organizing your references for academic essay writing, consider a software manager. They can help you collect and format your references correctly and consistently, both quickly and with minimal effort.

Read More: 6 Reference Manager Software Solutions for Your Research

As you learn how to research for an academic essay most effectively, you may notice that a reference manager can also help make academic paper editing easier.

Step 6: Revising Your Essay

Once you've finally drafted your entire essay . . . you're still not done!

That's because editing and proofreading are the essential final steps of any writing process .

An academic editor can help you identify core issues with your writing , including its structure, its flow, its clarity, and its overall readability. They can give you substantive feedback and essay writing tips to improve your document. Therefore, it's a good idea to have an editor review your first draft so you can improve it prior to proofreading.

A specialized academic editor can assess the content of your writing. As a subject-matter expert in your subject, they can offer field-specific insight and critical commentary. Specialized academic editors can also provide services that others may not, including:

Academic document formatting

Academic figure formatting

Academic reference formatting

An academic proofreader can help you perfect the final draft of your paper to ensure it is completely error free in terms of spelling and grammar. They can also identify any inconsistencies in your work but will not look for any issues in the content of your writing, only its mechanics. This is why you should have a proofreader revise your final draft so that it is ready to be seen by an audience.

Read More: How to Find the Right Academic Paper Editor or Proofreader

When learning how to research and write an academic essay, it is important to remember that editing is a required step. Don ' t forget to allot time for editing after you ' ve written your paper.

Set yourself up for success with this guide on how to write an academic essay. With a solid draft, you'll have better chances of getting published and read in any journal of your choosing.

Our academic essay writing tips are sure to help you learn how to research an academic essay, how to write an academic essay, and how to revise an academic essay.

If your academic paper looks sloppy, your readers may assume your research is sloppy. Download our Pocket Proofreading Checklist for Academic Papers before you take that one last crucial look at your paper.

About the Author

Scribendi's in-house editors work with writers from all over the globe to perfect their writing. They know that no piece of writing is complete without a professional edit, and they love to see a good piece of writing transformed into a great one. Scribendi's in-house editors are unrivaled in both experience and education, having collectively edited millions of words and obtained numerous degrees. They love consuming caffeinated beverages, reading books of various genres, and relaxing in quiet, dimly lit spaces.

Have You Read?

"The Complete Beginner's Guide to Academic Writing"

21 Legit Research Databases for Free Journal Articles in 2024

How to Find the Right Academic Paper Editor or Proofreader

How to Master the 4 Types of Academic Writing

Upload your file(s) so we can calculate your word count, or enter your word count manually.

We will also recommend a service based on the file(s) you upload.

File	Word Count	Include in Price?

English is not my first language. I need English editing and proofreading so that I sound like a native speaker.

I need to have my journal article, dissertation, or term paper edited and proofread, or I need help with an admissions essay or proposal.

I have a novel, manuscript, play, or ebook. I need editing, copy editing, proofreading, a critique of my work, or a query package.

I need editing and proofreading for my white papers, reports, manuals, press releases, marketing materials, and other business documents.

I need to have my essay, project, assignment, or term paper edited and proofread.

I want to sound professional and to get hired. I have a resume, letter, email, or personal document that I need to have edited and proofread.

Prices include your personal % discount.

Prices include % sales tax ( ).

Would you like to explore a topic?

LEARNING OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL

Or read some of our popular articles?

Free downloadable english gcse past papers with mark scheme.

19 May 2022

The Best Free Homeschooling Resources UK Parents Need to Start Using Today

Joseph McCrossan
18 February 2022

How Will GCSE Grade Boundaries Affect My Child’s Results?

Akshat Biyani
13 December 2021

How to Write the Perfect Essay: A Step-By-Step Guide for Students

June 2, 2022

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. 💯

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 – you’ll be typing away in no time. 👩‍💻

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 – although essays can be broadly split into four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive – an essay can simply be described as a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. 🤔

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. 👌

So, a ‘good’ essay relies on a confident writing style – it’s 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 – 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 – hooray. 🙌

Sometimes, it is helpful to think about your essay like it is a well-balanced argument or a speech – it needs to have a logical structure, with all your points coming together to answer the question in a coherent manner. ⚖️

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. Let’s 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 you’re going to argue, and in what order. The final part of your introduction should also say what conclusions you’re going to draw – it sounds counter-intuitive but it’s not – more on that below. 1️⃣

Make your point, evidence it and explain it. This part of the essay – generally made up of three or more paragraphs depending on the length of your essay – is where you present your argument. The first sentence of each paragraph – much like an introduction to an essay – should summarise what your paragraph intends to explain in more detail. 2️⃣

#3 Conclusion

This is where you affirm your argument – 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 – having written the essay – you’ll be summarising rather than setting out your stall. 3️⃣

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. 👍

#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, let’s 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 – r ead the essay prompt carefully and understand the question. Highlight the keywords – like ‘compare,’ ‘contrast’ ‘discuss,’ ‘explain’ or ‘evaluate’ – 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 . 🧐

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. 📚

#3 Make a detailed plan

Following the handy structure we shared with you above, now is the time to create the ‘skeleton structure’ 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 don’t 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. 📝

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 – each paragraph is like a mini-essay – the opening sentence should summarise what the paragraph will then go on to explain in more detail. 🖊️

Next, it's time to write the bulk of your words and flesh out your arguments. Follow the ‘point, evidence, explain’ method. The opening sentences – already written – should introduce your ‘points’, so now you need to ‘evidence’ them with corroborating research and ‘explain’ how the evidence you’ve presented proves the point you’re trying to make. ✍️

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. 📗

This is your final chance to re-read your essay and go over it with a fine-toothed comb before pressing ‘submit’. We highly recommend leaving a day or two between finishing your essay and the final proofread if possible – you’ll be amazed at the difference this makes, allowing you to return with a fresh pair of eyes and a more discerning judgment. 🤓

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. 🎒

What are the Hardest GCSEs? Should You Avoid or Embrace Them?

By Clarissa Joshua

4 Surprising Disadvantages of Homeschooling

By Andrea Butler

1:1 tutoring to unlock the full potential of your child

Benefits of Reading: Positive Impacts for All Ages Everyday

May 26, 2023

15 of the Best Children's Books That Every Young Person Should Read

By Sharlene Matharu
March 2, 2023

Ultimate School Library Tips and Hacks

By Natalie Lever
March 1, 2023

Book a free trial session

Choose Your Test

Search Blogs By Category
College Admissions
AP and IB Exams
GPA and Coursework

How to Write a Great College Essay, Step-by-Step

College Admissions , College Essays

Writing your personal statement for your college application is an undeniably overwhelming project. Your essay is your big shot to show colleges who you are—it's totally reasonable to get stressed out. But don't let that stress paralyze you.

This guide will walk you through each step of the essay writing process to help you understand exactly what you need to do to write the best possible personal statement . I'm also going to follow an imaginary student named Eva as she plans and writes her college essay, from her initial organization and brainstorming to her final edits. By the end of this article, you'll have all the tools you need to create a fantastic, effective college essay.

So how do you write a good college essay? The process starts with finding the best possible topic , which means understanding what the prompt is asking for and taking the time to brainstorm a variety of options. Next, you'll determine how to create an interesting essay that shows off your unique perspective and write multiple drafts in order to hone your structure and language. Once your writing is as effective and engaging as possible, you'll do a final sweep to make sure everything is correct .

This guide covers the following steps:

#1: Organizing #2: Brainstorming #3: Picking a topic #4: Making a plan #5: Writing a draft #6: Editing your draft #7: Finalizing your draft #8: Repeating the process

Step 1: Get Organized

The first step in how to write a college essay is figuring out what you actually need to do. Although many schools are now on the Common App, some very popular colleges, including Rutgers and University of California, still have their own applications and writing requirements. Even for Common App schools, you may need to write a supplemental essay or provide short answers to questions.

Before you get started, you should know exactly what essays you need to write. Having this information allows you to plan the best approach to each essay and helps you cut down on work by determining whether you can use an essay for more than one prompt.

Start Early

Writing good college essays involves a lot of work: you need dozens of hours to get just one personal statement properly polished , and that's before you even start to consider any supplemental essays.

In order to make sure you have plenty of time to brainstorm, write, and edit your essay (or essays), I recommend starting at least two months before your first deadline . The last thing you want is to end up with a low-quality essay you aren't proud of because you ran out of time and had to submit something unfinished.

Determine What You Need to Do

As I touched on above, each college has its own essay requirements, so you'll need to go through and determine what exactly you need to submit for each school . This process is simple if you're only using the Common App, since you can easily view the requirements for each school under the "My Colleges" tab. Watch out, though, because some schools have a dedicated "Writing Supplement" section, while others (even those that want a full essay) will put their prompts in the "Questions" section.

It gets trickier if you're applying to any schools that aren't on the Common App. You'll need to look up the essay requirements for each college—what's required should be clear on the application itself, or you can look under the "how to apply" section of the school's website.

Once you've determined the requirements for each school, I recommend making yourself a chart with the school name, word limit, and application deadline on one side and the prompt or prompts you need to respond to on the other . That way you'll be able to see exactly what you need to do and when you need to do it by.

The hardest part about writing your college essays is getting started.

Decide Where to Start

If you have one essay that's due earlier than the others, start there. Otherwise, start with the essay for your top choice school.

I would also recommend starting with a longer personal statement before moving on to shorter supplementary essays , since the 500-700 word essays tend to take quite a bit longer than 100-250 word short responses. The brainstorming you do for the long essay may help you come up with ideas you like for the shorter ones as well.

Also consider whether some of the prompts are similar enough that you could submit the same essay to multiple schools . Doing so can save you some time and let you focus on a few really great essays rather than a lot of mediocre ones.

However, don't reuse essays for dissimilar or very school-specific prompts, especially "why us" essays . If a college asks you to write about why you're excited to go there, admissions officers want to see evidence that you're genuinely interested. Reusing an essay about another school and swapping out the names is the fastest way to prove you aren't.

Example: Eva's College List

Eva is applying early to Emory University and regular decision to University of Washington, UCLA, and Reed College. Emory, the University of Washington, and Reed both use the Common App, while University of Washington, Emory, and Reed all use the Coalition App.




	1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. 7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?
	7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
	What academic areas are you interested in exploring in college?

	after the Greek term signifying "education"—the complete education of mind, body and spirit. What would you teach that would contribute to the Reed community?

Even though she's only applying to four schools, Eva has a lot to do: two essays for UW, four for the UCLA application, one for the Common App (or the Coalition App), and two essays for Emory. Many students will have fewer requirements to complete, but those who are applying to very selective schools or a number of schools on different applications will have as many or even more responses to write.

Eva's first deadline is early decision for Emory, she'll start by writing the Common App essay, and then work on the Emory supplements. (For the purposes of this post, we'll focus on the Common App essay.)

Pro tip: If this sounds like a lot of work, that's because it is. Writing essays for your college applications is demanding and takes a lot of time and thought. You don't have to do it alone, though. PrepScholar has helped students like you get into top-tier colleges like Stanford, Yale, Harvard, and Brown. Our essay experts can help you craft amazing essays that boost your chances of getting into your dream school .

Step 2: Brainstorm

Next up in how to write a college essay: brainstorming essay ideas. There are tons of ways to come up with ideas for your essay topic: I've outlined three below. I recommend trying all of them and compiling a list of possible topics, then narrowing it down to the very best one or, if you're writing multiple essays, the best few.

Keep in mind as you brainstorm that there's no best college essay topic, just the best topic for you . Don't feel obligated to write about something because you think you should—those types of essays tend to be boring and uninspired. Similarly, don't simply write about the first idea that crosses your mind because you don't want to bother trying to think of something more interesting. Take the time to come up with a topic you're really excited about and that you can write about in detail.

Want to write the perfect college application essay? We can help. Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will help you craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay to proudly submit to colleges. Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now:

Analyze the Prompts

One way to find possible topics is to think deeply about the college's essay prompt. What are they asking you for? Break them down and analyze every angle.

Does the question include more than one part ? Are there multiple tasks you need to complete?

What do you think the admissions officers are hoping to learn about you ?

In cases where you have more than one choice of prompt, does one especially appeal to you ? Why?

Let's dissect one of the University of Washington prompts as an example:

"Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. "

This question is basically asking how your personal history, such as your childhood, family, groups you identify with etc. helped you become the person you are now. It offers a number of possible angles.

You can talk about the effects of either your family life (like your relationship with your parents or what your household was like growing up) or your cultural history (like your Jewish faith or your Venezuelan heritage). You can also choose between focusing on positive or negative effects of your family or culture. No matter what however, the readers definitely want to hear about your educational goals (i.e. what you hope to get out of college) and how they're related to your personal experience.

As you try to think of answers for a prompt, imagine about what you would say if you were asked the question by a friend or during a get-to-know-you icebreaker. After all, admissions officers are basically just people who you want to get to know you.

The essay questions can make a great jumping off point, but don't feel married to them. Most prompts are general enough that you can come up with an idea and then fit it to the question.

Consider Important Experiences, Events, and Ideas in Your Life

What experience, talent, interest or other quirk do you have that you might want to share with colleges? In other words, what makes you you? Possible topics include hobbies, extracurriculars, intellectual interests, jobs, significant one-time events, pieces of family history, or anything else that has shaped your perspective on life.

Unexpected or slightly unusual topics are often the best : your passionate love of Korean dramas or your yearly family road trip to an important historical site. You want your essay to add something to your application, so if you're an All-American soccer player and want to write about the role soccer has played in your life, you'll have a higher bar to clear.

Of course if you have a more serious part of your personal history—the death of a parent, serious illness, or challenging upbringing—you can write about that. But make sure you feel comfortable sharing details of the experience with the admissions committee and that you can separate yourself from it enough to take constructive criticism on your essay.

