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How to Write an Essay — A Comprehensive Guide

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Writing an essay can be a daunting task, especially if you are new to academic writing. However, with the right approach and a clear understanding of the essay structure, you can tackle this challenge seamlessly. In this article, we will guide you through the process of essay writing in a detailed manner. By following these guidelines, you will be able to gather your materials, develop a strong argument, and craft a well-structured essay that will leave your readers hooked.

Getting Started — Gather Your Materials and Research

Before you start writing your essay, it is important to gather all the necessary materials and conduct thorough research on your topic. This includes finding relevant books, articles, and online sources that will provide you with the information needed to support your argument. The more well-informed you are on the subject, the stronger your essay will be.

When gathering your materials, it is essential to consider the credibility and reliability of your sources. Look for reputable publications, academic journals, bibliography databases , and expert opinions to ensure that the information you include in your essay is accurate and trustworthy. Remember, the quality of your research will greatly influence the overall quality of your essay.

Additionally, conducting thorough research will not only provide you with the necessary information but also help you gain a deeper understanding of your topic. As you delve into different sources, you may come across various perspectives and arguments that will enrich your own analysis. This exploration will allow you to develop a well-rounded and comprehensive essay that considers different viewpoints.

While conducting your research, it is crucial to take organized and detailed notes. Jot down key points, quotes, and any thoughts or ideas that come to mind. This will not only help you remember important information but also assist you in organizing your thoughts and structuring your essay effectively. By keeping track of your sources, you will also avoid any issues with plagiarism and ensure that you can properly cite your references.

Furthermore, the research process provides an opportunity for you to engage critically with the topic. As you read and analyze different sources, you may encounter conflicting information or gaps in the existing literature. This presents a chance for you to contribute to the academic discourse by addressing these discrepancies or proposing new insights. Your essay can become a platform for advancing knowledge and sparking further discussions.

Lastly, remember that research is an ongoing process. Even after you have gathered your initial materials, it is important to remain open to new information and perspectives. Embrace this continuous learning and be willing to revise and refine your arguments as you progress.

Create an Outline

Once you have gathered your research materials, it is time to create an outline for your essay. An outline will serve as a roadmap for your writing, helping you organize your thoughts and ensure that your essay flows logically.  Start by identifying the main points you want to cover in your essay. Then, arrange these points in a logical order, considering the overall structure of your essay.

When creating an outline, it is important to consider the overall structure of your essay. Think about how you want to introduce your topic and engage your readers. Consider what information is essential to include in each section of your essay and how you want to transition between different ideas.

Understand the Essay Structure

Before diving into the essay writing process, it is important to understand the basic structure of an essay. Most essays follow a standard format, consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction should grab the reader's attention and provide a clear thesis statement that reflects your main argument. The body paragraphs should expand on your argument, providing evidence and examples to support your claims. Finally, the conclusion should summarize your essay and restate your main points.

Write the Introduction

The introduction is the first impression your essay makes on the reader, so it is essential to make it engaging and captivating. Start with a hook that grabs the reader's attention and introduces the topic. Then, provide some background information and context to set the stage for your argument. Finally, end your introduction with a clear and concise thesis statement that reflects the main point you will be discussing throughout your essay.

Develop Your Argument

Once you have established your thesis statement, it is time to develop your argument in the body paragraphs of your essay. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point that supports your thesis. Commence with each paragraph by presenting a topic sentence that serves to introduce the main idea to the reader. Subsequently, provide evidence and illustrations to support your argument. Be sure to use clear and concise language and vary your sentence structure to keep the reader engaged.

Use Evidence to Support Your Argument

To strengthen your argument and validate your claims, it is crucial to use evidence and examples throughout your essay. This can include research findings, statistics, quotes from authoritative sources, or real-life examples. Make sure to cite your sources properly and provide enough context for the reader to understand the significance of the evidence you are presenting.

Write the Body Paragraphs

With your argument and evidence in place, it is time to write the body paragraphs of your essay. Each body paragraph should focus on a separate point that contributes to your overall argument. Start with a topic that introduces the main concept of the paragraph. Then, provide supporting details and evidence to expand on your point. Use transition words and phrases to ensure a smooth flow between the paragraphs.

Craft the Conclusion

The conclusion is the final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your reader. In this section, you should summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement. Do not introduce new information or arguments in the conclusion section. Instead, focus on wrapping up your essay and leaving the reader with a thought-provoking closing statement. Make sure to leave a lasting impact and reinforce the significance of your argument.

Edit and Proofread

Once you have finished writing your essay, it is crucial to edit and proofread it thoroughly. Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward phrasing. Ensure that your sentences flow smoothly and that your ideas are clearly expressed. Trim any unnecessary information and make sure that your essay is concise and focused. Consider seeking feedback from your peer or teacher to get a fresh perspective on your work.

Final Touches and Submission

Before submitting your essay, take some time to add the final touches. This includes formatting your essay according to the guidelines provided by your instructor or educational institution. Make sure that your essay is properly formatted, with consistent font, spacing, and citation style . Double-check that all your sources are properly cited, both within the text and in the bibliography or reference list. Finally, read your essay once more to ensure that it is polished and ready for submission.

Wrapping up

By following these guidelines, you can approach essay writing with confidence. Remember to gather your materials and conduct thorough research, create a well-structured outline, and develop a strong argument supported by evidence. Craft an engaging introduction, write clear and concise body paragraphs, and wrap up your essay with a thought-provoking conclusion. Finally, edit and proofread your essay, ensuring that it is well-written and free of errors. By following these steps, you can write an essay that will ingrain your readers and showcase your skills as an academic writer.

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Essay Writing: A complete guide for students and teachers

P LANNING, PARAGRAPHING AND POLISHING: FINE-TUNING THE PERFECT ESSAY

Essay writing is an essential skill for every student. Whether writing a particular academic essay (such as persuasive, narrative, descriptive, or expository) or a timed exam essay, the key to getting good at writing is to write. Creating opportunities for our students to engage in extended writing activities will go a long way to helping them improve their skills as scribes.

But, putting the hours in alone will not be enough to attain the highest levels in essay writing. Practice must be meaningful. Once students have a broad overview of how to structure the various types of essays, they are ready to narrow in on the minor details that will enable them to fine-tune their work as a lean vehicle of their thoughts and ideas.

