The Five Steps of Writing an Essay, writing an effective essay.

Writing an effective essay

  • America Needs Better Health Care Now
  • The Use of the Mentor Archetype in _____
  • Who Is the She-Conomy?
  • Why DJ Is the Queen of Pedicures
  • Melanoma: Is It or Isn't It?
  • How to Achieve Natural Balance in Your Garden
  • Expect to Be Changed by Reading _____

Some people will tell you to wait until you have finished writing to choose a title. Other people find that writing a title helps them stay focused. You can always review your title when you've finished the essay to ensure that it's as effective as it can be.

  1. Purpose and Thesis
  2. Title
  3. Introduction
  4. Body of Information
  5. Conclusion

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Title

Writing an effective essay

Write a paragraph about each of these key points, using the information you've pulled from your notes. If you don't have enough for one, you might need a stronger key point. Do more research to support your point of view. It's always better to have too many sources than too few.

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Anything you write will benefit from learning these simple parts of an essay:

Writing an effective essay

This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

Without a clear thesis, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

This introduction to a literary analysis essay, about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.

Step 4: Map your essay’s structure

You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.

This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).

  • It gives your writing direction and focus.
  • It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Writing an effective essay

Therefore, when picking a topic for your essay, you should basically pick topics about things you’re most passionate about. It would also be better if the topic is one you argue for instead of against. After choosing an idea, put it into one sentence. This will be the thesis

It should also typically summarize your essay. Here are a few pointers that should guide your title selection:

Active Voice: If you have verbs in your essay title, they should be in the active voice instead of passive voice. You should also capitalize all words in your title except conjunctions, pronouns, prepositions, and articles. The bottom line is that your title should be catchy, attention-grabbing, but simple.

Just as it sounds, the ‘introduction’ introduces your target audience to the topic. It is the first paragraph in your paper. You can make it two sentences or just a single one stating your thesis.

Purpose and Thesis

Writing an effective essay

Go through the highlighted points and pick supporting ideas for every point. Create a paragraph for each of your key points using information from the notes you created when highlighting the main points.

The focus in your introduction is to hook the reader and make them ‘attached’ to the essay, wanting to read it to the end. It hints to your reader what they can expect from the essay.

If you pick an overly complex topic, approaching and backing it up will not be easy. Besides, you may struggle to find relevant information and facts to discuss in your essay.

Writing an effective essay

  • Narrative: Where the writer tells a story.
  • Descriptive: Where the writer describes a person, place, thing or event.
  • Expository: The writer presents an informative, fact-based piece.
  • Persuasive: The writer must convince the reader to accept their point of view.

Now that you have your topic and type of essay decided upon, it’s time to get your ideas in order. Most people prefer to jot their ideas down in a simple outline. If writing an outline is not your thing, then you can try using one of the many free mind mapping programs online, such as free mind. Mind mapping programs allow you to layout a visual diagram of your essay. The purpose of doing the mind mapping or written outline is to help you visualize how your topic and supporting arguments connect. Those that do not connect with your topic should be removed.

Making smoothies is the best way to get your recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, as they are easy to make, delicious to drink, and contain fiber as well as nutrients.

In the above thesis statement, the opinion is stated: Making smoothies is the best way to get your recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. Next, the statement is backed up with three supporting points. If you need a little help, there are thesis generators available online, which can give you a good idea of where to begin.

Organize Your Ideas

This is the central part of your essay where you show support for your thesis statement. Concentrate on making accurate statements based on facts, not opinions or generalizations. Also, steer clear of using personal pronouns. The essay is not about you, it is about supporting the thesis statement. Your strongest arguments are to be located in the first and last paragraph of your body.

This is the sentence by which your entire essay revolves around. A thesis sentence is not a question, but a statement. Your thesis statement will contain your topic and the argument you wish to make. For instance, in a persuasive thesis you would present your point of view and why your point of view is true:

If your instructor has given you a topic, then you can move on to step 2. However, if you must find one, then you’ll have to sit down and give it some thought. Select a topic that you are familiar with. This will make your writing process easier and more fruitful.

Writing an effective essay

Your best essays will be about things that light your fire. What do you feel passionate about? What topics do you find yourself arguing for or against? Choose the side of the topic you are "for" rather than "against" and your essay will be stronger.

Your title should make someone want to read what you have to say. Make it provocative.

Some people will tell you to wait until you have finished writing to choose a title. Other people find that writing a title helps them stay focused. You can always review your title when you've finished the essay to ensure that it's as effective as it can be.

Your introduction is one short paragraph, just a sentence or two, that states your thesis (your main idea) and introduces your reader to your topic. After your title, this is your next best chance to hook your reader. Here are some examples:

Purpose/Main Idea

Writing an effective essay

Write a paragraph about each of these key points, using the information you've pulled from your notes. If you don't have enough for one, you might need a stronger key point. Do more research to support your point of view. It's always better to have too many sources than too few.

  • America Needs Better Health Care Now
  • The Use of the Mentor Archetype in _____
  • Who Is the She-Conomy?
  • Why DJ Is the Queen of Pedicures
  • Melanoma: Is It or Isn't It?
  • How to Achieve Natural Balance in Your Garden
  • Expect to Be Changed by Reading _____

Echo / Cultura / Getty Images

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