Basic Guide to Writing an Essay1 1212725667553489 9

8/2/2019 Basic Guide to Writing an Essay1 1212725667553489 9

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Basic Guide to WritingBasic Guide to Writing

an Essayan Essay


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To TryTo Try

Essay comes from the French wordEssay comes from the French word essayeressayer,,

which means to trywhich means to try

the essay is a literary device for sayingthe essay is a literary device for sayingalmost everything about almost anything . almost everything about almost anything .

noted essayist Aldous Huxleynoted essayist Aldous Huxley

There are many different styles of essays:There are many different styles of essays:

academic, personal, narrative, argumentative,academic, personal, narrative, argumentative,

expository and moreexpository and more


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What is an Essay?What is an Essay?

An essay can have many purposes, but the basic structure is the

same no matter what. You may be writing an essay to

argue for a particular point of view or

to explain the steps necessary to complete a task.

Either way, your essay will have the same basic format. If you

follow a few simple steps, you will find that the essay almost

writes itself. You will be responsible only for supplying ideas,which are the important part of the essay anyway.


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Different Types of EssaysDifferent Types of Essays

There is more to the essay than the standard five-paragraphThere is more to the essay than the standard five-paragraphacademic formacademic form

Descriptive essaysDescrip

tive essays are written to brilliantly describe a person,are written to brilliantly describe a person,place or eventplace or event

Narrative EssaysNarrative Essay

s tell a story from the viewpoint of the authortell a story from the viewpoint of the authorand try to explain the significance of the experienceand try to explain the significance of the experience

Persuasive EssaysPersuasive Essay

suse evidence to convince the reader touse evidence to convince the reader tobelieve a certain pointbelieve a certain point

Reflective EssaysReflective Essay

s making the reader think about a certain topicmaking the reader think about a certain topic(often abstract ideas like nature, time, life, happiness, family,(often abstract ideas like nature, time, life, happiness, family,etc) and contain the authors feelings and emotions on the subjectetc) and contain the authors feelings and emotions on the subject


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Essay FormatEssay Format

These simple steps will guide you through the essay writingprocess:

Decide on your topic. Prepare an outline or diagram of your ideas.

Write your thesis statement. Write the body. Write the main points. Write the subpoints. Elaborate on the subpoints. Write the introduction. Write the conclusion. Add the finishing touches.


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Choosing a TopicChoosing a TopicYou may have no choice as to your topic. If this is the case, you still

may not be ready to jump to the next step.

Think about the type of paper you are expected to produce.

Should it be a general overview, or a specific analysis of the topic?

For example, the topic INDIA" is a general one. If your objective is

to write an overview, this topic is suitable.

If your objective is to write a specific analysis, this topic is toogeneral. You must narrow it to something like "Politics in India" or

India's Culture.

Once you have determined that your topic will be suitable, you can

move on.


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Organize Your IdeasOrganize Your Ideas

The purpose of an outline or diagram is to put your ideas about the

topic on paper, in a moderately organized format. The structure you

create here may still change before the essay is complete, so don'tworry over this.


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Reading a topicReading a topic

An essay topic contains the following:An essay topic contains the following:

1.1. Statement introducing the topicStatement introducing the topic

2.2. Opinion about the topicOpinion about the topic3.3. Reasons in support of the topicReasons in support of the topic

For e.g.,For e.g.,

Recent laws make it possible to punish teenagers as if they wereRecent laws make it possible to punish teenagers as if they wereadults. Teenagers shouldnt be tried as adults. This is unfairadults. Teenagers shouldnt be tried as adults. This is unfair

because teenagers are unaware of the seriousness of the crimebecause teenagers are unaware of the seriousness of the crime

they commit. It is very dangerous to imprison them with adultthey commit. It is very dangerous to imprison them with adult

criminals.criminals.


