ESSAY WRITING/THE SECRETS OF EFFECTIVE ESSAY WRITING

WHAT IS AN ESSAY?
An essay is an account of someone on a particular topic or theme, developed in writing
through a few-knit paragraphs. You think, organize and write. You introduce the topic, pursue
it and take it one step further by concluding it.

WHAT IS THE AIM OF AN ESSAY?

Aim of an essay is to test your knowledge and your ability to construct an argument.

HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY?

We have a topic, we research that topic, plan what to write, and write on that topic.

IS IT VERY SIMPLE TO WRITE AN ESSAY?

Yes, it is easy and simple. However, there is always that uncertainty whether what we have
written is good or not. Most of the time problems occur because we don’t know how to write.
How To Deal with Writing Complications?
Collecting your material on that topic is comparatively very easy but the problem comes in
arranging that material and presenting that material. In any essay there is nothing right or
wrong stand, it’s all up to us how we push our stand!!!!!!

HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY/ PARAGRAPH PLAN?

There are two ways to write an essay:
1. HIGH RISK STRATEGY:
Start writing whatever comes to your mind, things will take shape as you will progress
and apparently you will be successful.

2. THE ALTERNATIVE APPROACH:

Have a clear idea of the shape and structure of the essay, then develop your ideas
within this predetermined form. The writer should be well versed with the number of
paragraphs to be used, length of each paragraph and function of each paragraph.

Chapter 7 discusses the art of essay writing up to 3000 words. So the below format is
given to organize the content of the essay.
THE SHAPE OF AN ESSAY: (3000 words)
It should contain 8 paragraphs of 750-780 words each except first paragraph and concluding
paragraph. Paragraph 1 should introduce the topic; paragraph 2-7 should contain the main
body of the essay and paragraph 8 should wind up/ conclude the topic.

PARAGRAPH 1:

Introduction to the topic. This one is a short paragraph in 10-12 lines and100-150 words max.
It contains the basic principles and substance of the issues under consideration, definitions of
essential items.
PARAGRAPH 8:

A writer should conclude the subject in 10-12 lines, brings a closure. A writer should not start
a new line of argument.
BODY OF THE ESSAY:

PARAGRAPH 2-3: A writer should start to explore the issue/topic.

PARAGRAPH 4-5: Push the issue along.

PARAGRAPH 6-7: The essay arrives somewhere/push your luck. (Push your luck means write
something to distinguish yourself in an essay, move beyond received ideas or move into more
complex territory at some point in an essay.

HOW TO GET FIRST PARAGRAPH RIGHT:

THINGS TO TAKR CARE WHILE WRITING AN ESSAY:

a) Spelling,
b) Punctuation,
c) Grammar,
d) Layout,
e) Presentation,
f) References,
g) Always write basic ideas first, moving on to complex ideas and then to most difficult
ideas. This helps in maintaining the interest of the reader and helps in grasping the
idea of the essay.
h) Taking record/stock taking exercise.
i) link each paragraph to the previous one to make things clear and to the next one to
make your paragraph look coherent and organized
ADVANTAGES OF WRITING IN PARAGRAPHS:
It helps you to pace an essay. You are in control of the argument unfolding and developing in
a steady manner and controlled way. Predetermined plan always helps you to unfold even
the most complicated things easily. It helps to keep an imaginary audience in your mind while
writing the essay. This will help you to decide how much information to give and at what time.
TYPES OF SENTENCES IN AN ESSAY:
Every paragraph should have topic sentence- supporting sentence -concluding sentences
Topic sentence sets the tone of the essay.

Supporting sentence support the main idea presented through the topic sentences.
Concluding sentences concludes or ends a paragraph.