Think About How You See Yourself

The last brainstorming method is to consider whether there are particular personality traits you want to highlight . This approach can feel rather silly, but it can also be very effective.

If you were trying to sell yourself to an employer, or maybe even a potential date, how would you do it? Try to think about specific qualities that make you stand out. What are some situations in which you exhibited this trait?

Example: Eva's Ideas

Looking at the Common App prompts, Eva wasn't immediately drawn to any of them, but after a bit of consideration she thought it might be nice to write about her love of literature for the first one, which asks about something "so meaningful your application would be incomplete without it." Alternatively, she liked the specificity of the failure prompt and thought she might write about a bad job interview she had had.

In terms of important events, Eva's parents got divorced when she was three and she's been going back and forth between their houses for as long as she can remember, so that's a big part of her personal story. She's also played piano for all four years of high school, although she's not particularly good.

As for personal traits, Eva is really proud of her curiosity—if she doesn't know something, she immediately looks it up, and often ends up discovering new topics she's interested in. It's a trait that's definitely come in handy as a reporter for her school paper.

Step 3: Narrow Down Your List

Now you have a list of potential topics, but probably no idea where to start. The next step is to go through your ideas and determine which one will make for the strongest essay . You'll then begin thinking about how best to approach it.

What to Look for in a College Essay Topic

There's no single answer to the question of what makes a great college essay topic, but there are some key factors you should keep in mind. The best essays are focused, detailed, revealing and insightful, and finding the right topic is vital to writing a killer essay with all of those qualities.

As you go through your ideas, be discriminating—really think about how each topic could work as an essay. But don't be too hard on yourself ; even if an idea may not work exactly the way you first thought, there may be another way to approach it. Pay attention to what you're really excited about and look for ways to make those ideas work.

Consideration 1: Does It Matter to You?

If you don't care about your topic, it will be hard to convince your readers to care about it either. You can't write a revealing essay about yourself unless you write about a topic that is truly important to you.

But don't confuse important to you with important to the world: a college essay is not a persuasive argument. The point is to give the reader a sense of who you are , not to make a political or intellectual point. The essay needs to be personal.

Similarly, a lot of students feel like they have to write about a major life event or their most impressive achievement. But the purpose of a personal statement isn't to serve as a resume or a brag sheet—there are plenty of other places in the application for you to list that information. Many of the best essays are about something small because your approach to a common experience generally reveals a lot about your perspective on the world.

Mostly, your topic needs to have had a genuine effect on your outlook , whether it taught you something about yourself or significantly shifted your view on something else.

Consideration 2: Does It Tell the Reader Something Different About You?

Your essay should add something to your application that isn't obvious elsewhere. Again, there are sections for all of your extracurriculars and awards; the point of the essay is to reveal something more personal that isn't clear just from numbers and lists.

You also want to make sure that if you're sending more than one essay to a school—like a Common App personal statement and a school-specific supplement—the two essays take on different topics.

Consideration 3: Is It Specific?

Your essay should ultimately have a very narrow focus. 650 words may seem like a lot, but you can fill it up very quickly. This means you either need to have a very specific topic from the beginning or find a specific aspect of a broader topic to focus on.

If you try to take on a very broad topic, you'll end up with a bunch of general statements and boring lists of your accomplishments. Instead, you want to find a short anecdote or single idea to explore in depth .

Consideration 4: Can You Discuss It in Detail?

A vague essay is a boring essay— specific details are what imbue your essay with your personality . For example, if I tell my friend that I had a great dessert yesterday, she probably won't be that interested. But if I explain that I ate an amazing piece of peach raspberry pie with flaky, buttery crust and filling that was both sweet and tart, she will probably demand to know where I obtained it (at least she will if she appreciates the joys of pie). She'll also learn more about me: I love pie and I analyze desserts with great seriousness.

Given the importance of details, writing about something that happened a long time ago or that you don't remember well isn't usually a wise choice . If you can't describe something in depth, it will be challenging to write a compelling essay about it.

You also shouldn't pick a topic you aren't actually comfortable talking about . Some students are excited to write essays about very personal topics, like their mother's bipolar disorder or their family's financial struggles, but others dislike sharing details about these kinds of experiences. If you're a member of the latter group, that's totally okay, just don't write about one of these sensitive topics.

Still, don't worry that every single detail has to be perfectly correct. Definitely don't make anything up, but if you remember a wall as green and it was really blue, your readers won't notice or care.

Consideration 5: Can It Be Related to the Prompt?

As long as you're talking about yourself, there are very few ideas that you can't tie back to one of the Common App or Coalition App prompts. But if you're applying to a school with its own more specific prompt, or working on supplemental essays, making sure to address the question will be a greater concern.

Deciding on a Topic

Once you've gone through the questions above, you should have a good sense of what you want to write about. Hopefully, it's also gotten you started thinking about how you can best approach that topic, but we'll cover how to plan your essay more fully in the next step.

If after going through the narrowing process, you've eliminated all your topics, first look back over them: are you being too hard on yourself? Are there any that you really like, but just aren't totally sure what angle to take on? If so, try looking at the next section and seeing if you can't find a different way to approach it.

If you just don't have an idea you're happy with, that's okay! Give yourself a week to think about it. Sometimes you'll end up having a genius idea in the car on the way to school or while studying for your U.S. history test. Otherwise, try the brainstorming process again when you've had a break.

If, on the other hand, you have more than one idea you really like, consider whether any of them can be used for other essays you need to write.

Example: Picking Eva's Topic

Love of books
Failed job interview
Parents' divorce

Eva immediately rules out writing about playing piano, because it sounds super boring to her, and it's not something she is particularly passionate about. She also decides not to write about splitting time between her parents because she just isn't comfortable sharing her feelings about it with an admissions committee.

She feels more positive about the other three, so she decides to think about them for a couple of days. She ends up ruling out the job interview because she just can't come up with that many details she could include.

She's excited about both of her last two ideas, but sees issues with both of them: the books idea is very broad and the reporting idea doesn't seem to apply to any of the prompts. Then she realizes that she can address the solving a problem prompt by talking about a time she was trying to research a story about the closing of a local movie theater, so she decides to go with that topic.

Step 4: Figure Out Your Approach

You've decided on a topic, but now you need to turn that topic into an essay. To do so, you need to determine what specifically you're focusing on and how you'll structure your essay.

If you're struggling or uncertain, try taking a look at some examples of successful college essays . It can be helpful to dissect how other personal statements are structured to get ideas for your own , but don't fall into the trap of trying to copy someone else's approach. Your essay is your story—never forget that.

Let's go through the key steps that will help you turn a great topic into a great essay.

Choose a Focal Point

As I touched on above, the narrower your focus, the easier it will be to write a unique, engaging personal statement. The simplest way to restrict the scope of your essay is to recount an anecdote , i.e. a short personal story that illustrates your larger point.

For example, say a student was planning to write about her Outward Bound trip in Yosemite. If she tries to tell the entire story of her trip, her essay will either be far too long or very vague. Instead, she decides to focus in on a specific incident that exemplifies what mattered to her about the experience: her failed attempt to climb Half Dome. She described the moment she decided to turn back without reaching the top in detail, while touching on other parts of the climb and trip where appropriate. This approach lets her create a dramatic arc in just 600 words, while fully answering the question posed in the prompt (Common App prompt 2).

Of course, concentrating on an anecdote isn't the only way to narrow your focus. Depending on your topic, it might make more sense to build your essay around an especially meaningful object, relationship, or idea.

Another approach our example student from above could take to the same general topic would be to write about the generosity of fellow hikers (in response to Common App prompt 4). Rather than discussing a single incident, she could tell the story of her trip through times she was supported by other hikers: them giving tips on the trails, sharing snacks, encouraging her when she was tired, etc. A structure like this one can be trickier than the more straightforward anecdote approach , but it can also make for an engaging and different essay.

When deciding what part of your topic to focus on, try to find whatever it is about the topic that is most meaningful and unique to you . Once you've figured that part out, it will guide how you structure the essay.

body-hike-challenge-mountain-cc0-pixabay

Decide What You Want to Show About Yourself

Remember that the point of the college essay isn't just to tell a story, it's to show something about yourself. It's vital that you have a specific point you want to make about what kind of person you are , what kind of college student you'd make, or what the experience you're describing taught you.

Since the papers you write for school are mostly analytical, you probably aren't used to writing about your own feelings. As such, it can be easy to neglect the reflection part of the personal statement in favor of just telling a story. Yet explaining what the event or idea you discuss meant to you is the most important essay —knowing how you want to tie your experiences back to your personal growth from the beginning will help you make sure to include it.

Develop a Structure

It's not enough to just know what you want to write about—you also need to have a sense of how you're going to write about it. You could have the most exciting topic of all time, but without a clear structure your essay will end up as incomprehensible gibberish that doesn't tell the reader anything meaningful about your personality.

There are a lot of different possible essay structures, but a simple and effective one is the compressed narrative, which builds on a specific anecdote (like the Half Dome example above):

Start in the middle of the action. Don't spend a lot of time at the beginning of your essay outlining background info—it doesn't tend to draw the reader in and you usually need less of it than you think you do. Instead start right where your story starts to get interesting. (I'll go into how to craft an intriguing opener in more depth below.)

Briefly explain what the situation is. Now that you've got the reader's attention, go back and explain anything they need to know about how you got into this situation. Don't feel compelled to fit everything in—only include the background details that are necessary to either understand what happened or illuminate your feelings about the situation in some way.

Finish the story. Once you've clarified exactly what's going on, explain how you resolved the conflict or concluded the experience.

Explain what you learned. The last step is to tie everything together and bring home the main point of your story: how this experience affected you.

The key to this type of structure is to create narrative tension—you want your reader to be wondering what happens next.

A second approach is the thematic structure, which is based on returning to a key idea or object again and again (like the boots example above):

Establish the focus. If you're going to structure your essay around a single theme or object, you need to begin the essay by introducing that key thing. You can do so with a relevant anecdote or a detailed description.

Touch on 3-5 times the focus was important. The body of your essay will consist of stringing together a few important moments related to the topic. Make sure to use sensory details to bring the reader into those points in time and keep her engaged in the essay. Also remember to elucidate why these moments were important to you.

Revisit the main idea. At the end, you want to tie everything together by revisiting the main idea or object and showing how your relationship to it has shaped or affected you. Ideally, you'll also hint at how this thing will be important to you going forward.

To make this structure work you need a very specific focus. Your love of travel, for example, is much too broad—you would need to hone in on a specific aspect of that interest, like how traveling has taught you to adapt to event the most unusual situations. Whatever you do, don't use this structure to create a glorified resume or brag sheet .

However you structure your essay, you want to make sure that it clearly lays out both the events or ideas you're describing and establishes the stakes (i.e. what it all means for you). Many students become so focused on telling a story or recounting details that they forget to explain what it all meant to them.

body-roof-construction-building-cc0-pixabay

Example: Eva's Essay Plan

For her essay, Eva decides to use the compressed narrative structure to tell the story of how she tried and failed to report on the closing of a historic movie theater:

Open with the part of her story where she finally gave up after calling the theater and city hall a dozen times.
Explain that although she started researching the story out of journalistic curiosity, it was important to her because she'd grown up going to movies at that theater.
Recount how defeated she felt when she couldn't get ahold of anyone, and then even more so when she saw a story about the theater's closing in the local paper.
Describer her decision to write an op-ed instead and interview other students about what the theater meant to them.
Finish by explaining that although she wasn't able to get the story (or stop the destruction of the theater), she learned that sometimes the emotional angle can be just as interesting as the investigative one.

Step 5: Write a First Draft

The key to writing your first draft is not to worry about whether it's any good—just get something on paper and go from there. You will have to rewrite, so trying to get everything perfect is both frustrating and futile.

Everyone has their own writing process. Maybe you feel more comfortable sitting down and writing the whole draft from beginning to end in one go. Maybe you jump around, writing a little bit here and a little there. It's okay to have sections you know won't work or to skip over things you think you'll need to include later.

Whatever your approach, there are a few tips everyone can benefit from.

Don't Aim for Perfection

I mentioned this idea above, but I can't emphasize it enough: no one writes a perfect first draft . Extensive editing and rewriting is vital to crafting an effective personal statement. Don't get too attached to any part of your draft, because you may need to change anything (or everything) about your essay later .

Also keep in mind that, at this point in the process, the goal is just to get your ideas down. Wonky phrasings and misplaced commas can easily be fixed when you edit, so don't worry about them as you write. Instead, focus on including lots of specific details and emphasizing how your topic has affected you, since these aspects are vital to a compelling essay.

Write an Engaging Introduction

One part of the essay you do want to pay special attention to is the introduction. Your intro is your essay's first impression: you only get one. It's much harder to regain your reader's attention once you've lost it, so you want to draw the reader in with an immediately engaging hook that sets up a compelling story .

There are two possible approaches I would recommend.

The "In Media Res" Opening

You'll probably recognize this term if you studied The Odyssey: it basically means that the story starts in the middle of the action, rather than at the beginning. A good intro of this type makes the reader wonder both how you got to the point you're starting at and where you'll go from there . These openers provide a solid, intriguing beginning for narrative essays (though they can certainly for thematic structures as well).

But how do you craft one? Try to determine the most interesting point in your story and start there. If you're not sure where that is, try writing out the entire story and then crossing out each sentence in order until you get to one that immediately grabs your attention.

Here's an example from a real student's college essay:

"I strode in front of 400 frenzied eighth graders with my arm slung over my Fender Stratocaster guitar—it actually belonged to my mother—and launched into the first few chords of Nirvana's 'Lithium.'"

