How to write an essay writing in English

So you have chosen the right place from which you can learn How to write an essay in the English language.

Useful tips on How to write an essay writing in English?

Essay Writing Tips:

• Highlight keywords.
• Use the dictionary to check the meaning of any unfamiliar words.
• Identify the task words that indicate what needs to be done, eg ‘discuss’, ‘explain’, ‘compare’.
• Identify the topic words that indicate the particular subject of the essay, eg the character of ‘Juliet’ in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the ’causes’ of World War.
• Identify any limiting words that restrict the discussion to a particular area, eg in ‘Chapters 1-3’, during the ‘nineteenth century’.

• Be selective: use sources which are relevant and accessible.
• Write notes in your own words.
• Write down quotations that may be particularly useful, but ensure the source of these quotes is acknowledged if they’re used.
• Take note of sources so they can be provided in footnotes and the bibliography.

• Jot down any relevant points.
• Make note of any relevant evidence or quotes that come to mind.
• Use a mind map to help stimulate lateral thinking.

• The thesis should be a statement that strongly expresses the overall response to the question.
• Avoid a thesis that’s too simplistic – show thought has been put into some of the complexities behind the question.
• The thesis is the backbone of the essay – it will be stated in the introduction. It also needs to be referred to several times in the essay before restating it and demonstrating how it has been proven in the conclusion.

• Order ideas in a logical sequence.
• Make sure every point in the plan is relevant to the question.
• After the plan has been written it should be clear where the essay is going.

• Open up the discussion.
• Introduce the thesis.
• Indicate how the questions will be answered.
• Name any texts to be discussed, if appropriate.
• Engage the reader.

• Ensure each point is given a new paragraph.
• Use words or phrases at the start of each paragraph that will indicate to the reader how it relates to the previous paragraph, eg, ‘however’, ‘in addition’, ‘nevertheless’, ‘moreover’.
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that clearly links the paragraph to the rest of the essay, eg “A striking example of Gary Crew’s use of light and darkness imagery to suggest notions of knowledge and ignorance occurs in the scene on the jetty”.
• Provide supporting evidence for each point that you make.
• Revisit the thesis, and express it in different ways if possible, to emphasize how the question is being addressed.

• Summarise the main ideas.
• Demonstrate how you have proven your thesis.
• Finish with an interesting or thought-provoking, but relevant, comment.

• Check for spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Delete any sections that are not particularly relevant.
• Change vocabulary to improve expression.
• Seek feedback from peers or a teacher before writing the final copy.

• Add any footnotes or bibliography if required.
• Present a clean, neat copy.
• Submit on time.

Writing strategy for Essay writing:

Read the given title thoroughly and carefully to get the gist of it. It is important that you understand properly what is asked of you and remain focused throughout.

It is a good idea to brainstorm yourself for ideas on the given topics and plan the essay for the first few minutes. You can jot down your ideas on the question sheet (can even use mind mapping for this) so that you know the outline of what you will be writing. It may take 5-7 minutes but the time spent is worth it.

Since the use of good vocabulary can increase your marks significantly, whatever good words you can recollect relevant to the topic should be scribed immediately on the question sheet as they flash or else you will lose them. Even the proverbs, quotations and idioms that can possibly be applied can be scribbled.

Once an outline is prepared, you may start structuring it by developing the points, and as you write, keep in mind the flow and coherence. It is good to keep about 5 min for proofreading and checking your work. It really helps you eliminate silly and avoidable mistakes that degrade the quality of your work.

A 5-POINT CHECKLIST IN THE LAST MINUTES:

• Punctuation/Formatting (especially commas, full-stops, capitalization, paragraphing)
• Singular/Plural
• Sub-verb agreement
• Superficial check on the use of tenses
• Spellings

DOS AND DON’TS

1. Avoid using the sentences given in the title as it is in any part of your essay. Try to understand the information provided in the title and re-create it. If some information from the title is required to be taken, it should be altered in some of the other ways, like by changing the order of words or using the synonyms.
2. Always use paragraphing and not points in your writing. It is good to have a minimum of four paragraphs in your writing.
3. Don’t skip to write on anything asked in the title. If you are asked multiple questions or given bullets in the title, make sure that you cover them all.
4. Make sure that you use pronouns as your writing progresses maintaining a consistency as per the noun forms (masculine, feminine, neutral, singular, plural etc.).
5. Avoid contractions (like don’t, won’t), short forms (like govt. or eg.) and slangs {like guys, cops, nuts (for crazy)}. Adhere to a formal writing style in Essay writing.
6. Remember your vocabulary is getting tested and hence go for better alternatives of general words.
7. You can do single line cutting from the middle for the words or information that you want to omit after writing.
8. Try to maintain consistency in the use of language, competitive exams to create a good impression.
9. You will get a line along with the essay title likes:
10. Use your own ideas, knowledge, and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.
11. Read the title carefully. It may be seen as complicated, but the answer could be easy to write.
12. Focus on the board keywords of the title (may underline them). Thinking over them can give you a very good start or introduction. You get keywords such as communication, entertainment, technology and so on.