Getting started with writing an essay can be challenging, even for experienced writers. Getting stuck early in your writing process can slow you down and even prevent you from starting your essay. However, understanding how to organize your ideas, develop a thesis and foreword, and keep writing can help you complete your essay successfully.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Understanding Your Essays
Step 1. Know how to read essay assignments
While they vary depending on who is writing, most essay assignments have similar information. Essay assignments can be confusing at first, especially if they contain a lot of information, but knowing what you're looking for can help you interpret them.
- Most assignments begin with contextual information about the essay topic. Although it may seem redundant, read it carefully; the information may give you clues about how you can frame the essay topic your teacher wants.
- Essay assignment "task" is usually spoken with active verbs such as summarize, describe, compare, contrast, analyze and/or refute. These verbs will help you figure out what type of essay to write.
- Sometimes essay assignments have a longer list of questions or suggestions for thinking. Read this section carefully: sometimes questions or suggestions are a way to speed up your own thinking, but other times they may need to be covered in your essay.
- Many essay assignments close with a list of formatting requirements such as: requirements including "12-pt font," "double spacing," and "2.5 cm margin," but essay assignments can require others. Make sure you follow all of these requirements in your final draft! Failing to do so will deduct points from your essay.
Step 2. Completely understand your essay assignment
Knowing exactly what the teacher wants from you is the first step in starting your essay successfully. You should read essay assignments as soon as they are given to you.
- Read some questions or essay assignments several times. You may be able to rewrite the essay in your own words so that you understand. Deciphering in your own words can help you remember and interpret information more effectively.
- If you have a choice of several essay assignments, choose the one you are comfortable with and which you think you can write with the most detail.
- Ask questions if you are confused or unsure about what the teacher expects.
Step 3. Ask to see a rubric
Find out if there is a grading rubric for the essay and ask in advance so you can know how to evaluate your work. That can help with where you should focus most of your time.
Step 4. Prepare at least two ideas
If your essay assignment is an open question and you have to choose your own topic, prepare a few ideas and then choose the one you think will make the best essay; it might not be the first idea that pops into your mind.
The topic of a good essay is broad enough that you have a lot to talk about, but not so wide that you can't talk about substance. The essay on "Shakespeare's impact" is too broad; You could write a dozen books on the topic. The essay on "the impact of Shakespeare on common English phrases" is narrower, but still offers a lot for you to cover
Part 2 of 5: Create Your Preliminary Essay
Step 1. Think about the purpose of your essay
Is it to persuade your readers to something? Is it to convey an experience? Is it to present a critical analysis of a piece of writing or an image? Knowing your goals will help you determine how you can direct your ideas.
Step 2. Do some preliminary writing to get the ideas flowing
The best way to start an essay is to get your ideas in a non-essay format to start with. Early writing can take many different formats, and you can experiment to find one that can help you.
- Free writing, a process in which you simply write what you think without worrying about grammar or punctuation or even the center of your argument, may be a good way to start getting ideas out. This process can also help you find your thesis.
- You may just need a simple list. Write a list of sub-topics or specifics that you want to include in your essay.
- A mind map may be a helpful initial writing guide for learners in a visual way. The center of the mind map contains your main argument or thesis, and branches out in various directions.
Step 3. Always think about your essay reader
As you write, think about what might be needed if you were the one reading the essay. If this is a history essay, what context do you need in your topic? If it is a narrative essay, what information do you need to feel as if you are experiencing the events in the narrative yourself?
Step 4. It should be understood that the initial writing is not perfect
One of the biggest causes of writer's block is striving for perfection before even writing a word. Don't censor yourself when you start writing. Try to avoid negative thoughts like "This doesn't make sense" or "I can't say what I want to say." Just write it all down first!
Step 5. Write a traditional overview
If you have used one of the initial writing methods listed above, rearrange the content and add details by writing an overview. A traditional overview is an excellent format for detailing ideas and organizing your entire essay.
- Start each section of your overview with the main points. Indicate each section with a Roman number (For example, I. The puppy is adorable.)
- Prepare at least two sub-points for each of your main points. Indicate each sub-point with a capital letter (For example, A. Puppies look cute, B. Puppies act cute.)
- Prepare at least two details about each sub-point. Indicate each detail with a number (For example, A- 1. Puppies have cute faces, 2. Puppies are small, and little things are usually cute. B- 1. Puppies play and roll around all the time, makes people laugh, 2. Puppies are very affectionate and lick their owners to show affection.)
- Each level of detail must be further to the right than the previous level.
Step 6. Read your overview
Make sure the layout makes sense, and rearrange or swap parts as needed. Make sure each section has the same amount of detail, and add details for each section that need to be developed.
Part 3 of 5: Constructing a Thesis Statement
Step 1. Decide what type of paper you need to write
Your thesis will vary based on whether your paper is analytical, argumentative, or explanatory. Thinking about the verbs used in your essay assignment and the purpose of your essay will help you determine which direction to take.
- An argumentative thesis will indicate a position (side of the argument) and also introduce a topic.
