How To Write Effective Essays

1. An essay is a detailed and complete discussion of some topic usually a question or an assertion.

2. When the essay is an answer to a question, be specific, to the point and never lose sight of the points you are trying to get across.

3. Take time to think; out line your essay before writing.

4. In your essay, present ideas but give reasons why they are valid ideas.

5. If the question calls for an explanation, be sure you understand the topic well enough to explain it. Often, ideas are a confused mix of opinion, facts and beliefs. You need to separate these and present factual data backed by evidence in producing a good essay. Be sure if you use both facts and opinions, you separate them and m,ake sure they are readily identifiable.

6. The form of an essay is important. Essays should be organized in paragraphs. The first paragraph should contain the thesis or a shortened version of the answer you are about to present in detailed form.

7. After the thesis paragraph, the others which follow should logically, sequentially or chronologically build a sound argument to support your thesis.The final paragraph should sum up, without repeating, what your main thrust is and lay out your case for the reader to agree or disagree with.

8. Write orderly, clear essays which are organized into logical paragraphs; avoid grammar and spelling errors as much as possible.

9. Give journalistic data as required for clarity: who, what, why, when, where, how.

10. For purposes of this class, essays should be in the neighborhood of between 300 and 500 words in length.