By Ruth Hunter-Hill
Writing doesn’t come easily for everyone, so sitting down to write an essay can be daunting for some. From an early age, we learn that we can’t escape the need to be good readers and writers if we want to be successful in life. But don’t panic! You can write a good essay without being a language expert.
What is an essay, anyway? According to Mr. Google, an essay is “a short piece of writing on a particular subject.”
Does that sound intimidating? Of course not! Let’s talk about some suggestions for writing an essay you’ll be super proud of.
• Every essay is accompanied by specific instructions, so the first thing to do is make sure you understand these instructions. This is the time to let your teacher know you have questions. It’s futile to try to justify an unsatisfactory grade by saying you didn’t understand the instructions.
• When writing an essay for college or business, following instructions is even more critical. In these situations, you must clarify things at the outset. You can bet that the decision-making process includes assessing whether or not you followed instructions to the letter. In some cases, failure to follow instructions could mean disqualification or rejection of your application.
• Don’t wait until the last minute! Allow yourself plenty of time to get to know your essay topic or question, then write a quality essay. Thorough knowledge of the topic will breed confidence in you. Anyway, the person reading your essay will know if you’ve plagiarized (copied someone else’s essay) or rushed through your work.
• Writing and reading are closely connected. Reading what others write will not only grow your knowledge base but can help you identify or establish your own writing style. Good writers are usually avid readers.
• Be original. Remember, at all levels you are not the only person writing an essay on this topic or answering this question, so now is the time to be creative, starting with the title. You want a “catchy” title that ignites curiosity in the prospective reader.
o Example – if writing about a recent fishing trip, which title is more inviting?
“My Fishing Trip” or “Deep Sea Fishing with My Dad”
• Grab your reader’s attention in the first paragraph – in the first sentence if possible. Make them want to learn more about your experience or topic.
• Be descriptive and paint a picture for your reader, especially when writing about a personal experience. Help them to see things through your eyes, from your perspective, and feel the experience as you did.
• Ask someone to read a draft of your essay and give constructive feedback. Remember their feedback is about the essay you wrote, not about you personally. Accept this feedback graciously and learn from it.
• Finally, have someone proofread your final draft, preferably the same person who reviewed your draft. When you proof your own work it’s easy to miss errors, especially in spelling and grammar. Your brain will sometimes trick you and read what should be there versus what is actually there. Though I am a seasoned professional, this is still an important part of my writing process both professionally and personally.
Go ahead and write that essay – no need to procrastinate! You should have a good idea of how to get started now. And there are lots of sites like the ones below that will help build your confidence.
May12021