- An explanatory thesis will introduce what will be explained in the paper.
- An analytical thesis will introduce the topic and contextualize the reasons for the analysis.
Step 2. Understand the thesis statement that needs to be achieved
Your thesis statement should provide an answer to the question "Then why?" Ask yourself how your argument or analysis contributes to your readers' understanding.
Step 3. Think about what you want to say
Building your thesis statement is an important part of writing your paper. If you try to write it before you've finished thinking about or researching your Topic, you're unlikely to succeed.
- Go back to your prewriting and try to find connections between the ideas in it.
- Think about your essay assignment and what you have to say the most: the thesis statement will fall somewhere in between.
Step 4. Use a thesis statement that “works”
If you're having trouble with this step, or if you feel pressure to come up with a perfect thesis statement is holding you back from getting started, try using an "in-progress" thesis statement. This will allow you to progress without being too bogged down, knowing that you can go back and change your thesis.
Step 5. Write your thesis statement
Remember that you can always correct or change the sentence later, so don't spend time worrying about the exact words.
- Your thesis must be able to answer the questions posed by the essay assignment essay (if there is an essay assignment).
- A thesis statement is usually the last sentence of your introduction, but occasionally it can be the first sentence of your paper.
- Don't write your thesis statement as a question.
Step 6. Avoid the "three-prong" thesis
An example of a typical three-prong thesis is "Puppies are good for your health because they are adorable, affectionate, and inexpensive." The problem with such a thesis statement is that it can limit the development of your essay. You may find it necessary to use a single paragraph to discuss each prong instead of developing your idea as much as necessary.
Part 4 of 5: Writing Your Foreword
Step 1. Consider writing the introduction later
If you're stuck writing your introduction and holding back and writing the rest of your paper, skip it now. Just write your thesis statement at the top of your paper and start the body paragraph of your paper.
- You'll probably find it easier to write an introduction after you finish your essay, once you know what you're finally trying to convey with your essay.
- It's more important to play with the writing than to write each section in its order in the essay.
Step 2. Remember the purpose of an introduction
An introduction should introduce your topic, state your argument, and provide the reader with context, the context of your essay. If the sentences in the introduction do not serve these purposes, then this section is not important.
Step 3. Write a hook
The hook, often the first sentence in your paper, is the one or two sentences that “hooks” or grabs the attention of your readers. Commonly used hooks may be good for novice writers, but some university professors think certain hooks are overused. Here are some hook ideas.
- A statistic (especially one that seems surprising to the reader) is a way to start certain types of papers. Make sure the statistical data comes from a reliable source, such as a database in your school library.
- A personal story or anecdote told in detail will attract the reader. Of course it must be relevant to your Topic, you will need to link it to the thesis statement explicitly. This may not be suitable for a formal essay.
- A quote from a famous person can be a good start. however, since this method has been overused, try turning it around by using shocking quotes, contradicting quotes, or using it in a new context. You also need to link this to your thesis clearly.
- Illuminating a paradox or confusing scenario can entice readers by making them question something that is usually not overlooked.
- Try to avoid introductions that begin by giving a dictionary definition of a word and explaining it or by asking a question.
- Avoid phrases that are often used and have empty points such as “from the beginning of all things” or “during the history of human life.”
Step 4. Transition from your hook to your thesis
You will need to write a few sentences explaining the context of your hook and transition into your thesis thesis. If your hook is long, such as a detailed personal anecdote, perhaps a phrase like "this experience has led me to believe that …" If your hook is shorter, such as a statistic, you usually need to write 3-4 sentences describing your statistic and leading up. on your thesis statement.
Part 5 of 5: Writing Your Essay
Step 1. Give yourself time to write
If you wait until the last minute to start your essay, and will feel more stressed and pressured to write in a short period of time it can cause you to get stuck. You'll also need to set aside some time to fix it, so starting early will help the whole process.
Step 2. Sit down and write
The best way to write yes by writing. Just start by writing words at the top of the page, and set yourself a writing achievement for your working time.
- Giving yourself a time milestone (like 2 hours of writing), is often more helpful than a production milestone (like 2 pages or 400 words).
- Many people use the "Pomodoro Technique" for writing. Namely to focus without distraction for 25 minutes, then rest for 5 minutes.
Step 3. Keep writing when you are stuck
Sometimes trying to make a sentence or passage "perfect" can prevent you from continuing to write.
- If you find yourself stuck on a particular sentence, write a "marker" sentence and move on. A marker sentence might look like this: [Something about how much I love puppies.]
- You can mark marking sentences with brackets, or by highlighting the processing program (or on paper if you are writing a draft by hand).
Step 4. Return to the marker sentence again
When you're done with your first draft, go back to any areas or sentences you missed and try writing them now. It will be easier to refine your essay once these sections have been filled in.
Tips
Choose a Topic that interests you when you can. It will be easier to write about something that interests you
Warning
- Make sure you set aside plenty of time for revisions or improvements. Especially if you have some marker sentences: don't forget to go back and change them.
- Try not to spend too much time planning. If you plan too long, you can run out of time to write productively.
