The Best Essay Writing Tips
Throughout your schooling, you will be required to write essays. Essays are a common assignment for many subjects, including history, English and business classes. Essays are often required in science and math classes as well, and are usually a requirement when applying to colleges and throughout college coursework. Spend the time to learn how to make your essay stand out from those of other students.
Other People Are Reading
-
Make an Outline
-
Structure is the most important aspect of an essay, so make an outline before you even start writing. Use the standard five-paragraph structure, even if your essay is longer than five paragraphs. Your five paragraphs or sections include an introduction, three supporting paragraphs and a conclusion. Divide a piece of paper into five sections and write notes of what you will include in each section. Don't use full sentences; these notes are just to let you know what you need to include in each paragraph. Include notes about statistics, references, quotes and examples.
Include a Hook in Your Introduction
-
Since the introduction is the most important paragraph in the essay, make it stand out by including a hook. A hook is an attention-grabber that immediately draws the reader in and makes him want to continue reading. Examples of a hook are an inspiring quote, a funny anecdote, or a striking fact. Use this hook in the first sentence of the introduction. Use the hook to lead readers throughout the paragraph as you explain the thesis statement or main point of the essay. The hook not only catches the reader's attention but also ties into the central theme of the essay.
-
Use Examples
-
Statements made without examples don't hold as much weight as those with examples, so make sure to include examples, primarily throughout the three supporting paragraphs or ideas. If you write a statement like "The settlers of the 13 colonies endured terrible conditions," follow it up with examples of those conditions. Or, if you write that the United States has been involved in many wars, don't stop there. List some of the wars, the ones most applicable to your topic, that the U.S. has been involved in. Examples help expand on a general statement and show readers the research you have done on the topic. They also make the essay more interesting to read.
Have a Solid Conclusion
-
Apart from the introduction, the conclusion is the most important part of your essay. Many people make the mistake of simply summarizing what they have talked about in the three supporting paragraphs and miss out on the opportunity to add strength to the thesis statement. Use one sentence to summarize what you have said but use the rest of the paragraph to reinforce the thesis statement. Pretend your readers are asking you "So what?" Answer this by showing them how meaningful your essay is. Don't give new information but give new meaning. Tell readers how the sum of all the parts, or the supporting paragraphs, add up to provide meaningful support to the thesis statement.
-
References
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
