Mastering the Art of Expression

What is essay writing?

Essay writing is a form of composition that deal with expression of thought or ideal on a particular subject of matter or issue.

Essay writing is a form of academic writing that aims to express the writer's ideas and arguments on a particular topic. It involves presenting a clear and concise argument, supported by evidence and examples, to persuade the reader of a specific point of view.

There are several types of essays, each with its own unique purpose and structure. Here are some common types of essays:

1. Narrative Essay: A narrative essay tells a story or recounts an event. This type of essay often includes personal anecdotes and experiences.

Example: A narrative essay about a memorable trip you took.

2. Descriptive Essay: A descriptive essay describes a person, place, or thing in detail. The purpose of this essay is to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Example: A descriptive essay about a favorite childhood memory.

3. Expository Essay: An expository essay presents information or explains a topic in a clear and concise manner. This type of essay often includes facts, statistics, and examples.

Example: An expository essay about the benefits of meditation.

4. Persuasive Essay: A persuasive essay aims to convince the reader to agree with the writer's point of view. This type of essay presents arguments and evidence to support a specific stance.

Example: A persuasive essay about the importance of recycling.

5. Argumentative Essay: An argumentative essay is similar to a persuasive essay but focuses more on presenting a balanced argument with both sides of an issue. The writer must present evidence and counterarguments to support their stance.

Example: An argumentative essay about the pros and cons of homeschooling.

Characteristics of an Excellent Essay

1. Clear and Concise: An excellent essay must be clear and straight forward in presenting its arguments and ideas in a clear and concise manner. The language used must be precise and the sentences should be well-structured, to make it easy for the reader to understand the writer's message.

Example: In an essay about the benefits of meditation, the writer could present their ideas in short, concise paragraphs using simple language that is easy to understand.

2. Well-Organized: A good essay must be well structured and organized with a logical flow of ideas and arguments. The structure of the essay is easy to follow, and the writer uses transitions to link paragraphs and ideas.

Example: In an essay about the impact of social media on mental health, the writer must organize his/her ideas into separate sections, such as the negative effects of social media, the positive effects, and the ways to mitigate the negative impact.

3. Focused: An excellent essay must focused on a specific topic or thesis statement. The writer presents their ideas and arguments in a way that supports the central thesis and avoids irrelevant information.

Example: In an essay about the benefits of reading, the writer must focus on a specific aspect of reading, such as how it improves vocabulary, critical thinking skills, or empathy.

4. Evidence-Based: A good essay is based on evidence, facts, and examples. The writer must use a reliable sources to support their arguments and use evidence to persuade the reader.

Example: In an essay about climate change, the writer should use scientific studies, statistics, and news articles to support their argument that climate change is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed.

5. Originality: An excellent essay must be original and presents new ideas or perspectives on a topic. The writer should avoids cliches and use their own voice to present their arguments.

Example: In an essay about the effects of music on the brain, the writer could present their unique perspective on the topic by incorporating personal anecdotes or experiences with music.

In summary, essay writing is a critical skill that involves presenting a clear and convincing argument on a particular topic. Understanding the different types of essays and their purposes can help writers effectively communicate their ideas and persuade readers.

STEPS IN WRITING AN EFFECTIVE ESSAY

1. Understand the Assignment: Before you start writing, it is important to understand the assignment requirements. Read the prompt carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked of you. Take note of any specific instructions such as the length of the essay, the required formatting style, and the type of sources that can be used.

Example: Let's say the prompt is "Discuss the impact of social media on mental health."

2. Conduct Research: Once you understand the assignment, start researching the topic. Gather your information from a credible and reliable sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. Take notes on important information and write down any quotes or statistics that you may want to use in your essay.

Example: You might find research studies that discuss the link between social media use and depression or anxiety.

3. Create an Outline: Organize your thoughts and information by creating an outline. Start with a thesis statement that summarizes the main argument of your essay. Then, break down your main points and supporting evidence into separate sections.

Example of an essay writing

1.0 Introduction of essay writing

1.2 Background information on social media and mental health

1.3 Thesis statement

2.0 Negative Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

2.1 Link between social media use and depression

2.2 Effect of social media on self-esteem and body image

3.0 Positive Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

3.1Potential for social support and connection

3.2Use of social media in promoting mental health awareness

4.0 Conclusion

4.1 Recap of main points

4.2 Final thoughts on the topic

 Write the Essay: Use your outline as a guide and start writing the essay. Make sure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that each point is supported by evidence. Use transition words to help your essay flow smoothly from one point to the next.

Example:

• In the introduction, provide background information on social media and mental health. Then, state your thesis statement: "While social media can have a negative impact on mental health, it also has the potential to provide social support and promote mental health awareness."

• In the body paragraphs, provide evidence to support your argument. For example, you could discuss research studies that show a correlation between social media use and depression. You could also discuss the negative impact of social media on self-esteem and body image. In the next section, you could discuss the potential for social support and connection through social media. You could also discuss how social media can be used to promote mental health awareness.

• In the conclusion, summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement in a new way. Provide some final thoughts on the topic and perhaps suggest areas for future research.

• Revise and Edit: After you have written your essay, take some time to revise and edit. Look for ways to improve the clarity and organization of your writing. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure your sources are properly cited.

Example: Read through your essay and make sure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that each point is supported by evidence. Check for spelling and grammar errors. Make sure you have properly cited your sources using the required formatting style.

Reference

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number (issue number), page range.

Smith, J. (2021). The art of essay writing. Writing Quarterly, 45(3), 25-32.

Unknown. "Characteristics of an Excellent Essay." [Online]. Available: https://www.thoughtco.com/characteristics-of-an-excellent-essay-3733046. [Accessed: 05-May-2023].