Essay Writing Tips: 10 Steps to Writing a Great Essay

Every story centers around conflict and transformation. Essays are no different. In an essay, the conflict revolves around contrasting ideas, and the transformation lies in altering our perception of those ideas. The finest essays tend to surprise the reader, challenging preconceptions. To discern the narrative you're telling, refer to the essay prompt. These prompts encompass a myriad of topics and dilemmas, often involving characters—whether historical, fictional, or contemporary—confronted with intricate decisions. Your task is to engage with these choices, usually by analyzing, debating, researching, or meticulously describing them. Your goal is to craft an essay that is intriguing, one that offers an alternative perspective

It's not uncommon to feel uninspired when faced with academic essay writing. As a writer myself, I frequently grapple with a lack of motivation. However, I employ a clever mental trick that helps rekindle my enthusiasm. Here's the secret: Your subconscious mind responds to questions. When you find yourself lacking motivation, pose the following question to your subconscious: "How can I make writing this essay more enjoyable?" Your subconscious will instantly brainstorm ways to infuse more fun into the writing process. The initial draft is the ideal phase for experimentation and creativity. While you brainstorm within the topic and explore various approaches, dare to be creative, even a bit audacious. Consider these unconventional suggestions to inject excitement into your next essay:

• Research the most astonishing or outrageous fact related to your topic and use it as a captivating hook.
• Employ a thesaurus to investigate key words related to your topic. Embrace a rich vocabulary by incorporating synonyms for these keywords.
• Play devil's advocate by adopting an opposing or controversial standpoint on the issue. See where this discourse leads you in your writing.

When composing an essay, the temptation is to write what you assume your teacher or professor expects to read. Resist this inclination. Instead, ask yourself, "What about this subject intrigues me? What surprises me?" If you struggle to identify surprising or engaging aspects, you aren't researching diligently enough. History, science, and literature abound with revelations. The genesis of great ideas typically follows this pattern: "We previously held this belief, but we have now realized that our understanding was fundamentally flawed, and the truth is markedly different from our earlier notions." These astonishing insights often serve as exemplary topic sentences. Employ them to outline your essay and as captivating transition points between different themes.

The conventional three-point essay essentially comprises five core sentences, encircled by supporting paragraphs that substantiate these sentences. If you feel overwhelmed, commence by drafting these five essential sentences, encapsulating your primary arguments. They might look something like this:

• Introductory Paragraph: While many consider essay writing tedious, it can be a source of enjoyment with the right approach.
• Body #1: Essay writing is perceived as dull because of an excessive focus on external rewards.
• Body #2: Emphasizing internal fulfillment, rather than external validation, can make essay writing enjoyable and yield superior results.
• Body #3: Pursuing internal fulfillment not only enhances the writing process but also leads to superior essays.
• Conclusion: Essay writing need not be a means solely to secure high grades; it can also be a path to personal satisfaction

Once you've composed these sentences, it becomes easier to construct the supporting paragraphs for each one.

During my college years, I stumbled upon a technique that transformed me from a B-average student into an A-student. Here's the method, but use it with discretion, as it may not align with all educators' preferences. As I wrote a paper for a literature course, I noticed that the articles and books I consulted often conveyed my ideas more effectively than I could express them. What did I do? I liberally integrated quotations from these sources into my paper.

When not quoting directly, I paraphrased their insights, giving proper credit. I discovered that this approach not only resulted in well-crafted essays but also significantly reduced the time required to write them. Remember to always cite your sources when using another's words, even if you rephrase them in your own language.

To maintain integrity, I suggest adhering to a 60/40 ratio for body paragraphs: Strive for 60% original analysis and argumentation, while allowing 40% for quoted or paraphrased material from your sources. This approach simplifies the writing process by shifting the emphasis from writing to comprehensive research, which some students find more manageable.

Introductions often pose the greatest challenge because you're tasked with summarizing your entire essay before writing it. Therefore, try crafting your introduction after you've completed the body of your essay. This approach grants you the opportunity to explore your primary argument within the essay's core. It's particularly valuable when addressing topics you find less engaging. Dedicate ample time to composing and revising your body paragraphs before turning your attention to the introductory section. Otherwise, your introduction might sound awkward, rigid, and uninspiring.

Many essays respond to the question "What?" Good essays, on the other hand, address the "Why?" The most exceptional essays delve into the "How?" When you're stuck and struggling to articulate your argument or meet word count requirements, focus on "How?" questions. For instance:

• How did J.D. Salinger convey the theme of inauthenticity in "The Catcher in the Rye"?
• How did Napoleon restore stability in France following the French Revolution?
• How does research validate the notion that girls excel while boys lag behind?

By concentrating on "How?" you'll find ample material to explore.

Essay writing can be likened to a dance. You need not remain fixed in one place and write linearly from start to finish. It's permissible to jump around. This approach is particularly useful when you're grappling with ideas. When editing and proofreading, ensure the seamless flow of your analysis or argument from one point to another. This includes scrutinizing the logical and natural progression of ideas as you polish your essay.

Certain words and phrases should be avoided in academic essays:

• Second-person pronouns (e.g., "you"): They are best omitted.
• Clichés: Overused phrases weaken your writing.
• Vague terms like "some," "that," and "things": Be specific.
• Overuse of "to be" verbs (e.g., "is," "are," "was," "were," "am"): Explore more dynamic alternatives.
• Lacking time for editing? Here's a quick editing technique.

Regarding the use of "I" statements, some educators discourage them in academic writing. However, in professional and scholarly papers, phrases like "I believe" and "in my opinion" are often employed, especially in introductions.

Wikipedia, one of the world's top websites, serves as a valuable research tool. However, many educators do not regard Wikipedia as a credible source for essays. Nevertheless, don't disregard it completely. You can harness Wikipedia for two purposes:

• Background research: If you lack prior knowledge of your topic, Wikipedia offers an efficient means of quickly acquiring essential information.
• Source discovery: Explore the references listed in Wikipedia articles related to your topic. While you may not cite Wikipedia itself, you can often locate and cite the primary and secondary sources it references. These sources are typically found under headings such as "Further Reading" and "References" at the bottom of Wikipedia pages.