12 Tips for Writing Your Essay Paper
October 12, 2008 by J.C. Hewitt · 8 Comments
Write Out The Instructions
Write out what your instructor’s requirements in your own words so that you understand what the instructor is looking for. Check your interpretation with the instructor just to be sure you have gotten it right. Always keep the requirements in mind and check back with the instructor once you have something written so that you can be sure you are on the right track. Many papers get bad grades simply because they didn’t follow the instructions.
Map Out Your Goals
Map out your research goals by making an initial list of the sub-topics you expect to cover in your paper. Keep in mind that these sub-topics may change as you look more closely into the subject.
Do Your Research
Start researching each area of your paper. Look into each separate topic that will lead into your overall subject. Don’t limit your research to the Internet. Make sure that you have information from other reputable sources such as books, magazines and educational journals.
Make Quality Notes
Write every quote, statement or fact on an individual index card so that you can quickly go through it. You may also want to consider keeping a binder with copies of your source articles and notes. If you like to work online, use either a notes program such as Microsoft Notes or a word processor file.
Look for Answers
Write out your responses to the basic requirements of your paper. You should be able to identify the following information:
- What is the question you are trying to answer?
- What is your answer?
- How do you support that answer?
Make your Citations Properly
Know which citation/guide is required (APA, MLA, etc.) and follow those formatting guides.
- MLA Citation Style
- APA Citation Style
- Chicago Manual of Style Citation Guide
- Citing References: Turabian Style
Make Sure Your Paper Flows Smoothly
Include transitional paragraphs or sentences to ensure that the paper flows smoothly from topic to topic. Organize your paper so that the sub-topics have a logical order of discussion.
Don’t Write Your Opening Too Soon
Write the opening and closing paragraphs last, after you have already completed the body of the paper and can be sure of what points you have covered and what you did not cover.
Read What You Wrote
Read through your paper aloud. Try to catch basic structural and writing errors as well as any awkward language. Think about the way your paper progresses and try to determine if you have made your arguments effectively.
Read in Reverse
Proofread your paper backwards, sentence by sentence. Doing this encourages you to look at the individual sentences rather than the overall structure and to avoid getting caught up in the “flow” of your writing and skipping over problems.
Find Another Reader
If possible, have another person look at your paper to catch proofreading errors, logic errors or unclear sentences. If there is someone else in your class that is also working on an essay, you can read through each other’s papers.
Format Last
Finish writing the essay before doing the page formatting. Word processors can be finicky, and you don’t want to waste research and writing time on formatting. It is more important to have the content the way you want it than the formatting, and your formatting needs may change as you move forward.
7 Secrets to a Striking Essay
June 4, 2008 by J.C. Hewitt · 32 Comments
Article by Jeanne Dininni
The mere mention of the term “essay” is enough to strike fear in even the stoutest heart. That simple, unassuming word conjures horrific visions of endless hallways teeming with students, bodies packed into classrooms like sardines, legendary cafeteria food (and cafeteria food fights), schoolyard bullies, and massive amounts of unnecessary homework.
It’s easy to see why, for many, the essay is a topic-and a chapter of their lives-they’d really rather forget. But, is the much-maligned essay really unique to the academic world, or is it simply misunderstood? Does it actually show up in other venues, as well?
Perhaps defining the term would help. I like Encarta’s definition: “essay – short nonfiction prose piece: a short analytic, descriptive, or interpretive piece of literary or journalistic prose dealing with a specific topic, especially from a personal and unsystematic viewpoint.”
From this definition, it’s obvious that many of the articles and other non-fiction pieces we write are essays-whatever else we may call them (i.e., article, blog post, etc.). (Straight factual pieces would be the main exception.)
For our purposes, then, let’s assume that most of the non-fiction we write consists of essays. And let’s see if we can’t use a few simple essay-writing secrets to add impact to our work.
1. Devise a Plan of Attack
Creating an effective essay means far more than simply deciding on a topic and then “winging it.” It means first refining your topic to give it a specific focus, then developing your angle or “treatment,” planning how you’ll set up your essay, researching your topic, and finally, writing.
Even if you’d rather not make a traditional outline (i.e., three main points, three sub-points, etc.), plan your piece carefully. This lets you present your material in a logical, organized way, making your reader confident that you actually know what you’re talking about. (You do, don’t you?)
Planning your essay might include dividing it into the usual three sections-Introduction, Body, and Conclusion-and simply listing all the points you want to cover in the Body, as I did for this piece. (It wasn’t necessary to break each section down further-though I could have, and you may want to.)