Anonymous , University of Virginia

This intro throws the reader right into the middle of the action. The author jumps right into the action: the performance. You can imagine how much less exciting it would be if the essay opened with an explanation of what the event was and why the author was performing.

The Specific Generalization

Sounds like an oxymoron, right? This type of intro sets up what the essay is going to talk about in a slightly unexpected way . These are a bit trickier than the "in media res" variety, but they can work really well for the right essay—generally one with a thematic structure.

The key to this type of intro is detail . Contrary to what you may have learned in elementary school, sweeping statements don't make very strong hooks. If you want to start your essay with a more overall description of what you'll be discussing, you still need to make it specific and unique enough to stand out.

Once again, let's look at some examples from real students' essays:

Neha, Johns Hopkins University

Brontë, Johns Hopkins University

Both of these intros set up the general topic of the essay (the first writer's bookshelf and and the second's love of Jane Eyre ) in an intriguing way. The first intro works because it mixes specific descriptions ("pushed against the left wall in my room") with more general commentary ("a curious piece of furniture"). The second draws the reader in by adopting a conversational and irreverent tone with asides like "if you ask me" and "This may or may not be a coincidence."

Don't Worry Too Much About the Length

When you start writing, don't worry about your essay's length. Instead, focus on trying to include all of the details you can think of about your topic , which will make it easier to decide what you really need to include when you edit.

However, if your first draft is more than twice the word limit and you don't have a clear idea of what needs to be cut out, you may need to reconsider your focus—your topic is likely too broad. You may also need to reconsider your topic or approach if you find yourself struggling to fill space, since this usually indicates a topic that lacks a specific focus.

Eva's First Paragraph

I dialed the phone number for the fourth time that week. "Hello? This is Eva Smith, and I'm a reporter with Tiny Town High's newspaper The Falcon. I was hoping to ask you some questions about—" I heard the distinctive click of the person on the other end of the line hanging up, followed by dial tone. I was about ready to give up: I'd been trying to get the skinny on whether the Atlas Theater was actually closing to make way for a big AMC multiplex or if it was just a rumor for weeks, but no one would return my calls.

Step 6: Edit Aggressively

No one writes a perfect first draft. No matter how much you might want to be done after writing a first draft—you must take the time to edit. Thinking critically about your essay and rewriting as needed is a vital part of writing a great college essay.

Before you start editing, put your essay aside for a week or so . It will be easier to approach it objectively if you haven't seen it in a while. Then, take an initial pass to identify any big picture issues with your essay. Once you've fixed those, ask for feedback from other readers—they'll often notice gaps in logic that don't appear to you, because you're automatically filling in your intimate knowledge of the situation. Finally, take another, more detailed look at your essay to fine tune the language.

I've explained each of these steps in more depth below.

First Editing Pass

You should start the editing process by looking for any structural or thematic issues with your essay . If you see sentences that don't make sense or glaring typos of course fix them, but at this point, you're really focused on the major issues since those require the most extensive rewrites. You don't want to get your sentences beautifully structured only to realize you need to remove the entire paragraph.

This phase is really about honing your structure and your voice . As you read through your essay, think about whether it effectively draws the reader along, engages him with specific details, and shows why the topic matters to you. Try asking yourself the following questions:

Does the intro make you want to read more?
Is the progression of events and/or ideas clear?
Does the essay show something specific about you? What is it and can you clearly identify it in the essay?
Are there places where you could replace vague statements with more specific ones?
Do you have too many irrelevant or uninteresting details clogging up the narrative?
Is it too long? What can you cut out or condense without losing any important ideas or details?

Give yourself credit for what you've done well, but don't hesitate to change things that aren't working. It can be tempting to hang on to what you've already written —you took the time and thought to craft it in the first place, so it can be hard to let it go. Taking this approach is doing yourself a disservice, however. No matter how much work you put into a paragraph or much you like a phrase, if they aren't adding to your essay, they need to be cut or altered.

If there's a really big structural problem, or the topic is just not working, you may have to chuck this draft out and start from scratch . Don't panic! I know starting over is frustrating, but it's often the best way to fix major issues.

Consulting Other Readers

Once you've fixed the problems you found on the first pass and have a second (or third) draft you're basically happy with, ask some other people to read it. Check with people whose judgment you trust : parents, teachers, and friends can all be great resources, but how helpful someone will be depends on the individual and how willing you are to take criticism from her.

Also, keep in mind that many people, even teachers, may not be familiar with what colleges look for in an essay. Your mom, for example, may have never written a personal statement, and even if she did, it was most likely decades ago. Give your readers a sense of what you'd like them to read for , or print out the questions I listed above and include them at the end of your essay.

Second Pass

After incorporating any helpful feedback you got from others, you should now have a nearly complete draft with a clear arc.

At this point you want to look for issues with word choice and sentence structure:

Are there parts that seem stilted or overly formal?
Do you have any vague or boring descriptors that could be replaced with something more interesting and specific?
Are there any obvious redundancies or repetitiveness?
Have you misused any words?
Are your sentences of varied length and structure?

A good way to check for weirdness in language is to read the essay out loud. If something sounds weird when you say it, it will almost certainly seem off when someone else reads it.

Example: Editing Eva's First Paragraph

In general, Eva feels like her first paragraph isn't as engaging as it could be and doesn't introduce the main point of the essay that well: although it sets up the narrative, it doesn't show off her personality that well. She decides to break it down sentence by sentence:

I dialed the phone number for the fourth time that week.

Problem: For a hook, this sentence is a little too expository. It doesn't add any real excitement or important information (other than that this call isn't the first, which can be incorporate elsewhere.

Solution: Cut this sentence and start with the line of dialogue.

"Hello? This is Eva Smith, and I'm a reporter with Tiny Town High's newspaper The Falcon. I was hoping to ask you some questions about—"

Problem: No major issues with this sentence. It's engaging and sets the scene effectively.

Solution: None needed, but Eva does tweak it slightly to include the fact that this call wasn't her first.

I heard the distinctive click of the person on the other end of the line hanging up, followed by dial tone.

Problem: This is a long-winded way of making a point that's not that important.

Solution: Replace it with a shorter, more evocative description: " Click. Bzzzzzzz. Whoever was on the other end of the line had hung up."

I was about ready to give up: I'd been trying to get the skinny on whether the Atlas Theater was actually closing to make way for a big AMC multiplex or if it was just a rumor for weeks, but no one would return my calls.

Problem: This sentence is kind of long. Some of the phrases ("about ready to give up," "get the skinny") are cliche.

Solution: Eva decides to try to stick more closely to her own perspective: "I'd heard rumors that Atlas Theater was going to be replaced with an AMC multiplex, and I was worried." She also puts a paragraph break before this sentence to emphasize that she's now moving on to the background info rather than describing her call.

Step 7: Double Check Everything

Once you have a final draft, give yourself another week and then go through your essay again. Read it carefully to make sure nothing seems off and there are no obvious typos or errors. Confirm that you are at or under the word limit.

Then, go over the essay again, line by line , checking every word to make sure that it's correct. Double check common errors that spell check may not catch, like mixing up affect and effect or misplacing commas.

Finally, have two other readers check it as well . Oftentimes a fresh set of eyes will catch an issue you've glossed over simply because you've been looking at the essay for so long. Give your readers instructions to only look for typos and errors, since you don't want to be making any major content changes at this point in the process.

This level of thoroughness may seem like overkill, but it's worth taking the time to ensure that you don't have any errors. The last thing you want is for an admissions officer to be put off by a typo or error.

Example: Eva's Final Draft (Paragraphs 1 and 2)

"Hello? This is Eva Smith again. I'm a reporter with Tiny Town High's newspaper The Falcon , and I was hoping to ask you some questions about —" Click. Bzzzzzzz. Whoever was on the other end of the line had hung up.

I'd heard rumors that the historic Atlas Theater was going to be replaced with an AMC multiplex, and I was worried. I'd grown up with the Atlas: my dad taking me to see every Pixar movie on opening night and buying me Red Vines to keep me distracted during the sad parts. Unfortunately my personal history with the place didn't seem to carry much weight with anyone official, and my calls to both the theater and city hall had thus far gone unanswered.

Once you've finished the final check, you're done, and ready to submit! There's one last step, however.

Step 8: Do It All Again

Remember back in step one, when we talked about making a chart to keep track of all the different essays you need to write? Well, now you need to go back to that list and determine which essays you still need to write . Keep in mind your deadlines and don't forget that some schools may require more than one essay or ask for short paragraphs in addition to the main personal statement.

Reusing Essays

In some cases, you may be able to reuse the essay you've already written for other prompts. You can use the same essay for two prompts if:

Both of them are asking the same basic question (e.g. "how do you interact with people who are different from you?" or "what was an important experience and why?"), or

One prompt is relatively specific and the other is very general (e.g. "tell us about how your family shaped your education" and "tell us something about your background"), and

Neither asks about your interest in a specific school or program.

If you choose to reuse an essay you wrote for a different prompt, make sure that it addresses every part of question and that it fits the word limit. If you have to tweak a few things or cut out 50-odd words, it will probably still work. But if the essay would require major changes to fit the criteria, you're probably better off starting from scratch (even if you use the same basic topic).

Crafting Supplemental Essays

The key to keep in mind in when brainstorming for supplemental essays is that you want them to add something new to your application . You shouldn't write about the same topic you used for your personal statement, although it's okay to talk about something similar, as long as you adopt a clearly different angle.

For example, if you're planning to be pre-med in college and your main essay is about how volunteering at the hospital taught you not to judge people on their appearance, you might write your secondary essay on your intellectual interest in biology (which could touch on your volunteering). There's some overlap, but the two topics are clearly distinct.

And now, you're really, truly, finally done. Congrats!

What's Next?

Now that you know how to write a college essay, we have a lot more specific resources for you to excel.

Are you working on the Common App essay ? Read our breakdown of the Common App prompts and our guide to picking the best prompt for you.

Or maybe you're interested in the University of California ? Check out our complete guide to the UC personal statements .

In case you haven't finished the rest of the application process , take a look at our guides to asking for recommendations , writing about extracurriculars , and researching colleges .

Finally, if you're planning to take the SAT or ACT one last time , try out some of our famous test prep guides, like "How to Get a Perfect Score on the SAT" and "15 Key ACT Test Day Tips."

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

Trending Now

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Get Your Free

Find Your Target SAT Score

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing

How to Improve Your Low SAT Score

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading and Writing

Find Your Target ACT Score

Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer

Get a 36 on ACT English

Get a 36 on ACT Math

Get a 36 on ACT Reading

Get a 36 on ACT Science

How to Improve Your Low ACT Score

Get a 24 on ACT English

Get a 24 on ACT Math

Get a 24 on ACT Reading

Get a 24 on ACT Science

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

The Essay Writing Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

An essay is a short form of writing that discusses, describes, or analyzes one topic. It can range in length from one paragraph to several pages and be on any topic. The writer expresses their opinion on the subject, supported by evidence and reasoning.

The history of the essay is believed to date back to the 16th century. The French writer Michel de Montaigne is credited with popularizing the genre in his 1580 book Essais. Essais contains a series of essays written by Montaigne on various topics. The word “essay” is derived from the French verb essayer, which means “to try” or “to attempt.”

Today, essays are still a widely used form of writing in academia and in the popular press. They are a way for writers to express their opinions on a wide variety of topics and to share their personal experiences and stories.

If you are asked to write an essay, it is essential to remember that there is no one right way to do it. There are many different essay formats, and you should choose the one that best suits your topic and the audience you are writing for. However, all essays should have a clear structure, with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

When writing an essay, it is important to use evidence to support your arguments. This could include statistics, quotes from experts, or examples from your own experience. You should also ensure that your essay is well-organized and flows smoothly from one point to the next.

Finally, remember that an essay is not a test – there is no right or wrong answer, and your goal should be to express your ideas and opinions on the topic. So relax, and enjoy the process of writing an essay!

Table of Contents

What Are the Different Types of Essays

There are four main types of essays: expository, persuasive, analytical, and argumentative.

An expository essay provides information about a topic. It might compare or contrast two subjects, provide a definition, or give instructions.

A descriptive essay provides a detailed description of a person, place, object, or event. The author may use sensory details to help readers experience the subject matter.

A narrative essay tells a story and is often used to describe personal experiences. The author may use first person point of view (“I” or “me”), but third person (“he,” “she,” or “it”) is also common.

An argumentative essay takes a position on a controversial issue and tries to convince readers to side with the author. The author may use facts, statistics, and examples to support the argument.

There are many different types of essays, and each has its own purpose. When you are given an essay assignment, be sure to ask your teacher what type of essay you are expected to write.

What Is the Purpose of an Essay

Essays are written for many different purposes, such as to describe an event, explain a concept, argue a point of view, or persuade the reader to share the writer’s point of view.

The purpose of an essay is determined by its topic. For example, an essay about the Great Depression may discuss the causes of the economic downturn, its effects on the American population, or solutions that were proposed or enacted to end the crisis. A personal essay about a family vacation may describe the trip, the sights seen, and the fun that was had. A persuasive essay about the outright abolishment of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in the Philippines may present data and statistics associated with various human rights cases of abuse.

Parts of an Essay

An essay is a formal writing piece in which the writer presents a thesis, main idea, and supporting details. An essay has several parts: the introduction, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion.

The Introduction

The introduction is the first paragraph of the essay and should include the following:

Thesis statement: A thesis statement is a sentence or two that introduces the essay’s main idea. The thesis statement should be clear and concise.

Supporting details: In the introduction, the writer should also provide supporting details for the thesis statement. These details can be in the form of a brief story, an example, or statistics.

The Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are the meat of the essay and should include the following:

Topic sentence: Each body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence. The topic sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

Supporting details: The body paragraphs should include supporting details for the topic sentence. These details can be in the form of a story, an example, or statistics.

The conclusion is the last paragraph of the essay and should include the following:

Restatement of thesis: The conclusion should begin with a restatement of the thesis statement.

Supporting details: The conclusion should also include a brief summary of the essay’s main points.

The writer’s opinion: The conclusion should end with the writer’s opinion on the topic.

Pre-writing Process

Pre-writing is the process of brainstorming and organizing your thoughts before you begin writing your essay. This step is vital because it will help you focus your ideas and develop a clear and concise argument. There are several pre-writing techniques that you can use to generate ideas and organize your thoughts, such as brainstorming, freewriting, outlining, and researching.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a process that allows you to generate ideas for your essay. It can be done individually or in groups, and either formally or informally. Brainstorming can be a helpful way to identify ideas for your essay, and it can also help you to organize your thoughts. There are a few different techniques that you can use when brainstorming, and you may find that one method works better for you than another.

One brainstorming technique is called free writing. To do this, you set a timer for a certain amount of time and start writing. The goal is to keep writing without stopping and to write down all ideas that come to mind. This can be a helpful way to get started, but it can also be beneficial to do this at the end of your brainstorming session to help you summarize your ideas.

Another brainstorming technique is called mind mapping. To do this, you start by writing your main idea in the center of a paper. Then, you draw lines from that central idea and write down other related concepts. This can be a helpful way to organize your thoughts and to see how different concepts are related to each other.

You may also find it helpful to brainstorm with someone else. This can be a friend, a family member, or even another student in your class. Brainstorming with someone else can help you to get more ideas, and it can also help you to clarify your thoughts.

Once you have brainstormed, choosing the best ideas to include in your essay is essential. Not all of the ideas you come up with will be good, and you will need to evaluate each one to decide whether or not it is worth including. When you are considering your ideas, it can be helpful to ask yourself a few questions. For example, is the idea relevant to the topic of your essay? Is the idea well-developed? Is the idea something that you can support with evidence? Answering these questions can help you narrow your list of ideas and choose the best ones to include in your essay.

Outlining in an essay is organizing an essay’s main ideas, supporting details, and structure into a coherent and effective whole. It is usually done before writing the essay itself and can be used to help you determine what information is necessary to include and how best to organize it.

There are a few different ways to approach outlining an essay. The most common is to create an outline using bullet points, with each point representing the main idea or supporting detail. Another approach is to create a more traditional outline, using Roman numerals, letters, and numbers to represent the hierarchy of ideas. Whichever method you choose, the goal is to create an outline that is clear and easy to follow.

Once you have created your outline, you can use it as a roadmap for writing your essay. Begin by writing a rough draft, following the structure of your outline. Then, revise and edit your draft, filling in any gaps and ensuring that your ideas are presented logically and coherently. Finally, proofread your essay carefully to ensure that there are no errors.

Outlining can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Planning and organizing your ideas before you start writing can save you time and frustration. And with a bit of practice, you’ll be able to create clear, concise, and easy-to-follow outlines.

In short, an essay outline is a great way to organize your thoughts and ideas before you start writing. It can help you determine necessary information and how best to present it. So, if you’re stuck or unsure how to get started, try creating an outline. It just might be the key to unlocking your writing potential.

Researching

When writing an essay, the most important thing is to do your research. This means looking at all the different aspects of your topic and gathering as much information as possible. Once you have all your information, you can start putting it together and create a well-written essay.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are doing your research. First, you want to ensure that you are looking at credible sources. This means looking for sources that are from reputable organizations or individuals. You also want to look at both sides of the issue. This means looking at information that supports your position and goes against it. By looking at both sides, you can get a well-rounded view of your topic and make sure you are making a sound argument.

Once you have gathered all of your information, you can start to put it together in an essay format. Start by introducing your topic and giving some background information. Then, start to present your argument. Make sure you have a clear thesis statement that you can support with evidence from your research. As you raise your argument, be sure to address any counterarguments that you come across. Finally, conclude your essay by restating your thesis and giving a call to action or further research.

By following these steps, you can be sure that you are doing the best possible job of researching for your essay. Remember to look at credible sources, consider both sides of the issue, and develop a well-organized argument. By doing this, you can be sure that your essay is the best it can be.

Writing Process

The writing process is an essential part of essay writing. It helps to plan, organize and structure your ideas, and ensure that you have a clear focus when writing your essay.

The writing process can be divided into four main stages:

Proofreading

The drafting process is one of the most important aspects of writing an essay. This is when you take your ideas and turn them into a well-written and organized essay. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you are drafting your essay.

First, you need to make sure that you have a clear thesis statement. This statement should be one or two sentences that state the main point of your essay. Without a thesis statement, your essay will likely wander off topic and be difficult to follow.

Next, you need to decide on the structure of your essay. Will you be using a five-paragraph essay format? Or, will you be using a more creative structure? Once you have decided on the structure, you need to make sure that you stick to it. Do not add extra paragraphs or sections just because you think it sounds good. This will only confuse your reader and make your essay harder to follow.

Finally, you need to make sure that you proofread your essay before you submit it. This may seem like an obvious step, but it is one that many students overlook. Make sure that you check for grammar and spelling errors. You should also ensure that your essay flows well and that there are no awkward transitions. By taking the time to proofread your essay, you will ensure that it is the best it can be.

The drafting process is an important part of writing an essay. By following these tips, you can ensure that your essay is well-written and organized.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a sentence that states the main idea of an essay. It is usually located at the end of the introductory paragraph. A thesis statement is usually one sentence, though it may be longer. A thesis statement is not a question. A thesis statement is an assertion, not a statement of fact or an observation. A thesis statement is an arguable claim, which means that it is something that someone might reasonably disagree with.

A good thesis statement will usually have the following characteristics:

It will be a complete sentence.
It will be located at the end of the introductory paragraph.
It will state the main idea of the essay.
It will be specific.
It will be arguable.
It will be well-written.
It will be clear.
It will be concise.
It will be interesting.
It will be able to be supported with evidence.

The thesis statements are not set in stone. They can be revised as the essay evolves. It is important to be willing to revise the thesis statement as the essay progresses. This will ensure that the thesis statement remains relevant and that it continues to make a strong claim that can be supported with evidence.

It is often said that the revision process is more important than the initial writing process. This is because revision allows writers to improve the content, organization, and style of their writing.

The first step in revision is to read your essay aloud. This will help you to catch any errors or awkward phrasing. It is also a good idea to have someone else read your essay aloud to you. This will help you to catch any errors that you may have missed.

The second step in revision is to list the areas that need improvement. These may include the content, organization, or style of your writing. Once you have made a list of the areas that need improvement, you can begin working on each.

The third step in revision is to plan how you will improve your essay. This plan may involve adding, deleting, or rearranging information. It is important to be sure that your plan is realistic and that you have enough time to complete it.

The fourth step in revision is to make changes to your essay. Be sure to proofread your essay after making the changes. This will help ensure that the changes are correct and that your essay makes sense.

The fifth step in revision is to reread your essay. This will help you to see if the changes that you made improve the quality of your writing. If you are unsatisfied with the changes you made, you may need to go back and revise your plan.

The sixth and final step in revision is to edit your essay. This step is important to ensure that your essay is free of grammatical and spelling errors. After editing your essay, you should read it aloud one last time to ensure that it sounds the way you want it to.

The revision process is an important part of writing an essay. By following the steps outlined above, you can be sure that your essay will be the best.

One of the most important aspects of writing an essay is the editing process. This is when you will review your work and make any necessary changes to ensure that your essay is error-free and flows well. Editing can be daunting, but ensuring that your essay is the best it can be is essential.

There are a few things to keep in mind when editing your essay:

Read through your work carefully to identify any errors. Once you have found all of the errors, correct them.
Read through your work again to ensure that it flows well and that there are no awkward transitions.
Proofread your work to catch any remaining errors.

Editing can be time-consuming, but it is essential to ensuring that your essay is the best it can be. By taking the time to edit your work, you can be confident that you are submitting a high-quality essay.

There is no one perfect way to proofread an essay, but some general tips and strategies can help you catch errors and improve the quality of your writing.

One crucial step in proofreading is to read your essay aloud. This can help you catch errors you might not otherwise notice, such as awkward phrasing or incorrect word choice. Reading aloud can also help you understand your essay’s overall flow and rhythm.

Another helpful proofreading strategy is to read your essay backward, starting with the last sentence and working your way to the beginning. This can help you catch grammar and punctuation errors and ensure that your sentences make sense in reverse order.

Finally, having someone else read your essay, preferably someone familiar with the proofreading process, is also helpful. This can give you a fresh perspective on your essay and help you catch errors you might have missed.

In general, proofreading is vital to ensure the quality of your writing. By reading your essay aloud, backward, and with someone else, you can catch errors and make sure your essay is as strong as it can be.

Post-writing Process

After you finish writing your essay, there are still some crucial steps before you consider your work complete. Publishing, sharing, and reflecting on your work are all essential aspects of the post-writing process.

You’ve written a great essay. You researched, planned, wrote, and now it’s done. The only thing left to do is publish it, but you’re not quite sure how to do that.

There are a few options available to you for publishing your essay. You can submit it to a journal or magazine in print or online. You can also self-publish your work by printing copies or making it available online.

There are a few things to remember, whichever route you choose. First, make sure that your work is well-written and edited. This is especially important if you’re submitting it to a publication, as they will likely reject work that is poorly written or has errors.

If you’re self-publishing, you can still take the time to edit and revise your work before making it available to the public. However, remember that it’s for good once it’s out there. So, ensure you’re happy with your final product before you hit the “publish” button.

Finally, when publishing your essay, include a copyright notice. This will help to ensure that no one can steal your work and claim it as their own.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to publish your essay and share it with the world.

As anyone who has ever written an essay knows, essay writing can be challenging. You may have an excellent idea for a paper, but putting that idea into words can be difficult. And once you have written the essay, you may be unsure whether it is good. This is where sharing your essay writing can be helpful.

There are many benefits to sharing your essay writing with others. First, it can help to get feedback on your essay. This feedback can be helpful in terms of both content and grammar. Getting feedback from others can help you to improve your essay writing skills.

Second, sharing your essay writing can help to motivate you. You are more likely to receive positive feedback when you share your writing with others. This positive feedback can help to encourage you to keep writing.

Third, sharing your essay writing can help you to connect with other writers. When you share your writing, you may be able to connect with other writers who can offer advice and support. This can be a valuable resource, especially if you struggle with writing essays.

Fourth, sharing your essay writing can help you to learn from other writers. Reading other writers’ essays can teach you about different writing styles and techniques. You can also learn about different formats for essays. This knowledge can be helpful when you are revising your essay.

Finally, sharing your essay writing can help you to receive recognition for your work. When you share your essay with others, you may be able to receive recognition for your work. This recognition can help to boost your confidence and encourage you to keep writing.

Overall, there are many benefits to sharing your essay writing. If you are struggling with your essay writing, consider sharing your work with others. You may be surprised at how helpful and motivating it can be.

After writing an essay, reflecting on what you have written is essential. This helps you to improve your writing skills and learn from your mistakes.

There are a few things you should keep in mind when reflecting on your essay:

What was the purpose of the essay?
Did you achieve this purpose?
What could you have done differently to improve the essay?
What did you learn from writing the essay?
How can you apply what you learned to future essay writing?

Reflecting on your essay will help you to improve your writing skills and learn from your mistakes. Keeping the above points in mind ensures you get the most out of your reflection.

Final Thoughts

Overall, essay writing is a key academic skill that will help you succeed at university and in your future career. To write a good essay, you need to be able to

come up with a clear, well-organized thesis statement;
develop supporting points and evidence for your thesis; and
express your ideas clearly and persuasively.

While there is no one correct way to write an essay, you can follow some general principles to ensure your essay is well-organized and effective. With practice and feedback, you will be able to improve your essay-writing skills and get the grades you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Essay writing is a way of expressing yourself and your ideas through the written word. It can communicate your thoughts and feelings and share your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject.

Many types of essays include argumentative, persuasive, expository, narrative, and descriptive.

The purpose of an essay can vary depending on the type of essay. However, in general, an essay is written to: 1. share an opinion or point of view, 2. persuade the reader to agree with a particular point of view, 3. inform the reader about a particular subject, or 4. entertain the reader.

There is no one answer to this question. However, some ways to start an essay include introducing the topic, providing background information, or posing a question.

The steps to writing an essay can vary depending on the type of essay. However, in general, the steps to writing an essay include: 1. choosing a topic, 2. doing research, 3. outlining, 4. writing a draft, and 5. revising and editing the essay.

To make an essay more interesting include using vivid language, concrete examples, or telling a story.

Some tips for writing an essay include: brainstorming ideas, doing research; making an outline; writing a draft; and revising and editing the essay.

If you get stuck while writing your essay, one option is to take a break and return to it later. Another option is brainstorming or freewriting to get your ideas flowing again.

Your essay is finished when you have answered the question or fulfilled the purpose you set out to achieve. You can also ask a friend or family member to read it and give you their opinion.

Some common mistakes students make when writing essays include forgetting to proofread, not staying on topic, not being clear and concise, not following the assigned format, not following the given instructions, and plagiarism.

Plagiarism is copying someone else’s work and claiming it as your own.

There are a few ways to avoid plagiarism: citing your sources, using direct quotes, and paraphrasing.

A thesis statement is a sentence or two that states the main idea of your essay.

Your thesis statement should be placed at the end of your introduction paragraph.

Body paragraphs are the paragraphs in between your introduction and conclusion paragraphs. They contain the supporting points for your thesis statement.

