Your Quick Guide to Your Quick Guide to Essay Writing SuccessEssay Writing Success

Overcoming the Essay ChallengeOvercoming the Essay Challenge

The first step is to personalize the topic. The first step is to personalize the topic. Then you will be ready for a fast start.Then you will be ready for a fast start.

Write about either yourself or Write about either yourself or someone you know. Use a model.someone you know. Use a model.

• But remember, do not begin with “in my opinion”

• Do not begin with, “My name is John Doe or Jane Doe and I will be writing about….”

Begin, instead, in one of the Begin, instead, in one of the following ways.following ways.

• Begin anecdotally by offering a very short or interesting story about the topic---while actually writing about yourself or someone you know.

• Begin by giving historical background.

• Simply begin with a strong thesis statement.

Now that you are on the clock, this Now that you are on the clock, this is what you can do.is what you can do.

• Remember, make the topic relate to you or someone you know.

• Take a position whether it is pro, con or both.

• Take a few minutes to brainstorm using whatever technique you desire. I would recommend outlining.

You are getting there . A brainstorming You are getting there . A brainstorming outline could appear as follows:outline could appear as follows:

• Title (centered)

I. Introduction

A. Premise/Thesis

B. Statement of Points

II Body

A. Point 1

Supporting Information

Supporting Information

B. Point 2

Supporting Information

Supporting Information

C. Point 3

Supporting Information

Supporting Information

You are almost there!You are almost there!

III Conclusion/Summary

A. Summary of supporting information

B. Conclusion reached ( restatement of premise)

Avoid the following pitfalls of Avoid the following pitfalls of writing.writing.

Run on SentencesSentence FragmentsImproper CapitalizationFailure to Indent Each ParagraphLack of Support for Your Topic/PremiseMisuse of Common Words (homonyms

and homophones)

Pitfalls of Writing ContinuedPitfalls of Writing Continued

Faulty Verb Tense (You can only have one verb tense per sentence).

All Very Short and Choppy Sentences (Write sentences of various lengths which means writing some longer and shorter sentences.)

Concluding TipsConcluding Tips

• Write with confidence. Don’t start and restart.

• Write within your own comfort zone, but do not hesitate to sound original.

• Make sure your essay sounds complete.

• Use some transitional words.

Feel good and write well!Feel good and write well!

Have confidence that you will be able to finish your essay.

Remember, organize your essay completely before you begin to write.

Primary Reasons Why One WritesPrimary Reasons Why One Writes

• to entertain

• to persuade

• to convince

• Inform

Note: These reasons are also debatable.

The EndThe End

• Copr. 2014 Floyd Bibbs