2. Dig Up Some Background
Just how much research your essay requires will depend on the complexity of your topic, your own personal knowledge of it, the type of essay you’re writing, your audience, and the requirements of your market.
This is where you’ll delve into your topic to find all the information and supporting details to bolster your thesis and illustrate your points. Unless you know your topic extremely well, don’t skimp here. The Internet makes research so much easier than it ever was, so there’s no excuse. Your audience will appreciate having your fascinating opinions backed up by a little hard data. Check your facts, because readers always appreciate accuracy, and your credibility is on the line.
3. Create a Scintillating Title
Grab your reader’s attention immediately with an intriguing title that promises a worthwhile read. You have mere seconds to capture your audience’s imagination and pique your potential readers’ interest. Don’t let them stop reading before they find out how great your article is. Entice them with a fascinating but accurate title.
4. Write an Alluring Lead
While writing an intriguing title will lure the curious into sampling your essay, a captivating lead will reel them in, irresistibly drawing even the most reticent reader into your piece by creating a natural desire to learn more about your topic or be entertained by more of your engaging prose. Give the reader a reason to care about what you have to say in the remainder of your piece. Create anticipation by providing a sneak preview of the wit and wisdom to come in the rest of your essay.
5. Observe the Rules of “Engagement”
Engage your reader at every turn. Speak directly to him or her. Make your content relevant-or at the very least, too fascinating to ignore. Weave your words in ways that make your readers really want to read on, even-or especially-if your topic isn’t one they’re drawn to naturally. Use your own unique voice, and to the extent that your subject matter allows, let your sterling personality shine through. Make your topic come alive for your reader, and you’ll have a fan for life.
6. Make a Dramatic Exit
Say something memorable, witty, or profound, emotionally stirring or thought-provoking, humorous or dramatic as you bid your readers farewell. Leave them with a powerful reminder of your literary presence, an impact that will resonate long after they’ve moved on. Give them an impressive standard against which to compare all their future literary encounters.
Aside from the above six points, always remember to take good notes, organize your material logically, express yourself clearly, and cite your sources (if required). I won’t belabor those points, however, because the final piece of advice for a striking essay is this:
7. Know when to end it.
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Jeanne Dininni is an independent writer and blogger, whose work appears in various online and print venues. She authors the Writer’s Notes blog, does freelance and contract writing and editing, and writes business guides at Work.com.
How to Write about Your Childhood — Autobiographical Writing
November 9, 2004 by J.C. Hewitt · 4 Comments
Autobiographical Writing is an excellent way to work on your descriptive skills. When you describe items or memories from your past, you are able to provide details that are often lacking in more purely imaginative exercises. With autobiographical writing you learn how to describe what was rather than what isn’t.
Another great benefit of these writing exercises is that they can bring back long-forgotten thoughts about who you were and what you felt in the past. These questions can take you on a personal journey through your life. This first set of questions deals with childhood and childhood memories. Most people spend very little time thinking about their childhood. Many of these questions can bring back memories that you haven’t considered for years.
When you approach a question, try to make your answer last at least a few paragraphs. Take the time to think about the question and try to make the most of your answer.
- Give a general description of your childhood; what was life like for you?
- What are your very earliest memories?
- Describe any childhood ailments or injuries you had.
- What was family life like as a child? How did you feel you fit into your family?
- Describe your favorite toy. What did it look like? How did it feel?
- Describe your favorite books growing up. What made them special to you?
- Describe your favorite game growing up.
- Describe a specific school memory from your elementary years.
- Write about your best friend as a child and the experiences you had together. What has happened to that friendship since childhood?
- Describe your nemesis growing up. Who made your life miserable and what did they do to make it so rough?
- Describe your favorite foods as a child. What did you eat then that you no longer eat?
- What was the biggest trouble you got into as a child? Describe what you did or didn’t do to deserve what happened to you.
- What was your greatest childhood accomplishment? How did it make you feel? What influence do you think it has had on your life since?
- Describe what you did or where went as a child when you wanted to feel safe.
- Describe your personality as a child. In what ways has it changed as you’ve gotten older? In what ways has it stayed the same?
- Describe what your parents were like when you were a child. What was your relationship like with them? How has your opinion of your parents changed as you’ve grown older?
- What other relatives besides your immediate family do you remember as a child? Describe your most interesting relative.
- Describe something that people would be surprised to know about your childhood.
- Describe some of the cultural influences in your childhood such as music, television, movies, plays, art or writing.
- Describe the home you grew up in. If you lived in several different homes, describe one or discuss the reasons for the frequent moves. Were you moving up or working your way down?
- Describe a family vacation. Where did you go? Why did you go there? What did you do? How did you travel?
Additional autobiographical writing resources:
