Essay Tips: 15 Tips on Writing Effective Essays in English
Essay writing is one of the most dreadful tasks among students. For these students, writing demands long hours of library research as well as skills to draft the outcome into the concrete material. Whether for a classroom assignment, contest, or a scholarship, many students find essays overwhelming. While essays are definitely challenging regarding research and construction of arguments, there are steps that you can take which will make the process easier and more effective. Here are some steps you can take to produce winning essays in English.
- Read and understand the essay question
The essay question or prompt is the guide for the entire writing process. If you do not understand even one aspect of the prompt, it is virtually impossible to produce a stellar paper. If possible, break down the question into smaller, easily understandable parts. Make sure your whole essay goes towards answering the what is asked without digressing.
- Choose an informative, interesting, and manageable topic
Your choice of topic determines the quality of your writing, as well as the depth and breadth of your research. However, there are times when you will be assigned a specific topic to work on. In such cases, consider the type of paper you intend to produce. Are you writing a general overview or a critical analysis? If needed, narrow your focus. In the event that you have been allowed free reign in choosing your topic, then you have more work to do. Start by defining the purpose of the assignment. Are you looking to persuade or to inform?
- Brainstorm for ideas
Now that you have a topic to guide you, it is time to brainstorm ideas for the content of your paper. When writing essays in English, brainstorming simply means thinking through what you intend to talk about. It’s more or less like discussing within yourself. Jot down any ideas that you come across relating to the topic.
- Prepare an outline your ideas
A chef needs a recipe, an architect needs a blueprint, and a writer needs a plan. Now that you have brainstormed and jotted down ideas for your paper, it is time to develop an outline that will guide you. It serves as a foundation for writing. You could even use a diagram to organize your ideas. For an outline, write the topic at the beginning of the page, followed by your main points, leaving space for more explanation. This will help you write a more organized essay.
- Write an introduction with a catchy hook and a strong thesis
The introduction section is one of the most important components of any good essay. In fact, it is highly likely that how you start determines whether or not your readers choose to proceed with reading the entire paper. A strong introduction begins with a catchy hook, where you draw in your readers. Hooks can be in the form of statistics, quotes, or general statements.
The next important aspect of a good introduction is an arguable and defensible thesis or central claim. The entire paper is dedicated to supporting the thesis statement, which often comes towards the end of the introduction.
- Write the first draft, edit later
For essays in English, all the preparation in the world will do you little good if you do not start to write as soon as possible. For the initial draft, do not worry about spellings and grammar. At this stage, your main concern should be putting your points down. Leave the editing for later.
- Use the right essay format
An important element of a good essay is the format. This includes such considerations as spacing, fonts, and page numbers. There are many different formatting styles, including MLA, APA, Turabian, Chicago, among many others. There are times when your instructor will indicate the right style for your paper, while other times you are left to choose on your own. Make sure that you carefully follow the guidelines provided.
- Use one idea for every paragraph
The organization of your essay is important. A general rule is to use each paragraph to argue only one view. The remaining part should go to developing it in more depth. Begin a new point separately.
- Make transitions between ideas
For unity and coherence, make sure that there is a flow between your thoughts. Use transition points and phrases to link the paragraphs. In this way, your audience will be able to see the connection between the ideas and how they support the central claim.
- Avoid too much jargon
You may be tempted to sound fancy by including complex vocabulary, even when they do not add value to the text. Well, don’t. In the event that you introduce new concepts or key terms, make sure that you explain what they mean.
- Provide strong evidence and examples
Good practice for writing is to support your ideas with strong evidence and examples. This shows that you conducted research and prepared for your essay. It also demonstrates that you are professional in your writing.
- Accurately cite your sources
Every evidence or idea you take from other sources must be properly cited within the text and in a list at the end of the paper. There are many citation formats you could use, depending on your course and department. If in doubt, ask your instructor for confirmation. Just make sure that all in-text citations correspond to the reference list entry at the end of the document.
- End your paper on a high with a strong conclusion
A strong conclusion is critical for your essay as it brings all your main points together. Please note that this is not the right place to introduce any new ideas. Instead, use the introduction to synthesize your thesis and highlight how your main points relate to the central claim.
- Manage your time effectively
Time management is part and parcel of essay writing. Balance your time to leave enough room for research, writing, and editing. Do not put off work until the last minute.
- Proofread for grammar, spelling, formatting, and relevance
Once you have completed the first draft, proofread. As this process requires a critical stance, you could take a break before pass on the editing process. Alternatively, ask a friend or a family member to assist with the proofreading as they are likely to identify mistakes you may have missed.
This article outlines 15 key tips for writing quality essays in English. After reading these guidelines, you are better placed to produce a stellar paper. However, if you still feel unsure about your writing skills, or if you lack the time to research and write, you can order for a custom essay from GradeMiners.com. The academic writing service has more than five years’ experience in producing high-quality papers for students. Their customers also benefit from attractive bonuses and discounts. Plus, there is no need to sign-up. To place your order, all you need to do is place an order.
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