In this article, we will drill down to some aspects that will assist students in taking their essay writing skills up a notch. Many ideas and activities can be integrated into broader lesson plans based on essay writing. Often, though, they will work effectively in isolation – just as athletes isolate physical movements to drill that are relevant to their sport. When these movements become second nature, they can be repeated naturally in the context of the game or in our case, the writing of the essay.

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Planning an essay

The Boys Scouts’ motto is famously ‘Be Prepared’. It’s a solid motto that can be applied to most aspects of life; essay writing is no different. Given the purpose of an essay is generally to present a logical and reasoned argument, investing time in organising arguments, ideas, and structure would seem to be time well spent.

Given that essays can take a wide range of forms and that we all have our own individual approaches to writing, it stands to reason that there will be no single best approach to the planning stage of essay writing. That said, there are several helpful hints and techniques we can share with our students to help them wrestle their ideas into a writable form. Let’s take a look at a few of the best of these:

BREAK THE QUESTION DOWN: UNDERSTAND YOUR ESSAY TOPIC.

Whether students are tackling an assignment that you have set for them in class or responding to an essay prompt in an exam situation, they should get into the habit of analyzing the nature of the task. To do this, they should unravel the question’s meaning or prompt. Students can practice this in class by responding to various essay titles, questions, and prompts, thereby gaining valuable experience breaking these down.

Have students work in groups to underline and dissect the keywords and phrases and discuss what exactly is being asked of them in the task. Are they being asked to discuss, describe, persuade, or explain? Understanding the exact nature of the task is crucial before going any further in the planning process, never mind the writing process .

BRAINSTORM AND MIND MAP WHAT YOU KNOW:

Once students have understood what the essay task asks them, they should consider what they know about the topic and, often, how they feel about it. When teaching essay writing, we so often emphasize that it is about expressing our opinions on things, but for our younger students what they think about something isn’t always obvious, even to themselves.

Brainstorming and mind-mapping what they know about a topic offers them an opportunity to uncover not just what they already know about a topic, but also gives them a chance to reveal to themselves what they think about the topic. This will help guide them in structuring their research and, later, the essay they will write . When writing an essay in an exam context, this may be the only ‘research’ the student can undertake before the writing, so practicing this will be even more important.

RESEARCH YOUR ESSAY

The previous step above should reveal to students the general direction their research will take. With the ubiquitousness of the internet, gone are the days of students relying on a single well-thumbed encyclopaedia from the school library as their sole authoritative source in their essay. If anything, the real problem for our students today is narrowing down their sources to a manageable number. Students should use the information from the previous step to help here. At this stage, it is important that they:

●      Ensure the research material is directly relevant to the essay task

●      Record in detail the sources of the information that they will use in their essay

●      Engage with the material personally by asking questions and challenging their own biases

●      Identify the key points that will be made in their essay

●      Group ideas, counterarguments, and opinions together

●      Identify the overarching argument they will make in their own essay.

Once these stages have been completed the student is ready to organise their points into a logical order.

WRITING YOUR ESSAY

There are a number of ways for students to organize their points in preparation for writing. They can use graphic organizers , post-it notes, or any number of available writing apps. The important thing for them to consider here is that their points should follow a logical progression. This progression of their argument will be expressed in the form of body paragraphs that will inform the structure of their finished essay.

The number of paragraphs contained in an essay will depend on a number of factors such as word limits, time limits, the complexity of the question etc. Regardless of the essay’s length, students should ensure their essay follows the Rule of Three in that every essay they write contains an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Generally speaking, essay paragraphs will focus on one main idea that is usually expressed in a topic sentence that is followed by a series of supporting sentences that bolster that main idea. The first and final sentences are of the most significance here with the first sentence of a paragraph making the point to the reader and the final sentence of the paragraph making the overall relevance to the essay’s argument crystal clear. 

Though students will most likely be familiar with the broad generic structure of essays, it is worth investing time to ensure they have a clear conception of how each part of the essay works, that is, of the exact nature of the task it performs. Let’s review:

Common Essay Structure

Introduction: Provides the reader with context for the essay. It states the broad argument that the essay will make and informs the reader of the writer’s general perspective and approach to the question.

Body Paragraphs: These are the ‘meat’ of the essay and lay out the argument stated in the introduction point by point with supporting evidence.

Conclusion: Usually, the conclusion will restate the central argument while summarising the essay’s main supporting reasons before linking everything back to the original question.

ESSAY WRITING PARAGRAPH WRITING TIPS

●      Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea

●      Paragraphs should follow a logical sequence; students should group similar ideas together to avoid incoherence

●      Paragraphs should be denoted consistently; students should choose either to indent or skip a line

●      Transition words and phrases such as alternatively , consequently , in contrast should be used to give flow and provide a bridge between paragraphs.

HOW TO EDIT AN ESSAY

Students shouldn’t expect their essays to emerge from the writing process perfectly formed. Except in exam situations and the like, thorough editing is an essential aspect in the writing process. 

Often, students struggle with this aspect of the process the most. After spending hours of effort on planning, research, and writing the first draft, students can be reluctant to go back over the same terrain they have so recently travelled. It is important at this point to give them some helpful guidelines to help them to know what to look out for. The following tips will provide just such help: 

One Piece at a Time: There is a lot to look out for in the editing process and often students overlook aspects as they try to juggle too many balls during the process. One effective strategy to combat this is for students to perform a number of rounds of editing with each focusing on a different aspect. For example, the first round could focus on content, the second round on looking out for word repetition (use a thesaurus to help here), with the third attending to spelling and grammar.

Sum It Up: When reviewing the paragraphs they have written, a good starting point is for students to read each paragraph and attempt to sum up its main point in a single line. If this is not possible, their readers will most likely have difficulty following their train of thought too and the paragraph needs to be overhauled.

Let It Breathe: When possible, encourage students to allow some time for their essay to ‘breathe’ before returning to it for editing purposes. This may require some skilful time management on the part of the student, for example, a student rush-writing the night before the deadline does not lend itself to effective editing. Fresh eyes are one of the sharpest tools in the writer’s toolbox.

Read It Aloud: This time-tested editing method is a great way for students to identify mistakes and typos in their work. We tend to read things more slowly when reading aloud giving us the time to spot errors. Also, when we read silently our minds can often fill in the gaps or gloss over the mistakes that will become apparent when we read out loud.

Phone a Friend: Peer editing is another great way to identify errors that our brains may miss when reading our own work. Encourage students to partner up for a little ‘you scratch my back, I scratch yours’.

