How to write an essay ( 9 easy steps)
A Step-by-Step Process for Writing an Essay
1. Define the context of your essay. The context is the scope of the essay. What are you being asked to write about? The context can include multiple parameters including:
Topic. Sometimes your teacher or professor will give you a prompt that you're required to use. If you do get an option to pick your own topic, then choose something that you genuinely want to become an expert about or something you feel passionate about discussing.
Format. The length of the essay, the way the pages are put together and the presentation all matter. Follow the rules exactly as your teacher gives them to you so that you don't lose points.
Audience. With whom are you trying to communicate? Do you want to persuade your teacher, your peers or a college admissions committee? You'll need to tailor your writing to the correct audience.
2. Do research to get evidence for your argument.
Go online, head to the library or search an academic database. Don't hesitate to ask a reference librarian to help you. That's why they're there.
Know which sources are acceptable to your teacher :
a. Does your teacher want a certain number of primary sources and secondary sources?
b. Can you use Wikipedia? Wikipedia is often a good starting point for learning about a topic, but many teachers won't let you cite it because they want you to find more authoritative sources.
Take detailed notes, keeping track of which facts come from which sources. Write down your sources in the correct citation format so that you don't have to go back and look them up again later.
Never ignore facts and claims that seem to disprove your original idea or claim. A good essayist either includes the contrary evidence and shows why such evidence is not valid or alters his or her point of view in light of the evidence.
3. Analyze some well-written essays. In your research, you'll probably come across some really well-written (and not so well-written)
1. Define the context of your essay. The context is the scope of the essay. What are you being asked to write about? The context can include multiple parameters including:
Topic. Sometimes your teacher or professor will give you a prompt that you're required to use. If you do get an option to pick your own topic, then choose something that you genuinely want to become an expert about or something you feel passionate about discussing.
Format. The length of the essay, the way the pages are put together and the presentation all matter. Follow the rules exactly as your teacher gives them to you so that you don't lose points.
Audience. With whom are you trying to communicate? Do you want to persuade your teacher, your peers or a college admissions committee? You'll need to tailor your writing to the correct audience.
2. Do research to get evidence for your argument.
Go online, head to the library or search an academic database. Don't hesitate to ask a reference librarian to help you. That's why they're there.
Know which sources are acceptable to your teacher :
a. Does your teacher want a certain number of primary sources and secondary sources?
b. Can you use Wikipedia? Wikipedia is often a good starting point for learning about a topic, but many teachers won't let you cite it because they want you to find more authoritative sources.
Take detailed notes, keeping track of which facts come from which sources. Write down your sources in the correct citation format so that you don't have to go back and look them up again later.
Never ignore facts and claims that seem to disprove your original idea or claim. A good essayist either includes the contrary evidence and shows why such evidence is not valid or alters his or her point of view in light of the evidence.
3. Analyze some well-written essays. In your research, you'll probably come across some really well-written (and not so well-written)