How to Write an Essay Worth Reading

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By Dave Ward
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Anyone can write an essay. Just start writing and see what comes out. After all, essay just means 'attempt' right?

Good essay writers know that an essay is more than attempt, however. It is the end result of a lot of hard work. The best essay writers know how to write an essay worth reading every time.

Here's how you can become one of those kind of essay writers.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

FIND A DISCUSSION THAT MATTERS.

Essays seem like stand alone works published in journals, papers, and online writing arenas. The reality is essays are conversation in print. The beauty of an essay is the conversation partners don't have to take book long turns, or bury their real thoughts in five miles of footnotes.

So find a print or verbal discussion that you think matters. This is crucial. If it doesn't matter, your essay won't be worth reading no matter how witty you think it is. Things that matter are those issues that affect real people in the real world with significant consequences.
Step 2

FOCUS YOUR RESEARCH ON THAT CONVERSATION.

Most people tell essay writers to 'do your research.' You know that already. But how? The key is to focus your research on tracking down the train of the conversation as it developed recently. Pull out a key phrase from the discussion and search for it within quotation marks online. Then use those pages that address it to find links or footnotes to more significant discussions. Read a few other people's essays. Read a couple book chapters. Get a sense of not only what is at stake, but also ... (read next step)
Step 3

... LIST THE BEST OPTIONS.

Usually in a conversation several options show up. Often they are boxed in by extremes from several essay writers. List in a brief a way as you can the options out there and who the people are that support them.

Now you have a clear beginning point for your essay. You have a sense of the conversation. You even know the options. What next?
Step 4

GO ON A LONG WALK AND THINK (OUT LOUD EVEN).

Essay writers will tell you the key to a good essay is good thought. You have read the arguments. Now have a conversation with those people in your head. Consider the option they offer from their perspectives. Then consider it from their opponents. Now think hard about it. What is missing? What do all parties ignore? Is there a third, fourth, or fifth option no one has seen? Could there be a creative blending of one or two options? Once you have what's missing, put it into a one sentence statement. That's your thesis.
You are ready for step 5.
Step 5

OUTLINE THE ARGUMENT FOR YOUR PROPOSAL.

You can structure an essay in many ways. You could move from the problem to solution, or solution to problem, or work in a spiral toward the topic, or a spiral out from the topic. You could say the answer is 'not this, not this, or this, but that.' Or you could say 'Here is the answer, and here's why.' However you structure it, outline it to make sure it is clear.
Step 6

WRITE THE ESSAY WITH A LOT OF CLARITY AND A LITTLE FUN.

Essays aren't long drawn out affairs. They are twenty minute stands. As a result, essay writers recognize clarity is key. However, the essay is also a vehicle for holding attention and communicating with people who aren't in the conversation yet. So introduce them to the key players (respectfully) but then add in your own personal flair of style, sarcasm, or wit. Make yourself smile every now and then.
Step 7

POLISH THE FIRST THREE AND THE LAST THREE SENTENCES.

Essay writers know the most important part of any discourse is the beginning and the end. So get out your word sharpening stone and grind away until your first and last sentences win the day with your reader.

** See more essay writing tips below.