platinum
16-04-08, 19:38
Help! How do I improve my essays?
At some point in our lives, we are faced with the task of writing essays. But very few people actually realise what the most effective methods are.
There are ten steps that you need to consider before embarking on any essay:
1.Research
Before the pen hits the paper, or you start typing you need to have researched ? make yourself knowledgeable in the field. Browse the internet :p , go to academic books and visit the library (if you are nerdy like me :))
2.Analysis
OK, now that you have something to base your essay on ? you need to start analysing the arguments for the essay. So define what you?re going to say, find reasons for that position and very importantly evidence to support that position.
Learning how to write an essay begins by learning how to analyze essays written by others.
3.Brainstorming
Your essay will require insight of your individual, essay-writing radiance. Ask yourself questions and answer them. Create a flow of ideas ? this is the part where you can show just how much you have thought this through.
4.Main Arguments
Identify your main points around which your essay will be based, and sum all the points in a clear concise manner so that reader knows exactly what you?re going to say.
5.Moulding
Need to give the essay a clear shape before you start writing it out. Describe the paragraph in a sentence and bullet points of what is going to be in each paragraph. This way you are mapping out the structure of the essay from your arguments, and even better is if you could find a way of linking the paragraphs.
6.Introductions
OK ? sit down and think ? the introduction needs to grab the reader's attention. It should develop up the subject, and lead in to your arguments. Your introduction is simply a ?build-up? of the augments, a sort of a brief!
(Note: The first paragraph is most important elements in your essay as it is here where you can hook the reader's interest or lose it.)
7.Paragraphing
Each individual paragraph should be decisive on a single idea that supports your argument. Lead each paragraph with a statement ? supported by evidence ? and then explain it all. Explain it as though the reader is a complete nut-case and is sitting in front of you.
8.Conclusion
After all this, you need to gracefully exit your essay by making a quick wrap-up sentence, and then end on some memorable reflection, perhaps a quotation, or an interesting twist of logic, or some call to action. :cool:
9.Sources
Depending on what the style of the piece is, you need to cite the references of all your sources. It is called a bibliography, usually, and lists in detail all of your sources, otherwise you risk the horrible and unspeakable crime of plagiarism (which is taken very seriously :eek: ).
10.Brainstorming
The essay is not yet finished until you have checked the essay by polishing your language by correcting the grammar, making sentences flow, incorporating rhythm, emphasis, adjusting the formality. Proofread until it reads just how you want it to sound. Writing an essay can be tedious, but don?t ruin it by leaving behind slapdash misspellings and feebly worded phrases...
You're done. Great job !
At some point in our lives, we are faced with the task of writing essays. But very few people actually realise what the most effective methods are.
There are ten steps that you need to consider before embarking on any essay:
1.Research
Before the pen hits the paper, or you start typing you need to have researched ? make yourself knowledgeable in the field. Browse the internet :p , go to academic books and visit the library (if you are nerdy like me :))
2.Analysis
OK, now that you have something to base your essay on ? you need to start analysing the arguments for the essay. So define what you?re going to say, find reasons for that position and very importantly evidence to support that position.
Learning how to write an essay begins by learning how to analyze essays written by others.
3.Brainstorming
Your essay will require insight of your individual, essay-writing radiance. Ask yourself questions and answer them. Create a flow of ideas ? this is the part where you can show just how much you have thought this through.
4.Main Arguments
Identify your main points around which your essay will be based, and sum all the points in a clear concise manner so that reader knows exactly what you?re going to say.
5.Moulding
Need to give the essay a clear shape before you start writing it out. Describe the paragraph in a sentence and bullet points of what is going to be in each paragraph. This way you are mapping out the structure of the essay from your arguments, and even better is if you could find a way of linking the paragraphs.
6.Introductions
OK ? sit down and think ? the introduction needs to grab the reader's attention. It should develop up the subject, and lead in to your arguments. Your introduction is simply a ?build-up? of the augments, a sort of a brief!
(Note: The first paragraph is most important elements in your essay as it is here where you can hook the reader's interest or lose it.)
7.Paragraphing
Each individual paragraph should be decisive on a single idea that supports your argument. Lead each paragraph with a statement ? supported by evidence ? and then explain it all. Explain it as though the reader is a complete nut-case and is sitting in front of you.
8.Conclusion
After all this, you need to gracefully exit your essay by making a quick wrap-up sentence, and then end on some memorable reflection, perhaps a quotation, or an interesting twist of logic, or some call to action. :cool:
9.Sources
Depending on what the style of the piece is, you need to cite the references of all your sources. It is called a bibliography, usually, and lists in detail all of your sources, otherwise you risk the horrible and unspeakable crime of plagiarism (which is taken very seriously :eek: ).
10.Brainstorming
The essay is not yet finished until you have checked the essay by polishing your language by correcting the grammar, making sentences flow, incorporating rhythm, emphasis, adjusting the formality. Proofread until it reads just how you want it to sound. Writing an essay can be tedious, but don?t ruin it by leaving behind slapdash misspellings and feebly worded phrases...
You're done. Great job !