How to write an essay?

Question

I have to write an essay on the topic, ''Reflection/ Insight on your past'', but I don't know what to start with. The essay needs to arouse public resonance, which I think is the most difficult and confusing part. Can anyone help me and give me some advice?

Answer 1

Wow -- I can see the challenge! Is it possible for you to talk further with the one assigning the topic, to get a little more clarification? That would be my starting point, if possible.

The creative process is different for everyone, but typically when approaching a project like this, I try to break it down into parts to help my understanding of what I'm trying to do. So, I would approach it like this...

1. First I'd look up the definitions for "reflection" and "insight" to spark my imagination.

2. Next, I'd think about what might be meant by "public resonance." Sounds to me like it means you would be looking for common ground with others; like you want others to be able to really hear you and see themselves in your story.

3. Then I'd think about my friends and people I know...what do I see in their lives that is classic to the human condition? What "stories" of theirs resonate with ME? What experiences seem common to all of us? (We're all born; we all have times when we feel success, and other times when we feel inadequate; we all have a first kiss or a first date; we all have a time to move out on our own; etc. etc.)

4. I'd look at my life, and think about which of those classic experiences I have had that others might think, "yeah! I totally identify!"

5. Out of those stories, are there any that are unique, or have twists and turns that will draw others into your story.

6. Once you get this narrowed down, it's time to start writing, but when you do, tell your "inner critic" to "shut up" while you're getting started. (We all have them, and they can really stifle our creativity.) Tell him he can help with the final editing later. I know...it sounds silly, but this trick has helped not just me, but many writers I know.

7. Trust yourself, and just be authentically you!

Good luck and all the best. You can do this!!

Answer 2

I am going to assume "arouse public resonance" means it should be an essay that 'reflects and relates insight on your past that causes other people to be able to relate to you better - feel more connected to you as a human being.' What in your past is an experience like that that you have since reflected upon, gained insight about that might help other people not only identify with you, but learn more about themselves in the process? that would certainly help me resonate with you -- if you had an experience that you had reflected upon, gained insight, and I gained more insight into myself based on what you had to say! It could be an even that upset your life (death, divorce, financial disaster, natural disaster) or something quite small that turned out later to have a big impact on you, such as something a total stranger said to you or something you did on a hunch that made you say "hey, I'm pretty smart" or whatever. Surely there is something like that. Then, you begin the essay by introducing that topic (tell 'em what you are going to tell them) relating the reflections and insight (tell 'em) and then summarizing your new found wealth of information (tell 'em what you just told 'em). Voila...essay done. Good luck.

Answer 3

Well, I looked up resonance on www.dictionary.reference.com and came up with the following:

Richness or significance, especially in evoking an association or strong emotion: "It is home and family that give resonance . . . to life" (George Gilder). "Israel, gateway to Mecca, is of course a land of religious resonance and geopolitical significance" (James Wolcott).

So I think your essay has to be about something in your past that would "strike a chord" or "resonate" with a lot of people. I don't know how old you are or what kind of things you've done in your life, but I hope you can think of something deep and meaningful.

You're the expert on you, so you just need to pick a topic and go with it. Just make sure you give the reader enough background information (without being too detailed) so that what you're telling makes sense. And make sure that your essay is on a theme that a lot of people will be able to identify with.

Answer 4

Go to the library, take out a DVD or Video on something instructional. Listen carefully to what is said in the introduction. The words verbalized are strategically geared to sucker you into watching more and maybe buying the product. This is what you want to do in an essay in arousing the public's resonance.

Answer 5

~Yes, I could, but understanding the question is at least half of the assignment. Having considered the results of doing so previously, and the lasting impact on not only me in the guilt for having cheated, but on the recipient as well for having been deprived of the opportunity to learn and grow as an individual, I can't bring myself to cheat with you now. I surely hope others will agree and suggest that you spend less time on this site and more time with your homework. Education is learning to think and reason, I have learned, and it would a disservice to you and a fraud on your teacher were I (or others) to say more.

Answer 6

start with a question, quote, or maybe start with something like "our past reflects who we are and what we grow up to be."
make sure you definitely write about an experience that everyone can relate to. good luck