Mastering Art of Essay Writing
Have you got an assignment looming? Are you staring at a blank screen, unsure of where to start? Crafting an essay might seem like a daunting task however, there are structures, tips and sentence starters to help! Read on…
An essay has three main parts. An introduction, the body paragraphs and the conclusion. There are many different analogies to understand these parts. Here are two:
The Burger Analogy:
Introduction (Top Bun): Just like a burger needs a top bun to hold everything together, an essay needs an introduction to set the stage for what’s to come.
Body Paragraphs (Fillings): Each body paragraph is like a layer of toppings in a burger. Each one adds flavour and substance to the overall composition of the essay. It’s the best part of most burgers and usually where you start writing.
Conclusion (Bottom Bun): Similar to the bottom bun that provides support to the burger, the conclusion wraps up the essay and reinforces the main points, giving it a solid foundation.
The Building Blocks:
Introduction (Foundation): Think of the introduction as laying the groundwork for your essay. Just like a building needs a strong foundation, your introduction establishes the purpose and direction of your essay.
Body Paragraphs (Bricks): Each body paragraph is like a brick in the structure of your essay. They build upon each other, supporting your argument and forming the structure of your essay.
Conclusion (Roof): The conclusion completes the building by wrapping up your essay, providing closure, and protecting everything underneath it.
Contrary to popular belief – one of the best places to start an essay is with the body. Just like preparing a hamburger – the filling is the best part so start there.
Constructing Body Paragraphs:
1. Start by Creating Draft Bullet Points: Before diving into writing your body paragraphs, it’s helpful to brainstorm and organise your ideas. Start by creating draft bullet points outlining the main arguments or points you want to make in your essay. These bullet points serve as a roadmap for your writing process and help ensure that your essay stays focused and coherent.
2. Group Similar Concepts or Points Together: Once you have your draft bullet points, group similar concepts or points together to form the basis of your body paragraphs. This helps you organise your thoughts and ensures that each paragraph focuses on a single main idea or argument. Grouping related points together also helps create a logical flow between paragraphs.
3. Importance of Providing Analysis and Commentary: One of the most critical aspects of writing effective body paragraphs is providing analysis and commentary to strengthen your arguments. Simply presenting evidence or facts is not enough; you must also analyse and interpret the evidence to demonstrate its significance and relevance to your thesis.
Analysis involves breaking down your evidence and examining it critically. Ask yourself questions like: Why is this evidence important? How does it support my argument? What are the implications of this evidence? By providing thoughtful analysis, you show your readers that you have carefully considered the evidence and understand its implications.
Commentary goes a step further by offering your insights and interpretations of the evidence. It allows you to demonstrate your critical thinking skills and engage with the material on a deeper level. Commentary can include discussing the broader implications of your findings, addressing potential counterarguments, or exploring the limitations of your evidence.
4. Strengthening Your Arguments: By providing thorough analysis and commentary, you strengthen your arguments and make a more persuasive case for your thesis. Analysis and commentary add depth and complexity to your writing, helping you move beyond surface-level observations and insights. They show that you have thought critically about your topic and can engage with it in a meaningful way.
5. Demonstrating Critical Thinking Skills: Furthermore, providing analysis and commentary allows you to demonstrate your critical thinking skills to your readers. Critical thinking involves analysing information, evaluating arguments, and synthesising
evidence to form reasoned judgments. By engaging in thoughtful analysis and commentary, you show that you can think critically about complex issues and draw informed conclusions.
Demonstrating strong critical thinking skills is essential not only for writing essays but also for success in academia and beyond. It shows that you can approach problems thoughtfully, consider multiple perspectives, and arrive at well-reasoned conclusions.
6. Use Transition Words
Transition words and phrases help connect ideas between paragraphs and within sentences. Examples include; however, in addition, therefore… These words enhance the flow of an essay and make it easier to read.
Most essays are expected to have a minimum of 3 body paragraphs and depending on your subject, level and word count, you might be expected to write 5 or more.
Introduction
Next work on your introduction. Think of it as your essay’s first impression. Just like meeting someone for the first time, you want to make it engaging and memorable. Here’s how:
1. Hook Your Reader: Start with something that grabs attention. It could be a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a compelling quote related to your topic. For instance, if you’re writing about climate change, you might begin with a shocking statistic like, “Did you know that the polar ice caps are melting at an alarming rate?” Another sentence starter option is: Have you ever wondered… For example: Have you ever wondered what goes on beneath the surface of our oceans?
2. Provide Context: After hooking your reader, give them a brief overview of the topic. Set the stage by providing background information, explaining why the topic is important, and what the essay aims to explore. This helps your reader understand the
significance of what you’re about to discuss. Here are some ideas for sentence starters:
– In today’s society…
– Given the increasing awareness of…
– With the rise of…
– Amidst growing concerns about…
– In light of recent developments in…
– Given the current state of affairs in…
3. Thesis Statement: This is the heart of your introduction. It’s a single sentence that states the main argument or purpose of your essay. Make it clear and concise. It’s like the roadmap that guides your reader through the essay. For example, “In this essay, I will argue that Shakespeare’s portrayal of women in his plays challenges traditional gender norms.”
The Conclusion
Now wrap your essay up with the conclusion. Think of it as the grand finale of your essay. It’s your chance to leave a lasting impression and tie everything together. Here’s how to nail it:
1. Summarise Your Main Points: Start by briefly summarising the key points you’ve discussed in your essay. These are the bullet points or ideas you drafted at the start. Remind your reader of the main arguments and evidence you presented. For example: “In conclusion, it is evident that deforestation has far-reaching consequences for both the environment and human society.”
Other sentence starters for your conclusion include:
– In conclusion…
– In light of these findings…
– Taking everything into account…
– In consideration of the evidence…
– In light of these arguments…
2. Reinforce Your Thesis: Reiterate your thesis statement, but don’t just repeat it word for word. Paraphrase it and emphasise why it’s essential in the context of your essay. Show how your arguments support your thesis. For example: As demonstrated
throughout this essay, effective communication is essential for building strong interpersonal relationships.
3. Leave a Lasting Impression: End with a bang! Leave your reader with something to think about. You could offer a final thought, a call to action, or pose a rhetorical question that encourages further reflection. For instance, “As we contemplate the future of our planet, it’s clear that individual actions can make a difference. Will you be part of the solution?”
In conclusion, learning to craft an essay takes time and practice. Expect to write several drafts, change the order of your paragraphs and even delete parts to give it the best flow. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts aren’t flawless. So, dive in, experiment with different techniques, and most importantly, have fun with it! Happy writing!
Tags: essay, Karen Boyes, Karen Tui Boyes, Study Skills, Study Smart
Published on Friday, May 17th, 2024, under Study Skills