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.