Use Tech Tools: We need to ensure our students have the mental tools to edit their own work and for this they will need a good grasp of English grammar and punctuation. However, there are also a wealth of tech tools such as spellcheck and grammar checks that can offer a great once-over option to catch anything students may have missed in earlier editing rounds.

Putting the Jewels on Display: While some struggle to edit, others struggle to let go. There comes a point when it is time for students to release their work to the reader. They must learn to relinquish control after the creation is complete. This will be much easier to achieve if the student feels that they have done everything in their control to ensure their essay is representative of the best of their abilities and if they have followed the advice here, they should be confident they have done so.

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How to write a good essay: A Comprehensive step-by-step Guide

Essay writing has become an important activity in all academic work today. Scholars can’t run away from the fact that good essays will impact their academic results. It is, therefore imperative that any student needs to be guided on how to write a good essay. And with a detailed step-by-step tutorial, any student will score an A in the essays he or she writes using this comprehensive guide.

This is a complete guide on how to write a good essay that scores an A on any topic. Learn 9 steps to essay writing and get free examples & outlines. Writing essays has never been an easy thing to do therefore you will appreciate learning how to write essays and perfect your writing skills. We offer essay help services but if you are writing it yourself, here is a comprehensive guide.

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How to Write an Essay that Scores an A+

To write a good essay, you have to have a good topic for, research it well, create a thesis, detailing a good outline, starting with an introduction and following up with good body paragraphs to draft an essay. After that, conclude the essay and cite your sources as you polish it to a final draft. Here are the steps in brief

• Choose a good topic for your essay
• Do thorough research for the topic
• Formulate a strong thesis you will present
• Make a detailed outline for your essay
• Write an interesting introduction for your essay
• Write strong body paragraphs for a draft essay
• Make a summative conclusion
• Cite your sources and make a reference page
• Revise your rough draft to polish it to the final copy

Of those 9 steps. having a strong thesis is the most important. We asked our professional essay writers about the importance of a thesis statement and they confirmed it as the main thing in an essay. Let us now take a detailed and comprehensive look at each of these steps and how to complete them successfully.

1. Choose a Good Topic for your Essay

Instructors can give essay topics to their students or suggest that the students write essays on topics of their own. None of these situations is simple. Students have to choose from a vast of ideas when topics are theirs to choose and their ideas are locked and limited when instructors give specific topics to them.

How to choose a good topic for your essay

When students are choosing topics of their own, the following are required in order to select a good topic:

• Understand the parameters of the assignment given

This involves knowing what your instructor really wants. The structure of the assignment should guide you on choosing an interesting topic that fits the assignment well. If you don’t understand the parameters you can ask for help from people or the instructor to make sure you don’t write a topic that is not relating what is required.

• Brainstorm your topics of interest that fits the structure of the assignment

Most probably, instructors give a broad topic area that you are expected to chose one topic from. Access the different topics and settle with one topic that you are comfortable with.

Lookup for general information by searching on all available sources. Do not limit yourself when searching for information. The main sources of information are books, journals, and the internet. Gather all topics of study relating to the information and choose a suitable topic of your interest.

• Focus on one topic

Manage your topic well. Too narrow and too broad topics are difficult to research. Broad topics may lead to increased business and too narrow topics may lead to scarcity of information sources.

• Make a list of useful keywords.

Identify the words that are mainly used in your topic of study. Look for them in your information sources and write them down.

• Be Flexible with your topic

This means broadening your information when you have less and narrowing your information when you have excess. Flexibility is mostly determined by the length of the essay.

• Research more about your topic and formulate a title.

Find more information about the topic using keywords identified and come up with a suitable title for your essay.

2. Research the Essay topic Thoroughly

To research is to systematically investigate various topics of study in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Researching is a comprehensive process that requires the following steps for it to be successful:

• Going through the instructions given.

Make sure you are in line with the requirements the instructor has given in the instructions.

These instructions determine the freedom you will have concerning various topics when writing the essay.

When instructions are not clear liaise with the instructor to come up with a solution on the way forward.

• Brainstorm on topics of interest

When an instructor has given a wide and broad topic area, choose your best topic of interest from that category.

• Gather information about the topic

Use sources such as the internet, books, journals, and people to find information on the selected topic of interest. Collect as much relatable information to the topic selected as possible.

Determine the question that you are answering with your research

What issues of concern are under your topic? These issues raise questions that you will use your research to get answers. Identify the question.

• Find Information about your specific question and refine it

Gather information about the specific question and the number of results you get and the quality of the sources you obtained the information. After that, you need to refine your question based on found information. Adjust the question’s scope by looking at who, where and when.

• Find keywords from the topic to guide your research

Brainstorm a list of keywords that usually play part in the success of your research by helping you find initial resources.

• Categorize your information in groups and draft an outline.

Put information about similar categories together. After creating different categories create a rough outline of your essay.

• In case of holes in your research, find additional sources.

If after going through your research you realize that there are points that need further clarification or any point that may be omitted, find new sources that will help fill them.

3. Formulate a strong Thesis Statement for the essay

The third stage of writing a good essay is to formulate a strong and relevant thesis for your essay. A thesis is a position that or a claim that your essay seeks to make by directly answering a certain question. Basically, itis one sentence that contains the main idea of an essay by stating the main argument.

A thesis should clearly state the topic of your paper and comment about your position on what you argue in the essay. Most essay readers rely on thesis statements to get a clue or a guide of what the essay is all about.

At the same time, a thesis statement is important because they help you as the essay writer develop and organize arguments and test your ideas. Having a good thesis should present what you plan to argue and show how you plan to argue it. When developing a thesis, the following steps should be followed.

Steps and Tips of writing a thesis statement for your essay

• Analyze your primary sources.

Look for credible information before formulating a thesis. Access any contradictions of authors, ambiguity tension and controversy in the information you have before formulating the thesis. From the information gathered to come up with ideas about your thesis.

• List the ideas and arguments you will make

To make sure you don’t forget ideas you are obtaining from different types of sources, put them down for reference later.

• Draft the thesis statement

Access logically and clearly the ideas you have and start writing down the thesis. It’s advisable to begin your thesis as rough work because most thesis statements do not become perfect after the first attempt.

• Write your thesis in the introduction part

At the end of your introduction, include your thesis statement. This is where most readers can find it easily. The thesis statement plays an important role in influencing the reader and placing them where readers can easily locate them is a win situation for any essay writer.

