Basic Essay Writing. The Topic is up to You: If you have not been assigned a topic, then the whole...

Basic Essay WritingBasic Essay Writing

Basic Essay Writing Basic Essay Writing

The Topic is up to You:The Topic is up to You: If you have not been assigned a topic, If you have not been assigned a topic,

then the whole world lies before you. then the whole world lies before you. Sometimes that seems to make the task Sometimes that seems to make the task of starting even more intimidating. of starting even more intimidating. Actually, this means that you are free to Actually, this means that you are free to choose a topic of interest to you, which choose a topic of interest to you, which will often make your essay a stronger will often make your essay a stronger one.one.


Define Your Purpose:Define Your Purpose: The first thing you must do is think about the The first thing you must do is think about the

purpose of the essay you must write. Is your purpose of the essay you must write. Is your purpose to persuade people to believe as you purpose to persuade people to believe as you do, to explain to people how to complete a do, to explain to people how to complete a particular task, to educate people about some particular task, to educate people about some person, place, thing or idea, or something else person, place, thing or idea, or something else entirely? Whatever topic you choose must fit entirely? Whatever topic you choose must fit that purpose.that purpose.


Brainstorm Subjects of Interest:Brainstorm Subjects of Interest: Once you have determined the purpose of your essay, Once you have determined the purpose of your essay,

write down some subjects that interest you. No matter write down some subjects that interest you. No matter what the purpose of your essay is, an endless number what the purpose of your essay is, an endless number of topics will be suitable.of topics will be suitable.

If you have trouble thinking of subjects, start by looking If you have trouble thinking of subjects, start by looking around you. Is there anything in your surroundings that around you. Is there anything in your surroundings that interests you? Think about your life. What occupies interests you? Think about your life. What occupies most of your time? That might make for a good topic. most of your time? That might make for a good topic. Don't evaluate the subjects yet; just write down Don't evaluate the subjects yet; just write down anything that springs to mind.anything that springs to mind.


Evaluate Each Potential Topic:Evaluate Each Potential Topic: If you can think of at least a few topics that would be If you can think of at least a few topics that would be

appropriate, you must simply consider each one appropriate, you must simply consider each one individually. Think about how you feel about that topic. individually. Think about how you feel about that topic. If you must educate, be sure it is a subject about which If you must educate, be sure it is a subject about which you are particularly well-informed. If you must you are particularly well-informed. If you must persuade, be sure it is a subject about which you are at persuade, be sure it is a subject about which you are at least moderately passionate. Of course, the most least moderately passionate. Of course, the most important factor in choosing a topic is the number of important factor in choosing a topic is the number of ideas you have about that topic.ideas you have about that topic.


Before you are ready to move on in the essay-Before you are ready to move on in the essay-writing process, look one more time at the topic writing process, look one more time at the topic you have selected. Think about the type of you have selected. Think about the type of paper you are expected to produce. Should it paper you are expected to produce. Should it be a general overview, or a specific analysis of be a general overview, or a specific analysis of the topic? If it should be an overview, then you the topic? If it should be an overview, then you are probably ready to move to the next step. If are probably ready to move to the next step. If it should be a specific analysis, make sure your it should be a specific analysis, make sure your topic is fairly specific. If it is too general, you topic is fairly specific. If it is too general, you must choose a narrower subtopic to discuss.must choose a narrower subtopic to discuss.


For example, the topic "KENYA" is a For example, the topic "KENYA" is a general one. If your objective is to write general one. If your objective is to write an overview, this topic is suitable. If your an overview, this topic is suitable. If your objective is to write a specific analysis, objective is to write a specific analysis, this topic is too general. You must narrow this topic is too general. You must narrow it to something like "Politics in Kenya" or it to something like "Politics in Kenya" or "Kenya's Culture.""Kenya's Culture."


Organize Your Ideas:Organize Your Ideas: The purpose of an outline or diagram is to put The purpose of an outline or diagram is to put

your ideas about the topic on paper, in a your ideas about the topic on paper, in a moderately organized format. The structure moderately organized format. The structure you create here may still change before the you create here may still change before the essay is complete, so don't agonize over this.essay is complete, so don't agonize over this.