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Brainstorming ideas throughBrainstorming ideas through

listinglisting Take some time to think about the topicTake some time to think about the topic Jot down important points/ideas before writingJot down important points/ideas before writing

For e.g., take a topic and start generating ideasFor e.g., take a topic and start generating ideas

on that,on that,

Visible Positive Changes in the EducationVisible Positive Changes in the Education

system in Indiasystem in India


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Sorting ideas according toSorting ideas according to

PositionsPositions

Determining which ideas support, oppose yourDetermining which ideas support, oppose your

opinion, which are irrelevant, and choosing aopinion, which are irrelevant, and choosing a

position that you want to take in the essay- inposition that you want to take in the essay- in

favor, opposition or irrelevant.favor, opposition or irrelevant.

Choose a position where you have more ideasChoose a position where you have more ideas

to discuss or support.to discuss or support.


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Organizing Your IdeasOrganizing Your Ideas

Breeds

Health Nutrition

Behavior

Grooming

Dogs


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Writing Your OutlineWriting Your Outline Begin your outline by writing your topic at the top of the page. Next, write the Roman numerals I, II, and III, spread apart down the left

side of the page. Next to each Roman numeral, write the main ideas that you have about

your topic, or the main points that you want to make. If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your best

arguments. If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write the steps

that should be followed. You will probably need to group these intocategories. If you have trouble grouping the steps into categories,try using Beginning, Middle, and End.

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

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

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

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


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ExampleExample Indian CultureIndian Culture

I unity in diversityI unity in diversity A) explaining the diversityA) explaining the diversity

B) explaining the unityB) explaining the unity

II different festivalsII different festivals B) discussing national festivalsB) discussing national festivals

C) spirit of onenessC) spirit of oneness III different religionsIII different religions

A)A) Religious toleranceReligious tolerance

B)B) Religious beliefs, customs, traditions, valuesReligious beliefs, customs, traditions, values


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Composing a Thesis StatementComposing a Thesis Statement

Now that you have decided, at least tentatively, whatinformation you plan to present in your essay, you areready to write your thesis statement.

The thesis statement tells the reader what the essaywill be about, and what point you, the author, will bemaking.

You know what the essay will be about. That was your

topic. Now you must look at your outline or diagramand decide what point you will be making. What dothe main ideas and supporting ideas that you listed sayabout your topic?


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Thesis StatementsThesis Statements

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

India's Culture Building a Model Train Set

Public Transportation The second part states the point of the essay.

has a rich and varied history takes time and patience can solve some of our city's most persistent and pressing problems

Once you have formulated a thesis statement that fitsthis pattern and with which you are comfortable, youare ready to continue.


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Writing the Body ParagraphsWriting the Body Paragraphs

The topic you have chosen must now be explained, described, orargued. Each main idea that you wrote down in your diagram oroutline will become one of the body paragraphs. If you had threeor four main ideas, you will have three or four body paragraphs.Each body paragraph will have the same basic structure.

Start by writing down one of your main ideas, in sentenceform. Next, write down each of your supporting points for thatmain idea, but leave four or five lines in between each point.

In the space under each point, write down some elaborationfor that point. Elaboration can be further description or

explanation or discussion. Once you have fleshed out each of your body paragraphs, onefor each main point, you are ready to continue.


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ExampleExample

If your main idea is "reduces traffic congestion," you might

say this: Public transportation reduces traffic congestion.

Supporting Point: Commuters appreciate the cost savings of taking public

transportation rather than driving.

Elaboration Less driving time means less maintenance expense, such as oil

changes. Of course, less driving time means savings on gasoline as well.

In many cases, these savings amount to more than the cost of

riding public transportation.


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Write the Introduction and

Conclusion

Your essay lacks only two paragraphs now:

the introduction and the conclusion. These

paragraphs will give the reader a point ofentry to and a point of exit from your essay.


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IntroductionIntroduction The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's

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

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

Startling information. This information must be true and

verifiable, and it doesn't need to be totally new to yourreaders. It could simply be a pertinent fact that explicitlyillustrates the point you wish to make. If you use a piece ofstartling information, follow it with a sentence or two ofelaboration.