• Know the arguments against your thesis

Once you have your thesis statement, you should think of any criticisms that it may face. This will help you argue your ideas in the right way as you continue writing your essay and also assist in refining your essay.

• Avoid vague or combative questions

Thesis statements should never be questions, combative, vague or written in a list. They should be arguable claims that should be specific and clear.

4. Make a detailed Outline for your essay

Outlines are writing plans that aid in organizing ideas and information when writing an essay. A good essay is defined by the quality of the outline because it guides the writer to understand the content they should place in the various essay sections. It is the part that gives the essay structure and gives you a skeleton to fill the essay with.

How to write a good outline for your essay

To make a good outline the following need to be done:

1. Research on the topic.

To write a good outline one should know the topic under study very well. Search for information on available materials and identify the keywords of the topic.

2. Know the objective of the essay.

What is the main thing required in your essay? This can either be a question or a thesis statement that will guide you through the essay for all discussions should be related to the objective of the essay. This makes sure that you don’t go out of topic.

3. List main research points.

A sketch of your paper is required on this stage. On the sketch write the ideas found through research on the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay. Brainstorm to add more points to each part.

4. Organize your ideas

This helps in polishing your outline by arranging your ideas in the order that will likely make sense. Put ideas that are similar together and summarise them to make sure that you don’t forget on what you want to talk about in each idea.

5. Revise your ideas

Go through your points and determine whether they fulfill the objective of your essay, which is genuine and relevant. Ideas that look similar can be combined to provide much more meaning. This process helps you have topics that will bring out the objective of the essay clearly.

All the irrelevant ideas and points found that do no help in disclosing the objective of the essay should be scrapped out. To organize your ideas well, consider using models of outlining an essay. A famous method is the Jane Schaffer essay method that helps organize your points and ideas logically in support of each other.

5. Write an interesting introduction for your essay

The introduction of an essay is important because its main aim is to grab the reader’s attention in order to make him or her continue reading. When writing the introduction, the essay writer should focus on points that will draw the reader’s attention. The focus should be on the following;

How to write an eye-catching essay introduction?

1. start with interesting facts and sentences.

Tell an interesting story. The story should be relevant to your essay topic and not too long that it will take much space. Consider stories that will entertain the most readers of your essay.

2. Be unique in your ideas

You can begin the essay with statements that one cannot connect the essay with. This will make the reader wonder, gain attention and will want to know how the statement will relate to the topic of the essay.

3. Write a humorously warm introduction

Consider writing an introduction that is not only funny to you but also to the readers of your essay. This makes sure that you don’t embarrass yourself to the readers or confuse them. Laughing is one of the best ways to calm a reader, attract them to your essay and prepare them for what is further written in the essay.

However, jokes are not applicable to all essays. Essays on topics such as hunger, homelessness, political issues, economic issues, diseases, and revolutions requite utmost seriousness for they are matters that may be negatively affecting the reader. For example, writing an introduction for IELTS essay should be much more formal.

4. Write an unusual introduction.

Surprise your reader by using an irregular approach in your essay introduction. Don’t use introductions that the readers could have suggested. Be unpredictable by using your creativity and imagination to write an interesting introduction.

KEY POINT: The introduction is the only attempt to impress the reader first and the writer should utilize it to the fullest. At the end of the introduction, write the thesis statements. For more information, read our guide on the 5 parts of an introduction paragraph , and learn more about each of them.

6. Write strong body paragraphs supporting your thesis

Body paragraphs are written between the introduction part and the conclusion part. They contain the main content of your essay and depend on the length required. The paragraphs number of words should not vary much from one paragraph to the other.

Paragraphs should have the following elements; a topic sentence that carries the content of the paragraph, examples which should provide a detailed explanation about the topic sentence, a clear structure, evidence supporting the topic sentence and a clear connection with the thesis.

How to write strong body paragraphs for your essay

1. prioritize your points.

In order to make a good impression, paragraphs with the strongest points and content should be prioritized and appear before paragraphs with shallow content. Each paragraph should represent one point at a time to avoid confusing your readers.

2. Write paragraphs with optimal length

Paragraphs should be 5 to 7 sentences long. Points in each paragraph need to be thoroughly explained. This cannot be possible with a few sentences. When the paragraphs are too long the reader I likely to get bored and lose interest.

3. Use transition sentences to connect paragraphs

Connect your main body paragraphs by providing a transition from one paragraph to another. For example, if one is writing an essay involving both the advantages and the disadvantages of a product, it is advisable to write the advantages first followed by disadvantages or vice versa.

4. Do not mix points up

Avoid mixing points and arguments. To create a logical flow of issues and arguments, only argue one point per paragraph. Points that are close should follow each other when paragraphed to keep the reader focused and avoid confusion.

5. Use a sub-conclusion paragraph

Sub-conclusion of paragraphs is optional in essay writing and is rarely used by scholars today. This is where one can provide a conclusion at the end of a paragraph concerning the point written in the paragraph.

This may offer contradictions when writing the essay because one paragraph may require a different conclusion and can eventually distract the reader. This makes the overall conclusion at the end of the essay more acceptable.

6. Use evidence to back your arguments

To back your arguments, use evidence from literature and other sources. Use quotes related to the essay you have written or reference one of your sources. This will help stress on your final point and confirm that all you have written is true.

7. Write relevant concluding sentences

At the end of every paragraph, it is good to write a sentence that sums up the main argument of the whole paragraph but also supports the points. The best way to write a concluding sentence for any paragraph is to restate the major point in the paragraph supporting it with reliable facts. After that, include a transition sentence that joins one paragraph to another.

7. Write a Good Conclusion

The conclusion step is the tail-end of the essay writing task. If you have reached here, you should part yourself in the back for a job well done. The conclusion is the part where you give a synthesis of what the reader has already read.

This is arguably the most important part of your essay because it is likely to stick into the reader’s memory. We asked 10 of our homework writing experts and they all stated that the conclusion is key to seal your targeted grade on your assignment. When writing a good conclusion, you should consider the following:

How to write a good conclusion for an essay

Use questions to create conclusive remarks. Asking questions may motivate readers to make readers provide their own research and think over your essay.

Give hints about developments of your topic using aspects that are interesting to the reader. This involves some further important information that your essay is related to, which is not under the topic given.