THREE PART LOGIC OF AN ESSAY OF 500-3000 WORDS LIMIT: (8 PARAGRAPHS)

1. SET IT UP
2. PUSH IT ALONG
3. PUSH YOUR LUCK

OPENING PARAGRAPH: (THREE STEPS- 10-12 lines-100-150 words roughly)

1. A writer should not confuse the reader with too much information and too many ideas
in the opening paragraph. First sentence is called as the topic sentence. This should
be a simple sentence expressing the subject matter of your essay.
2. Next few sentences in the first paragraph can elaborate further, define the terms, and
give reader the essential information on the opening sentence.
3. This will be the closing sentence which will focus the brief of the essay/ the topic you
are going to discuss in next few paragraphs.
Opening paragraph should be relatively short than other paragraphs. You have to e careful
with the shape of the paragraph and the shape of the sentences. “WRITE IT TIGHT”. (see the
example in section 73) The start of an essay should lead the reader into the subject and
nothing more than that. the writer should introduce the topic as if he is introducing it to his
readers for the first time. the first sentence should be bold and direct statement
(subject+verb+object pattern). you need to focus on “this is what I am saying”, “this is what I
am going to say about” “this is the problem, issue, or question that I am going to confront in
this essay.

EXAMPLE:
i. A big fair has been held every year in my grandparents’ village for the past 100
years. (Topic sentence)
ii. Every year on the day of full moon, in the month of November, the fair begins.
It goes on for about two weeks. Though it is organized by the village
committee, the fair belongs to everyone in the village. (Elaboration and
clarification of the topic)
iii. Everyone in the village looks forward to this annual celebration of harmony
and togetherness. (Concluding step of first paragraph/ also a point on which
your essay is going to focus upon)
HOW TO ESTABLISH CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO PARAGRAPHS/PARAGRAPH
TRANSITION:
It’s easy to establish the connection between two paragraphs by picking up one or more
keywords or issues from the paragraph before, and then build from that point.

EXAMPLE: (paragraph 2) There is a ground at the center of the village, earmarked as the site
for the fair, where people from different backgrounds and religion come together. Hundreds
of craftsmen from different places come to this small town with their best wares to display
and sell at the fair. A long queue seems to be constant scene outside the tent of the circus
company. People of the village do their shopping for the household for the entire year from
this fair. This is thus, the best time of the year from shopping to meeting friends and relatives
and have some gala time.

(PARAGRAPH 3) There are shops from utility items such as furniture, upholstery, decorative
items, plants, clothing and so on. The fair is also very important for the economy of this village.
The whole village turns into a big market during these few days.
(PARAGRAPH 4) The fair also offers an opportunity for relatives living outside the village to
visit. It is a time for family get- together for the village members. The fair upholds the spirit
of our country which is diverse, peace loving and harmonious.

HOW TO CONSTRUCT A PARAGRAPH: A paragraph can be easily constructed by having the

linking sentence, middle sentences and concluding sentence of that paragraph. All you need
to do is work further in three steps in the middle part of the paragraph. So, it will be three
more steps within three steps.
EXAMPLE: (paragraph 2) There is a ground at the center of the village, earmarked as the site
for the fair, where people from different backgrounds and religion come together. Hundreds
of craftsmen from different places come to this small town with their best wares to display
and sell at the fair. A long queue seems to be constant scene outside the tent of the circus
company. People of the village do their shopping for the household for the entire year from
this fair. This is thus, the best time of the year from shopping to meeting friends and relatives
and have some gala time.

WRITING A CONCLUSION: A writer should conclude the subject in 10-12 lines, brings a
closure. A writer should not start a new line of argument. A conclusion can be in 7-8 lines/
100-150 words.

TROUBLESHOOTING QUESTIONS THAT ONE SHOULD ASK AFTER WRITING THE ESSAY:

1. Place yourself in the position of the reader and read your essay, ask yourself do you
understand it, and do you like it?
2. Does this essay look logical and well organized? Is there a paragraph shape to the
essay? Or is it just a jumbled mixture of very short and very long paragraphs?
3. Is there a logical step by -step advance in your essay?
4. Does the essay setup the issue efficiently and effectively?
5. Does each paragraph arrive somewhere?
6. Does each paragraph advance the argument?
7. Are the sentences grammatically correct and properly punctuated?
8. Does each sentence connect logically with the sentences written before and after it?
9. Should I remove/ cut some words or refine and polish my ideas?
10. Does the essay conform to the conventions of presentation that are standard in your
subject?