Essay Writing Guide

• An essay develops an idea, opinion, or debate into a cohesive structure using details, evidence, facts, and analysis.
• Essays can either inform readers on a topic or persuade them to believe or do something.
• Essays follow a similar structure regardless of length.

Essay Setup Tips

• Ensure the essay's goal is clear to either persuade or inform.
• Choose a familiar or interesting topic to avoid extensive research.
• Research thoroughly to prevent false information.
• Create a thesis statement that serves as the main argument or central theme.
• Outline the essay to provide a blueprint for writing.

Writing Essays Quickly

• Understanding the essay prompt is essential for tests and exams.
• Reread the prompt to clarify the outcome and intent.
• Determine if the prompt requires information or an argument.
• Pick the most comfortable side to argue if the prompt requires a specific stance.
• If the prompt is narrative and the writer lacks experience, create convincing fiction.

Writing Thesis Statements

• The thesis is the central argument or main point of information.
• A thesis statement differs from the prompt, as the prompt is broader.
• Example prompt: "During the 2020 pandemic, did businesses violate customer rights by refusing service to customers not wearing masks?"
• Example thesis: "Privately owned businesses have the right to serve or not serve any customer; therefore, businesses had the right to ask customers to leave for not wearing a mask."
• Example prompt: "What job industry will be most affected in the next five years due to technological automation?"
• Example thesis: "Technology will soon have the most significant impact on the retail industry as people will lose jobs to automation."

Outlining Major Points

• Outlining builds the essay's structure.
• Leave the introduction and conclusion for last.
• Start with the thesis statement at the top of the outline.
• Create three to five numerals for each paragraph.
• Write a topic sentence for each paragraph, representing a major detail of the thesis.
• Include three to six bullet points under each topic sentence to detail the paragraph's topic.

Writing the Introduction and Conclusion

• Write the conclusion and introduction paragraphs after the body.
• Introduction and conclusion paragraphs summarize the significant points.
• Restate topic sentences from the body paragraphs with transition words in the introduction.
• Summarize main points in a single sentence in the conclusion, followed by a restatement of the thesis.
• The essay's final sentence should leave a lasting impression.
• Call to Action: Instruct readers on what to do with the information, such as urging them to contact state congressmen.
• Change of Mind: Persuade the reader to reconsider their position on the topic.
• Shock and Awe: Conclude with an extraordinary fact or prediction. For example, predicting that 80% of semi-trucks will be fully automatic by 2035.

Essay Editing Tips

• Finishing an essay is almost as important as writing it.
• Proofread to avoid grammatical errors that can diminish the essay's impact and score.
• Read the essay slowly, word-by-word, to check for spelling and grammar errors.
• Ensure that the essay makes sense, details connect, and it supports the thesis.
• Ensure handwriting is legible and easy to read.

Learn how to write effective essays. Understand the structure, research, and planning involved in crafting compelling essays. Whether you aim to inform or persuade, mastering these techniques will enhance your writing skills.