In addition, give an extremely thorough answer to the question within your conclusion. Hit the nail on the head by combining all the information on all the paragraphs and coming up with one common point that your conclusion will encompass.

Paraphrase your thesis statement or give the main idea of the first, second or third body paragraph as a conclusion for your essay. This will also help stress the essay points on the conclusion

The number of sentences or length of your conclusion depends on the length of the body paragraphs. The conclusion should not be bigger or smaller compared to the body paragraphs of your essay.

At the same time, an essay conclusion should end with something specific and unique as opposed to the introduction where general statements begin the essay.

Conclusions should not have the following; more data and facts that are not stated in the body paragraphs, new ideas, unnecessary details, changed essay tone as that used in your essay and any kind of an apology or limitation for not considering a certain fact in your essay.

8. Cite and Reference the Sources in your Essay

Citing involves the identification of the original sources of information and ideas in your essay in order to avoid plagiarism. It is important because it provides evidence for your arguments and helps people find more information on the cited sources. Citing also shows that you have researched and found out what experts have had to say about your topic and show that you understand writing ethics well.

Citations for the sources used in the essay should be done in the body paragraphs. After that, you should create a reference page at the end of your paper. One should cite quotes, information that is not common and formats. Citing varies depending on the writing style you are using.

How to cite your sources and make a references page 

Different disciplines have different approaches to writing academic papers. These approaches are the formatting styles and are supposed to be standardized and accepted by various research and educational institutions. There are no widely accepted formats because different institutions prefer different approaches. These approaches include:

How to Cite your essay in APA

The acronym APA was the short form of an organization, the American Psychological Association which created this format. Most essays that require this format are behavioral and social discipline essays. The 7th APA edition requires a title page and has a running head at the top of every page. The reference page includes the page that shows the information sources.

How to cite when Paraphrasing a source

When paraphrasing, reference the author, the year of publication and the page number.

For example: According to Jane (2000)

How to cite multiple authors

Each time you cite work done by two authors name both the authors in the signal phrase. Use an ampersand in parentheses and use the connector “and” in between the words. For example research by (Carlos and Isaac, 2004)

When three to five authors are involved, cite the source by listing all the authors in parentheses or signal phrases. For example: (Courtney, Ken, Janet, Albert & Japhet,1999)

When citing information, where six or more authors are involved, use the first author’s name followed et al. in parenthesis and signal language. For example: (Janice et al.,2006)

Citing two or more works by the same author in the same year requires one to use small letters of the alphabets in their order. For example: (Caleb, 2003a), (Caleb, 2003b)

If two or more different works appear in the same parenthesis cite them in the order they appear separated by a semicolon. For example: (Ferdinand, 2004; Mercy, 2005)

When a source you obtain information is cited in another source, name the original source in your signal phrase and include the secondary source in parenthesis. For example, Wycliffe argued that…. (as cited in Warren,1997, p. 108)

In works that the authors are unknown cite the work by its title, by underlining or italicizing the book titles and using quotation marks for titles of articles and magazines.

Use the words in the parenthesis or the title in your signal phrase with the abbreviation “n.d” (no date) when no author or date is indicated in the source. For example: (Wildlife, n.d)

When the source has no page numbers do the citing using the abbreviation “para” followed by the paragraph number. For example: (Rio,2010, para. 6)

How to cite and reference your essay in MLA

Modern Language Association style does not require a title page and is mainly used in humanity and liberal arts essays. Italics are allowed for emphasis. On the first page include your name, instructor’s name, the course, and date on the upper left Conner.

Double spacing is required when using the MLA 8th Edition . There is an order in MLA citing that one should apply based on the type of source information is obtained. The order is as follows:

• Last name of the author, First Name
• The title of the source
• The title of the container
• Other various contributors
• The version of the source
• The number of publication
• The publisher
• The publication date
• The location of the source.
• The accessed date. This is only applicable to online sources.

In MLA citations capitalize nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, adjectives and subordinating conjunctions in the titles of books, journals, and articles. Do not capitalize articles such as “a” or” an”, coordinating conjunctions such as “but” and “nor”, prepositions and “the” used in infinitives. MLA citations are done in the following ways:

How to cite authors in MLA

When citing sources of authors with the same last names use the first name initials. For example, (Mount 46) and (Mount 37)

When citing a text, use the name of the author and the page the information is found. For example: ‘Criminals can be identified by their physical appearance (Lombrosso 230).

When citing work done by different authors, not more than three, list the authors’ last names in the text. For example: “Crime causation can be explained” (Emille, Ceasare and Watson 45). When listing four authors and above use the abbreviation “et al.” and only one name of the authors for example: (Smith et al 5).

When you need to cite multiple works by the same author include the title of the source you have obtained the information to make it different from the other. Titles of articles should be quoted and those of books should be italicized.

For example, Garry argued that glaring at computers are dangerous to our eyes (“Effects of Computers” 37), though he suggested several methods of preventing the damage (“Control Measures” 48)

If you need to cite multiple sources in the same parenthetical reference, use a semi-colon to separate the citations. For example: (Mark 4; Craig 7)

How to make a reference page for your essay

1. how to make a reference page in apa.

A reference page is a page that has all the list of sources you used in your essay. References are also arranged in order of the alphabet appearing in the last name of the author.

At the end of the paper move to a clean page and type References at the top. Leave some margins as in the rest of your essay by double-spacing the whole page. Alphabetize the references and indent line of each reference. Remember all references must be from the work cited in your essay.

2. How to make a Works Cited page in MLA

In this format, it is mostly referred to as a Works Cited page. All sources sited here must be the same as those in your essay.

On a clean page at the end of your essay begin the Works Cited page with the title Works Cited at the center of your page. Do not skip places within the entry and create a 0.5 inches ident between the second and subsequent lines.

List the page numbers of the sources you obtained information and type the online database in italics for online sources. Each word of the titles of books and articles need to be in uppercase except prepositions and conjunctions and use quotations in titles of short works and italics in titles of broad works.

Other referencing styles to format your essay

There are other styles used to format and cite sources for your essay. The one you apply depends on the instructions given by your instructor and the subject of the essay. For instance, ASA is used by sociologists, while APA by psychologists.

Another unique one is the Chicago format, also known as Turabian. It is mainly used by Americans to format essays on different disciplines. Reference is done using footnotes and headnotes and the use of bibliography pages. This formatting style is therefore preferable for papers that mostly concentrate and focus on the source of origin.