The number of body paragraphs you have will depend on the length of your essay and the number of supporting points you have for your thesis statement.

A conclusion paragraph is the last paragraph of your essay. It should restate your thesis statement and summarize your main points.

Some tips for writing a conclusion paragraph include: restating your thesis statement, summarizing your main points, and ending with a strong concluding statement.

Some tips for proofreading your essay include reading it aloud, reading it backward, and taking time.

Some standard formatting requirements for essays include font size and type, margin size, and line spacing.

If you’re still unsure how to write an essay, there are several resources you can consult, such as books on writing or online guides. You can also find many sample essays online to get an idea of how they are structured.

Several common essay topics are related to education, history, and current events. However, you can also write about more personal topics, such as your experiences or thoughts on a particular subject.

The best way to choose a topic for your essay is to choose one that is interesting to you and that you have some knowledge about. You can also look for essay prompts online or in writing textbooks.

There are several ways to come up with ideas for your essay. You can brainstorm, free-write, or do a mind map. You can also look for essay prompts online or in writing textbooks.

There are several ways to organize your essay. You can use an outline, a mind map, or a diagram. You can also use a linear structure, such as chronological order or cause and effect.

Several ways to improve your essay writing skills include practicing writing essays, reading articles and books on essay writing, and attending workshops or classes.

Several resources are available to help you with essay writing, including your teacher, instructor, professor, the library, and the internet.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Llego, M. A. (2022, September 9). The Essay Writing Process: A Step-by-Step Guide. TeacherPH. Retrieved September 9, 2022 from, https://www.teacherph.com/essay-writing-process/

How to Support LGBTQIA+ Students in the Classroom
The Importance of Parental Involvement in Education
Why Schools Should Encourage Parental Involvement in Education
50 Tips for Parents to Get More Involved in Their Child’s Education
How to Create a Student-Centered Classroom
Kindergarten Worksheets: Detailed Guide
Reading Intervention Strategies for Teachers: Detailed Guide
The Benefits of Extracurricular Activities for Students
How to Make Learning More Relevant for Students
Summative Assessment: A Step-by-Step Guide for Teachers
Formative Assessment: A Step-by-Step Guide for Teachers
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Its Application in Education
How to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten
How to Develop Effective Study Habits: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students
How to Help Students Who Struggle With Reading Comprehension
Action Research in Education: What You Need to Know
Top Scaffolding Strategies to Use With Your Students
Differentiated Instruction: A How-To Guide for Teachers
Benefits of Inclusive Education for All Students
How to Choose the Right Storybooks for Your Child

Mark Anthony Llego

Mark Anthony Llego, a visionary from the Philippines, founded TeacherPH in October 2014 with a mission to transform the educational landscape. His platform has empowered thousands of Filipino teachers, providing them with crucial resources and a space for meaningful idea exchange, ultimately enhancing their instructional and supervisory capabilities. TeacherPH's influence extends far beyond its origins. Mark's insightful articles on education have garnered international attention, featuring on respected U.S. educational websites. Moreover, his work has become a valuable reference for researchers, contributing to the academic discourse on education.

1 thought on “The Essay Writing Process: A Step-by-Step Guide”

thanks for sharing

The Five Steps of Writing an Essay

Mastering these steps will make your words more compelling

Tips For Adult Students
Getting Your Ged

B.A., English, St. Olaf College

Knowing how to write an essay is a skill that you can use throughout your life. The ability to organize ideas that you use in constructing an essay will help you write business letters, company memos, and marketing materials for your clubs and organizations.

Anything you write will benefit from learning these simple parts of an essay:

Purpose and Thesis

Introduction

Body of information.

Here are five steps to make it happen:

Purpose/Main Idea

Echo / Cultura / Getty Images

Before you can start writing, you must have an idea to write about. If you haven't been assigned a topic, it's easier than you might think to come up with one of your own.

Your best essays will be about things that light your fire. What do you feel passionate about? What topics do you find yourself arguing for or against? Choose the side of the topic you are "for" rather than "against" and your essay will be stronger.

Do you love gardening? Sports? Photography? Volunteering? Are you an advocate for children? Domestic peace? The hungry or homeless? These are clues to your best essays.

Put your idea into a single sentence. This is your thesis statement , your main idea.

STOCK4B-RF / Getty Images

Choose a title for your essay that expresses your primary idea. The strongest titles will include a verb. Take a look at any newspaper and you'll see that every title has a verb.

Your title should make someone want to read what you have to say. Make it provocative.

Here are a few ideas:

America Needs Better Health Care Now
The Use of the Mentor Archetype in _____
Who Is the She-Conomy?
Why DJ Is the Queen of Pedicures
Melanoma: Is It or Isn't It?
How to Achieve Natural Balance in Your Garden
Expect to Be Changed by Reading _____

Some people will tell you to wait until you have finished writing to choose a title. Other people find that writing a title helps them stay focused. You can always review your title when you've finished the essay to ensure that it's as effective as it can be.

Hero-Images / Getty Images

Your introduction is one short paragraph, just a sentence or two, that states your thesis (your main idea) and introduces your reader to your topic. After your title, this is your next best chance to hook your reader. Here are some examples:

Women are the chief buyers in 80 percent of America's households. If you're not marketing to them, you should be.
Take another look at that spot on your arm. Is the shape irregular? Is it multicolored? You could have melanoma. Know the signs.
Those tiny wasps flying around the blossoms in your garden can't sting you. Their stingers have evolved into egg-laying devices. The wasps, busying finding a place to lay their eggs, are participating in the balance of nature.

Vincent Hazat / PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections / Getty Images

The body of your essay is where you develop your story or argument. Once you have finished your research and produced several pages of notes, go through them with a highlighter and mark the most important ideas, the key points.

Choose the top three ideas and write each one at the top of a clean page. Now go through your notes again and pull out supporting ideas for each key point. You don't need a lot, just two or three for each one.

Write a paragraph about each of these key points, using the information you've pulled from your notes. If you don't have enough for one, you might need a stronger key point. Do more research to support your point of view. It's always better to have too many sources than too few.

Anna Bryukhanova/E Plus / Getty Images

You've almost finished. The last paragraph of your essay is your conclusion. It, too, can be short, and it must tie back to your introduction.

In your introduction, you stated the reason for your paper. In your conclusion, you should summarize how your key points support your thesis. Here's an example:

By observing the balance of nature in her gardens, listening to lectures, and reading everything she can get her hands on about insects and native plants, Lucinda has grown passionate about natural balance. "It's easy to get passionate if you just take time to look," she says.

If you're still worried about your essay after trying on your own, consider hiring an essay editing service. Reputable services will edit your work, not rewrite it. Choose carefully. One service to consider is Essay Edge .

Good luck! The next essay will be easier.

6 Steps to Writing the Perfect Personal Essay
How to Write a Research Paper That Earns an A
Reach Your Goals With a Personal Development Plan
10 Writing Ideas Concerning Women
Writing SMART Goals
How to Practice Critical Thinking in 4 Steps
Writing Practice Tests While You Study
5 Time Management Tips for Busy Students
How to Write a Learning Contract and Realize Your Goals
The Secret Power of Your Mind to Become What You Think
5 Ways to Improve Adult Literacy
A Step-By-Step Guide to Resolving Conflicts Peacefully
How to Prepare for Online Classes
How to Read Faster
How to Be a Good Listener
5 Things That Make It Easier to Go Back to School as an Adult

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

Knowledge Base
Example of a great essay | Explanations, tips & tricks

Example of a Great Essay | Explanations, Tips & Tricks

Published on February 9, 2015 by Shane Bryson . Revised on July 23, 2023 by Shona McCombes.

This example guides you through the structure of an essay. It shows how to build an effective introduction , focused paragraphs , clear transitions between ideas, and a strong conclusion .

Each paragraph addresses a single central point, introduced by a topic sentence , and each point is directly related to the thesis statement .

As you read, hover over the highlighted parts to learn what they do and why they work.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about writing an essay, an appeal to the senses: the development of the braille system in nineteenth-century france.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

In France, debates about how to deal with disability led to the adoption of different strategies over time. While people with temporary difficulties were able to access public welfare, the most common response to people with long-term disabilities, such as hearing or vision loss, was to group them together in institutions (Tombs, 1996). At first, a joint institute for the blind and deaf was created, and although the partnership was motivated more by financial considerations than by the well-being of the residents, the institute aimed to help people develop skills valuable to society (Weygand, 2009). Eventually blind institutions were separated from deaf institutions, and the focus shifted towards education of the blind, as was the case for the Royal Institute for Blind Youth, which Louis Braille attended (Jimenez et al, 2009). The growing acknowledgement of the uniqueness of different disabilities led to more targeted education strategies, fostering an environment in which the benefits of a specifically blind education could be more widely recognized.

Several different systems of tactile reading can be seen as forerunners to the method Louis Braille developed, but these systems were all developed based on the sighted system. The Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris taught the students to read embossed roman letters, a method created by the school’s founder, Valentin Hauy (Jimenez et al., 2009). Reading this way proved to be a rather arduous task, as the letters were difficult to distinguish by touch. The embossed letter method was based on the reading system of sighted people, with minimal adaptation for those with vision loss. As a result, this method did not gain significant success among blind students.

Louis Braille was bound to be influenced by his school’s founder, but the most influential pre-Braille tactile reading system was Charles Barbier’s night writing. A soldier in Napoleon’s army, Barbier developed a system in 1819 that used 12 dots with a five line musical staff (Kersten, 1997). His intention was to develop a system that would allow the military to communicate at night without the need for light (Herron, 2009). The code developed by Barbier was phonetic (Jimenez et al., 2009); in other words, the code was designed for sighted people and was based on the sounds of words, not on an actual alphabet. Barbier discovered that variants of raised dots within a square were the easiest method of reading by touch (Jimenez et al., 2009). This system proved effective for the transmission of short messages between military personnel, but the symbols were too large for the fingertip, greatly reducing the speed at which a message could be read (Herron, 2009). For this reason, it was unsuitable for daily use and was not widely adopted in the blind community.

Nevertheless, Barbier’s military dot system was more efficient than Hauy’s embossed letters, and it provided the framework within which Louis Braille developed his method. Barbier’s system, with its dashes and dots, could form over 4000 combinations (Jimenez et al., 2009). Compared to the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet, this was an absurdly high number. Braille kept the raised dot form, but developed a more manageable system that would reflect the sighted alphabet. He replaced Barbier’s dashes and dots with just six dots in a rectangular configuration (Jimenez et al., 2009). The result was that the blind population in France had a tactile reading system using dots (like Barbier’s) that was based on the structure of the sighted alphabet (like Hauy’s); crucially, this system was the first developed specifically for the purposes of the blind.

While the Braille system gained immediate popularity with the blind students at the Institute in Paris, it had to gain acceptance among the sighted before its adoption throughout France. This support was necessary because sighted teachers and leaders had ultimate control over the propagation of Braille resources. Many of the teachers at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth resisted learning Braille’s system because they found the tactile method of reading difficult to learn (Bullock & Galst, 2009). This resistance was symptomatic of the prevalent attitude that the blind population had to adapt to the sighted world rather than develop their own tools and methods. Over time, however, with the increasing impetus to make social contribution possible for all, teachers began to appreciate the usefulness of Braille’s system (Bullock & Galst, 2009), realizing that access to reading could help improve the productivity and integration of people with vision loss. It took approximately 30 years, but the French government eventually approved the Braille system, and it was established throughout the country (Bullock & Galst, 2009).

Although Blind people remained marginalized throughout the nineteenth century, the Braille system granted them growing opportunities for social participation. Most obviously, Braille allowed people with vision loss to read the same alphabet used by sighted people (Bullock & Galst, 2009), allowing them to participate in certain cultural experiences previously unavailable to them. Written works, such as books and poetry, had previously been inaccessible to the blind population without the aid of a reader, limiting their autonomy. As books began to be distributed in Braille, this barrier was reduced, enabling people with vision loss to access information autonomously. The closing of the gap between the abilities of blind and the sighted contributed to a gradual shift in blind people’s status, lessening the cultural perception of the blind as essentially different and facilitating greater social integration.

The Braille system also had important cultural effects beyond the sphere of written culture. Its invention later led to the development of a music notation system for the blind, although Louis Braille did not develop this system himself (Jimenez, et al., 2009). This development helped remove a cultural obstacle that had been introduced by the popularization of written musical notation in the early 1500s. While music had previously been an arena in which the blind could participate on equal footing, the transition from memory-based performance to notation-based performance meant that blind musicians were no longer able to compete with sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997). As a result, a tactile musical notation system became necessary for professional equality between blind and sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997).

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

Bullock, J. D., & Galst, J. M. (2009). The Story of Louis Braille. Archives of Ophthalmology , 127(11), 1532. https://doi.org/10.1001/archophthalmol.2009.286.

Herron, M. (2009, May 6). Blind visionary. Retrieved from https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2009/05/blind-visionary/.

Jiménez, J., Olea, J., Torres, J., Alonso, I., Harder, D., & Fischer, K. (2009). Biography of Louis Braille and Invention of the Braille Alphabet. Survey of Ophthalmology , 54(1), 142–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.survophthal.2008.10.006.

Kersten, F.G. (1997). The history and development of Braille music methodology. The Bulletin of Historical Research in Music Education , 18(2). Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/40214926.

Mellor, C.M. (2006). Louis Braille: A touch of genius . Boston: National Braille Press.

Tombs, R. (1996). France: 1814-1914 . London: Pearson Education Ltd.

Weygand, Z. (2009). The blind in French society from the Middle Ages to the century of Louis Braille . Stanford: Stanford University Press.

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!