Decide whether you prefer the cut-and-dried Decide whether you prefer the cut-and-dried structure of an outline or a more flowing structure of an outline or a more flowing structure. If you start one or the other and structure. If you start one or the other and decide it isn't working for you, you can always decide it isn't working for you, you can always switch later.switch later.


Diagram:Diagram: Begin your diagram with a circle or a horizontal Begin your diagram with a circle or a horizontal

line or whatever shape you prefer in the middle line or whatever shape you prefer in the middle of the page. of the page.

Inside the shape or on the line, write your topic. Inside the shape or on the line, write your topic. From your center shape or line, draw three or From your center shape or line, draw three or

four lines out into the page. Be sure to spread four lines out into the page. Be sure to spread them out. them out.

At the end of each of these lines, draw another At the end of each of these lines, draw another circle or horizontal line or whatever you drew in circle or horizontal line or whatever you drew in the center of the page. the center of the page.


In each shape or on each line, write the main ideas that In each shape or on each line, write the main ideas that you have about your topic, or the main points that you you have about your topic, or the main points that you want to make. want to make.

If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your best arguments. best arguments.

If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write the steps that should be followed. the steps that should be followed. You will probably need to group these into categories. You will probably need to group these into categories. If you have trouble grouping the steps into categories, If you have trouble grouping the steps into categories, try using Beginning, Middle, and End. try using Beginning, Middle, and End.

If you are trying to inform, you want to write the major If you are trying to inform, you want to write the major categories into which your information can be divided. categories into which your information can be divided.


From each of your main ideas, draw three or From each of your main ideas, draw three or four lines out into the page. four lines out into the page.

At the end of each of these lines, draw At the end of each of these lines, draw another circle or horizontal line or whatever another circle or horizontal line or whatever you drew in the center of the page. you drew in the center of the page.

In each shape or on each line, write the facts In each shape or on each line, write the facts or information that support that main idea. or information that support that main idea.

When you have finished, you have the basic When you have finished, you have the basic structure for your essay and are ready to structure for your essay and are ready to continue.continue.


OutlineOutline Begin your outline by writing your topic at the Begin your outline by writing your topic at the

top of the page. top of the page. Next, write the Roman numerals I, II, and III, Next, write the Roman numerals I, II, and III,

spread apart down the left side of the page. spread apart down the left side of the page. Next to each Roman numeral, write the main Next to each Roman numeral, write the main

ideas that you have about your topic, or the ideas that you have about your topic, or the main points that you want to make. main points that you want to make.


If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your best arguments. best arguments.

If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write the steps that should be followed. the steps that should be followed. You will probably need to group these into categories. You will probably need to group these into categories. If you have trouble grouping the steps into categories, If you have trouble grouping the steps into categories, try using Beginning, Middle, and End. try using Beginning, Middle, and End.

If you are trying to inform, you want to write the major If you are trying to inform, you want to write the major categories into which your information can be divided. categories into which your information can be divided.


Under each Roman numeral, write A, B, Under each Roman numeral, write A, B, and C down the left side of the page. and C down the left side of the page.

Next to each letter, write the facts or Next to each letter, write the facts or information that support that main idea. information that support that main idea.

When you have finished, you have the When you have finished, you have the basic structure for your essay and are basic structure for your essay and are ready to continue. ready to continue.


Compose a Thesis Statement:Compose a Thesis Statement: Now that you have decided, at least tentatively, Now that you have decided, at least tentatively,

what information you plan to present in your essay, what information you plan to present in your essay, you are ready to write your thesis statement.you are ready to write your thesis statement.

The thesis statement tells the reader what the The thesis statement tells the reader what the essay will be about, and what point you, the author, essay will be about, and what point you, the author, will be making. You know what the essay will be will be making. You know what the essay will be about. That was your topic. Now you must look at about. That was your topic. Now you must look at your outline or diagram and decide what point you your outline or diagram and decide what point you will be making. What do the main ideas and will be making. What do the main ideas and supporting ideas that you listed say about your supporting ideas that you listed say about your topic?topic?