9. Revise and Polish your essay into a Final Draft

Before submitting your essay, you must go through it again and again and edit places where mistakes could be.

Before handing in your essay you need to ask yourself a number of questions to interrogate the quality of your current draft.

Such questions include;

• Has my essay responded to the question?
• Did I follow the essay’s guidelines?
• Is my essay explaining the thesis?
• Am I within the submission deadline?
• What grade can my essay score as it is?
• Where can I improve in the current draft essay?

How to Polish your Draft into a Final Comprehensive Essay

Confirm that you followed the instructions and guidelines.

These guidelines include following the format the instructor specified, the word limit that was provided, reading materials that were provided, referencing the essay correctly and meeting all the requirements needed.

2. Check is the structure of your essay is perfect

These include assessing the introduction and conclusion and knowing if they talk about what was entailed, accessing the thesis statement in your introduction, checking if the topic sentences in paragraphs are clear, and checking whether the ideas in paragraphs link with each other from the previous to the next.

3. Proofread the language to ensure it is correct

This includes determining whether you have used formal language, reading through the sentences and determining whether they make sense.

Also, be keen to ensure that you check the spelling of the words and the correct use of conjunctions and abbreviations.

4. Review the structure of your paragraphs

This involves checking whether sentences in paragraphs relate to the title of the essay, whether the topic sentence determines the content of the paragraph and if each paragraph in your essay develops only one idea.

5. Read the essay aloud to ensure the sentences are correct

Proofread again by reading the essay aloud. This involves checking whether the sentences express themselves clearly grammatically and if they are complete. This step will tell you whether the length of the sentences does not vary too much and whether the punctuation of the sentence and use of articles is correct.

6. Format your paper

You can also make your final draft more perfect by doing the following:

• Numbering the pages in your essay.
• Attaching the cover sheet requested with correct information.
• Formatting your essay where necessary.

12 common Types of Essays that you may encounter

There are different types of essays. Some essays may require different approaches than others.

1. Narrative essays

These are essays that tell stories about events that have occurred in one’s personal life experiences. The writers are free to express a personal feeling of things that affected them.

Examples of such topics include;

• Why I have decided to quit alcohol.
• Narrate how you decided to pursue the career you have
• Why schools have been forced to close early.

It is like writing a story; the paper is organized according to the sequence of events or chronology. The primary objective of this type of essay is to ascertain your story-telling ability. 

2. Descriptive Essays

As the name suggests, these essays describe details of the topic given. You can describe the smell, looks or working aspects of the object under study. Examples of descriptive essay topics for your essay include;

• My troubling school life.
• Describe your childhood diary.
• My high school experience.

3. Definition essays

These essays main goal is to define subjects and review their origins. They aim at providing a more extensive definition than what is provided in dictionaries. Examples of definition essays may include;

• Define the term “judicial precedence.”
• Describe and discuss the term “ethnocentrism.”
• Define the term “forensic criminology.”

4. Analytical essays

As the name suggests these essays requires logical reasoning and structure to analyze the behaviors, tendency, events, people, among other examples. Below are a few examples of analytical essay topics.

• Why do universities have security check-ups at the entrance gates?
• Explain why most teenage boys get violent?
• Why do university students fail their main exams?

Sometimes, this type of essay needs you to focus on the methodology, conclusions or findings of previous researchers. You should conclude your research by summarizing the results and recommending a framework for use in further studies on the issue.

5. Cause and effect essays

These are essays that explain how a certain problem occurred and the consequences of the occurrence. The essay writer investigates the cause and shows the effects of the problem. Examples of common topics for Cause and effect essays include;

• What are the main causes of cholera?
• Did post-election violence sabotage the Kenyan economy?
• How do drugs affect the mental stability of an addict?

6. Process essays

These essays provide instructions on how something is done. One is required to perform the process for easier identification of the process. Example of topics fit for process essays can be as below;

• How to control your ego?
• Ways of solving your anti-social problem?
• How to take care of the environment?

7. Advantages and disadvantages essays

These are essays that show both the pros and cons of a given topic. The opposite opinions make sure that the writer doesn’t defend any side. Foe example;

• Pros and cons, of course, outlines in university studies.
• Advantages and disadvantages of being a die-hard football fan.
• Pros and cons of critical thinking before decision making.

8. Classification essays

These are essays that require the writer to put together ideas, objects, and other things into particular groups. examples of such essays are;

• Five types of crime
• Seven types of police forces.
• Types of anti-social behavior.

9. Argumentative essays

These are essays that persuade the readers to side with the writer’s viewpoint. One is supposed to use proved facts and correct illustrations in order to manipulate the reader.

Here you required to present both sides of a controversial issue objectively and factually. The examiner expects you to present valid arguments on each side without bias. You must include the arguments for and against each case. 

10. Critical essays

These essays provide the reader with weak and strong characteristics of the subject for them to determine the good and bad of the subject. Examples include;

• Access separation of powers in the building bridges initiative.
• What role does humor play in the novel “Don Quixote.”
• Access the theme of mystery in the movie “Manifest”

11. Compare and contrast essays

These are essays that require the writer to show the similarities and differences of two tendencies, devices, organs, etc. Below are examples of compare and contrast essays;

• Literature vs Real life happenings
• Waterborne diseases vs Airborne diseases.
• College students’ performances vs University students’ performances.

12. Persuasive essays

These are essays whose main aim is to change the thinking and view of the reader completely. It should be influential and deal with topics that are relevant today. Some examples include;

• Are football video games good for young boys?
• Are beauty contest and modeling practices more important to children than they are to adults
• Does marrying an older wife affect one’s marriage eventually?

13. Expository essays

These essays are aimed at estimating the subject of study in your own study view. Here are some examples of expository essays;

• Explain how lecturers influence student grades.
• Explain how fear affects one’s self-confidence
• What are the symptoms of mental illness?

Check our guide to writing a good TOK essay and learn more of another type.

Other Types of Essays

We have written a detailed guides on how to write other types of essays whose format may not necesarilly follow the flow we have taught in this comprehensive guide. This guide mostly applies for the types of essays discussed in the columns above. However, read our lessons how how to write the following types of essays.

• A guide how to write a Theory Of Knowledge (TOK) essays
• Detailed steps how to write an opinion essay
• Read more on writing a good issue paper or essay .

