Essay Tips: 7 Tips on Writing an Effective Essay

Essay Tips: 7 Tips on Writing an Effective Essay

1. 4. Write the body.

   • The body of your essay argues, explains or describes your topic.
     • Each main idea that you wrote in your diagram outline will become a separate section within the body of your essay.
       • Each body paragraph will have the same basic structure
         • Begin by writing one of your main ideas as the introductory sentence
         • write each of your supporting ideas in sentence format,
         • leave three or four lines in between each point to come back and give detailed examples to back up your position
           • Fill in these spaces with relative information that will help link smaller ideas together.

2. 3. Write your thesis statement.

   • create a thesis statement
     • tells the reader the point of your essay
   • topic
   • point of the essay

3. 6. Write the conclusion.

   • The conclusion brings closure of the topic and sums up your overall ideas while providing a final perspective on your topic.
     • Your conclusion should consist of three to five strong sentences.

4. 2. Prepare an outline or diagram of your ideas.

   • organize your thoughts
     • taking what’s already in your head and putting it to paper
       • Use either an outline or a diagram to jot down your ideas and organize them.
         • To create a diagram
           • write your topic in the middle of your page
           • Draw three to five lines branching off from this topic
             • write down your main ideas at the ends of these lines
           • Draw more lines off these main ideas
             • include any thoughts you may have on these ideas

5. 1. Pick a topic.

   • You may have your topic assigned
     • you should think about the type of paper that you want to produce
   • define your purpose
     • to inform
       • choose a subject that you have already studied.
         • make sure that you are interested in your topic.
     • persuade
       • choose a subject that you are passionate about

6. 7. Add the finishing touches.

   • pay attention to all the small details.
   • Check the order of your paragraphs
   • make sure that your paragraph order makes sense
   • review what you have written

7. 5. Write the introduction.

   • The introduction should attract the reader’s attention and show the focus of your essay.
     • You can use shocking information, dialogue, a story, a quote, or a simple summary of your topic.