Writing a great essay doesn’t have to be a painful process. You can learn to write wonderful essays by applying a few simple rules.
Here are some tips on how to make your essay unforgettable:
1) Make sure you understand the topic and instructions
Some essay assignments ask you to address more than one issue. For example: “There are many examples of nonviolent resistance around the world. Cite some examples. Were they successful? Why or why not?” In this case, you have to be sure to:
- Find more than one example of nonviolent resistance
- State whether or not the resisters were successful in their goals
- Explain why they either failed or succeeded
It’s important to understand what’s expected of you before you start writing.
2) Do good research and take great notes
The more you read, the more in-depth your research will be. Read as many sources on the topic as you can. Make sure you use sources from credible magazines and newspapers and educational institutions. As you read, take notes on sections that are relevant to you and your topic.
Top tip: make sure to keep track of which sources you used for each idea. That will help you when citing your sources.
3) Write a great introduction
There are lots of great introduction “tricks” you can use to make it engaging for the reader:
- Use a killer quote. If somebody else has said something unforgettable about your topic, then go ahead and use it.
- Tell an anecdote. An anecdote is a story that illustrates something important about your topic. It sets the stage for your arguments and gives the readers insight into the history of your subject.
- Cite a statistic. By showing the reader numbers, you can help them understand why a certain issue is important and how extensive its reach has been.
4) Include unusual facts
If you’ve followed the instructions in #2, you’ll likely have come across some interesting facts that may not be very well-known. The more original you can be in your essay, the more interesting it will be to read. If 9/10 students will cite Gandhi and Martin Luther King for the given topic, choose something different.
5) Use transition words
As you write your body paragraphs, remember to use transitional words and phrases. Examples of transition words are:
- Additive: indeed, furthermore, in fact, as well as, not only this, additionally.
- Conflict: however, but, while, on the other hand, although, conversely.
Transition words improve the flow of your essay and make it easier for the reader to read. For a complete list of transition words and phrases, click here.
6) Write a thought-provoking conclusion
Take the opportunity in your conclusion to:
- Apply the theme to a modern issue. if you’re talking about a historical issue, how is it relevant today?
- Project future uses. What’s the next phase for this subject?
Summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis.
7) Edit
Give yourself some time to edit your work. After you finish your first draft, take a day before going back and reading it over again. Look for: grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, awkward phrasing, flaws in logic and analysis.
Use these tips and tricks to write your best essays. Good luck and happy writing!