What is a Comprehensive Essay

A comprehensive essay is one that exhaustively discusses an issue or a topic to a deeper extent so as to prove the thesis that a writer wants to put across. It is an essay whose content explains the issue in its entirety, thereby leaving no doubt of unresolved facts. This is achieved through extensive research on an issue or a topic. After reading it, the audience will understand everything the author was discussing and agree with him or her.

A comprehensive essay has a good introduction that opens the issue being discussed in detail. That sets a place for a good thesis that is given in the last sentence of the introduction paragraph. This is followed by well researched paragraphs that deeply explain the issue to support the thesis. The conclusion paragraph of a comprehensive essay summarizes all the points and gives conclusive support to the thesis.

Common mistakes students make in Essay Writing and how to Solve them

The readers can judge the writing skills of a writer after reading an essay. To write good essays writers must avoid several mistakes when writing essays. These mistakes are:

1. Lack of concentration.

This occurs when the writer is not focused on the essay and mixes thoughts.

For an essay to be good one must be able to organize thoughts and be logical in arguments.

2. Omitting the thesis statement

If your essay doesn’t have its foundation in the introduction paragraph, then it loses the structure. The thesis statement is the origin of your writing and it makes your essay logical.

3. Writing unsupported ideas

Your readers may judge you as thoughtless and unreliable if your ideas are unsupported by the use of facts, examples and available statistics

4. Punctuation mistakes

The writer should take note of using punctuation marks correctly because they play a part in making the reader understand the meaning of your essay. Use commas, colons, semi-colons question marks and full stops correctly.

5. Misuse of words

Writers should be careful with words that have the same pronunciations and different meanings for they may distort the meaning you want to put across. Some examples of these words are “hit and heat” or “had and heard.

How to find Credible Sources for your Essay

It is very important that you use credible and authoritative sources when writing your essay. If you don’t and use weak ones, your essay will not be authoritative. In fact, readers will demean your work if you use dubious sources to obtain the information you will write in your essay. To determine the credibility of sources , you need to ask whether some kind of information is reliable, at least several sources must have talked about it.

1. Use the Internet

The internet today is the main source of information and sometimes it’s hard to differentiate credible sources with mediocre sources. When obtaining data from the internet consider the trustworthiness of the domain. .edu domain is used by education institutions and information obtained here is most reliable.

2. Follow credible domains

In addition, .org is mostly used by non-profits organizations and is reliable for they are not concerned with cheating or tricking you. .gov is used by governmental institutions and information is mostly credible but can be biased considering the political views of the different institutions.

3. Be Cautious with commercial websites

Be careful when using online sources from a .com domain. They are mostly used by commercial institutions and one must be careful when obtaining information from them because they may contain hidden content and are not careful about data provided. Learn if your source is credible from a guide by the University of Maryland.

4. Use Libraries and Journals

Other credible sources of information include online news agencies and newspapers that are well known, scientific journals, public libraries, online encyclopedias, non-fictional books, and academic libraries. Writers should avoid sources such as Wikipedia, personal blogs, word of mouth, fiction books and glossy magazines. You can also go old school and look for books in your library.

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Brief Summary of this Guide on writing Essays

To help you know how to write essays that improve your GPA, we have put a comprehensive step-by-step guide for you on any subject or topic. The guide gives you examples and free outlines on how to organize and write your essay. However, if you like guidance from our essay writing experts , feel free to ask us and we will respond and guide your essay homework.

• How to choose a good essay topic
• Making good research for a topic for an essay
• How to write a strong thesis
• How to make an outline for your essay
• Writing a good introduction for an essay
• How to write strong body paragraphs?
• How to write a good conclusion?
• Citing sources and how to make a reference page?
• How to polish the final and review key points?
• Types of essays and common examples of each
• Common mistakes in essay writing
• Credible sources for your essay

Alternatively, you can watch how to write a good essay below,

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• Knowledge Base
• The four main types of essay | Quick guide with examples

The Four Main Types of Essay | Quick Guide with Examples

Published on September 4, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way. At university level, argumentative essays are the most common type. 

In high school and college, you will also often have to write textual analysis essays, which test your skills in close reading and interpretation.

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Table of contents

Argumentative essays, expository essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, textual analysis essays, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about types of essays.

An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a strong thesis statement —a clearly defined stance on your topic. Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such as quotations ) and analysis.

Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own position on a topic. This is the most common type of essay at college level—most papers you write will involve some kind of argumentation.

The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:

• The introduction provides your topic and thesis statement
• The body presents your evidence and arguments
• The conclusion summarizes your argument and emphasizes its importance

The example below is a paragraph from the body of an argumentative essay about the effects of the internet on education. Mouse over it to learn more.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.

Expository essays test your familiarity with a topic and your ability to organize and convey information. They are commonly assigned at high school or in exam questions at college level.

The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented.

A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is shown below. Mouse over it to learn more.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

A narrative essay is one that tells a story. This is usually a story about a personal experience you had, but it may also be an imaginative exploration of something you have not experienced.

Narrative essays test your ability to build up a narrative in an engaging, well-structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds of academic writing . Writing a personal statement for an application requires the same skills as a narrative essay.

A narrative essay isn’t strictly divided into introduction, body, and conclusion, but it should still begin by setting up the narrative and finish by expressing the point of the story—what you learned from your experience, or why it made an impression on you.

Mouse over the example below, a short narrative essay responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” to explore its structure.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

A descriptive essay provides a detailed sensory description of something. Like narrative essays, they allow you to be more creative than most academic writing, but they are more tightly focused than narrative essays. You might describe a specific place or object, rather than telling a whole story.

Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re describing.

A descriptive essay can be quite loosely structured, though it should usually begin by introducing the object of your description and end by drawing an overall picture of it. The important thing is to use careful word choices and figurative language to create an original description of your object.

Mouse over the example below, a response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” to learn more about descriptive essays.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

Though every essay type tests your writing skills, some essays also test your ability to read carefully and critically. In a textual analysis essay, you don’t just present information on a topic, but closely analyze a text to explain how it achieves certain effects.

Rhetorical analysis

A rhetorical analysis looks at a persuasive text (e.g. a speech, an essay, a political cartoon) in terms of the rhetorical devices it uses, and evaluates their effectiveness.

The goal is not to state whether you agree with the author’s argument but to look at how they have constructed it.

The introduction of a rhetorical analysis presents the text, some background information, and your thesis statement; the body comprises the analysis itself; and the conclusion wraps up your analysis of the text, emphasizing its relevance to broader concerns.