Your thesis statement will have two parts.Your thesis statement will have two parts. The first part states the topic. The first part states the topic.

Kenya's Culture Kenya's Culture Building a Model Train Set Building a Model Train Set Public Transportation Public Transportation

The second part states the point of the essay. The second part states the point of the essay. has a rich and varied history has a rich and varied history takes time and patience takes time and patience can solve some of our city's most persistent and pressing can solve some of our city's most persistent and pressing

problems problems Once you have formulated a thesis statement that fits Once you have formulated a thesis statement that fits

this pattern and with which you are comfortable, you this pattern and with which you are comfortable, you are ready to continue.are ready to continue.


Write the Body ParagraphsWrite the Body Paragraphs In the body of the essay, all the preparation In the body of the essay, all the preparation

up to this point comes to fruition. The topic up to this point comes to fruition. The topic you have chosen must now be explained, you have chosen must now be explained, described, or argued.described, or argued.

Each main idea that you wrote down in your Each main idea that you wrote down in your diagram or outline will become one of the diagram or outline will become one of the body paragraphs. If you had three or four body paragraphs. If you had three or four main ideas, you will have three or four body main ideas, you will have three or four body paragraphs. paragraphs.


Each body paragraph will have the same Each body paragraph will have the same basic structure:basic structure: Start by writing down one of your main ideas, in Start by writing down one of your main ideas, in

sentence form.sentence form.If your main idea is "reduces freeway congestion," If your main idea is "reduces freeway congestion," you might say this:you might say this:Public transportation reduces freeway congestion. Public transportation reduces freeway congestion.

Next, write down each of your supporting points Next, write down each of your supporting points for that main idea, but leave four or five lines in for that main idea, but leave four or five lines in between each point. between each point.

In the space under each point, write down some In the space under each point, write down some elaboration for that point.elaboration for that point.


ElaborationElaboration can be further description or explanation or can be further description or explanation or discussion.discussion.

Supporting Point Supporting Point Commuters appreciate the cost savings of taking public transportation Commuters appreciate the cost savings of taking public transportation

rather than driving. rather than driving. Elaboration Elaboration

Less driving time means less maintenance expense, such as oil Less driving time means less maintenance expense, such as oil changes. changes.

Of course, less driving time means savings on gasoline as well. Of course, less driving time means savings on gasoline as well. In many cases, these savings amount to more than the cost of riding In many cases, these savings amount to more than the cost of riding

public transportation. public transportation. If you wish, include a summary sentence for each paragraph.If you wish, include a summary sentence for each paragraph.

This is not generally needed, however, and such sentences have This is not generally needed, however, and such sentences have a tendency to sound stilted, so be cautious about using them. a tendency to sound stilted, so be cautious about using them.


Write the Introduction and Conclusion:Write the Introduction and Conclusion: Your essay lacks only two paragraphs Your essay lacks only two paragraphs

now: the introduction and the conclusion. now: the introduction and the conclusion. These paragraphs will give the reader a These paragraphs will give the reader a point of entry to and a point of exit from point of entry to and a point of exit from your essay.your essay.


Introduction:Introduction: The introduction should be designed to attract the The introduction should be designed to attract the

reader's attention and give her an idea of the essay's reader's attention and give her an idea of the essay's focus.focus.

Begin with an attention grabber. The attention Begin with an attention grabber. The attention grabber you use is up to you, but here are some grabber you use is up to you, but here are some ideas: ideas:

Startling informationStartling informationThis information must be true and verifiable, and it doesn't This information must be true and verifiable, and it doesn't need to be totally new to your readers. It could simply be a need to be totally new to your readers. It could simply be a pertinent fact that explicitly illustrates the point you wish to pertinent fact that explicitly illustrates the point you wish to make.make.If you use a piece of startling information, follow it with a If you use a piece of startling information, follow it with a sentence or two of sentence or two of elaborationelaboration..


