How to Write an Essay

·         How to Write an Essay

Here's How:

1.            On a piece of scratch paper, write the Roman numerals I through V, with plenty of space in between.

2.            Following the rules for How to Write a Paragraph,write a sentence next to each Roman numeral. The first sentence answers the question, the next three provide supporting reasons, and the last sentence rephrases the first one. See Example 1.

3.            For the moment, ignore Roman numerals I and V. You will do these first and last paragraphs after the middle ones.

4.            Under Roman numerals II, III and IV, write the letters A, B, C and D.

5.            Again following the rules for How to Write a Paragraph, write a sentence next to each letter. You already have the first sentence. A, B, and C will be three reasons in support of it. D can rephrase your starting sentence; be a fourth reason in support; be replaced by an extra sentence to further develop one of the other reasons; or be omitted entirely. See Example 2.

6.            When you have completed Step 5 for Roman numerals II, III and IV, write the letters A, B, C and D under Roman numerals I and V.

7.            Again following the rules for How to Write a Paragraph, write a sentence next to each letter. You already have the first sentence. A, B, and C will rephrase the sentences you wrote in Roman numerals II, III and IV. D will rephrase the opening sentence for each paragraph. See Example 3.

8.            If all that rephrasing is too hard, brainstorm a creative opening or closing for your essay. You might try using a story, a quote or an observation. Your teacher may have rules about using the first person in an essay; if you're not sure, it's better not to do it.

9.            On another sheet of scratch paper, write all the sentences from your outline, in order, with the sentence from each Roman numeral starting a new paragraph. This is your rough draft. See Example 4.

10.          Read the rough draft aloud and smooth out any language that seems awkward. Try to vary the sentence structure within each paragraph (for example, don't start two sentences in a row with the same word). Proofread spelling and grammar.

11.          When you're satisfied with your draft, copy it over neatly or type it, depending on your teacher's requirements. Congratulations on completing a well-organized essay!

Tips:

1.            It may help to brainstorm before writing the sentences. On a piece of scratch paper, jot down any ideas at all in support of your answer. You may even want to brainstorm reasons for a number of answers, and then pick the answer with the strongest support. Pick three of your ideas and turn them into sentences for your outline.

2.            Graphic organizers can also be helpful in turning up ideas. Try a concept web, with your answer in the middle and ideas in all the little bubbles.

What You Need

•             Scratch paper for outline, rough draft and brainstorming

•             Paper for writing out the final essay

•             Pen or pencil

The following illustrates Step 2 of How to Write an Essay.

I. Writing an essay is a difficult thing to do.

II. It is hard to organize your thoughts.

III. Writing good sentences for an essay takes time.

IV. The paragraphs in an essay should have more than a few words.

V. Writing an essay is hard, but rewarding.

The following illustrates Step 5 of How to Write an Essay.

I. Writing an essay is a difficult thing to do.

II. It is hard to organize your thoughts.

A. You may have many different ideas about the subject.

B. It's important to pick an idea that's easy to write about.

C. Brainstorming is a good tool for finding the right idea.

D. Organizing your thoughts is an important first step to writing an essay.

III. Writing good sentences for an essay takes time.

A. All sentences need to be written correctly.

B. Every sentence needs to support your topic.

C. The sentences should not all start or end the same way.

D. Taking the time to write good sentences makes your essay more interesting.

IV. The paragraphs in an essay should have more than a few words.

A. A good paragraph has at least five sentences.

B. There should be a structure to each paragraph.

C. The paragraph should fully develop one of your ideas.

D. Longer paragraphs make your essay more effective.

V. Writing an essay is hard, but rewarding.

The following illustrates Step 7 of How to Write an Essay.

I. Writing an essay is a difficult thing to do.

A. You have to organize your thoughts.

B. Sentences should have good grammar.

C. Paragraphs can't be too short.

D. Putting it all together isn't easy.

II. It is hard to organize your thoughts.

A. You may have many different ideas about the subject.

B. It's important to pick an idea that's easy to write about.

C. Brainstorming is a good tool for finding the right idea.

D. Organizing your thoughts is an important first step to writing an essay.

III. Writing good sentences for an essay takes time.

A. All sentences need to be written correctly.

B. Every sentence needs to support your topic.

C. The sentences should not all start or end the same way.

D. Taking the time to write good sentences makes your essay more interesting.

IV. The paragraphs in an essay should have more than a few words.

A. A good paragraph has at least five sentences.

B. There should be a structure to each paragraph.

C. The paragraph should fully develop one of your ideas.

D. Longer paragraphs make your essay more effective.

V. Writing an essay is hard, but rewarding.

A. It's good to learn to organize your thoughts.

B. Being able to put a good sentence together will help you in lots of ways.

C. When you know how to write a paragraph, you can answer test questions easily.

D. Essays help you learn about your topic, and about writing, too.

The following illustrates Step 9 of How to Write an Essay.

Writing an essay is a difficult thing to do. You have to organize your thoughts. Sentences should have good grammar. Paragraphs can't be too short. Putting it all together isn't easy.

It is hard to organize your thoughts. You may have many different ideas about the subject. It's important to pick an idea that's easy to write about. Brainstorming is a good tool for finding the right idea. Organizing your thoughts is an important first step to writing an essay.

Writing good sentences for an essay takes time. All sentences need to be written correctly. Every sentence needs to support your topic. The sentences should not all start or end the same way. Taking the time to write good sentences makes your essay more interesting.

The paragraphs in an essay should have more than a few words. A good paragraph has at least five sentences. There should be a structure to each paragraph. The paragraph should fully develop one of your ideas. Longer paragraphs make your essay more effective.

Writing an essay is hard, but rewarding. It's good to learn to organize your thoughts. Being able to put a good sentence together will help you in lots of ways. When you know how to write a paragraph, you can answer test questions easily. Essays help you learn about your topic, and about writing, too.