The example below is from a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech . Mouse over it to learn more.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

Literary analysis

A literary analysis essay presents a close reading of a work of literature—e.g. a poem or novel—to explore the choices made by the author and how they help to convey the text’s theme. It is not simply a book report or a review, but an in-depth interpretation of the text.

Literary analysis looks at things like setting, characters, themes, and figurative language. The goal is to closely analyze what the author conveys and how.

The introduction of a literary analysis essay presents the text and background, and provides your thesis statement; the body consists of close readings of the text with quotations and analysis in support of your argument; and the conclusion emphasizes what your approach tells us about the text.

Mouse over the example below, the introduction to a literary analysis essay on Frankenstein , to learn more.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

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At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.

Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”

The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.

Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:

• In a literary analysis essay, you might make an argument for a specific interpretation of a text
• In a history essay, you might present an argument for the importance of a particular event
• In a politics essay, you might argue for the validity of a certain political theory

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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Mastering the art of crafting a review essay – a comprehensive guide for writers.

Writing a review essay can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and structure, you can create a comprehensive and insightful piece of writing that engages your readers. Whether you are reviewing a book, a movie, a restaurant, or any other type of work, a well-written review essay can provide valuable insights and opinions that help your audience make informed decisions.

As you begin the process of writing a review essay, it is important to first understand the purpose of the review and the expectations of your audience. A review essay is not just a summary of the work you are reviewing; it is an analysis and evaluation that considers the strengths and weaknesses of the work, as well as its overall impact and significance.

In order to write a comprehensive review essay, you should start by introducing the work you are reviewing and providing some context for your review. This could include information about the author, director, or creator of the work, as well as the genre or category to which the work belongs. This introduction should also include your thesis statement, which outlines the main point or argument of your review.

Key Elements of a Review Essay

A review essay includes several key elements that are essential for creating a comprehensive and effective review. These elements help the reader gain a clear understanding of the subject matter and provide valuable insights and analysis. Here are some key elements to consider when writing a review essay:

Tips for Choosing a Topic

When selecting a topic for your review essay, consider the following tips:

By following these tips, you can choose a topic that will allow you to write a comprehensive and engaging review essay.

Research Strategies for a Review Essay

When writing a comprehensive review essay, it is crucial to employ effective research strategies to gather relevant information and support your arguments. Here are some key research strategies to consider:

1. Conduct a thorough literature review: Start by exploring existing literature on the topic you are reviewing. Look for scholarly articles, books, and other sources that provide valuable insights and information.

2. Use a variety of sources: It is essential to gather information from diverse sources to ensure a well-rounded review. Consider using academic journals, reputable websites, and other reliable sources.

3. Take notes and organize information: Keep track of important points, quotes, and data as you conduct your research. Organize your notes in a systematic way to facilitate the writing process.

4. Analyze and synthesize the information: Once you have gathered sufficient information, analyze and synthesize the key findings to identify trends, patterns, and varying perspectives on the topic.

5. Evaluate the credibility of sources: Be critical of the sources you use in your review essay. Consider the author’s credentials, publication date, and methodology to determine the credibility of the information.

By following these research strategies, you can produce a comprehensive review essay that is well-informed and impactful.

Structuring Your Review Essay

When structuring your review essay, it is important to organize your thoughts and arguments in a clear and logical manner. Here are some key steps to help you create a well-structured review:

1. Introduction:

Start your review essay with an engaging introduction that provides an overview of the topic and sets the stage for the rest of the review. Clearly state your thesis or main argument in this section.

2. Summary of the Work:

Provide a brief summary of the work you are reviewing, including key points, arguments, and themes. This will give your readers a clear understanding of the work before you delve into your analysis.

3. Critical Analysis:

In this section, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the work. Discuss any key themes, arguments, or ideas presented by the author and provide evidence to support your analysis.

4. Comparison and Contrast:

Consider how the work you are reviewing compares and contrasts with other works in the field. Discuss similarities and differences and highlight any unique contributions made by the author.

5. Conclusion:

Conclude your review essay by summarizing your main points and reiterating your thesis. Reflect on the significance of the work and its implications for the field.

By following these steps, you can create a well-structured review essay that is engaging and insightful for your readers.

Writing a Strong Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the central idea of your review essay, providing a concise summary of the main point you will be making. It should be specific, clear, and arguable to engage your readers and guide your writing process. A strong thesis statement sets the tone for the entire essay and informs readers about the focus and perspective of your review.

Analyzing and Evaluating Sources

When writing a comprehensive review essay, it is crucial to thoroughly analyze and evaluate the sources you use. This involves assessing the credibility, relevance, and reliability of each source to ensure that your essay is well-supported and based on sound evidence.

Credibility: Consider the author’s qualifications, the publication date, and the reputation of the source. Look for sources from reputable publishers, academic journals, or experts in the field.

Relevance: Evaluate how well each source contributes to your overall argument and thesis. Make sure the information provided is directly related to the topic you are discussing.

Reliability: Check for bias, misinformation, or inaccuracies in the sources you use. Cross-reference information from multiple sources to verify its accuracy and consistency.

By carefully analyzing and evaluating your sources, you can ensure that your review essay is well-researched and persuasive.

Developing a Coherent Argument

When writing a review essay, it is essential to develop a coherent argument that ties together the various aspects of your analysis. Your argument should be clear, logical, and supported by evidence from the text or material you are reviewing. To develop a coherent argument, consider the following strategies:

By following these steps and developing a coherent argument, you can write a comprehensive review essay that engages your readers and effectively communicates your insights and analysis.

Editing and Proofreading Techniques

Editing and proofreading are crucial steps in the writing process. After completing a comprehensive review essay, it is essential to carefully edit and proofread your work to ensure clarity, correctness, and coherence.

Here are some techniques to help you polish your review essay:

• Read Aloud: Reading your essay aloud can help you identify awkward phrasing, errors, or inconsistencies.
• Use Editing Tools: Utilize spelling and grammar checkers, as well as style guides, to enhance the quality of your writing.
• Take Breaks: Step away from your essay for a while before revisiting it to gain a fresh perspective and catch overlooked mistakes.
• Seek Feedback: Ask a peer or mentor to review your essay and provide constructive criticism.

By incorporating these editing and proofreading techniques , you can elevate the quality of your comprehensive review essay and ensure that your ideas are effectively communicated to your readers.

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