how do i write a good essay?

Question

i need help with thesis.
i want a better way than just listing the things that i'm talking about
ex. blah blah blah such as blah,blah and blah.
and i have good thoughts, but i cant organize them effectively
and i only have 40 minutes to write and plan the whole thing
thanks :D

Answer 1

Think about what you're going to write (thesis and intro)

Then the body: (3 reasons to support your thesis)

Then the conclusion (summary, brief justification of your points and what are the benefits/advantages/etc...)


An example of an essay is like: talking about my school teacher.

Thesis and intro would be like: My school teacher is very helpful and kind and usually gives me alot of attention and awareness to my studies.

Points (body) would be like: 1. she stays after class to help me sometimes with problems...this helps me alot because there aren't many students there at that time and its easier to interact and talk with her about my math problems..

2. she loves to check our homework and help us out with any problems during class....this is very helpful because we then realize where we're wrong and how we can correct our problem before we go home...

3. she loves to give quizzes and group work...this helps the interaction between all our classmates because it boosts our ability to work and share our knowledge together..

(conclusion)..therefore, i think our math teacher is a great teacher because she has a great and kind personality of helping you in different ways...moreover, we all benefit from her teaching as its quite unique and very clear to follow..

hope this helps a bit..

Answer 2

PLANNING THE ESSAY

The first step to writing an essay and possibly the most overwhelming to some writers is planning the essay. Writers usually have some idea of what they want to write about. The problem is that now they need to organize their idea and focus on what the essay will specifically be about.


Brainstorm about the general topic that was chosen to show an even more specific topic. Write down any key words or phrases that can be associated with the topic. One of the key words or phrases could lead to a more specific idea for an essay.


Once a topic has been chosen, the six basic questions can be asked to help supply information that will be given in the essay and could possibly even help discover an even more detailed topic for the essay.


The basic questions are: WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? HOW?


Now that the basic questions have been asked, they will need to be answered. Reading about the chosen topic and finding answers to the questions is the next step. Write down notes or summarize the information. If direct quotes or paraphrases are used, the source will have to be cited in the essay.


Answering the basic questions should have supplied ideas for the thesis sentence. The thesis sentence is the main idea of the essay. It is the first sentence that expresses what the essay is about and from what position the essay is written. The thesis sentence should not merely be about a general topic. It should clearly show the direction of the essay.


For example:

Pitbulls are dogs that tend to attack small children.

-This thesis sentence would be wrong because it does not clearly show the position of the essay.

Pitbulls are dangerous animals that should be kept on a leash at all times due to the safety risk involved.

-This thesis sentence would be correct because it shows the position of the essay. The position is that pitbulls are dangerous and should be leashed.


After the thesis sentence is developed, a formal outline should be devised. This will help ensure that the topic of the essay is being written systematically and that all questions are being answered.


DRAFTING THE ESSAY


The first draft of the essay is usually the toughest to write. An essay must be developed using the notes, summaries, and thesis statement that were previously written. Paragraphs should be written based on and following the sequential order of the outline.


INTRODUCTION

The introduction consists of the thesis statement and ideas. It should clearly show the position of the paper without giving too much information.


BODY

The body of the essay is next which provides the information and support that was gathered. The body gives the answers to the basic questions.


CONCLUSION

Then the conclusion summarizes the information, reiterates the thesis and closes the essay.


PROOFREADING AND EDITING

After the essay is completely written, it is time to proofread and edit the paper. Read through the essay carefully, checking for spelling mistakes or grammar and sentence structure errors. Check to see that each of the basic questions about the topic was answered and that the sequence and structure of the essay are well written and complete.


Once satisfied with the essay as written, it can be typed up and completed. Look over the essay as many times as it needs to be perfect.

good luck!!! =)

Answer 3

First paragraph--state what your essay is about. Are you trying to persuade us about something? Just give us information? Tell us three things about this statement (such as three reasons why I should be persuaded by your writing).

Then in three successive paragraphs, you list each of the three reasons and give more information on each of the three. EX: Smoking is bad for a number of reasons. The first reason is financial--spending money on cigarettes (give an average amount) leaves you with less money to spend on other things. Then think of two other reasons.

Then, in the last paragraph, summarize your points ("tying up the package"). Hope that helps.

Answer 4

style analysis....ugh.....i know how you feel. best thing to tell you is, stick to the prompt, analyze tone, any thing that stands out in the diction, syntax, or literary qualities in the writing such as subtleties, metaphors.... and dont rush it. stay organized and write effectively, the people grading them know you only have 40 minutes. make it magical. have it sing. you'll get a 9. goodluck

Answer 5

state a clear thesis(why are you writing the esay)
support/talk about one point of your thesis(body paragraphs)
tie the package but don't just simply restate the thesis(last chance to leave the reader an impression)
Don't go off topic.

Good luck.