Ad hominem fallacy
Post hoc fallacy
Appeal to authority fallacy
False cause fallacy
Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

Choosing Essay Topic
Write a College Essay
Write a Diversity Essay
College Essay Format & Structure
Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

(AI) Tools

Grammar Checker
Paraphrasing Tool
Text Summarizer
AI Detector
Plagiarism Checker
Citation Generator

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

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 .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Bryson, S. (2023, July 23). Example of a Great Essay | Explanations, Tips & Tricks. Scribbr. Retrieved August 18, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/example-essay-structure/

Is this article helpful?

Shane Bryson

Shane finished his master's degree in English literature in 2013 and has been working as a writing tutor and editor since 2009. He began proofreading and editing essays with Scribbr in early summer, 2014.

Other students also liked

How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples, academic paragraph structure | step-by-step guide & examples, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Free Al Office Suite with PDF Editor

Edit Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE.

Read, edit, and convert PDFs with the powerful PDF toolkit.

Microsoft-like interface, easy to use.

Windows • MacOS • Linux • iOS • Android

Articles of Word

How to Write an Argumentative Essay- Steps with Examples

Being a student and writing essays is not something everybody enjoys, but in my personal opinion as a writer, anyone can find contentment and pleasure in writing, especially when it comes to argumentative essays. While they may seem tricky to navigate, they offer this unique opportunity to express your opinions and make your voice heard. Consider this a growing process—once you overcome the challenges of writing argumentative essays, you will learn the art of agreeing or disagreeing with popular opinions and defending your stance. As far as the essay is concerned, I will show you how to master this process on how to write an argumentative essay.

When is an Argumentative Essay Written?

You will likely be required to write argumentative essays throughout your academic life, from high school to university. These assignments will present opportunities to develop and showcase your critical thinking and persuasive writing skills. Here are some scenarios where you might encounter the need to write argumentative essays:

Academic Assignments

Often assigned in school or college courses to help students develop critical thinking and persuasive writing skills. These assignments encourage students to research thoroughly, form coherent arguments, and present their viewpoints convincingly.

Debates and Discussions

Serve as the basis for presenting and defending viewpoints in academic or competitive settings. Argumentative essays provide a structured way to organize thoughts and evidence, helping participants articulate their arguments effectively during debates.

Opinion Pieces

Commonly used in newspapers, magazines, and online publications to influence public opinion on current issues. These essays allow writers to present their stance on controversial topics, backed by evidence and reasoning, to sway readers' views.

Policy Proposals

Utilized in government and policy-related fields to propose and defend specific policy changes or solutions to societal problems. Argumentative essays in this context present well-researched arguments to persuade policymakers and stakeholders of the necessity and viability of the proposed changes.

Persuasive Speeches

Prepared as a foundation for delivering persuasive speeches. Writing an argumentative essay helps speakers organize their thoughts and evidence logically, providing a solid framework for their oral presentations.

What is the Structure of an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay uses factual evidence and logical support to convince the reader of a particular point of view. Here's a breakdown of the structure and what goes into each part of an argumentative essay:

Basic Argumentative Essay Structure

1.Introduction

Purpose: Introduce the topic, present the thesis, and set up the argument.

Hook: A sentence to grab the reader’s attention.

Background Information: Brief context about the topic.

Thesis Statement: The main argument or claim.

2.Body Paragraphs

Purpose: Present arguments and evidence to support the thesis and refute opposing arguments.

Topic Sentence: Introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

Evidence and Analysis: Present facts, statistics, quotes, or examples to support the argument.

Counterarguments and Rebuttals: Address opposing views and explain why they are invalid or less significant.

3.Conclusion

Purpose: Summarize the arguments, restate the thesis in light of the evidence presented, and offer final thoughts.

Restate Thesis: Reiterate the main argument.

Summarize Key Points: Highlight the main points made in the body paragraphs.

Final Thought: A closing statement that underscores the importance of the topic

How to Write an Argumentative Essay [4 Steps with Examples]

As an experienced writer, I've come to understand the structure of argumentative essays quite well. But what I found truly challenging when I first started was nailing the right approach. Many beginners, myself included at one point, fall into traps like letting personal biases creep in or thinking that being argumentative means being aggressive. Trust me, that's not the case at all!

In this section, I'm going to lay out an effective approach on how to write an argumentative essay step by step for beginners. I'll break it down in a way that I wish someone had done for me when I was starting out. Plus, I'll share some insider tips on tools like WPS Office that I've come to rely on to streamline my writing process. So let's learn how to write an argumentative essay with a few examples.

1.Brainstorming

When I sit down to craft an argumentative essay, my first step is to engage in a comprehensive brainstorming session. This is your opportunity to let your creativity run wild and explore every angle of your topic. Write down every idea that comes to you, whether it supports or opposes your topic. Remember, at this stage, there are no bad ideas.

Now, while there's nothing wrong with the classic pen and paper approach, I've found that using WPS Office takes my brainstorming to a whole new level. It's not just about having a digital notepad; the AI features often toss out ideas that I might never have thought of on my own. It's like having a creative partner who never gets tired! Let me show you how I use it:

Let's say our topic is "Are Electric Cars Better for the Environment?"

Step 1: Open WPS Office and type "@AI" on a blank document to activate WPS AI.

Step 2: Click on the "Brainstorm" option and enter your prompt. Make sure it's detailed and clearly explains what you want. Here's an example of an effective prompt:

"Generate a list of arguments both for and against the idea that electric cars are better for the environment. Consider factors like emissions, manufacturing processes, battery disposal, and energy sources"

Step 3: WPS AI will generate several arguments on both sides. If you want more, simply click "Rewrite”.

Jot down any valuable arguments before hitting "Rewrite", as you might not see the same ones again.

With these arguments in hand, you'll likely find yourself leaning towards one side of the debate. Armed with a variety of points and counterpoints, you'll be well-equipped to write an effective argumentative essay. Remember, a strong argumentative essay is built on a foundation of thorough preparation and diverse ideas.

2.Preparing

Now that we've generated our initial arguments and counterarguments, it's time to dive deeper into research to strengthen our position. Let's continue with our example topic: "Are Electric Cars Better for the Environment?"

Let's continue with our example topic: "Are Electric Cars Better for the Environment?" Our next step is to select the most impactful supporting arguments and conduct in-depth research to substantiate them with solid evidence. Simultaneously, we'll identify the strongest counterarguments and explore ways to address or neutralize them through our research.

All of this might seem a little overwhelming, but with the help of WPS AI, the research phase becomes significantly more manageable. As we gather research papers, we can upload them to WPS Office and quickly gain insights using the AI features.

Here's how to leverage WPS AI for efficient research:

Step 1: Open your research paper PDFs in WPS Office, then click on the WPS AI widget in the top right corner.

Step 2: In the WPS AI panel that appears on the right side of your screen, click "Upload" to add your PDF.

Step 3: Once processed, WPS AI will provide you with key insights from the PDF at a glance.

Step 4: For more specific information, click on the "Inquiry" tab and use the WPS AI chatbot to ask further questions about the PDF contents.

As you conduct your research, begin organizing your findings into an outline. Remember to structure your outline according to the elements we discussed in previous sections. This will ensure your outline contains all the necessary components for an effective argumentative essay.

3.First Drafting

Now that we have our research and outline ready, it's time to start writing our first draft. This is where your essay really starts to take shape. Don't worry about perfection at this stage—the goal is to get your ideas down coherently.

Using the outline we prepared during our research, you'll find it easier to organize your thoughts for your essay. To make things simpler, use WPS Office editing tools. When I write my essay, I always ensure it is properly formatted, giving it a cleaner look and helping me focus better.

Now, simply start your draft on WPS Office with an introduction, followed by a body paragraph, and conclude with a strong summary that reviews your main points and leaves the reader with something to think about.

Once you have your draft ready, make use of WPS Office's AI features, which can help you improve writing, shorten or elongate your paragraphs, and much more. Let's say you've written your first body paragraph, and it's a bit too long. So, let's shorten it with WPS AI:

Step 1: Select the paragraph you want to shorten, then click on the WPS AI icon in the hover menu.

Step 2: From the list of options, simply click on "Make shorter" to shorten your paragraph.

Step 3: WPS AI will display the shorter version on a small screen. Click on "Replace" to replace the original text with the shorter version.

4.Revising & Proofreading

Congratulations on completing your first draft! However, there is one crucial step remaining: revising and proofreading. Revising and proofreading are where good essays become great essays.

A method I find most effective for revising my essay is reading it aloud. This technique helps in identifying awkward phrasing and run-on sentences that may go unnoticed when reading silently. As you read, ask yourself:

Does my introduction effectively grab the reader's attention and clearly state my thesis?

Do my body paragraphs each focus on a single main idea that supports my thesis?

Have I provided enough evidence to support each of my arguments?

Have I addressed potential counterarguments?

Does my conclusion effectively summarize my main points and leave a lasting impression?

You might find that you need to make some structural changes. For instance, you might realize that your second body paragraph would be more effective if it came first. Don't be afraid to move things around!

Once you have made the necessary changes to your essay, the next step is to ensure it does not have any grammatical errors. For this, I use WPS AI's spell check feature. With just a single click, WPS AI spell check ensures that my essay is complete and ready to be submitted!

Bonus Tips: How to Polish your argumentative Essay with WPS AI

WPS Office is already a premium choice among students, offering all the features needed to write a perfect essay. With WPS Office, students can write better without payment issues, annoying ads, or difficulty navigating the tools. It's a free tool with advanced features, including WPS AI, which supports the entire writing process.

1.Check for Grammar and Spelling:

WPS AI carefully scans your essay for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, ensuring that your writing is polished and professional. This feature not only helps you avoid common errors but also enhances the readability and credibility of your work.

2.Seek Style and Tone Adjustments:

WPS AI offers suggestions to improve the style and tone of your writing, making it more engaging and suitable for your target audience. Whether your essay requires a formal academic tone or a more conversational approach, WPS AI tailors its recommendations to fit your needs, ensuring your writing is coherent and compelling.

Here's an example of WPS AI's 'Improve Writing' feature in action, enhancing the formality and persuasiveness of my body paragraph for the reader.

3.Writing Assistance:

From the initial brainstorming phase to the final touches, WPS AI provides comprehensive writing assistance. It helps you structure your arguments logically, develop clear and concise thesis statements, and refine your conclusions. WPS AI also offers suggestions for enhancing clarity and coherence, making the writing process smoother and more efficient.

With the assistance of WPS AI's 'Continue Writing' feature, we can extend our essays by seamlessly incorporating additional sections that complement the existing content's flow and tone.

FAQs about Writing an Argumentative Essay

1. what’s the difference between an expository essay and an argumentative essay.

An argumentative essay is typically more extensive and requires independent research to establish a unique claim regarding a specific topic. It includes a thesis statement that presents a debatable assertion, which must be supported by objective evidence. In contrast, an expository essay strives for objectivity but does not propose an original argument. Instead, it aims to clarify and explain a topic straightforwardly, such as a process or concept. Generally, expository essays are shorter and do not rely as heavily on research.

2. When do I need to cite sources?

In a college environment, accurately citing sources is vital for essays, research papers, and other academic assignments, but this requirement does not extend to exams or in-class tasks. Proper citations are needed for direct quotes, paraphrased material, and summaries, and it is necessary to provide complete source information in a bibliography or reference list. Following the specified citation style, such as APA or MLA, is essential for maintaining academic integrity. Whenever you utilize information or ideas from another work in college-level writing, proper citation is required to acknowledge the original source.

3. What is an Argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay is a type of writing that asserts a specific stance on a debatable issue, backing it up with reasoning and evidence. The main objective is to convince the reader to accept or seriously consider the author's viewpoint. This essay usually contains a clear thesis statement and develops arguments while addressing opposing views to reinforce its position. Ultimately, it seeks to encourage critical engagement with the topic at hand.

Excel the Art of Persuasion With WPS Office

Argumentative essays are possibly the most thought-provoking when it comes to writing, presenting a higher difficulty level. Despite the challenge on how to write an argumentative essay, they are also the most fun to write, as they allow you to express your opinions in a highly opinionated form. WPS Office strives to enhance your writing experience, and as a writer, I can vouch for this. WPS Office not only offers advanced tools like WPS AI to help refine and improve your writing skills but also provides options to make your work as presentable as you want it to be. Download WPS Office today to experience the difference.

1. How to Write a New Year Resolution Essay - A Comprehensive Guide
2. How to Craft the Perfect Academic Essay Steps & Examples
3. How to write an essay report like a Pro
4. Amazing AI Essay Generator - Make Your Essay Writing Easier
5. How to Write a Proposal [ Steps & Examples]
6. How to Start An Essay- Steps with Examples

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.

160 College Essay Topic Ideas for an Outstanding Paper

Writing a standout college essay can be one of the most important aspects of your college application. However, selecting the right topic can often be a daunting task. With countless possibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 160 best college essay topic ideas to inspire your writing.

Then, with an essay topic idea, just start your writing. You can check our ChatGPT Prompts for Essay Writing for more writing tips with the help of AI writing tool .

Also read: Top 10 Research Topics for Students [2024 Ultimate Guide]

Table of Contents

How to Pick the Perfect College Essay Topic

Reflect on Personal Growth : Choose a topic that highlights a significant personal experience that showcases your development and resilience. Consider challenges you’ve overcome and the lessons learned.
Identify Passion and Values : Write about a subject that genuinely interests you or reflects your core values. This can be an issue you are passionate about, a unique hobby, or a defining moment that illustrates who you are.
Seek Uniqueness : Consider less conventional topics that may not be commonly explored by other applicants. This could be an unusual interest or a distinctive family tradition that provides insight into your character.
Consider Future Aspirations : Connect your topic to your future goals. An essay that explains how your experiences align with your intended field of study can demonstrate motivation and clarity.
Ensure Authenticity : Above all, select a topic that feels true to who you are. Authenticity resonates deeply with admissions committees and can make your essay more impactful.