AnecdoteAnecdoteAn An anecdoteanecdote is a story that illustrates a point. is a story that illustrates a point.Be sure your anecdote is short, to the point, and Be sure your anecdote is short, to the point, and relevant to your topic. This can be a very effective relevant to your topic. This can be a very effective opener for your essay, but use it carefully. opener for your essay, but use it carefully.

DialogueDialogueAn appropriate dialogue does not have to identify the An appropriate dialogue does not have to identify the speakers, but the reader must understand the point speakers, but the reader must understand the point you are trying to convey. Use only two or three you are trying to convey. Use only two or three exchanges between speakers to make your point.exchanges between speakers to make your point.Follow dialogue with a sentence or two of Follow dialogue with a sentence or two of elaborationelaboration. .


Summary InformationSummary InformationA few sentences explaining your topic in A few sentences explaining your topic in general terms can lead the reader gently general terms can lead the reader gently to your thesis. Each sentence should to your thesis. Each sentence should become gradually more specific, until you become gradually more specific, until you reach your thesis. reach your thesis.


If the attention grabber was only a If the attention grabber was only a sentence or two, add one or two more sentence or two, add one or two more sentences that will lead the reader from sentences that will lead the reader from your opening to your thesis statement. your opening to your thesis statement.

Finish the paragraph with your thesis Finish the paragraph with your thesis statement. statement.


Conclusion:Conclusion: The conclusion brings closure to the reader, The conclusion brings closure to the reader,

summing up your points or providing a final summing up your points or providing a final perspective on your topic.perspective on your topic.

All the conclusion needs is three or four strong All the conclusion needs is three or four strong sentences which do not need to follow any set sentences which do not need to follow any set formula. Simply review the main points (being formula. Simply review the main points (being careful not to restate them exactly) or briefly careful not to restate them exactly) or briefly describe your feelings about the topic. Even an describe your feelings about the topic. Even an

anecdoteanecdote can end your essay in a useful way can end your essay in a useful way..


Add the Finishing Touches:Add the Finishing Touches:You have now completed all of the paragraphs of your essay. Before You have now completed all of the paragraphs of your essay. Before

you can consider this a finished product, however, you must give you can consider this a finished product, however, you must give some thought to the formatting of your paper.some thought to the formatting of your paper.


Check the order of your paragraphs:Check the order of your paragraphs:

Look at your paragraphs. Which one is the Look at your paragraphs. Which one is the strongest? You might want to start with the strongest? You might want to start with the strongest paragraph, end with the second strongest paragraph, end with the second strongest, and put the weakest in the middle. strongest, and put the weakest in the middle. Whatever order you decide on, be sure it Whatever order you decide on, be sure it makes sense. If your paper is describing a makes sense. If your paper is describing a process, you will probably need to stick to the process, you will probably need to stick to the order in which the steps must be completed.order in which the steps must be completed.


Check the instructions for the assignment:Check the instructions for the assignment: When you prepare a final draft, you must be sure When you prepare a final draft, you must be sure

to follow all of the instructions you have been to follow all of the instructions you have been given.given.

Are your margins correct? Are your margins correct? Have you titled it as directed? Have you titled it as directed? What other information (name, date, etc.) must What other information (name, date, etc.) must

you include? you include? Did you double-space your lines? Did you double-space your lines?


Check your writing:Check your writing: Nothing can substitute for revision of your Nothing can substitute for revision of your

work. By reviewing what you have done, work. By reviewing what you have done, you can improve weak points that otherwise you can improve weak points that otherwise would be missed. Read and reread your would be missed. Read and reread your paper. paper.

Does it make logical sense?Does it make logical sense?Leave it for a few hours and then read it Leave it for a few hours and then read it again. Does it still make logical sense?again. Does it still make logical sense?


Do the sentences flow smoothly from one another?Do the sentences flow smoothly from one another?If not, try to add some words and phrases to help If not, try to add some words and phrases to help connect them. Transition words, such as "therefore" or connect them. Transition words, such as "therefore" or "however," sometimes help. Also, you might refer in "however," sometimes help. Also, you might refer in one sentence to a thought in the previous sentence. one sentence to a thought in the previous sentence. This is especially useful when you move from one This is especially useful when you move from one paragraph to another. paragraph to another.

