How to Write an Effective Essay

Essay writing is an important skill to develop in order to achieve success in high school, college and beyond. Our everyday writing through email, text messages, blogs and instant messages rarely needs to be written like a formal essay. Still, the elements needed to write effective essays are equally important and essentially the same.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• College-level dictionary
• Thesaurus
• Style books

Define a Topic

1. Apply the principle of the three M's: Method, Motive and Message. These define your essay and achieve communication goals.
   
2. Choose the appropriate type of essay. A descriptive essay explains an event, place, person or idea. A narrative essay tells a story. An expository essay describes how to do something. A persuasive essay convinces the reader to support your conclusion.
3. Write with a purpose. Writing that is meaningful has a motive beyond getting the grade.
4. Create a thesis statement by answering the question "What is your essay about?" Be clear about who your audience is and write to them.
   

Write the Essay

5. Start with an introduction. Use a quote from an expert on your topic, a thought-provoking rhetorical question or a catchy phrase to "hook" your readers. Draw them into the subject of your essay. Make it interesting. Peak their curiosity and they'll want to keep reading.
6. Write a topic sentence to begin each paragraph in the body of the essay. Include four to six supportive sentences and a transitional sentence to close your paragraph. This ensures that your subject is fully explained. Create interest using a variety of simple, compound and complex sentences.
   The body of an effective essay contains at least three paragraphs.
7. Summarize your ideas in the closing paragraph. Restate the goal of your thesis statement. Conclude with another quote, rhetorical question or phrase to add emphasis.

Edit the Writing

8. Wait to edit your essay, if time permits. Time and distance from your writing produce a sense of clarity.
9. Record yourself reading the essay and listen to it.
10. Extract the introduction, topic and transitional sentences from your essay to verify your essay has a logical framework of ideas. Make the appropriate adjustments, if necessary.
11. Use resources like a thesaurus, style guide and dictionary to correct any mistakes.

Tips & Warnings

• Correct all the mistakes in your essay. This allows the reader to focus on your topic rather than on misspelled words or improper grammar.