An essay is a piece of writing that gives the reader a clear and balanced analysis of a particular subject. Essays are common assignments in high school or college and may be written on a variety of topics. They are often assigned in order to test the student’s ability to think critically about a topic and express it clearly in written form.
There are many different types of essays, each with their own purpose and style. An argumentative essay, for example, is designed to convince the reader that a certain position is correct. It is typically written from the point of view of the author and can use evidence from various sources to support its claims.
A research essay, on the other hand, is intended to inform the reader about a specific subject. It usually uses facts and data to back up its arguments, but it is not as persuasive as an argumentative essay. In an expository essay, the writer’s goal is to educate the reader about a subject, such as the history of slavery in the United States.
While it is not possible to write an essay that will appeal to all readers, there are some general steps that can be taken to ensure that an essay is well written. These include:
Understanding the prompt: It is important to read the essay question carefully and make sure that your response addresses the question asked. Students should circle or highlight the main words in the question so that they stay focused on what is being asked.
Planning: A good essay takes time to develop and should be planned out before it is written. Having an outline of what will be covered in each paragraph can help ensure that the essay is concise and logical. Brainstorming: It is a good idea to brainstorm before writing, as this can help get ideas on paper and prevent them from being forgotten when the actual writing begins. It is also a good idea to take notes while researching so that you can reference them later when writing the essay.
Drafting: It is always a good idea to write multiple drafts of an essay, as this can help ensure that the final essay is free of errors. It is also a good idea to have someone else read the essay to make sure that it makes sense and that it addresses the question.
Having a strong school essay can be an effective way to distinguish yourself from other applicants, especially when the school is particularly competitive. It can also help offset other weaknesses in your application, such as a lower test score or a gap in your GPA.
