Even the best writers may sometimes struggle with crafting just the right sentences for essays and can usually expect revisions to add grace and substance to good work.
Although writers may use different methods to draft essays, below are some effective ways to create an illuminating introduction, substantial body and coherent conclusion.
Starting an Essay Introduction
In order to begin the introduction, preparation work includes thinking about the essay in its entirety. Sometimes students have a general idea of what they would like to say about their topic but rush into writing without narrowing their focus. In order to quickly prioritize information, brainstorming works well as a method to sort through ideas that relate to that subject.
While brainstorming, students can randomly consider relevant ideas and write them down as quickly as possible. It is not necessary to flesh out complete thoughts at this point because this process is to help guide the student in deciding the general tone and focus of the material.
Some of the ideas may be later discarded if they do not quite fit into the essay's general direction or if they add too much length but it is still useful to consider their inclusion. This winnowing of ideas will result in a more tightly focused essay.
For example, an essay about Depression-era Louisiana Governor Huey Long's programs on poverty may inspire thoughts of his time as a United States Senator but these may distract from a narrowly defined topic regarding his work as governor, thus making them unnecessary.
Creating Order From Chaos
After brainstorming, writers can use those ideas to make full sentences or sometimes even paragraphs from the list of ideas. At this stage, the sentences may remain choppy or unfinished because this is just the first draft.
Once the ideas have been fleshed out, it is time to put the new sentences in the order that best conveys the writer's message. This is also the time to add segues, or words or phrases that help link paragraphs and sentences together, to help the essay flow.
Examples of segues include referring to ideas from the previous paragraph and briefly noting them in the succeeding paragraph or using phrases such as "for example" or other clauses.
While it may seem counter-intuitive, students may find it easiest to write the body of the essay first and then to highlight the body's points in the introduction and conclusion. This approach can add continuity to the essay and strengthen the opening and closing arguments of the paper.
Conclusions Confirm AssertionsAfter the essay's introduction and body are completed, it is time to draft the conclusion.
Just as in forming the introduction, the writer will want to review the body of the essay and the introduction to refer back to the central points in the conclusion. This last paragraph or group of paragraphs should remind the reader of the author's argument while wasting few words.
Writers should remember to use substantive ideas while avoiding passive voice to create the strongest, and therefore, most persuasive sentences possible. For inspiration, students can find online book review sites which showcase evocative yet professional writing and may give students ideas on strengthening their own work.
Professional and Non-Professional Proofreaders
When time allows, writers benefit from critical suggestions by other readers. They may ask family members or friends to read the work or, in some cases, ask professionals to do so.
Some websites have online professional writing tutors at all times, which works well for students with erratic schedules.
If the student has limited time before the essay is due, the writer should leave the essay for a while and then return to it at a later time.
Organization Saves Time in Writing Essays
These tips can help writers organize their thoughts and transform their arguments into persuasive essays. Of course, essays will always benefit from additional revision no matter which writing method is used.