Tips for Writing a Great Essay
Look at Your Word Count
Your word count is the first indicator as to how you will write your essay. Since each paragraph should be approximately 150-200 words, you will use this to divide up how many points you plan on making. For example, in a 1000 word essay, you will likely get about five good 200-word paragraphs. Subtract two of those paragraphs to account for an introductory paragraph and conclusion, and you will have three paragraphs left to make three points. However, remember that this isn’t a hard or fast rule–if you need more space in one paragraph and can sacrifice it in another, make the change! It’s better to have a paper that flows well and says what it needs to than one that sticks too closely to word count limitations!
Determine the Type of Essay
There are four general types of essays: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive. In university, we typically write argumentative essays with strong thesis statements. In these essays, we choose one side of an argument and debate the validity of our opinion through research; collecting scholarly articles for evidence is key for these essays. In expository essays, the goal is to expand on your knowledge of a particular topic and clearly communicate the information you possess; the key here is to begin with general information and provide more specific details that highlight your knowledge in the body paragraphs. Narrative essays are more creative than research-based and they take the reader on a journey through your story, so try to be as captivating and unique as possible. Lastly, in descriptive essays, you use your creative writing skills to describe something based on the sensory details you know about it. Do not try to tell a whole story with descriptive essays; stay specific in what you are trying to describe.
Know Your Format
When taking a variety of classes, students often encounter a variety of desired essay formats. Whether you are using APA, Chicago, or the ever-evolving MLA style, it is important not to combine elements from each. The Purdue Online Writing Lab is a fantastic resource for citing and formatting in any style, as it provides a step-by-step guide. Most importantly, when creating citations, you should not use a citation generator. Citation generators are a great first step to getting the information you need but they often confuse information, pull the wrong titles, or confuse the order of containers. If you insist on using them, proceed with caution and double-check if they are correct through sources like Owl Purdue.
Use My Template!
For argumentative essays, I have created a key template to guide you through. By filling out the basic information on this template, you’re sure to start off on the right foot. Remember: templates are great for organizing your thoughts, but the key to a strong paper is revision, revision, revision!