Things You'll Need:
- Word processing program
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Step 1
Develop your idea and formulate a rough thesis. Decide what point you want to make through your writing. Creating a general outline at this point will also help you organize your argument into a logical flow.
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Step 2
Determine your audience. Knowing your audience will influence everything about your essay, starting with the introduction. If you have a knowledgeable audience, it is not necessary to spend time giving a broad and detailed introduction of your topic, or over-summarize information your audience is already familiar with. Only include necessary details in your essay.
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Step 3
Begin your essay. You want to begin with a sentence that is catchy but do not feel obligated to stick to conventions such as opening with a famous quote. In fact, is is better to break away from these conventions to make your writing stand out. Try not to be too broad in your introduction, and avoid making overgeneralized or exaggerated claims about your topic by using descriptions such as "all" or "the best" or "all through history," for example.
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Step 4
Write the body of your essay. Structure your argument so that it flows logically from one step to the next. Provide relevant evidence for your argument, and cite your sources appropriately. Do not just quote a text, but explain why the quote you chose is relevant and how it relates to your argument. Spend the majority of your essay discussing or analyzing your evidence, not merely summarizing it.
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Step 5
Tell your reader why he should care about your topic. Your thesis is only half the argument in your essay. In addition to providing evidence for the claim you make in your thesis, you must also convey to the reader why your idea is important. Give applications of your idea in the world outside of your essay when appropriate to ensure the reader of your idea's relevance and importance. This may be thought of as answering a "so what" question in regards to your thesis; you've made your argument, but so what? Answer that question for your reader.
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Step 6
Address any counter-claims to your argument. If you can think of anything that refutes your argument, you must at least show that you are aware of it. If you can think of a way to rationalize the counter-claim or disprove it, include that in your discussion. This shows that you are knowledgeable and have thought about your topic in detail. It also strengthens your own argument when you do not side-step counter-claims to it.
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Step 7
Conclude your essay. Do not merely restate your introductory paragraph. For an intelligent reader, your conclusion should provide a satisfying end where all the parts of your argument come together. It should not repetition of everything you have already said. Leave your reader with a lasting message to take away from your essay. Bring up further points of interest, but do not open up a new discussion. Finish with a powerful sentence that is thought-provoking, but also is relevant to your essay as a whole.
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Step 8
Read your draft over carefully. Interrogate your own essay and make sure that your argument makes sense. Address any holes in your argument. Review your thesis to make sure it still fits the point you're trying to communicate in your essay. If necessary, revise your thesis to fit the argument you developed in your essay.
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Step 9
Fix any grammatical or spelling errors. Having errors like these in your essay diminishes your authority as a writer. A polished essay will make your reader take you more seriously.
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Step 10
Ask another person to read over your essay. They will be able to notice errors where you have not, and point out flaws or holes in your argument that make it difficult to follow. At many colleges, you may find a writing center with trained writing tutors that will provide this service for free.
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Step 11
Learn from your mistakes. When you receive your essay back, read over the comments on it, if applicable. Schedule a meeting with your professor to discuss what you did well on and what you can improve upon. Showing interest will improve your professor's opinion of you as well as help you continue to develop a sophisticated writing style.
