An essay article is a piece of writing that explores or analyses a specific subject. It often involves research and an objective stance, but can also include personal insights, reflections, and interpretations. It can focus on a single artefact or text, or examine how the same subject is reflected across various works. Essays are often written to a particular audience and with a specific purpose in mind, whether it be entertaining, informing or persuading.
The most effective essays build a cumulative argument using various pieces of evidence. This requires a great deal of careful reading, especially when examining primary sources. It is also important to consider counterarguments when constructing your own thesis, and to avoid relying too heavily on one source as this can weaken your argument. Ensure that your paragraphs are logically connected, and use clear transitions to link them together. Vivid language can elevate your writing and encourage reader engagement, so make sure to use it where appropriate. Avoid cliches and overused phrases, as these can dilute the authenticity of your work. If possible, seek feedback from peers or mentors as their fresh perspectives can offer valuable insights and highlight areas where you may need to further develop your ideas.
Identify the audience: This is particularly important when writing for a particular audience, as it can influence the tone and structure of your essay. An essay aimed at a general readership will likely be more straightforward and informative, while an essay targeted at a specific academic audience is likely to have a more analytical and subjective tone.
Examine the topic: When composing an essay, it is essential to understand the wider context and implications of your subject. For example, if your essay is analysing a text, it is vital to examine what philosophies, beliefs, prejudices or opinions are reflected in the text, as this can help to shape and inform your own analysis. It is also necessary to analyse the text’s social, cultural and political implications, and how it might be received by different readers.
Describe your chosen topic and the evidence you have used to support it. This will allow your reader to better engage with and understand your arguments, and it will demonstrate that you have a nuanced understanding of the issues at hand. It is also important to acknowledge and address any counterarguments, as this can show that you have considered the different viewpoints that exist on your subject. In addition, it can help to bolster your overall argument by providing further examples or evidence that could be used to discredit or challenge the opposing view point. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep a list of all the arguments and counterarguments you encounter throughout your research so that you can reference them as needed. This will save you time as you won’t have to go back through your work and add footnotes later on. By doing this, you can also ensure that all of your sources are correctly attributed.