Have you run a spell checker or a grammar checker?Have you run a spell checker or a grammar checker?These aids cannot catch every error, but they might These aids cannot catch every error, but they might catch errors that you have missed. catch errors that you have missed.

Using QuotationsUsing Quotations

A good quotation should do one or more of A good quotation should do one or more of the following: the following:

make an opening impact on the reader make an opening impact on the reader build credibility for your essay build credibility for your essay add humor add humor make the essay more interesting make the essay more interesting close the essay with a point to ponder upon.close the essay with a point to ponder upon.


Your Essay is Your Essay is YourYour Mouthpiece MouthpieceShould the quotation speak for the essay or should the Should the quotation speak for the essay or should the essay speak for the quotation? essay speak for the quotation?

Quotations should add impact to the essay and not Quotations should add impact to the essay and not steal the show. If your quotation has more punch than steal the show. If your quotation has more punch than your essay does, then something is seriously wrong. your essay does, then something is seriously wrong. Your essay should be able to stand on its own legs; the Your essay should be able to stand on its own legs; the quotation should merely make this quotation should merely make this standstand stronger. stronger.

The quotation should be easily understood and should The quotation should be easily understood and should relate directly to what you are trying to state.relate directly to what you are trying to state.

Sometimes, you describe the quotation in your Sometimes, you describe the quotation in your own words before using it. In this case, you own words before using it. In this case, you should use a colon (:) to indicate the beginning should use a colon (:) to indicate the beginning of the quotation. Then begin the quotation with of the quotation. Then begin the quotation with a quotation mark ("). After you have completed a quotation mark ("). After you have completed the quotation, close it with a quotation mark (").the quotation, close it with a quotation mark (").


Here is an example od how to use a quotation within a sentence of your Here is an example od how to use a quotation within a sentence of your essay:essay:

Sir Winston Churchill made a witty remark on the attitude of a pessimistSir Winston Churchill made a witty remark on the attitude of a pessimist:: ""A A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficultyopportunity in every difficulty."." (The New York Times Co., 2006) If only (The New York Times Co., 2006) If only more people could view the world as Churchhill did then we would not more people could view the world as Churchhill did then we would not have as many global issues.have as many global issues.

Using QuotationsUsing Quotations Here is an example of how to use a block quotation. Remember, a Here is an example of how to use a block quotation. Remember, a

block quotation is used when you are quoting more than four (4) lines block quotation is used when you are quoting more than four (4) lines of any text. You do not need quotation marks when using a block of any text. You do not need quotation marks when using a block quotation. You do, however, need to reference your source at the quotation. You do, however, need to reference your source at the end. For example:end. For example:

Within our global society we see many diverse cultures mixing together to form Within our global society we see many diverse cultures mixing together to form communities. It is believed that Canada is a multicultural nation:communities. It is believed that Canada is a multicultural nation: Looked at broadly, the term is often used to describe societies (especially Looked at broadly, the term is often used to describe societies (especially

nations) which have many distinct cultural groups, usually as a result of nations) which have many distinct cultural groups, usually as a result of immigration. This can lead to anxiety about the stability of national identity, yet immigration. This can lead to anxiety about the stability of national identity, yet can also lead to cultural exchanges that benefit the cultural groups. Such can also lead to cultural exchanges that benefit the cultural groups. Such exchanges range from major accomplishments in literature, art and philosophy to exchanges range from major accomplishments in literature, art and philosophy to relatively token appreciation of variations in music, dress and new foods. relatively token appreciation of variations in music, dress and new foods. (Wikipedia, 2006)(Wikipedia, 2006)

It is the opinion of most that this factor strengthens Canada as a global nation and It is the opinion of most that this factor strengthens Canada as a global nation and should be celebrated rather than questioned.should be celebrated rather than questioned.

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