By focusing on these elements, you can choose a compelling essay topic that effectively communicates your unique story and qualifications to college admissions officers.

Funny College Essay Topic Ideas

My Most Epic Fail: Why I Should Never Attempt DIY Projects
Confessions of a Caffeine Addict: A Day in the Life of My Coffee Dependence
How I Accidentally Joined a Cult (Sort of)
Lessons Learned from My Cat: The True Master of Napping
The Day I Tried to Be Cool and Ended Up in a Tree
Why I Should Have Listened to My GPS (And Other Tech Disasters)
My Journey to Becoming a (Terrible) Influencer
The Great Sibling Showdown: Who Can Make Mom Laugh More?
My Attempt at Going Vegan: The Hilarious Results
The Worst Date Ever: A Comedy of Errors
Why My Family Should Be on Reality TV: A Series of Unfortunate Events
A Love Letter to My Favorite Sweatpants
Why I Will Never Be an Instagram Model (And What I Learned)
The Day I Became the Family Chef (And Why We’re Back to Takeout)
Lessons from Losing a Monopoly Game: A Study in Betrayal
How I Accidentally Ruined Thanksgiving Dinner
The Time I Tried to Help My Friend Move and Ended Up in the Hospital
My Life as a Professional Napper: The Untold Story
The Misadventures of My Last Haircut: A Comedy of Errors
Why I Will Never Make a TikTok Dance Video Again

Argumentative College Essay Topic Ideas

The role of government in regulating internet content.
Should higher education be a right or a privilege?
The ethical implications of gene editing in humans.
Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student intelligence?
The impact of social media on youth and society.
Should college athletes be paid for playing sports?
The viability of a four-day workweek.
Is a gap year beneficial before starting college?
The influence of advertising on consumer behavior.
Privacy vs. security: How much surveillance is too much?

Persuasive College Essay Topic Ideas

The importance of arts education in schools.
Why volunteering should be part of the college curriculum.
The benefits of bilingual education.
The necessity of making public transport free.
Why we must invest in renewable energy sources.
The case for banning single-use plastics.
Should voting be mandatory?
The importance of preserving historical monuments.
Why we need stricter regulations on animal testing.
The need for more progressive tax systems.

Compare and Contrast College Essay Topic Ideas

Living on campus vs. commuting: Which is better for college students?
Online classes vs. traditional classes: A comparison of effectiveness.
The pros and cons of private vs. public universities.
Western vs. Eastern philosophies of education.
Fast food vs. home-cooked meals: Implications on health.
Traditional vs. alternative medicine: A comparative study.
The leadership styles of two prominent figures in history.
Book adaptations: When the book or the movie is better?
Comparing two different approaches to environmental conservation.
The impact of different parenting styles on child development.

Cause and Effect College Essay Topic Ideas

The effects of social networking sites on communication.
How does consumerism affect the global economy?
The impact of college debt on future life choices of students.
The effects of global warming on polar ice caps.
The causes and effects of insomnia during exam periods.
How does stress affect health and well-being?
The influence of diet on cognitive functions.
The effects of music on mood and productivity.
The impact of technology on the job market.
Causes and effects of cultural appropriation.

Creative College Essay Topic Ideas

Imagine a day in the life of your favorite book character.
If you could invent something, what would it be and why?
The adventures of living in a parallel universe.
Writing a eulogy for a historical villain.
A world without smartphones: Chaos or calm?
If you could converse with an artist from the past, who would it be?
The experience of time travel to your most and least favorite historical periods.
What if you were the president for a week?
If animals could form their own society, how would it look?
A letter to a future generation about life in the 21st century.
A conversation with yourself from the past.
What would life be like on a rogue planet?
If you were an ancient conqueror.
A children’s fairy tale.
What if there is no money in the world?
A new perspective on a famous story.
If you lived in another era.
What are animals thinking?
A perfect world as you see it.
A horror story in the style of Kafka.

College Essay Topic Ideas about Life Goals

How your career goals have evolved over time.
The influence of a family business on your professional aspirations.
The importance of role models in shaping your future ambitions.
A major life goal and the steps you’re taking to achieve it.
How overcoming a significant challenge has refocused your life goals.
The impact of travel on your personal and professional objectives.
The importance of lifelong learning in your career path.
The role of mentorship in achieving success.
How do you plan to give back to your community in your future career?
The pursuit of happiness: Defining and achieving your life’s goals.

Informative College Essay Topic Ideas

The history and impact of the feminist movement.
The process of neural network development in artificial intelligence.
Exploring the causes of economic recessions.
The role of genetics in determining personality.
The significance of the Green Revolution in agriculture.
The evolution of space exploration technology.
The impact of colonialism on modern-day global relations.
The fundamentals of quantum computing.
Understanding the human impact on ocean life.
The rise of virtual reality and its potential applications.
What your hometown is like.
What you dislike about the Internet.
If emotions were personified.
How you experience art.
Holiday season and nostalgia.
Your personal teaching experience.
How regular workout makes you feel.
The impact of music on your body.
National holidays in different countries.
Traditions you observed around the world.

Read also: 350 Expository Essay Topics & Tips for Academic Success

Research College Essay Topic Ideas

Analyzing the efficacy of the current educational model in fostering innovation.
The role of social media influencers in shaping youth culture.
The effects of urbanization on biodiversity.
The relationship between mental health and modern work culture.
The impact of cryptocurrencies on global finance.
The evolution of gender roles over the past century.
The influence of climate change policies on international relations.
The effects of diet trends on public health.
The future of genetic engineering in medicine.
The role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of employment.

Narrative College Essay Topic Ideas

The moment you overcame a profound fear.
An encounter that changed your perspective on life.
The experience of losing something or someone important.
A moment of failure that turned into a lesson of success.
Your first day at college and how it met your expectations.
A journey that was more than just travel.
A significant memory that defines your childhood.
The challenge of adapting to a new culture.
An act of kindness that left a lasting impact on you.
A situation where you had to stand up for what you believed in.
The life of Socrates.
Nero and the Roman Empire.
Everyday life of Puritans.
Events of Mexican-American War.
Life during the Great Depression.
Women in Trojan War.
The start of the Nuclear Age.
Heroes of the Space Race.
Pearl Harbor through the eyes of a witness.
The fall of the Sumer civilization.

Personal College Essay Topic Ideas

Your perfect date.
Settling an argument.
What’s usually in your bag.
Your most memorable purchase.
What your upbringing was like.
One quote that inspired you the most.
What you do to make the world better.
Where you want to spend your life.
When the effort was worth the result.
An unusual feeling you’ve experienced.
How has a book or movie influenced your understanding of the world?
The role of a particular extracurricular activity in shaping who you are.
A personal philosophy or mantra that guides your life.
The journey of self-discovery during your teenage years.
Overcoming a personal struggle to achieve a goal.
A cultural tradition that holds significant meaning for you.
The impact of a mentor or teacher on your life.
A pivotal moment of realization about your identity.
How do you cope with stress and maintain mental well-being?
The importance of a work-life balance in your personal vision.

Topics for Different College Essay Types

Below you’ll find writing prompts for problem solution, cause and effect, and definition essays. There’s also a section with personal statement essay topics. Check them out!

In a problem-solution essay , you need to introduce an issue and suggest several ways to fight it. Usually, each body paragraph describes a different solution. This essay aims to convince the audience that these scenarios are the best ways to eliminate the problem.
In a cause and effect essay , you need to discuss a problem, its reasons, and possible consequences. It’s better to pay attention to topics that involve multiple studies of the issue
In a definition essay , you need to explain a term, concept, or idea. Sometimes a definition is only a part of a more extensive research paper. It’s crucial to study the topic from different perspectives to provide an extended definition. Before you start working on your essay, make sure that the meaning of the word you’ve chosen is not too simple.
In a personal statement , you write about yourself. Writing a personal statement or a transfer essay is crucial when applying to college. How do you make it a winning paper? Read our thesis statement guide .

Steps to Write a College Essay

Writing a college essay can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavor. Here’s a structured approach to help you craft a compelling essay:

Understand the Promp t

Carefully read the essay prompt and make sure you understand what is being asked.
Highlight keywords and themes that you need to address.

Brainstorm Ideas

Reflect on your experiences, values, and interests that relate to the prompt.
Jot down stories or moments that illustrate your perspective and character.

Create an Outline

Organize your thoughts into an outline. A typical structure includes:

Introduction : Hook the reader with an engaging opening that introduces your main theme or story.
Body Paragraphs : Develop your narrative or argument, incorporating specific examples and reflections.
Conclusion : Summarize your main points and reflect on their significance. Consider how this ties to your future aspirations.

Write a Strong Introduction

Start with a compelling hook—an intriguing question, a striking fact, or a vivid anecdote.
Set the tone for the essay and introduce the main topic.

Develop Body Paragraphs

Use clear and concise language. Each paragraph should focus on a specific idea or experience.
Provide concrete examples that illustrate your points.

Craft a Thoughtful Conclusion

Reinforce your main message.
Discuss the importance of your experiences and how they relate to your future goals.
Leave the reader with a lasting impression.

Revise and Edit

After completing your draft, take a break before revising. Look for clarity, coherence, and conciseness. Ensure your voice remains authentic.
Check for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Seek Feedback

Share your essay with trusted peers, teachers, or mentors.
Constructive feedback can help you refine your essay.

Tips for Success

Be authentic: Write in your voice and stay true to your experiences.
Keep the audience in mind: Tailor your content to the values and expectations of the college you’re applying to.
Stay within word limits: Be concise, and choose your words carefully.

By following these steps, you can write a reflective and engaging college essay that showcases your personality and sets you apart in the admissions process.

Choosing the right topic for your college essay is crucial for presenting your authentic self to admissions committees. With 160 best college essay topic ideas , you now have a wealth of options at your fingertips, ranging from lighthearted reflections to profound personal insights.

With the help of our AI writing tool , you can streamline the writing process and craft a standout college essay with confidence.

A good subject for a college essay is one that reflects your unique experiences, values, and personality while addressing the specific prompts provided by institutions. Consider writing about a significant personal challenge you overcame, as this can demonstrate resilience and growth. Reflecting on a transformative experience, whether it relates to a hobby, travel, or a pivotal moment in your life, can also provide depth and insight into your character.

Reflect on your experiences, values, and interests that relate to the prompt. Jot down stories or moments that illustrate your perspective and character.

Some of the most common college essay topics include: Overcoming Challenges : Discussing personal obstacles and how they shaped you. Personal Growth : Reflecting on significant experiences that influenced your development. A Meaningful Accomplishment : Writing about achievements that matter to you. Passions and Interests : Sharing hobbies or activities that define your identity. Influential People : Describing someone who has greatly impacted your life. Cultural Background : Exploring how your heritage has shaped your perspective. Future Goals : Outlining your aspirations and how college fits into your plans. These topics allow applicants to showcase their individuality and experiences.

236 Debate Topics for High School to Spark Critical Thinking

Debating is not just about winning arguments, and it’s about understanding different sides of an issue. Whether you’re discussing something with friends or figuring out your own beliefs, being able to debate helps a ton. This skill is useful, not only in school but also in life.Additionally, high school students that participate in debates not only…

154 Unforgettable First Date Topics to Ignite Chemistry

Going on a first date can feel exhilarating yet nerve-wracking at the same time. You want to make a good impression while also getting to know the other person better. Here are 154 engaging first date topics that are both fun and informative to make your first date unforgettable. Regardless of whether it’s a blind…

10 Important Biology Topics to Unlock Mysterious Life

Biology, study of living things and their vital processes. The field deals with all the physicochemical aspects of life. The modern tendency toward cross-disciplinary research and the unification of scientific knowledge and investigation from different fields has resulted in significant overlap of the field of biology with other scientific disciplines. Here, we are providing a list of some important biology…

27 Funny Prank Call Topic Ideas to Get Rid of Boredom

Prank calls might be a good method to entertain your friends on a slow and boring day. They’re also great for practicing fresh and varied accents if you’re attempting to improve your acting abilities. A well-executed prank call topic, whether made to a stranger or someone you know, may have everyone chuckling. Continue reading to…

247 Engaging and Funny Debate Topics to Spark Laughter

Debating can be both educational and entertaining, especially if the topics are as amusing and quirky as they are thought-provoking. Debating is a fun and engaging activity that can be done on any occasion. Whether you are at a party, a family gathering, or a classroom, funny debates can be used to break the ice and get everyone talking. Thus,…

290 Top Sociology Topics & Tips for Effective Research

You’ve come to the perfect site if you’re just getting started on researching sociology-related topics for your research project, dissertation, or thesis. You will eventually have to focus on a certain sociology topic if you choose to study the subject. What are the available study subjects in this vast field of social science, and how…

AI Assistant On Any Website

With 2000+ build-in prompts all in one.

Essay Editor

How to Write a Dialogue in an Essay: Useful Tips

A correct usage of dialogues in essays may seem quite difficult at first sight. Still there are special issues, for instance, narrative or descriptive papers, where this literary technique will be a good helper in depicting anyone's character. How to add dialogues to the work? How to format them correctly? Let's discuss all relevant matters to master putting conversation episodes into academic essays.

Essay Dialogue: Definition & Purpose

A dialogue is a literary technique for presenting a conversation between a few personages. It may be used in cases when a person needs to cite a fragment of fiction or nonfiction works (movies, books, broadcasts, and whatnot). It helps to produce a greater effect in depicting a personage's character or some particular scene in the course of narration. The same goes for personal stories.

