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How to Write an Essay

How to Write an Essay

Date: Feb 21 2008

Topic: Writing

Author: Ocean-SA

Lesson

How to Write an Essay 

Many friends of mine ask me about the right way of writing an essay. There are certain steps one must follow to make a good essay. 

First Step: The Topic 

There are two different types of topics. If your objective is t write about something in general ,  you may choose a topic such as "Food. However, if your objective is to write an analysis or an specific topic, you may choose a topic such as "Fast Food". 

Once you set the topic, you are ready to move on to the next step.

 Second Step: The Diagram + The Outline 

The Diagram:-

(A)You need to draw a circle, a square, or whatever shape you like in the middle of an empty paper and write the topic in it. (B) Then draw 3-4 lines from the center out into the page but make sure that you separate them evenly. (C) Then draw a circle, a square, or whatever shape you like at the end of each one of these lines. (D) Write your main ideas inside these shapes. If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write the steps that should be followed. However, if you are writing a debate, you need to write your best arguments. (E) Now that you have wrote the main ideas, you need to draw 3-4 lines from each idea out into the page. At the end of each of these lines, draw another circle , a square, or whatever shape you like and In each shape write the facts or information that support your main idea.

Now that you have done this… You are ready to move on. 

The Outline:-

When you write the outline you need to do the following:

1: Write the topic at the top of the page.

2 : Write the Roman numerals I, II, and III, spread apart down to the left side of the page.

3 : Write the main ideas that you have about your topic next to each Roman numeral.

4 : Under each Roman numeral, write A, B, and C down to the left side of the page.

5 : write the facts or information that support that main idea next to each letter. 

Here is an example >> Click here

 Now that you made the basic structure for your essay, you are ready to continue.

 Third Step: Write The Thesis Statement 

The point of writing a thesis statement is to tell the reader about the topic and the points that will be making. 

You need to have a look at your outline or diagram and decide on the points that these ideas suggest. What do the main ideas say about your topic? 

The thesis statement will be in two parts:

A) The first part states the topic. "Saudi's Culture"

B) The second part states the point of the essay. " has a rich and varied history" 

Now that have done this ..it is time to write the the Body Paragraphs. 

Fourth Step: write the the Body Paragraphs:

At this point, all of the preparation you have been through will be put to work.

 (A) In the body of the essay, explain, describe, or argue the topic you have chosen.

(B) Every main idea you have in your outline will become a paragraph. If you wrote three ideas than you have three body paragraphs. 

The Basic structure of Every Body paragraph:

1. Write down the main idea in sentence form.

2. Write down the supporting facts or information.

3. If you like, you can write a summery for each paragraph.

 Fifth Step: Write the Introduction and Conclusion 

By now, your essay only needs two paragraphs: the introduction and the conclusion. These two paragraph give a point of entry to and an exist from your essay. 

(((Introduction)))

The Introduction should attract the reader's attention and gives an idea of the essay's focus.

 A) Start with an attention grabber.

* You may use the following strategies:

"Startling information, Anecdote, Dialogue, or Summary Information" 

B) If the attention grabber was only a sentence or two, try adding one or two sentences that will lead from your opening to your thesis statement.

 C) Finish the paragraph with your thesis statement. 

(((Conclusion)))

The Conclusion is important because it brings closure to the reader and gives a summery of all your points. You only need to write 3-4 sentences. There are no set formals to write the conclusion. Just review the main points or simply say what do you feel about the topic. 

LAST STEP: Editing and final review

 Even though you have completed all the paragraphs of the essay, you need to do the following: 

1- Reordering your paragraphs.

Check the paragraphs which one is the strongest. It is really useful to rearrange the paragraphs where the strongest always comes at the beginning. 

2- Check the instructions for the assignment.

When you prepare a final draft it is necessary to do the following:

a) Are your margins correct?

b) Have you titled it as directed?

c) What other information (name, date, etc.) must you include?

d) Did you double-space your lines? 

3- Check your writing.

The revision of your work is important. Make sure that you read and reread your paper. 

While doing this ask yourself the following questions:

Does it make logical sense?

Do the sentences flow smoothly from one another?

Have you run a spell checker or a grammar checker? 

Once you have checked your work and did the necessary final touches.

.I would say "Congrats!" Your essay is finished.. 

Good Luck

Yours

Ocean-Sa

Comments

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Drianyanto

Drianyanto

Indonesia

big thanks, write is complicated, but its would be easy if we do it again and again and without rules just do it what ever you want to write.

03:34 PM Aug 22 2011 |

why-_-not__-

Morocco

thanx so much for the lesson !! ^^ but I think that’s too much to write an essay !!

12:03 AM Aug 06 2011 |

Karly_A

Kazakhstan

Many thanks!

12:21 PM May 19 2011 |

kimlong007

Cambodia

Thank you so much. 

03:58 PM Apr 03 2011 |

dearling

dearling

China

I think so too it sounds complicated and too much..

05:07 AM Mar 28 2011 |

xin7

xin7

Chile

Thanks for the lesson. It's very useful.

04:05 AM Mar 28 2011 |

tariq shah khan

Canada

 
 
            
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01:51 PM Dec 14 2010 |

quick to pardon

Mali

thank you the topic is useful

06:12 PM Nov 28 2010 |

Peter14

Costa Rica

Thanks for writing this ideas about how to write an essay. I am surely it will be helpful for everyone to prepare  their essay.

I have been thinking about how to write a proper essays but  I couldn't understand until reading your essay.

I feel like I can  sit down and write my own essay right away.

02:28 PM Oct 05 2010 |

SUMMER jojo

Jordan

VERY USEFUL  TaUGHT THNKS Kiss

07:07 PM Sep 05 2010 |

SUMMER jojo

Jordan

VERY USEFUL  TaUGHT THNKS Kiss

07:07 PM Sep 05 2010 |

anggie196

anggie196

Ghana

That was a great taught and i really like the steps.

12:09 PM Sep 05 2010 |

Enkhshur

Mongolia

thanks

 

07:21 AM Sep 05 2010 |

April 1

Myanmar

Thank alots. Indeede! it is useful for me.

10:40 AM Sep 03 2010 |

Tongfangbin

China

Thank you every much!

06:57 AM Aug 14 2010 |

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