Essay Writing
Research
It is a good idea to start learning about your topic before you decide what you want to say. Otherwise, you may already be writing your essay when you realize that it isn't as easy to support your position as you had hoped. Utilize the library, Internet, and Academic Databases. Write down quotations you find. Also remember, you are going to have to write a very short paper compared to the scores of information available on your topic. Quote briefly from a wide variety of sources. It will be much easier than spending three days pouring over a single source. One source leads your paper dangerously close to plagarism.
Brainstorming
Here's the creative part of your essay. How can you find a unique point of view on the topic at hand? How can you prove the point you are trying to make? It is important to be original, and that's not always an easy task. Using the research you've done and the facts you've found, can you find an argument? Ask yourself some of the following questions until you believe you have a valid topic.
What is the problem at hand?
What is the root of the problem?
Who does this problem affect?
What caused this?
What else can I compare this topic to?
How is the topic defined?
Is there an assumption in this topic?
Are these assumptions false?
Do you have any personal biases against or for the topic? Why?Are these biases common thoughts?
Is there a common yet incorrect belief about the topic?
Another suggestion is carrying around a notebook with you for a day or two. Sometimes ideas will come to you when you least expect them, so having a place handy to collect those thoughts could be a useful tool.
Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is like a road map for your entire paper. It tells readers what to expect and look for. It is your answer to the question asked of you. It is a disputable claim that you will back up with the body of your essay. Usually, the thesis statement is located within the subject and only a single sentence. It is vital that the thesis be stated clearly and understandable. Don't rush to formulate your thesis, take some time and thought. Once you've decided on a topic and have some idea of the thoughts that you want to convey, start developing a statement that these thoughts seam to support. Before you begin writing your paper around your thesis statement, ask yourself some of these questions.
Do I answer the question? - Often we write an essay as an assignment. Does our thesis answer the question asked of us by the instructor? Or if the essay at hand is for another purpose, does your thesis follow the topic you wish to discuss? Re-reading the question prompt if there is one, or writing the question you believe you are trying to answer may ensure that you are on the right track. Have I taken a position that can be opposed or debated? - Remember, the job of the thesis is to set up the topic in a way that the following paragraphs will support. It seems tempting to write a thesis statement that can not be argued with, however that misses the point and is more of a summary than setting up your argument.
Prepare an outline or diagram to organize your thoughts
Now, you know what you want to say, you have some idea of how to say it, and enough material to back up your point of view. Now, break down your essay, paragraph by paragraph. Keep your points brief, your not writing your paper here, just trying to keep it organized. If you can't keep each point under fifteen words or so, you probably don't have a clear understanding of it and it might not hurt to go back and do a little more research. Make sure you choose an arrangement appropriate for your paper. Each paragraph should flow with the previous and following, and be in a position that supports the argument.
Writing the Essay
The introduction is there to get your reader's attention. You want to wake him or her up and stir up some interest about the topic at hand. The goal of the first sentence is to get the reader to read the second sentence, and so on and so forth in your introduction. Avoid bland, general, tired sentences. Instead use an interesting fact, suprising piece of information, a provocative question, or an exciting quotation. Remember too, this is where your thesis statement is going..
Next is the paragraphs supporting your introduction. Hopefully by this point you have peaked your reader's curiousity with the introduction and now you lay out your argument methodically as you planned in your outline. Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence to keep a tight focus on the purpose of your paragraph. Then develop your idea using examples and quotations. Elaborate on statements, this is your time to be specific. Remember too, you are supporting your side of a debate, so it may be a good idea to anticipate and respond to counterarguments.
Finally comes the conclusion. This is your chance to leave a memorable impression. Recap the main idea. Summarize everything you tried to say without being too wordy. Keep the conclusion short, no more than six or seven sentences. Do not introduce any new ideas in the conclusion, just wrap up everything you already said without provoking too much thought.
Add the Finishing Touches
Proofread, proofread proofread! Read your paper aloud to find awkward spaces. Have a friend read it, or ask your teacher to go over the paper before it is due without grading it. Check your paper for clarity. Did you use topic sentences and follow them in your paragraphs? Are transitions smooth or do things need to be rearranged? Are there needless words that your paper would sound better without? Are you straightforward and to the point without adding in lots of flowery words? Did you apply emphasis in the correct places?