Remember that dialogues should not be confused with quotations from books, scientific works, and other sources. It is one of the most widely spread mistakes in academic papers, so to say. To avoid it, just answer the following question. What is the purpose of dialogue in a narrative essay? Its purpose is to produce some emotional impact or to create a specific tone in the narration, whereas the quotes are aimed at supporting the author's words and ideas. The senses are different, you see.

The Basis of Using Dialogue in the Essay

The usage of dialogues in the essays has a creative nature. That is why the works requiring them are usually some sort of the story and this literary device adds a special note to the whole narration – a note of presence and taking part in the events depicted. It is certain to improve the imagery and make the scene more lifelike.

One more time we'd like to accentuate that research papers and scientific or business projects need quotations and citing. This very technique makes the arguments more reliable and solid. Besides, if you need to acquaint the readers with any topical discussion, for instance, with your colleagues, use direct quotes as well. The main points here are objectivity and clearness.

When learning how to put dialogues in an essay you'll realize that their aim is not to approve a fact or idea but to create a convincing atmosphere and render a smoother and cuter narration. Here the author may be reflective, subjective, two-minded, emotional, and whatnot. Dialogues are a good opportunity for hooking the audience's interest and explaining the scene presented. Being relevant and authentic are obligatory for a fine essay conversation.

How to Format Dialogue in an Essay

There are a few general standards of formatting, but we strongly recommend you to specify all the details locally, in your department, or by asking the tutor. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Double quotation marks are for organizing direct discourse.

Example:

She always told me, "You should master your linguistic skills."

Single quotation marks are for 'quotes in quotes' cases.

"I remember for a lifetime how my father said 'You can't win them all, Ben!' and clapped on my shoulder," our tutor utters.

If inserting a full dialogue into the essay is necessary, each person's utterance should be started with a new line. Organize it in a few paragraphs, if needed.

"The snowflakes were like ballerinas," whispered Ann.

"No, no, like sparkling butterflies," Kate tried to argue.

Always capitalize the first word of the direct discourse, and set lowercase letters if the utterance is broken but finished in the same sentence.

"Let's go to the circus in the morning," Helen started, "and in the evening make a party in the backyard."

One more important point to learn when studying how to properly write a dialogue is correct punctuation.

Put a comma after the reference words and continue with the quotation marks. If these words come after the direct discourse, put a comma within.

Mike murmured, "Please, accompany me."

"Avoid getting it wet," asked Mother.

Put a colon when the direct expression has a finished idea.
A closing mark (period, question, or exclamation mark) must be written before the closing quotation marks.

If the conversation episode appears to be quite large, split it into paragraphs but use only one opening quotation mark at the very beginning, and one closing – at the very end of the unit.

It's important to keep in mind that indirect speech needs no quotation marks at all.

A Special Focus: APA and MLA issues

The material would not be full without discussing specific features of APA and MLA formats Just look through the table given below to see the difference.

APA essays

MLA essays

To Cap it All

We hope that the given tips on how to write dialogue in an essay will be quite practical and useful for you. Just be attentive, and remember that conversations in your project are written for creative purposes. Do not confuse them with simple citing. If you have any trouble inserting the issue into the essay, feel free to work with our helper Aithor . It's a reliable and effective essay generator, able to produce dialogues as well.

What is self-plagiarism & how to avoid it.

Have you ever thought about whether using your own work again could be seen as copying? It might seem strange, but self-plagiarism is a real issue in school and work writing. Let's look at what this means and learn how to avoid self-plagiarism so your work stays original and ethical. What is self-plagiarism? Self-plagiarism, also called auto-plagiarism or duplicate plagiarism, happens when a writer uses parts of their old work without saying where it came from. This isn't just about copying w ...

What is Citation and Why Should You Cite the Sources When Writing Content

When we write something for school, work, or just for fun, we often use ideas and facts from other places. This makes us ask: what is a citation in writing? Let's find out what this means and why it's really important when we write. What is Citation? Citation in research refers to the practice of telling your readers where you got your information, ideas, or exact words from. It's like showing them the path to the original information you used in your writing. When you cite something, you us ...

Top 10 Use Cases for AI Writers

Writing is changing a lot because of AI. But don't worry — AI won't take human writers' jobs. It's a tool that can make our work easier and help us write better. When we use AI along with our own skills, we can create good content faster and better. AI can help with many parts of writing, from coming up with ideas to fixing the final version. Let's look at the top 10 ways how to use AI for content creation and how it can make your writing better. What Is AI Content Writing? AI content writin ...

How to Paraphrase a Sentence Effectively: Techniques and Examples

Putting ideas into your own words while keeping their original meaning is what paraphrasing is all about. This article will help you understand paraphrasing, from its basic ideas to useful methods. We'll look at what is a paraphrase, explore different paraphrasing meaning and examples, and give you practical tips on how to paraphrase a sentence or even how to paraphrase a paragraph. What is a Paraphrased Sentence? A paraphrased sentence is when you take someone else's idea and say it in your ...

Paraphrasing vs Plagiarism: Do They Really Differ?

Academic assignments require much knowledge and skill. One of the most important points is rendering and interpreting material one has ever studied. A person should avoid presenting word-for-word plagiarism but express his or her thoughts and ideas as much as possible. However, every fine research is certain to be based on the previous issues, data given, or concepts suggested. And here it's high time to differentiate plagiarism and paraphrasing, to realize its peculiarities and cases of usage. ...

Plagiarism: 7 Types in Detail

Your professor says that it is necessary to avoid plagiarism when writing a research paper, essay, or any project based on the works of other people, so to say, any reference source. But what does plagiarism mean? What types of it exist? And how to formulate the material to get rid of potential bad consequences while rendering original texts? Today we try to answer these very questions. Plagiarism: Aspect in Brief Plagiarism is considered to be a serious breach, able to spoil your successful ...

Can Plagiarism Be Detected on PDF?

Plagiarism has been a challenge for a long time in writing. It's easy to find information online, which might make some people use it without saying where it came from. But plagiarism isn't just taking someone else's words. Sometimes, we might do it by accident or even use our own old work without mentioning it. When people plagiarize, they can get into serious trouble. They might lose others' trust or even face legal problems. Luckily, we now have tools to detect plagiarism. But what about PDF ...

How To Write Essays Faster Using AI?

Creating various topical texts is an obligatory assignment during studies. For a majority of students, it seems like a real headache. It is quite difficult to write a smooth and complex work, meeting all the professors' requirements. However, thanks to modern technologies there appeared a good way of getting a decent project – using AI to write essays. We'd like to acquaint you with Aithor, an effective tool of this kind, able to perform fine and elaborated texts, and, of course, inspiration, i ...

IMAGES

How To Write an Essay
How to Write a Great Essay Quickly!
How To Write A Great Essay
How to Start an Essay Writing
the eight steps to writing process
Steps Writing

COMMENTS

Tips for Writing Effective Essays: A Comprehensive Guide
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.
The Ultimate Essay Writing Guides: Tips, Tricks, and Templates
Step-by-Step Essay Writing Templates. When it comes to writing an essay, having a clear and structured template can be incredibly helpful. Here are some step-by-step essay writing templates that you can use to guide you through the process: Introduction: Start your essay with a hook to grab the reader's attention. Provide some background ...
Ultimate Guide to Writing an Essay: Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips for writing the body of your essay: Stick to One Main Idea: Each paragraph should focus on one main idea or argument. This will help keep your essay organized and easy to follow. Use Topic Sentences: Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
How to Write an Essay: 4 Minute Step-by-step Guide
There are three main stages to writing an essay: preparation, writing and revision. In just 4 minutes, this video will walk you through each stage of an acad...
The 4 Steps in the Writing Process
Step 1 - Prewriting: What is Prewriting and How Is It Done? Step 2 - Drafting: 5 Tips for Writing a First Draft. Step 3 - Revisions: 4 Tips for Revising Your Writing. Step 4 - Editing: A Checklist to Add Polish. Extended Response Rubric: What You Need to Know to Pass the Essay
The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay
Essay writing process. The writing process of preparation, writing, and revisions applies to every essay or paper, but the time and effort spent on each stage depends on the type of essay.. For example, if you've been assigned a five-paragraph expository essay for a high school class, you'll probably spend the most time on the writing stage; for a college-level argumentative essay, on the ...
How to Write an Essay in 8 Simple Steps (Examples Included)
Here are the eight steps to write an essay: Stage 1: Planning. 1. Pick an appropriate research topic. In certain cases, your teacher or professor may assign you a topic. However, in many cases, students have the freedom to select a topic of their choice.
The Writing Process
Reading the relevant texts closely (e.g. for literary analysis ). Collecting data using relevant research methods (e.g. experiments, interviews or surveys) From a writing perspective, the important thing is to take plenty of notes while you do the research. Keep track of the titles, authors, publication dates, and relevant quotations from your ...
How to Write an Essay
Before you start writing your essay, you need to figure out who you're writing for (audience), what you're writing about (topic/theme), and what you're going to say (argument and thesis). ... Four Steps to a Great Essay" (YouTube) This fantastic tutorial walks you through drafting a thesis, using an essay prompt on Nathaniel Hawthorne's The ...
How to Write an Academic Essay in 6 Simple Steps
Step 4: Writing the Essay Conclusion. Your essay conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay and primarily reminds your reader of your thesis. It also wraps up your essay and discusses your findings more generally. The conclusion typically makes up about 10% of the text, like the introduction. It shows the reader that you have accomplished ...
QuillBot's Guide to Essay Writing
The 7 Basic Steps of Writing an Essay. Step 1: Understand the Assignment. Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas and Topics. Step 3: Find Your Angle. Step 4: Make an Outline. Step 5: Write Your Draft. Step 6: Edit, Edit, Edit. And finally: Step 7: Submit! How Your Workflow Can Evolve. As you write more, you will see your own patterns form as to what steps ...
How to Write the Perfect Essay: A Step-By-Step Guide for Students
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. 👍. #1 Make sure you understand the question. #2 Complete background reading. #3 Make a detailed plan. #4 Write your opening sentences.
How to Write an Essay Introduction
Table of contents. Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
PDF Strategies for Essay Writing
When you write an essay for a course you are taking, you are being asked not only to create a product (the essay) but, more importantly, to go through a process of thinking more deeply about a question or problem related to the course. By writing about a source or collection of sources, you will have the chance to wrestle with some of the
How to Write a Great College Essay, Step-by-Step · PrepScholar
Step 3: Narrow Down Your List. Now you have a list of potential topics, but probably no idea where to start. The next step is to go through your ideas and determine which one will make for the strongest essay. You'll then begin thinking about how best to approach it.
How to Write an Essay: 7 Steps for Clear, Effective Writing
Stay as concise as possible. Include anecdotal examples if it will help you make your point more clear. If you are writing a formal academic essay, avoid using first-person pronouns. 6. Pay attention to how you cite references. In ancient Greece, using other people's ideas was seen as the mark of a smart person.
How to Write a College Essay Step-by-Step
Step 2: Pick one of the things you wrote down, flip your paper over, and write it at the top of your paper, like this: This is your thread, or a potential thread. Step 3: Underneath what you wrote down, name 5-6 values you could connect to this. These will serve as the beads of your essay.
The Essay Writing Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
What are the steps to writing an essay? The steps to writing an essay can vary depending on the type of essay. However, in general, the steps to writing an essay include: 1. choosing a topic, 2. doing research, 3. outlining, 4. writing a draft, and 5. revising and editing the essay.
How to Write an Essay Outline in 4 Steps
3 Identify the points you'll make in each paragraph. Using the list of points you wrote down, identify the key arguments you'll make in your essay. These will be your body sections. For example, in an argumentative essay about why your campus needs to install more water fountains, you might make points like:
How to Write an Essay in 5 Steps
Title. STOCK4B-RF / Getty Images. Choose a title for your essay that expresses your primary idea. The strongest titles will include a verb. Take a look at any newspaper and you'll see that every title has a verb. Your title should make someone want to read what you have to say. Make it provocative.
Beginning the Academic Essay
The writer of the academic essay aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence. The beginning of the essay is a crucial first step in this process. In order to engage readers and establish your authority, the beginning of your essay has to accomplish certain business. Your beginning should introduce the essay, focus it, and orient ...
Essay Structure: The 3 Main Parts of an Essay
Basic essay structure: the 3 main parts of an essay. Almost every single essay that's ever been written follows the same basic structure: Introduction. Body paragraphs. Conclusion. This structure has stood the test of time for one simple reason: It works. It clearly presents the writer's position, supports that position with relevant ...
Example of a Great Essay
This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people's social and cultural lives.
How to Write an Argumentative Essay- Steps with Examples
How to Write an Argumentative Essay [4 Steps with Examples] As an experienced writer, I've come to understand the structure of argumentative essays quite well. But what I found truly challenging when I first started was nailing the right approach. Many beginners, myself included at one point, fall into traps like letting personal biases creep ...
10 Practical Ways to Improve Your Essay Writing Skills
But don't feel like you have to stick to this exactly. As you improve your essay writing skills, you can try different structures that fit your topic and argument better. 4. Polish Your Writing Fundamentals. Knowing how to correctly use grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation is important for writing a good essay.
160 College Essay Topic Ideas for an Outstanding Paper
Steps to Write a College Essay. Writing a college essay can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavor. Here's a structured approach to help you craft a compelling essay: Understand the Prompt. Carefully read the essay prompt and make sure you understand what is being asked. Highlight keywords and themes that you need to address. Brainstorm Ideas
How to Write a Dialogue in an Essay: Useful Tips
No matter what you're writing — an essay, a blog post, or a story — how to make your writing flow can really change how people enjoy it. Let's look at some ways to improve a sentence and make your sentences flow better. 1. ... It's about making readers feel something and creating a world they can step into. Knowing how to create the right ...