Anecdote. An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point. Besure your anecdote is short, to the point, and relevant to yourtopic. This can be a very effective opener for your essay, butuse it carefully.


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Dialogue. An appropriate dialogue does not have to identifythe speakers, but the reader must understand the point youare trying to convey. Use only two or three exchangesbetween speakers to make your point. Follow dialogue witha sentence or two of elaboration.

Summary Information. A few sentences explaining yourtopic in general terms can lead the reader gently to yourthesis. Each sentence should become gradually morespecific, until you reach your thesis.

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

Finish the paragraph with your thesis statement.


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ConclusionConclusion

The conclusion brings closure to the reader, summingup your points or providing a final perspective on your

topic. All the conclusion needs is three or four strong

sentences which do not need to follow any set formula.

Simply review the main points (being careful not torestate them exactly) or briefly describe your feelings

about the topic. Even an anecdote can end your essay

in a useful way. The introduction and conclusion

complete the paragraphs of your essay.

Don't stop just yet! One more step remains before

your essay is truly finished.


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Add the Finishing Touches

You have now completed all of the paragraphs

of your essay. Before you can consider this a

finished product, however, you must give

some thought to the formatting of your paper. Check the order of your paragraphs.

Check the instructions for the assignment.

Check your writing.


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ParaphrasingParaphrasing

A paraphrase is a passage borrowed from aA paraphrase is a passage borrowed from asource and rewritten in your own words. Asource and rewritten in your own words. A

paraphrase should be true to the originalparaphrase should be true to the original

authors idea, but is rewritten in your ownauthors idea, but is rewritten in your own

words and sentence structure. Since you arewords and sentence structure. Since you are

using someones elses ideas and expressingusing someones elses ideas and expressing

them in your own words, it is very importantthem in your own words, it is very important

to give credit to the source of the idea.to give credit to the source of the idea. A paraphrase should not use any of theA paraphrase should not use any of the

original authors words except incidentaloriginal authors words except incidental

conjunctions and common prepositions.conjunctions and common prepositions.


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How does a Paraphrase DifferHow does a Paraphrase Differ

from a Summary?from a Summary? To the untrained eye, a paraphrase and aTo the untrained eye, a paraphrase and a

summary may look alike. However,summary may look alike. However,

A summary is an abridged version of theA summary is an abridged version of the

original text.original text. A paraphrase can be shorter or longer than theA paraphrase can be shorter or longer than the

original text.original text.

A summary eliminates details, examples, andA summary eliminates details, examples, and

supporting points.supporting points.

A paraphrase describes the original text inA paraphrase describes the original text in

different words. It does not omit details.different words. It does not omit details.


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What is a Bad Paraphrase?What is a Bad Paraphrase?

A bad paraphrase is one in which you simplyA bad paraphrase is one in which you simply

substitute certain words with their synonyms,substitute certain words with their synonyms,

while maintaining the structure of the originalwhile maintaining the structure of the original

quotation. To write a good paraphrase, borrowquotation. To write a good paraphrase, borrow

only the idea conveyed by the author. Expressonly the idea conveyed by the author. Express

the sentiment in your own words, in your ownthe sentiment in your own words, in your own

way.way.


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Should one Always Paraphrase?Should one Always Paraphrase?

The answer is no. Your objective as a writer orThe answer is no. Your objective as a writer orspeaker of a quotation is to make an impact.speaker of a quotation is to make an impact.

Evaluate both choices - paraphrase and directEvaluate both choices - paraphrase and direct

quote. Usually, paraphrasing makes morequote. Usually, paraphrasing makes more

sense if:sense if:

the quotation is long and wordythe quotation is long and wordy

the words in the quotation are not powerfulthe words in the quotation are not powerful

the source of the quotation is unknown orthe source of the quotation is unknown or

dubiousdubious

you are capable of making a good paraphraseyou are capable of making a good paraphrase

Basic Guide to Writing an Essay1 1212725667553489 9

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